LETTER OF
The GOSPEL TRUTH CHARLES G. FINNEY
1831
To John Starkweather
8 August 1831
[Copy, in Finney's handwriting, in the Finney Papers # 843]
New York 8th August 1831
Rev. & dear Brother
your letter with Br. Gulliver's
P.S. came to hand by the last mail. Two or 3 days
since I recd a communication from Dr. Beecher
saying that the question of my comming to Boston
had been discussed both before & since my letter to
the union church & that the ministers are united
in the opinion that it was inexpedient for me
to come. Their reasons for this opinion are doubtless
well understood by themselves, for it were uncharitable
to suppose that they would assume this responsibility
without good & substantial ground. And as they
are in circumstances to form a correct judgment
as to the state of things, I do not see why I may not
adopt their view of the subject & act accordingly.
You say that some persons in Boston think that I
erred in submitting this question to the decission of
your ministers, but such a step was, in my judgment
unavoidable. I have been extensively supposed by
New England ministers to be a kind of interloper
crowding myself in here & there where I was not wanted.
Dr. Beecher himself has viewed me in this light & accused
me of floating on the tide of popularity, & laying ministers
under a moral necessity of falling in with me & in my
hearing he most solemnly pledged himself to use his influ
ence to oppose me if I came to New England.
Having no evidence that Dr. B. had changed his purpose
I do not see how I could consent to visit Boston
with design to labor there unless I meant to challenge
or at least hazzard his opposition & the peace of the
churches. I purposely avoided stating expressly my reasons
for referring this question to the pastors, as I supposed it
was unnecessary & might perhaps excite some unpleasant
feelings
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nor would I now advert to them were it possible otherwise
to explain my motives for doing as I did. I entertain now
but the kindest feelings towards those brethren & must not do
any thing to weaken their union or their influence.
As the the opinion of those brethren is that I ought not to come
I dont think that my comming would be productive of
sufficient good to bal=lance out the evil that would result
from division. What confirms me in the opinion that I
ought not to go is that while Dr. Beecher expressed the
kindest feeling toward me he was particular to inform
me that the change in his sentiment towards me was
founded on a sufficient revolution or reformation in
my views & practices. Now it would be uncandid in
me encourage this idea & not frankly to acknowledge
the in this he is mistaken, that my views in regard to
doctrine & revivals of religion are not that I know of
materially changed. I hope that like other men I make
some advances in knowledge & gain advantage from
experience, but to encourage the idea that my views
of doctrine or of measures (under similar circumstances)
are changed were to do wrong. I have always supposed
& do now believe that Dr. Beecher has been but very imperfectly
acquainted with my real views and practices, but if has under
stood them & has been opposed to what I really have been
I have no reason to doubt but that he would feel so
still should he come in contact with me.
I hope those brethren who wish me to come to
New England & especially to Boston will act
discretly , & that no division may spring up among
the brethren they will let the matter rest.
Love to all the Holy brethren & may & the
grace & peace of God abound toward you forever C.G.F.