LETTER OF
The GOSPEL TRUTH CHARLES G. FINNEY
1832
To Theodore Dwight Weld
30 November 1832
[Autograph letter in Weld-Grimke Papers, William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan. Published in Barnes and Dumond, Weld Grimke Letters, pages 91-92.]
The following letter to Theodore Weld is in Nathan Beman's handwriting. It was probably written from New York. The letter is mutilated at the bottom of the page. Finney's writing is in italics:
Nov. 30th 1832
I am much disappointed in not meeting
you in this city; but must endeavour to effect by letter
what I intended to do by personal conference. We have de
termined, if the Lord will, to build a new School, low
Church, new measure, manual labour Theological Sem-
inary in the neighbourhood of Troy immediately. But
we cant stir one inch without you. We want you
for two purposes. One is to give us hints & plans &c. and
the other to put a mighty lever under Albany and
Troy, & turn them over that we may find where the
money is buried. In plain English, you must come
up & give us a course of Lectures on the sub-
ject of manual labour institutions as soon as
you can get to us. We intend to strike a blow,
& a heavy one too at once; but your services are
vital to our enterprise. Write me at Troy on
the reception of this, & say when you will come. Your
expenses will of course be bourne, & we will do
any thing else you say as to compensation; but
I have no doubt, that your
am urged by every body I have
seen of late to get you to visit us. Br. Finney's
opinion, which you must value, you have below.
[page 2]
Now Br. Weld. If you want to see ministers
made of the right stamp lend a hand a
to this enterprise. This is work that must be done
& be done by you. No one else can do it.
Dont now I beseech you by the love of Christ
not to say nay. If ever you had the opportu
nity to do immense good in a short time this
is that opportunity. You have the whole subject
before you, It will not hinder you much.
Come on then without delay. You had
better come at once so that you can have
done there before the river closes.
Now such men have taken hold of this,
that it is infinitely important that they
have all the necessary help at once.
Brs. Beman & Kirk are the right men as you
know. But they must have you with
them to start this thing by a few lectures
& a few hours conversation upon
the modus &c &c.