Pioneer Life in The West THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JAMES BRADLEY FINLEY
(Don't run; I shall not be long-winded. Just hold on a mom...)
Don't run; I shall not be long-winded. Just hold on a moment, as I have but few words to say. I always did despise long introductions to sermons, and scarcely ever listen to one with any degree of patience. I have an equal dislike to a long introduction to a book, and, hence, verbum sat.
The following pages contain a brief, unvarnished narrative of the incidents of my life; and as, in the providence of God, I was permitted to grow up with the west,* it may not be uninteresting to the people of the west, to be made more fully acquainted with my somewhat eventful history.
For upward of forty years I have been constantly engaged in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the woods, cities, and villages of the west; and nearly all that time, with few exceptions, such as I have noted, my name has been on the effective list of traveling preachers.
My time, with what talents I had, has all been consecrated to the church of my choice, and now, after the lapse of almost half a century in the service of the church, I would not recall what I have done and suffered for Christ's sake. The only regret that I have is, that I did not accomplish more.
While the work was going through the press, I was engaged in the enterprise of building a new church, the one occupied by my charge being too small. Part of my time has been employed in raising funds for this object, and I am pledged to see this infant church through its difficulties.
The proceeds of this work, after paying the expenses of its publication, are to be appropriated to a benevolent object; and I trust it may meet with favor among the thousands of Christian friends with whom in life I have had pleasant communion, and with whom I hope to spend a happy eternity in the communings of a better world.
J. B. Finley Cincinnati, Ohio, May, 1853
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