The GOSPEL TRUTH
LETTER OF

CHARLES G. FINNEY

1831

To Theodore Dwight Weld

21 July 1831

 

[Autograph signed letter in Weld-Grimke Papers, William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan.]

 

Abany 21st. July 1831.

Dr. Weld.

I dont know what to say about

Beman. Has promised to explain his views fully

to me but has not yet done it.

My opinion is that if his health were good

& he could get the right man to take his place

he would go to Whitesboro. But he thinks it

more than probable that he shall spend another

winter at least at the south.

A prime object in my staying so long

in this region is to see Cushman who has

been gone & who is expected home to day.

He is the only man in Troy whose judgment

will have great weight with Beman. I.E.

B. would have more confidence in his judgment

than in [any] other man's there.

I dare not touch Tracy on the subject.

The fact is I dont think that his people

mean to listen to the voice of reason, nor

to the cry of Sion for ministers. I feel exceedi

ngly grieved at the spirit manifested by him

& by his people about his leaving them & inter

nos. if I am not mistaken there is a rod

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preparing for him & them if they dont open their

eyes. But keep this to yourself.

Perhaps I can make an impression upon

Cushman, if not I shall leave the matter with

God & we must turn to Hopkins. I am more

& more convinced that he is the man.

Feeling had sunk immensely low here & in

all this region. I have preached about every

night here & at Troy Lansingburgh &

Waterford. Shall probably leave here soon.

Your threat to leave with the young men

wont do. If B. Dont go there some one

else must. Dont be discouraged the Lord

will provide. Ambition is killing ministers &

young men preparing for the ministry.

Dr. Weld look out you are flattered there. If

you dont take care I fear you will be spoiled

by an idea of your own importance.

I fear that a want of cleanliness & good breeding, an

inattention to the decencies of life will injure

some of your young men if not the reputation

of that school. Such things are of more importance

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in my estimation than they were formerly.

Ministers must have good breeding or they wil[l]

be hindered in the work.

You know that I am not recommending the

stiffness of Scholastic manners, from such

buckram refinement the Lord deliver minis[ters]

nor am I in favor of those petty dandy

airs which are sometimes affected by clowns

who set up for gentlemen. But when

a man appear[s] in good company let him

see that his boots & clothes are clean

so as not to create disgust by his

inattention to what they will insist upo[n]

as decencies. A word to the wise.

Some of your friends have given

me a hint upon this subject. Your own

example must teach upon this subject.

I am more afraid that you will be spoil[t]

with pride than I used to be. I hope you

entertain the same fears of me & will

pray for me, more in this behalf. We & all

our friends, are if we are not aware

going to be shorn of all our strength by this

insidious Delila. I see it on every

side. Do be on your guard. Your Brother.

C. G. Finney