Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-13
DIR. BRECKINRIDGE.
A Few of His Funny Stories.
From. the Southern BtyOuao for a ugsst.

From the Southern BiUoudc for ANgust.
SO many excellent stories have been
current about the Rev. Il. j. Breckin-
ridge, and the doctor said so many good
things which were widely repeated, that,
in giving publication to any OF them, We
can never know whether we are repro
ducIng something previous In print or
not.
1t is related that when he was President
OF the college at Jefferson, Pa, his atten-
tion was constantly called TO the non-at-
tendence of majority OF the students at
church. he persistently inquired into the
cause of this, and was as regularly IN
formed that it was due to the illness OF the
absentees. On one occasion, however, he
was 80 fortunate as to have nearly all OF
the students before him, and proceeded TO
improveit.
"Goung gentlemen" he said, 81 under
stand quite we'll that, in common with the
rest Of mankind, you are not inclined to
listen cheerfully to religious eXhortatlon
when an attempt is made to give 1t prae-
teal application, yet there is one mani
testation of an overruling Providence OF
which feel that'I should especially re-
mind you, as one in which you are es-
pecially concerned. There ls not one of
u.
from attending church nearly every Sab
bath of this year by sickness OF some
sort. Now, how grateful you should
be for that kind, although inscrutable dis
pensation of Divine mercy which pro-
vides that while everybody is SICK no one
shall die"
When he was professor OF the theo-
logical seminary at Danyille, ny, he mad
neighbOr, a certain Mr.. Tomktns,
whom he held in high esteem. Mr.. Tom
kins was a Methodist, and be never met
| DR.. Breckenridge that humorous p0lemt-
cal passage OF arms did not follow.
Once the doctor felt sure that he had him
! on the hip.
"Tomklns, that last load of hay you sold
me was short OF weight. Now, while l
can't, of course, expect as much of
! Methodist as of a Presbyterian, still L
| looked for better treatment than that from
! you"
well, DOCTOR" replied Mr.. Tomkins,
"that sort of thing must happen occasion
| ally. You know that we Methodist believe
in such thing as falling from grace"
"Oh, it isn't your doctrine" responded
DR.. BrecKinridge, shat 1 complain OF. 1t
| isn't what you claim; but it's the way you
have ofliYing up to your privileges"
| The Presby terians of Kentucky just be-
! fore and during the war were divided in
allegiance, according to their political
sympathies, between DR.. Breckinridge
and Dr.. Stuart Robinson. These TWO en-
inent divines, both so justly celebrated
| tor intellectual superiority and learning,
were no less DISTINGUISHED by ardent and
unyielding convictions and aggressive,
positive tempers. which inclined them to
show noquarter in controversy, and to re-
gard with very little favor either an OPP
! ponents opinions or character. DIR.
| Breckinridge was an uncomprOmlsing
Union man and fierce contemner OF every
thing connected with secession and the
South.
Once during the war he was indulging
before an auditory of mixed politics in
bitter diatribe against MOrgan's COM
mand. A lady nearer of fervent Southern
sympathies, having listened for some time
! in silence, but with much Impotence, at
length exclaimed:
81 am astonished to hear you speak in
that way, DR.. Breckinridge, of MOrgan's
command, when you have two sons who are
| officers in it,"
"Well. really. madam" said the doctor.
blaRdly, II hadn't forgotten that fact.
| But can't say that l have heard that
they bring up the average of that crowd
to any considerable extent"
''Then what nave you to say about Tom
/ BuilittW queried his fair enemy, tri-
umphantly. You have always declared
him to be the very best young man you
| knew. He has been your favOrite and
model, yet he has been with Morgan all
| the time"
THAT" said the doctor, after moment
of apparently profound reflection, "was
long matter Of sore distress to me, as
well as of great wonder and perpleXity. l
could not understand how the Lord could
permit it. But finally the thought came
} to me ike revelation, that ii Tom Bullitt
hadn't run off and joined Morgan, his
mother would have made him study the
ology with Stuart Robinson, and humbly
recognized that the ways of Providence
| are BEST"