Year: 1860

the Rev. Robt. Gordon, on his departure
from that city. Below will be found Mr.
Gordon's reply:


To THE REV. RoBT. GORDON, Clerical


Agent of the Colonial Church and School


Society, London, England:


Reverend and Dear SIR: 1t is with
feelings of the deepest regret that we now
approach you to express the sentiments Of
the colored citizens of London on the occa.
sion of your departure from the country
We beg leave to state that in making
known to you these sentiments we express
those of every one in relation to your Ia
bors in this city. You, sir, have done
much for the education, elevation, and ad-
vancement of our race, both in social and
religious point of view, since your arrival
here You have ever evinced the most
unceasing diligence, attention, and the sin
cerest regard for both our present and fu-
ture happiness. BY your zeal for the well
fare of your brethren and the colored peo-
pie at large, you have ever proved your
self the unfinching friend of the colored
race, the remembrance of which must and
will sink deep into our hearts By your
lectures, exhortations, and advice, you
have ever striven to lead us into the paths
of everlasting peace; and allow us to say
that the majority of us have been the recip-
tents of the benefits derived from your ear
nest solicitude on our behalf.


But, sir, we are aware that we have al
ready said enough to convince you that
your conduct has not passed unnoticed by
us, but, on the contrary, that it has been
noticed, and, we hope, justly appreciated
by us. 1t has endeared you to every heart
You have always evidenced the most court
eous and gentlemanly demeanor to all with
whom youhave become acquainted and have
proved yourself by your piety true min
lister of our Lord Jesus Christ Then, sir,
you cannot be surprised that, in sorrowful-
ly bidding you farewell, we feel that a
burning and shining light will suddenly
be removed from among us.


We earnestly pray and implore that
Great Being, who will not turn deaf ear
to the entreaties of His children, to pour
upon you and your labors such blessings as
may be deemed by Him expedient and best
for your own happiness and the good Of
His sacred cause. We beseech Him to
guide you through your journey, and with
health and strength to enable you to com.
mence your laborS in another sphere, and
to spare you for long time to preach the
unsearchable truths of the Gospel to the
lost sons and daughters of Adam.


We remain, Reverend Sir,


With every respect,


Your humble servants


Here follow the signatures.


LONDON, c. W, Jan "a, 1850.


Mr.. GoRDoN's REPLY


Ny DEAR FRIENDS Permit me to ex,
press to you my sincere thanks for the
kind valedictory address which have now
the peculiar pleasure of answering. Il
cannot but be a source of great pleasure
to the public servant, especially to a young
minister, to be assured by his congregation
that his labors and efforts to enhance then
temporal and spiritual welfare have beer
appreciated, and have, under God, who
causes the seed sown to germinate anc
bring forth fruit, been productive of salu
tary effect. Though fully conscious O
many shortcomings, infrmities, and defects
yet can truly say that 1 have alway.
been willing "to spend and bespent, botl
publicly and privately, in doing whatever
l could to ameliorate your condition.
| cannot, therefore, but feel much comfort il
the circumstance of your charitably second
ing the voice of my conscience in that re
spect.


L am fully aware of the high position
} which hold in your affections. The evi
dence, then, which l would respectfully re
quire you to afford me of your sincere de
sire to cherish the memory of one who wen
amongst you not only as clergyman, bu
as friend who cordially sympathized will
you, as well in your sorrows as in you
joys, is, not to forget the words of eterna
life which you have heard from his lips
but to pray that Gods holy spirit may con
} tinually bring them to your remembrance
so that your lives and conversations may
be influenced by them. This, my breth
rem, is the end and object of our being am
bassadors for, or in the stead Of, Christ, ant
as the service of God is a willing service
you have it in your power to realize tha
end and object. You have often heart
the statement from me that our privilege