Charles G. Finney (1792-1875), a Master Mason, became a Christian in 1824 & renounced Freemasonry. Thereafter, he preached revival throughout the eastern part of the USA. Freemasonry writes that "Finney preached anti-Masonry wherever he was, & with former 33rd degree Freemason, Jonathan Blanchard, a Presbyterian minister & president of Wheaton College, published an anti-Masonic newspaper." What prompted Finney to write & preach against Freemasonry was the Masonic murder of Captain William Morgan. Morgan became a Christian in 1825 & renounced Freemasonry. He felt compelled to expose in a book the unconstitutional & anti-Christian practices of the Masonic Lodges. As a consequence, he was assassinated by three Masons. Not until the Masonic murder of William Morgan did Finney begin preaching anti-Masonry along with his revival messages. By 1830, 40,000 of the 50,000 Masons in America had renounced Freemasonry, & 2,000 lodges had closed their doors. For all practical purposes Freemasonry was dead, so thought Finney. After the American Civil War, however, Freemasonry was stronger than ever. Consequently, in 1869, Finney was compelled to write a book on the subject. Finney begins with details of the Masonic abduction & murder of Captain William Morgan. He quotes the deathbed confession of one of the assassins. He then informs the church of its responsibility toward the Masonic Lodge. With the exception of a new introduction & epilogue, Jon Kregal, Inc. Publishing reprinted Finney's book without alteration.

Forty years ago we supposed that it was dead, and had no idea that it could ever revive. But, strange to tell, while we were busy in getting rid of slavery, Freemasonry has revived, and extended its bounds most alarmingly...

Forty years ago we supposed that it was dead, and had no idea that it could ever revive. But, strange to tell, while we were busy in getting rid of slavery, Freemasonry has revived, and extended its bounds most alarmingly...