Letter from 1817-1886 James Koppel Gutheim to Isaac Leeser;March 01, 1854

Title: Letter from 1817-1886 James Koppel Gutheim to Isaac Leeser;March 01, 1854
Author: James Koppel Gutheim
Contributor: Isaac Leeser
Date Created: 1 March 1854
Location(s): New Orleans; Philadelphia
Format: Letter. 4 page(s) on 4 sheet(s).
Type: Letter
Language(s): English
Has Format: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3k64bd2b/manifest.json
Link to Colenda: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3k64bd2b
Physical Characteristics: Unlined Paper; Manuscript
Is Part Of: The Jesselson Family Collection of Isaac Leeser Material
content: New Orleans March 1. 1854.
Rev. I. Leeser
Philadelphia
Dear Friend,
You will probably chide me for not having sent you my little funeral address spoken at the ? of the late Mr. Touro. The truth is I preferred reading your own remarks, which I am fully assured, will be more gratifying to your readers. The Asmonean I perceive has published Clapp's sermon in full, and a most wretched production of a rhymester which, to save the credit of Jewish talent ought to have been suppressed. What do you think the author of it has even the ineffable conceit to send it to Mr Shepperd and ask for his patronage! And thus it has been a subject of ridicule in the Picaynue? of this city.
Regarding the transmission of the remains of your late venerable friend, Mr. G. Kursheedt will no doubt have advised you. It will not take place before July next. Mr. K. has the sole management of the whole affair; a rather delicate duty is thus devolving upon him. The question will not be, how much shall be done, but how little of the num-

numerous resolutions adopted by various bodies at the North shall be carried into effect. There can be no separate action allowed, and the prob-ability is that, in endeavouring to give satisfaction to all, offence may be taken in some quarter. I shall be satisfied with whatever arrangements will be made; tho' as yet I do not even know, whether I shall be permitted to be present.
I am really sorry to hear you speak in so despondent a strain. Is there nothing in your present independent position to counterbalance the unjust treatment you have experienced? Think for a moment, you were to deliver a sermon “On the disappointments incident to human life.” Would it not be a principal point, to exhort your hearers to courage and perseverance and to warn them against despondency? You would probably say, “As long as your heart is good and your intentions are pure, you need not complain, nor fear. The approbation of your conscience, and the coun-tenance of the almighty, will preserve your in-ward peace amidst the most harrassing occur-rences. Vain, hollow and thanging? is the applause of man. Take it for what it is worth, fret not when it is withheld, or bestowed on unworthy ob-jects.” I am sure, you would present the subject

in such a light, and I am much mistaken, if you do not apply the same sentiments to your own case.
We are anxiously awaiting the Bible. I heard, that it is finished. Let us have it, therefore at your earliest convenience. I hope the en-terprize may be a profitable one, as it richly deserves to be.
Hoping that this may reach you in your good health and spirits
I remain
yours truly
James K. Gutheim
Identifier: LSTCAT_item32
Date: 1854-03-01

Part of Letter from 1817-1886 James Koppel Gutheim to Isaac Leeser;March 01, 1854

James Koppel Gutheim, “Letter from 1817-1886 James Koppel Gutheim to Isaac Leeser;March 01, 1854”, 1854-03-01, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 7, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/69073