American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-03-19
LETTER FROM THE

REV. DIR. II. j. BRECKENRIDGE.
We find in the Lutheran Observer, the fol-
7 owing interesting letter from the Rev. DIR.
Breckenridge, formerly ofthis city, addressed
) the Rev Messrs. Payne, Peck, Forte, Z and
thers, committee Of the free colored people
the city of Baltimore, in reference to their
PRESENTATION to him of gold snuff box, in
consideration of his services in their behalf
.My FrieAds:-Althoughi it is some time since
learned, through the public newspapers, that
he free ccloIed people of Baltimore had, in Il
public manner, and with every demonstra-
ion of respect and kindness, presented to my
EXCELLENT friend, the Rev. Mr.. Dunlap, for me,
gold snuff box, as mark Of their gratitude
|oT my past efforts to serve them it is only very
atelY that received the gift itself and the de-
allied statement ofthe public proceedings on
he occasion of its presentation.
AS it regards those proceedings, both you
Ind have reason to De gratifed that the great
excellence and distinguished station of the gen
lemen, my friends aid others, who participat-
ed in them, and gave to the occasion and to
your act, their emphatic and public approval
prevent the possibility Of honest miscon-
btruction in relation to the matter And for
Inc act ITSELF assure you few events connec-
| ted with my life or labors have more deeply
Infected me, or given me more sincere plea
sure
accept, therefore, with deep sensibility this
Gift of Gratitude" as you are pleased to call
it; this humble-it may be-but earnest testi-
mony, that, in your judgment, l have some
claims to the character of "Christan philan-
threpist;n character TO me the most admira-
use that can adorn humanty-and only the
more to be valued when the poor and the help
less lift up their weak and despised voices, to
confer it. 1t is many day since | cared for
mere earthly honors; and the few it was ever
my chance TO whit is alike to me-Whether
my children hear of them or not. But covet
earnestly an immortal crown. And it is some
token to me that am in the right way to OBJ
tain it, when such testimonies as this you have
borne seem to show, that have tried, in fee
BILE imitation of my divine Master, to go about
doing good, and that his blessing has not al
ways been denied to my poor efforts. For it
is not easy to imagine how a common senti-
ment should so strongly pervade fifteen or
/ twenty thousand humble persons, as to make
itself heard by common utterance, if they did
not think they had adequate cause both to feel
and to speak.
For twelve years and more ofmy life-the
prime years of my manhood-my best and hap
pest years--it is true that did all could do
TO promote the welfare and happiness, both
temporal and spiritual, of the free colored peo-
pie of Baltimore. That did SO little, those
less generous than yourselves, will perhaps ex-
\ ,cuse me, when they consider how far beyond
my strength was always occupied with other
cares and duties more Immediately binding
l. l. l. L.
all, may venture in all humility aud yet in
all faithfuness to say, alike in grateful recog.
milton of Gods good hand over me, and fol-
the encouragement ofsuch as would do like
wise, that nothing is beyond the power of q
fixed and resolute purpose, upheld by meek
and pous spirit, and guided by the wisdom
which cometh down from above. 1t is no lon
ger in my power to serve you by personal Ia
bors. You will, therefore, the more readily
excuse word of friendly admoniton-tht
last, it may be, shall ever address to you, ant
the best proof can give ofmy continued in
terest in your affairs.
The dealings of God with your race, as fa
back as human knowledge reaches, have beer
very wonderful. They are 80 still. And thu
most wonderful part of all is, that your race
never did, nor does it yet, comprehend its des
tiny: it IL the invincible decree of God, ant
there is no escape from it. The first SYM ton
that people will work out Alright their gran,
and ultimate vocation, is that they compre
bend, even if it be but dimIy, what that voca
ton is. The great problem which human ad
vancement requires to be solved, is the forma
ton of civilized state within the tropics
Until this is accomplished, it seems to me to b.
utterly absurd to talk as we do about the pre-
gress Of mankind and the civilization Of tn