Our sainted publisher, Martin Wells Knapp, three years ago felt impressed to give to the world a "Life of Charles G. Finney," less voluminous than his "Autobiography," less costly than Professor Wright's "Life of Finney," and written by one acquainted with him from the standpoint of holiness. He fixed upon me to be the author, and I accepted the joyful task. Soon after, a still higher Hand thrust upon me the arduous labors of bringing into existence Texas Holiness University, which, for the time, pushed aside all other labors. At the earnest solicitation of the precious brother, I took up the work three months ago, putting into it the few fragments of my spare time. Of course, I have made free use of Finney's "Memoirs" and Professor Wright's "Life" and "Reminiscences," to which I am greatly indebted. I have, however, given an independent picture of the great man's life and work, one not heretofore given.

There were some things which the public ought to know about Finney, which he would never say of himself. There were some things which ought to be said about Finney's work, which none would say who was not in full sympathy with his deep desire to attain to and to teach sanctification. God has granted to the author at least that one qualification. There is enough in this book quoted from Finney himself to teach any one, desirous of learning, how to be a successful fisher of men, and how to receive the baptism with the Holy Ghost.

It lessens not a little the joy of having written the book that we can not place it in the hands of him who asked it of us.

Texas Holiness University,

Greenville, Texas, January 21, 1902