,transcribed from the #ahdg ,aylott and ,jones edition by ,david ,price1 email ccx#jgdpglaf4org ,picture3 ,public domain book cover ,picture3 ,silhouette of ,george ,mortimer1 signed3 ,yours truly affectionate ,george ,mortimer ,,the ,,life ,,and ,,letters ,,of ,,the ,,rev4 ,,george ,,mortimer1 ,m4,a4 ,,rector ,,of ,,thornhill1 ,,in ,,the ,,diocese ,,of ,,toronto1 ,,canada ,,west4 ,,compiled ,,and ,,prepared ,,by ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong1 ,b4,a41 ,,british ,,chaplain ,,of ,,monte ,,video1 ,,south ,,america4 8,i bear the greatest veneration for the memory of that man 7,archbishop ,leighton7 that ,i do for any man2 and reckon my early knowledge of him1 and my long and intimate conversation with him1 among the greatest blessings of my life2 and for which ,i know ,i must give an account to ,god1 at the great day1 in a most particular manner40 ,bishop ,burnet4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,london3 ,,aylott ,,and ,,jones1 ,,paternoster ,,row 99 99 99 99 99 ,,mdcccxlvii4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,london3 ,j4 ,,unwin1 ,,bucklersbury4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,preface4 ,,though ,i feel it to be really a privilege to be the instrument of introducing to the public the life and correspondence of the most intimate friend1 especially of my early life1 that ,i have ever possessed1 and of one of the truly excellent in the earth2 yet1 from an unfeigned consciousness of my incompetency for the task1 ,i would most willingly have left it to other hands1 and to other hands ,i offered it1 and urged upon them my earnest desire that they would undertake it2 but from all ,i received excuses as to themselves1 and pressing invitations to myself to engage in the work4 ,they conceived that ,i might possess more materials for the purpose than any other person2 but they knew not the slenderness of my capacity to prepare the memoir of one whose general character1 talents and excellences1 merit a much abler pen than mine1 to set them forth with perspicuity and advantage4 ,his old friend and associate at ,wellington1 the ,rev4 ,john ,king1 now ,incumbent of ,christ ,church1 ,hull1 to whom ,i wrote on the subject1 thus addressed me3--8,but independently of all considerations of this kind1 ,i believe you would be much better qualified than myself1 or than any other person ,i know1 to do justice to the excellent yet peculiar character of the departed4 ,let me beseech you1 therefore1 to arrange your correspondence and materials with a view to publication40 ,his excellent and much-loved sister1 ,mrs4 ,holland1 wrote to me as follows3--8,the early1 close1 continued1 and personal acquaintance you had with my dear brother1 constitute you1 in my opinion1 his most suitable biographer40 ,and his brother1 the ,rev4 ,thomas ,mortimer1 wrote to me in a similar strain3--8,on the very day that ,i received your letter1 ,i was fully intending to write to you1 entreating you not to abandon your design of writing a memoir of your dear departed friend1 my beloved brother ,george4 ,you1 above all persons ,i know1 are the man to undertake that work of love with any prospect of a successful issue4 ,your own correspondence with him1 through such a long series of years1 would alone furnish rich matter1 ,i doubt not1 for a biographer40 ,thus urged and encouraged1 ,i was unwilling not to do my best3 and if ,i have proved myself but an unfit steed to draw such a chariot1 the friends1 at least1 of my dear departed friend must not forget that it was they who put me into it2 and this same consideration also will1 ,i hope1 lead others to view the faults and imperfections of the work with indulgence4 ,happily for me1 the work is one rather of selection and compilation than of original composition1 and the life of my friend will suffer less from the hand that draws it up1 by reason of his speaking chiefly for himself2 his correspondence is1 perhaps1 his best memoir1 and this is the kind of life that it falls to my lot to prepare of him4 ,the attentive perusal of his letters for publication has most vividly brought to my mind and remembrance the man whom1 ,i can truly say1 ,i loved almost as my own soul2 very delightful was our intercourse with one another when associated together1 very close was our intimacy1 and warm and stedfast our friendship3 and the great point of union between us1 the connecting link in the chain of our connexion1 was our common1 and1 ,i trust1 unfeigned faith in ,christ crucified for the salvation of mankind4 ,we were neither of us originally destined for the service of the sanctuary2 but it pleased ,god1 early in life1 to call us to the knowledge of himself1 and to inspire us with an ardent desire to preach that gospel to others1 who had ourselves been made personally sensible of the deliverance brought to the soul by it4 ,through ,god's good providence also it was that we were both led to the same retired and secluded village of ,chobham1 in ,surrey1 where1 under the instruction of the ,rev4 ,charles ,jerram1 then curate of the parish1 but since successively vicar of it1 and ,rector of ,witney1 ,oxon1 we received the finishing part of our education preparatory to our college course2 and up to the time of our leaving the university1 we were personally1 as well as cordially1 united1 in no ordinary bonds of friendship1 few days passing without our meeting together4 ,from that time our personal intercourse may almost be said to have ceased2 he spent a week with me in my first curacy in ,bedfordshire1 and ,i spent a week with him in ,canada about two years before his death4 ,in the intervening long period1 we did not meet1 ,i think1 more than once2 and that after promising one another a yearly exchange of visits1 so little dependence can be placed upon the events of time4 ,the time is coming1 however1 ,i trust1 when our union will be again renewed1 and become as personal and as cordial as before1 but infinitely more pure and spiritual1 and therefore more perfect and satisfactory--subject to no painful fluctuation or interruptions1 and coeval with eternity4 ,monte ,video1 ,january1 #ahdg4 ,,life ,,and ,,letters4 ,,george ,,mortimer1 the interesting subject of the present ,memoir1 was the third son of ,harvey ,walklate ,mortimer1 the well known gun-maker in ,fleet-street1 ,london4 ,he was born ,may #bjth1 #aghd2 and it pleased ,god to deprive him of his excellent mother the latter end of the following year4 ,thus bereaved of watchful maternal care1 he was placed with a relative at ,birmingham1 who loved him tenderly4 ,his health was delicate1 and the deformity which ever after made 8his bodily presence weak10 was caused by suffering him to sit and lie in one posture during a long illness1 in which his restoration seemed impossible2 ,god1 however1 was graciously pleased to spare him for future usefulness4 ,in the year #aghg1 his father again entered the married state1 and ,george and his elder brothers were treated with the fondest attention4 ,little deserving of remark is known of the days of his childhood and youth2 as he grew in years he attained to an average measure of bodily vigour1 enjoyed a good share of health1 and was generally beloved and esteemed4 ,his first instruction was received under ,doctor ,hall1 of ,east ,acton2 and he finished his scholastic pursuits with the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,audinet1 a ,french ,protestant ,clergyman1 near the ,british ,museum1 who used to perform divine service in ,french1 near the ,seven ,dials2 here1 in addition to other attainments1 he acquired a knowledge of ,latin and ,french4 ,in ,november1 #agih1 he was bound apprentice to ,mr4 ,otridge1 a respectable bookseller in the ,strand1 with whom he continued for the usual period of seven years4 ,it is not exactly known at what period he became truly earnest and decided in the ,christian life1 though it appears to have been in the earlier years of his apprenticeship2 and1 as will hereafter be seen1 he considered the late ,joseph ,butterworth1 ,esquire1 for some time ,member of ,parliament for ,dover1 as his spiritual father4 ,the first notice which we have of the state of his mind is found in a letter written to his elder sister1 to whom he was fondly attached1 dated ,august1 #ahja4 ,alluding to that happy period1 he says3-- 8,when ,i first set out in the ,christian race1 ,i was mocked and laughed at1 but this only drove me to my ,saviour4 ,i remember with what joy ,i could appeal to the ,lord1 and say1 #8,thou seest1 ,o my ,god1 what ,i endure for thy sake2' and ,i assure you no moments were spent so pleasantly as those which ,i could get by myself in some retired place1 to lift up my heart to ,god2 sweet1 indeed1 were the comforts ,i thus enjoyed4 ,i gave all into the hands of my ,saviour1 and everything ,i undertook prospered4 ,when in want of anything1 ,i prayed1 and all my wants were supplied2 indeed1 ,i never remember anything being held from me1 but1 sooner or later1 ,i saw it would have been hurtful4 ,what encouragement to give all into his hands60 99 99 99 99 99 ,strand1 #agth ,march1 #ahjb4 ,,it is with thankfulness to my kind and indulgent ,god that ,i can tell you my soul is in a prosperous state1 and my desires after a higher degree of divine life greatly increased4 ,the ,lord is indeed blessing me2 for though ,i still find wrong tempers unsubdued1 these are my burden1 and ,i cannot rest till ,i find daily pardon in the ,redeemer of mankind4 99 99 99 99 99 ,many extracts might be given from his letters written about this time to his sister1 which indicate his uncommon devotedness to ,god1 and his earnest desire for her advancement in the ,christian life4 ,it has already been stated that he looked upon the late ,mr4 ,jos4 ,butterworth as the instrument1 in the ,divine hand1 which brought him into an acquaintance with his ,god and ,saviour4 ,through the advice also of this same excellent man1 it seems1 he was led to turn his attention towards the service of the sanctuary2 and1 prior to his going up to the ,university1 he went to the ,rev4 ,c4 ,jerram's1 to prepare himself for his collegiate course2 and from that gentleman's house the two following letters to his sister were written3-- ,chobham ,house1 #eth ,nov4 #ahjf4 ,dear ,mary1 ,,that kind and gracious ,god who watches over his children for good has brought me safely to this place4 ,the country1 though at present deprived of many of its ornaments1 has not lost its charms to me4 ,i have now visited my accustomed haunts1 and have experienced that pleasure in recalling past ideas1 which is better conceived than expressed4 ,on this spot ,i am reminded of a glorious view of the unchangeable love of ,god1 and on that of his amazing condescension and my astonishing vileness2 here ,i recollect the excellent ,fenelon furnished me with pious considerations1 and there the industrious and indefatigable bee stimulated my sloth2 and the result of these recollections produced in my heart a glow of sincere affection to that ,god who had so variously visited me1 and a determination to devote all my powers to the advancement of his glory4 ,notwithstanding my haste to leave ,islington1 ,i found1 on my arrival1 ,i was the only one of ,mr4 ,jerram's pupils who had returned4 ,at first ,i regretted not taking your advice1 but the spiritual treat reserved for me soon made me change my mind4 ,this treat was no less than the unexpected company of ,mr4 ,venn1 of ,clapham4 ,mr4 ,v4 had come the day before to see ,mr4 ,cecil1 and spent that evening with ,mr4 ,jerram4 ,as it is natural when we taste fruit of a superior flavour to wish others to share our enjoyment1 ,i could not help wishing my sister had been with me to partake of the pleasures ,i then received4 ,i sat in all the luxury of silence1 and listened to the gracious words which fell from his lips4 ,among the many things which warmed and charmed my heart1 ,i think those made the greatest impression which related to his father4 ,oh1 what a spiritual heavenly man6 ,mr4 ,jerram mentioned that he considered a few hours he was permitted to spend with him as the happiest and most profitable he ever experienced2 8and so powerfully10 said he1 8was his conversation impressed upon my mind1 that it was uppermost in my thoughts for the succeeding half-year4 ,it was such an epocha in my ,christian life as ,i never enjoyed1 either before or since40 ,this day eight years ,i went to ,mr4 ,otridge's4 ,what a variety of changes has taken place since that period6 ,of all ,i esteem that the most blessed which has brought me into my present circumstances4 ,may ,god so bless me in this path that good may be imparted to my own soul1 and glory ascribed to his name4 ,chobham1 #bgth ,june1 #ahjg4 ,,thank you for your kind1 affectionate1 and ,christian remembrance on my birth-day2 ,i had quite forgotten it2 but this ,i remember1 ,i was more than commonly blessed in prayer1 and had peculiar delight in reading the ,scriptures2 indeed1 ,i intended to note it down as a day of choicest blessings4 ,may ,god favour me with many such days during the year on which ,i have entered6 ,may many pentecostal seasons be given2 may much humiliation and self-abasement before ,god be daily felt2 may the foot of the cross be hourly visited1 and may my views be incessantly directed to ,him who lives in heaven to plead for me6 ,i received much good lately in reading ,wilberforce on ,christianity4 ,i took it up as a book which ,i thought ,i ought to read1 but did not expect that rich vein of excellence which ,i found in almost every part of the work2 his ,christianity is truly vital1 and his diction admirable4 ,i have also finished the life of ,judge ,hale1 by ,burnet1 and am now reading ,mr4 ,fletcher's ,letters4 ,i scarcely ever read a few pages without profit2 the wonderful spirit of this excellent man frequently brings tears from my eyes2 ,i stop and reflect1 and would give all the world1 did ,i possess it1 could ,i enjoy the same spirit4 ,i am well persuaded that no blessings1 excepting these1 considered merely in themselves1 are worth our pursuit4 ,greek1 ,latin1 and ,mathematics1 are but a poor portion1 if we have nothing more2 it is my constant endeavour1 therefore1 that these things should sit lightly on my mind1 that1 while conscientiously improving every particle of my time1 ,i may still reserve my heart for ,god4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following extract is taken from the first letter of a correspondence with the writer's endeared friend1 which lasted almost without interruption during a period of twenty years1 and1 at distant intervals afterwards1 until about two years before his death4 ,,to ,,mr4 ,j4 ,,armstrong4 ,chobham ,house1 ,jan4 #acth1 #ahjg4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,,mr4 ,j4 favoured me with a sight of the letter you wrote to him4 ,it gave me great pleasure to find you in the first class1 and to hear1 also1 that you are fagging for your next term2 though1 blessed be ,god1 human science is no indispensable requisite1 either for salvation or for a minister of the ,gospel1 yet it possesses innumerable advantages1 and ,i doubt not but you will hereafter reap the fruits of your present exertions4 ,our greatest fear1 my dear ,armstrong1 is that we should substitute learning for religion1 and lest we should endeavour to regulate our conduct more by our present supposed circumstances than by the will of ,god2 but ,i am persuaded your fears on this subject are similar to my own1 and1 therefore1 ,i need not enlarge4 ,as for myself1 when ,i sometimes stand still1 and consider how ardently ,i am engaged about trifles1 and1 as ,young observes1 8,wasting my strength in strenuous idleness10 ,i am quite ashamed1 and ,i go making fresh resolutions of more devotedness to ,god and more zeal in his service3 but1 alas6 how little ground do ,i gain after all6 ,assist me with your prayers1 your constant daily prayers2 and though we are distant in place1 let us meet one another in spirit4 ,my time of evening devotion is from six to seven2 let us endeavour in simplicity of heart to meet one another at this time at the throne of grace2 and may ,god pour on each of us that which will not only impart a present blessing1 but diffuse a sacred tune of heavenly affection through the residue of our lives4 ,our employments necessarily require the exercise of thought1 and very much tend to produce what the ,methodists term 8distraction20 but still the constant influence of the ,divine ,spirit1 and a continued simplicity of intention1 will enable us to be recollected1 even in the midst of our studies4 ,i was very much pleased lately in reading in the 8,epistles of the ,apostolic ,fathers0 a passage in one of ,st4 ,ignatius' ,epistles1 somewhat to this effect2 he is giving us some directions for our conduct in life1 and adds1 8,but even the worldly things which ye do are spiritual1 for ye do all things in ,jesus ,christ40 ,oh that this may be the temper and spirit of our lives2 may all our worldly things be offered upon this altar1 which sanctifies the gift2 and after this transitory scene of being is ended1 may we with pleasure retrace a life entirely filled with ,god4 ,i remain1 my dear ,armstrong1 ,yours1 affectionately and sincerely1 ,g4 ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,he was accustomed to spend his long vacations1 during his residence at ,cambridge1 with a private tutor1 who spent the time in some salubrious and pleasant part of the country4 ,the following letter was written on one of those occasions1 and is a proof of his taste for fine scenery1 as well as of his great application to study4 ,,to ,,his ,,sister4 ,dawlish1 near ,exeter1 ,aug4 #abth1 #ahji4 ,my dear ,sister1 ,you are1 no doubt1 returned from ,broadstairs1 and enjoying the pleasures arising from quiet and regular movements1 and now and then1 perhaps1 in the midst of your retirement a thought wanders towards ,devon1 and you begin to wonder 8what has taken the little fellow that he does not write40 ,i confess1 time has glided on so insensibly1 that ,i was not aware how long ,i had been here2 ,i shall really feel sorry to leave my present situation1 for ,i never spent five weeks so agreeably before4 ,i lodge with good people1 who do all they can to accommodate me4 ,i make progress in my studies1 which is another source of gratification1 and ,i am situated in the midst of a country the most diversified and beautiful4 ,as it is quite new to me1 and ,i may probably never visit it again1 ,i avail myself of the present opportunity of seeing everything worthy of notice1 and since my purse will not allow me to enjoy any 8leathern convenience10 ,i have commenced pedestrian1 and frequently walk from fourteen to eighteen miles a day4 ,i take a syllabus with me1 and go over my subject in my mind1 so that a peep now and then is all ,i require3 by this method ,i lose no time1 and combine profit with amusement4 ,my stated walks1 however1 are much shorter1 and devoted to relaxation only4 ,but there is another source of gratification which ,i must mention1 and which far exceeds all the rest2 it is this1 ,i feel ,i am advancing in the best of things2 religion has an increasing and diffusive influence over my mind2 it seems more and more my element1 and ,i am enabled to live in that spirit which a friend of ours on a late occasion attempted to ridicule--,i mean a spirit of recollection and prayer2 not1 indeed1 so much so as ,i could wish1 or as ,i ought to do1 but still much more so than formerly4 ,when my time for devotional exercises comes round1 it is welcomed as the happiest of the whole day1 and my ,sabbaths are days of real pleasure and permanent good4 ,may such in kind1 though greater in degree1 be the happy experience of my dear sister1 and may no studies1 no employments whatever1 be prosecuted1 but in subordination to those of a spiritual nature4 ,religion1 ,i am persuaded1 should be everything or nothing2 here only a middle course is dangerous4 ,if we profess to admire and to be influenced by heavenly objects1 we should prize them above everything2 and yet1 alas6 7,o shame to our ,christian profession67 to what poor and paltry considerations are they not daily sacrificed6 ,adieu1 my dearest sister2 may ,god preserve you pure and unspotted from the world until the day of his appearing6 ,yours1 most affectionately and sincerely1 ,both in ,christian and fraternal bonds1 ,g4 ,m4 ,,to ,,his ,,sister4 ,cambridge1 ,december1 #ahji4 ,,study is1 ,i am persuaded1 at present my duty2 but ,i shall be heartily glad when another year is over1 and ,i shall be left to pursue the duties of the sacred office in peace and quietness1 if it please ,god4 4 4 4 ,how often do ,i picture to myself these happy scenes1 and 8catch a momentary joy20 but1 perhaps1 this hand which now glides swiftly1 along the page may soon forget to move4 ,i may be summoned to another world in the midst of my academical pursuits1 and may never have the honour granted me of building the house of ,god4 ,should this be the case1 should your brother be called to the peaceful tomb before another revolving year1 bear in mind1 when he is gone1 that his supreme wish has been unfulfilled1 and that his studies and trifling successes have not so filled his mind as to call it off from the care of souls1 and the earnest wish for their salvation4 ,in this work ,i would gladly live and die2 but the ,supreme ,disposer of events knows what is best1 and in that ,i hope1 not only to acquiesce1 but to rejoice4 ,you wish for my thoughts on letter-writing4 ,i do not think you should make two copies of any letters1 except it be necessary to keep one by you for reference2 few such circumstances occur1 and therefore ,i would advise you to write at once what you intend to send4 ,i do not mean that you should put down whatever comes into your mind1 but write deliberately and with caution4 ,i would illustrate my meaning by referring to what takes place in polite conversation2 supposing yourself to be in company1 and obliged to converse1 you would not weigh and ponder your sentences over and over1 but merely endeavour to avoid anything indecorous1 and to express yourself in tolerably good language2 or1 if you will1 in the best manner you are able4 ,when you write1 then1 you should endeavour to let your thoughts flow freely and easily1 and express them in the most suitable words which occur at the moment1 but by no means to be solicitous in seeking fine words or eloquent phrases4 ,horace has a famous line in his ,art of ,poetry1 which has great strength in the original1 but ,i must content myself with ,francis' translation1 8,for if the mind with clear conceptions glow1 ,the willing words in just expressions flow40 ,the substance of what ,i would say is this1 having settled your subject in your mind1 write at once1 in the best manner you are able at the time2 practice will give considerable ease1 and you will shortly write1 not only well1 but with despatch4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,queen's1 ,june #bdth1 #ahaj4 ,my very dear ,friend1 ,,you are now1 ,armstrong1 engaged in an employment to which you have been for years looking forward as the most pleasing in your life2 your ardent spirit could not bear inactivity in your ,master's service1 and now your wishes are granted1 and you at last experience the blessedness of sounding in the ears of a thoughtless and giddy multitude the glad tidings of reconciliation through the death of our blessed ,redeemer4 ,i need scarcely tell you that you have of late engrossed many of my thoughts1 and been the subject of many of my prayers4 ,i hope that ,i feel no common degree of interest when ,i hear of any true labourer being called into the vineyard of our ,lord2 and shall ,i be less concerned when one of the dearest friends ,i have upon earth is called to a similar employment8 ,you are entitled to my best of wishes2 you have them freely2 and ,i have no doubt but the blessings of ,god will rest upon your labours1 and that many in that great and dreadful day of account--many will arise from ,melchbourn and ,bletsoe1 and declare in the ears of an assembled world1 8,i owe it to his care that ,i am here1 ,next to ,almighty grace2 his faithful hand1 ,regardless of the frowns he might incur1 ,snatched me1 reluctant1 from approaching flames1 ,ready to catch and burn unquenchable40 ,o my friend1 when ,i think of these inestimable blessings as connected with the sacred office1 ,i long to lay aside the drudgery of mathematics2 but ,i check myself2 the future should employ but little of my thoughts2 how to improve the present should be my principal concern4 ,much is to be done here as respects my studies1 and much more as to the formation of my mind1 the subjugation of my tempers1 and the sanctification of my heart4 ,i would1 therefore1 content myself with my present situation1 and endeavour to make it my chief care to prepare for death and judgment4 ,these awful concerns have1 for many weeks past1 engaged my mind more steadily and frequently than for some years before4 ,i seem to myself as a dying man amidst dying men1 and it is my aim to live accordingly4 ,i have heard you say1 when you were at college1 that retirement and your ,bible have afforded you some of the most exalted joys you ever witnessed2 these joys have been lately mine4 ,i go up to my little room 7which ,i have fitted up and consecrated to sacred purposes alone71 and there ,i meet my ,god1 find my ,saviour precious1 and experience the gracious influence of the blessed ,spirit4 ,when my hours of retirement come round1 ,i joyfully lay aside everything in which ,i may be engaged2 for ,i feel1 ,i know1 assuredly and experimentally1 that ,i am going up to commune with the best1 the most gracious and compassionate of friends4 ,there ,i leave all my cares and all my sorrows1 and come down again to the concerns of life with an unburdened1 soberized1 and tranquil mind4 ,blessed be ,god for all his benefits6 ,i had frequently looked forward to this last year as the most trying of the three1 and had imagined that if ,i found it so difficult to keep my ground before1 ,i should necessarily give way at present2 but ,,jehovah has been better to me than my fears1 and ,i have found the truth of that promise1 8,when thou passest through the waters1 ,i will be with thee2 and through the rivers1 they shall not overflow thee2 when thou walkest through the fire1 thou shalt not be burnt1 neither shall the flame kindle upon thee40 ,believe me to be1 ,yours1 truly and affectionately1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,q4 ,c41 ,camb41 ,nov4 #aith1 #ahaj4 ,my very dear ,friend1 ,,within a week or two past ,i have had to thank my ,god also for many providential interferences2 for success in our late examinations2 for being kept most mercifully from engaging in something which would have been highly detrimental to me2 for the acquisition of a most valuable ,christian friend 7who is a great helper of my faith1 and a very pleasing and agreeable companion2 he was1 like myself1 formerly engaged in business1 and also a ,methodist72 as also for a providential opening of my path respecting my future situation in his church4 ,of all the places ,i have yet heard of1 this seems most suited to my views and inclinations4 ,it is1 ,mr4 ,eyton's1 of ,wellington1 ,shropshire1 six miles from ,madeley1 and surrounded by pious ministers4 ,the vicar is very pious and laborious1 of similar sentiments with myself1 humble and affectionate4 ,i know three men in ,cambridge who are very well acquainted with him and his situation1 and they each say that they would go there in preference to any place whatever4 ,my mother and sister 7to whom ,i wrote a few days ago concerning him7 met him when in ,shropshire2 and they advise me by all means to accept of it4 ,i wrote to him lately1 and received an answer1 which has done my heart good4 ,i have not yet finally settled in my mind1 but ,i shall write either to-day or to-morrow1 giving my final answer4 ,i hope to be directed from above4 ,i would not trust my own feelings or inclinations1 but in the all-wise ,disposer of events4 ,pray for me1 my dear friend1 that if ,i should not be useful there1 or in any manner out of my proper place1 that something or other may intervene to put a stop to all further proceedings4 ,i am daily obliged to make some little preparation for orders1 for ,mr4 ,e4 is in want of assistance4 ,should ,i go to the place1 ,i shall endeavour to be ordained soon after ,i take my degree2 perhaps in a month or six weeks1 if ,i can procure a private ordination4 ,my degree may suffer in some measure1 but ,i cannot help that2 we must expect sometimes to be called to make a little sacrifice1 but it will all be eventually well4 ,accept my best wishes ,from your faithful and affectionate ,,mortimer4 ,,to ,,his ,,sister4 ,q4 ,c4 ,camb4 ,jan4 #aith1 #ahaa4 ,my dearest ,mary1 ,,my time of anxiety is now completely over4 ,i have just been admitted ,b4,a41 and have no more college matters to divide my attention1 or call off my thoughts from the grand concern which lays before me4 ,you will wish to know how ,i succeeded in my late struggle4 ,i have no flaming honours to plume myself with1 but through the mercy of ,god have passed through in such a manner as to afford cause neither for self-complacency nor discontent4 ,i am a wrangler1 though eleven from the top4 ,my tutors1 ,i am happy to state1 tell me they are quite satisfied with my degree2 as it respects myself1 ,i have not the least wish it were otherwise4 ,you would find it difficult to enter into my present feelings4 ,i seem of late to have been like a ship tossed and driven by the fiercest tempests1 and in danger every moment of sinking2 but now ,i have gained the long-looked-for shore1 and am enjoying for a time those sweets which my temporary leisure affords me4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,j4 ,,armstrong4 ,q4 ,c4 ,camb4 ,jan4 #aith1 #ahaa4 ,my dear ,armstrong1 ,,your letter reached me1 as you supposed it would1 in the midst of a 8mighty contest10 and ,i may congratulate myself upon having fewer bones broken than ,i might reasonably have expected4 ,in all our ,lord's dealings with his people1 there is the greatest display of wisdom mixed with loving kindness and mercy2 to satisfy our wishes would frequently be only to administer poison instead of a balsam1 and therefore ,he prescribes for us4 ,with these introductory remarks you may perhaps expect to hear of some considerable disappointment in my place in the tripos1 but this is not the case2 ,i have had every reasonable expectation answered4 ,i am eleventh wrangler1 and the fifth from the bottom2 had ,i been higher ,i might have been vain of my little successes2 if lower1 ,i might have felt depressed and discouraged4 ,as it is1 ,i am not only contented but happy2 ,i wish ,i could say as much of another of the ,jerramites1 but ,i am sorry to say ,i cannot2 poor ,c--1 though fifth wrangler1 feels quite disappointed1 and receives the congratulations of his friends with a very poor grace4 ,our good friend ,frazer is a man of a different spirit2 he is third senior opt41 but is nearly as much pleased with it as any in the tripos4 ,johnson is the highest ,johnian1 who is tenth wrangler1 just one above your humble servant4 ,dicey1 of ,trinity1 is thirteenth4 ,the order of the men you will soon see in the ,christian ,observer1 and therefore ,i need not insert them at large4 ,i feel quite happy1 my dear friend1 in having done with every academical contention4 ,i seem now to have nothing to do but to improve my mind by the acquisition of useful knowledge1 and to prepare for that most important concern1 the sacred ministry4 ,i take it very kind in your calling my mind to these things in the midst of my late hurry2 we are too apt to be absorbed with the things of the moment1 but through the rich mercy of ,god1 so great has been my composure for some months past1 that the ,senate ,house and all its appendages ceased to be objects of terror or solicitude4 ,i may account for this in a great measure from my having fixed upon the curacy which ,i alluded to in my last4 ,the saving of souls seemed more important than the acquiring of honours2 so that my mathematical studies were entered upon more from a sense of duty than inclination2 but ,i must not trouble you with these reflections upon a matter which is now gone by1 though gone for ever6 ,adieu1 my dear friend1 ,and believe me to remain1 ,your ever faithful ,,george ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,as soon as he had passed through the ,senate ,house1 and taken his degree1 he was desirous of entering1 without delay1 upon the great work which had so long engaged his thoughts2 early1 therefore1 in the following month he accepted the curacy of ,wellington1 in ,salop1 of which parish the ,rev4 ,john ,eyton was vicar2 and in a letter to his sister1 dated #aath ,feb4 #ahaa1 after alluding to the prospect of ordination and of enjoyment with ,mr4 ,eyton1 he says3-- 8,my way is now clear1 and all ,i want is gratitude to my gracious ,god for all his past mercies1 and a richer1 fuller baptism from above1 to qualify me for the important1 solemn duties which will soon engage my attention4 ,i have been enabled lately to recall some of those lively feelings which ,i experienced when ,i thought of entering into the ministry2 a love for immortal souls1 and a desire to spend and be spent for them in every possible way1 in a more constant feeling of earnest desire than when ,i was buried under an enormous load of academical lumber4 ,i suffered myself to bear it as a mean to an end1 but that end being obtained1 ,i shall dismiss the larger portion for ever2 what is useful ,i shall retain4 ,however1 ,i am now free from these incumbrances1 and shall hope to improve my liberty by turning the habits thus acquired to beneficial purposes40 ,thus all seemed in a fair way for his immediate removal to ,wellington1 when an unexpected hinderance was put in the way of his ordination1 by the bishop of the diocese4 ,such hinderances1 in those days1 to the dishonour of our ,episcopal ,bench1 were frequently thrown in the way of men both of unimpeached character and of sound learning1 to whose moral excellence and literary qualifications their respective colleges bore ample testimony2 but they were men held in suspicion on account of their great attention to religious duties1 and their warm attachment to the great doctrines of the ,reformation3 they were men of scriptural piety1 and of sound ,church-of-,england principles2 but they bore a name of reproach2 they were considered as agitators in the ,church1 as holding extravagant views1 and as going out of the ordinary path of formality and heartlessness1 which characterized the great body of the ,church in those days4 ,happily1 such prejudices have1 in a great measure1 passed away1 and no such obstacles exist to the ordination or preferment of men of such views and principles2 not that such men are altogether exempt from slight and neglect1 from discouragement and opposition1 on the part of many of the rulers in the ,church at this day2 but they are now constrained by the weight of their character1 by their well-known laborious habits in their pastoral duties1 as well as by their wealth1 their influence1 and their number1 to pay them some respect and attention2 and1 blessed be ,god6 there are many of our ecclesiastical governors who now know the worth of such men1 and who afford them all suitable encouragement and support4 ,mr4 ,mortimer deeply felt this disappointment2 but that ,god was pleased to make it the means of calling forth the exercise of his ,christian grace1 may be seen by the three following letters3-- ,,to ,,his ,,sister4 ,,with a mind willing to acquiesce in whatever my ,god shall appoint1 ,i am enabled to leave this and all my concerns to his gracious disposal1 being fully persuaded that the ,lord reigneth4 ,if ,i have at all profited by past experience in anything1 it is in this1 a strong and operative conviction that so long as we trust in ,god1 our concerns1 however unpleasant at the time1 will materially conduce to our welfare2 and oh6 what an intolerable load of foolish anxiety and trouble does this persuasion remove from our labouring minds6 ,you will perhaps remember that one of the last topics of conversation1 when you and ,eliza so kindly accompanied me to the ,wash1 was the necessity of sacrificing our own will to others1 if we would enjoy comfort ourselves4 ,i was naturally led to speculate on the future1 but could not help being forcibly struck with the mighty efficacy of this principle1 if suffered to operate freely on our conduct4 ,as ,i think it very probable my continuance in college may be prolonged1 ,i intend availing myself of the opportunity thus afforded me of attending a course of lectures on anatomy1 chemistry and mineralogy4 ,when ,i thought it my duty to ask for orders in ,march1 ,i willingly gave up all thought of enjoying this gratification4 ,i was enabled to sacrifice it to more important considerations1 but since these reasons no longer exist1 ,i shall gladly avail myself of the privilege4 ,upon the subject of general knowledge for a minister1 ,i was much pleased with ,herbert's 8,priest to the ,temple40 8,the country parson is full of all knowledge3 they say1 that it is an ill mason that refuseth any stone1 and there is no knowledge but serves either positively as it is1 or else to illustrate some other knowledge3 he condescends even to the knowledge of tillage and pasturage1 and makes great use of them in teaching1 because people by what they understand are best led to what they understand not40 ,as one means of preparing me for the great charge which lies before me1 ,i have begun a regular course of the lives of eminently pious characters4 ,the good ,i received from this kind of reading some years ago1 makes me indulge the hope that it may be equally serviceable now2 but ,i would not rest here--it is a real baptism of the ,holy ,spirit alone which can properly qualify me for usefulness in the pulpit1 and a consistent course out of it4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,j4 ,,armstrong4 ,q4 ,c4 ,camb4 ,feb4 #bf1 #ahaa4 ,my very dear ,friend1 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,since ,i last wrote to you ,i have been spending a few days at ,islington2 but my stay being very short1 ,i was obliged to confine myself wholly to home4 ,i visited but one person all this time4 ,i had hoped1 however1 to have returned again soon1 and to have done myself the pleasure of calling on my several friends2 but a very unpleasant circumstance has hindered me--the bishop has refused me ordination at present3 and ,i am under the necessity of waiting till it shall please my gracious ,god to show my path4 ,my vicar is a notorious character1 and my friends have all along been apprehensive lest ,i should find some difficulty in getting ordained to his curacy4 ,i must say1 ,i shall not be a little disappointed should ,i be obliged to relinquish all thought of ,wellington2 but the matter is in the ,lord's hands1 and ,i would willingly leave it to his all-wise disposal4 ,if ,i have learned anything by my past experience1 it is this1 to feel fully persuaded that all our concerns1 however unpleasant they may be at the present1 will1 either in this world or in the world to come1 terminate in our good4 ,in affairs of this kind it is better to make as little fuss as possible3 ,i must therefore beg you will not mention it to any one4 ,i shall wait quietly for the present1 in hope that the bishop may relent2 but should not this be the case1 ,i must content myself with some other situation4 ,poor ,g4 is similarly circumstanced with myself2 he has been refused three times1 and that1 too1 in spite of the interest of the ,master2 he wishes to be ordained on his ,coll4 ,fellowship1 and that lover of the truth1 the good ,bishop of ,ely1 has every time put a spoke in his wheel4 ,but what a mercy it is that1 notwithstanding all the opposition which serious candidates meet with1 still they are not1 cannot be1 entirely hindered and excluded6 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,and believe me to remain1 ,your ever faithful and affectionate ,,mortimer4 ,,to ,,his ,,sister4 ,cambridge1 ,march #b1 #ahaa4 ,i ,,had imagined1 some months ago1 that the exercise of mind ,i was under when preparing for the ,senate ,house1 was the greatest ,i should ever experience2 ,i was greatly mistaken4 ,o my sister1 did you know how much ,i have felt lately1 you would truly sympathise with me2 but ,i now enjoy comparative rest2 my feelings1 indeed1 have been strongly mixed1 but the better have generally1 though not without considerable struggle1 predominated4 ,i have enjoyed more of the power of vital religion1 and that has been my support and stay2 and would it but please my ,god to indulge me with more communion with himself1 ,,he might do with me and my poor concerns whatever might please ,,him4 ,,he alone is truly and absolutely necessary for my comfort1 and would ,,he but say1 in my subsequent career1 8,my presence shall go with thee10 ,i should feel that enough4 ,i could ask nothing more4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the clouds which overcast his prospect of ordination for the curacy of ,wellington1 were after a time dispersed1 and he was admitted to deacon's orders at ,eccleshall1 on the #bfth of ,may1 #ahaa1 and on the following day he went to reside at ,wellington4 ,he not long after wrote to his sister1 in reference to his new situation1 as follows3-- 8,through mercy ,i am going on pretty comfortably in parochial matters1 and have reason to believe ,i am in the situation which ,god designed me to fill4 ,my employment is my delight--my heart is in it--a circumstance ,i could seldom boast of when toiling through the drudgery of mathematics4 ,mr4 ,e4 and ,i go on in perfect harmony4 ,i feel very much attached to him2 and from the marks ,i am daily receiving of his kindness1 ,i may conclude he looks with a favourable eye on my endeavours to help him in his important work40 ,,to ,,his ,,sister4 ,wellington1 #abth ,november1 #ahaa4 ,,in my last ,i promised an account of my parochial proceedings3 though ,i have nothing brilliant to communicate1 yet ,i hope ,i may say1 after nearly six months' residence1 that ,i have good ground to believe ,i have not mistaken my path in entering the ministry4 ,the increase of congregation1 both among the poorer as well as the richer sort1 afford me some encouragement1 and ,i have frequently observed persons manifestly affected under the word delivered4 ,i am not so sanguine as to expect great things should be done by so feeble a labourer as myself4 8,the honest and good hearted0 among the congregation have already gladly received and profited by the word under my most excellent vicar1 and1 consequently1 it is not to be expected that any remarkable change should be effected2 but1 as ,i have observed before1 ,i have perceived that the ,spirit of ,god is among us to apply the word1 and so long as persons are not completely hardened1 we may indulge some hope concerning them4 ,a few ,sundays ago ,i supplied the church of a neighbouring minister who has not been long in these parts4 ,i preached from these words1 8,the ,lord turned and looked on ,peter40 ,i had taken another sermon with me1 but some how or other could not make up my mind to preach it1 and it will appear by the sequel that the ,lord had some gracious purpose to answer by it4 ,a poor woman1 a former hearer of ,mr4 -- happened to come into this part of the country1 and she mentioned to her daughter that she should like to go and hear her old minister1 but related at the same time a dream that she had the night before1 that a strange minister at ,mr4 ,c--'s church was the means of doing her good and recovering her from her backsliding state4 ,she accordingly came1 and no sooner did ,i enter the desk than she said to her daughter1 8,that is the clergyman ,i dreamed of who recovered me to ,god40 ,the subject by the ,divine blessing was suitable to her case1 and ,mr4 --1 who related the anecdote to me1 stated1 that she began with fresh earnestness to devote herself to the service of ,god1 and gave manifest tokens of the work being from above4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,j4 ,,armstrong4 ,wellington1 ,september #agth1 #ahaa4 ,my very dear ,armstrong1 ,i ,,have been regaling myself this afternoon with a perusal of a large packet of your letters1 forwarded to me from time to time4 ,they present my much esteemed friend under a great variety of feelings and circumstances3 but they uniformly exhibit him as the sincere and devoted ,christian1 and as the warm and substantial friend4 ,oh1 how do ,i pity that poor soul who has never experienced the exquisite delights of friendship6 ,believe me1 ,armstrong1 ,i would not exchange the feelings which at present animate my soul for all the wealth in the universe4 ,it would be bauble when contrasted with the inestimable blessing of a friend1 whose heart1 whose sentiments1 whose pursuits1 are congenial with your own4 ,god forbid that ,i should ever see the time in which this blessing should he withholden from me4 ,how do ,i admire those words of ,shakspeare3-- 8,the friends thou hast1 and their adoption tried1 ,grapple them to thy soul with hooks of steel40 ,i lament1 however1 one circumstance in which my sentiments and my conduct were in this respect diametrically opposite2 ,i mean when ,i so far gave way to the feelings of the moment as to write that letter1 which seems to have caused you so much pain3 your conciliatory answer1 which ,i have just been reading1 makes me more ashamed of myself than ,i can express2 ,i hope1 however1 that it will prove a salutary warning through the whole of my subsequent life4 ,you will be surprised1 perhaps1 at this apology made so long after the offence3 ,i make it from a conviction that my former letter did not sufficiently express the feelings which ,i ought to have entertained4 99 99 99 99 99 ,believe me1 ,your affectionately sincere ,g4 ,m4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,j4 ,,armstrong4 ,wellington1 ,jan4 #bhth1 #ahab4 ,my very dear ,friend1 ,i ,,very much long to see you and your little domestic circle1 and1 especially so1 in consequence of the information contained in your last3 for ,i am given to understand that personal intercourse will not much longer be vouchsafed me4 ,do not suppose1 however1 that ,i would wish that any personal advantage1 which ,i might promise myself from your remaining in ,england1 should prove the least obstacle to that most glorious work which it has pleased ,god to incline you to desire and pursue4 ,i rejoice most sincerely in the grace which he has poured upon you1 and ,i admire the leadings of ,divine ,providence1 which have so clearly and manifestly opened your path4 ,but still1 notwithstanding the approval which my judgment is constrained to give1 yet ,i cannot altogether divest myself of that affection which would fain induce me to chain you to some nearer spot4 ,it tells me that real friends are few2 it whispers also that1 among all my friends1 no one has ever yet so completely merited the name4 ,but still1 as it has pleased ,god to put it into the heart of my friend to undertake so noble1 so glorious an employment1 ,i cannot for a moment indulge any feeling of complaint4 ,it is all well2 and1 as ,i said before1 ,i rejoice in the grace and providential dealings which have been manifested on your behalf4 ,it requires no small measure of faith and self-denial to leave the pleasures of social life--the intercourse of friends and the innumerable ties which a long series of years has tended to strengthen4 ,i have often gazed in silent admiration at the peculiar kind of spirit which must animate a missionary1 and have concluded that it must be peculiarly acceptable in the sight of ,almighty ,god4 ,but1 alas6 much as ,i have admired the spirit1 ,i feel that ,i have scarcely a spark of it--not1 indeed1 that ,i should find it difficult to forego the pleasures which at present surround me1 not that ,i should be staggered at leaving my present situation to live in one which is remote1 and which is now unknown to me2 but that ,i am sensible that these feelings would not last4 ,the inconceivable ignorance of some1 the stupidity of others1 and the state 7,i was going to say7 of moral and religious incapacity1 to which a long indulgence in vicious habits has reduced the generality1 would check my fervour1 damp my zeal1 and cause me either to slacken my exertions1 or else to desist from the work in despair4 ,when we get into discouraging circumstances1 how readily do we slide into despondency4 ,we may not1 perhaps1 altogether lose sight of the power of ,god1 and its all-sufficiency to help us through2 but we are apt to conclude that we are not the proper instruments2 that we have protruded ourselves into situations which ,god never designed for us2 and that1 though he could most easily help us1 yet that1 for wise purposes1 he sees fit to leave us in a great measure to ourselves4 ,such1 my dear ,armstrong1 are our reasonings in general1 when brought into discouraging circumstances2 and1 from a close examination of my own heart for some years past1 ,i am persuaded that whatever zeal and self-denial might animate me in the first instance1 yet that these blessed feelings would not last when brought to those severe trials which are the lot of the missionary--,i mean of that person who has to contend with all the difficulties arising from a foreign station4 ,these difficulties1 however1 in your case are greatly diminished1 and even were it otherwise the ,spirit vouchsafed to you1 may enable you to grapple with them with the greatest ease4 ,oh6 that this may be your constant experience6 ,i rejoice in that spirit and temper which has hitherto regulated the conduct of my friend1 and my constant1 my stated prayers shall ascend up before the ,god of power and grace1 that he may ever enjoy a rich unction--a complete baptism from above4 ,assure ,mrs4 ,a4 of my kind regards4 ,much as ,i admire your faith and self-denial1 ,i think that of your dear partner no less conspicuous4 ,when ,god has work to be done1 how sweetly can he influence our minds so as to make us co-workers with himself4 ,believe me1 ,your most affectionate though unworthy ,friend1 ,g4 ,m4 99 99 99 99 99 ,mr4 ,mortimer was married ,february #bast1 #ahab1 to ,miss ,barford1 a lady of pious habits and of amiable manners1 and who proved herself a most useful and affectionate helpmeet to him4 ,in the view of this event1 he prepared1 some months before it took place1 the following resolutions for his government in the married state3-- 8,since it is very probable ,i shall soon be united with my dearest friend ,m4 ,b41 and since we are always in danger of overlooking the duties of each relation in life1 while engaged in it1 though1 before we enter upon it1 we may perceive them plainly enough1 ,i would1 therefore1 now1 in an humble dependence upon ,almighty ,god1 and as in his sight1 set my hand to the following resolutions1 which ,i would purpose never to swerve from upon any occasion1 let it be ever so trivial3-- 8#ast4 ,since the grand secret of domestic comfort depends upon the regulation of our tempers1 ,i would1 in the first place1 endeavour to keep a strict watch over these2 would avoid pettishness1 of every description1 and would guard against a degree of pertinacity1 which has always been more or less troublesome to me3 would never be positive in argument1 and will strive to remove every appearance of self-will1 and never to oppose my dearest friend in any thing1 excepting when duty imperiously calls2 and even then1 in such a manner as shall impress her more with an idea of my affectionate regards towards her1 than of any wish to consult my own gratification4 8,in the #bnd place3 will cultivate a tender and affectionate manner1 always seeking out means of promoting her comfort1 and lessening her troubles2 sharing every domestic and maternal anxiety with tender solicitude4 8,in the #crd place3 will be completely open2 will have no secrets2 on the contrary1 will consult her in everything2 will give her the freest access to all my papers1 letters1 c42 will also commit to her entire management all my money concerns2 and will take no more for my private purse than we shall amicably settle between ourselves4 8,fourthly4 ,with regard to company1 will make choice of those persons who shall be most agreeable to herself1 and will be very attentive to those of her relations with whom she may wish to be connected--especially her mother and sister4 8,fifthly4 ,being aware of the foolish trouble occasioned by fastidiousness in the choice of food1 am determined never to express my partiality for any particular joint or dish1 and never to make the smallest objection to anything which comes to table4 ,remember ,duke ,fortunatus1 and the incessant squabbles occasioned by his fluctuating taste and pettish tempers4 8,so lastly4 ,as to the arrangement of domestic concerns1 will interfere as little as need be1 and will never meddle either in the choice or dismissal of the servants1 and will be careful never to find with them unnecessary fault4 8,these rules and regulations ,i will read over the first day of every month1 so long as it shall please ,god to spare me1 and will make them matter of most serious prayer4 8,should ,i see fit to make any additions to the above1 will still never destroy this identical paper1 but keep it as exhibiting my views previous to marriage1 and as a witness against me in future life1 should ,i deliberately violate them4 8,i write these rules in my college rooms on the #bjth of ,may1 #ahaa1 being the day on which ,i complete the #bgth year of my age1 and being also the last of my remaining in ,cambridge4 8,,george ,,mortimer40 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,j4 ,,armstrong4 ,wellington1 ,april #ajth1 #ahab4 ,my very dear ,friend1 ,i ,,cannot describe the feeling of regret which the receipt of your last letter occasioned1 and ,i sit down1 with depressed spirits1 to dictate an answer4 ,there is something exceedingly gloomy in the recollection that one of the dearest friends ,i have on earth1 is about to depart to a place where there is no human probability of our ever meeting2 and that he should depart also without my being permitted to look him in the face1 to clasp his hand1 and to bid him a parting adieu4 ,i feel truly grieved at the circumstance1 and the more so1 as ,i had expected that you would have been detained on shore longer than the time fixed on for your departure1 and consequently that you would have had some little spare time to pay us a farewell visit4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,i feel comforted1 however1 with the hope of hearing from you occasionally1 and do give you my promise that ,i will endeavour to write to you every other month1 whether ,i hear from you or not2 and my poor scrawls shall be duly forwarded to your good brother1 as you have desired4 ,i will inform you of our proceedings here as minutely as ,i can2 and will take care to touch upon such of a more public nature as ,i conceive may possibly escape the attention of your other correspondents4 ,but while ,i am thus writing1 ,i cannot conceal from my ,armstrong what has recently passed in my mind4 ,i have long thought it to be a circumstance highly disgraceful to our ,church that so few individuals have appeared who are willing to leave the comforts of life1 and to endeavour to forward1 by their own exertions1 the grand and momentous work which the ,god of all grace is evidently carrying forward in all quarters of the globe2 and ,i now begin to feel a desire 7should the providence of ,god be pleased to open my path71 to step forward in this great work4 ,i have opened the matter to my ,mary1 and she tells me that she is willing to accompany me to any place where ,i should see it my duty to go4 ,it has pleased ,god to give us a competency as to this world's goods1 and should any situation similar to the one you are going to1 occur1 we should really feel no hesitation in accepting it4 ,what our future path may be is uncertain2 but ,i should not wonder if my dear ,armstrong hears of our following in the steps which he has marked out for us4 ,there seems much to be done abroad1 and few inclined to do it2 should1 therefore1 ,god be pleased to accept of my poor intentions to be engaged in forwarding it1 ,i shall rejoice in the circumstance1 and gladly spend and be spent in so glorious an employment4 ,i have said to my ,armstrong what has been mentioned to no other individual whatever1 my ,mary excepted2 ,i must therefore request he will not make the slightest allusion to it for the present4 ,i have taken the liberty to send you and ,mrs4 ,a4 a small token of parting love2 may they prove the means of your frequently remembering the unworthy donor1 and whenever you think of him offer up a silent prayer for his spiritual advancement4 ,i have also to request that you will accept of the enclosed notes2 #cj they may1 perhaps1 prove serviceable in procuring a few more additional comforts for your voyage and future accommodations4 ,may the ,god of love accompany you in your voyage1 make you abundantly useful in your passage1 and still more so in your destined situation4 ,my prayers1 my best wishes1 do certainly attend you2 and though we may not meet on earth1 yet ,i hope--,i would ,i could say more1 but my treacherous heart will not permit me--but still ,i hope that you and ,i1 our partners1 and the children whom ,god may graciously give us1 may all meet in that blissful state above4 ,my ,mary desires her kindest regards to ,mrs4 ,a4 and yourself4 ,believe me1 ,your ever affectionate ,friend1 ,g4 ,m4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,j4 ,,armstrong4 ,wellington1 ,july #fth1 #ahab4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,,as it respects myself1 ,i must say that ,i feel the comparatively trifling duties which ,i have to perform to be a burden1 which at times seems insupportable2 but it is the burden which ,god has placed upon me1 and1 therefore1 ,i strive to go on and to press forward1 notwithstanding all my difficulties4 ,you would hardly conceive how much ,i dread any public exercise until the moment in which ,i am actually engaged in it2 ,i am filled with the most dismal forebodings2 but then1 through mercy all my fears vanish2 and ,i have reason to believe1 that my feeble efforts are not altogether in vain4 ,nothing further has elapsed respecting any change in my situation4 ,my ,mary feels a good many apprehensions on the subject at present1 and ,i believe ,i must leave matters till some circumstance or other makes my way clear and evident4 ,our time is very seldom ,god's4 ,there is a haste--a precipitancy--in our proceedings1 which is never to be discovered in those of ,god4 ,the creation of the world--the calling of his peculiar people--the coming of the ,messiah--all show that ,god is slow in operation4 ,i feel1 my dear friend1 that ,i have daily and hourly need of learning a lesson on this subject4 ,whenever ,i feel hurry of spirits1 and solicited to do something or other in haste1 ,i invariably find that it turns out badly4 ,it is the power of the enemy--,god's procedure is orderly--calm--deliberate3 he leads us gently on1 and1 while he forcibly convinces the mind1 he opens our providential path4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,we live in troublesome times1 in a troublesome world4 ,but still we have much to be thankful for1 notwithstanding all1 and we have a blessed hope of things infinitely better in the world to come4 ,i delight to think of those blessed scenes1 and am persuaded that we all of us lose much for want of reverting to them more frequently4 ,with heaven in our eye1 how cheerfully are we enabled to march forward2 how courageously do we charge through all opposing difficulties2 how contemptuously do we look upon the things of time and sense6 ,here was the grand support of the ,redeemer2 8,for the joy which was set before him he endured the cross1 and despised the shame40 ,i have lately been very much gratified by reading a piece of ,dr4 ,watts' on the ,separate ,state4 ,we are apt to form too spiritual notions of the world to come1 and1 consequently1 having nothing upon which we can solidly ground our investigations1 we lose much of the interest and delight which would otherwise be imparted4 ,when the literal meaning of ,scripture seems to be absurd1 we think we are fully justified in seeking other interpretations2 but to reject the plain and obvious sense merely because it interferes with our pre-conceived notions of the subject1 is1 in my opinion1 quite unwarrantable4 ,we read of cities1 temples1 altars1 mansions1 feasts1 trees1 and rivers4 ,and no doubt but many of our enjoyments will be exceedingly similar to those which ,adam enjoyed on earth1 when in a state of innocence2 and it is very probable that the employments which engage us now will fit us for similar hereafter4 ,all our peculiarities of mind and disposition will have room for their full exercise3 the traveller may be permitted to take excursions into distant worlds4 ,the philosopher may pursue1 without limitation1 the investigations of science and of art4 ,the soul which is enchanted with harmony1 may1 like ,david1 be the leader of some celestial band2 and the divine will be delighted with fresh discoveries into the nature1 the attributes1 the perfections1 of his ,god2 while the other myriads of beings1 each in their proper class and society1 will be enjoying to the utmost of their capacity the blessings which are most calculated to administer to their delight4 99 99 99 99 ,from your sincere ,friend1 ,g4 ,m4 ,,to ,a ,,young ,,lady4 ,wellington1 ,august #acth1 #ahab4 ,,you have my condolence1 my dear ,miss -- in not being able to attend the kind of ministry you approve of4 ,most individuals have a turn of mind1 a peculiarity of thinking1 which1 in a great measure1 may be considered as their own2 and hence it should seem advisable that when the choice rests on ourselves1 we should attend that ministry which comes nearest to our own case and circumstances4 ,but1 alas6 this privilege is seldom allotted us2 local situation1 parental restraints1 and a variety of other things1 render it in general necessary to attend some place or other1 which is not1 perhaps1 in every view1 that which1 if left to ourselves1 we would have fixed upon4 ,the question1 then1 is merely this--ought we1 under the circumstances1 to quarrel with the dispensations of providence1 or quietly and patiently submit1 endeavouring to extract from existing circumstances all the good we possibly can8 ,the language of wisdom1 as well as of piety1 seems to direct to the latter course1 as that best calculated to promote our present comfort1 and future welfare4 ,god has certainly some wise end or other to answer in every thing of this nature1 and if we recollect1 at the same time1 how tenderly he loves us1 how much he desires our spiritual improvement1 as well as our eternal felicity1 we shall rest so completely satisfied that we shall not have a single desire to alter in the minutest particular4 ,but we are too apt to lose sight of the wisdom and love of ,god1 as connected with our affairs1 we listen to the suggestions of ,satan1 and fondly imagine that if we had the disposal of things we could easily regulate our concerns1 so as to make them more effectually conduce to our welfare4 ,how presumptuous is such language1 when stripped of its false colouring1 and presented under its real and proper appearance4 99 99 99 99 99 ,on the #cjth ,november1 #ahab1 he writes to his sister--,i think that ,i mentioned in my last that there was an increase of congregation1 and that ,i could discover some traces of the operation of the ,spirit of ,god in applying the word4 ,these effects1 ,i gratefully acknowledge1 are still to be seen1 and it has pleased ,god to encourage me by bringing to my knowledge two instances in which ,i hope a decided and saving change has been produced--one on a lady of respectability in an adjoining parish1 and the other on an individual among the lower circles4 ,on the #aath ,january1 #ahac1 he writes to the same1 on the birth of his eldest son2--,i feel grateful to ,god for his goodness and mercy1 as manifested on the present occasion1 and ,i am cheered with a pleasing hope that the deposit which has this day been placed in my hands1 will become an heir of immortality1 a glory to his ,god1 and an instrument of good to all around him4 ,he has been the subject of my prayers for some time past1 and ,i feel persuaded that ,god will not disappoint my hope4 ,i1 and its dear mother1 feel anxious on its account1 but what is our solicitude concerning him compared with that of the dear ,redeemer6 ,how kindly is he interested in his welfare2 how ardently does he long to see in him of the travail of his soul that he may be satisfied6 ,what encouragement does this consideration afford to the exercise of patient hope and persevering prayer4 ,and on the #bdth of the following month1 he wrote in reference to the baptism of the infant4 ,we hope1 should all be well1 on this day se'nnight1 to devote our little charge to his gracious ,god in baptism4 ,i feel it to be a solemn occasion1 for ,i cannot but think that much1 both of its future happiness and usefulness1 may depend on the manner in which it is thus surrendered4 ,i am somewhat apprehensive that we shall not quite please you with respect to the name which we think of giving it4 ,but it has long struck me as being a foolish custom which prevails at present of giving those names by way of distinction1 which1 in fact1 owing to their commonness1 are no distinction at all4 ,george1 ,thomas1 ,henry1 ,john1 are used from generation to generation1 and thus individuals are incessantly mistaken and confounded either for other4 ,we have1 therefore1 ventured to step out of the beaten track1 and have accordingly fixed upon ,cecil1 as one which1 from many pleasing associations1 has become endeared to both of us4 ,,to ,,his ,,sister4 ,wellington1 ,march #afth1 #ahac4 ,i have enclosed a copy of a new edition of ,alleine's ,alarm1 published by ,mr4 ,gilpin4 ,it was this book1 to which1 under ,god1 ,i feel indebted for the determination which some years ago ,i received1 with respect to my views and conduct4 ,i love it greatly in its old and less inviting garb1 but far better now4 ,ah1 my dear sister1 many profess religion1 many enjoy some of its comforts1 feel pleasure in an attendance upon its institutions and its ordinances2 but1 to walk closely with ,god1 to get a deep and thorough knowledge both of him and of our own souls1 to penetrate beneath the surface of religion and to forward the life--the inward life of ,god in the soul1 something more is required4 ,in order to this1 our eye must be kept constantly directed to one and the same point2 we must learn that one thing is supereminently needful1 and that everything which stands in competition with it must be considered as dung and as dross4 ,may ,god in mercy impart to both of us such clear1 such vivid and luminous views of its importance1 that the present world and all its gaudy trifles may be lessened in our estimation1 and that true and vital godliness1 deep and genuine spirituality1 may become more and more the objects of our pursuits4 ,we were yesterday with dear ,mrs4 ,fletcher1 and received1 as usual1 much profit from her choice1 savoury1 and spiritual remarks4 ,the book1 which lay open before her1 was her ,bible4 ,i could not help thinking how much more efficaciously we should all of us proceed1 both as ministers and private ,christians1 if this blessed book were more frequently and more seriously perused4 ,there is a strange feeling with respect to it existing in the minds of most persons who may be considered as even pious characters4 ,they would not feel happy if they suffered the day to pass over without reading their chapter or chapters1 but still they do it as a duty1 merely as a duty4 ,how rarely is it taken up as a privilege1 as the book of books1 as the very choicest treasure which we could possibly open2 and yet1 unless it be thus resorted to1 thus feelingly read and studied1 how can we expect to be great proficients in the ,divine ,life--how can we drink deep into the ,spirit of our ,god8 ,could we see into the manner in which many individuals perform the duties of their closet1 we should not be much at a loss to discover the reason of their want of spirituality4 ,it might all be easily and naturally traced to this one single source--their hour thus set apart is gone through in a manner not very dissimilar to a horse in a mill2 they go round and round with the same lifeless formality2 and when their duty is over1 they pass with unaltered uninfluenced feelings to anything which may next engage their attention2 but how different from those who walk in their solitude with ,god2 who go to their closets as if they were about to meet the very best friend they have upon earth2 who feel heavenly emotions on every such occasion rekindled2 whose hearts are made to burn within them2 in short1 who so wait upon ,god as to renew their strength2 who carry from their privacy a holy influence which is easily discovered in the whole of their converse1 tempers1 and pursuits4 ,give our kind love to ,eliza1 and accept the same yourself4 ,to both of you we feel no small degree of affectionate regards2 we often talk of you1 but still oftener make you the subject of our thoughts4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,j4 ,,armstrong4 ,wellington1 ,april1 #ahac4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,i ,,have of late been obliged to give up all thoughts of missionary exertions2 my present ministerial labours 7small1 alas6 as they are when contrasted with the more extended operations of my dear friend7 are a weight which presses very heavily upon my mind2 they drink up all my spirits1 and have so completely transformed me from the cheerful happy individual which ,i formerly used to be1 that could you break in upon me accidentally and unawares you would hardly recognise me for the same4 ,ah1 my dear friend1 could ,i have foreseen these things1 ,i should scarcely have dared to have encountered all the anxieties and perplexities attendant upon the ministerial office4 ,i feel indeed that ,i have to sustain a burden2 but there is one cheering consideration--it is the ,lord's burden2 it is placed and appointed by him1 and if patiently sustained1 not only his glory1 but my own eternal welfare1 and perhaps that of others also1 will be advanced4 ,but if ,i feel the burden so great at present1 how little am ,i cut out for so great a work as that which you have the honour and the privilege to be employed in6 ,in the service of the sanctuary there were hewers of wood and drawers of water4 ,i seem to be of this description4 ,but1 though these individuals were mean and insignificant1 compared with others1 yet were they useful in their way2 and1 if ,god do but bless my labours1 ,i trust ,i shall be content and be willing to be employed by him to the end of my days4 ,i would gratefully acknowledge some of his gracious manifestations in this respect4 ,two individuals have1 ,i trust1 been savingly brought to the knowledge of ,god1 and some few have1 in other respects1 been benefited4 ,this is the ,lord's doing1 and it is marvellous in our eyes4 ,but though my ministerial duties are thus oppressive1 ,i have reason to be thankful in other respects4 ,i have a dear wife1 whom ,i tenderly love1 and ,god has been pleased to present me1 about three months since1 with a sweet and interesting little son4 ,he is healthy1 animated1 and vigorous1 and proves to me a source of comfort which1 ,i must frankly confess1 ,i but little anticipated4 ,i feel ,i have an important deposit placed within my hands2 but ,i trust ,god will enable me to train him for the skies1 and then all will be well4 ,we have named him 8,cecil10 after our trusty1 excellent1 and most valuable friend4 ,i should have preferred to have prefixed in its stead that of my good friend whom ,i am addressing2 but its length1 as well as the number of consonants which compose it1 render it as a ,christian name somewhat harsh and sonorous4 ,since ,i last wrote to you1 ,i received a letter from our friend ,f--1 of ,trinity4 ,it was the bearer of melancholy tidings2 the cup of this excellent young man seems to be composed of sorrows peculiarly severe4 ,he lost some time ago1 as you will doubtless recollect1 a tender father1 under circumstances truly afflictive1 and now he has lost his still dearer mother4 ,he heard1 by letter1 of her illness1 rode to ,inverness1 where she then was1 without the least intermission2 but when he arrived1 she was dead4 ,the weight of this calamity upon his mind1 together with the accumulated pressure of temporal and domestic concerns1 have caused him to pass through deep waters2 but ,god has given to them a sanctifying influence3 you would be truly gratified at the genuine stream of piety which pervades the whole of his letter4 ,it characterizes a real child of ,god4 ,i have lately been turning my attention towards botany4 ,should you ever be sending a packet to your brother1 would you be so kind as to enclose me a few seeds of some of your choice and beautiful flowers2 ,i mean those which are peculiar to your climate8 ,you will favour me still further by affixing the names by which they are commonly known4 ,if you have never amused yourself in this way1 you will be surprised at the inexhaustible source of pleasure of which it is capable4 ,i walked out with my ,mary this morning through the adjoining country4 ,we were pleased and exhilarated on various accounts2 but our botanic pleasures were by far the greatest4 ,little1 exquisitely tasty beauties were discovered by us1 which before had completely escaped our notice2 they lie before me on my table2 and while ,i look at them1 ,i am led to adore the ,hand which so elegantly and ingeniously formed them4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,my best wishes and my constant weekly prayers attend you4 ,i greatly love you--am tenderly concerned in your welfare1 and shall always rejoice on being able to congratulate you on its realization4 ,from your ever sincere ,friend1 ,g4 ,m4 99 99 99 99 99 ,about the middle of the year #ahad1 ,mr4 ,mortimer was joined by a coadjutor in the curacy of ,wellington1 of a kindred spirit with himself1 and one with whom he seems to have taken sweet counsel1 walking to the house and service of ,god as friends4 ,this was the ,rev4 ,john ,king1 already mentioned in the preface4 ,in a letter to his sister1 on the #crd of ,june1 #ahad1 is this short notice of the event just referred to3--8,my dear friend ,king has joined us--he is beloved by all40 ,in another letter dated the #cjth of the same month1 he mentions his great attachment to ,mr4 ,king1 their delightful opportunities of studying together1 and that he esteems his coming under his roof as one of the greatest blessings ever vouchsafed4 ,his intimacy with this gentleman was formed at the ,university2 8being introduced to him10 as he mentions in a letter to the writer1 8the very first evening of his coming to college1 and we have10 he adds1 8ever since remained in the closest bonds of union40 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,j4 ,,armstrong4 ,wellington1 ,sept4 #a1 #ahad4 ,my very dear ,friend1 ,i ,,feel thankful that a day of comparative leisure enables me to fulfil my engagement as to writing to you4 ,it is the ,lord's goodness2 and ,i cannot help considering it as one out of many thousand other instances in which prayer and simple reliance upon ,god tend most effectually to forward us in our concerns4 ,i fear to trust my own unstable and treacherous heart1 and therefore begged of ,god that he would graciously assist me2 and1 were ,i to do so constantly1 how much better would it be for me6 how many good plans and well concerted schemes1 instead of being rendered abortive1 would have been sped and prospered6 ,but1 trusting in the goodness of the plan1 instead of the blessing of the ,lord1 and1 at the same time1 overlooking my own utter insufficiency1 ,i have been manifestly left to learn lessons of dependence1 through the unwelcome medium of failure and disappointment4 ,but1 after all the pains which a gracious ,god has been pleased to take with me1 how slow ,i am to learn1 how unwilling to become nothing1 that ,god may become all in all4 ,and yet this is the only way in which we can be either extensively or permanently blessed4 ,we are dealt with as children2 but on which of his children will a judiciously affectionate parent bestow the greatest honour8 ,not on the forward and self-sufficient4 ,this is a spirit which he must chasten and subdue by patient and humiliating discipline4 ,it is the child who is modest1 distrustful1 and unassuming1 who is diffident of his abilities1 and afraid of leaning to his own understanding1 that will meet with the countenance and support of the wise and tender father4 ,but to one of a contrary temper1 such a mode of treatment would be ruinous1 and1 therefore1 utterly inadmissible on the part of a parent whose affectionate heart was regulated by a sound and enlightened judgment4 ,ah1 my dear friend1 how often do we put it out of the power even of the tender ,father of mercies to speed and prosper us6 ,how much humiliating discipline are we incessantly courting by attempting to rob ,god of that glory which belongs to himself alone6 ,a few evenings ago ,i received a letter from my agent in town1 giving me an account of some loss which ,i had lately sustained4 ,i took my dear wife with me into my study1 and falling on our knees1 we prayed to the ,lord to bring us into a ready acquiescence with his divine will1 and to keep us from every the least feeling of dissatisfaction or expression of complaint4 ,while engaged in prayer1 those words1 8,god is love10 came with sweet power to my mind4 ,i felt convinced that it was that divine attribute1 and that alone1 which had appointed the circumstance2 that ,i could not have done so well without as with it2 and1 consequently1 that ,i had far more reason for gratitude and praise than for anything else4 ,since that time how clearly have ,i seen that the love of ,god is the only proper key to unlock all ,god's dispensations1 and that when this is used it will open to us treasures of mercies and of blessings which would otherwise be for ever closed from our view4 ,the ,,lord teach me for the future to profit by the instruction2 and enable us to label1 as it were1 each passing trial with some such inscription as this1 8,from your loving ,father40 ,you1 my dear friend1 have had much to bear2 and perhaps ,satan has whispered at times into your mind those considerations which are likely to distress and to discourage you2 but all is well2 all originates in love2 and1 therefore1 as ,parnell so sweetly teaches1 8,where you can't unravel10 8you should learn to trust40 ,i hope you feel confidence in these blessed results of your labours4 ,what a word is that of our gracious ,redeemer's1 and how worthy to be graven on the palms of every minister of his truth6 8,said ,i not unto thee1 if thou wouldst believe thou shouldst see the glory of ,god80 ,surely it is nothing but our unbelief which hinders the ,lord from laying bare his arm1 and doing wondrous things in righteousness4 ,in our parish and neighbourhood we have lately seen a far more extensive work both of conversion and progression than we have ever yet been indulged with2 and ,i cannot but ascribe it to the many prayers which have been recently offered up in reference to this point4 ,many of us have felt great confidence that the ,lord would revive his work among us2 and he who has taught us daily to pray that his kingdom might come1 has in no way disappointed our hope4 ,we trust1 however1 that what we have hitherto seen are merely the drops before the shower4 ,mary and ,king unite with me in kindest love to yourself and dear ,mrs4 ,a41 and ,i remain1 ,your ever sincere and truly affectionate ,friend1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,mr4 ,mortimer1 from his early connexion with the ,methodists1 imbibed many of their views1 and followed out some of their practices4 ,i cannot say that he succeeded in convincing me of the expediency of the plan described in the following letter1 though possessed probably of some advantages2 nor do ,i think that he continued always to approve of the same2 but ,i think it right that he should speak for himself1 and therefore ,i shall give several copies or extracts of his letters on the subject3-- ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,wellington1 ,salop4 ,october #bg1 #ahad4 ,,ah1 my dear friend1 what need have we all of being occasionally pulled down1 stripped of our fancied excellencies1 spoiled of our boasted props1 and laid low in self-abasement and humility of soul at the feet of ,jesus4 ,and considering this our need1 how kind is it in the ,,lord to take the painful pains with us which he does4 ,he had much rather rejoice over us in unclouded prosperity2 but our perverseness will not suffer him1 and therefore he forces himself to grieve us4 ,he constrains himself to cut off the dangerous limb--to amputate--when it would be injurious to spare4 ,we have two classes1 after the manner of the ,methodists2 one consisting of men1 and the other of women4 ,the former led by ,mr4 ,eyton1 and the latter by myself4 ,out of the men's class1 ,mr4 ,e4 has selected six young men1 four of whom go out on a ,monday evening1 in turns1 and expound to the poor in four cottages in different parts of the parish2 and much good1 ,i trust1 has already been seen resulting from the plan4 ,mr4 ,e4 did not think of the classes till about a year and a half ago2 but we all feel truly thankful to ,god that they were begun at last4 ,you would have been struck at the effects which soon began to follow4 ,a standard1 if ,i may so speak1 was by this means erected1 and many1 who in all probability would have remained halting and hesitating till the very end of their days1 were induced1 one after another1 to flock around it1 and ,i have been surprised at the degree of help which they have all received since they were thus united4 ,and1 in addition to their own personal benefit1 they soon became instrumental of good to others4 ,our little society became a kind of nursery of expounders1 exhorters1 and assistants in prayer2 and now1 instead of a comparatively barren wilderness1 we are rejoiced to behold1 in many places1 an incipient garden of the ,,lord4 ,another benefit ,i would just beg leave to notice1 and that refers to yourself4 ,you will know much more of the state of your people1 you will obtain a greater insight into their temptations1 difficulties1 and trials1 and will be led to look around you for the means of obviating1 or else helping them to bear them2 and thus your manner of preaching will become far more experimental1 and1 consequently1 far more useful4 ,without some such knowledge of our people as we thus obtain1 our discourses1 as ,mr4 ,jerram used to say1 will be about it1 and about it1 but seldom actually upon the mark4 ,i have found a very material benefit myself in this way1 and ,i would not have been without it for worlds4 ,now1 my dear friend1 what hinders but that you should enter upon such a class meeting8 ,if you have only three or four1 begin with them2 meet with them weekly2 begin with singing and prayer2 relate to them the state of your own mind during the week1 and then inquire into the state of their's4 ,prayer may conclude4 ,mr4 ,e4 began1 ,i think1 with only four1 and was some weeks before he got above two or three more2 but now the men's class is between thirty and forty1 and the women's not far short4 ,do not be afraid of the ,methodistical appearance of the procedure4 ,it is full of benefits1 and ,i have no question but that if you can prevail upon yourself to adopt it1 yourself and thousands more will have eternal reason to bless ,god for its institution4 ,and1 under such circumstances1 should a name1 or an appearance1 cause you a moment's hesitation8 ,i trust it will not4 99 99 99 ,i remain1 ,your very sincere ,friend ,and ,brother in the ,lord1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following letter is a beautiful manifestation of the greatest humility as to his own ,christian experience2 it was addressed to his sister3-- ,wellington1 ,nov4 #agth1 #ahad4 ,my dear ,mary1 ,i ,,have to thank my dear mother and yourself for the printed account1 and the accompanying letter relative to the ,lord's gracious dealings with our dear departed brother3 they have proved highly interesting1 and1 ,i trust1 truly profitable to us4 ,may our ears ever be disposed to listen to1 and our hearts prepared to receive1 instruction from all the gracious means which a ,god of infinite love and mercy is ever taking with us1 in order to our good1 and when it comes to our turn to drop the garments of mortality may it be with us1 as it was with dear ,james1 to be clothed with those of light4 ,a tear may now and then involuntarily escape me when ,i advert to the difference between his envied situation and my own4 ,he quite safe1 ,i still surrounded with danger2 still called to many a conflict with the ,christian's threefold enemy2 still smarting from the wounds which my own unfaithfulness and presumption rendered expedient that ,i should receive4 ,but ,i comfort myself with the recollection that the time will soon come when ,i hope to be crowned as victor1 and that my continuance here below is with the merciful intention of giving me increased opportunity of getting some fresh jewels to my crown1 and of getting those brightened which are already there4 ,may the great ,captain of my salvation so stand by me1 that all these ,his gracious purposes may be abundantly answered6 ,i bless ,god1 ,i do feel an increasing desire to live to ,him1 and to the glory of his name2 and there are times in which ,i feel that ,i have an increased power to do so4 ,when ,i compare the general state of my religious experience with what it formerly was1 ,i find that ,i am enabled to exercise more uniformly submission to his divine will1 and to depend upon him more habitually for the supply of all my wants4 ,i feel in many respects more crucified to the world1 and the world seems to have become more so to me2 so that ,i care but little about a variety of things which were at one time accustomed to engross much of my time and affections4 ,in a word1 ,i am led to conclude1 that the life which ,i now live in the flesh is somewhat more a life of faith in the ,son of ,god1 a simple dependence and reliance upon ,him1 as my wisdom1 righteousness1 strength1 and happiness1 as my all-sufficient ,saviour4 ,but while ,i feel great cause for thankfulness in these respects1 yet how far am ,i from so walking as to please my ,god6 ,i was thinking over the state of my mind the other morning1 and ,i felt deeply humbled before the ,lord on account of it4 ,my religion strikes me as being more superficial and circumstantial1 than deep1 inward1 and spiritual4 ,i possess a measure of union with ,god1 but very little communion with ,him4 ,i am engaged in ,his works1 and doing ,his will in the main1 but ,i hold slight and frequently interrupted converse with ,him4 ,but how can such a walk be pleasing unto ,god8 ,but1 perhaps1 you will not be able to enter into my feelings--as connected with this my defect in religious experience--unless ,i have recourse to some familiar illustration4 ,an individual may be walking by my side1 towards the place which ,i would have him proceed to1 and in the way in which ,i would have him walk2 but should he walk for miles and hours together1 in total silence1 never1 during these intervals1 drop a word expressive of his views and feelings1 never communicate to me the least thing which is passing in his mind2 or should he manifest a similar indifference concerning my communications to him1 should he never listen to my voice1 or suffer himself to be so amused with the surrounding prospect1 or the incidents of the journey1 as to have no ear for me1 what opinion should ,i form of such an individual8 ,would he be walking so as to please me8 ,the application is easy--we may be walking in ,god's commands towards the place he would have us direct our face1 and in those paths which he has been pleased to appoint2 but if we do not hold converse with him1 if we are backward to tell him what is passing in our minds1 or if we have no ear to listen to his kind communications1 suffering ourselves to be previously engaged with the things by which we are surrounded1 how little can such a walk be gratifying to the blessed ,god6 ,now1 my dear ,mary1 here is my defect2 ,i do not cultivate1 as ,i ought1 that loving1 gracious intercourse with my loving ,redeemer which it is my privilege to enjoy3 not only many moments1 but1 sometimes1 even hours1 pass without anything like direct communion with him4 ,oh1 when shall ,i be able to adopt the language--the beautiful expressive language--of one of ,mr4 ,wesley's hymns-- 8,far above all earthly things1 ,while yet my hands are here employed2 ,sees my soul the ,king of kings1 ,and freely talks with ,god40 ,let us help one another1 my dear sister1 in this important matter by our mutual and fervent prayers4 ,good ,archbishop ,leighton1 alluding to the effects of intercourse kept up on the part of ministers with the blessed ,god1 has happily expressed himself3--8,they that converse most with the ,king1 and are inward with him1 know most of the affairs of state1 and even the secrets of them1 which are hid from others4 ,and1 certainly1 those of ,god's messengers who are oftenest with ,himself1 cannot but understand their business best1 and know most of ,his meaning1 and the affairs of ,his kingdom40 ,what a luminous proof did this most excellent man afford in his conduct of the truth of his own assertion1 and what need have we1 who are the ministers and stewards of the same mysteries1 to follow him as he also followed ,christ6 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,wellington1 ,salop4 ,dec4 #bi1 #ahad4 ,my dear ,friend1 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,in my last ,i mentioned to you the illness and expected removal of my youngest brother1 ,james4 ,he has since been called to his rest1 and ,i am truly thankful to be enabled to state that his death was attended with circumstances highly satisfactory1 especially when it is remembered that he was not in any way a communicative lad1 but1 on the contrary1 very silent and reserved4 ,well6 he is gone--gone1 ,i trust1 to eternal glory4 ,the ,lord1 in his rich mercy1 prepare us all to follow him6 ,he was the youngest among us1 and the least likely to be first called4 ,i hope that we have most of us been induced by the circumstance to watch and to be sober2 8so to number our days as to apply our hearts unto wisdom40 ,as far as regards myself1 ,i think ,i may say that the lesson has been very salutary4 ,i have been led to consider myself as the next which shall be called1 and1 of course1 eternal and invisible things have appeared exceedingly near4 ,i thank ,god that death has no sting to me4 ,its sting is sin1 and that my gracious ,redeemer has mercifully removed4 ,the anticipation1 therefore1 far from being a means of uneasiness1 is matter of entire and sober satisfaction2 not that ,i have any cause for disquietude here below--not that ,i have any restlessness of desire arising from a querulous or pettish feeling of discontent4 ,no1 my dear friend1 ,god has been1 and still continues to be1 abundant in mercy and truth4 ,but still these things are not my ,god--this world is not my home4 ,i seem to myself like a school-boy very agreeably placed at school--fond of his master1 pleased with his companions1 and interested by his studies1 he has every sober ground for satisfaction1 and1 as such1 does not pettishly wish to be gone--does not for a moment think of leaving till his vacation shall arrive3 but still the thoughts of home delight him1 and when the summer which calls him there arrives1 he most cheerfully complies--his kind master1 his pleasing companions--his engaging studies--all are most gladly left2 for these are not his home4 ,ah1 my dear friend1 how lightly should we all sit to the things beneath1 to those which are nearest and dearest1 did we but consider heaven more as our own place--as our heavenly ,father's house6 ,i often wish1 my dear friend1 that the bounds of our habitation were so fixed that we might not only correspond with1 but face to face converse with1 each other4 ,this privilege ,i now enjoy with my friend ,king1 who for nearly a year has been on the same spot1 and even in the same house4 ,but ,i still feel my heart longing after my absent friend4 ,this indeed may originate in some latent feeling of ingratitude and discontent1 which leads me to overlook the mercy vouchsafed1 and to long for that denied4 ,and yet ,i am not conscious that this is altogether the case3 hardly a day elapses in which ,i do not thank ,god for the blessing granted me1 through the medium of my present friend4 ,he is a most choice and valuable young man--one of ten thousand4 ,and yet the question frequently arises in my mind1 why did ,i ever know--why did ,i feel so exceedingly attached to my absent friend1 if it were not the intention of a gracious and indulgent ,god to give him to me in like manner8 ,but the ways of the ,lord are in the great deep3 his footsteps are not known2 and yet gracious1 though unknown1 ,i would therefore be thankful that ,i have a dear--dear--very dear friend1 to whom ,i can write1 and for whom ,i can pray1 if ,i can do no more2 and my mind is solaced and comforted with the hope that a day is coming in which we shall join to part no more2 that glorious inheritance is at hand where some adjacent mansion shall be assigned us1 or where distance shall prove no impediment or barrier to our intercourse4 ,may our loving ,saviour1 who is 8the way1 the truth1 and the life10 guide us and ours all safe to this glorious kingdom6 ,i remain1 ,your very affectionate ,friend and old ,collegian1 8,,mort40 99 99 99 99 99 ,another of his friends1 the ,rev4 ,j4 ,c41 the present rector of a parish in ,cheshire1 may be here introduced--a friend whom he esteemed very highly4 ,this gentleman1 in the former years of his life1 was engaged in business1 and his friend was very desirous of detaching his mind from this pursuit1 and of leading him to turn his attention to the sacred office4 ,in one of his early letters pressing this change upon his consideration1 he makes the following pertinent remark3-- 8,it is not easy1 when fixed by circumstances1 and extensively surrounded by our secular concerns1 to follow the example of ,matthew1 and immediately to arise4 ,the din of business and the clamour of dear friends drown the soft intimations of our passing ,lord1 and1 questioning the reality of his call1 we find it difficult to leave all behind40 ,in the following extract of a letter to the ,rev4 ,j4 ,armstrong1 ,mr4 ,mortimer states what he conceived to be the qualifications of a minister of the word in a foreign or uncultivated soil2 and also his views of ,arminianism4 ,his remarks on the latter subject were addressed to the editor1 to whom1 in a former letter1 he had given some account of a plan which he and some of his friends had devised of raising a fund for the purchase of livings1 and had given to the designation of the object an ,arminian character4 ,the editor1 who has often been considered as a ,calvinist1 wrote to his friend to say he objected to the title of his projected association2 adding1 that1 in the event of his returning home invalided1 or from other causes1 he could expect to derive no benefit from his friend's patronage3-- ,wellington1 ,salop4 ,feb4 #beth1 #ahae4 ,my dear ,friend1 9999 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,were ,i required to point out those qualifications which should distinguish the minister of the word in a foreign or uncultivated soil1 ,i should not specify those qualities which are too exclusively dwelt upon by many4 ,i should not inquire into the fervour of his spirit1 the commanding or winning nature of his aspect and address1 the robustness of his frame--8his iron sinews1 and his bones of brass20--all these things are good auxiliaries1 but they are not essentials4 ,the grand requisite seems to be this1 a quiet steady application to present duty1 combined with a peaceful and unbroken reliance upon the ,lord2 for if an individual be possessed of a spirit and temper which this conduct supposes1 he must succeed4 ,hosts of opposing difficulties will1 one after another1 fall before him like the petrified band who came to seize the person of our ,lord4 ,all his patient labours1 the produce of his faith1 shall bear the approving seal of ,god--all that he doeth shall prosper4 ,but1 if present duty be neglected1 or supinely1 or uninterestingly conducted--if his reliance and confidence on ,god be broken--if his oppressed spirit sink under every wave of discouragement which for the trial of his faith is permitted to pass over him--under such circumstances1 prosperity is impossible2 for even our gracious and our willing ,lord can in no wise help us4 ,from these considerations1 ,i feel truly thankful that your spirit faints not1 that your confidence in ,god still remains1 and that you still apply yourself to your arduous work4 ,this ,moravian 7,i should rather have said this ,christlike7 spirit will1 with the superadded blessing of the ,lord1 bring to you and your dear flock a train of mercies far exceeding the most sanguine of your expectations4 8,be strong1 therefore1 and of a good courage2 fear not1 neither be dismayed2 and then the ,lord thy ,god will be with thee whithersoever thou goest40 ,he will 8,cover thy head in the day of battle2 he will take hold of shield and buckler2 he will fight for thee1 and thou shalt hold thy peace40 ,but while ,i am thus alluding to your ministerial duties1 ,i would again recommend to you what ,i took the liberty of urging upon you somewhat at large in a former letter4 ,i allude to class meetings4 ,whatever you do1 my dear ,armstrong1 do not omit these4 ,i have seen already1 and daily continue to see1 advantages the most unequivocal resulting from them2 and am convinced that no one endued either with a spiritual mind1 or with a desire after it1 would make an experiment of their efficacy without most convincingly perceiving it4 ,in your own case1 ,i have no question but that the adoption of the plan ,i am recommending1 would become quite an era to you in spiritual prosperity1 both as a church and as a private individual--an epocha upon which you would ever look back with the most unqualified delight4 ,you seem prepared1 my good friend1 to receive from me somewhat of an ,arminian trimming for the heretical alteration which you have ventured to propose as connected with our 8,living and ,perpetual ,advowson ,plan40 ,it happens1 however1 that ,i feel no such disposition at present2 not that ,i am less anxious than before for the maintenance of sound doctrine within the walls of our churches1 but because ,i have a good hope that in your case a caution upon these points is almost unnecessary4 ,i trust that1 notwithstanding the force of certain prejudices imbibed in the early part of your ,christian life1 the leaven of real unadulterated truth has been introduced into your mind1 and that a time will come in which it will predominate to the leavening of the whole lump4 ,i should be glad to find that this was the case even now2 for1 though the circumstances in which you are placed at present forbid the introduction of any extensive evil1 yet still1 ,i fear that some degree of evil will almost unavoidably find an entrance4 ,for every portion of error has its corresponding portion of evil4 ,truth1 simple1 unmixed truth1 is that which sanctifies1 and truth alone4 ,but as to endeavouring to lead you through all the mazes of controversy and debate to this desirable end1 ,i have not the least intention1 nor even desire4 ,i had rather leave you in the hands of ,god1 by prayer1 begging that ,he1 the ,god of ,truth and the ,father of ,lights would1 in his mercy1 condescend to instruct you himself1 and1 guided by him1 you will then be led into all truth4 ,as to the alteration you propose1 we are perfectly of your mind1 that the word 8,arminian0 had better be omitted1 and as such intend to drop it4 ,for1 though we should naturally be led to make choice of individuals the most accordant with our own views1 yet neither liberality nor candour would teach us to exclude others4 ,besides1 all the good purposes arising from the insertion of the term may certainly be answered without4 ,it will be well known in whose hands the conduct of the affair is vested2 this of itself will show the bias of our mind1 and this is all we wish4 ,exclusion upon the general scale is certainly no part of our intention2 we are thankful1 therefore1 for your friendly hint4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,we all unite in kindest love to you and yours1 and ,i remain1 ,your truly affectionate ,friend and ,brother1 ,g4 ,,mortimer4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,wellington1 ,salop4 ,may #ast1 #ahae4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,,your last letter gave me an account of dear ,mrs4 ,a4's indisposition4 ,she has been much on my mind of late4 ,i feared lest her protracted illness should be the forerunner of something worse2 and my mind shrunk from the idea of the painful circumstances in which yourself would be placed1 should her removal be the ultimate issue4 ,but ,i have left the whole in the hands of our wise and loving ,god1 and ,i have no doubt but that all will be well4 ,to be a stranger in a strange land1 oppressed with cares and surrounded with more than ordinary difficulties1 and at the same time reft of his bosom friend1 the sharer of his troubles1 and the assuager of his griefs2 this is a trial from which the mind revolts4 ,but still1 8,god is faithful1 who will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able40 ,he will proportion our supports to our trials1 and with ,christ's strengthening us we can not only do1 but bear all things2 and1 therefore1 all that we have to do is to shut our eye1 and to yield our hand1 and to suffer our kind ,lord to lead us whithersoever he shall please4 ,we have nothing to do with anticipation respecting the future4 ,grace is indeed promised to us1 not however in advance--not as a stock which we may possess beforehand1 but as we need it4 8,as thy day1 thy strength shall be40 ,i have found this consideration a great source of comfort to my own mind when ,i have been recoiling at the painful possibilities of the morrow2 for1 though ,i could not bear this and the other trial to-day with my present strength1 yet to-morrow's strength may and will be sufficient for me1 provided ,i do but look for it4 ,were a martyr's trials in reserve for me1 a martyr's grace would also be prepared for me4 ,with regard to myself all at present is peaceful in the extreme2 my mind calmly reposing on the ,god of all my mercies in tranquil dependence4 ,my wife1 my children1 my servants1 my property1 all so suitable1 so calculated to administer to my comfort1 and to leave me no reasonable earthly wish unfulfilled4 ,all1 my dear friend1 is so well2 all so mercifully regulated1 that ,i sometimes look around me with surprise1 and am almost led to suspect lest the treacherous calm should be merely the forerunner of some tremendous storm4 ,but the consideration does not alarm me2 for 8,god is love40 ,from your truly affectionate and ever sincere ,friend1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in the month of ,may1 #ahae1 he was invited to ,madeley by many of the parishioners1 a deputation from whom waited upon the rector1 the ,rev4 ,h4 ,burton1 to request he might be appointed curate2 and1 accordingly1 he removed thither on the #hth of the ensuing month4 ,the following letter addressed to the editor refers to the event1 and enters somewhat into the particulars of it3-- ,madeley1 near ,shiffnal1 ,salop4 ,june #aeth1 #ahae4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,,few things were further from my thoughts1 when ,i last wrote to you1 than that ,i should now be addressing a letter to you from the above-mentioned place2 but1 8the ,lord's ways are not our ways1 nor his thoughts our thoughts20 we may contrive1 but he controls4 ,i had imagined that my lot was1 for some time to come1 assigned to me among my dear people at ,wellington1 and that in my late house of mercies1 surrounded by the family of my excellent vicar1 and his valuable assistant1 ,i should continue to flourish and grow like a tree planted by rivers of waters4 ,but the ,lord has seen fit to transplant me2 of its being his work ,i feel fully assured2 and1 therefore1 ,i can now expect my comforts and blessings in a different way and through other channels4 ,thus1 goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life1 and will still follow me4 ,i do1 indeed1 quite wonder at the change2 it seems more like a dream than otherwise1 that ,i should be fixed in this place and parish1 of which ,i had so often read1 and which has always been associated in my mind with that wonderful and astonishing man of ,god1 the late venerable ,mr4 ,de la ,flchere4 ,but you will1 perhaps1 wish to know the steps which led me hither4 ,mr4 ,walters1 the late curate 7or rather the present1 for he does not leave till next ,tuesday7 having heard of a situation which seemed1 in many respects1 more congenial to his views than that of ,madeley1 gave notice of its being his intention to leave1 in the church on ,sunday after divine service4 ,the people were much surprised at the communication2 but since the choice of their minister has usually been left to themselves1 they immediately began to look around them2 and1 having fixed upon me1 they begged of ,mr4 ,eyton1 that he would give me up1 and of myself1 that ,i would undertake the cure of the place4 ,had ,i been disposed to consult merely with flesh and blood1 ,madeley would have been the last place to which ,i should have consented to have gone2 but1 as dear ,mrs4 ,fletcher and the people of all descriptions seemed desirous of my coming among them1 ,i thought it would be wrong to resist the order of ,god1 and1 as such1 professed a willingness to let them do anything with me which they should please4 ,a deputation was accordingly sent to ,mr4 ,burton1 the vicar1 who resides on another living a few miles off1 requesting him to appoint me4 ,he received them1 in the first instance1 with a degree of coolness which led them to conclude that there was but little hope4 ,he did not even tell them that he would consider the application1 but put them off with mentioning another person who1 he thought1 would suit him4 ,under such circumstances1 prayer seemed the only resort1 and to the prayers of the church ,i believe ,i have been given1 and to these alone4 ,in about ten days after the first application1 ,i heard through the medium of a relation of his1 that he had some intentions of appointing me1 and as such ,i waited upon him1 and was received both by himself and his wife with a degree of cordiality and attention which quite surprised me4 ,we soon came to terms1 and ,i have since heard1 from various sources1 that he is not only well disposed towards me1 but quite congratulates himself upon my having undertaken his cure4 ,such wonderful revolutions1 both in mind and in circumstances1 is the ,lord able to effect4 ,all things being thus far adjusted1 ,i began to look out for a situation for myself1 and for a suitable tenant for the house ,i was about to leave1 and in both respects have ,i been led most remarkably to see the hand of ,god4 ,the house ,i now occupy has been desired by many1 as it is the only one in the place at all suitable for a person in my circumstances2 but a disagreement among the persons who had to let it1 prevented everything like an amicable prospect1 and it has been strangely left in the midst of all for me4 ,how kind and how condescending is the care of ,god6 ,how does it reach even to the minutest particulars1 and much more to the commodiously and pleasantly assigning the bounds of our habitation4 ,our removal also has been attended with blessings4 ,scarcely anything1 in the shape of injury1 has hitherto been perceived1 and what trivial matters have been noticed have only tended to increase our gratitude1 by shewing us what might have been1 had not ,god given his charge as connected with them4 ,you will smile1 perhaps1 at these kind of enumerations2 but ,i feel a pleasure in adverting to them myself1 and1 therefore1 ,i must beg your indulgence4 8,a special and minute providence is an object of my firm belief1 as well as a source of my calmest and most extensive joys4 ,i love to dwell on such a truth as this1 #8,the very hairs of your head are all numbered4'0 ,you have heard1 perhaps1 of the ,honourable ,mr4 ,ryder having been made ,dean of ,wells1 and of his most decided and open exhibition of piety in his exalted situation4 ,about a month ago he was made ,bishop of ,gloucester1 an event which has filled the hearts of the pious in our ,establishment with inexpressible gratitude4 ,it may1 indeed1 be said by us on such an occasion1 8,the ,lord hath done great things for us1 whereof we are glad10 and to his name would we ascribe the praise4 ,a lady of my acquaintance happened1 at the time when his appointment was known1 to be dining in a party at which ,mr4 ,wilberforce was present1 and she states1 that two or three times he could not help saying in the most animated manner1 8,i am afraid1 ,i am too glad at it1 but it is such a great thing40 ,i remain1 ,your ever affectionate ,friend1 ,,geo4 ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,mr4 ,mortimer's post at ,madeley was1 upon his entrance on the duties of it1 one beset with great difficulties2 but by the blessing of ,god upon his ,christian spirit and conduct he overcame them all4 ,this will be seen from the following extracts of three letters1 the first and third directed to his sister1 and the second to his friend abroad4 ,after alluding to the difficulties referred to1 he says1 ,august1 #ahae3-- 8,i feel a power to stand still and see the salvation of ,god2 my chief attention is directed1 not to outward circumstances1 but to my own spirit4 ,i am desirous of cultivating kindness and affection1 and am convinced that so long as nothing is cherished by me contrary to love1 all will eventually be well4 ,we have had a most gratifying visit from ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,butterworth1 and feel truly thankful for the kind providence which brought them among us4 ,what a stimulus to increased activity for ,god and our fellow-creatures does the animating example of such a character as ,mr4 ,b4 afford4 ,such sobriety of mind1 such solidity of judgment1 such earnestness of endeavour3 ,i could not help applying to him the words of my favourite ,herbert1 #8,let thy mind still be bent1 still plotting where1 ,and when1 and how1 the business may be done4' 8,mrs4 ,fletcher still continues to speak once a week to her people and also to meet her class2 her breathing is much affected1 and she continues to break very fast4 ,she spoke on the ,monday evening1 while ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,b4 were here1 for the last time on the weekdays4 ,the assemblage was highly gratifying4 ,after we came home1 we reckoned upwards of fifty who had come from ,wellington to hear her4 ,such honour has this distinguished saint of ,god40 ,madeley1 near ,shiffnal1 ,salop4 ,sept4 #ast1 #ahae4 ,,since ,i last wrote to you ,i have had to encounter many difficulties in my parish1 but ,i am thankful to state that they have now nearly subsided4 ,you must understand that my parish abounds with ,methodists1 or at least that the greater part of the serious people are such1 and of course the church1 though generally attended by them once a day1 is looked upon as a mere secondary concern4 ,now though ,i respect the ,methodists1 so long as they keep to their own place1 and would gladly give to them1 under such circumstances1 the right hand of fellowship1 yet when they leave their proper place and wish to occupy that post of pre-eminence which the ,lord has given to the church1 then ,i feel it to be my duty to step forward and to show them where they ought to remain4 ,my predecessors here1 namely1 ,mr4 ,fletcher1 ,melville ,horne1 and ,mr4 ,walters1 all of them preached at regular times in the ,methodist chapels4 ,when ,i came here they solicited me1 and ,mrs4 ,fletcher among others was exceedingly urgent4 ,i felt it my duty1 however1 most stoutly to refuse4 ,this1 as you may suppose1 gave great offence1 and they imagined that instead of a friend and encourager1 they had most strangely stumbled upon a most determined enemy4 ,time1 however1 has shown them that they misjudged me1 and that ,i can be friendly and yet not go all the lengths which they1 through a regard to precedents1 had most unaccountably expected2 and now1 the sober-minded come to church as usual1 and everything seems to be proceeding in a spirit of love and of kindness4 ,it is true1 that some of the more violent have seceded1 but this is no more than ,i might reasonably have expected1 and1 to speak the truth1 no more than what ,i should have wished2 for ,i could never have felt at home1 with individuals of this description4 ,they have always been troublesome characters1 and had they remained1 they would doubtless have been troublesome to me4 ,while the mouths of many were opened loudly against me1 ,i one day met with an old ,methodist of the place1 who was a convert of dear ,mr4 ,fletcher's4 ,in the course of conversation1 ,i said to him1 8,well ,mr4 ,p41 do you think that ,i have been a sinner above all others1 in not preaching in your chapels80 8,why1 sir10 said he1 8to speak truth1 ,i must say that ,i think no such thing1 and ,i have always said1 that as you are our minister you ought to know your own business a great deal better than we do1 and therefore that we have nothing to do but to be quiet40 ,i was much struck at the time with his remark1 and ,i believe1 now1 that the generality think with him4 ,my mind was at first much pained1 but ,i endeavoured to maintain through the whole a loving demeanour and a praying spirit4 ,i said little1 took care to avoid all exaggeration1 and yet1 at the same time1 kept steadily to my point4 ,and ,god has stood by me and brought me through in a way that ,i could hardly have supposed4 ,to his name be all the praise4 ,you will be pleased to hear that one of my younger brothers1 ,thomas1 has recently been truly converted to ,god1 and wishes to enter into the church4 ,my father most cordially enters into his views1 and has been urgent upon me to receive him into my house1 by way of preparation for college4 ,this ,i at length consented to do4 ,and though it is somewhat of trouble to me to do my duty towards him1 in point of attention--for he is quite a studious young man--yet ,i feel that his being with us is quite in the ,lord's order1 and am truly thankful for that grace which has changed him1 and that providence which has directed his steps among us4 ,from a letter which ,i saw from a ,methodist preacher1 who attended the conference last month1 ,i understand that no less than thirteen preachers in their connexion have left them with the intention of preparing for orders4 ,these are the men we want in our churches6 ,what does our excellent establishment want1 but ,arminian preachers and ,methodist discipline6 ,but ,i must forbear lest ,i get a second trimming4 ,leaving joking however1 aside1 ,i felt truly thankful to hear of this1 and ,i hope many will follow their good example4 ,the ,church wants them1 and the ,methodists can well spare them4 99 99 99 99 99 ,madeley1 ,sept4 #bfth1 #ahae4 ,you will be pleased to find that matters are proceeding with quietness and comfort in my parish4 ,for some weeks past ,i have not heard the least syllable of complaint relative to my first obnoxious proceedings4 ,the church is increasingly attended1 and the spirit of ,god seems among us in the application of the word4 ,i feel now at length thoroughly convinced that my coming here was of ,god4 ,all ,i fear is lest my bodily strength should not be quite equal to my duty4 ,my ,sunday work is certainly fatiguing4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,madeley1 near ,shiffnal1 ,salop4 ,oct4 #bfth1 #ahae4 ,my dear ,armstrong1 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,since ,i last wrote to you ,i have seen it my duty to give up myself wholly to the work of the ,lord4 ,i am ashamed to confess to you1 that the former years of my ministry have been very partially devoted to his service4 ,i have too frequently picked and chosen among my duties1 avoided too many which seemed to promise humiliation and mortification1 and entered upon others only so far as they left me an opportunity of cultivating and enjoying other more favourite pursuits4 ,oh1 my dear friend1 what a cage of unclean birds is the polluted heart of man1 and how many corners of it still remain impure1 even after it has been for the most part cleansed4 ,how much selfishness1 7latent1 indeed1 or glossed over with some speciousness of appearance17 still keeps lurking behind4 ,the ,lord1 however1 has very mercifully been leading me to part first with one favourite pursuit and then with another1 till at last ,i seem to have but one business1 and that is1 to do the will of him who has called me to the ministry4 ,that ,i perform this business in such a way as daily humbles me1 and fills me with confusion of face1 ,i need scarcely tell you2 for you have long known the pride and the naughtiness of my heart1 and1 though ,i keep fighting with my spiritual enemies1 and am determined by the grace of ,god1 neither to find for them any apology1 nor to give them any quarter1 yet ,i am but an unskilful combatant1 and fall under a severe wound instead of habitually conquering through him who hath loved me4 ,as to my parish1 ,i am very thankful to be able to state that matters are going on very comfortably4 ,the spirit of dissent seems to be weekly abating1 and all seems harmony and love4 ,two of the principal men among us have not only given the most cordial and unexpected support1 but have discovered a degree of seriousness under the word1 and a willingness to converse about it1 when not actually hearing it1 as encourages me to hope1 that they are inquirers after the things which make for their peace4 ,i was much struck yesterday with the very friendly conduct of a ,mr4 ,a41 one of the masters of a considerable coal and iron work in the neighbourhood4 ,i had been inquiring about a place where ,i might go near the ,iron ,bridge1 one of the most populous places in the parish1 to expound the ,scriptures and thus prepare them1 by means of this stepping stone1 for an attendance upon the church1 and for their meeting in one of our little classes4 ,i soon heard of a room over the market place1 which was employed as a day school1 nicely accommodated with benches1 and capable of holding between two and three hundred people2 ,i was told it belonged to ,mr4 ,a41 but was let by him to the person who now held it1 upon the express condition1 that it should never be used for any religious purpose4 ,an application under such circumstances seemed somewhat uncertain1 but when ,i waited upon him1 he expressed not only his willingness1 but his great satisfaction in having it so employed1 and told me1 moreover1 that he would give immediate orders to his foreman to see that everything by way of whitewashing1 and so on1 should be done1 so as to make it as comfortable as might be4 ,i don't know how it is1 but ,i feel my heart peculiarly united with this amiable man4 ,one night1 after spending two or three hours in his company1 ,i felt just the same sensation of indescribable union which ,i felt towards yourself the first day ,i knew you4 ,o how should ,i rejoice to be made serviceable to his soul1 and to meet him a saved character in the day of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,my ,iron ,bridge meeting ,i begin to morrow evening4 ,i feel it much upon my mind1 and should be greatly obliged by your praying for a particular blessing as connected with it4 ,the population there and within a short distance extends to some thousands4 99 99 99 99 ,with our kind and united regards to ,mrs4 ,a4 and yourself1 ,believe me1 my dear ,friend1 ,yours1 most affectionately1 ,g4 ,,mortimer4 ,,to ,,his ,,sister4 ,madeley1 ,nov4 #bjth1 #ahae4 ,my dear ,mary1 ,,mrs4 ,d4 ,,whitmore has offered to enclose a letter for me to yourself in her frank4 ,i have availed myself of the opportunity thus afforded me1 and have the comfort of reflecting that for once1 at least1 my poor scrawl will not cost more than its worth4 ,mrs4 ,d4 and ,miss ,whitmore have lately been spending a few days with us1 and they have left us with a pleasing and powerful conviction of the blessedness resulting from the society of those who live near to ,god4 ,we felt1 in the first instance1 somewhat of reluctance in inviting them2 but1 being persuaded that the law of love required that we should seek our pleasure in the endeavour to communicate pleasure to others1 we thought it right to break through our cozy habits of retirement1 and to welcome them under our roof4 ,i need not tell you that we have been abundantly repaid4 ,christian intercourse1 when sought and conducted on ,christian principles1 must be productive of good1 and ,i would gratefully adore the goodness of the ,lord for all the refreshment of spirit1 and the improvement of mind1 which have been conveyed to me through them as channels4 ,how clearly1 my dear ,mary1 would the ,lord be teaching us1 provided that we would learn of him that the faithful taking up of the cross1 even in those matters which appear but trivial and insignificant1 is the most effectual way of procuring present peace and future blessedness4 ,in short1 that the spirit of surrender is the one thing needful1 the grand preparative for happiness and holiness here1 and for eternal glory hereafter4 ,i do not know how you feel on this point2 but ,i must1 with humiliation1 confess to you1 that this yoke of ,christ does not sit so gracefully and so easily upon me as it ought4 ,i would1 however1 be thankful that ,i am endeavouring to bear it4 ,i am comforted with the thought1 and ,i may say with the experience1 that the effort to accommodate it to my stubborn neck is the most effectual way of making it natural and easy4 ,i have been much helped to this endeavour by a persuasion that the bearing of the cross is not the end1 but the way2 that humiliations1 mortifications1 trials1 and so on1 are only so many means which ,god is obliged to have recourse to in order to communicate blessings2 that he does not wish to harass1 pain1 and mortify us1 but to promote our comfort1 and that the moment we are ready to take up the cross1 and begin to submit to the only terms on which it is safe in ,god to bless us1 then he cheerfully avails himself of the opportunity of conveying to us1 not the pain which we anticipated1 but some gracious token of his love4 8,for the ,lord taketh pleasure in the prosperity of his servants40 ,his name1 ,his nature1 is love4 ,in my last1 ,i think1 ,i stated to you that matters were going on pretty comfortably in my parish4 ,i did not1 however1 enlarge1 lest ,i should be conveying to you a more favourable idea than contingent circumstances would authorize4 ,i now feel that gratitude towards ,god ought to lead me to speak to his praise4 ,many persons in the place have1 to say the least1 been very favourably impressed1 both among the higher1 as well as the lower orders1 and show a considerable change in the whole of their demeanour4 ,the congregation in the church1 both morning and evening1 continues to increase2 and the expositions1 both in the town and the outskirts of the parish1 are fully attended4 ,if there is one thing more than another which seems to encourage me1 it is that of witnessing on all occasions1 that the ,lord has graciously given to me what ,i have all along been led more particularly to pray for--the heart and affections of my dear people4 ,they not only tolerate--they evidently love me4 ,i seem to myself the same poor blundering stutterer as ever1 and yet they meet me with pleasure1 and go from my ministrations with profit4 ,the ,lord make and keep me humble and thankful6 ,i sometimes think that all this is too good to last1 that the peaceful calm is but the harbinger of the treacherous storm2 ,i feel1 however1 that this is no necessary conclusion4 ,could humility and gratitude be the predominating feeling of our mind1 we then might be safely trusted with success4 ,but this is the grand difficulty--pride and self-congratulation are ever apt to insinuate themselves into our minds1 and then adversity is necessary4 8,it is difficult10 as the pious ,leighton observes1 8to carry a full cup even40 ,pray for me1 my dear sister1 that all the will of the ,lord may be done in me1 and by me1 and that no evils on my part may put any impediment to the free course and glorification of ,god's blessed word4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following letter to his friend1 ,mr41 now the ,rev4 ,john ,cooper1 will show how much ,mr4 ,mortimer was in advance of the time in which he wrote on the subject of lay-agency--a kind of help which1 at that time1 was considered of very questionable propriety2 but which has now come to be admitted very generally1 as expedient to meet the pressing wants of a rapidly increasing population4 ,these wants1 indeed1 the editor believes can never be effectually supplied by any means less than an extensive augmentation of the number of clerical labourers4 ,to supply these means1 he regrets much that the ,lord ,primate1 together with the ,episcopal ,bench1 should not see it to be their duty to admit to deacon's orders upon a lower standard of literary attainments than is now required2 keeping persons so ordained1 if it be thought good1 in that order1 until they possess the usual portion of literary and theological knowledge1 as well as the ordinary title for priest's orders4 ,on this subject also1 as will be seen from the same letter1 ,mr4 ,mortimer appears to have been equally in advance of his brethren2 for1 at that time1 the notion of such an augmentation of the number of the clergy was little thought of1 and would have been in most quarters1 as it is still in many1 very generally condemned4 ,his opinion is1 ,i think1 a just one--viz4 that the stability and true respectability of the church is more effectually promoted by sound piety1 than by a certain portion of ,latin and ,greek4 8,the union of sound learning with genuine piety1 is what every one must admire and desire in a ,christian pastor2 but a man may do immense good with nothing more than an unlearned familiarity with the ,scriptures1 with sound practical sense and activity1 taking part in all the business of the parish1 and devoting himself to intercourse with men rather than with books4 ,i honour such men in the highest degree1 and think that they are among the most valuable ministers that the church possesses40 #fi ,in the meantime1 however1 until the clergy shall hear some proportion to the population1 we must have recourse to lay-assistants to supply1 in some small measure1 the much to be deplored deficiency4 8,for myself1 ,i will openly declare1 that ,i see not how we can dare for any of those small professional objections1 which may be urged1 if they are sought for1 against every comprehensive scheme of good1 to refuse such aid in this our great necessity4 ,it might be well enough for men1 sitting calmly in their closets1 and forgetting all these mighty issues1 to cavil and to speculate1 to raise difficulties as to the exact mission of the lay-reader1 and to wish 7as which of us does not wish87 that bands of zealous1 well-timed1 devoted deacons ministered instead among these crowds2 but it will not do for us1 my reverend brethren1 who know that souls are thus perishing around us1 to bring upon ourselves the guilt of their blood2 to let them be unwarned1 and drag us with them into their destruction1 because1 through blinding prejudice1 or the widely comprehensive sin of omission1 we have1 for a whole generation1 shut out of a parish the light which might have streamed into it40 #gj ,madeley1 ,dec4 #dth1 #ahae4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,,on the evening previous to my receiving your very kind and truly acceptable letter1 ,i had been speaking in the town from those words of our ,lord1 8,pray ye1 therefore1 the ,lord of the harvest1 that he would send or rather thrust forth labourers into his harvest20 and we all seemed to find it a profitable season1 especially when1 in conclusion1 we were praying that this important blessing might be realized4 ,when your kind favour arrived1 ,i saw more than ever1 the propriety of beseeching ,god to 8thrust0 them out2 for surely nothing but main force can compel desirable labourers4 ,others come at a moment's bidding--no useful employments detain them--no endeared relatives or friends hang about them1 conscientiously and feelingly pressing their continuance among them4 ,but when a prepared labourer1 one whom 8the ,lord of the harvest0 has previously been fitting for his ministerial work2 when such a one is fixed on1 none but the ,lord himself can bring him out4 ,i have1 therefore1 only one resource1 and that is prayer2 this1 however1 ,i am privileged to use1 and this ,i must still hope will eventually prevail4 ,i assure you it would prove a source of no small joy to myself to welcome you among us for your initiatory work2 for1 independent of the personal gratification and profit which ,i must promise myself1 your help in various ways would be exceedingly acceptable to the people4 ,the most populous parts of the parish greatly want help1 and most gladly avail themselves of the little which ,i and ,t-- are able to give them4 ,at present ,i feel as though ,i could do but little more3 ,i have1 indeed1 one leisure evening during the week2 but even this they have been asking from me1 and ,i fear to deny them4 ,my good friend need not1 therefore1 be afraid of eating the bread of idleness1 by secluding himself for a short season among us2 and with regard to his future employment1 a single month's actual residence in a place tolerably populous will fully convince him how much work of the highest importance will call for his daily and even hourly attention4 ,and are there not hundreds of places of this description opening to our wishes8 8,truly the harvest is plenteous10 but with pain ,i must still add1 that 8the labourers are few40 ,i felt very thankful to hear of the determination of your friend ,b--1 relative to entering into orders1 and of the kind and judicious conduct of the bishop--a conduct1 however1 but seldom adopted4 ,the determination of many on the bench to admit those only into orders who have previously been at college1 is1 indeed1 calculated to secure a certain portion of ,latin and ,greek in the ,establishment2 but1 at the same time1 to exclude from it1 in many instances1 that which it more needs and which would more effectually conduce to its stability and true respectability2 ,i mean1 vital1 genuine piety4 ,what a mercy it is1 however1 that their determination has been in so many cases made void1 and that there is not an instance to be found in which a pious young man has eventually been excluded4 ,i think1 ,i hinted to you1 when you kindly visited us in the summer1 that ,i am too sensible of the dismal forebodings of kind friends to let slip an opportunity of putting you again in remembrance4 ,but1 my dear friend1 with all our zeal for the progress of the ,lord's work around us1 we must not forget its progress within us4 ,i know not how you may feel1 but1 with regard to myself1 ,i am constrained to acknowledge1 that while ,i am endeavouring to mind the vineyards of others1 ,i too frequently neglect my own4 ,i get more and more of the habit of thinking spiritually--speaking spiritually--and even acting spiritually2 but there seems in my own experience a great deficiency in point of feeling4 ,spiritual things are not brought home to my own mind by an immediate and constant self-application4 ,i seem like a spiritual purveyor who is convinced that nothing but spirituality will do1 and1 therefore1 my constant endeavour is to convey1 and to exhibit it4 ,but still1 ,i fear1 at times1 lest all this is more in reference to others than to myself4 ,i hope1 however1 that the act of conveying and exhibiting it1 is not altogether unattended with good to myself2 for the channel imbibes some of the water which passes through it2 and1 as ,leighton observes1 8,the boxes in which our perfumes are kept for garments and other uses1 are themselves perfumed by keeping them40 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,what a world of instruction is conveyed to us in that beautiful passage of the prophet1 8,in returning and in rest ye shall be saved60 ,now when ,i fail1 or when ,i wander1 too often1 instead of quietly returning and resuming my endeavours1 ,i am apt to sink into myself1 and be discouraged4 ,in short1 ,i seem rather to brood over my failures than to get pardon for them1 and to set about their amendment4 ,my paper tells me that ,i cannot enlarge2 ,i must1 therefore1 conclude1 with the assurance that the best wishes of ,mrs4 ,m4 and myself continue to attend yourself and all your circle4 ,i remain1 ,your truly affectionate and sincere ,friend1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,madeley1 ,dec4 #bith1 #ahae4 ,my dear ,armstrong1 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,on the #ith instant1 dear ,mrs4 ,fletcher was removed from the church militant to the church triumphant1 from a sorrowing church below to a glorious one above4 ,the last few months of her life were attended with much pain1 but how sweetly did the ,christian beam through all6 ,in her former years she seems to have been called more particularly to glorify ,god by an unusual degree of activity and usefulness4 ,latterly1 she has been called to bear and suffer2 but all in the spirit of her ,divine ,master4 ,o my dear friend1 how gladly would ,i join her glorified spirit by making my escape from a world of sin and sorrow6 ,do not1 however1 mistake me2 ,i do1 indeed1 love home1 and strange would it be were it otherwise1 but still ,i would not run away to get there4 ,i see that there is much for me still1 both to do and to suffer2 and as such1 rather than pettishly desiring to depart1 ,i would calmly and quietly wish to wait--wait till all my discipline is over1 till ,i am better fitted and prepared for my inheritance among the saints in light4 99 99 99 99 ,while my ,mary's letter lies before me1 ,i feel disposed to copy another part of it1 relative to the management of school children4 8,i was much pleased a few weeks since at the national school4 ,dr4 ,bell's arrangements are well made1 and the mistress he has appointed is an uncommonly clever woman1 just fit for that situation1 and apparently for none else4 ,i asked her how she managed with the children when any of them used improper language1 having myself been much troubled with this at our ,shoreditch school8 ,she said such a case rarely occurred1 but when it did1 she found it better to convince the understanding of the evil1 than merely to correct for the individual fault2 and as she was particular in explaining the catechism1 commandments1 c41 she had in general little trouble in bringing such faults home4 ,for example1 she said1 #8,a few days since1 about twenty of the girls came to me1 and said1 8,o ,governess6 little ,chambers has said a very wicked word40 ,i lifted up my hands1 and said1 8,blessed are the peace makers40 ,if twenty of you had come to tell me of a good deed1 ,i would gladly have listened1 but go away and be ashamed at being so pleased to publish the faults of a school-fellow4 ,i thought it right1 however1 not to let it go unnoticed2 and therefore called to me privately the monitor of the class4 ,she said1 8,indeed1 governess1 it was a very naughty word1 it was ,o ,god40 ,i said1 8,very well1 that is enough40 ,i then went round to the different classes1 who were saying the catechism2 after a while ,i came to this class1 and after having asked several children the commandments1 ,i said 7pointing the fore finger17 8,little ,chambers1 do you say the third40 ,she immediately burst into tears1 and said1 8,o ,governess6 ,i did say a naughty word1 but ,i will never do so again1 if you will forgive me this once40' ,this is not according to the plan of correction generally pursued at schools1 but it appears to me much more judicious and more likely to produce lasting benefit40 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,my ,mary joins me in kindest and most ,christian regards to yourself and dear ,mrs4 ,a41 and in love to all your family1 and ,i remain1 ,yours ever affectionately1 ,g4 ,,mortimer4 ,,to ,,his ,,sister4 ,madeley1 ,jan4 #bfth1 #ahaf4 ,my dear ,mary1 ,i ,,have been much struck of late with the forcible manner in which the providence of ,god has been co-operating with his word in the endeavour to teach me a lesson1 which1 of all others1 ,i find so exceedingly difficult to learn2 ,i mean that of so numbering my days as to apply my heart unto wisdom4 ,the removal of my dear mother-in-law1 the unusual number of deaths among all descriptions of persons in my own immediate neighbourhood1 and especially that of ,mrs4 ,fletcher2 all these conspiring circumstances loudly enforce the necessity of being sober and watching unto prayer1 of having my loins girt and my lamp burning1 of being in a prepared posture of expectation1 waiting for the coming of my ,lord4 ,these effects1 ,i am thankful to state1 have in some measure been gratefully traced by me in my recent experience4 ,one thing seems to me more than ever to be truly needful1 not indeed the obtaining and the securing of inheritances below1 but the getting prepared for my inheritance above--an inheritance to which every day and every hour spent for ,god is adding some increase of comfort1 and which1 when once possessed1 will be found to be worth the possessing--an inheritance incorruptible1 undefiled1 and which fadeth not away4 ,o my dear ,mary1 how does the grand enemy of our souls destroy by deluding6 how does he infatuate the world at large6 how gross also the deception which he practises even upon believers themselves1 making then live nine-tenths of their time1 if not sinfully1 at least uselessly for themselves1 or for the world1 instead of for ,god and eternity1 as a matter of course1 instead of with a pure and single aim4 ,but1 alas6 what is any action when stripped of its proper motive1 ,i mean the glory of ,god4 ,a man may give liberally to the poor1 he may carefully regulate his household1 bring up his children decently and even morally1 and restrain his domestics from immoralities and inconsistencies4 ,but if our liberality is connected with our own reputation1 if our children be merely educated that they may bring credit and comfort to us1 or if our dependents are restrained and their good consulted1 because it would reflect dishonour upon us to pursue a contrary course2 if these be our motives1 what are they after all but mere selfishness8 ,there is no reference to ,god in all these actions1 and1 of course1 no eternal reward can be expected from them4 ,their reference is to ourselves and that also in our present state1 but the future is left entirely out of the question4 ,i grant1 indeed1 that a present reward is obtained1 but this is all1 and1 in fact1 it is all which in most cases is sought for4 ,the benevolent man has the reputation for benevolence1 which he seeks2 the moral educator of his children has the satisfaction of seeing them orderly and decent1 and they bring to him the temporal comfort which he desired2 the strict and moral master has in the same way the present fruit of his labours4 ,but if ,god's glory1 if a sincere desire of pleasing him1 has not been combined with the motives of these respective individuals1 no eternal fruit will be found from them4 ,they die with this present world4 ,how uselessly1 then1 if not sinfully1 are the generality of persons employed1 and what need have we all to strive to live more completely under the influence of unseen celestial realities6 ,i feel these truths while ,i am writing them1 and the earnest prayer of my soul is1 that1 as a consequence of them1 my inheritance may rather be in reserve than in immediate possession4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,madeley1 ,salop4 ,march #dth1 #ahaf4 ,my dear ,armstrong1 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,you may perhaps recollect that in one of my former letters ,i mentioned -- as a violent opposer of everything which had the least appearance of real godliness4 ,he also has been called from among us1 and that in a manner which of all others seemed most likely to excite attention1 and lead to serious inquiry4 ,o1 my dear friend1 what a mercy is it that our feet have not been treading in the same unhallowed paths6 ,we see in him what we ourselves should have been1 had we been left to ourselves4 ,to the grace of ,god--,arminian as you conceive me to be--,i am fully convinced the reason should be ascribed4 ,dear ,mr4 -- bears the afflictive stroke with a union of acute feelings and perfect resignation1 such as is seldom seen4 ,i should have imagined the stroke would have almost overwhelmed him2 but what cannot the grace of ,god enable us to bear8 ,you imagine that now ,i am fixed at ,madeley1 ,i have become more a ,methodist than ever4 ,if by the term you mean an attachment to their peculiar doctrines1 ,i must confess that you are not very far from the mark2 for ,i feel more than ever persuaded that with some slight modification1 they are the truth4 ,the more ,i pray1 and study1 and experience1 and preach1 the more do ,i see of their accordancy with the whole revealed will of ,god4 ,all seems intelligible1 all in unison4 ,but though more decided than ever1 ,i trust that ,i am no bigot4 ,i exclude1 ,i would deal out contemptuous pity to1 no one2 and1 therefore1 ,god forbid1 that ,i should at any time lay that stress upon disputed points which should lead my dear friend to imagine1 that because we do not quite see alike1 that1 therefore1 ,i feel the least atom of diminution in point of affection4 ,i can from my heart assure him that it is no such thing4 ,should you1 however1 fancy that by my coming to ,madeley1 ,i am more of a ,methodist1 because ,i am less of a ,churchman2 in this respect1 ,i feel1 then1 ,i can altogether clear myself4 ,the fact is1 the more ,i see of ,methodism1 the less do ,i admire it4 ,there is that party spirit1 that uncommon wish to proselyte1 that settled jealousy against those who are more successful in their endeavours--in short1 that spirit which1 if suffered to proceed1 would completely undermine our most excellent ,establishment1 and erect itself in its stead1 that though ,i cannot but greatly love and admire some of its members1 as a body ,i dare not give them that countenance or support which ,i should do were their doctrines the only point in consideration4 ,i therefore have adopted all that strikes me as good in their system1 but at the same time keep myself and people perfectly distinct4 ,by this means1 ,i have ill-will and opposition to an extent which you would hardly conceive2 but ,i go quietly and lovingly forward1 and ,i thank ,god my plans have hitherto well succeeded1 and ,i feel quite convinced that all will eventually be well4 ,what provokes most opposition1 is my using the same weapons which have so successfully been employed by themselves1 and that with the increased advantage of their being combined with all the weight of influence connected with the ,establishment4 ,i wish my dear friend would try the same weapons1 and he would soon see the most beneficial effects4 99 99 99 99 ,believe me1 with kindest regards to yourself and ,mrs4 ,a41 ,your truly affectionate ,friend1 ,g4 ,,mortimer4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,madeley1 ,salop4 ,aug4 #e1 #ahaf4 ,my dear ,armstrong1 99 99 99 99 99 ,,your two or three last letters1 but more particularly the last of all1 seem written under a degree of depression which ,i am greatly concerned to observe4 ,while engaged in doing a great work1 while filling an important post1 and that with no small measure of patient perseverance1 you suffer yourself to suppose that you are doing almost nothing4 ,while your friends which you have left behind you are admiring the zeal and the love which have enabled you to tear yourself from the comforts of civilized and refined society1 and thus to forget1 as it were1 your own people and your father's house1 while they are thankful for the grace of ,god within you1 you are so discouragingly comparing yourself with a ,schwartz and a ,van der ,kemp1 as to request of your unworthy friend that he would pray for you1 lest1 after all1 you should prove a castaway4 ,now1 my dear ,armstrong1 what must ,i say to such feelings and requests8 ,must ,i sympathise with my dear desponding friend8 ,i do so from my heart2 but ,i must also chide with him3 you overlook the tender mercies of ,god towards you2 you keep your eye not on the bright side1 but on that which is dark1 gloomy1 and foreboding2 and thus faith and confidence in your loving and omnipotent ,redeemer seem dormant and inactive principles4 ,but what is the language of the ,saviour under such circumstances of discouragement8 ,it is that which he addressed to ,martha at the grave of ,lazarus3 8,said ,i not unto thee1 that if thou wouldst believe1 thou shouldst see the glory of ,god80 ,it is that also which he used towards the afflicted father1 who with tears requested that1 if he could do anything1 he would have compassion on him1 and help him3 8,if thou canst believe1 all things are possible to him that believeth40 ,believe then1 my dear friend1 through all your difficulties and discouragements1 and your temporary darkness will be succeeded by glorious and abiding light4 ,the clouds which for a season overspread your horizon will be dispelled1 and your glistening eye will be cheered with a bright and resplendent day4 ,perhaps1 however1 you may tell me1 that faith is the gift of ,god1 and that we must wait till this hinging blessing be bestowed4 ,but are not all the gifts of ,god to be obtained upon the simple condition of asking8 and were you to ask for this gift1 or for its increase1 would the blessed ,god deny it8 ,i have often found it exceedingly useful to my own mind1 after having fallen upon my knees to pray to that ,god who has promised to give to us all that we ask in faith1--,i have found it profitable to ask previously1 that the ,lord would give me faith to believe1 that the petitions which ,i should present before his throne of grace1 would be answered by him1 and1 as a consequence1 my faith has been strengthened far beyond its usual exercise4 ,and with regard to discouraging circumstances1 my constant prayer has been that my faith might not fail4 ,since ,i came into this parish1 ,i have had difficulties to encounter1 such as some of my dearest friends and fellow-labourers have confessed that they should not have dared to meet1 and ,i must acknowledge1 that1 at times1 ,i have sighed1 and wept1 and groaned1 being burdened2 and have had many a thought of leaving my arduous post to some more intrepid and persevering spirit4 ,but something seemed continually to be whispering to my dejected mind1 8only believe10 8let not your faith fail you10 and ,i blessed ,god that through all ,i was enabled1 in some sort1 to believe1 though not without many a tremulous assertion1 and equally trembling prayer1 8,lord1 ,i believe1 help thou mine unbelief40 ,and it is with unfeigned gratitude towards the blessed ,god1 that ,i feel it my duty to add1 that all my storms have1 for the present at least1 completely blown over1 and that success has been vouchsafed to my poor mean insignificant labours1 such as my most sanguine expectations could in no wise have imagined4 ,should ,i not say1 then1 to my dear friend1 as an experimental result 8from believing verily to see the goodness of the ,lord in the land of the living10--8,o tarry thou the ,lord's leisure1 be strong1 and he shall comfort thine heart20 8,wait1 ,i say1 on the ,lord08 ,but here ,i feel1 as usual1 that ,i must check myself4 ,i forget to whom ,i am writing1 and likewise what ,i am inditing3 ,i forget that ,i am addressing one who has that anointing from above which teacheth all things1 and that ,i am not composing a sermon1 but scribbling a letter4 ,i know not whether you were acquainted with ,s--1 of our college1 and ,b--1 of ,trinity4 ,the former ,i used occasionally to meet1 and was accustomed to consider him as one of the very holiest men at college4 ,since my last letter1 however1 he1 ,b--1 and two others1 have left the ,church1 because they could not read the ten commandments1 and are now preaching all the heights and depths of eternal election1 eternal justification1 and eternal sanctification3 they have likewise begun to ordain others1 and ,r-- ,k--1 the member for ,l--1 has vacated his seat1 and received ordination from them4 ,the moderate ,calvinists are endeavouring to stop the growing evil1 but ,i am sorry to say1 that among many it is sadly spreading4 ,it has had one good effect1 however2 it has made many of the high men1 as they are termed1 much more guarded and circumspect4 99 99 99 99 ,mary and my brother unite with me in very kindest love to yourself1 and most respectful and affectionate remembrances to ,mrs4 ,a41 and ,i may likewise add1 in very best wishes and earnest prayers for your dear children4 ,i remain your very sincere ,friend1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,madeley1 ,sept4 #cj1 #ahaf4 ,my dear ,armstrong1 ,i ,,suppose that you are aware1 that1 as resident curate1 ,i am entitled to the use of the vicarage-house4 ,during ,mrs4 ,fletcher's life1 ,i waved my claim in her favour3 but after her decease1 ,i applied to the vicar1 and now that it has been put into pretty extensive repair1 we have taken up our abode in it1 and a most holy happy spot we do indeed find it4 ,in the room where ,i am now writing1 some of my older parishioners state1 that they have frequently taken their tea with both ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,f41 and well remember the happy seasons they enjoyed4 ,in the room in which we commonly sit1 they both of them departed in the ,lord4 ,in a third chamber1 ,mr4 ,f was accustomed to retire for more private and wrestling prayer1 and1 as we read in his life1 the wall of which was stained with his breath while importunately pleading4 ,another room has the bureau at which he was accustomed to write1 and which1 with many other things1 he left in his will for the use of his successors1 that the house might not be the worse for his having had it4 ,in a word1 almost every spot and fixture reminds us pleasingly of those exalted characters who have preceded us1 and call forth many an earnest prayer1 and many a private ejaculation1 that those who follow them may drink deeper and deeper into their blessed spirit1 and tread more and more closely in their pious and spiritual steps4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,fletcher once mentioned to us1 that one day1 shortly after her coming to ,madeley1 she remarked to ,mr4 ,f41 as they were entering upon their premises1 that she did not know how it was1 but that she always felt a measure of divine influence whenever she entered within the gate4 ,the holy man answered that he was not surprised to hear her say so1 for that there was not a single brick or a stone in the whole premises which had not been sanctified by prayer4 ,i feel somewhat in the same way with ,mrs4 ,f--1 and though ,i am aware that ,god is everywhere present1 and that all spots may equally share in this his glorious presence1 yet ,i cannot but think that some places are privileged beyond others1 and though1 perhaps1 my ,honduras friend may smile at his ,madeley enthusiast1 yet ,i must frankly confess to you1 that ,i consider it as no small privilege that ,i dwell in the house1 as well as labour in the parish1 of one so peculiarly devoted to ,god4 ,the days ,i have already spent here have been1 without any exception1 the happiest ,i have spent upon earth4 ,week after week has rolled round in the peaceful enjoyment of the presence of the blessed ,god4 ,my most painful and laborious duties have been not only easy1 but a source of thankfulness and joy far beyond any of my former experience4 ,in a word1 ,i seem to have known some little1 at least1 of what is so beautifully described in one of my favourite hymns3-- 8,far above all earthly things1 ,while yet my hands are here employed2 ,sees my soul the ,king of kings ,and freely talks with ,god40 ,pray for me1 my dear ,armstrong1 that these feelings may not be transitory1 but abiding and ever increasing4 ,i too often rest contented with the mere husks of religion1 instead of feeding on the substantial and the nourishing corn4 ,i am too generally satisfied with the outward life of the ,christian1 the regulation of my conduct1 temper1 disposition1 pursuits1 and so on2 while that inward life of ,god within the soul1 that communion with the ,father of spirits and the ,son of his love1 is too commonly overlooked4 ,i want a deep work of his grace within my soul1 and this ,i am now endeavouring in my poor feeble way to pray for1 if so be that ,i may eventually obtain2 but my unbelieving heart tells me1 that ,i never was cut out for anything like spirituality4 ,one text of ,scripture1 however1 still encourages me1 8,this is the will of ,god even your sanctification20 and therefore though faint1 ,i would still be persevering4 ,to-morrow evening1 being the first ,tuesday after quarter-day1 our church classes hold their quarterly meetings for the second time4 ,the first time of their meeting was a season which will long be remembered by me with gratitude4 ,my heart quite melted to hear so many declare1 that1 under ,god1 they owned their first religious good to my poor feeble ministrations1 and when in the fulness of their hearts they could not refrain from thanking the good ,lord who had brought me among them4 ,and ,i felt the more astonished and thankful inasmuch as ,i never had a fourth part of the like success in all the former years put together in which ,i had been labouring elsewhere4 ,oh1 what shall ,i render to the ,lord for all his benefits conferred upon me8 ,i will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the ,lord--still call upon him for his future help and blessing1 for without this ,i feel ,i can do nothing4 ,our little classes1 ,i am thankful to state1 are gradually increasing4 ,i think we reckon sixty-seven in all4 ,as to one or two1 ,i feel constrained to stand in doubt1 but the rest ,i trust are sincere souls4 ,but1 while ,i thus number my little flock1 ,i feel that there is necessity to guard against the spirit of ,david3 ,i endeavour to do this1 and to sink down before ,god under a continual sense of my own nothingness2 but pride is a subtle enemy1 and1 as ,dr4 ,watts so correctly observes1 8,we cannot make his glories known1 ,but self-applause creeps in40 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,i remain yours very truly1 ,g4 ,m4 ,,to ,,his ,,sister4 ,madeley1 ,may #bd1 #ahag4 ,my dear ,mary1 ,,in the course of ,mr4 ,bailey's attendance upon ,mary1 we had frequent opportunities of conversation1 and1 as ,i feel desirous of turning the conversation to those points on which persons feel most capable1 as well as most desirous of talking1 we frequently touched upon medical subjects4 ,one day ,i told him my fears that both ,mary and myself were consumptive1 and that we had often talked about the possibility of our being removed in this way4 ,he said1 in reply1 that ,mrs4 ,m-- was not a consumptive subject1 at least he had discovered nothing as yet which led him to suppose it2 and that1 with regard to myself1 whatever predisposition ,i might have had towards it in early life1 it had since taken another course4 ,i wished to know what he meant by its having gone off in a different channel1 even supposing that the predisposition once existed1 when he told me the following anecdote3--,his father was a medical man and accustomed to speak his mind without reserve4 ,he used to visit the ,c--s in the place where they then lived1 and knowing their constitutions pretty accurately he used to say1 the ,b--s 7meaning his own family7 will go off into livers1 and the ,c--s into lungs1 intimating that these disorders would carry them off4 ,fanny1 however 7who was one of the ,c--s1 and similarly deformed with myself71 he thought1 owing to her form would out-live them all1 and escape the family disease4 ,the ,b--s removed from the place1 and ,mr4 ,b-- having occasion to go there again after about twenty years' absence1 was naturally led to inquire after his old friends1 when he found that all of them1 excepting ,fanny1 had been removed by consumption1 and that she1 feeling her spirits affected by living in the place where all her family had died1 had gone either to ,london1 or some such place1 for society1 but was otherwise quite well4 ,mr4 ,b-- then told me1 that he had no doubt that this was the case with myself also1 and that very many similar cases had occurred4 ,i had often thought that ,i could trace much spiritual benefit as resulting from my bodily form2 nay1 ,i have even been led to thank ,god for it1 conceiving it very probable that it had been the saving of my soul2 but little did ,i imagine that it conduced in any way to my bodily comfort1 and that it has probably been the saving of my life4 ,o my dear sister1 how little do we know of the goodness of the ,lord towards the children of men2 and how little1 with our present imperfect powers1 shall we ever be able to know in this present world2 but what we do know tends to show us in characters written as it were with a sunbeam1 8,,he ,,doeth ,,all ,,things ,,well40 99 99 99 99 99 ,extracted from a letter to his sister1 dated ,may #ag1 #ahag3-- 8,happy in married life4 8,should your union1 my beloved sister1 with ,mr4 ,h4 prove to you what mine has with ,mary1 you will be disposed to consider with myself that this ordinance is not merely divine1 but to be ranked amongst the foremost of ,god's gifts to man40 ,extract of a letter1 dated ,june #b1 #ahag3-- 8,as to myself1 ,i feel that ,i have increasing cause for gratitude in all that concerns me4 ,i think ,i never felt so truly blessed in any former period of my life4 ,i really have no earthly desire unfulfilled2 my cup literally runs over4 ,god is also very graciously pleased to prosper me in my ministerial labours4 ,i have the satisfaction of seeing fresh trophies of the ,redeemer's power to save2 and my heart is rejoiced in seeing those whom the ,lord has gathered around me1 walking1 in some measure at least1 as becometh the ,gospel of ,christ4 ,to these1 indeed1 there are1 as there is reason to fear there ever will be1 some painful exceptions2 but1 upon the whole1 ,i have abundant cause for thanksgiving and praise4 ,in the midst of all these causes for joy1 ,i have many a memento that the excellence of the power is of ,god1 and not of men2 the cracked earthen vessel is but too apparent4 ,for this1 however1 ,i hope ,i feel grateful2 for what is so great a blessing to a poor1 proud1 selfish being1 such as ,i am constrained to acknowledge myself1 as occasional humiliations8 ,they are the very medicine of my soul40 ,after referring to two cases of affliction in his family1 he writes to his friend abroad1 dated ,august #d1 #ahag3-- 8,but out of all the ,lord has most graciously delivered us2 and ,i can look back upon the whole with real gratitude to ,god4 ,there was not a stroke or a drop too much2 all was merciful in the design1 and ,i hope the benefits still remain4 ,tribulation working #8patience1' a calm waiting upon ,god4 ,patience an #8experience' of his divine support at the time1 and an experience of his eventual deliverance4 ,experience #8hope1' an expectation of future help and future deliverance2 and this hope will not make me ashamed4 ,there were times in which ,i felt this to be a weary land2 but still ,i found the shadow of a great ,rock1 and this shade was truly refreshing to my soul4 ,oh1 that ,i could ever there abide6 8,i think ,i mentioned to you that our mutual friend ,cox had the living of ,bridgenorth presented to him4 ,he has been there now some months1 but he labours under very great discouragement1 owing to the little effect resulting from his ministrations4 ,a few weeks ago he wished that we should exchange duties1 hoping that my ,methodistical zeal might arouse them4 ,after an enumeration of the probable consequences to which he must make up his mind1 ,i at length consented1 and1 as ,i supposed1 the stir has been great2 rascal1 villain1 ranter1 field preacher1 are the usual epithets attached to my opprobrious name4 ,a petition has been drawn up1 with many signatures attached1 requesting ,cox to forbid me his pulpit2 in short1 the whole place has been in a hubbub4 ,inquiry1 however1 begins to take place1 the stagnant waters are moved1 and after the working off of the scum and the grosser particles1 we may expect to see purer and even living waters4 ,cox answered their petition with becoming spirit1 united with pleasing conciliation4 ,it has1 ,i find1 given great offence1 notwithstanding all2 but we wait for the issue in a spirit of prayer4 ,it is somewhat remarkable that ,bridgenorth was the place in which ,richard ,baxter1 author of the 8,saint's ,rest10 met with such decided opposition1 that as he went out of the town1 he shook off the dust of his feet as a testimony against them2 and1 since that time1 no preached gospel has prospered among them4 ,the ,dissenters and even the warm-hearted ,methodists have hitherto laboured almost in vain4 ,but who knows how soon the curse may be removed8 ,we keep encouraging ,cox all that we possibly can1 but he seems determined at present to leave4 ,unite your prayers1 my dear friend1 with ours1 that he may not be permitted to desert this wilderness and solitary place1 but that he may patiently wait till he rejoices over it as a peculiarly verdant spot in the garden of our ,lord40 ,,to ,,his ,,sister4 ,madeley1 #bast ,nov4 #ahag4 ,my dear ,mary1 ,,the case of conscience with which your letter begins is such as would puzzle a much more expert casuist than ,i ever expect to be2 and1 therefore1 after reading all that you have written upon the subject1 as explanatory of your views and feelings1 ,i feel more disposed to commend you in prayer to the teachings of ,god's most ,holy ,spirit1 than attempt to darken counsel by words without knowledge4 ,i am sensible1 however1 that this may originate in an unwillingness to meet a difficulty from a consciousness of the scantiness of my spiritual information1 and from a fear of the consequent poor opinion you might entertain of me for my want of success1 ,i will1 therefore1 hazard a few remarks4 ,it has always struck me that the creature occupies an improper place when we consider it in any way essential to our good1 when we fancy that there is any absolute and positive necessity for the presence of any one thing in order to constitute us happy4 ,it was ,god's declaration to ,abraham1 8,i am the ,almighty the all-sufficient ,god2 walk before me1 and be thou perfect40 ,and ,st4 ,paul so fully realized this1 that he lived1 as it were1 completely independent of the creature2 he found his ,god an all-sufficient portion1 quite adequate of himself to satisfy the largest desires of his soul4 ,he could1 therefore1 take pleasure in infirmities1 in reproaches1 in necessities1 c42 for he experimentally found that1 as his afflictions abounded1 his consolations did much more abound4 ,in a word1 he discovered in his ,god a happiness which was not merely independent of the creature1 but which flourished and abounded under circumstances most likely to interrupt or destroy it4 ,the fact is1 that the creature is only an arbitrary channel1 the pipe1 if ,i may so speak1 which a ,god of love has been pleased to choose1 in order to convey his benefits4 ,the pipe is neither the benefit1 nor the source2 and1 of course1 though it is conducive to our comfort1 though it may in many respects be subservient to our welfare1 yet it is by no means essentially necessary1 for ,god is the ,god of all consolation1 whether intermediately or immediately conveyed1 and should ,he1 on any occasion1 see fit to remove the medium1 the same and even more abounding happiness may be received immediately from ,himself2 and since ,god is infinite in his wisdom and in his love1 this will be so1 provided it be for our good4 ,and if we need not the former quantum of happiness1 if it would prove injurious to us1 is it not a mercy that it should be denied8 ,but perhaps you will ask1 ,how are we to know whether we love the creature too much or not8 ,how is it to be ascertained whether we regard it as essential to our good1 or merely subservient to it8 ,this may be ascertained in two ways--#ast1 ,how do we feel when our channels are removed8 ,does it seem as though our all were gone8 ,if after a prop has been removed from under us1 we immediately fall1 it is evident that our whole weight has been placed upon it2 if we stagger and stumble1 though by dexterity we may recover ourselves1 and not actually fall1 yet we show that too much of our weight was resting on it2 but if1 after its removal1 we stand upright as before1 it is manifest1 as ,archbishop ,leighton observes1 that we have been leaning not on our prop1 but on an invisible arm for support4 ,the application is easy4 ,but ,i suggested another means of ascertaining the same point4 ,what are our feelings under any probable expectations of the removal of our channel8 ,this1 however1 is so closely allied with the former that it needs no separate enlargement or elucidation4 ,it is evident that the man who is filled with alarm at the bare idea of the removal of his gold1 is too much in love with it1 and1 more or less1 is making it his god4 ,and he who1 with more specious refinement of taste1 dreads the interruption of his social pleasures1 or the removal of some of his wonted sources of good1 follows but too closely in the same steps4 ,god must be owned and felt as our all in all4 ,he must be regarded1 not merely as our supreme good1 but as our only good1 as that which is alone necessary4 ,in a word1 all ,i have to say is summed up in those two expressive lines in the ,methodist hymn-book1 8,lead me where ,i my heaven may find1 ,the heaven of loving ,thee alone40 99 99 99 99 99 ,about the end of the year #ahag1 ,mr4 ,mortimer entertained serious thoughts of going out to ,new ,zealand as a missionary1 and for this end corresponded with the secretary of the 8,church ,missionary ,society0 on the subject2 and it so happened that about this time also two ,new ,zealand chiefs1 ,tooi and ,teterree1 arrived in ,england1 and it was proposed that they should abide for awhile at ,madeley1 which they accordingly did4 ,the providence of ,god1 however1 did not seem to open his way for removing to a far-distant land1 and he acquiesced in the result with his usual loving submission to the will of ,god4 ,the following letter to the writer gives some account of the way by which he was led to contemplate the step referred to3-- ,madeley1 ,nov4 #bfth1 #ahag4 ,my dear ,armstrong1 ,,many incidents have occurred since it has pleased ,god to separate us1 in which ,i should have regarded it as an exceedingly great comfort to my mind could ,i have consulted you1 and obtained from you either your veto or procedas2 but ,i think that ,i never felt the want of it more than at present4 ,i hardly know whether ,i ought to puzzle you with a long detail1 pro and con41 of what has of late been passing in my mind1 or to wait till ,i come to some conclusion4 ,but as ,i feel that ,i should unbosom my mind to you in the fullest freest manner1 were you now sitting by my side1 ,i will use the same freedom1 though you are at a distance4 ,you must know1 then1 that ,i have lately been exerting myself among my parishioners on behalf of the ,church ,missionary ,society1 have read in my different exposition-rooms the very interesting accounts published in their quarterly papers and missionary registers1 and1 to make myself somewhat master of the matters upon which ,i spoke1 ,i began to go regularly through the whole of the volumes which they have hitherto published4 ,a great sensation has been excited among my people4 ,i thought we should do exceedingly little2 but ,god has opened the hearts of my people1 and ,i rejoice in the event4 ,this1 however1 is not the only effect which has been produced4 ,my own heart has been so completely won over to the missionary cause that ,i am inclined to think1 ,i shall not easily be persuaded to remain quietly and cozily at home1 while so much remains to be done abroad4 ,the call to continue here must be much stronger than it has hitherto been1 or my struggling spirit will be found to burst its ties and make its escape to more needed labours4 ,i trust ,i shall not force my way2 this1 under no circumstances1 can be desirable1 but ,i think that hitherto my mind has leaned too much one way1 and has been too ready to interpret the suggestions of some1 and the oppositions of others1 into providential intimations of its being the will of ,god1 to hesitate and eventually to abandon my object2 but now ,i feel very differently4 ,in the spirit of sacrifice1 with our lives in our hands1 and almost our all of earthly good at stake1 we shall hold ourselves ready to proceed whenever we can with any consistency make our escape4 ,you will ask1 perhaps1 what are our plans8 ,i have often thought of joining my very very dear friends at ,honduras1 but the unhealthiness of the climate1 and the stings of your musquitos quite deter my good wife1 and she shrinks from your shore with feelings which ,i dare not any further attempt to correct4 ,to speak honestly1 ,i fear your climate would soon bring her to her grave1 and therefore ,i should not think myself at all authorized to press the point further than ,i have already done4 ,new ,zealand is the place which we have in our minds1 and though the inhabitants are cannibals1 and though the ill treatment of the ,europeans has exasperated them to a degree of determined retaliation1 which might deter the mere worldly calculators from venturing to settle among them2 yet as we trust that the spirit of love and kindness will ever actuate us in our intercourse with them1 we trust likewise that our gracious ,god will become a wall of fire round about us to keep them from injuring us4 ,a very amiable1 interesting1 and truly pious young man1 who has lately been through college1 and is now waiting till he becomes of age for orders1 has fully made up his mind to join us so soon as his friends can be persuaded to part with him4 ,ever since ,i have been in the parish the ,lord has been pleased to knit his heart to me in a very singular way4 ,his mind has been turned to ,new ,zealand for nearly three years4 ,the whole circle of my friends1 together with myself1 feel much obliged to you for your communications to ,mr4 ,pratt1 which he has published in the last ,missionary ,register1 ,october1 #ahag4 ,they greatly interested us1 and we could not help rejoicing in all the good which the good ,lord is effecting through you4 ,may all this be only the promise of a more abundant shower4 99 99 99 99 99 ,letters passed at sea some time about the beginning of this year1 between ,mr4 ,mortimer and the editor1 each asking1 without knowing the intention of the other1 that his friend would become sponsor for his next-born child--a circumstance which explains the allusions made to the subject1 in the three following extracts3-- ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,madeley1 ,june #a1 #ahah4 ,,the honour which my dear friends have conferred upon my unworthy name affected me greatly1 and the more so1 as within three or four weeks of the time your letter reached me1 two other similar instances of the very great affection of my friends here had occurred4 ,unknown to me1 many of them put their contributions together1 and forwarded them to the ,church ,missionary ,society1 for the support of two ,african children1 to be named after myself and my dear ,mary2 and a young man among the ,quakers1 to whom the ,lord has made me 7his most unworthy servant7 a channel of good1 has likewise taken my name4 ,what shall ,i say to these tokens of love8 ,i know not what to say--but that ,i am ashamed and confounded before ,god1 to think that any mark of love and respect should be shown to me whom ,he sees as so abject and polluted2 and as to my dear friends1 all ,i can say is1 the ,lord reward them a thousand fold for all that their hearts contrive1 and their loving conduct so fully expresses4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,thos4 ,,mortimer4 ,madeley1 near ,shiffnal1 ,july #bj1 #ahah4 ,my dear ,thomas1 ,,we think of naming the dear little one ,phbe1 a name much endeared to us1 as borne by one dear relation now no more1 and by another still reserved to us1 whom we sincerely love4 ,it is a name likewise which has not as yet been introduced among us4 ,we were thinking of joy and gladness1 but this we have left to be1 as we hope1 long enjoyed by one already in our family1 and to be in reserve in case it should be wanted for another1 on whom we should rejoice to see even an equal portion of her parents' spirit4 ,a servant of the church is what we claim for our little one1 and may the claim be abundantly realized6 ,if ,mrs4 ,t4 ,m4 would not object to become one of the sponsors for our little girl1 and would permit us to employ some one as her proxy1 we should feel ourselves much obliged by her compliance4 ,my dear ,honduras friend has kindly consented to take upon him this charge for one1 and we purpose applying to ,mr4 ,john ,eyton1 as the third4 ,perhaps you will be so good as drop me an early line1 and thus set me an example ,i so much need4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,madeley1 ,aug4 #c1 #ahah4 ,,with regard to myself ,i have nothing to write to you but a continued series of failure and disappointment2 and1 if ,i might speak of the future from the present1 ,i should say1 that the ,lord is calling me to remain at home rather than to go anywhere abroad4 ,the state of the case is simply this3--,when first ,i proposed myself as the servant of the ,missionary ,society1 ,i did not apprehend anything like difficulty with regard to a supply for ,madeley--the vicar1 who is not resident1 had always consulted the wishes of the people1 and had given them the choice of their minister4 ,no sooner1 however1 was it known by him that ,i had some thoughts of leaving1 than he declared1 in the most positive terms1 that he would not admit to a curacy a person of my recommending1 and he quite wondered that ,i should ever think he would1 or1 in other words1 he did not intend to have a person of my stamp4 ,it soon1 however1 occurred to me1 that if an application were made in behalf of my young but very dear friend1 -- --1 the vicar would1 for the sake of his father1 permit him to succeed me3 this he in fact promised1 but when he found out that the son was of a different stamp from the father1 and that the wrong kind of person was thus most unintentionally selected1 he drew back and would not take another step2 and ,mr4 --1 hurt at the whole procedure1 declares that he will not1 upon any consideration whatever1 make another application1 and thus matters are completely in statu quo4 ,i dare not leave my people to an ungodly successor1 and therefore the present intimation seems to be1 8stand still40 ,i feel it a time of suspense1 but ,i am quite persuaded that all is in the very best hands1 and of course that all will be sweetly ordered for good4 ,i need not request you to pray for us2 ,i am assured of your love1 and love will necessarily lead you to a throne of grace on our behalf4 ,about a fortnight ago my dear ,mary was confined1 and safely delivered of a little girl1 whom we purpose naming ,phbe1 and may ,god grant she may prove a servant of the church1 as that honoured individual whose name stands prominently distinguished in the ,word of ,god--not1 indeed1 by becoming a lady preacher1 as you designated ,mrs4 ,f--1 in one of your letters1 but in such a way as is becoming her sex2 and in how many blessed ways this is possible we shall neither of us be at a loss to determine4 ,we purpose availing ourselves of your kind permission to employ you as one of the sponsors1 and we feel ourselves much1 very much obliged by your compliance with our wishes4 ,indeed1 everything which seems like bringing us nearer together affords us a degree of pleasure we cannot easily express4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the humility of my beloved friend was not only deep but uniform1 and it was also most unfeigned4 ,i believe no sentiments conveyed in his letters with regard to himself were more sincerely the utterance of his heart1 than such as appear in the two following extracts2 and a savour of which1 indeed1 runs more or less1 through all his correspondence4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,madeley1 ,oct4 #e1 #ahah4 ,my dear ,armstrong1 ,,yours of the #hth of ,august reached me yesterday evening1 and afforded me much refreshment of spirit after the labours of the day1 as your kind and interesting communications almost invariably do2 but if they sometimes may fail in imparting refreshment1 they are never wanting in interest and in solid instruction4 ,the only effect sometimes produced1 is in deeply humbling me1 in abasing me before my friends1 and in the presence of my ,god4 ,i feel myself so wretched a sinner1 and so completely unworthy of your least notice4 ,indeed1 ,i sometimes think that if you could but see me instead of hearing from me--could we but renew our personal acquaintance--you would detect in me such evils as would almost make you ashamed of acknowledging me4 ,in my letters1 hurried as they generally are1 you see me under assumed appearances4 ,i step a little out of myself1 sentiments are expressed1 prayers and wishes are breathed forth1 and statements likewise made1 which are so very very far from being habitual1 that you can know but little of me in this way4 ,were you actually to know me1 even all the joy of meeting an old friend would soon give way to some such exclamation as that uttered by neas at the sight of ,hector1 8,oh quantum mutatus ab illo40 ,i thus write in consequence of the first paragraph in your letter1 in which you speak of having looked over some old letters of mine4 ,the reflections in which this re-perusal made you indulge quite startled me as ,i read them1 and ,i cannot but still think that no small measure of hypocrisy must attach to my character1 if my communications do really convey such sentiments to your mind as those which you express2 for ,i dare not withhold from you the humbling confession that1 gratified and thankful as ,i should be for the discovery1 ,i cannot perceive the impress of truth on any of them4 ,but ,i fear ,i shall tire as well as disgust you with so much about self1 and therefore turn to some other subject4 ,,to ,,the ,,same4 ,madeley1 ,december #bi1 #ahah4 ,my dear ,armstrong1 ,,with respect to myself1 ,i can say but little1 excepting what must tend to humble me in the dust before the ,lord and my fellow men4 ,i am still stationary here1 and from all that has transpired1 both within and without1 ,i feel now convinced that whatever the duty of others may be1 mine is to remain at home2 and1 ,i think1 ,i shall not easily be induced to make any further effort to make my escape4 ,i am now quite content to remain quiet here1 and while set aside by the ,lord1 as an instrument in whom he has no such pleasure1 can adore him for the greatness of his tender compassions1 which intervened as an effectual barrier1 and kept me from bringing chastisement upon myself and my family for my presumptuous folly1 in thinking of stretching out my unhallowed hand in supporting a cause1 which1 perhaps1 ,i should only have touched1 to have impressed on it a mark of indelible disgrace4 ,but amidst these feelings which humble me in the dust1 and even confound me before the ,lord1 ,i still find him most graciously condescending to visit me1 and still perceive abundant tokens of his love in my parish1 and in my family4 ,all seems to wear a cheerful and exhilarating smile1 and if ever ,i was convinced that my being hindered in my plans was from the ,lord1 ,i think it is now4 ,the affection manifested by all classes among my dear people1 when it was known that ,i had given up the idea of leaving them1 was such as will long be remembered by me with gratitude towards my kind and loving ,god3 for it is ,he1 and ,he alone1 who can thus give us the hearts of our people4 ,o1 may ,i serve in the ,gospel of his ,son more faithfully than ,i have hitherto done6 ,,to ,,the ,,same4 ,madeley1 ,february #bf1 #ahai4 ,my dear ,armstrong1 ,,if ,i recollect right1 ,i just alluded in my last to the very striking and unexpected change which has taken place in my brother --4 ,the more ,i think of it the more am ,i filled with astonishment and gratitude4 ,had ,i been required to select an individual1 which1 in my estimation1 was the least likely to become a trophy to the powerful grace of our ,redeemer1 -- would have been the person upon whom ,i should have fixed4 ,the grace1 however1 of his so long despised ,lord has at length triumphed1 and he now delights to build up the faith which he once so malignantly endeavoured to destroy4 ,you will readily conceive that ,i have derived no small encouragement from these dealings of my gracious ,god with my dear brother4 ,but the encouragement has been greatly increased by the change which has recently passed upon dear ,tooi1 one of my ,new ,zealand guests4 ,after they had set sail for ,new ,south ,wales1 in the ,baring1 the ship struck against a brake1 and they were obliged to put again into port4 ,during this interval1 ,tooi was taken dangerously ill1 and1 in the estimation of all who saw him1 had not the least probability of recovery4 ,this painful visitation1 however1 to his poor body1 seems to have been the means of salvation to his soul4 ,all the pious friends who surround him1 speak of the change as most unequivocal2 and ,mr4 ,hall1 who attended them while with me1 and who is as far1 as any one ,i know1 from attempting to colour1 speaks in decided terms of the divine change which he has experienced4 ,among other things in one of his letters1 writing of ,tooi1 he says1 8,i cannot help mentioning one of his simple speeches1 which ,i think will please you4 #8,when ,i in ,new ,south ,wales my heart no good3 ,i come to ,england1 and hear the word of ,god1 and1 ,i think1 ,o dear me1 ,i want a new heart2 ,i begin to pray to ,jesus to give me a new heart4 ,in my own country1 ,i sin very much1 and1 when in ,south seaman1 the sailors teach me to curse and swear--miserable work4 ,but the blood of ,jesus runs down my heart1 and washes away my sins1 and my heart feel comfortable and happy1 and ,i no fear to die4 ,believe in ,jesus is the way to go up to heaven1 and be happy for ever with ,jesus1 and all ,christian friends2 7naming many1 and you and your's amongst the number74'0 ,o1 my dear friend1 how blessed is true religion1 and how touching is this simple account1 which shows1 ,i think1 that dear ,tooi has become possessed of it4 ,,to ,,the ,,same4 ,madeley1 ,may #c1 #ahai4 ,my dear ,armstrong1 ,,since ,i last wrote to you1 ,i have been called to pass through some painful and unexpected scenes4 ,about twelve months ago my dear father began to decline very rapidly in his health1 owing to some serious reverses which he experienced in his temporal concerns1 and which preyed very much upon his mind2 the full extent we are none of us able to determine1 but one of my uncles and his son who were privy to many of his transactions1 can distinctly reckon up #ge1jjj which came under their own observation4 ,all these losses had their measure of effect upon his spirits2 but1 there was a lawsuit pending1 and which had been commenced some months since1 which1 if determined against him1 threatened to sweep away all that remained1 and even to leave him insolvent4 ,of this he informed no one1 but kept it working secretly within1 till1 at length1 it proved too much for him1 and his constitution irrecoverably gave way4 ,on the day of his removal1 indeed1 he was unusually well2 was out in the garden a great part of the forenoon1 and very cheerful while taking his tea1 but about seven in the evening he was seized with a fit of apoplexy1 and he was a corpse by a little after nine4 ,his death much affected me1 and especially as ,i had my fears lest it should have been produced by a mere sorrow of the world2 but when ,i joined my dear mother1 ,i was much comforted by finding that the ,lord's gracious intentions in all this apparently severe discipline1 were mercifully answered2 that they produced in him a gradual weaning from the world1 and an increased esteem and relish for the things which concerned his soul4 ,and in this effect1 ,i hope1 that we are all1 at least most of us1 enabled to rejoice1 though1 in order to produce it1 it was necessary that he should suffer the loss of almost all things4 ,to think of his departed spirit1 as happy with the ,lord1 affords to us a balm of consolation which thousands upon thousands could not effect without it4 ,but amidst all this wreck and ruin of property which ,i have gradually been called to witness1 what abundant cause have ,i for gratitude that it has not come nigh me4 ,how graciously has ,god been pleased to provide for me and mine6 ,for though my family is large1 and its wants are continually increasing1 yet ,i have all and abound4 ,i have ever yet had enough1 and a little annually to spare2 and ,i have no doubt but that1 with a little frugality1 ,i shall be able to put by a little more towards the settling of my dear children when they shall come of age4 ,had ,i known of the present posture of affairs1 ,i might have done a little more for them1 but ,i am very thankful that ,i have done what ,i have4 ,and may the ,god of love so regulate my conduct for the future1 that ,i may never1 in any instance1 unnecessarily encroach upon their due2 for ,i feel the force of the apostolic observation3 8,he that provideth not for his own10 c4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following is a deeply affecting letter2 but1 like many of ,david's ,psalms1 if it begins in complainings1 it ends in praises4 ,,to ,,the ,,same4 ,madeley1 ,july #c1 #ahai4 ,my dear ,armstrong1 ,,as to myself1 ,i can say but little3 ,i seem to be more of a loitering formalist than anything else4 ,many things which ,i began when ,i first entered upon my charge here have gradually dwindled into the merest nothings1 and these have at length been given up4 ,and most of those which are still continued seem to have lost that interest and power with which they were once accompanied4 ,as to my own feelings and conduct in the midst of all1 they are my shame and constant humiliation4 ,i am so accustomed to see this gradual deterioration in many instances1 that ,i almost invariably expect it in all others1 and this makes me less earnest in prayer and less zealous in action4 ,in all the coldness of apathy1 ,i seem anticipating nothing but eventual failure in everything2 and then1 when nothing further is to be done here1 ,i as coldly anticipate a removal to some other scene1 where similar efforts will be productive of similar results4 ,these1 my dear ,a41 have been my general feelings for some months past4 ,i have often paused to analyze my spirit and my conduct3 sometimes ,i have been ready to imagine that my indifference argued a deadness to popularity and applause1 and that while ,i was so content that others should see that ,i was nothing1 ,i was gaining some increase of humility1 and1 of course1 was making some little advancement in the ,divine life4 ,but within these few days1 ,i have been awakened from my sleep of carnal security1 and have been deeply humbled before my ,god on account of it4 ,i see that1 instead of stemming the torrent1 ,i have too criminally suffered it to spread1 till it has threatened ruin to all the plain below4 ,instead of propping ,i have rather undermined the tottering fabric1 and thus aided the natural decay from time and seasons4 ,had spirituality been cherished in my own soul--had patient self-denying labours been uniformly pursued--had ardent believing prayer been constantly offered--who can tell how much this tendency to deteriorate might have been counteracted8 ,who can tell1 rather1 what increase of prosperity might have now called forth my grateful praise8 ,my motto1 therefore1 has now become that of the cheerful1 believing and animated ,apostle ,st4 ,paul4 ,it is said of him1 8,he thanked ,god and took courage40 ,instead of dejectedly witnessing this natural process1 and as despondingly anticipating still more and more1 ,i feel1 through the grace of my ,saviour1 enabled thankfully to adore him for all the good which yet remains2 and1 with a measure of cheerful courage1 to devote myself to my future work4 ,and ,i cannot tell you the sweet peace which has been imparted to my distrusting mind1 and the animated glow which has been diffused through my cold and apathetical heart2 but to think that this blessed peace and love should have so long been strangers within my breast1 is cause of my humiliation before my compassionate ,redeemer4 ,may my endeared friend never have similar cause of complaint6 ,,to ,,his ,,sister4 ,madeley1 ,oct4 #d1 #ahai4 ,,my last informed you of the seeming health of our dear little ,basil3 on ,monday last1 we availed ourselves of a favourable opportunity of having him christened1 and we all thought that1 though a little fallen away1 he was looking very well4 ,on ,wednesday1 however1 he was attacked with infantine cholera morbus1 and on the morning of yesterday his happy spirit burst its way to ,god4 ,to us1 indeed1 the scene was very affecting2 it was the first inroad death had been permitted to make among us1 and his entrance spread a degree of awe upon our minds such as we had not known before4 ,the strong feelings of affection likewise1 and numerous endearing recollections1 kept making us weep till1 like ,david and his men1 we seemed to have no more power to weep1 and even all the grateful expressions which kept bursting from our thankful hearts1 could only be uttered amidst our quickly flowing tears4 ,these stronger feelings1 however1 have now somewhat subsided1 and a holy calm of gratitude has regained its seats within our breasts3 our dear little one has1 indeed1 fled from among us1 but he has fled to a far happier place--fled to the arms and bosom of his ever-to-be-adored ,redeemer2 and oh6 how quick1 as well as blessed1 the transition6 8,we scarce can say he's gone1 ,before his happy spirit takes ,its station near the throne40 ,to-morrow1 we think of committing his dear remains to the silent tomb4 ,i have been selecting and marking out a suitable spot to be employed1 should we continue here1 for the successive members of our family1 as they may be called from among us1 and my prayer has been ascending to my blessed ,redeemer that we may every one of us leave as firm a persuasion behind us of the safety of our eternal state1 as our dear little ,basil has4 ,and1 indeed1 his removal has given me an increased confidence that this will be the case2 for our united prayers for our dear children have ever been1 that they might either live a holy life1 or die an early death4 ,my dear wife1 though weak1 is very mercifully supported in the season of our trial2 she feels1 and that at times very sensibly1 but peaceful gratitude is still her constant companion3 ,i say gratitude2 for it is not mere submission1 it is the peaceful grateful adoration of that gracious ,god who is too wise to err1 too good to be unkind2 and ,i am very thankful for all the support and consolation which our kind ,saviour so mercifully affords her4 ,i think of having a small head stone for my little boy1 mentioning his name1 the day of his death and his age1 and1 underneath1 the following lines which ,i put down in my pocket book when you and ,i were at ,enfield1 little1 indeed1 imagining at the time that ,i should ever have a dear child of my own over whose grave they would be inscribed3-- 8,on ,life's wide ,ocean sorrowful and pained1 ,how many ,voyagers their course perform2 ,this little bark a kinder fate obtained1 ,it reached the ,haven ere it met the storm40 99 99 99 99 99 ,mr4 ,mortimer very kindly received the writer's son ,william 7now a clergyman1 and ,british chaplain at ,valparaiso1 in ,south ,america7 into his family1 to be educated with his own children1 and it is to this child that allusion is made in the following letter addressed to him4 ,madeley1 ,february #bh1 #ahbj4 ,my dear ,armstrong1 ,i ,,have entered into these details1 conceiving that no communication can be more interesting to a father than those which concern an endeared child2 and happy shall ,i be if all my future communications be equally pleasing4 ,of this1 however1 ,i have but little expectations4 ,many and very painful fluctuations have ,i witnessed in my own children1 and have heard of the children of others1 and therefore my dear friend must not be surprised if my little charge should at times disappoint our expectations or our wishes4 ,oh what lovely1 what heavenly blossoms have ,i sometimes delightfully discovered in my eldest little boy6 ,he has seemed even ripening for glory1 and that also so rapidly1 that we have almost imagined that his stay would not be long among us4 ,tears of gratitude have stood in our eyes while we have seen the gracious evidences1 or while we have been relating them to each other4 ,in a few weeks1 however1 the blossoms and the fruit have almost totally disappeared1 and have left us to sorrow in temporary disappointment1 or to find comfort only in the cheering exhilaration of hope4 ,then1 again1 the winter has passed1 and lovely spring has once more appeared4 ,but it is all well2 the harvest of none of our labours is to be expected here2 it is in that blessed world above that we shall reap1 provided that we faint not2 and what greater stimulus can we need to keep urging us forward even in the midst of every species of discouragement8 ,william told me a few evenings ago that ,mrs4 ,armstrong had received a letter from you1 which kept her in doubt as to whether you would join her1 or she you4 ,i know so little of what would be for the best1 that ,i would not attempt to influence you in one way or other4 ,the greatest benefit which ,i can confer on my endeared friend is1 to bring him and his concerns to ,one who loves him infinitely more than ,i can do1 and whose infallible direction is promised in his holy word to the inquiring soul4 ,it was the prayer of my kind friends1 ,i am persuaded1 which kept me in ,england when ,i had felt it my duty to take even most decided measures for leaving it4 ,when they objected to my step1 ,i almost invariably requested them to pray for providential hindrances1 if my intentions were not in the divine order2 and ,i told them1 if ,i knew anything of myself1 ,i should not attempt either to break through the hedge1 or to overleap the wall4 ,the kind ,saviour heard their prayer1 and ,i have never been so fully persuaded of anything as of this1 that my being detained in ,england was completely of the ,lord4 ,should my dear ,armstrong be projecting that which is not in the will and order of his ,god1 may the same merciful ,saviour hedge up his way1 and plant the piercing thorn at every step1 to render his progress painful1 and eventually to deter him6 ,but should his removal be from ,god1 then may all difficulties and impediments vanish completely from before him6 ,mary joins me in kind love to yourself and ,mr4 ,ditcher1 and ,i remain1 ,my ever dear ,friend1 ,yours very affectionately1 ,g4 ,,mortimer4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,thomas ,,mortimer4 ,madeley1 ,dec4 #bb1 #ahbj4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,we have named our little boy ,herbert1 after our old and mutual friend2 and happy1 indeed1 should we think ourselves were he even in some small degree to resemble that saintly man4 ,i give you his name1 with the hope of its being inserted in your list of those whom you remember in your hours of intercession2 and in the hope1 likewise1 that he will not be forgotten by your dear wife4 ,he seems unusually well at present1 better1 we think1 than any of our children have been at his age4 ,the suddenness1 however1 both of the indisposition and removal of our little ,basil1 has made us consider the health and life of an infant as exceedingly uncertain in its tenure2 and we hope we are enabled to leave him completely in the best of hands4 ,you may perhaps have heard1 through ,eliza1 of the removal of dear ,mr4 ,purton3 you know his worth1 his strong attachment to myself1 and the right hand he was to me in everything in which ,i could in any way use him1 and1 therefore1 are prepared to suppose what a loss has been sustained by myself and others4 ,i do not like funeral sermons in general1 but ,i thought ,i ought to take up my cross on such an occasion1 and endeavour to hold up his uncommon1 unobtrusive1 and retiring excellence to the view of others1 and then1 at the same time1 pay my own tribute of friendship which ,i felt ,i myself owed to him4 ,in parochial matters1 and in my ministerial concerns1 we go on much as usual4 ,mr4 ,purton's removal has put some extra burdens upon me1 but they are not as yet too oppressive1 and1 if they should become so1 the ,lord1 ,i doubt not1 will give me some one who will share them with me4 ,attendance on church classes and expositions1 nearly in statu quo2 and this1 considering the tendency in everything to deteriorate1 ,i consider as rather encouraging than otherwise4 ,our good friends and fellow-helpers1 the ,methodists1 however1 seem to be more prosperous than ourselves4 ,the chapel at the ,green has just been considerably enlarged1 and there is some talk of its being opened in church hours1 morning as well as evening1 and some rumours of sacraments and christenings are now and then reaching my ears4 ,as to myself1 ,i dare say nothing3 ,i am rather disposed to think that the morning service would be a benefit to the parish in inducing many poor to attend1 who1 through shame or idleness1 would not come so far as to the church2 and1 as they are my parishioners1 ,i hope ,i should rejoice in their good1 though this good should not be conveyed through myself4 ,the sacrament and christenings1 in the present state of ,methodism1 follow almost as a matter of course1 and therefore ,i am equally silent on this subject4 ,all these things were not the original intention of the founder2 but were ,i a ,methodist myself1 ,i do not know but that ,i should consider them as expedient1 and almost as necessary parts of present ,methodism3 why then should ,i feel on these accounts8 ,they are doing a great work4 ,i find them most important auxiliaries in my own parish1 and do sincerely wish them all that prosperity which1 for their works' sake1 they deserve4 ,a few months ago1 ,i began to pray for them1 and have continued at stated times ever since2 and though ,i never reckoned myself exceedingly stiff in my ,churchmanship1 ,i am certainly less so now than before4 ,god permits1 and1 not only so1 he most evidently owns and blesses2 and why should we feel the spirit of ,joshua1 and pettishly1 or enviously1 or selfishly wish to forbid them8 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,j4 ,,armstrong4 ,madeley1 ,dec4 #bg1 #ahbj4 ,my dear ,friend1 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,i ,,was very glad to hear1 through my sister1 of your servant ,lucy1 who came over for ,mrs4 ,a-- --1 whom she saw at ,mrs4 ,w4 ,a4--'s2 she spoke of you in the most affectionate terms1 and described1 in her simple but strong manner1 the change which had been effected in the settlement through your ministry among them4 8,before massa came1 many very bad2 now1 good1 and love great ,massa10 and so on4 ,oh1 my dear friend1 amidst all the discouraging feelings arising from your not being able to do all you would1 you should not forget what has already been done4 ,we are most of us too sanguine in our expectations1 not suspecting that what exceeds the cool and sober calculation of tried and well-disciplined faith has too much to do with self1 arises from self-confidence1 and ends in self-humiliation4 ,we are too apt1 in imagination1 to seize the magic wand of ,harlequin1 and suppose that every touch will effect wonders2 but1 to change the wilderness into the garden of the ,lord1 requires the enduring spirit of the toilsome labourer1 the stones must be cleared1 and the soil must again and again be turned3 and even when the precious seed is safely deposited1 the patience of our hope must succeed to the labour of our love4 ,how long does it usually lie beneath the surface1 and when the tender blade appears1 how much longer the interval before the perfection of the fruit6 so long1 that my endeared friend may never live to see it in his own case3 though he may sow1 yet others may enter into his labours2 yet will both he that sows and they that reap1 rejoice together in that glorious and eternal harvest4 ,since ,i began my letter1 ,i have had a visit from our mutual friend1 ,mr4 ,cox4 ,since his residence in ,shropshire1 ,i have frequently had opportunities of seeing him1 and it is with unfeigned pleasure that ,i have seen him evidently advancing in the best of things4 ,i think1 however1 that ,i never saw him to so great advantage as now--the truly ,christian minister and the warm and steady friend4 ,he still continues at ,bridgenorth1 and has apparently lived through all the hostility and prejudice which his preaching and residence among them once excited4 ,he begins also to see some important fruits of his labours4 ,how cheering is all this6 ,well1 my dear friend1 let us catch the animating glow1 and strive to live more for our loving ,saviour and the great glory of his name4 99 99 99 99 99 ,kind faithfulness towards our friends is a truly ,christian grace--this grace the subject of this memoir eminently possessed1 of which the following letter is a proof3-- ,,to ,,the ,,same4 ,madeley1 ,april #bh1 #ahba4 ,my much endeared ,friend1 ,,though circumstances certainly appear against me1 and give you just reason to suspect that no very overwhelming tide of affection flows towards my expatriated brother and fellow-labourer2 though ,i seem to have lost all the ardent1 or the softer feelings of the friend1 in the cold and apathetical conclusions of the mere calculator2 though like the callous brethren of the afflicted ,joseph1 ,i seem unconscious of your grief1 and can1 like them1 selfishly sit down to eat and to drink1 or rise up to consult with others1 to decide your fate1 and fix you in sorrow2--though1 ,i say1 all these things appear against me1 and though my friend is constrained to number me among the annoying trio1 yet still ,i feel within me a pleasing conviction of real genuine affection1 which enables me to rise above appearances1 and which persuades me that ,i am not quite a stranger to that love which many waters cannot quench1 and which the floods cannot drown4 ,the fact is1 my dear friend1 that the decision to which you allude in your last was my painful and not my pleasant duty4 ,i felt1 ,i hope1 something like the surgeon who has been called to perform some operation on the most beloved of his friends2 were he to hesitate1 or were he to decline1 how justly would he be answerable for all the painful consequences which might result3 but while he proceeds1 though steady to his point1 though the fixedness of his eye seems to proclaim him devoid of pity1 though his unshaking hand seems to indicate no shrinking from his work of torture2 yet still the tenderest emotions may exist within1 and to the discriminating eye may be seen in a thousand varying turns4 ,i do not1 indeed1 wish you to give me credit for a perfect similarity to all this1 and yet ,i do hope that when time has a little more sobered down the strength1 and perhaps intensity1 of feeling1 you will feel more disposed to thank me for the thankless duty which my friendship for you enabled me to perform4 ,my sister and brother ,holland are with me at present and have been here for some weeks past4 ,many1 indeed1 are the pleasures of endeared and social intercourse1 and ,i feel truly thankful that we have been permitted to enjoy them4 ,we have never met as a family since my sister was married1 and1 though there has been all along an interchange of thought and feeling through letters1 yet we have found how far short all this comes of viv voce and personal communications and endearments4 ,i have no doubt but that a similar result would be experienced1 could you and ,i occasionally meet together4 ,and when we consider the almost insuperable impediments which lie in the way of such a meeting1 some feeling1 perhaps1 steals into the mind which would have us think somewhat hardly of the divine appointments4 ,let us1 however1 be thankful that1 though we have not all the sweets of friendship1 yet that so many are still reserved to us4 ,and who can tell but that these may be increased1 if we are only more faithful in bringing each other1 with our mutually known concerns1 to our compassionate ,god and ,saviour8 99 99 99 99 99 ,after speaking of the arduous duties of his parish1 as oppressive to the flesh1 the mind1 and the spirits1 he adds1 in his usual heavenly strain1 to the same friend3-- 8,it is still very blessed to be engaged in any way for the blessed ,saviour4 ,this is1 indeed1 a work which pays in the doing4 ,i pray ,god ,i may love it even more and more4 ,but1 were it otherwise1 were every step toilsome and thorny1 were there no brook to drink of by the way to enable us to lift up our heads1 were the yoke galling and the burden heavy1 were the cross1 instead of concealing a latent good1 only cruciating1 were the cup of sorrows divested of all sweets and only filled with strongest bitters2 still we have enough of stimulus arising from the glorious prospect of that blessedness above to inspirit our souls1 and to enable us to toil up the most arduous ascent1 and not only to drag on our wearied feet1 but to lift them up with all the alacrity of cheerful obedience2 for the joy which is set before us1 we may well endure the cross1 and1 like our blessed ,master1 despise the shame4 ,o1 my dear ,armstrong1 may we both of us live more with heaven in our eye1 and with a lively feeling of our ,saviour's love in our hearts6 ,and then every murmur will be hushed1 and nothing be heard from our joyful lips but the language of thanksgiving and praise40 ,i hope the children of my late endeared friend will forgive the following little notice of a father's practice and of the habits of his children in their juvenile days3-- 8,your letter1 received yesterday evening1 speaks somewhat at large on pocket money4 ,i think it probable1 from what you there say1 that threepence a week will be less than you would choose2 if so1 ,i will alter1 though ,i think that threepence altogether unearned is quite sufficient4 ,i do not give a single penny to my own altogether gratuitously--i4e41 independent of their own conduct and exertions2 but still1 while ,william was with me1 ,i gave most liberal inducements to him and them1 that they might readily gain sixpence each weekly1 and have sometimes gone as far as a shilling1 and even more4 ,two of my children have some of their earnings in the ,savings' ,bank2 one has a guinea and another has #a #cs4 ,indeed1 my -- boy is always scheming so largely that he has only a few shillings in hand1 and these are devoted towards making a present of the new ,life of ,mr4 ,fletcher to a poor lad1 who1 a few weeks since1 had behaved generously to him4 ,but this his excess of generosity arises1 ,i think1 more from his ability to acquire1 than anything else4 8,oh10 he says1 8,i will soon earn it20 and in earnest he begins1 and soon does4 ,but then1 he is always poor1 and unless ,i can snare him into something like saving habits1 ,i fear he will always be so4 --1 who has a guinea in the bank1 is as generous as --1 nay1 has the greater appearance of generosity2 for he has always something by him1 and brings it out whenever anything benevolent is proposed2 while --1 being always behind hand1 has to gain his before he can give it4 ,but all my children have habits of giving2 some are careful1 but none are penurious1 and ,i hope never will become so40 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,madeley1 ,june #a1 #ahbb4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,,it afforded me great pleasure to see1 on ,tuesday last1 your kind friend1 ,colonel ,arthur now ,sir ,george ,arthur1 ,bart4 and ,governor of ,bombay1 who arrived at ,liverpool on the preceding ,friday4 ,he was accompanied by his lady1 three children1 and two servants1 all of them in good health1 though ,mrs4 ,arthur and the children bore the usual paleness which ,europeans so readily discover in the countenances of ,west ,indian residents4 ,i felt much gratified by the colonel's urbanity of manners1 and had great pleasure in showing him and his lady all the lions of the place4 ,he seemed greatly to like our neat church and rural quiet churchyard1 and the very ground appeared in his view to be more than ordinarily consecrated by the residence of the venerable ,fletcher4 ,he gave me much interesting detail respecting ,honduras1 its church1 its schools1 its people1 and its minister2 and of the last1 he forgot not to mention his difficulties1 his battles1 and his eventual successes4 ,he spoke also of his health1 and described him 7though perhaps he would not in this respect receive any great superabundance of thanks for his pains71 as being peculiarly suited to bear all the labours of his arduous post1 and that a change of place1 however it might recreate the spirit1 was by no means necessary for the continuance of his health4 ,now1 ,i need scarcely tell you that all this was very refreshing to my spirit4 ,i am not permitted to see you1 and yet such have been the singular circumstances which have brought me in contact with those who have long lived in the ,bay of ,honduras1 that ,i have been favoured with details almost as lively and circumstantial as an actual visit could have afforded me4 ,and all the accounts strengthen in me the conviction that my endeared friend is in his own real1 identical1 proper post--the one by ,heaven's signature stamped with appointment and approbation too4 ,may the ,saviour who has appointed and approved1 still bind him to it by his constraining love6 ,the colonel was very kind in his inquiries respecting ,william2 ,i sent to ,mr4 ,thurgar for him1 and the counsels he gave him were very affectionate and appropriate4 ,he left with him a sovereign when he parted from us4 ,he seemed particularly anxious for his welfare1 and was very desirous of gleaning everything encouraging that he might have the satisfaction of communicating it to you--a satisfaction evidently very strong4 ,last night1 ,i received a letter from that very excellent and very pious man1 ,mr4 ,francis ,hall1 who resided some months in my parish1 as the companion of the ,new ,zealanders1 and who went with them to ,new ,zealand4 ,his whole conduct1 while among us1 left an indelible impression of the genuine piety which so humbly but gracefully dwelt within him4 ,every recollection of the dear good man is refreshing to my spirit4 ,but ,i wander from my point4 ,i received from him1 yesterday1 a letter which ought to make us all truly thankful that we have been providentially kept here1 instead of being suffered to go1 as we had once intended1 along with himself or others to this inhospitable shore4 ,he begins with congratulating us on this point1 and illustrates his congratulation with such a narration of discouragement1 connected with the state of the mission1 as would convince every unprejudiced mind that a family such as mine has no business there4 ,a time possibly may come when the signs may become more favourable2 but certainly they are most discouraging now4 ,i hope ,i am thankful to ,god1 as the only source of our good1 for the state of things in my own parish4 ,to say there was an outpouring of the ,spirit upon us1 would be using language by far too strong1 and yet some gracious drops have descended--the dew has been resting upon us4 ,our classes increase--the public means are better attended2 our ,sunday schools are more than doubled1 and a spirit of hearing generally prevails4 ,and ,i feel the more grateful for all this1 as ,i have all along expected that a seven years' residence among them would produce a listlessness and indifference bordering on satiety2 but1 though this term is now attained within a few days1 yet there seems no want of attention and no diminution in interest4 ,the hearts of the dear people are still given to me1 and1 as such1 they still bear with and love me4 ,and if old things are said in their hearing1 they appear to come home to them with a new power1 and that power ,i would gratefully acknowledge is from above3 to the grace1 therefore1 of my ,redeemer1 ,i would ascribe the praise4 ,and ,i do still cherish a hope that1 so long as he shall be pleased to continue me here1 he will graciously command that the barrel of meal shall not waste1 nor the cruse of oil fail2 that neither matter nor unction shall be wanting in my humble ministrations4 ,humble they1 indeed1 are and always will be3 the little treasure which ,i bear1 is in an earthen1 a cracked earthen vessel4 ,but ,i hope ,i am still content1 so long as the excellency of the power may be seen of ,god and not of man4 ,here1 my dear friend1 is the grand point--we nothing2 ,christ all4 ,oh1 blessed feeling6 ,never are we so truly happy as when we most fully realize it4 ,we all unite in kind love to yourself and ,mrs4 ,a41 and ,i remain1 ,my dear ,friend1 ,yours ever sincerely1 ,g4 ,m4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the friend to whom the following extract of a letter to the editor refers1 was one whom ,mr4 ,mortimer had strongly urged to turn his attention towards the service of the sanctuary4 ,the extract exhibits so beautiful a picture of a good man that ,i cannot prevail upon myself to omit it1 and yet1 not to offend the retiring feelings of the excellent individual alluded to--he being yet alive--,i suppress his name1 though to himself and some few of his friends the name will not be unknown4 ,i hope he will forgive me this wrong which ,i have committed for the sake of others4 ,in a note which the editor received from this gentleman1 forwarding to him several of the letters which he had received from ,mr4 ,mortimer1 he says1 8#8,in honour preferring one another1' seemed to be one of his 7,mr4 ,m4's7 constant rules of action4 ,for myself1 ,i may most unaffectedly say1 that while ,i feel grateful to ,god for the affection of such a friend for so many years1 ,i equally feel my own utter unworthiness of such a privilege and blessing40 8,two evenings ago1 ,i received a letter from my excellent friend1 --1 late of --4 ,he has at length applied for orders1 and was admitted deacon1 two ,sundays since1 by the venerable ,bishop of ,norwich4 ,mr4 ,horne of ,christ ,church1 ,newgate-street1 whose work on the ,scriptures you have no doubt seen reviewed1 was admitted by the ,bishop of ,london three years since1 and these two together with myself were a trio of friends meeting in ,mr4 ,butterworth's class4 ,orders were at one time the furthest from all our thoughts1 and yet have we been gradually led forward1 and the third has at length joined us in the blessed and honourable employ4 ,i much regret that he did not break through his snares and impediments when1 about seven years ago1 ,i strongly urged him to the point2 for he would then have not only spent seven more years in the more immediate work of the sanctuary1 but would have saved himself many painful exercises and many severe losses4 99 99 99 99 99 8,but oh1 how ,i admire the man6 ,if he shone in prosperity1 how much more in adversity6 ,no murmur ever escapes him4 ,he does1 indeed1 glorify his ,god in the fires4 ,his altered circumstances make no alteration in the man1 unless1 indeed1 they have induced greater spirituality of mind1 more complete deadness to the world1 and more unreserved surrender of all his affections and powers to the service of his ,god4 ,but here ,i am backward to speak2 for he shone so conspicuously before1 that ,i find it difficult to determine which is stronger of the two lights1 both so strong that few could bear with them a momentary comparison4 ,oh1 may our lights1 my dear friend1 so shine in every alteration of our circumstances1 that we also may1 like him1 bring glory to our ,god60 ,at the beginning of the year #ahbc1 it pleased ,god to deprive the church of the valuable labours' of the ,rev4 ,john ,eyton1 ,vicar of ,wellington1 to whom ,mr4 ,mortimer was exceedingly attached4 ,about seven weeks before his removal1 he left home with the intention of wintering at the ,isle of ,wight1 but the weather becoming very cold he was obliged to remain at ,portsmouth4 ,the children being all at home1 he did not wish ,mrs4 ,eyton to accompany him2 but a few days before his death1 she received an intimation that he wished to see her1 and though she set off the very day she received this information1 she did not arrive till some hours after his departure4 ,in reference to this painful event1 ,mr4 ,mortimer1 in a letter to his sister1 says1 8,the death of ,mr4 ,eyton has filled us with a degree of consternation and surprise which ,i find it difficult to express4 ,in what a changing world do we live1 and how many evils does that part of our punishment 8death0 introduce among us4 ,prayer seems at present our only refuge1 especially with regard to his bereaved people4 ,the delicate and very difficult duty of preaching the funeral sermon has been assigned to me3 the flesh would dispose me to decline were ,i to attend to its dictates2 but ,i dare not listen4 ,i owe so much to my endeared and highly honoured friend1 that ,i feel ,i must proceed4 ,let me1 however1 entreat the assistance of your prayers40 ,some time during last year ,mr4 ,mortimer was induced to undertake the editorship of a monthly publication for young persons4 ,he refers to this engagement in the following letter3-- ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,thomas ,,mortimer4 ,madeley1 ,feb4 #ac1 #ahbc4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,i ,,am obliged to you for thinking of me in reference to my monthly engagements4 ,i can hardly expect that you should enter with any very lively interest into this matter1 though1 ,i can assure you1 your kind assistance would prove a very acceptable service both to myself and my readers2 nor would the time be altogether lost1 if the matter were considered in sole reference to yourself2 at least ,i should so conclude1 from what ,i have observed with respect to my own mind and habits1 and ,i very greatly regret that1 for so many years1 ,i suffered my feelings to prevail over my better judgment1 and cause me to neglect the throwing in of my mite into some channel of usefulness4 ,but ,i do not blame others1 knowing how very unwillingly ,i was pressed into the service myself4 ,i do not expect that my friends should1 by any touch of my poor leaden wand1 start into active and willing contributors4 ,had ,i ,orpheus-like powers1 the trees and stones might follow me2 but ,i possess none of these magical or touchingly persuasive means1 and therefore1 though1 as a point of duty1 ,i every now and then turn an entreating eye1 and raise a feeble supplicating voice1 both the priest and the ,levite are afraid of messing themselves in my poor concerns1 and prudently pass over to the other side4 ,i would not1 however1 ungratefully involve all in this sweeping and indiscriminate crimination4 ,a ,samaritan or two have kindly pitied me1 and for their equally unexpected and unwearied act of friendship1 ,i feel myself peculiarly indebted4 ,but why all this enumeration8 ,should ,i not honestly confess that it is not altogether without reference to yourself8 ,i am not a stranger to my good brother's ,samaritan-like feelings1 and a distant hope is cherished by me1 that he will yet pour in of his truly welcome supplies4 ,t4 ,l41 ,i should think1 would at present pass quite as good an examination as his brother ,b41 but ,i would not recommend him to be over hasty in applying for orders1 nor indeed does he feel thus disposed himself4 ,young men1 ,i think1 sadly err in this matter2 they hasten into the ministry far too soon1 and repent of their haste all through their subsequent years4 ,but perhaps it is hardly fair to ascribe all the blame to them3 it originates1 in great part1 with those who bear the expense of their education1 and who are glad of the first opportunity which presents itself of getting them off4 ,but ,t4 ,l4 supports himself1 and1 therefore1 the burden and the advantage both fall1 as they ought1 upon the same individual1 and he so feels the desirableness of improving the present time1 that he prefers waiting a little longer4 ,another pupil who is reading with me1 a very nice young man1 supports himself in a similar way2 and ,i do not intend1 for the future1 to superintend the studies of any who do not1 in some way or other1 pursue the same method4 ,and ,i remain1 my dear ,brother1 ,yours very affectionately1 ,g4 ,m4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,thomas ,,mortimer4 ,madeley1 ,feb4 #e1 #ahbd4 ,my dear ,thomas1 99999999999999 ,matters proceed among us pretty much as usual4 ,my people are kind1 our congregations good1 classes very fair1 and attendance on the weekly expositions pleasingly increasing4 ,as to myself1 ,i can say but little2 sometimes ,i am enabled to live in the spirit of the petition1 8,each moment draw from earth away ,my heart1 which lowly waits thy call20 and then my peace flows smooth and tranquil as a river2 then all my affections take their proper channel1 and are directed to a holy spiritual end4 ,but1 alas6 too generally ,i find my feelings and conduct better characterized by complaint than exultation1 and have too much reason to say1 8,yet hind'rances strew all the way2 ,i aim at thee1 yet from thee stray40 ,but ,i still keep fixing my eye upon the beauteous light1 even when furthest from it1 and most ardently do ,i sigh after its most blessed repose4 ,well1 perhaps1 after all my failures1 ,i may still become habitually possessed of it2 and indeed without it1 ,i feel that ,i shall never enjoy anything like true and substantial rest4 ,a minister without the inward grace1 and that also in a more than usual measure1 is of all others a character most to be pitied--,i mean of all other ,christians2 for in order to instruct others1 he must of course be more advanced in knowledge1 and consequently will be called to a far stricter account4 ,besides1 the whole routine of his employments1 carrying with them the exterior of sanctity1 are apt to impress1 not only others1 but himself also1 with fallacious hopes respecting the safety of his state4 ,the constant repetition also of his duties has a strong tendency to render the spiritual impression on himself less and less vivid1 till at length the pious feeling1 in many instances1 is entirely absent1 and he detects himself half hypocritically acting or performing a part1 attempting to raise emotion in others to which he is so much a stranger himself4 ,these1 my dear brother1 are our snares--at least they are mine2 but ,i hope ,i not only perceive them1 but am watching against them4 ,and my comfort is1 that amidst all my consciousness of weakness1 it is still my privilege to rely on an all-sufficient ,saviour4 ,you kindly speak in your letter of your being able to assist me in my editorial labours1 by furnishing me with accounts connected with the different societies4 ,i fear1 however1 that the work will not proceed beyond the present volume4 ,its sale1 ,i am thankful to state1 has increased since it was placed in my hands1 and is still increasing2 but it will not cover the attendant expenditure--at least not so much so1 as to make it worth the publisher's while to continue4 ,its discontinuance1 however1 will prove no great loss to me4 ,i edit the numbers of the present volume for #b4 #ajs4 a number1 and1 when my monthly expenses are deducted1 ,i have only about #a each remaining4 ,my object1 however1 is not gain1 but a desire of being in some way useful2 and as a work of the kind seems desirable1 ,i shall feel a little regret that it should cease4 ,but perhaps1 after it stops1 some ,london bookseller will venture upon something of a similar kind1 and1 if so1 it will then1 in all probability1 succeed4 99 99 99 99 99 ,we all unite in sincerest love to yourself1 ,mrs4 ,t4 ,m41 and my dear niece1 and ,i remain1 my dear ,thomas1 ,your affectionate ,brother1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,thomas ,,mortimer4 ,madeley1 ,dec4 #a1 #ahbd4 ,my dear ,brother1 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,i am afraid1 from your intimations respecting your being in quest of a morning service1 that ,mr4 ,pratt has failed in substantiating his claim2 if so1 ,i shall be much concerned4 ,retired from the emoluments of a former occupation1 he will possibly feel this diminution in point of income2 but for such a servant in the house of our ,god1 ,i trust that not mere adequacy1 but even the munificence of our merciful ,lord1 is in abundant reserve4 ,you inquire concerning my health4 ,it has been far from well ever since my return from ,g--1 strong as ,i seemed while there2 no sooner did ,i enter upon my parochial duties1 than ,i began to fail1 and in about a fortnight1 ,i was nearly as ill as ever4 ,this induced me to lay the whole matter before ,mr4 ,burton1 and to request him to relieve my mind with an assurance that1 in case ,i should be under the necessity of leaving1 he would kindly indulge the parishioners with a suitable person in my stead4 ,his kindness has removed my difficulties1 and left me at full liberty to leave my work in more efficient hands4 ,i have had an application for the curacy from a gentleman who strikes me as being very suitable1 and ,mr4 ,burton has accepted of his services4 ,one difficulty1 however1 is in the way4 ,he holds a living in the diocese of ,worcester2 but1 being peculiarly circumstanced1 he expects that the bishop will permit him to hold it in conjunction with ,madeley1 and to divide his time between them1 his curate sharing the twofold duty with him4 ,should his application to the bishop not succeed1 he has recommended to me another person1 who seems equally eligible with himself2 but with this latter person ,i have had no communication4 ,as to myself1 ,i am of course in uncertainty2 but ,i feel confident1 that as ,i have hitherto been guided by the wisdom and goodness of my condescending ,god1 so he will still point out to me the way in which ,i should go4 ,you speak of the mine of paper and print1 and1 like too many others1 comfort yourself with considering that your work is but a little one4 ,but good1 my brother1 beware1 beware6 ,three services on a ,sabbath1 occasional weekly ministrations1 and numerous official employments1 should almost entirely exclude every kind of preparation for the press4 ,with kindest love c1 ,believe me1 my dear ,thomas1 ,your ever affectionate ,brother1 ,,george4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in the spring of #ahbe1 ,mr4 ,mortimer visited his ,london friends1 one of whom writes as follows3-- 8,your dear brother appeared so full of love and tenderness1 and1 at the same time1 so interested himself in everything that appeared to interest us1 that we could not help wishing for a much longer enjoyment4 ,i heard him preach but once3 his sermon was truly edifying4 ,i will transcribe a brief outline of it1 as you may find it a word of consolation in some season of sorrow4 ,matt4 xv4 #bh1 #8,o woman1 great is thy faith3 be it unto thee even as thou wilt4' ,the advantages resulting from strong faith were pointed out in four important particulars2 viz4--,i4 ,it yields to no discouragement4 ,,ii4 ,it bears and even overcomes the most humiliating discoveries4 ,,iii4 ,it receives the strongest marks of the ,saviour's approbation4 ,,iv4 ,it is put into eventual possession of every needful good4 ,each of these points was marked out as strikingly illustrated in this affecting and interesting narrative40 ,his brother1 the ,rev4 ,thomas ,mortimer1 has kindly furnished me with the following communication respecting the same sermon3-- 8,on ,sunday1 the #bgth ,march1 #ahbe1 my beloved brother preached for me at my lecture at ,st4 ,olave's1 ,southwark4 ,i shall never forget that sermon4 ,being the only church at that time usually open in the ,borough for ,sunday evening service1 there was generally a large attendance1 and that evening the church was crowded4 ,on entering the pulpit1 my brother's diminutive figure excited attention2 and1 in some1 produced a smile4 ,when1 however1 he had composed himself in the pulpit1 his fine countenance1 beaming with intelligence1 evidently inspired some with respect1 who1 at first1 had looked up with indifference1 if not with scorn4 ,his announcement of his text was most solemn and yet most tender2 #8,o woman1 great is thy faith3 be it unto thee even as thou wilt4' ,from that moment the silence of death reigned2 and1 after a few minutes1 every eye seemed fixed upon the preacher1 and every ear listening to his voice4 ,the scoffer soon discovered that the preacher was no ordinary man3 the candid inquirer felt interested in the subject3 the timid and weak believer took courage3 and the mourner drank in the water of life1 with the eagerness of the thirsty soul4 ,many a time1 during subsequent years1 have the tenderest and most grateful reference been made to that sermon by those who were accustomed to converse with me on the great concerns of their souls4 ,though nearly twenty years have rolled away since that memorable night1 the recollection of my beloved brother1 of the touching words that fell from his lips1 and the #8unction of the ,holy ,one1' which evidently attended them1 is still vivid and delightful1 and will1 ,i doubt not1 accompany me to my grave40 ,intimation has already been given1 in a letter to his brother1 of ,mr4 ,mortimer's entertaining thoughts of leaving ,madeley1 owing to the declining state of his health4 ,the following several letters refer to that event and to arrangements for filling up his important post in that parish4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,cooper4 ,yardley1 near ,birmingham1 ,sept4 #ab1 #ahbe4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,,your very kind and acceptable letter reached me three or four weeks since2 and ,i should have answered it much earlier had ,i not been in some uncertainty as to my proximate movements2 and ,i thought ,i would wait till something definite should have transpired4 ,i have been here very nearly seven months1 and was thinking of returning to ,madeley in about a month from the present time2 but it is now arranged that we should continue here till the middle of ,february4 ,from what you mention in your letter1 ,i should suppose that you have been informed that ,i had left ,madeley altogether1 but this is not the case2 ,i have only exchanged duties with the vicar of this place1 who has been1 like myself1 out of health for some months past1 and who thought that a complete change of sphere and situation would prove beneficial to him4 ,he and his family1 therefore1 reside in the vicarage at ,madeley1 and myself and family here2 both of us having left our furniture1 library1 c41 c41 for each other's accommodation4 ,the duties in this place being light1 as compared with ,madeley1 and the air exceedingly salubrious1 ,i have found great benefit from the change1 and am pretty nearly as well as ,i was before ,i began to fail2 the whole of my family1 also1 have found their health considerably improved2 so that in this point of view we have reason to be thankful for the exchange4 ,and ,i hope1 also1 that the change of ministrations will be beneficial to both our parishes4 ,i hear of an increased attention being produced at ,madeley1 and ,i ought to acknowledge with gratitude the acceptance with which ,i am favoured here4 ,you mention in your letter that your engagement in your present curacy will terminate early in #ahbg4 ,i read that part of your letter to ,mr4 ,gwyther 7the gentleman with whom ,i have exchanged duties71 who was over here a few days ago1 and he said1 8,could we not contrive between us to keep the curacy open for ,mr4 ,c4 till he should be able to take it80 ,our present arrangement will1 if we are spared1 bring us to the middle of ,february1 #ahbf1 which is only a year short of the time when you will be released from your present charge4 ,now1 if we could manage so as to supply till then1 would you like to undertake the charge of the parish1 provided the incumbent would admit you1 which1 from what ,i have lately ascertained1 ,i think could easily be managed8 ,since ,i saw you ,i have engaged with an assistant1 but merely pro tempore2 the expense of which is to be principally borne by the parishioners4 ,the sum allowed to him will be #ajj a year2 towards which ,i myself give #cj1 on condition of being occasionally absent1 should my health require it1 at the sea or elsewhere4 ,the value of my curacy is full #ajj a year besides the house4 ,you will perceive1 then1 that matters are now made much easier for you1 should you think of fixing your lot among the ,madeley people1 and ,i am confident that the arrangement would be highly gratifying to them4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,cooper4 ,yardley1 ,february #ba1 #ahbf4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,,though ,i fully intended to have answered your very kind letter within the time that you specified1 yet1 as it bears date ,october #ae1 ,i find that ,i have exceeded the proposed interval by more than a month4 ,so much for my friendship4 ,had it been a letter on business1 ,i have little hesitation in saying that it would have been duly despatched2 and1 had there been a dozen of this kind1 ,i think ,i might venture to assert the same4 ,but my friends1 and those also the most intimate and endeared1 are too generally neglected2 and many are the kind reproofs which my remissness thus draws upon me4 ,you1 indeed1 my dear friend1 have1 in silence1 borne with all2 and this ought to have made me more cautious in giving you fresh occasions of pain4 ,but nothing seems of sufficient influence to correct the inveteracy of my habit2 and1 therefore1 ,i must still1 ,i fear1 keep confessing my reiterated faults1 and as often keep throwing myself upon the kind forgiveness and forbearance of my friends4 ,i am still1 as you will perceive from my date1 at ,yardley1 and1 from a fresh arrangement1 our exchange will be prolonged from ,march till the latter end of ,july next4 ,nothing has as yet been done about an assistant curate for ,madeley4 ,about a fortnight ago1 ,i was congratulating myself on the acquisition of a very desirable fellow-helper1 the ,rev4 ,a4 ,b--1 who had consented to join with me in the duties of the parish1 and had engaged the residence of our late departed friend ,mrs4 ,e--2 but some obstacles have since arisen1 so that ,i fear we shall now lose him4 ,should he decline1 ,i shall not be over anxious in making any permanent arrangement with any one else until my return in ,july1 by which time ,i should hope you will be able to speak somewhat more definitely as to your own movements1 as there will be only about six months to the time of your own projected removal4 ,the impediments which have been thrown in the way of every negotiation which ,i have entered into for so many months past1 incline me to think that it is more than possible the situation may1 after all1 be reserved for my endeared friend4 ,but of the future how little1 or rather1 how completely nothing1 are we permitted to know2 and if we busy ourselves in the shrewdest guesses1 or the most cool and sober calculations1 how generally are we disappointed6 ,it is our wisdom1 therefore1 to be more occupied with the duties which more immediately devolve upon us at the present1 than with speculations about the probabilities of more remote and distant periods4 ,in the foregoing page1 ,i mentioned the name of dear ,mrs4 ,e--1 and ,i had no sooner done this than the recollection of all that transpired between us1 during your short visit to us at ,madeley1 passed vividly through my mind4 ,what a painful winding up of ,w-- matters6 ,but yet1 in many respects1 how merciful6 99 99 99 ,with respect1 however1 to the endeared individual so lately severed from her important charge1 ,i have nothing to say1 but what is encouraging3 most clearly1 most satisfactorily1 had she been latterly ripening for that blessed world of spirits4 ,and as to the dear family which she has left behind1 8let us not sorrow as those without hope40 ,they are beloved by many for their parent's sake1 and1 in a qualified use of the term1 we may1 perhaps1 state the same respecting their parent's faithful and condescending ,god4 ,for ,he will1 no doubt1 remember them peculiarly for good1 and that for their parent's sake2 for the good inheritance of their anxious desires and their holy fervent prayers1 will1 sooner or later1 be abundantly possessed4 ,we were truly thankful to hear of dear ,mrs4 ,c--'s gradual amendment in health2 and though it may not be commensurate with our naturally impatient and restless desires1 yet every increase of so invaluable a blessing should call forth our grateful praise4 ,we beg to unite in very kindest and ,christian regards to her1 yourself1 and family1 and ,i remain1 ,my dear ,friend1 ,yours very sincerely1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,thomas ,,mortimer4 ,yardley1 ,june #bj1 #ahbf4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,from what you must have perceived of the evident inclining of my mind while you were here1 you will not be much surprised at the contents of the accompanying circular4 ,i have long paused1 and1 ,i hope1 deliberately weighed1 as well as sincerely prayed1 and now ,i must leave the result in the overruling hands of an all-wise and ever-gracious ,god4 ,this ,i am thankful to state1 that ,i am at present enabled to do1 with a measure of calm and peaceful reliance1 which ,i did not at all anticipate4 ,,to ,,the ,,inhabitants ,,of ,,madeley4 ,yardley1 ,june #ai1 #ahbf4 ,my much-endeared ,parishioners1 ,,when ,i left ,madeley1 in consequence of the delicate state of my health1 ,i had fully intended to have rejoined you in a few months4 ,various circumstances1 however1 induced me to accept the proposals made at different times by ,mr4 ,gwyther1 for lengthening the period of our exchange3 and now that this period is nearly terminated1 ,i regret to be under the necessity of stating1 that ,i feel so strongly my total inadequacy to resume my wonted station among you1 that ,i dare not venture upon it4 ,my health has indeed1 through the blessing of ,god1 upon the diminution of my parochial duties1 been considerably amended4 ,it is the opinion1 however1 of all my more intimate friends1 that1 should ,i return to my charge1 ,i shall in a few weeks sink under the pressure of those numerous parochial cares and duties which before so materially injured me4 ,i have1 therefore1 felt constrained to resign my situation2 and have just written to ,mr4 ,burton1 stating to him1 that ,i shall vacate the ,curacy at ,michaelmas next4 ,i have not mentioned to him anything respecting my successor1 leaving a matter so materially affecting yourselves to your own superior judgment4 ,i hope1 however1 that the principal inhabitants of the parish will lose no time in making a proper application to him2 and from the repeated proofs which ,i have had of his kind feeling towards you1 ,i have no doubt but that he will comply with any request which they may see fit to make to him4 ,as to my own future movements ,i am altogether ignorant4 ,i trust1 however1 that the same gracious ,,god1 who guided my steps among you1 will still appoint for me my future path3 and with regard to yourselves1 a people who will never cease to be remembered by me with feelings of the strongest affection1 ,i do most sincerely pray that a pastor may be given to you who shall1 in all respects1 answer your most sanguine wishes3 and thus supply my own numerous and often-lamented deficiencies4 ,believe me to remain1 ,your very affectionate though unworthy ,minister1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the above was also sent to his friend1 the ,rev4 ,john ,cooper1 accompanied by the following letter3-- ,yardley1 ,june #bf1 #ahbf4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,i ,,feel that ,i ought not any longer to keep you in ignorance of my recent decision respecting ,madeley1 though from what my brother has told me as to inquiries made for you in ,london1 ,i have no expectation of the situation being really desirable to you4 ,nor1 indeed1 if it were so1 would the time of your leaving your present charge admit of your accepting it2 for some one will1 no doubt1 be immediately engaged1 and to whom ,i would surrender as soon as might be required4 ,our own movements1 as ,i have expressed in the accompanying circular1 are quite uncertain2 my wife1 however1 seems strongly to incline towards the neighbourhood of ,clifton1 in which spot she wishes to be permanently established4 ,it is probable1 therefore1 that we shall bend our steps thither1 and when somewhat established ,i will try to obtain some light permanent duty in the neighbourhood4 8,que ,dieu nous dirige10 is the frequent aspiration of my too solicitous mind--too solicitous2 for if ,i knew all the gracious intentions of a ,god of love concerning us1 ,i should peacefully leave everything to his all-wise disposal1 without the least degree of restlessness or fear4 ,with respect to dear ,madeley1 ,i need scarcely add1 that should you know any one who strikes you as being suitable1 and to whom the situation would be agreeable1 ,i should feel obliged by your mentioning it to him1 and getting him to communicate with ,mr4 ,g-- on the subject4 ,we beg our very kindest and ,christian regards to yourself and ,mrs4 ,c1 and1 with much affection1 ,believe me1 my dear ,friend1 ,yours very sincerely1 ,g4 ,m4 99 99 99 99 99 ,after receiving the above with its enclosed circular1 ,mr4 ,cooper wrote to his friend as follows3-- ,wherwell1 ,june #bi1 #ahbf4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,i ,,was not prepared for the intelligence contained in your very kind letter of the #bfth1 having hoped1 from the improvement of your health at the date of your previous letter1 that you would shortly return to your important charge at ,madeley1 and that you might have continued there many years1 an instrument of blessing others1 and being increasingly blessed yourself in your work4 ,but1 ,i doubt not1 all is well and wisely ordered1 and will add my affectionate though feeble prayers that you may be divinely directed in all things4 ,your letter1 the end of ,february last1 left it doubtful1 whether ,mr4 ,a4 ,b-- might not have finally determined to become your assistant in the parish2 and1 prior to your last favour1 ,i was looking to hear from you next month1 to know how this matter had terminated1 in order that ,i might judge whether the expectation of being associated with you1 which ,i had not entirely relinquished1 might not be realized4 ,i now beg to state1 that1 owing to the inquiries of a beloved clerical brother1 two curacies have been offered to me within the present month1 both of which ,i have declined4 ,and now1 my dear friend1 ,i put it to you1 whether you think ,madeley is such a post as would suit one with such slender ministerial qualifications as ,i deeply feel that ,i possess2 and whether you think your parishioners would be disposed to receive me favourably8 ,if you do1 ,i leave myself in ,god's hand and yours1 desiring that ,he may do with me as seemeth good in ,his sight2 and requesting you to take such steps as you may judge proper4 ,the difficulty as to the time of resigning my present cure may probably be got over soon after ,michaelmas2 my vicar having said1 when last ,i saw him1 that he would release me on reasonable notice1 if anything eligible should be offered to me3 still ,i wish to remain in my present sphere as long as ,i conveniently can4 ,having said thus much1 ,i will only add that ,madeley has been regarded by me for many years as a spot peculiarly sacred2 it is still more endeared to me by the consideration that my beloved and highly esteemed friend has been labouring for ten years in that favoured scene of the apostolical ,fletcher's ministry4 ,i wait with interest1 but not with any anxiety1 to hear from you the result of my present communication4 ,believe me ever1 ,my dear ,friend1 ,yours very affectionately1 ,,john ,,cooper4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,thomas ,,mortimer4 ,yardley1 ,july #aa1 #ahbf4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,you will be glad to hear that dear ,cooper has expressed a wish to succeed me at ,madeley2 and1 in consequence1 an application has been made by myself and the parishioners on his behalf1 which has been most favourably received1 and ,mr4 ,burton has nominated him to succeed me4 ,most truly thankful do ,i feel that it has pleased ,god to give to the dear people such a man4 ,may he long be continued to them1 and may very blessed days be still in reserve for that honoured spot4 ,my visit among them was highly gratifying to myself1 and ,i hope ,i may say not unacceptable to them4 ,i never witnessed in them such overflowings of kindest feelings1 and1 what ,i hardly anticipated1 while they manifested affectionate regrets1 ,i do not recollect a single instance in which they censured or chode2 but1 on the contrary1 seemed to think that the step1 though painful1 was necessary4 ,our own plans are still somewhat uncertain4 ,we think1 however1 of moving towards ,bristol1 and of fixing somewhere within a mile or two of the city1 and have written to ,george ,yate to engage us a ready-furnished house for about a month4 ,we expect to leave this place the #cjth of ,august4 ,but ,i have said nothing of dear ,mr4 ,butterworth's removal1 on which your last letter principally dwelt4 ,i felt surprised and pained beyond my ordinary feelings on such occasions2 for almost all that ,i possess spiritually1 ,i owe1 under ,god1 to him4 ,but after all1 he is not lost to me1 for ,i trust ,i shall rejoin him ere long2 and1 even during the short interval of apparent separation1 who can tell how near he may still be to me1 and how materially he may still be permitted to help me8 ,but1 however this may be1 ,jesus remains the same1 and ,i trust that the removal of every endeared medium of good may be the means of uniting me more fully to ,him4 ,our kindest love to yourself and family1 to my dear mother1 ,eliza1 c42 and ,i remain1 ,your ever affectionate ,brother1 ,,george4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the letter from which the following extract is made1 is chiefly in reference to the providing means for an assistant-curate at ,madeley2 towards which1 ,mr4 ,mortimer proposed to furnish #aj per annum1 and also a further sum of #aj per annum to aid the ,curate's ,poor ,fund1 for relieving the sick and distressed poor of the populous parish of ,madeley2 and it is due to ,mr4 ,m4's kindness and benevolence to state1 that during the period of his friend's curacy1 he generously contributed each year the proposed amount for the poor2 and for three years 7during which time only an assistant curate was employed71 the like sum towards the other object named4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,cooper4 ,yardley1 ,july #ca1 #ahbf4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,,our way towards ,bristol appears to be opening4 ,a very singular circumstance connected with it has just occurred4 ,it seems to us all to be too pantomimic--too magical--to be true4 ,but yet1 what cannot the ,god of wisdom and of love effect6 ,we are striving to wait1 as you expressed yourself in a former letter about ,madeley1 8with interest but without anxiety0 to see the result4 ,oh1 what a comfort it is to feel calmly assured that1 while we are leaving ourselves in ,god's hands1 all must eventually be well4 ,mary unites with me in kindest regards to yourself and dear ,mrs4 ,c--1 and ,i remain1 my dear ,friend1 ,yours1 very sincerely1 ,g4 ,m4 ,,to ,,the ,,same4 ,horfield1 near ,bristol1 ,october #ah1 #ahbf4 ,my very dear ,friend1 ,,had not circumstances of various kinds interfered1 you would ere this have seen me at ,wherwell2 but1 as ,i had no control over these1 and kept expecting that in a few more days ,i should be able to write to you definitely1 ,i hope you will not too harshly censure me1 when ,i tell you at length that my projected visit1 like too many of my projections1 has come to nothing1 and that it will not be in my power to see you before you leave4 ,but1 after all1 your removal is not to a distant country1 and many may be the circumstances which the kind ,providence of ,god shall permit for our future intercourse4 ,you speak1 indeed1 of a kind of necessity for conference and consultation at the present juncture4 ,of this1 however1 ,i am far from being convinced2 for ,i think a stranger always proceeds best with the least previous acquaintance with the minuti of characters and proceedings4 ,a general idea is quite necessary2 but everything that is circumstantial creates a prejudice either to the advantage or disadvantage of the parties concerned4 ,the fresh unbiassed inspection brings us1 for the most part1 nearest the truth4 ,every one with whom ,i converse1 who has any knowledge of you1 joins with me in thankfulness to ,god that it has pleased ,him to direct your steps to ,madeley2 most fully does it seem to have been1 from beginning to end1 from ,him2 to ,him1 therefore1 may we ever give the praise4 ,and may you1 my much-endeared friend1 be so fully qualified for your important charge2 may the barrel of meal also granted for your dear people's supply waste not1 nor the cruse of oil fail2 or1 in other words1 may matter and unction be so abundantly imparted1 and so graciously continued1 that the time may never come in which your ministrations may prove burdensome to yourself1 or either uninteresting or unedifying to your hearers4 ,with kindest regards1 ,i remain1 ,yours1 ever affectionately1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,mr4 ,mortimer's life has now been brought down to the close of his services at ,madeley1 where he had been resident pastor for about ten years4 ,in taking a review of this period1 we find him to have abounded in the great duties of his office--in works of faith and labours of love4 ,what with his ,sunday duties1 his classes1 his expositions1 his schools1 his pastoral visits1 and his manifold acts of charity and kindness to the poor1 in a parish containing very nearly six thousand souls1 with his weakly constitution1 and by no means robust health1 the wonder is that he was enabled to carry on so arduous a course for so long a time4 ,madeley has been long and highly favoured2 it is to be hoped that the people have both appreciated and improved their privileges4 ,mr4 ,mortimer met with much kindness1 encouragement1 and acceptance in the diligent pursuit of his self-denying career in that parish1 and the decade of his services there was no doubt attended with much usefulness1 though the extent of it may never be known until the great day shall reveal it4 ,he met also with much that was trying and perplexing to him2 much to wound his loving spirit2 much to grieve his affectionate heart2 much to prove his faith and try his patience2 but he neither flinched from duty1 nor swerved from the line of conduct which became him as a minister of the ,established ,church2 and1 what is more1 he treated neither opposition in the spirit of retaliation1 nor opposers in a spirit of harshness or severity4 ,he was eminently a man of peace1 a man of love1 a man of placability4 ,the commencement of his services in the parish was attended with great difficulties4 ,considerable irregularities had been practised by his predecessors2 in their steps1 in this respect1 he was determined not to tread2 and though he felt himself bound to resist all entreaty on this subject1 to the offending of many1 yet was it his prayer1 his study1 his endeavour to conciliate all4 ,his steady though moderate ,churchmanship was1 perhaps1 always more or less a ground of offence in a parish which had long been under the influence of ,methodism2 but wherever good sense and piety prevailed his motives were respected1 and his conduct appreciated4 ,it was on the manifestation of some unhallowed zeal of party spirit that the following addresses were printed and circulated in his parish1 and which exhibit the very moderate and conciliatory spirit of their truly ,christian author4 ,,address ,,of ,,the ,,minister ,,of ,,madeley ,,to ,,such ,,of ,,the ,,inhabitants ,,of ,,coalbrookdale ,,and ,,its ,,vicinity1 ,,as ,,do ,,not ,,consider ,,themselves ,,members ,,of ,,the ,,established ,,church4 ,vicarage1 ,february #ba1 #ahbb4 ,my endeared ,parishioners1 ,,it has lately appeared to me an indispensable duty to visit more extensively my parish1 and to devote myself more fully to other branches of my ministerial office4 ,in the course of my visits ,i found a strong regret expressed by many1 that it was not in their power to connect themselves either with me as their minister1 or with the ,established ,church as their religious communion3 and that this1 their inability1 arose principally from the great distance of the parish church from their respective abodes4 ,this difficulty ,i have endeavoured partially to remove by beginning an exposition on alternate ,monday evenings3 #adb and ,i hope soon to be able still further to meet their wishes by assembling with them every other ,sunday morning1 on a plan similar to that now adopted at the ,ironbridge school-room on the ,sabbath evenings4 ,i feel a little apprehensive1 however1 lest these my proceedings should be considered by some as intentionally interfering with other modes and places of worship already adopted and attended in your neighbourhood2 and lest my motives should be so far misconstrued1 as to be identified with narrow-minded prejudice1 or with intolerant hostility4 ,it should be remembered1 however1 that all persons have1 and cannot help having1 their preferences2 and likewise1 that these preferences may be openly shown by them1 and even occasionally employed in influencing others1 without the least hostility towards those who continue in another persuasion4 ,and ,i can appeal with the greatest confidence to my own conduct during nearly seven years' residence among you1 as a proof of this assertion4 ,for though ,i have uniformly shown a decided preference towards the ,established ,church1 yet ,i am not aware of having discovered1 in a single instance1 the least opposition or hostility towards any individual of another communion1 merely as such4 ,much1 indeed1 on my first coming into the parish1 was unhappily advanced to the contrary2 but ,i was determined to take no notice of such remarks1 assured that they had no foundation in myself1 and that1 when my line of conduct should be better understood1 they would gradually die away1 and a different feeling be eventually adopted4 ,this different feeling has1 ,i am happy to state1 long been cherished by many2 and it was from a strong desire that nothing contrary to it should prevail in consequence of my present ministerial procedures1 that ,i have been induced to send you this circular address4 ,oh1 let me then1 as your minister1 entreat you not to regard me with a misgiving or suspecting mind2 but from the fulness of a loving and a ,christian heart to wish and to supplicate for me abundant success4 ,and be not hasty in censuring either myself or others for attachment to our venerable and established forms4 ,give to us what you feel entitled to demand for yourselves2 ,i mean the right of preference4 ,and amidst certain shades of difference1 let brotherly love not only continue among us1 but let it abound yet more and more4 ,and with regard to myself1 ,i do most sincerely pray ,god that no feeling may be cherished by me1 no single expression uttered1 and no conduct whatever pursued1 which may1 in any respect1 tend to its diminution4 ,with feelings1 then1 of unfeigned affection1 believe me1 my much-endeared ,parishioners1 ,your sincerely devoted ,friend and ,minister1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 ,,address ,,of ,,the ,,minister ,,of ,,madeley ,,to ,,the ,,inhabitants ,,of ,,madeley ,,wood ,,and ,,its ,,vicinity4 ,vicarage1 ,march #bc1 #ahbb4 ,my endeared ,parishioners1 ,,the very kind reception given to the ,address which ,i circulated among the inhabitants of ,coalbrookdale and its vicinity1 and the feelings of mutual love and affection it has been the means of eliciting1 encourage me to hope that a similar appeal to yourselves will be attended with equally beneficial results4 ,the principal reason of my now addressing you1 is1 that ,i have very painfully witnessed1 within the short space of two or three weeks1 a great increase of party spirit arising from the measures recently adopted towards forming and carrying on a ,sunday school separate and distinct from that which has so long been established among us4 ,the natural consequences of such procedures1 ,i am willing to hope1 you did not sufficiently estimate1 or ,i can hardly imagine you would so hastily1 and at such a time1 have adopted them4 ,you are sensible1 ,i think1 that my wish is for peace2 that my great desire is1 that love may not only prevail1 but abound more and more2 and that ,i am striving to pursue that line of conduct1 which1 as a consistent minister of the ,established ,church1 devolves upon me1 so as not to give the least unnecessary offence to others4 ,permit me1 then1 to ask1 whether these recent measures are at all likely to produce such pacific results8 ,do they not rather tend to range more decidedly than ever under distinct and separate parties1 not only the superintendents and teachers1 but likewise the parents of the children themselves8 ,do they not in some measure force persons to declare themselves on one side or other1 and that not merely in opinion1 but likewise in decisive action8 ,and are not the individuals1 thus compelled to declare themselves1 regarded with suspicion by those who move in contrary directions8 ,i would inquire1 then1 is all this calculated to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace8 ,and are those individuals our best friends who are most earnest in this work of alienation8 ,i mean no personal allusions1 ,i assure you1 to any individual among you3 ,i hope ,i very sincerely love you all2 and ,i wish that bonds of union may be multiplied1 which may bring us closer and closer together1 instead of these cords of separation which1 drawing in other directions1 will every day remove us to a greater and yet greater distance4 ,permit me also to ask whether this is the time for such exertions8 ,if indeed your minister were sleeping at his post2 if he were lying down1 and loving to slumber2 if the schools happened to be on the decline in respect of numbers1 or in regard to the insufficiency of superintendents or teachers2 if scarcely anything were going forward adequate to the necessities of the parish2 then1 indeed1 such exertions might be called for4 ,but how contrary is all this to the real state of the case6 ,it is at a time when the schools are so crowded as to render it impossible to instruct them in the usual place3 it is at a time when1 to afford greater facilities of instruction1 the larger schools are being divided into twenty or thirty minor schools1 and these so situated as to be almost at the door of every child in the parish1 and so arranged as to admit of every one being taught who is capable of instruction4 ,you will readily perceive1 then1 that the stir which is making at present1 is by no means called for in the existing necessities of the case4 ,to what1 then1 must it be attributed8 ,it is commonly reported that it arises from a fear entertained by some1 lest my present plans and procedures should attach too many children to the ,established ,church1 and thus eventually make them ,churchmen instead of ,methodists4 ,this reason1 however1 ,i feel ,i ought by no means to admit2 for1 whatever may be said of others1 the ,methodists of the parish of ,madeley have long made it their boast that they were firm in their attachment to our venerable ,church3 and so strong has been their attachment1 that the majority of them would never listen to any proposals of having their services so conducted as at all to interfere with the services of the church1 and would never permit the sacrament to be administered in their chapels2 and there are many who feel a secret satisfaction in being able to state1 that they have never yet partaken of the sacred ordinance1 excepting from a clergyman2 and they are still determined that no one shall ever make this their consistent glorying to be in vain4 #adf ,it is with peculiar satisfaction1 that ,i consider my relation to such individuals2 and ,i assure you1 ,i rejoice over you as my parishioners2 ,i point you out as an example to others2 and ,i hope we shall never see the time when the parishioners1 and more especially the spiritual sons and daughters of the venerable and apostolic ,mr4 ,fletcher1 shall cease to be identified with that ,church of which he was so bright an ornament1 as well as minister4 ,i feel1 therefore1 that it would be the height of injustice to suppose1 that the mass of such of my people as are termed ,methodists have any fear of their children becoming members of the ,established ,church2 nay1 they would rather rejoice in it2--they rejoice in it even now2--and some of them go so far as even to recommend it4 ,they tell their children1 in the fulness of their ,catholic spirit1 that their own attachment to the people with whom they are joined1 never arose from dissatisfaction to the ,church1 but from a natural love to the private means which their own people at that time so exclusively possessed4 ,but they add1 that as these same private means are now offered to them in connexion with the ,established ,church1 they would advise them to join themselves with its respected members2 and hence it is1 that not a few among our classes are the sons and daughters of such honoured individuals4 ,i say honoured1 for who can withhold from such the proper meed of approbation2 for such heal the breaches of our ,zion1 they build up its waste places2 they repair the desolations of many generations4 ,i am aware1 however1 that the same extent of feeling is not cherished by all4 ,some prefer their own communion1 their own instructors1 and classes4 ,but ,i have heard such with the greatest candour acknowledge1 that their predilection arose merely from the circumstance that they happened to receive their first religious good among them2 and that notwithstanding this their preference1 they very highly respect the ,church1 and that they wish its ministers abundant success in their very important work4 ,and this ,i am persuaded is the feeling of ninety-nine out of a hundred of the ,methodists who compose my parish4 ,the welcome they invariably give me when ,i enter their houses or cottages2 the smile of approbation which brightens on their countenance when we exchange salutations as we pass2 and the liberality which they discover in all points of possible difference whenever they are accidentally touched upon3 all these things convince me that they have no hostility either to the ,church or to myself1 and of course that they would not willingly enter upon any plan which might have the least semblance of opposition4 ,to what1 then1 some will still ask1 must these procedures connected with the schools be attributed8 ,i feel1 ,i confess1 somewhat at a loss to determine4 ,i hope1 however1 that they have arisen merely from a well-meant1 though certainly an ill-timed1 zeal--a zeal1 likewise1 which has a direct tendency1 though not previously estimated1 to promote disunion among us1 and a diminution of loving ,christian feelings4 ,but whatever may have been the cause of these procedures1 ,i do hope1 that the serious evils which are beginning as a consequence to break forth1 will not only be checked1 but entirely subside2 and that all parties1 superintendents1 teachers1 and parents1 will each in their respective stations be ready to show that they are not among the last to bring about so desirable an issue4 ,and now1 with very sincere affection1 believe me1 my much-endeared ,parishioners1 ,your faithful ,friend and ,minister1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following simple narrative1 related by his attached and faithful servant ,fanny1 also beautifully displays the very kind and earnest1 though very decided1 character of the excellent pastor of ,madeley4 8,some of the beer shops at the ,iron ,bridge used to be kept open very late at night1 and master was determined to put a stop to their being open later than ten o'clock4 ,he used to go to them1 and turn out all the men that were drinking in them after that time4 ,this enraged some of these men so much1 that they declared they would kill master2 for they said1 #8they were determined that no parson should interfere with them4' ,some of master's friends heard of this1 and told him1 and tried to persuade him not to go to the ,iron ,bridge the next night2 and ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,thomas did not wish him to go2 and we all begged him to stay at home that night2 but he told us he was not at all afraid of the men1 and when ,i said that they would be sure to do him some harm1 he said1 #8,why1 ,fanny1 they have no power over me to hurt me2 the ,almighty is above them4' ,so master went to the public house1 and saw the very men that had threatened to kill him1 and he talked to them for a long time1 and told them that they ought to have been at home with their families1 and that he hoped he should never see them there again4 ,he spoke so kindly1 that they all listened to him1 and never offered to hurt him2 and when he had done talking to them1 they told him1 that they had fully determined to make an attack upon him that night1 but that then they felt as if they had no power to hurt him4 ,so master shook hands with them all1 and then they all took off their hats and wished him #8safe home1' and #8long life to him4' ,and they were never there again after ten o'clock2 and ,i think what master said to them then1 did one or two of them so much good1 that they afterwards became pious40 ,mr4 ,mortimer was equally desirous of putting a stop to the desecration of the ,lord's day by the bargemen on the ,river ,severn1 and1 for this purpose1 he tried every means to prevent the barges from sailing on the ,sunday4 ,in doing this1 he experienced great opposition from some of the barge owners1 who purposely1 as it appeared1 kept their vessels locked at ,coalport at the latter end of the week1 and released them on the ,sunday4 ,at length ,mr4 ,m4 was compelled to take them before the magistrates1 and have them fined1 by which means he succeeded in entirely putting a stop to this desecration4 ,he exerted himself also to have the law enforced against keeping open the public houses and beer shops during the time of divine service4 ,he took pains to prevent the children from playing about the roads and fields on the ,sunday1 and to secure the orderly behaviour of the ,sunday scholars in going to and returning from the ,sunday schools4 ,there were at one period six hundred children in the different schools in the parish of ,madeley4 ,the class meetings consisted of six2 one for women1 conducted by ,mrs4 ,mortimer1 and the other five by ,mr4 ,m4 ,once a quarter1 the six classes met at one place4 ,mr4 ,mortimer's object in having these class meetings1 though he evidently considered them as auxiliary to the public ordinances of religion1 was to prevent the serious members of his congregation from joining the ,methodists1 which he had constantly found to be the case at ,wellington4 ,the following token of affectionate esteem was1 no doubt1 very acceptable to the feelings of ,mr4 ,mortimer1 not so much from the worth of it1 as from the motive which gave rise to it--a motive at once honourable to the hearts of the donors and to the character of the receiver4 ,this token was a handsome octavo ,bible1 bound in morocco1 inscribed on one side1 8,to the ,rev4 ,george ,mortimer1 ,m4,a4 ,a ,token of ,christian ,regard ,from the ,male ,class1 meeting under his care at ,lincoln-hill1 #ahag40 ,and on the other side1 8,with a sincere desire that the rich promises contained herein may be his consolation through life1 and his support in death40 ,the following anecdote may1 perhaps1 be more suitably introduced here than elsewhere1 because1 in all probability1 it was during his residence at ,madeley that the fact recorded took place1 though it was not related to his daughter1 who communicated it to me1 before the winter of #ahdb-c1 during a sleigh-drive with her father1 while descending a hill1 which was in a dangerous state1 owing to its slipperiness and to there being no barrier on the one side which was the edge of a precipice4 8,k-- and ,i 7and perhaps a third person1 but ,i am not sure about that7 were travelling from ,wellington to ,madeley in a post chaise4 ,when we were about to descend a precipitous hill1 something seemed to say to me1 #8,pray1 you are in danger4' ,i resisted the impression1 and said to myself1 it is all nonsense2 ,i will not give way to superstitious fears4 ,again the warning was impressed on my mind1 and ,i then paused and lifted up my heart in prayer to ,god4 ,i had no sooner done so1 than ,i heard the postillion contending with his horses1 which were plunging into the hedge on one side of the road2 then they dashed to the other side1 and it appeared as though we should have been precipitated over the side of the hill2 but we reached the bottom in safety4 ,i then said to ,k--1 #8,i will tell you what has been passing in my mind1' and related to him all the circumstances4 ,k-- then told me1 that just at the same time1 as he supposed from my description of the spot1 the same thing was suggested to his mind1 and that at first he repelled the suggestion1 but afterwards yielded to it2 but that he had not the honesty to confess the circumstance till ,i had done so4 ,i know ,k-- well1 and feel perfectly assured that he would tell me nothing but the truth2 and from the remarkable circumstance of the suggestion being made to the minds of both of us1 ,i cannot1 but believe it was an intimation from above of our danger and of the necessity of prayer4 ,for1 although his angels are always at hand to succour us in danger1 yet ,god has been pleased to make prayer a necessary means for obtaining their aid4 ,when ,i am in my grave1 tell this for the benefit of others as an encouragement to prayer40 ,my dear young friend and god-daughter adds1 8,i was very much impressed by the charge with which my dear father concluded1 and1 that ,i might be the better able to fulfil it1 ,i wrote down the whole relation when ,i returned home1 of which the above is a copy40 ,i very gladly comply with a hope expressed by ,mr4 ,mortimer's eldest daughter that ,i will insert in the memoir of her dear father1 a letter addressed to her by him when she was about ten years of age2 and1 as it was written during his residence at ,madeley1 ,i insert it here before we take leave of that place3-- 8,we returned to ,madeley on the evening of last ,thursday week2 and ,i am thankful to state that we have all of us received considerable benefit from our journey4 ,your brothers and sisters seemed to enjoy themselves exceedingly4 ,the latter part of the time we were joined by your uncle1 who spent about eight days with us2 and having hired a car for that time capable of holding eight or nine persons1 we were enabled to see all that was worth seeing in the neighbourhood4 ,we often wished that you and ,c-- had been with us in our excursions2 but more particularly while we were going over the castle of ,aberconway1 for it struck us as conveying one of the most perfect ideas of both the extent and uses of a castle of any we could recollect to have seen4 ,the town also is surrounded by a strong and turretted wall1 and gives a good notion of a walled city1 such as we read of as connected with former times4 8,we greatly prefer ,glan y don to ,barmouth4 ,it is about six miles from ,abergeley1 in ,denbighshire1 ,north ,wales4 ,it is situated in a delightful recess termed ,llandrillo ,bay1 and the scenery all around is picturesque in the extreme4 ,such a pleasing combination of the sublime and beautiful ,i have seldom seen4 ,the sea-shore1 however1 after all1 presented us with the chief attractions4 ,i collected and fixed the names of many of our ,english shells1 and that also in a state far more perfect than before4 ,i began also a collection of marine plants4 ,these ,i shall have pleasure in showing to you when you return home4 ,you will be surprised1 perhaps1 when ,i tell you that they amount to upwards of sixty different sorts1 and these are exceedingly few in comparison of those ,i should have met with had we been there a longer time1 or had we waited for the equinoctial winds1 which1 perhaps you know1 bring the greatest quantity of marine substances to the shore1 tearing them from the rocks to which they adhere and grow4 8,a-- begins to learn the names of a few of the more common shells1 and was much pleased with making an incipient collection4 ,he has purchased some plain cards1 and1 after dividing them by pencil marks into regular departments1 he pasted his specimens upon them2 and ,i think you will say1 they look tolerably well4 8,your aunt -- stopped with us about a fortnight after you left us1 and ,i accompanied her up to ,london4 ,the only coach1 which we could with any convenience go by1 was principally occupied by nine convicts1 who were being conveyed from ,shrewsbury to ,london1 previous to transportation2 and1 during the night1 two of them were in the coach with your aunt and myself4 ,these were two of the most noted pickpockets belonging to a ,shrewsbury gang1 and1 as you will readily suppose1 we were not at first much disposed to relish their company4 ,but1 as they were ironed and exceedingly well-behaved1 we soon got reconciled to them1 and were not a little interested in the observation of this novel description of character4 ,it presented1 however1 a melancholy admixture of ingenuity and depravity4 8,you will be sorry to hear that during our absence at the sea1 poor ,mr4 ,p-- died4 ,he dropped down suddenly while standing in the rope-walk1 and never spoke afterwards4 ,he was advanced in years and his death was expected2 but still1 in such an uncertain world as this1 who can be secure8 ,may we all be fully prepared when our summons shall arrive4 8,you inquire concerning ,h4 ,he began his letters while we were at ,glan y don2 but ,i cannot say any great things as to his proficiency4 ,within these few days we have permitted him to dine at our table1 and he has behaved so very well that we intend he should continue to do so for the future4 ,l4 and ,p41 for nearly a month past1 have been introduced to our morning family prayer1 and ,i am happy to state that they conduct themselves with much propriety40 ,after spending about eighteen months at ,yardley1 near ,birmingham1 exchanging duties with the vicar of that parish1 ,mr4 ,mortimer finally left ,madeley and removed to ,clifton1 ,august #cj1 #ahbf2 but the situation not being in accordance with his retired habits1 he took a house at ,horfield1 whither he removed on the #ajth of ,october of the same year4 ,from this place was written the letter of which the following is an extract1 bearing date1 ,january #ag1 #ahbg4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong1 ,,buenos ,,ayres4 ,,from my brother1 who joined us here the day after the arrival of your letter1 ,i was rejoiced to find that ,mrs4 ,armstrong and your family had arrived in safety2 for though your frequent voyages must have familiarized you in some degree to danger1 yet we who encounter nothing beyond the minor and comparatively trivial perils by land1 feel a something approaching to wondering gratitude at your seemingly hairbreadth escapes4 ,but possibly ,i misjudge my endeared friend4 ,the observation which he has thus had 8of the works of the ,lord and of his wonders in the deep0 has called forth his augmented tribute of praise4 ,and ,i trust that being once more surrounded by his dear family1 his comforts will thicken around him1 and his sun of prosperity will become brighter and brighter1 and that1 if consistent with the divine will1 it may set again no more4 ,by the commencement of my letter1 you will perceive that ,i have been wandering as well as yourself2 and1 considering the difference of our locomotive powers1 ,i am almost disposed to regard my own movements as the most astonishing4 ,madeley ,i have entirely given up1 and left in the hands of my dear friend ,cooper1 than whom1 ,i know not any one more suited to the place4 ,he is1 ,i find1 very acceptable4 ,i can say but little at present of myself3 for my first object in settling here was the health of myself and family1 which has already1 ,i am thankful to say1 been considerably improved4 ,and now ,i am waiting for the first eligible employment which shall present itself in ,bristol1 that my renewed health and strength may be devoted to the glory of ,him who has mercifully restored them1 and to the benefit1 ,i trust1 of those around me4 ,but though ,i have not as yet any settled employment1 ,i am almost constantly engaged twice on the ,sabbath1 and1 were ,i not resolutely to refuse1 ,i should frequently be requested to take a third service4 ,,to ,,the ,,same4 ,horfield1 near ,bristol1 ,may #bc1 #ahbg4 ,my much-endeared ,friend1 ,,for with these appellations ,i must address you1 though the long intervals which ,i suffer to transpire between my addresses may perhaps induce the suspicion that they are not the legitimate expressions of the heart4 ,but as this is the general1 not to say the universal1 character of my correspondence1 and as you must1 by this time1 have had sufficient opportunities of discovering my weak points1 ,i will comfort myself with the hope1 that though you find me tardy1 yet that you will not regard me as insincere4 ,your letter of the #ahth of ,august last was conveyed1 ,i presume1 through some private hand1 and did not reach me till some months after its date4 ,it contained1 as you will perhaps recollect1 the painful accounts of the bereavements which you have lately been called to endure1 in the loss of your two most beloved daughters2 and to one of your disposition and habits--one so affectionate1 and domestic1 and in every sense paternal--the dispensation must have been one of no ordinary suffering2 and yet so sweetly do the feelings of the true ,christian combine with those of the sorrowing parent1 that ,i almost envy you the power which you so blessedly possess2 an attainment to which ,i look up1 when ,i consider it in reference to yourself1 with admiring gratitude2 but which1 when ,i advert to1 in contrast to my own imperfect and limited experience1 humbles me in the dust4 ,hitherto1 indeed1 ,i have had but little affliction in my family2 yet that little has not been borne with that meek and patient submission--with that deadness to the world and that detachment from the creature--which ought to characterize the child of ,god4 ,but if ,i so readily faint in the day of comparatively minor sorrows1 how can ,i be expected to stand in the day of increased and lengthened suffering--the evil day1 asked for by ,satanic malignity1 and rendered but too necessary in order to bring before me the latent evils of my own unsanctified heart8 ,still1 however1 the divine panoply has been mercifully provided2 and what should hinder me from becoming strong in the ,lord and in the power of his might8 ,i will therefore hope in his mercy4 ,i will expect1 that should sufferings await me1 such as those with which my endeared friend has been visited1 ,i may still be enabled to glorify my ,god in the day of my visitations2 and then all will be well4 ,for sanctified sorrow not only loses all its pungent and corrosive1 and deadly qualities1 and thus leaves our neutralized minds in the possession of calm and settled peace2 but it has reference also to that happy and eternal state above1 where all our light and momentary afflictions shall be succeeded by that inconceivable weight of glory which shall suffer neither diminution nor end4 99 99 99 99 99 ,mr4 ,mortimer's next engagement in the duties of his sacred office1 was at ,st4 ,mary le ,port1 ,bristol1 first undertaken temporarily during the serious illness of the regular minister1 the ,rev4 ,thomas ,grinfield1 which lasted for some months1 and afterwards sharing the services with him for a year1 before his going to the curacy of ,hutton4 ,he entered upon this duty for the first time1 on ,sunday1 ,december #aj1 #ahbf1 and continued in the discharge of it until the end of ,september1 #ahbh4 ,in this sphere he seems to have laboured with peculiar pleasure1 acceptance1 and usefulness2 his talents as a preacher appear to have been better appreciated1 and his services more valued1 than in any other situation that he filled either before or afterwards2 and1 speaking after human judgment1 ,i cannot help regretting that ever he felt it to be his duty to leave a field of so much promise1 and one which he was so well calculated to improve and cultivate2 and1 if ,i do not greatly mistake1 his own mind was not entirely free from feelings of regret on this subject4 ,of his adaptation to the place and of the benefits resulting from his ministry there1 he was not himself insensible4 ,he thus writes to his sister1 ,mrs4 ,holland1 ,august #e1 #ahbh3-- 8,in my ministerial duties it has pleased the ,lord to give me a degree of acceptance among my present charge which ,i was never favoured with before4 ,at ,madeley1 indeed1 the attendance was good1 and as much of interest was kept up and spiritual benefit conveyed1 as kept my naturally anxious and misgiving mind from quite sinking2 but in ,bristol it has been far otherwise4 ,the attendance at church has greatly increased2 the affection of the people seems to be given me in an unusual degree2 and ,i do hope the blessing of the ,lord keeps bringing home the word with power to their hearts40 ,he makes reference also to his labours at ,st4 ,mary le ,port1 in a letter to the ,rev4 ,john ,cooper1 in terms which sufficiently indicate his own feelings and sentiments1 and which are plainly expressive of his own judgment upon a comparative view of his services at ,bristol with those performed elsewhere4 ,hutton1 near ,cross1 ,somersetshire1 ,feb4 #d1 #ahbi4 ,my much-endeared ,friend1 ,i ,,am quite ready to acknowledge my faults2 and lest1 through forgetfulness1 ,i should in a similar manner offend in this instance also1 ,i am determined to despatch my communication at once4 ,you kindly allude to gratification received from this source in time past4 ,such hints coming even from an indifferent quarter1 always frighten me2 they make me fancy that something will of course be expected for the future2 and knowing so fully the mere business-like strain in which ,i am generally accustomed to write1 and my want of spirituality when ,i touch upon serious subjects1 ,i have such a shrinking1 not to say horror and dread of letters of mere friendship1 that while intending to pay my just and lawful debts in this department1 ,i keep insensibly postponing their discharge1 till ,i fancy my answers would be out of date1 and would fain sit down with a quiet and contented mind4 ,creditors1 however1 are those merciless kind of beings that it is no easy matter to escape out of their hands1 and ever and anon some upbraiding or threatening communication appears in due form before me4 ,not1 however1 that ,i could be so wanting in urbane feelings1 as to speak in such terms of ,madeley despatches2 they are1 of course1 the merest and most gentle of all mementos--all lapses of time are so graciously overlooked1 and the most unblushing halts on the part of the most notorious offender are rather implied than expressed4 ,you will therefore be kindly pleased to accept my most humble and grateful acknowledgments for such unmerited mercy2 and hoping for ever to profit by such benignity1 ,i now beg leave to conclude my lengthened exordium4 ,as you appear to have seen my good friend ,y--1 you have no doubt heard from him most of the particulars connected with my recent change4 ,i do1 indeed1 most fully believe1 that ,i am in the spot to which ,i have been most evidently directed of the ,lord2 and in respect to outward comfort and suitableness of employment1 ,i suppose ,i should hardly find another situation equally eligible2 but1 after all1 ,i cannot help regretting the termination of my ,mary le ,port engagements4 ,much kindness have ,i received in various forms from my ,madeley people--much also1 and most strongly expressed1 from my temporary charge at ,yardley2 but ,i never seemed to live so fully in the hearts of any of my people as those1 from whom unavoidable circumstances have so recently separated me4 ,i am persuaded1 however1 that all is right both for me and for them2 and if developing circumstances should not reveal this to the eye of sense1 yet that faith which brings its luminous atmosphere around the results of cautious procedure and humble dependence will cheer the mind with its present assurance1 till it shall conduct us to that world where1 without the least shadow of a misgiving1 we shall acknowledge that our guiding and gracious ,saviour 8hath done all things well40 ,my outward path has indeed1 for some time past1 been in many respects somewhat mysterious and painfully perplexing2 but such are frequently the movements even of those who not only have the cloudy pillar to guide them1 but who also are careful to follow its guidance4 ,and1 even allowing that ourselves have not thus followed with this undeviating step1 still we have the privilege of penitent return2 and1 from whatever point we may retrace our wandering step1 we see the same heavenly guidance before us1 waiting to conduct us onward in the unerring way4 ,i feel much obliged for your interesting allusion to ,madeley procedures2 your dispensary1 infant-school1 and clerical meeting1 have all of them1 not only the approval of my judgment1 but of my heart4 4 4 4 ,and therefore ,i do1 in all respects1 most sincerely rejoice that the kind and gratifying permission of which you speak was ever given to me4 ,my fear1 however1 is1 lest you should be doing too much1 encouraged by that half-untrue and sadly delusive maxim1 8,better to wear away than to rust away40 ,i would rather have you patronise that far more prudential substitute suggested by the biographer of ,leigh ,richmond1 8,i labour less that ,i may labour longer40 ,i do indeed most sincerely rejoice with you in the blessed testimony afforded to you by your endeared and dying sister1 to the faithfulness of our gracious and ,omnipotent ,redeemer4 ,how few are the families where the leavening influence of true religion has been more extensively or more blessedly experienced6 ,we had not heard of the arrival of our ,ceylon friends till your last reached us4 ,most truly rejoiced shall we be to be permitted to meet them2 but the notorious offender has some draw-back to his anticipated pleasure--a four or five years' halt keeps haunting his perturbed mind4 ,nor let your gifted men of punctuality smile1 as they read these compunctious movements--these reiterated confessions1--lest our insulted spirits spring from beneath the ignominious tread1 and1 elate with all the consciousness of our newly acquired powers1 hold ourselves in readiness to repel the charge and to retaliate the affront4 ,you have heard1 ,i suppose1 of my having taken three pupils to instruct with my own children2 my time1 as you can readily imagine1 is far from sluggishly employed2 my health1 however1 is1 and has been for some time past1 through ,god's blessing1 unusually good4 ,within the last three weeks1 ,i have been a little threatened with a return of ,madeley feelings1 but this has been through attempting too much4 ,our united and very kindest love attends ,mrs4 ,c4 yourself1 and family1 and ,i remain1 my dear ,friend1 ,yours1 ever affectionately1 ,g4 ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the next step in the life of my endeared friend1 which comes under our notice1 is one which filled all his friends with surprise--one which they could not contemplate without much concern--one1 the expediency of which1 they could none of them fully perceive--one1 indeed1 which they could not but consider as uncalled for and unnecessary4 ,i refer to his leaving ,england1 and proceeding with his family to settle in ,canada4 ,at an earlier period of his life he appears to have been animated with a pure and holy zeal for the cause of missions to the heathen1 and would1 if his way had been open1 most gladly have entered upon that self-denying service4 ,but now he was not stimulated by such a motive2 indeed1 he can hardly be said to have made even ministerial duties his chief object3 it was not to seek a new fortune in the vineyard of ,christ1 but to improve his worldly fortune for the temporal benefit of his children4 ,i do not presume to censure ,mr4 ,mortimer for this step1 though ,i agree with many of his friends in considering it a very questionable measure4 ,he was not like a man in needy circumstances2 ,providence had supplied him with a very comfortable independent income2 one perfectly adequate to provide for all the reasonable wants of his family1 and to enable him to place out his children in suitable situations1 as they grew up2 much more so1 if ,i do not greatly mistake1 and with much greater satisfaction1 too1 than he has been able to do in ,canada4 ,where the object is the cause of ,god1 ,i should be among the first to recommend a man to leave his home1 his friends1 and his country1 and go to the very ends of the earth1 if called to such a service2 and ,i see no reason why men of business1 if their disposition lead to it1 though they possess even good properties1 should not expatriate themselves for the purpose of commerce1 or the increase of their fortune2 but ,i hesitate as to granting the same liberty to the minister of ,jesus ,christ1 especially where it has pleased his heavenly ,father to furnish him with the necessary supplies of life in a tolerably competent measure4 ,it is clearly the duty of a clergyman1 as it is that of a layman1 to make such provision for his family1 in the event of his removal from them1 as his circumstances will permit2 but to make this the first object of consideration in determining upon an important movement in life--in leaving one's own country and settling in another--does seem to me not very warrantable4 ,upon these considerations1 ,i cannot1 ,i confess1 perfectly concur with my late beloved friend in the measure under contemplation4 ,no doubt he was fully satisfied in his own mind of the propriety of the step on which he had determined1 and that the accomplishment of it was in accordance with the path of duty and the order of ,providence4 ,but let ,mr4 ,mortimer speak for himself4 ,four1 out of the five following letters1 touch more or less upon the subject1 and explain his views of the measure and of the desirableness of it4 ,in the dark view taken in some of these letters of the prospects of his native country1 the writer of them by no means stood alone2 and though commerce seems to have recovered itself1 and the prosperity of the nation has assumed a more promising aspect1 yet the encouragement given to ,popery by the ,state on the one hand1 and the movement in the church towards the increase of its ranks1 and the augmentation of its influence on the other2 the unmanageable state of pauperism1 and the ungovernable1 and1 ,i fear1 to any considerable extent1 the unimprovable condition of the peasantry and the poor of our great cities1 cannot be contemplated by the ,christian patriot without fear1 alarm1 and consternation4 ,we are evidently in the state of a volcano1 and everything seems to indicate a no very distant eruption1 which may rase the foundations of the ,church and ,state1 and scatter misery and wretchedness1 rapine and bloodshed1 murder and destruction1 over the face of the land4 ,the elements of some general convulsion are preparing with a rapid progress2 and awful1 it is to be feared1 will be the catastrophe1 if1 by timely repentance1 the blow which threatens us1 and which undoubtedly we deserve1 be not averted4 #afd ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,hutton1 near ,cross1 ,somersetshire1 ,nov4 #ahcj4 ,my dear ,armstrong1 ,i ,,do indeed feel myself much obliged to you for kindly breaking through the impediments which my lengthened silence put in the way of our renewed intercourse4 ,i often reproached myself for not writing2 and yet there seemed such an awkwardness in recommencing1 that ,i fear ,i should never have had courage to combat with it4 ,but your truly welcome letter has opened my way1 and ,i most gladly avail myself of the unexpected facility4 ,but before ,i proceed to other matters1 ,i ought to assure you that yours is not any personal or any peculiar or isolated case4 ,all my friends1 and even relatives1 are successively neglected2 and if it were not that so many of them are touched with a similar feeling of kindness with yourself1 and ever and anon renew the needful impulse1 ,i should soon be forsaken by them all1 and find myself1 what ,i so richly deserve1 8a desolate old man40 ,all your topics of communication cheer me4 ,i truly rejoice with you in the erection of the church4 ,it was a noble emprise1 characteristic of my endeared friend1 and peculiarly owned and blessed of his ,god2 of its extent of good1 eternity will alone unfold4 ,your account also of your dear children was read by me with much interest1 and with real gratitude4 ,how faithful is ,god4 ,in the spirit of the ,levite you have thrown up your inheritance among your brethren4 ,and some of us1 not sufficiently aware of the nature or extent of your faith1 and but little called to tread in similar paths1 were inwardly dreading some disastrous shock4 ,but the whirlwind1 the earthquake1 and the fire1 were only the creatures of our own imagination2 while all that is real is 8the still small voice0 of our ,god1 proclaiming1 as is usual with him1 to those who can trust him1 his goodness1 and his love4 ,may the same goodness attend all the other branches of your dear family4 ,and may you and your beloved wife be long spared to them1 to the church1 and the world4 ,i know your friendly feeling would prompt you to enquire respecting our several movements4 ,but where shall ,i begin8 ,all is and all has been well with us2 and yet much has been transpiring which we little anticipated4 ,the calls of our family have induced struggling and self-denial4 ,my curate could not be retained4 ,the tutor for my children1 when he left for college1 has not been replaced4 ,first1 his duties devolved on me2 then the extra care of three pupils4 ,removing1 too1 has been attended with loss4 ,and various other matters have all been tending toward the same point4 ,but still ,i would reiterate the declaration--all is and has been well with us4 ,to some spirits1 struggling and difficulty is absolutely necessary4 ,like stagnant waters1 they must be shaken1 or they will acquire the evils consequent on inactivity4 ,i have for some years past been endeavouring to feel my way as to a settlement in one of our colonies2 having little expectation of being able to settle my children at all advantageously in ,england4 ,all ,i wished for was something in the shape of ministerial duty1 without much regard to the emolument1 but as a kind of satisfaction that ,i was not going out of the way of usefulness4 ,but my inquiries were fruitless4 ,indeed my friends were not over anxious about my success4 ,they mostly inclined to my remaining in ,england2 and therefore did not1 ,i believe1 at all exert themselves4 ,now ,i begin to fancy that ,i am getting too old for such an experiment4 ,though possibly should anything desirable present itself1 ,i should not wonder at my old feelings reviving4 ,but ,i should not now be tempted1 ,i think1 with anything short of a chaplaincy2 and these are so far from being come-at-able1 that ,i consider my emigrating schemes as at an end4 ,my views1 however1 with regard to my own country are still the same4 ,i was never a national croaker2 and have1 ,i think1 always been disposed to look at the bright side4 ,still ,i can anticipate nothing but rapidly increasing distress1 and not very far distant ruin4 ,and this has almost invariably been the case with great commercial nations4 ,the influx of extraneous wealth1 producing such increase of population1 and such extent of luxury1 and when these arrive at a certain point1 other countries1 other markets1 successfully compete1 and eventually surpass4 ,at one of these points we are already arrived1 and the retrograde impulse is beginning to be most painfully felt4 ,all classes1 indeed1 are much suffering at present2 and had it not pleased ,god to have given us a popular king and a most plenteous harvest1 it is most generally believed that a revolution would ere this have taken place4 ,many1 ,i know1 are still dreading it4 ,a letter which ,i received but a few days since from a ,general1 a father of one of my pupils1 is strongly expressive of the feelings which still prevail in the metropolis4 ,to add to other causes of apprehension1 we have just received the account of the resignation of the ,wellington ministry4 ,all is indeed perplexity4 ,but still the ,lord ,omnipotent reigneth2 all is in his hands4 ,and possibly what we are dreading is only the small cloud of needless apprehension1 which will either soon blow over1 or only discharge itself in unexpected and undeserved mercies4 ,but why should ,i allude to public events2 for1 with letters from your friends1 you receive1 no doubt1 a budget of the public papers1 which bring all these matters before you in all their diversified aspects and bearings4 ,as to my ministerial employments1 ,i feel on the whole comfortably engaged4 ,my sphere is but small2 and my success not very apparent2 and yet circumstances seem to require my continuance2 nor does any moving of the cloud point out any other place4 ,i therefore go labouring on2 and should it please ,god to fix me eventually in some other situation1 ,i shall find all the benefit from my past exertion2 for ,i make a point of preparing one new sermon every week4 ,mrs4 ,g4 ,m4 unites with me in very kindest remembrance to yourself and dear ,mrs4 ,a4 ,and ,i remain1 my much endeared ,friend1 ,yours1 ever sincerely1 ,g4 ,m4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,cooper4 ,hutton1 ,january1 #ahca4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,i ,,am much obliged by your kind and prompt communication respecting the removal of poor ,mr4 ,burton1 your vicar4 ,i am afraid it will prove the precursor of many difficulties1 both with regard to yourself and beloved ,madeley4 ,we must look1 however1 beyond these probable perplexities with that steady eye of faith on the promises and perfections of our ever faithful ,god1 which shall enable us not only eventually1 but at each successive movement1 to feel the grateful persuasion that all is well4 ,i hear from ,mrs4 ,d4 ,w--1 that ,mr4 ,b-- gives her some encouragement to hope that your continuance there is more than probable4 ,should any aid be required under such an arrangement1 ,i shall be happy to continue the #aj yearly which ,i have already devoted to this object1 and ,i beg you will not feel the least scruple in the transfer4 ,i have been1 with much contrivance1 plotting an arrangement for you in conjunction with myself and ,mr4 ,h--1 but one or two matters would not1 ,i fear1 fall in with your wishes1 and therefore ,i have let this slip4 ,i have written however to a dear friend to be on the look out for you1 and shall try to call in other aid1 as well as keep an observant eye myself4 ,i feel persuaded that mercy is still in reserve for my much endeared friend4 ,mrs4 ,m-- unites with me in very kindest regards to yourself1 ,mrs4 ,c--1 and your family1 and ,i remain1 ,yours1 ever affectionately1 ,g4 ,,mortimer4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,cooper4 ,hutton1 ,aug4 #i1 #ahca4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,i ,,did1 indeed1 intimate to ,miss ,p4 my intention to write to you at an early opportunity1 and ,i am quite ashamed and sorry that ,i should have delayed doing this so long4 ,your very kind and most interesting letter1 received a few days since1 has not only opened my eyes1 but warmed my heart2 and1 even were ,i disposed any longer to postpone1 ,i should find it somewhat difficult to do it4 ,i do1 indeed1 most sincerely rejoice with you in all the goodness and mercy which have attended you during your residence in ,madeley4 ,you kindly and delicately suppose that the incipient attentions showed you1 on your first going there1 were in some measure from their kindly feelings towards myself4 ,possibly1 the glowing descriptions of a friend might have prepared the minds of many for expectation1 and have procured for you the more than ordinary courtesies of introduction4 ,but such expectations would have terminated in all the vexation of contrast1 had there not been that suitableness in my dear friend which ,i had supposed1 and which the parishioners were in no way backward to discover4 ,it is with much gratitude to our ,god and ,saviour that ,i look back on the whole of the past transaction3 the circumstances which seemed indispensably to require my own separation from the dear people of ,madeley2 their hopelessness respecting a suitable successor2 your willingness to accept the charge2 the kind vicar's willing consent2 and the long interval of reciprocal endearment which has since been experienced--one so cordial1 and so thorough 99 99 99 and1 surely1 that most munificent and touching act of their kindly feeling and high respect which they showed you on your departure1 is no small proof of the accuracy of my supposition4 8,hitherto hath the ,lord helped me10 may be the encouraging motto of my friend4 ,and greatly will it rejoice me to hear that in his new1 and yet more extensive sphere of labour1 the same distinguishing mercy from on high attends him3 you go accompanied with many prayers1 and encouraged with many a cheering recollection of the past2 and1 what is more comforting1 ,i will freely acknowledge1 to my own mind1 you go onward with a humble sense of your own nothingness2 surprised at the results of mercy which you see2 pausing1 not in self-congratulation1 but in lowly gratitude1 to survey and express them4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,the account which you give of the new vicar is very encouraging1 and answers1 in all respects1 to the other testimonies which have reached me4 ,the times seem peculiarly perilous1 both politically and ecclesiastically2 though ,i was never given to 8croak10 yet ,i cannot but feel that we are on the eve of danger4 ,god only can avert it1 and in ,him is my hope2 but out of ,him everything seems gloomy and foreboding4 ,could my dear wife see and feel with myself1 ,i think it probable1 that ,i should make some effort to escape from all this stormy wind and tempest1 to some one or other of our colonial shores1 and there endeavour to establish my family under more auspicious promises than those afforded by our native land3 for the mercantile day of ,england has long been declining1 and with our increasing population no very cheering prospects can be cherished4 #aga ,my way1 however1 is not yet clear2 and till my path is opened1 ,i feel no desire to proceed4 ,with your own large family1 thoughts of the future will no doubt1 at times1 be attempting anxiously to intrude4 ,but ,i know full well the accustomed sobriety of your mind1 and can easily imagine how quietly and peacefully you leave these bewildering anticipations with ,him who has encouraged us to cast all our care upon ,himself4 ,in this1 as in other respects1 may ,i ever be endeavouring to follow you4 ,we are truly glad to hear of ,mrs4 ,c4's amended health1 and of the comfort which you have in your residence and situation4 ,it seems1 indeed1 in all respects1 the very place for you1 and long may you and your beloved wife be spared to reside among them4 ,our united and very kind regards attend you both1 and all the members of your dear family4 ,believe me ever to remain1 ,your very sincerely attached1 ,g4 ,m4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,cooper4 ,hutton1 ,march #f1 #ahcb4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,i ,,believe you are almost the only one to whom this peculiar and endearing appellation is considered by me as truly belonging1 who has not as yet been made acquainted with my intended movements4 ,had it been at all practicable1 ,i should have taken you in my way1 in my late lengthened tour to ,hull1 ,raithby1 and ,london2 but circumstances would not then admit this1 and ,i cannot now indulge the hope4 ,a similar tour1 about eight years since1 found you in ,liverpool1 and my residence in ,shropshire2 and then ,i was permitted to enjoy with you a few hours4 ,but much as my spirit has always been refreshed with the pleasing and profitable intercourse with yourself1 a few hours lately would have been particularly valued by me2 for ,i know not whether such may ever again1 in this world1 be afforded me2 my late tour having been a leave-taking visit previous to my finally leaving this country for ,ohio4 ,i know not what your views may be on the subject of emigration1 for ,i do not recollect to have touched upon it in any of our conversations4 ,my own mind1 however1 has1 for many years past1 been directed towards it1 and ,i have only been waiting for the most eligible opportunity of putting my plans into execution4 ,my three sons go with me in the first instance1 and in a few months after1 my dear wife and three daughters4 ,our mutual friend1 the ,rev4 ,josiah ,pratt1 has written to ,bishops ,chase and ,mc,ilvaine1 about ministerial employment1 and ,i expect to hear from them soon4 ,but1 ,i understand1 there is a great want of ,episcopalian ministers throughout the ,united ,states2 they are1 therefore1 gladly welcomed1 and handsomely supported1 so that ,i have no grounds to fear in this respect4 ,the climate also of the ,state1 to which ,i am intending to proceed1 is considered as very fine and healthy1 and living is little more than one half of what it is even in country places here4 ,in addition to these advantages1 ,i hope1 with ,god's blessing1 to find remunerating employment1 and suitable settlement for my children--a matter which has been long perplexing me1 and of which there is certainly no prospect in this country4 ,i had intended at first to have made an extensive purchase of uncultivated land1 which1 in the inland ,states1 is selling for two or three dollars an acre2 but this plan ,i have relinquished2 for my ministerial avocations1 and the settlement of my children1 together with the enjoyment of suitable society1 were hardly compatible with a situation surrounded by uncultivated districts4 ,i am thinking of sailing from ,liverpool1 in preference to ,bristol1 as ,i hear that the accommodations are much superior1 and the time of sailing more certain4 ,do you know any friend there to whom you could obligingly write yourself1 or recommend to me to apply to1 who would be so good as1 first to make enquiries about the packets1 and finally bargain for me8 ,i wish to sail as soon as ,i can after ,easter-day1 ,april #bb2 and ,i want five cabin places1 for myself1 three sons1 and a pupil1 or proteg4 ,during your residence in the vicinity of ,liverpool you may1 probably1 have become acquainted with some persons now resident in ,america1 to whom an introduction might prove to me of considerable service4 ,it is1 indeed1 held forth as the land of liberty1 prosperity1 and religion2 but there is no place in which we shall not find the need of friends2 and1 especially1 will they be valuable in a strange land4 ,if1 then1 you could obligingly help me in this matter1 ,i should feel much indebted to you4 ,i am particularly desirous of getting my books exempted from duty1 if ,i possibly could4 ,i have diminished these1 with many a shrinking feeling1 to about one-third of their number2 but1 even now1 there are four hundred weight1 and the duty is one shilling and three pence per pound1 on bound volumes1 the chief of which mine are4 ,books are1 in fact1 my implements of trade2 almost all of them either ministerial or scholastic2 and as the common artisan is permitted to take his tools1 why should not the minister and tutor his8 ,perhaps1 the justness of this would be allowed on our arrival at ,new ,york1 if ,i could be put in the way of obtaining it4 ,strange and startling1 perhaps1 as my projected movements may seem to you on their announcement1 ,i shall not venture to ask you whether revolving months or years may induce my ,madeley successor to follow my steps4 ,unprepared1 however1 as he may be1 at present1 for such a scheme1 even in imagination1 it would be no matter of surprise to me1 should he1 ere long1 be as fully persuaded as myself of its expediency4 ,beneficed clergymen1 who have charges they cannot without much cost1 either of feeling1 or temporal sacrifice1 detach themselves from1 may see it their bounden duty to remain2 those1 also1 who have connexions which may help to settle their children in after life1 or those who have only one or two children to provide for--these may still linger in their once prosperous1 and ever endeared country2 but the unbeneficed--unpatronized heads of large families must1 ,i fear1 sooner or later decamp4 8,our hive0 7as our mutual friend ,mr4 ,pratt1 observed to me7 8is too full1 and we must lead out our respective swarms40 ,but may the ,god of providence and grace ever guide us1 and1 wherever we either go or remain1 may ,he both 8bless us1 and make us a blessing40 ,our very kindest love attends yourself1 dear ,mrs4 ,c41 and your family1 and ,i remain1 ,my dear ,friend1 ,yours1 ever sincerely1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,cooper4 ,hutton1 ,june #f1 #ahcb4 ,my endeared ,friend1 ,i ,,leave ,hutton to day for ,bristol1 and expect to go on board the brig ,active for ,new ,york1 to-morrow2 and1 as my only remaining means of communication1 ,i take up my pen to bid you adieu4 ,had ,i sailed from ,liverpool1 as ,i was once intending1 ,i should certainly have endeavoured to have spent a few hours with yourself and family2 but the expenses of travelling and of conveying luggage so far across the country1 together with the higher charges in the ,liverpool vessels1 obliged me to consult my purse rather than my feelings2 and ,i am persuaded that my endeared friend will not be the first to censure me4 ,we are now proceeding to ,upper ,canada by the way of the ,united ,states2 and though the climate is somewhat colder in winter1 and hotter in summer1 than our own1 it is considered as very fine and healthy4 ,to myself also it has this no small recommendation1 that it is under ,british ,government1 and is principally inhabited by ,british settlers4 ,i have used all endeavours to procure ministerial employment there1 but as yet in vain4 ,our present leading men are too liberal to give support to any religious object2 and the ,canada company prefer the recommendations which arise from local knowledge and representations4 ,but on this latter account1 ,i still hope1 that when ,i arrive there1 ,i shall not be long before ,i hear of some situation or other in which ,i may be usefully employed4 ,some desirable introductions to residents have been kindly afforded me4 ,the want of religious instruction is almost the only drawback from the ,canadas4 ,in many instances persons are thirty or forty miles from a place of worship4 ,this1 however1 is no small call on the superabundant labourers among ourselves2 and ,i do expect1 that ere long this call will be fully regarded4 ,and now my endeared friend1 what shall ,i say as to all the comfort--the unmixed satisfaction--which1 for so many years1 ,i have been permitted to enjoy in our occasional intercourse8 ,to our gracious and faithful ,redeemer let us give all the praise6 ,and may we ever be looking forward to the time1 when the friendship of earth shall be followed by the blissful and never terminating enjoyments of heaven4 ,mrs4 ,g4 ,m4 begs to be united with me in kindest remembrances to yourself1 ,mrs4 ,c41 and family1 and ,i remain1 my endeared ,friend1 ,yours1 ever sincerely1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,mr4 ,mortimer and his three sons set sail on the #aath of ,june1 #ahcb4 ,he gave an account of his passage to ,america1 of his reception in ,canada1 and of his first impressions and expectations there1 in the following letters to ,mrs4 ,mortimer4 ,,to ,,mrs4 ,,mortimer4 ,aug4 #f1 #bjj miles from a ,port4 ,,june #abth1 ,tuesday1 #i o'clock4 ,driven from the cabin by disposition to sickness1 ,i write on deck on one of the hen coops4 ,last night all of us fell giddy and beginning to be squeamish--took the brandy in sips and all were immediately relieved4--,herbert also lost his head-ach4 ,our nightly abode was1 ,i confess1 an uninviting concern4 ,when ,i lay down ,i seemed as though ,i should be suffocated and was obliged to rise up in haste1 but soon got reconciled1 and managed1 at last1 to get off and slept pretty well till five4 ,the wind has been favourable ever since we sailed1 the captain in good spirits1 nothing could be better4 ,at nine1 yesterday evening1 we cast anchor2 the captain1 in consequence of the haziness of the weather1 being afraid of proceeding1 lest1 not being in open sea1 he should run foul of land2 we resumed operations1 however1 between two and three4 ,the ship remaining stationary was the cause of the close and confined sensations which we had on getting into our berths at night2 for when the vessel is in motion there is no want of fresh air and no feeling of oppression4 ,i am again1 my dearest ,mary1 on deck4 ,i have just been humming over three or four times my favourite verse1 8,o may ,i ne'er forget1 ,the goodness of the ,lord2 ,nor ever want a tongue to spread1 ,his loudest praise abroad40 ,ah6 we called upon him in our trouble1 and he hath delivered us out of our distress3 we could1 therefore1 8praise the ,lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works which he showeth to the children of men40 ,i had scarcely finished writing the contents of the first side of my sheet1 when the wind began to veer round1 and blowing from the west with great violence1 the ship heaved and rolled to such a degree1 that the whole of the passengers1 without exception1 were taken so suddenly and so distressingly ill1 that they were obliged to dash1 as quickly as possible1 to their beds--no time for undressing1 and none1 of course1 for arranging our little alleviations and preventives against sickness4 ,our party were all differently affected1 but all suffered much for about twelve hours4 ,arthur was quite unconscious of what he did--,cecil occasionally incoherent--,herbert very quiet1 but at times greatly suffering4 ,indeed1 ,i had serious thoughts1 whether we should ever recover2 but ,i lay musing1 and praying1 and casting the weight of my oppressed spirits on my covenant ,god in ,christ ,jesus1 and soon had a most blessed state of peace4 ,sunday1 ,june #ag1 #ab noon4 ,we have just had service on deck--an interesting scene1 and seemingly not unacceptable to the auditors1 who1 in pleasing and attentive groups1 were lying1 or rather sitting1 round me4 ,we had three or four good singers4 ,hymn1 8,god moves in a mysterious way40 ,text1 ,gen4 xii4 #a4 ,the deck presents quite a ,sabbath scene1 most of the men either reading or quietly sitting4 ,god openly honoured4 ,wind greatly against us1 out nearly a week and only #bjj or #cjj miles from land2 but ,i have no restlessness1 indeed scarcely a wish2 peace more than usual4 ,on deck we fared but badly1 the spray besprinkled most in their turn4 ,one wave1 more unmannerly than the rest1 drenched the mate1 soaked the captain1 and soused myself and ,cecil and ,herbert4 ,we shook ourselves as well as we could1 and sat quietly till we were dry4 ,the mate says he has been thirty-one voyages and4 never knew such rough weather at this season of the year4 ,in the evening1 all was calm and we ate in quietness1 and with good appetite1 a meat supper1 followed by biscuit and cheese1 and supported by our good bottled porter4 ,,to ,,mrs4 ,,mortimer4 ,brig ,active1 ,august #ac1 #ahcb4 ,,this day week1 ,i forwarded to you by the ship ,science1 ,greenock1 three letters1 written at different times during our voyage4 ,after reading my third it seemed so vapid and uninteresting that ,i determined to discontinue my journal1 and1 of course1 my extracts from it2 for1 though many things seem interesting to us in our isolated and pent-up situation1 yet1 when soberly reviewed1 they amount to a mere nothing4 ,as1 however1 we are now approaching the shore1 ,i am desirous of having a letter nearly finished that ,i may forward it as soon as possible after our arrival1 should it please ,god to permit us to reach the much longed-for shore4 ,the last week has been one of much anxiety and perplexity to most of the passengers4 ,the ship we spoke with told us we were out in our reckoning1 and this communication proved but too true4 ,we thought we were within #bjj miles of land1 but it then appeared we were distant between #ejj and #fjj4 ,our provisions and our water had already begun to fail1 and many on board had been reduced to very short allowance4 ,judge1 then1 of the feelings which prevailed when our actual distance was ascertained4 ,the ,science1 indeed1 spared us half a barrel of flour1 but what was this for our increasing necessities8 ,the privations1 therefore1 have daily become greater1 and1 to such a degree has murmuring and dissatisfaction prevailed1 that a mutiny by many is daily expected4 ,the ,lord1 however1 is in this1 as in everything else1 the all-sufficient ,god1 and he will still continue to protect and to bless us4 ,and1 indeed1 since ,i last wrote to you1 we have had many and most striking instances of his watchful and paternal care4 ,on one occasion we were exposed to the most terrific storm of thunder and lightning1 which we had ever witnessed1 and its nearness was so great1 that we appeared in immediate danger of being shattered to pieces4 ,upon the most accurate calculation1 it was at one time only a quarter of a mile distant1 and if it had actually passed over our vessel1 loaded so extensively with iron1 the consequences would1 in all probability1 have been fatal to us all4 ,during the last week we fell in with the fog1 and one of the ,west ,india ,island hurricanes1 terrific and awful beyond previous conception3 it must be witnessed to be fully understood4 ,towards its close ,i ventured upon deck1 and truly thankful was ,i to learn that no damage had been sustained1 no mast shattered1 not a single leak sprung4 ,some1 indeed1 attributed this to the tightness and excellence of our fine little vessel1 overlooking the goodness and faithfulness of our ,god4 ,ah1 how it grieves me to the heart to see the loving-kindness of our ,god so generally lavished upon us in vain6 ,but the confinement of a ship calls into exercise almost every latent quality of the mind2 the secrets of hearts are indeed most fully revealed1 though the exhibition is by no means gratifying4 ,in many respects1 however1 it is useful1 and ,i feel very thankful for it as it regards our little party4 ,habits and dispositions have unfolded of which ,i had scarcely the least idea1 but which discovery will materially influence me as to the steps which should be taken in reference to my future movements and the eventual disposal of my children4 ,we are now1 ,i believe1 about #ajj miles from land1 and it is well that we are no more2 for most of our comforts have failed us in the cabin1 and we are brought under allowance as to water1 and they speak of this as to other provisions2 so that we manage1 as you may suppose1 but badly2 and were we to continue much longer in our present state1 ,i fear that our health would materially and even permanently suffer4 ,but we make the most of what remains1 and keep cheering ourselves with the hope that it will not be for long3 the wind1 however1 is far from favourable1 and we proceed with great slowness4 ,nine weeks to-day have we been out at sea--,i should rather say1 since we set sail--and few calculated upon a longer time than five or six weeks2 so that it is not surprising many among us are beginning to suffer4 ,but1 as ,i mentioned1 hope sustains us1 and the ,god of love and mercy will1 in his own good time1 extricate us out of all our troubles4 ,delaware ,river1 ,august1 #ahcb4 ,,we are at length1 dearest ,mary1 through the good providence of ,god1 brought about midway up the river on which the city of ,philadelphia stands2 but1 in consequence of the cholera still prevailing there1 we shall be obliged to perform a short quarantine of two or three days in a place about twelve miles on this side of it1 and after that we may possibly be detained1 previous to our passing the ,custom ,house1 for a day or two longer4 ,in less than a week1 however1 from the present time we are hoping to proceed to ,new ,york1 and thence on our ,canada journey4 ,like the great ,apostle we should thank ,god and take courage4 ,many have been his tender mercies towards us1 and ,i feel a calm and blessed power to resign all the future into his hands4 ,we have just passed a most beautiful village 7,newcastle71 built completely in the ,english style2 but everything now is so fresh and novel that we view it with tenfold interest4 ,we are all1 thank ,god1 in very good health1 and the cholera has considerably abated at ,new ,york4 ,i should hope we are running no risk in proceeding in our intended line1 and1 indeed1 no prudence would be any sufficient safeguard1 for ,i hear that it has spread to very many of the surrounding places1 and therefore there is no possibility of getting entirely out of its way2 but that ,god1 who directed our steps through the ,united ,states1 will1 ,i am confident1 preserve us4 ,i have been reading twice with great attention a small work of ,dr4 ,granville1 which has thrown great light upon my mind1 both as to the origin1 treatment1 and prevention of the disease4 ,it was given by ,mr4 ,grant to ,arthur1 and ,i consider it quite providential that it was thrown in my way4 ,philadelphia1 ,august #bb4 ,,and so1 my ,mary1 through the mercy of my ,god1 we are brought at length to the long-wished-for shore1 and the thrilling feelings of pleasure which we experienced as we stepped once more on land were half delirious--it seemed scarcely a reality4 ,in a short time1 however1 the delirium of joy subsided into a most delightful state of peaceful gratitude4 ,we came here yesterday afternoon1 and soon began to reconnoitre2 passing from street to street in rapid succession1 and for the first time since ,i left ,england ,i was thoroughly tired1 but at the cost of my poor bleeding toes1 which were so sore that ,i could hardly put on my shoes1 but on they went1 and a little after five ,i awoke our party to proceed on fresh adventures4 ,the first exploit was in the captain's boat1 which he kindly lent to us1 and a fine rowing we had across the ,delaware to a small island near the ,state of ,new ,jersey1 where three of the young people enjoyed a most delightful bath4 ,on our return to breakfast such a scene of rapacity was exhibited as would have astonished even an indulgent and ever apologetic mother4 ,the captain had previously talked of a good blowing out1 but now we experienced it4 ,your half-famished eldest son has1 ,i think1 taken precedence1 but we were none of us far behind him1 with such relish did we apply to the abundant and novel and delicious fare which was set before us4 ,,to ,,mrs4 ,,mortimer4 ,york1 ,upper ,canada1 ,sept4 #ba1 #ahcb4 ,,nothing as yet has been determined respecting myself4 ,the bishop was absent on a long tour of visitation1 but ,i obtained a letter of introduction to ,archdeacon ,strachan1 through ,captain ,fitzgibbon2 and ,his ,excellency the ,lieutenant-,governor1 ,sir ,john ,colborne1 having heard of my arrival1 expressed a wish that ,i do wait upon him4 ,both he and the archdeacon behaved with great kindness1 and mentioned places which they thought desirable2 but ,i wait for the advice of the bishop1 to whom ,i have written on the subject4 ,i am disposed1 however1 to fix on ,hamilton1 a rising village near ,ancaster1 beautifully situated1 and bidding fair to become the third town in the province1 ,york and ,kingston only taking precedence4 ,no church1 indeed1 is as yet built--service is performed1 in the ,court ,house--but one is fixed on4 ,my salary will be #ajj sterling1 a rectory house1 forty acres of cleared land1 besides some--,i forget the quantity--uncleared1 and the sum ,i may obtain by letting the pews4 ,the ,governor and his lady are both truly pious4 ,i dined with them on ,tuesday and spent a most pleasant evening4 ,the archdeacon is uncommonly friendly2 our whole party took tea with him on ,saturday evening1 and ,i have called on him since4 ,,to ,,mrs4 ,,mortimer4 ,thornhill1 near ,york1 ,oct4 #h1 #ahcb4 ,i ,,do not wish to raise your expectations in any improper way1 but ,i still think ,i ought in justice to say1 that ,i think you will be tolerably pleased with the situation in which ,i have been led to settle4 ,there is1 indeed1 no fixed salary1 and perhaps nothing beyond #dj or #ej--the sum given by the congregation--may be obtained by me4 ,but the ,bishop and ,governor both expect that ,i shall receive from the clergy reserves #ajj more1 and1 if so1 this #aej will be very fair4 ,as to the distance 7only thirteen miles from ,york7 it has a decided preference over ,hutton1 and the society is in my estimation far superior1 and mostly ,english4 ,the church is small1 but the attendance good1 far more than the ,hutton average4 ,they appear also quite pleased with my coming1 as my predecessor1 though a learned man and a great orientalist1 had no aptness for parochial engagements4 ,i forgot to mention that the spot and neighbourhood is considered most healthy4 ,if the young folks are desirous of seeing their future location1 they may look into a map of ,canada1 and they will see a road leading from ,york to ,simcoe ,lake1 directly north2 this is called1 ,george ,street ,road1 each side of which is cleared for the space of two or three fields4 ,it is on this road that ,thornhill is situated4 ,i intimated in my last letter that ,i had some thoughts of building a house to be ready to receive you on your arrival1 but you will be glad to hear1 that ,i have entirely given up all idea of it2 it never will do1 at least for me1 and therefore ,i have made my continuance here depend on the trustees of ,thornhill ,church1 allowing me #dj or #ej per annum1 and their providing me at a moderate rate a house suitable for my family1 some time before the #ajth of ,june next1 #ahcc1 at which time1 through ,god's blessing1 ,i hope to see you all here4 ,and surely he will preserve you2 not a box1 or package1 or anything has been lost1 everything brought safe over the perilous ocean and the intervening space1 and shall not the same faithful ,god of love preserve my ,mary and all her accompanying charge8 ,i will1 therefore1 trust1 and not be afraid4 ,i received a message from the ,governor last night1 in which he tells me1 ,i may depend on having the #ajj he mentioned to me4 ,he is peculiarly kind and a great blessing to the province4 ,the people seem very desirous of detaining me2 ,messrs4 -- assure me that some house sufficiently large shall be provided4 ,,to ,,mrs4 ,,mortimer4 ,thornhill1 near ,york1 ,nov4 #d1 #ahcb4 ,,to-,,day1 dearest ,mary1 when ,i arose1 ,i found the first snow lying on the ground1 and1 as the thermometer now indicates1 that we are fast approaching our ,canadian winter4 ,i have staid at home to-day to get matters more fully in order1 that ,i may meet it as pleasantly as ,i can4 ,a few days previously ,i quitted my cold1 smoky sitting room1 and took up my quarters in my favourite bed room1 removing into it my books1 boxes1 and in fact everything1 except the chairs and one table1 which ,i have left below to receive company when they shall honour me with their visits2 which1 in spite of my bachelorship1 and the non-attractions of my place1 they feel themselves bound in courtesy to do4 ,think not1 however1 that ,i freeze my visitors1 for ,i too well remember the cold rooms into which ,i have been ushered myself1 while in ,england4 ,mrs4 ,crosby1 therefore1 has received a strict charge to keep up a fire from ten to five1 and when visitors are expected a semi-mountain of logs is added to the pile4 ,my bed room has been greatly improved by nailing up three of the bedding wrappers 7and which1 for the purpose1 ,i found a most invaluable treasure71 against three of the windows1 so as to exclude all the searching1 piercing1 cold winds and air1 which1 ,i hear1 penetrates so bleakly when the winter fully sets in2 for this aforesaid bed room of mine has no fewer than four windows2 for the ,canadians1 not being taxed for their lights1 think they can never have enough1 and hence we are broiled in summer and frozen in winter1 as the concomitants of our delectable liberty4 ,i have now1 therefore1 as you will perceive1 only one window remaining2 but this is quite enough1 and you would join me in my conclusion had you to-day seen the snow forcing its way by some unaccountable means through some imperceptible apertures1 so as quite to wet some clothes which for a few minutes ,i had incautiously placed under the window4 ,my removal to the bed room was the day before yesterday1 and the two last nights were the only two in which ,i slept comfortably4 ,i got an extra blanket that was of no perceptible benefit2 a second counterpane was added to the weight of the superincumbent clothes1 but not apparently to the warmth3 ,i then slept in a pair of silk stockings2 but these also1 though the best of all my auxiliaries1 were not adequate1 and ,i was therefore obliged to put over these a pair of my worsted warm socks2 but even then ,i had a chilly feeling towards morning4 ,since1 however1 ,i have been sitting constantly in my room1 and have had a fire there1 and a good one too1 all the day long1 lighted before ,i rise1 and left burning with renewed logs when ,i go to rest3 with all these helps and adjuncts ,i do now exceedingly well1 but what ,i shall do in the real winter ,i know not4 ,now the thermometer is not lower than #bj or #be below freezing point in the night1 but then it is frequently #aj or #ab below zero1 and once last year it was #bi below it4 ,perhaps ,i shall have recourse to the ,russian fashion1 and sleep with the feather bed over me1 or between the blankets1 but even then1 poor nosey and its neighbours will receive no benefit1 and the gentlemen1 ,i suppose1 will complain of the injustice done to them1 while all the other parts are so cozy1 and they are left to bounce against the icy formations produced by the moisture from the breath2 but1 as little ,herbert would say1 we must breathe1 and so poor nosey and company must take their chance4 ,i think ,i have not1 as yet1 alluded to one of the chief ,canadian annoyances1 the amazing prevalence of the house fly4 ,all places swarm with them1 and the most respectable persons1 who feel the annoyance greatly1 quite despair of getting rid of them4 ,in a few days1 however1 ,i effected a clearance1 and afterwards only a comparatively few stragglers made their appearance1 which were daily removed2 and this must be done1 if you would have any comfort4 ,i took up a volume in boards at a lady's here1 which had been lying on its side on the shelves1 and when ,i touched it it was so rough with the abundance of their excrement1 that ,i wondered what kind of excrement it was covered with1 till ,i examined and discovered the cause of the evil4 ,gauze or muslin covers most of their things1 but as to the mass of them1 they are filthy beyond endurance2 and then the creatures keep buzzing about you incessantly1 and keep you in a continual fidget with their intolerable tickling4 ,then1 again1 they almost cover your plate while you are eating1 and as to indulging in a siesta1 that is impossible4 ,if a loaf of bread is left uncovered a short space1 its surface is so eaten as to appear quite grated2 and all other articles are laid by them under similar contribution1 though it may not be quite so discernible4 ,i guess that my ,mary will be equally zealous with myself in attempting this clearance4 ,mr4 -- has just been here2 he is one of the trustees of ,thornhill ,church4 ,to him and his associates the ,governor has this day made over #fjj acres for the use and benefit of the minister out of the clergy reserves4 ,these they will perhaps exchange for half the number of acres near the church1 situated on the ,george ,street ,road1 and when the exchange shall be effected1 they will proceed with the house4 ,you have heard about the long and still unsettled disputes about the ,clergy ,reserves4 ,in ,mr4 ,pitt's administration1 a certain portion of the land was reserved for the clergy in each township2 but the ,presbyterians of the ,scotch ,church and the other denominations have lately put in their claim1 and since the litigation commenced1 nothing has been done1 no lands1 in any case here1 ,i believe1 have been assigned4 ,his ,excellency wrote to ,lord ,goderich1 and has just obtained from him permission to assign lands to such clergy as at present are just being fixed in their respective districts4 ,sir ,john is now acting upon this permission2 some lands belonging to the clergy reserves have been sold to form a fund1 in hand1 and out of this he builds the parsonage house4 ,we are much indebted to the ,governor1 ,sir ,john ,colborne1 for his perseverance1 without which no adequate provision for ministers of our church could have been made1 for none of our congregations would hear a word about contributions as long as there was a chance of the clergy reserves being obtained4 ,oh1 how glad ,i am1 my ,mary1 we came here1 instead of going to the ,united ,states1 and that the good providence of ,god directed us to this country4 ,depend upon it1 we shall never regret the step we have taken1 every day convinces me of its expediency1 in every point of view4 ,may the same ,god of love who brought us safe and directed us1 as the pioneers of our little party1 bless1 preserve1 and keep those that remain1 and bring you through every perplexity and trial to this land of his peculiar smile4 ,,to ,,mrs4 ,,mortimer4 ,thornhill1 ,nov4 #h1 #ahcb4 ,i have for the last two or three weeks been expecting another letter from ,locking1 and supposing that it would contain various things which ,i should like to touch upon in reply2 but1 as the roads keep me at home for a day or two1 ,i am unwilling to let this state of leisure pass by4 ,yesterday1 ,i returned from ,york1 having been conveyed there and back by the kindness of a lady in this place1 the weather just held up for the time4 ,had we been a day later it would have been terrific work1 but ,i live in hopes his ,excellency the ,governor will mend the great north road on which ,thornhill stands4 ,sir ,john has commenced operations both in the town and neighbourhood of ,york1 and his success there encourages hope in this1 though the sum to be raised for the purpose is #bj1jjj4 ,my reception among the great in ,york was gratifying--the condescension and kindness of all parties quite surprises me4 ,my abode was at the hospitable bishop's1 who in this1 as well as in all other respects1 is a truly ,christian bishop3 he pressed me to lengthen my stay1 and was almost hurt that ,i did not comply4 ,his chaplain is a true ,christian1 and of very pleasing manners4 ,when he found that ,arthur was residing in ,york1 he offered me his kind attentions on his behalf1 and before ,i left he mentioned him also to the bishop4 ,i was much struck with the pious solemnity with which he put the licence for ,thornhill into my hands2 it seemed a real committal of souls to my charge1 so different from the matter-of-course transactions which ,i had in all other instances witnessed4 ,sir ,john's party ,i joined in the evening1 dinner six o'clock1 not much in this respect to my liking2 but everything else connected with the visit most agreeable4 ,he has received permission from ,lord ,goodrich to proceed with the projected plans for settling the clergy1 and he tells me he will make the commencing trial with myself4 ,when it is more fully and definitely known to me1 ,i will report to you2 but what ,i gather at present is1 that he will give me as incumbent #cjj acres of land1 forty of which shall be cleared at his expense1 and a suitable house erected2 and he thinks all can be done with ease for your reception1 on or about the #ajth of ,june4 ,he does not promise me a salary1 but1 till this be accomplished1 the bishop will try to give me at the rate of #ajj per annum4 ,he however cannot engage4 ,the people promise me #ej per annum3 they are very kind to me1 and show me the greatest attention4 ,the congregation increases1 and though ,i am not forward to speak upon such subjects1 ,i do feel that the situation is important1 and the ,lord has much work for me in this place4 ,my heart also is in some measure in my work2 ,i feel it blessed2 its former anxieties and oppressiveness are astonishingly removed1 and thus the ,lord has at length granted unto me what ,i almost regarded as impossible2 so that the anticipated wilderness has been made to smile and blossom as the rose--the peace and blessedness within having shed its transforming influence all around4 ,i had often read the #deth of the ,madeley ,hymns in reference to the future1 but ,i little thought how completely it would be realized4 ,the hymn begins with1 8,that man no guard or weapon needs10 and the last three verses you will perhaps excuse my transcribing-- 8,his love possessing ,i am blest1 ,secure whatever things may come2 ,whether ,i go to east or west1 ,with him ,i shall be still at home4 ,if placed beneath the northern pole1 ,though winter reigns with rigour there2 ,his gracious beams would cheer my soul ,and make a spring throughout the year4 ,or if the desert's sun-burnt soil ,my lonely dwelling ere should prove1 ,his presence would support my toil1 ,whose smile is life1 whose name is love40 ,many of the ,irish ,protestant clergy are coming out in the spring1 with large quotas of their flocks1 driven out as they are by the violence of those who refuse to pay the church tithes4 ,i met one of this description the other evening at the bishop's1 a warm-hearted and spiritually minded ,irishman2 his details were most affecting1 but highly interesting1 and ,i thought ,i could see a striking providence in their being thus compelled to flee at this present time to a country where they were so particularly needed1 and where their own temporal comforts would be so materially increased4 ,the good bishop quite rejoiced over his anticipated treasure4 ,,to ,,mrs4 ,,mortimer4 ,thornhill1 ,january #ah1 #ahcc4 99 99 99 ,the delight of a warm bed the ,canadian can fully appreciate4 ,the other morning the thermometer stood #ah below zero1 or #ej below freezing point1 and during last night ,i conceive it must have been much lower3 it is now near the middle of the day1 and the glass is only #a above zero1 and yet1 difficult as you may feel it to credit me1 it seems to me a mere nothing4 ,i can hardly imagine that ,i am in the midst of a ,canadian winter1 that horrible and terrible of previous anticipation3 the fact is1 that the severe weather only lasts for two or three days at a time1 which is far different from a continuous season of four or five months1 and though sharp and searching in itself1 yet fire1 clothing1 and due attention1 bring all to a common ,english temperature2 and then the air is so cheering and bracing that you smile cheerily1 rather than feel oppressively4 ,but1 in reality1 ,i can hardly proceed in my description1 not for want of words but of ink2 for it not only freezes in the ink glass while on the table1 but after ,i place it on the hearth and thaw it1 the pen-full freezes while ,i am writing2 so that ,i am obliged to stop ever and anon to thaw it in the pen1 and yet with this acme of congelating miseries1 ,i smile and laugh and go battling on2 but all this sounds worse than it really is1 so do not be alarmed4 ,,on ,,emigration4 ,,to ,,mrs4 ,,mortimer4 ,i ,,feel somewhat puzzled as to what ,i ought to say with regard to emigration4 ,as to agriculture1 employment can easily be procured in the upper province1 and the wages are good2 but the state of destitution in which some of the families arrive is very distressing1 and keeps them back for a considerable time4 ,i cannot recommend any family to come out unless they have #i a head for each individual4 ,it happened to one young man who had paid #a4 #aes4 for his passage to ,quebec1 and yet with one and another charge he had only a few shillings left out of #ab4 ,at ,kingston ,i heard of a family of emigrants whose baggage was sold by auction to enable them to find the money to proceed to the agricultural districts4 ,if emigrants can proceed with their baggage1 and a few shillings in their pockets1 they soon feel thankful for their altered circumstances4 ,as to the two men and their families1 ,i must leave it to your decision1 and to influence them as you judge best4 ,if they come1 it should be as early as possible3 leave ,england in ,february and get to ,quebec in ,march4 ,,to ,,mrs4 ,,mortimer4 ,thornhill1 ,jan4 #ah1 #ahcc4 ,as to emigration ,i feel at a loss what to write4 ,there is in fact hardly a man living but in some way or other may succeed in this fine country1 and yet there is scarcely a man who may not fail and suffer disappointment1 so that ,i dread recommending2 but were ,i in the condition of nineteen out of twenty1 ,i would make every effort to come out4 ,most have to rough it for about a year2 few need do this much longer2 that is1 if thoughtful1 prudent1 and moral3 their wilderness soon begins to smile1 and comforts one after another crowd around them4 ,i must turn to my log-book for something to say on this score4 8,of all settlers the medical profession seems to have least encouragement2 they are worse off than even ministers2 for in this country the population is so scattered1 and the roads so impracticable1 that they slave and toil beyond all endurance for a scanty pittance1 and finding so small a remuneration1 they are obliged to merge their professional engagements into those of the largely cultivated farm4 ,should they speculate on more extensive practice and larger returns in some of the towns there1 so many have anticipated them1 that they half starve before they can get into practice1 and1 after paying dear for their rashness1 are compelled to return to the country1 and to rough it like others in employments for which their previous habits have but little qualified them4 ,another evil is that all the three branches are here united1 there not being a sufficient call to admit of a division2 and then1 again1 we are all so healthy1 excepting1 indeed1 the whiskey drinkers1 who die by inches1 but who have no peculiar penchant for bitter drugs2 so that had it not been for the cholera1 which so extensively visited us1 ,i fear the medical gentlemen must have had no great cause to congratulate themselves on their speculations4 ,the best description of settlers are young persons with or without families1 married or single1 who can command about #ajjj in cash1 and have about #hj or #ajj per annum1 on which they can regularly calculate4 ,these can purchase a fair quantity of land in cultivated districts1 where there is good society and ,english comforts2 can build their house ample1 commodious1 and well-looking2 and can realize from their farm what will enable them to live as gentlemen4 ,i know two or three families of this description1 in this neighbourhood1 who have freely exhibited their finances before me1 and they are just what ,i have noticed above4 ,and if these do well1 much more those whose income is larger4 ,such are the settlers we most need1 for improvements follow so fast in their train4 ,capital and taste are in their case combined1 and their respective neighbourhoods start into notice and comfort40 ,as to young men of the more respectable order1 they must be willing to go into trade1 and in this they have abundant encouragement1 not so much in specific trade as in the keeping of stores1 both wholesale and retail1 and to such they give a salary for five or six years1 and then either take them into partnership1 or else set them up in some country store1 furnishing them with goods on easy terms to begin with4 ,farming will not do for young men of this description1 till they are of age to farm for themselves1 and then they may begin1 if they have a small capital to purchase land and stock it4 ,they want very little of any previous training2 the advice of some friend or neighbour on the spot is quite adequate1 if he be of any tolerable capacity4 ,as to settlers ,i can say little beyond what ,i have intimated before4 ,with #aj or #ab a head1 they need not hesitate a moment4 ,the principal thing is raising sufficient money to bring them far enough into the country1 and without this it is almost cruelty to say a word to induce them to leave ,england4 99 99 99 99 99 ,to finish these remarks on emigration1 from one who knew what it was from his own experience1 ,i shall add one other short extract from a letter dated ,feb4 #ba1 #ahce1 addressed to ,mrs4 ,d4 ,whitmore3-- ,but with all this improvement in society and literature1 the matter of emigration puzzles me more than ever4 ,produce is sadly falling2 my wheat ,i sold last year for #ds4 #c;d4 a bushel2 the same sample would now fetch only #bs4 #f;d41 and all other farming produce of course in the same ratio4 ,farmers1 therefore1 are crying out that they shall now be ruined4 ,stores also abound so greatly1 that a very small profit can be obtained1 where competition is so great4 ,fortunes1 therefore1 are not1 as they once were1 so easily procured2 and most classes of emigrants are sadly disappointed4 ,those who come out with ample means will easily succeed2 for living is so cheap1 and capital wanted1 and amply remunerating interest in various ways obtained4 ,but then1 again1 those who already have fortunes1 or ample means1 will mostly prefer the good old country1 and well they may4 ,,to ,,miss ,e4 ,,ford4 ,lockport1 ,state of ,new ,york1 ,may #a1 #ahcc4 ,my dear ,madam1 ,,it was very unexpectedly but most joyously that ,i received your kind communication respecting the sailing of the ,bristol1 #aif and ,i lost no time in leaving ,thornhill for ,new ,york4 ,i am now on my way thither1 and hope to find a few leisure intervals during my journey to fill my sheet1 reserving merely a small space for a postscript1 that ,i may communicate1 should all be well1 the tidings of the safe arrival of the endeared party3 they have much occupied my thoughts of late1 and1 sometimes1 with too much of anxious solicitude1 for which ,i have as often felt reproved2 for such has been ,god's mercy to us hitherto1 that it is not merely infirmity1 but positive sin to be distrustful of his faithfulness and love4 ,i feel much indebted to you and ,miss ,ford1 for your peculiar kindness to my dear ,mary4 ,i am never surcharged with feeling1 ,i wish it were my habit2 but still great kindness quite affects me1 and as requital will be ever out of my power1 ,i must look to the beneficent and faithful retributor above1 and would give vent to the utterance of my heart in the language of the holy and grateful apostle1 8,the ,lord grant that you may both find mercy of the ,lord10 and especially 8in that day40 ,your kind present of the newspapers1 c41 will be very acceptable1 and yet1 perhaps you are hardly aware of the extent of either our political or literary information4 ,we have two monthly magazines published in ,york1 and three or four newspapers1 and from ,new ,york we have two weekly newspapers1 designed expressly for ,english readers--the ,albion and the ,emigrant1 full of ,english news and ,english literature2 so that in a month or six weeks1 we have all the cream of the ,london and country news1 as well as the best of the lighter articles from the ,british periodicals4 ,the ,edinburgh and ,quarterly ,reviews are reprinted at two-thirds of the ,english price2 also the ,christian ,observer1 and other standard and monthly and quarterly works4 ,messrs4 ,harper1 also1 in ,new ,york1 reprint the best of the ,english works in the ,family ,library1 at three and sixpence each1 executed like ,murray's1 and their series amounts already to fifty-three volumes4 ,another series is furnished by ,lee and ,carey1 at ,philadelphia1 and a third of a religious sort at ,boston2 so that in a few months1 when ,i can spare a few pounds1 ,i hope to be able to furnish my family with an extent of literature far beyond my capabilities in ,england4 ,among my own congregation we have also a book society1 well supported and well supplied2 we are1 therefore1 not a little chagrined when your boasting ,englishers think of us as in a semi-barbaric land of literary destitution3 for we not only feel ourselves a part of the great nation1 but regard ourselves on nearly an equal footing as to the comforts and luxuries1 while in many respects we feel that we have the most decided advantage1 so we warn you not to treat us either politically or personally with scorn4 ,on the day ,i left ,york1 government despatches had just arrived1 which announced the dismissal of our two ,crown ,officers1 the ,attorney and ,solicitor ,general1 owing1 it is supposed1 to too great freedom in debate in our ,house of ,assembly--the ferment it excited was almost ludicrous--8delenda est ,carthago0 was emphatically pronounced4 ,the ,whig ,ministry must be annihilated4 ,the province1 though hardly prepared for such a measure1 must at once be severed--such despotism could not be endured4 ,i acted1 as ,i generally do on such occasions1 as pacificator1 and smilingly quoted the well known lines of old ,dr4 ,byron1 in the conclusion of his ,bedlamite-- 8,kill your enemies'1 kill a fool's head of your own1 ,they'll die of themselves1 if you let them alone40 ,it is whispered also that our excellent and deserving governor 7,sir ,john ,colborne7 has not escaped censure2 this ,i am truly grieved to hear1 for his services cannot be too highly estimated1 and our province is indebted to him beyond all expression4 ,i fear1 however1 that his removal is not very remote2 he is too pious1 and too tame a politician1 to give satisfaction to the administration at home2 but my contracting limits oblige me hastily to conclude1 and to assure yourself and ,miss ,ford how truly ,i remain1 ,yours1 gratefully1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 ,p4,s4 ,june #f1 ,new ,york4 ,yesterday the dear party arrived all in health and safety4 ,never did ,i feel more truly thankful4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,thomas ,,mortimer4 ,rochester1 ,state of ,new ,york1 ,may #b1 #ahcc4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,your fame1 my frater1 has long ago reached this far distant province1 and ,i ought gratefully to acknowledge that it has1 in more instances than one1 proved the passport to gracious and kindly reception4 ,it was to this1 ,i think1 that my boys were principally indebted for the footing they obtained in ,kingston1 and many other little turning points of good are pleasingly associated in my mind with the high estimate and kind feeling1 which has been cherished towards you as a minister1 or an author4 ,once1 indeed1 it appeared rather the precursor of evil2 for our good bishop1 previous to my introduction1 fancied that ,i was the actual man2 the great ,mr4 ,mortimer himself1 the author1 the distinguished preacher in ,london4 ,and many a congratulation had he cherished within1 to think that he had obtained so goodly a fish in his ,canadian net4 8,then you are not ,mr4 ,mortimer from ,london1 the author40 8,no1 my lord1 his brother40 8,oh1 only his brother60 was the consolatory adjunct2 and the dismayed little man was left in his own littleness1 unpatronized1 unbefriended1 to make his own way2 and to this day is1 in all probability1 reaping the bitter fruits of the unhappy prepossession2 for1 though his self-complacency keeps him from concluding1 that his diocesan regards him as a mere blank1 yet he cannot but be aware that the rich prize still remains in the wheel1 and which he had fondly imagined had been proclaimed as his very own4 ,my ministerial matters1 however1 notwithstanding this inauspicious commencement1 are pleasingly progressive4 ,my salary has been fixed by our good governor at #ajj per annum2 #bj1 or #be1 ,i obtain from the rental of pews2 a house is provided for me by my congregation1 free of expense2 arid ,i have a promise of some good glebe land1 which1 in a few years1 will be of considerable value4 ,my people are kind2 ministrations seemingly acceptable2 church and expositions well attended2 temporal matters encouraging2 living cheap2 and two tolerably advantageous purchases secured for the children2 so that the good hand of the ,lord appears to be resting upon me4 ,indeed1 never for a moment1 that ,i recollect1 have ,i repented of my step since ,i have been here4 ,once or twice1 during our voyage1 8when no small tempest lay upon us10 when the raging billows seemed on the point of ingulphing us1 so great did my responsibility seem1 as connected with the immortal souls of my little unprepared party1 that ,i almost wished that ,i had never ventured on the perilous step4 ,but1 never for a moment1 since our arrival here1 have ,i had the least cause to retrace2 and my only regret is1 that ,i did not proceed before4 ,but1 perhaps1 all is right1 as to time also2 and1 indeed1 when ,i glance upon some few of the deterring circumstances which intervened to retard me1 ,i cannot doubt but that these also were from the ,lord2 that the deed1 the time1 the place1 have all been under the direction of an agency superior to our own2 and what a comfort does this assurance impart6 ,i forgot to mention1 in my last1 how much ,i felt obliged to ,mr4 ,hartwell ,horne1 for the sundry introductions1 and other tokens of kindness1 which his parcel conveyed to me1 just on the eve of my departure from ,england4 ,be so obliging as to convey to him my sincere thanks4 ,as to tuition1 ,i have1 ,i believe1 myself altogether done with it4 ,hundreds of pleasant hours has it1 in various ways1 procured me1 and during some few of the weeks ,i have been in ,canada1 have my classical studies been resumed with peculiar interest4 ,this1 partly for their own sake1 and partly as a preparation for any opening that might arise in the college1 or elsewhere4 ,but ,i have now taken my final leave1 not in dudgeon1 nor with painful regret2 but in calm surrender to the will of a superior power4 ,dear ,king1 was1 ,i think1 in his kind and affectionate counsel in the matter1 quite wrong2 such employments are not so much my duty as my snare4 ,the scales have at length fallen from my eyes1 and though ,i cannot say1 ,i can now see clearly1 yet ,i see enough to convince me that1 for the residue of my short life1 ,i ought to give myself wholly to my one grand and absorbing avocation4 ,let1 therefore1 collegiate honours be sought and enjoyed by others4 ,with these altered views1 perhaps1 were ,i permitted to gain the ear of an endeared relative1 whom you well know1 ,i should whisper certain cautionary monitions in reference to similar points2 for though from his endeared lips the confessed 8weakness of his heart0 has had a charm and a persuasive influence which won my full approval1 yet now that the syren notes can no longer bewilder me1 ,i see1 as in my own case1 the snare rather than the duty1 and the couplet of the almost forgotten ,dryden1 in which he cautions the aspirant parson1 chimes in with my own overlate1 but salutary musings3 8,those who contend for place and high degree1 ,are not his sons1 but those of ,zebedee40 ,whisper1 then1 in my stead1 in some auspicious moment1 to this endeared individual what ,i am so desirous to convey2 but mind that you whisper it in tenderness and love4 ,but my sheet is filling up so fast1 that ,i have hardly left myself room to assure you of the interest which ,i still1 and ,i hope1 ever shall feel in all the concerns--personal1 domestic1 and ministerial--of my endeared brother4 ,his opportunities of leisure are so few1 that ,i must not often expect any direct communications1 but whenever conveyed they will be most grateful4 ,accept then yourself1 and convey to our dear mother1 ,eliza1 and all your beloved family1 the sincere and warmest love of your ever attached brother4 ,,george4 ,,to ,,mrs4 ,d4 ,,whitmore4 ,thornhill1 near ,york1 ,upper ,canada1 ,august #ah1 #ahcc4 ,my dear ,madam1 ,,we were much indebted to you for your last most kind and welcome letter3 most joyfully was it received and opened1 and with peculiar interest were its instructive and interesting contents perused4 ,so long and so closely written a letter1 however1 must1 we fear1 have been sadly trying to your eyes2 and we fear this the more1 as we learn from ,miss ,e4 ,ford1 that you have recently been experiencing somewhat of failure in your sight4 ,we know how peculiarly trying this circumstance must prove to one1 whose enjoyments have been so principally derived from this source2 and we tremble at the least intimation of its probable diminution4 ,but we would still say in the language of the man of ,god1 8,but the ,lord is able to give you much more than this40 ,and1 from what you have experienced under past seasons of privation and discipline1 you may still expect that1 should ,god be pleased to try you yet further in this most painful visitation1 he will not withhold from you that superabounding grace1 which in its blessed issue of spiritual and eternal good is more than tantamount to the most valued of our other joys4 ,my endeared mother1 as you well know1 has been called to the acuteness of the same trial with yourself2 but1 ,o1 how sweetly does she bear it--so cheerfully resigned--so peacefully yielding all to the wise and loving discipline of her kind and compassionate ,lord1 saying1 in the language of her favourite hymn3-- 8,all that ,i prized below is gone1 ,yet1 ,father1 still ,thy will be done40 ,but to return to your letter4 ,your decision respecting ,york 7now ,toronto71 exactly corresponds with that adopted by ourselves2 and1 therefore1 we have no intention of going there2 nor1 indeed1 any present intention of fixing in any other place1 though many outward circumstances are far from being inviting4 ,we are sadly cramped together in a wooden frame house1 consisting of only four rooms1 and these1 owing to the badness of their construction1 peculiarly hot and oppressive in summer and more than usually cold in winter4 ,nearly half of our things too are unpacked1 and our landing and other places crowded and littered by the boxes and trunks1 which contain them2 in short an air of untidiness and discomfort meets our long-trained ,english eye1 wherever we turn it1 and1 at times1 our heart almost sickens at the sight2 and1 were it not for the counteracting influence of better feelings1 we should adopt some hasty measure to accomplish a retreat into some situation1 which might authorize the expectation of somewhat more of outward comfort4 ,on ,mrs4 ,m's4 arrival we were in hopes of being settled in a far more suitable abode1 and had1 in fact1 engaged to take it2 but its distance from the church and the mass of our population was so great1 and so many other inconveniences attended it1 that we decided on remaining for the present where we now are4 ,they promise1 indeed1 to build for us a small house near the church1 which is to be ready by spring2 but their promises have hitherto been so fallacious1 that ,i hardly know how to trust to them1 and the plan of the building is so small1 that ,i am not without strong misgivings1 lest we should feel it our duty to decline it4 ,and if so we must either build for ourselves1 7seldom either a wise or lucrative act71 or else1 in true ,canadian style1 must turn out and seek other quarters4 ,the people1 indeed1 are kind to us1 and the attendance on my ministry is far from discouraging2 but if they so little prize the residence and settled ministrations of a clergyman among them1 as to refuse to accommodate him with a plain and commodious residence1--while for themselves many of them have built elegant and spacious mansions1--they must not be surprised1 if their miscalculating selfishness terminate in his withdrawing from among them4 ,our temporal matters are encouraging2 for living here is so cheap1 that our income is far more than adequate to our regular demands4 ,i have purchased two cultivated farms of #ajj and #aje acres1 with clearances of forty and sixty acres respectively1 and out of my savings have already paid off the first instalment of #bej1 and in a few days hence shall pay #aej more2 in all1 #djj2 so that1 through ,god's blessing1 we are already beginning to reap the benefit of our expensive removal1 and1 without being over sanguine1 we may perhaps indulge a hope1 that still further mercies are in reserve1 if not for ourselves1 still for our dear children4 ,we are very rapidly advancing as a province4 ,god has been very gracious to us in our ,lieutenant-,governor1 ,sir ,john ,colborne1 a pious1 discreet1 and sound intentioned man4 ,capital also is gradually finding its way among us2 so that we are beginning to attract the notice of our jealous neighbours1 who see the rudiments of a vast empire rising up close beside them4 ,and1 hitherto1 we have been singularly prospered4 ,a radical party1 however1 of considerable strength is1 as you will perceive by the public prints1 beginning to trouble us3 it is headed by the discontented worthless --4 ,without this drawback1 we might almost be tempted to exclaim1 8,o nimium fortunati40 ,but ,i must conclude4 ,our kindest and united love attends yourself and all your party1 and ,believe me1 ,yours1 ever gratefully1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it is not without considerable hesitation that ,i have determined to insert the letter which follows in the ,memoir of ,mr4 ,mortimer1 not only because he might not himself have fully concurred in the publication of it1 but because there may be a difference of opinion as to the expediency of it4 ,the subject1 however1 is1 in my mind1 one of such importance to the interests of the church in ,canada1 that ,i should not think ,i had done my duty were ,i to exclude it2 and ,i am happy to say that1 so far as the subject itself is concerned1 ,i have the full concurrence of some who1 from their experience in the ecclesiastical affairs of ,canada1 are fully competent to give counsel in the case1 and who perfectly agree with myself in thinking that a much larger spirit of liberality is necessary1 not only to the extension1 but also to the support and prosperity of the existing church in that country4 ,there can be no greater benefit to a community1 nothing to contribute more to its general well-being1 than an adequately supported and efficient church establishment4 ,it is the foundation of everything really good and great1 useful and advantageous1 honourable and praiseworthy4 ,it is the grand means of promoting religion and morality1 peace and good order1 charity and good-will1 kindness and sympathy between the different ranks in society1 diligence and industry1 subordination and allegiance to the powers that be3 in a word1 everything that can make a nation happy and prosperous in itself1 and respected by neighbouring countries4 ,the duty1 therefore1 of making strenuous efforts for the accomplishment of so desirable a purpose must be apparent to all who feel the paramount necessity of religion1 and to all such1 perhaps1 it may be apparent2 but the difficulties of every infant colony are urged in bar against it4 ,these difficulties are fully admitted1 and due allowance made for them2 neither is it the intention of the writer to say one unkind or unreasonable word on the subject2 his design is rather to encourage for the future than to condemn for the past1 feeling1 as he does1 very forcibly1 the circumstances of trial and privation with which the settlers of new colonies are for the most part surrounded4 ,bodily support--food and raiment--must necessarily be had in the first place2 but1 except to this1 ,i should be disposed to say1 that to no other could a provision for religion be second2 for not more necessary is food and raiment to the body than the offices of religion to the soul3 indeed1 the supply of these wants is equally necessary1 and where they are not simultaneously provided for1 but where the former is over and exclusively cared for1 it is more than likely that the latter will be neglected for years to come4 ,under the difficulties1 however1 in which emigrants to a newly formed colony find themselves1 it seems1 in the first place1 the plain duty of every state to provide for the support of religion in their infant settlements1 or1 where this is withheld1 it clearly becomes the duty of private ,christians1 possessed of wealth and competency1 either individually or incorporated into societies1 to afford1 as far as may be1 the aid required4 ,happily for ,canada much has been done for it in this way2 first by the state1 and now by the contributions of a more private and voluntary kind1 and especially by the venerable ,society for the ,propagation of the gospel4 ,but a country ought not to be always looking to and depending upon such adventitious assistance2 she ought at some time to rise above eleemosynary aid1 and make an effort to provide for her own spiritual wants4 ,the enquiry then naturally arises1 ,whether ,canada is1 or is not1 become of sufficient age1 or standing1 or competency1 to take upon herself the responsibility of supporting for her own use and benefit the services and ordinances of religion8 ,i should unhesitatingly reply1 that it is more than time that a beginning were made to throw off the state of childhood and reliance1 and to assume that of manhood and independence4 ,but are there to be found in ,canada more than a very few towns1 and those too only of the first class1 that have taken upon themselves to provide altogether for their own church establishments8 ,wherefore8 ,because there are not more that are capable of doing so8 ,i fear this would not be found to be the real state of the case4 ,mr4 ,mortimer's statement is much more likely to be the correct and faithful one4 ,i feel assured that there are many towns or townships which might have done much more than they have towards this great and honourable work4 ,what6 shall the ,presbyterians1 the ,independents1 the ,roman ,catholics1 in towns of a second-rate class1 support entirely their own churches and ministers1 and shall ,episcopalians constitute the lagging party1 the one most backward in this most blessed and holy work2--nay1 shall the ,american ,episcopalians1 dwelling on the very borders of ,canada1 and therefore little differing in their circumstances from those living in the colony1 support their own religious establishments1 and shall the ,english ,episcopalians be found deficient8 ,surely this does not speak much either for the liberality or the churchmanship of our ,canadian countrymen4 ,if we claim a pre-eminence for the reformed and catholic ,church of ,england1 all the members of that ,church should be pre-eminent in their attachment to1 and zealous in their support of it2 they should not be behind any others in their gifts and graces1 waiting for the coming of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,let every reader1 then1 of ,mr4 ,mortimer's ,life1 ask himself1 have ,i done what ,i could8 ,have ,i contributed liberally1 with a willing mind1 according to my ability1 towards the erection1 enlargement1 or in giving comfort and convenience1 and a suitable appearance to my church8 ,do ,i dwell in my ceiled house1 while the house of ,god lies waste8 ,am ,i anxious to see all things about the house of ,god and the services of religion done decently and in order8 ,and do ,i take my share in the management of the secular affairs of the church8 ,am ,i sufficiently anxious to promote the comfort and well-being of my pastor8 ,if he have sown unto me spiritual things1 is it a great matter that he should reap my temporal things8 ,more than persuaded1 confident ,i am1 that if every member of the church of ,england in ,canada would seriously lay this subject to heart and urge upon himself the great duties connected with it1 much more would be done there to promote her interests1 and to make her independent of all extraneous aid4 ,all might contribute more than they do2 some in money1 some in lands1 and they who could give neither1 might give of the produce of their lands1 or the fruits of their labour1 or occasionally their labours to assist in tilling their pastor's grounds1 or in planting and cultivating their gardens4 ,depend upon it1 that he who feels adequately the real benefits and blessings of being taught in the word1 will minister unto him that teacheth in all good things4 ,pastors should not be unreasonable1 and1 if they be right-minded1 they will have no wish to lay unnecessary burdens upon their people3 but their people1 if their minds be duly influenced by religion1 will be as desirous to provide for them1 free of all charitable support1 as to maintain their own families in perfect independence4 ,besides1 the good ,churchmen of ,canada should really consider the many and great calls now made upon that source from whence their church receives its chief support2 ,i mean1 the ,society for ,propagating the ,gospel4 ,it has only been by renewed efforts and extraordinary exertions that the society has been able to maintain so great an expenditure in ,canada2 perhaps1 too1 at the expense of withholding very important help from other needy parts of our extensive colonial possessions2 and it is not reasonable1 nor generous1 nor just1 to require assistance one moment beyond what is absolutely necessary4 ,every township1 therefore1 in the colony should begin1 with as little delay as possible1 to make its own provision for the public worship of ,god4 ,verily1 earnestly do ,i pray that the foregoing remarks1 together with the letter of my late dear friend1 which has elicited them1 may be kindly received1 deeply felt1 and earnestly followed1 not only by good resolutions1 but by personal and immediate exertions for the gradual accomplishment of a work so truly honourable to those who promote it1 so fraught with blessings to generations yet unborn1 and so full of glory to ,god4 ,,to ,,miss ,e4 ,,ford4 ,thornhill1 near ,york1 ,upper ,canada1 ,oct4 #ag1 #ahcc4 ,my dear ,madam1 ,you express your surprise at the reluctant support afforded to ministers4 ,this is partly to be ascribed to that selfishness which is so sadly prevalent in our fallen nature2 they can build 7commodious and even sumptuous7 houses for their own prosperous families2 they can call1 out of their perpetually increasing means1 comforts of every description2 but1 to their minister1 they can calmly and gravely say1 8,oh1 you must wait patiently1 and in time all will be right2 we have had to wait before you2 it is quite impossible to force matters in ,canada10 and so on4 ,and then1 in the spirit of that affected benevolence which prompted that hypocritical wish1 8be ye warmed and be ye clothed10 they point us to eventual comforts1 and care not to make the least sacrifice which may conduce to the attainment of the end4 ,in regard to house1 to salary1 and to everything pecuniary1 ,i have experienced scarcely anything but disappointments1 and at times ,i feel a little piqued at the contrast between their warm expressions of regard1 and their unwillingness to contribute to the comforts of my family2 for1 as to myself ,i care but little2 but still ,i would not wish to be hard upon them1 for though they have property1 very few have money1 and as soon as they procure this1 they sink it in the further cultivation or stocking of their farms4 ,and then1 again1 they have that admirable loop-hole for escape--the clergy reserves1 which seemed to promise everything1 but have done scarcely anything2 a broken reed1 which is perpetually piercing those who lean on it with sorrow2 but which affords our people so ready an excuse for refusing to come forward to our aid2 so that of all classes of emigrants1 ministers1 in a pecuniary point of view1 are by far the worst off3 they cannot1 with propriety1 go into the woods1 for they must fix in the more populous and more cultivated districts1 where land of course is high1 and thus one of the chief sources of prosperity is cut off2 and1 as to trade1 from this of course they are excluded1 but still they are the class of settlers most needed4 ,and1 in the midst of occasional pique and disappointment1 ,i cannot but feel thankful to ,god who directed my steps to this country1 and who1 by the property which he has previously given to me1 gives me the prospect of enjoying1 in this land of cheapness1 a great increase both of comfort and temporal prosperity4 ,at present1 indeed1 we are anything but outwardly comfortable3 the house we formerly mentioned was found too inconvenient1 and therefore given up1 and we are still in the lodging ,i occupied previous to the arrival of my family4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,thomas ,,mortimer4 ,thornhill1 ,toronto1 ,upper ,canada1 ,july #ad1 #ahce4 ,my much-endeared ,brother1 ,,we were in some measure prepared for the communication conveyed to us by your letter of the #bjth of ,april1 and which reached us yesterday evening2 for our ,shropshire friend had heard the report of our beloved mother's departure1 and had made allusion to it in communications received some weeks since4 ,well1 her happy1 holy spirit1 is at length released4 ,fulness of days has been granted to her1 and1 though they have not been unattended with labour and sorrow1 yet has her kind ,saviour been with her1 and as much of outward alleviation and inward serenity and peace have been experienced by her as her circumstances and state of body would admit of4 ,and now has she entered into the fulness of her gracious reward1 and her sainted name must ever be inhaled as the precious perfumed ointment1 by all who know how to estimate her deep1 consistent1 and exalted piety4 ,and where shall we now look for her fellow8 ,for the race of the distinguished and peculiar few seems now to have become extinct4 ,in vain shall we look for a ,cooper1 a ,rogers1 a ,fletcher1 a ,lefevre1 or one like our equally distinguished mother4 ,a prophet indeed is no where so little esteemed as among his own kindred4 ,and yet ,i am persuaded that there is that in the heart of my endeared brother1 which will fully respond to the encomiums which have thus unintentionally escaped me4 99 99 99 ,your letter bears the goodly inscription of 8,thornhill ,parsonage20 but1 alas6 it is a sound without locality4 ,it exists in my kind brother's imagination1 but nowhere else4 ,a house indeed has long been talked of1 and was at length erected1 but a mere laical abode4 ,but ,i am happy to say that matters are now likely to be on a proper footing4 ,i have purchased four acres of land 7at #ej an acre667 near the church1 for which the ,lieutenant-,governor in ,council has consented to allow me an equivalent in wild land1 as well as for a sum not exceeding #ejj for the erection of a parsonage4 ,and operations have commenced1 but when they shall be terminated ,i know not4 ,the lumber must be sawn and seasoned1 and continue seasoning till next spring1 and we are told that a finished habitation will be ready for us in the fall of the next year1 ,october the #ast1 #ahcf4 ,but what a distant period6 my hand misgives me while ,i write it2 for my whitened locks and weakly frame point to a far different abode4 ,may my affection combine with my judgment1 and may my short residue of days be so numbered by me1 that wisdom's lessons may both diligently and effectually be learnt6 ,when ,i sat down ,i was purposing a tolerably close imitation of your own very lengthy 7eleven-lined67 epistle1 and was about to find some convincing1 or at least plausible1 reason for my shabbiness4 ,happily1 however1 my pen has kept sliding on2 and finding myself so near the conclusion of the third side of my closely written sheet1 ,i may assure you with a tolerably fair and unblushing front1 of our unabated and most affectionate regards to yourself and all your endeared family1 and not least1 those of your sincerely devoted brother1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 ,p4,s4 ,our kindest love also to all our endeared relatives4 ,,to ,,mrs4 ,d4 ,,whitmore4 ,thornhill1 ,august #ba1 #ahce4 99 99 99 99 99 ,your account of dear ,mr4 --'s increasing infirmities1 and their necessary effect on yourself and ,mr4 ,g4 ,w41 has given rise to many a pensive1 perhaps ,i ought to say1 melancholy1 feeling4 ,indeed1 ,i hardly dare think of the breaking up of connexions1 comforts1 health1 and so on4 ,my foolish heart too frequently deceives itself with delusive hopes4 ,i say1 too generally1 8,i shall die in my nest0--the soft downy nest of easy pleasant dissolution4 ,but when anything reminds me of the thorn1 the sharp-pointed1 piercing thorn1 which is mostly found there1 then ,i start1 and my spirit almost sinks within me2 and ,i have little either of manly fortitude1 or of ,christian magnanimity2 at least1 the subject is so unwelcome1 that ,i rather turn from it1 than submissively await it4 ,at times1 indeed1 ,i feel willing that the taking down1 the unpinning of the tabernacle1 and the loosening of all its cords1 should take place under any circumstances which my gracious ,god shall appoint1 and ,i feel a persuasion that his faithful love will so adjust everything1 that he will in nowise 8suffer me to be tempted above what ,i shall be able0 to bear2 and it is to this point that ,i have of late so frequently directed my prayers1 that all the preparatory circumstances of death1 the undoing of that which has been inexpediently or criminally pursued1 the pulling down of vain and worldly hopes1 the detaching of the soul from even the last of its too-much-clinged-to objects1 the patient endurance of the bodily evils which1 as the precursors of death1 in some shape or other await me2 that all these may be so met1 and so peacefully and cheerfully borne1 that1 instead of grieving the ,spirit of my ,god by any unhallowed feelings1 ,i may surrender everything with cheerfulness1 and endure all in his blessed order4 ,for the melancholy fact must not be withheld from you1 that1 after all ,i have known1 and felt1 and preached1 ,i shrink from very many of the circumstances attendant on dissolution3 and what1 perhaps1 will surprise you more1 and what ,i am still more ashamed to be obliged to acknowledge1 is1 that ,i am frequently conscious of a kind of latent infidelity1 as to the reality of the coming world4 ,i do not absolutely disbelieve2 for revelation assures1 and all my reasoning confirms1 and yet it is one of those points on which ,i am constrained to say1--8,lord1 ,i believe1 help thou my unbelief40 ,but how ,i have ventured to touch upon these topics ,i hardly know2 for ,i carefully keep them from my own self1 hardly daring to acknowledge their existence2 and ,i am so ashamed of them1 that ,i keep them still more carefully from others4 ,and yet it has produced a strange relief to me1 thus explicitly to advert to them2 it has given to them more precision of shape and locality2 ,i see with more distinctness what my enemies really are1 and ,i seem encouraged to hope that1 by the grace of ,god1 even these may be overcome3 and ,i trust also1 that1 by thus unfolding these weaknesses of my nature1 ,i shall awaken in my kind friend that decree of sympathy1 which shall call forth from her an occasional prayer on my behalf4 ,i never more needed prayer1 nor never so much estimated its value1 as ,i have done of late2 it is truly wondrous in all the branches and bearings of its beneficial influence4 ,but ,i must turn to other matters4 ,i often think of your self-imposed silence when we were leaving ,england1 evidently not approving of our step1 and yet not wishing to enter into any enlarged reasoning or discussion2 and ,i as often think1 was my endeared friend right in her non-approval8 ,i am ready to acknowledge1 that we were never so out in our calculation as in many of the results of our ,canadian migration2 and in the estimation of observant friends we must appear1 ,i should think1 to have strangely missed our path4 ,and yet so marked are all the leading circumstances which have transpired1 that we cannot1 for a moment1 question either the permissive or the appointing mercy of our ,god4 ,it has been of essential benefit to myself2 it has been of especial good to -- also2 her views and feelings have undergone a most material change1 so that ,i quite marvel at the wise and gracious process2 and in various ways has the removal been beneficial to our children4 ,but all this is hidden from outward observation2 no one perceives either the needs-be1 or the result1 but the outward appearance it is which puzzles them--all is completely in contrast with our former selves1 and so little in accordance with our property and with what we have a kind of right to expect in the shape of accommodation from our parishioners4 ,we would1 indeed1 without much difficulty1 should we see it to be our duty1 bring ourselves into altered circumstances2 we could retrace at once our migratory steps and reach our native land richer by1 at least1 a thousand pounds than when we left it4 ,we could also leave our present unaccommodating people1 purchase or build on some advantageously situated spot1 retire from the peculiar awkwardnesses of ,canadian ministrations1 and more privately exercise1 without cost to any1 the exposition of ,god's word1 and the visiting of the sick and needy4 ,we might also build1 at once1 in this place1 at our own cost1 and1 without pecuniary regret1 let slip a few hundreds of pounds on the impolitic speculation of procuring somewhat more of suitable and becoming accommodation4 ,we might dash also through some others of our temporary unseemlinesses1 and be able to write in an altered and more gratifying strain to our now wondering friends--might encourage our sons1 for example1 to launch out into avocations1 or attempt other branches1 which1 while they have more appearance of gentility1 would only sap the foundation of their future respectability and comfort4 ,we might do all this and much more1 and pride would suggest its partial or total performance2 but we should be either forcing our way1 or premature in our movements4 ,grace and duty bid us calmly and patiently to await ,god's time2 and we are not without hope1 that he will at length bring us into his wealthy place4 ,all is well3 with our hearts1 we can say so1 and with this conviction1 we may and ought to be content4 ,and ,i say this1 not to justify our procedures 7for this really has become to us a very small matter71 but to bring an endeared friend into a more correct estimate of what is actually passing among us--to show her that1 while discomfort appears to be in some respects outwardly surrounding our little edifice1 much of ,god's blessing1 with peaceful acquiescence and comfort1 is still found within4 ,i need make no mention of the termination of our endeared mother's earthly career1 on whose account we are at present in mourning2 we have heard no particulars of her last moments1 nor1 indeed1 are these necessary in order to assure us that her end was blessed4 ,you and ourselves have known her in her married life1 and in her widowed state4 ,but even in this her limited sphere1 we have seen her as a most distinguished and honoured servant of the ,lord2 but1 from all ,i have heard and read1 almost all the brilliancy conspicuous in her unmarried life was then suffering an eclipse2 and so those of the brightest and most dazzling rays of the ,miss ,richie of former times1 were nearly forgotten in the conjugal and domesticated ,mrs4 ,mortimer4 ,her life1 you know perhaps1 is in the course of publication1 and ,i shall look for it with much interest4 ,i fear1 however1 that it will be wanting in incident1 though her diary1 which she has kept for many years1 may supply much of unexpected material4 ,her published letters ,i read many years since with peculiar pleasure4 99 99 99 ,yours1 ,my dear ,madam1 ever gratefully obliged1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 ,,to ,,miss ,e4 ,,ford4 ,thornhill1 ,july #bh1 #ahcf4 ,my dear ,madam1 ,i ,,am becoming so sadly neglectful of my duties1 as a correspondent1 that ,i not only richly deserve from my friends their censure1 but a total discontinuance of their kind communications4 ,to yourself and respected sister1 however1 my neglect assumes the aspect of ingratitude2 you have so diversified and heaped on me your kind and delicate attentions4 ,i can say so little that is apologetic1 that ,i will not make the attempt2 but1 as in my approach to a ,higher ,power1 ,i would at once acknowledge the fulness of my delinquency1 and solicit from your united kindly feelings that indulgence which ,i am in nowise entitled to expect4 ,i trust1 however1 that your forbearance will not be exercised in vain1 and that it will be long before ,i again trespass to a similar extent4 ,but though ,i have no apology to offer for my long silence1 it may in some measure be accounted for in the present uncertain state of our affairs2 for ,i have long been hoping that something definite would arise1 and ,i was unwilling to write to you before4 ,but week passed on after week1 and we are still in statu quo4 ,the ,b--s have probably informed you of our intention to remove to some other situation1 for the sphere is exceedingly limited1 and the church-people unusually few2 so that1 after a four years' trial1 ,i should hardly feel justified in spending my little residuum of strength in a spot where the deficiency of proportionate result is so great4 ,our accommodation1 too1 in our confined lodgings1 are far from suitable1 and all our personal attempts1 as well as expectations from others to amend them1 have hitherto failed4 ,this minor matter1 indeed1 would not1 of itself1 have been sufficiently strong1 to induce us to remove1 but1 taken in conjunction with all the other matters1 ,i have1 at length1 felt it my duty either to fix in some other mission1 as our cures are here denominated1 or else to retire altogether from public to more private engagement4 ,i have written to our good bishop on the subject1 expressing a preference for the vicinity of our children1 or some more southerly and more genial part of the province near the lake shores4 ,he has kindly promised to do all in his power to meet my wishes1 but he has not hitherto been able to succeed1 and we are waiting the result of his further endeavours4 ,you have heard enough1 ,i doubt not1 of our political affairs to need any enlargement on this point4 ,very nearly1 indeed1 were we on the point of provincial ruin4 ,but through ,god's mercy the decision and good sense of the ,lieutenant-,governor have saved us from anything immediate1 and1 ,i hope1 also1 from ultimate evil2 for there is a strong conservative feeling brought into exercise1 which is not very likely soon to subside4 ,in our last ,parliament1 which the ,lieutenant-,governor dissolved1 there was a large ,radical majority2 but from the recent return for the ensuing ,parliament1 out of sixty-two members forty-four are ,conservative1 and only eighteen ,radical2 so that we have good reason to expect an amended state of things4 ,it will be months and years1 however1 before we attain to a sound1 healthy1 and flourishing state2 for emigration is very nearly at a stand2 capitalists1 of course1 have no courage to venture among such a set of revolutionary ruffians4 ,the less monied1 who are compelled to go somewhere1 proceed to the ,states to the far west by hundreds and thousands4 ,labourers and mechanics not only turn aside from us1 but leave us after settling among us from want of employment1 or1 rather1 from want of money to pay them for their labour4 ,toronto1 for months past1 has had quite an appearance of gloom2 so many shops shut up1 and so little trade done2 and other towns complain in like manner4 ,farming1 too1 where farming labour is paid for1 is so losing a concern1 that1 if it were not absolutely necessary for the supply of their family in country places1 there is scarcely a gentleman but would give it up4 ,i have annually lost by mine--little indeed1 but still1 lost2 and the general cry among my neighbours is1 ,nothing is to be got by farming4 ,indeed1 were it not for the comparative poverty of the settlers1 the tide of emigration would soon set homewards3 but1 to realize the means of return would1 on a general scale1 be impossible2 were they to attempt to sell1 no sufficient number of purchasers could be obtained1 and the sum realized would go but a little way towards living in the same style in ,england2 so tarry they must4 ,still1 the hearts of many are turning towards their beloved country1 and they would soon rejoin their friends if they could4 ,,to ,,mrs4 ,,whitmore4 ,thornhill1 near ,toronto1 ,upper ,canada1 ,november1 #ab1 #ahcf4 99 99 99 99 ,during most of the time since ,i last wrote to you1 we have been in great uncertainty concerning our movements4 ,at one time ,i felt so sinking under my ministerial duties1 combined with the peculiarities of the climate1 that my wife and ,cecil were strongly urgent on me to retire from all public and obligatory duty1 and to do no more than what my strength or spirits would enable me occasionally and privately to attend to4 ,with this intention1 after inspecting numerous places1 we made a purchase in the salubrious and delightful district of ,niagara1 and were just on the point of removing thither2 but1 on inspection1 the title did not appear satisfactory1 and1 at the suggestion of the solicitor1 ,i did not complete the purchase4 ,while1 however1 this matter was pending1 my people1 at a public meeting1 strongly expressed their hope1 that ,i would not adhere to my intentions of removal1 and so unanimously and affectionately pressed my continuance among them1 that ,i at length consented2 and have since made arrangements for building a house at my own expense1 on some land ,i had previously purchased near the church1 and am intending now to go on with as much prudence as ,i can2 but still to go on1 and to die1 if it please ,god1 in the harness4 ,of late1 however1 the ,lord has been pleased so to enable me to use appropriate exercise in the open air1 and so to husband my little strength1 that all the unfavourable symptoms under which ,i was labouring some few months ago1 have altogether disappeared2 and with present adequacy of physical powers and with more than usual encouragement in spirit1 ,i am proceeding with my work1 and trust all will be well4 99 99 99 99 99 ,after speaking of his family1 he adds1 99 99 99 99 99 ,much have we1 indeed1 of ,god's temporal smile1 nor is the light of his gracious countenance withheld4 ,all1 all is love1 and we would not only submissively1 but gratefully adore4 ,permit me to assure you of our best wishes for the months or years1 which may yet be in reserve1 may they prove pre-eminently the best6 8,for such power belongeth unto ,god20 and believe me1 ,yours1 my dear ,madam1 very sincerely1 ,g4 ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,mr4 ,mortimer left ,england in part to avoid the storms and tempests which overhung that country1 little thinking that in attempting to avoid a possible danger1 he ran into an actual one2 so very dim is our foresight and so weak our power of resistance4 ,a destructive rebellion took place in ,canada in #ahcg1 which1 from his residence being on one of the main roads to ,toronto1 whither the rioters were proceeding1 put even the personal safety of his family in great jeopardy4 ,he refers especially to this event in the following letter3-- ,,to ,,mrs4 ,,holland4 ,thornhill1 ,april #c1 #ahch4 ,you kindly allude to the circumstance of apparent danger in which we have been placed during our recent revolt1 but ,god has been very merciful to us1 and1 not merely screened us under the sheltering wing of his good providence1 but graciously kept our minds in sweet serenity and peace4 ,you may judge of the apparent peril to which we were exposed1 when ,i tell you1 that on the afternoon of the evening on which they 7the rebels7 proceeded to ,toronto1 two parties passed our door1 the one consisting of #bjj1 and the other of #cjj persons2 and were1 under ,god's providence1 kept from the execution of their murderous and destructive designs against the persons and houses of the more loyal and opulent1 merely in consequence of their being obliged to hurry past us to ,toronto two or three days sooner than they had anticipated4 ,as a clergyman too1 and more especially as a beneficed one1 noted and vilified as possessing one of the obnoxious rectories1 concerning which they have so loudly clamoured2 on this account ,i was a doubly marked man2 my name was inserted in their list of intended arsons1 and my family as well as myself were to be shot1 as we were attempting to escape the flames2 at least1 such were the pleasing tidings which were widely circulated among us1 and the fearful and timid found it no easy matter to restrain their feelings1 or to exhibit calmness of spirit1 or manliness of conduct4 ,many passed sleepless nights1 and all around us gave indication that there were solid and extensive grounds for alarm4 ,colonel ,m--1 the person who was shot on the first night of the revolt1 was an attendant on our church and a resident in our neighbourhood1 and1 in the very midst of the excitement1 was brought to our churchyard for interment4 ,a hostile attack was expected by many1 and the mob1 who assembled to pay the last sad offices to their veteran friend and neighbour1 came accoutred in their swords1 daggers1 pistols and fowling pieces4 ,a novel and a painful scene1 but which was altogether uncalled for2 no attempt having been contemplated4 ,my eye glanced on one of the assembly2 a loyal1 but strange and penurious man1 whose habits had never suffered him to become possessed of anything in the shape of arms1 and he was leaning on his trusty lengthened pitch fork1 a weapon1 of which ,i heard1 he was afterwards vaunting that there was nothing like that4 ,his presence1 however1 to my mind at least1 was far from pleasing2 it ill-accorded with the scene before us1 and seemed so ridiculous1 that ,i could hardly refrain from a momentary smile4 ,of the general and more public details you are doubtless most fully apprized2 for ,i perceive that our ,canadian affairs are exciting a peculiar interest in our fatherland1 and are commented on with an accuracy1 which shows that they must have been perused with every means of the fullest information lying before them4 ,all is now1 through ,god's providence1 in a state of quietness2 while1 therefore1 we feel indebted to our friends for their kind sympathy1 and their affectionate expressions of hope1 that our provincial troubles may cause us either quickly1 or eventually to retrace our steps towards our beloved native land1 we must still assure them that nothing is further from our thoughts2 our path has been deliberately chosen1 our objects have been extensively gained1 much of ,god's temporal smile is resting upon us1 we are now established in our ample1 commodious1 and1 ,i might say1 beautiful house1 the society around us is superior to what is found in most country places in ,england2 our income is ample and enough for all exigencies4 ,life is gliding gently along with as little disquietude and as much comfort as we can ever expect to find in the present world2 peace and tranquillity reign in our domestic circle1 ,god's spiritual blessings are experienced by the majority of our family1 and some hopeful indications given by all1 and1 therefore1 why should we wish for a change8 ,of myself and my own immediate duties1 ,i would say1 but little good is being done4 ,ministers are much wanted1 and1 were ,i in ,england1 it would be only to extrude and thrust out some of the partially engaged or wholly unoccupied with which you are overburdened already4 ,no1 my endeared sister1 much as we love our native land1 much as we value our still more beloved friends1 we ought not to close our eyes on our present mercies1 or so mix up the cherishing of regret with causes for thanksgiving1 as to destroy their efficacy1 or to diminish their heart-stirring effect4 99 99 99 99 99 ,while ,mr4 ,mortimer's friends did not approve of his expatriating himself and family1 so some of them1 who visited him in ,canada1 were by no means convinced of his having improved on his lot and position in life by his change of country4 ,the ,rev4 ,b4 ,luckock was one of these1 who was so struck with the inferiority of everything which he saw1 that he afterwards wrote to him in no very measured terms of his dislike and almost detestation of what he called his wretched situation4 ,these condoling and sympathizing notes produced no echo in the mind of ,mr4 ,mortimer1 and he wrote to his friend in the following playful terms1 united to strains of piety and seriousness1 very expressive of his own satisfaction with the change which he had made3-- 8,both your letters found me at ,thornhill1 and from the same miserable and deserted place1 ,i date1 as you will perceive1 my present letter4 ,it is difficult to determine what class of feelings we should indulge in at the accumulated epithets of loathing and abhorrence with which you speak of our delightfully happy sojourn2 our disposition1 however1 to merriment prevailed1 and we all laughed most heartily at your intemperate and ill-timed abusings1 so completely and so pleasantly had the whole class of our own feelings and circumstances been changed since your visit to that anything but 8happy valley40 ,i need not detail to you the various incidents which1 through the kind providence of our ,god1 have tended both to fix our steps and to settle our minds2 the hundreds of miles which were previously travelled--the ineligibility of every spot and every abode in some important particular--the striking ,providence which put some unexpected and final stop to our negotiations in each of the matters on which we were disposed to venture--the altered feeling and conduct discovered by my people1 when they perceived me fully resolved to leave--their solicitations1 accompanied with proffered1 though not accepted1 pecuniary liberality to remain among them--the erection of a large1 commodious1 and tasty1 not to say beautiful1 house1 on the few acres of my own1 near the church1 which ,i had some time before purchased--the settling of a most esteemed1 and delightful1 intelligent1 well-educated1 ,christian family1 within a few stones' throw of our residence--and1 finally1 the induction and installing of the long unbeneficed curate into that most lucrative and honourable piece of preferment1 8the ,rectory of ,thornhill40 ,happy consummation of the most ambitious wishes1 or only to be credited by the envied and enviable dignitaries of our ,church1 of which 8,i am proud to think0 that my valued and respected friend is one6 ,but ,i wander2 there1 then1 we are at ,thornhill2 but1 through ,god's mercy1 under circumstances of great comfort1 much1 very much1 indeed1 which calls forth our gratitude and praise2 so that what ,i partly smilingly1 partly ironically1 and partly believingly1 predicted1 has been strongly fulfilled2 the course adopted by the ,abyssinian ,prince has been closely followed by ourselves1 and not an atom of wish do we now feel to exchange the place of our abode for any other in the province1 and we may say even in the world4 ,of the younger branches of the family1 ,i am not of course speaking2 they may possibly be far from the rest and quiet1 a and satisfaction of the older folk4 ,as to ourselves1 however1 we wish for no change2 to live and to die where ,god's good providence has now at length fixed us is the ultimatum of all our wishes40 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,thornhill1 ,upper ,canada1 ,feb4 #aa1 #ahdj4 ,my dear ,armstrong1 ,i ,,feel much indebted to you for having complied with ,mr4 ,ditcher's suggestion1 as well as to ,mr4 ,d4 himself1 for so kindly and judiciously making it4 #bbf ,and ,i hope that now we shall be able to enjoy a little occasional intercourse1 not perhaps to the same extent1 or with the same buoyant energetic feelings of our more youthful bygone days1 but with the spirit of those who are drawing nearer and nearer to life's peaceful termination1 and who1 while grateful for the attached intercourse which has characterised a few of their past years1 must still feel that in this world of severings and perturbations we form our several friendships1 not so much to enjoy them on earth1 as to renew and perfect them in heaven4 ,what you mention concerning your dear family has greatly interested me4 ,god has been very very gracious to you and them1 and ,i do sincerely praise him on your and their behalf4 ,i have thought a good deal on the hints you throw out respecting my namesake and endeared godson1 and hope the best wishes of your heart will be realised with regard to him4 ,canada1 however1 does not strike me as being the place for him1 at least in a pecuniary point of view4 #aej sterling1 with a house1 and three or four acres of land1 is the utmost he should calculate on4 ,though a rector1 ,i have no more than #ace sterling1 and have no parsonage house1 but am dwelling in one erected by myself1 at my own cost4 ,the general allowance made by the bishop at present is #ajj sterling2 and this is paid out of the sum contributed by the different societies in ,england1 principally the ,propagation1 or by the fund arising from the sale of clergy reserves4 ,in addition1 however1 to this #ajj1 the bishop expects that the congregation should provide four acres of land1 build a parsonage1 and pledge themselves to give a salary of #ej4 ,but this pledge is too frequently merely nominal1 the money being very seldom fully1 or at all nearly1 paid1 and little more is obtained beyond the bishop's allowance1 excepting what may arise from surplice fees and the rental of church pews4 ,something in addition1 however1 may be expected when the vexatious matter of the clergy reserves shall be settled2 but as these will be uncleared land1 no immediate advantage to any extent would of course accrue4 ,upper ,canada1 indeed1 ,i consider as one of the most necessitous of all our provinces1 and none offer so little in the shape of just and equitable remuneration4 ,much1 therefore1 as ,i should rejoice on many accounts at ,mr4 ,george's coming here1 ,i am afraid he would find it very difficult to procure the means of adequate support4 ,orders1 indeed1 if only tolerably qualified1 he might with ease and without expense obtain4 ,important spheres1 also1 of ministerial engagement are numerously presented4 ,and to one who has no thought of entering on a married life1 or is prepared to rough it1 or contentedly to sink below the customary grade of his profession--to one so prepared1 the missionary field of ,canada is the very place4 ,but to those who are otherwise minded1 we ought1 in ,christian charity1 and even in common fairness1 to present the salutary cave4 ,sir ,george ,arthur1 no doubt1 would do all in his power to assist him1 should we be permitted to retain him among us2 but in ,canada his means of this description are exceedingly limited1 and ,i should almost think that he could exert a more beneficial influence on his behalf by endeavouring to obtain1 through his ,english friends1 some appointment as chaplain to one of the colonies1 or1 should this be questionable1 some benefice in ,australia1 or elsewhere1 under circumstances of more encouragement than we are authorized to hold out in our poor1 neglected1 harassed province4 ,you speak of the possibility of giving us a visit2 ,i need scarcely assure you how greatly it would delight us all2 ,i fear1 however1 that ,sir ,george will have left us1 unless you are somewhat agile in your movements4 ,i have been apprised by him 7though quite confidentially7 of his kind intentions towards yourself4 ,how astonished should ,i have been at their realization1 and how unspeakably rejoiced4 ,but still all is well2 and if time discover not this1 faith can tell us of an important day that will4 ,you lay on me1 my endeared friend1 a next to impossible injunction2 what a string of kind affectionate inquiries relative to my own procedures1 personally1 parochially1 domestically4 ,my labours1 ,i trust1 are not altogether in vain in the ,lord2 our congregation has been increasing ever since ,i came here1 and this year the church was enlarged to nearly double its former size1 and the additional pews were all let in three or four days after they were offered for rental4 ,some few of my people seem to have been under gracious influence1 and have given me much of encouragement and hope4 ,and my people at large show me much kindness1 and appear attached to my ministrations4 ,socially and domestically we have much of comfort4 ,good house and premises1 good servants1 one of whom has been with us twenty-three years--and good neighbourhood--pleasant distance 7twelve or thirteen miles7 from ,toronto--almost every ,english comfort within our reach1 not to say every luxury4 ,the only cause of regret1 perhaps1 is that in these matters we are going too much a-head4 ,we are far too gay1 as a neighbourhood1 for my simple liking4 ,a few evenings since1 one gentleman had a party of sixty persons present1 many more invited1 with a part of the band of the #icrd regiment1 from ,toronto4 ,and very shortly after1 another of my congregation had a still gayer and more extensive assemblage4 ,but you will now begin to sigh over my interminable and undecipherable scrawl2 and therefore1 in simple pity to your straining eyes1 ,i shall only add1 that with most affectionate and ,christian regards1 in which my whole family unite1 to yourself and dear ,mrs4 ,a41 ,i remain1 ,your ever attached1 though unworthy friend1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,i insert the following address1 not only because it may be generally useful1 but because it may be as applicable now to those for whose use it was originally written1 as at the time of its publication3 and if a stranger may be allowed to urge their attention afresh to the warm and affectionate remonstrance of their late pastor1 he would just remind them1 that ,divine worship1 on the ,lord's day1 being a paramount duty1 an attendance upon both services is obligatory on all sincere ,christians1 except duties of mercy or necessity preclude such attendance4 ,all other excuses or reasons admit of no justification1 and in the great day will be viewed only in the light of positive neglect of ,god's service1 arising either from sinful disobedience1 or culpable indifference4 ,the partially formal observance of the ,lord's ,day1 by an attendance on the morning service1 spending the rest of the day in pursuits entirely alien from sacred duties1 is the ,sabbath of the mere nominal ,christian1 not of the sincere disciple of ,christ4 ,,address ,,to ,,the ,,inhabitants ,,of ,,the ,,township ,,of ,,thornhill ,thornhill1 ,oct4 #a1 #ahdj4 ,my much-endeared ,parishioners1 ,i ,,persuade myself you will receive with your wonted kindness a few words which ,i am desirous of pressing on your serious attention4 ,our church1 ,i am happy to think1 has1 through your own liberality and the kind assistance of our ,english friends1 been so far enlarged as to admit of considerable increase in the attendance2 and it affords me matter of much satisfaction1 that even before its completion1 the whole of the extra-sittings were secured4 ,and though occasionally pained at the irregular attendance of some1 still ,i cannot but feel gratified in meeting1 on the ,sabbath mornings1 so encouraging a congregation as that which usually attends4 ,but here ,i am sorry to say that much of my satisfaction1 as connected with our church attendance1 terminates4 ,for when the morning service is concluded1 as though the ,sabbath itself were also ended1 we see no more of the mass of our congregation till we meet them on the following ,sunday4 ,a painful inquiry1 then1 as you will easily conceive1 is often presented to our minds1 as to the probable manner in which the remaining hours of your ,sabbath are employed4 ,some few of you1 ,i know1 are kindly endeavouring to instruct the young in our ,sunday-schools2 some few also 7oh that there were more67 make a point of instructing their own families at home2 and some few more attend the evening service in the church4 ,but what1 ,i would affectionately inquire1 becomes of our congregation at large1 after the morning service8 ,as consistent churchmen1 ,i take for granted that you conscientiously confine yourselves to the ministrations of the church3 for1 convinced that the principles of dissenters are in direct opposition to--are altogether subversive of--the interests1 if not the very existence of the church1 you cannot but abstain from everything which may seem in any degree to support them2 and as your attendance on their place of worship must be so considered1 ,i may naturally conclude that you refrain from frequenting them4 ,but as you go to no dissenting place of worship1 and as only a very small number attend the evening service in the church1 in what way must ,i suppose that the rest of the ,sabbath is1 for the most part1 employed8 ,oh1 think not that ,i am uncharitable1 if ,i cannot help suspecting that it is too frequently frittered away in idleness1 or in unprofitable pursuits2 in unhallowed reading2 in domestic amusements2 in visiting or receiving visits2 in ,sabbath rambles2 or possibly in some other still more decided profanations of this sacred day4 ,under this impression1 then1 you will permit me to urge upon you the bounden duty of increased conscientiousness in regard to ,sabbath-employments8 ,let the golden moments be duly appreciated and diligently improved4 ,religious reading1 family instruction1 and personal devotions1 should1 of course1 employ a portion of your time1 especially your ,sunday afternoons2 but as to your ,sabbath evenings1 ,i should hope that you will be convinced of the paramount obligation1 to devote these to an attendance on the second service1 which is now regularly afforded to you in the church3 and that you will strive also so to arrange your other matters1 as to admit of your being accompanied by as many as possible of your respective households4 ,i ought not1 perhaps1 to withhold from you1 that much surprise has frequently been expressed by my clerical and other friends1 that ,i should not as yet have succeeded in obtaining a more regular attendance on the second service1 which1 at so many different times1 ,i had been attempting to establish3 and our excellent bishop was much at a loss to account for the painful circumstance4 ,i am hoping1 however1 that this reproach will ere long1 by the ,divine blessing1 be removed from among us4 ,public opinion is now so universally in favour of having a second service in our churches1 whenever the clergy have it in their power to give one1 that ,i have no need to enter upon this point4 ,but surely if it be admitted that it is the duty of the clergy to provide such a service1 is it not equally a duty on the part of the people to attend it when it shall be provided for them8 ,suffer me1 then1 to request your kind and willing co-operation in this matter1 calculated1 as it so evidently is1 to promote the spiritual good of yourselves and of the neighbourhood at large4 ,and will you permit me to tell you how repeatedly my heart has sunk within me1 when ,i have adverted to the little ,i have hitherto been able to effect in this matter8 ,how grieved have ,i been to look around our church on the ,sabbath evening1 and to see so many seats vacated1 which in the morning had been so cheeringly filled4 ,oh how difficult do ,i then find it to believe that such absentees can feel much of affection either towards myself or my assistant--their church or their ,saviour4 ,but ,i try to check these feelings1 and would hope for better things4 ,i well know the kindness of your hearts1 for many a proof have ,i received of your affectionate regards4 ,and ,i trust you will not only bear with me in this expostulation and appeal1 but so co-operate with me1 that in my next report to our respected bishop1 ,i may be able to convey the gratifying intelligence1 that the attendance on the evening service is little short of that1 which1 with such pleasure1 we so generally meet with on the ,sabbath morning4 ,believe me1 ,my much endeared friends and parishioners1 ,your truly affectionate ,rector1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 ,,to ,,his ,,sister1 ,,mrs4 ,,holland4 ,thornhill1 ,oct4 #ba1 #ahdj4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,we congratulate you on dear ,henry's account4 ,oh1 how glad should we have been had ,canada been commiserated by him3 had ,i twenty sons and should you ask1 how ,i should wish to dispose of them1 ,i would say1 ,oh1 let them be clergymen--pious1 faithful1 useful ministers of our beloved ,church1 and let them all be fixed in ,canada4 ,i hope my dear nephew will be on his guard3 caution him against a religion of forms and ceremonies1 and high priestly assumption1 none of which can be maintained without sapping the grand fundamental article of our ,protestant religion1 ,,justification ,,by ,,faith4 ,once admit that there is anything inherently gracious in anything but what is simple faith1 and ,protestantism is virtually at an end3 let anything be expected otherwise than from ,christ by faith through the power and agency of the divine ,spirit1 and carry out this admission to its full length1 and you are inevitably landed safely in ,romanism4 ,i fear much for the younger clergy4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in another letter1 in reference to the above subject1 he writes3-- ,oh1 my dear sister1 ,i quite tremble when ,i think of the probable results of the present wide spread of tractarian notions4 ,high churchism1 if it be suffered to proceed1 and does not meet with a speedy and most effectual check from the rulers of our ,church1 will hurry hundreds and thousands into ,romanism1 or force the decidedly ,evangelical into secession4 ,awful times seem to be awaiting us1 and ,i hardly dare think of them3 indeed1 ,i keep putting away every consideration almost as fast as it comes2 or1 rather1 ,i endeavour to keep rolling the weighty care upon ,one who is both able and pledged1 in answer to believing prayer1 to sustain it4 ,these principles are exerting no small degree of influence in our province4 ,oh1 forget us not in your prayers6 we greatly need them4 ,as to myself ,i need say but little4 ,my health and spirits are restored to a degree which ,i little anticipated1 and ,i am enabled to go through such duties as ,i engage in with comparative ease and comfort4 ,a calm1 tranquil1 peaceful old age has been mercifully vouchsafed me1 and all ,i want is more grace to enjoy and improve my many mercies4 ,i am always backward to speak of spiritual things1 lest while recounting ,god's mercies1 8self-applause should step in20 but ,i still owe it to the goodness of my condescending ,god and ,saviour to testify that ,i do hope his work is not retrograding in my soul4 ,infirmities1 ,i have many--mental and spiritual1 as well as bodily2 but still some precious deepenings are ,i hope not fallaciously discernible4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,cooper4 ,thornhill1 near ,toronto1 ,upper ,canada1 ,jan4 #d1 #ahda4 ,my much endeared ,friend1 ,how can ,i convey to you the heartfelt satisfaction1 which ,i received in perusing your most truly welcome letter8 ,my many infirmities will hardly admit of my complying with your request of an early reply2 for ,i have only written one letter1 ,i believe1 for many months past1 and that with extreme difficulty2 and ,i have no expectation of being able to finish this without sundry rests and postponements4 ,but ,i am desirous of making the attempt1 and indeed should feel myself altogether unworthy of so endeared and estimable a friend were ,i to place his letter among my unanswered accumulations1 or avail myself of the filial aid of one of the amanuenses to whom1 on especial occasions1 ,i am constrained to have recourse4 ,but while ,i allude to the circumstance of difficulty connected with writing1 ,i ought not1 ,i suppose1 to pass on to other matters1 without a few words of explanation4 ,about a year and half ago1 ,i suffered sundry strains and contusions from a fall1 from which ,i have never yet quite recovered2 and though ,i feel no positive pain1 when ,i am perfectly at rest1 yet when ,i use my shoulder or the muscles connected with it1 in any continuous operation1 ,i am sure to suffer2 and1 whenever ,i imprudently and pertinaciously persist1 ,i feel the effects for days1 weeks1 and even months4 ,a habit of caution therefore1 has crept upon me2 and having at no time possessed any strong predilections for the labours of the pen1 and especially for the duties of the correspondent1 ,i have1 at length1 almost persuaded myself1 that ,i am fully released from the obligation4 ,i am reluctant to fill my sheet with reference to myself1 and yet ,i ought not to withhold from you the yet further allusion to infirmities4 ,long have ,i been failing in my health1 and long have my ministerial duties proved too great a call on my general strength1 and especially my nervous system2 but ,i still feel reluctant to retire from them4 ,my wife and children were indeed repeatedly striving to bring me to the point1 and represented to me the desirableness of withdrawing before such an attack should be experienced1 as would render the residue of life burdensome to myself1 distressing to my friends1 and useless to all4 ,still1 ,i shrunk1--it seemed almost an awful thing to retire from duties so solemnly undertaken2 and from which none but ,god could release me4 ,in this state of uncertainty ,i was seized with so violent a nervous affection1 while engaged in some public but unimportant matter1 that ,i lost1 in the course of few minutes1 all power to read1 and could not for some days make out the very commonest words without spelling them just like a child2 and though1 as my nerves acquired a little more tone1 ,i was enabled to recover somewhat of my suspended powers1 it was not till several weeks after my seizure1 that ,i was enabled to appear again in public duties2 and then ,i could merely preach1 not read4 ,but this resumption of my duties gradually brought on such oppressive1 not to say alarming1 symptoms1 that ,i1 at length1 felt fully convinced that my poor weakly frame was no longer able to bear such onerous duties2 and having1 through ,god's mercy1 obtained an assistant1 who exactly suits both myself and people1 ,i have turned over to him my yearly stipend with every public and oppressive duty1 and am now rector indeed in name1 but little further3 ,i visit1 indeed1 parochially1 and am endeavouring in various little ways1 to counsel1 regulate1 and forward the movements of others1 and to be a bond of union to the somewhat heterogeneous mass around us2 and the silent intercessor for their diversified good1 when it is not in my power in any other way to aid them4 ,and ,i trust1 that ,god is still among us as a people4 ,as to other things1 the kind interest which you have ever taken in my welfare1 makes me wish that you would just introduce yourself1 if only for a few minutes1 into our midst4 ,i could not have believed that so much comfort awaited me in my latter days4 ,pecuniary means quite adequate1 not only for necessaries1 but for extensive comforts2 a commodious1 elegant1 and tasty abode1 close and open carriage for summer1 a cutter and sleigh for winter c42 estimable society1 and superior by far to most neighbourhoods in the province1 within two hours' easy drive of the capital 7,toronto71 and this well and even luxuriously supplied4 ,no lack of literature4 ,i see the best books1 and have access to1 or take in myself1 the most approved periodicals and newspapers1 almost to overpowering4 ,and all this1 when ,i derive no income from my ministry 7excepting the pittance from letting the glebe of my rectory71 and having no aid1 as in ,england1 from pupilizing2 so great are the advantages of residing in this fine province4 ,in ,england all was struggling and difficulty1 and no possibility of settling my family2 while here1 ,i am enabled to call every reasonable comfort around me1 and to live in a style1 not indeed of ostentation and display1 which has never been my aim1 but of comparative ease and comfort1 such as calls for many an expression of grateful praise4 ,the earlier part of my residence and ministrations in this place were not indeed over abundant in encouragement1 and ,i had frequent thoughts of relinquishing my apparently hopeless charge1 and escaping from my comfortless location4 ,but my way never appeared to me so satisfactorily opened as to authorize the final step1 and truly thankful am ,i that ,i continued4 ,for three or four years past all has been encouraging1 and ,i cannot but regard the spot in which ,i hope now to end my days1 as one of the most eligible and pleasant1 which this fine country can present4 ,the visit paid to us by ,mr4 ,b4 ,l--1 and to which you allude in your letter1 was in the very midst of our discouragements1 and most affectionately did he sympathize with us4 ,a few months after his return he expressed similar sympathy in the letter he wrote to me1 which quite made me smile1 as descriptive of scenes and feelings which seemed to have reference to 8the lang syne20 so completely had our circumstances amended4 ,but when1 in a subsequent letter of a few months later date1 his mind seemed only able to dwell on the same mournful scenes1 and we had got fully established in our comfortable abode1 with all our numerous satisfactions around us1 and at the same time enjoying abundant proofs of our being deeply and firmly seated in the affections of our attached people4 ,thus circumstanced 4 4 4 ,march #be1 #ahda4 ,,thus far1 my endeared friend1 had ,i written nearly three months ago1 and then abruptly terminated my operose endeavour1 effected at four different sittings1 and at length laid by1 almost in despair4 ,but through ,god's mercy1 ,i am beginning again to use my pen with far less of annoyance2 and1 after having despatched three short letters1 on the three last days1 and being tolerably sound after the operation1 ,i have looked out my suspended communication1 and have no small pleasure in resuming4 ,the non-completed sentence will1 ,i suppose1 speak for itself1 the intention being simply to assure you that1 though possibly you may have heard through ,mr4 ,b4 ,l--1 of our being surrounded by nothing but desagrmens1 we are1 in fact1 some of the most delightfully located persons in the province--perfect joy and satisfaction--a paradisaical blessedness--a very elysium of delight4 ,unfortunately1 however1 for my description1 it was written in ,january instead of ,march1--the provinces since united--seat of government removed--radical elections--a fearful preponderance of rebel abettors--destructives and liberals--our beloved ,church threatened--the ,papacy fearlessly exhibited1 and giving but too much reason for anticipating its eventual triumph1 and ,protestant ,episcopal subversion4 ,all around us gloomy1 and full of dismal forebodings2 and our only hope 7if the ,divine ,disposer be overlooked7 in the detrusion from office of those ,whigs1 who so vexatiously retain their places at home1 and not content with liberalism1 and bringing into jeopardy ,england's every good1 are carrying with a yet higher hand their destructive and church-subversive measures in its colonies4 ,such1 alas6 is the present aspect of our horizon6 ,but as to myself1 ,i am happy to say that it does not much trouble me4 ,it is indeed not a little cloud which hangs over us1 but dark and far-spreading2 and yet ,i cherish hope that it will soon blow over4 ,we have had our direful threatenings before1 but ,god has dealt very mercifully with us2 and ,i trust that similar mercies are now also in reserve4 ,but ,i am hardly leaving myself room to say a few words on other matters4 ,greatly did it rejoice me1 my endeared friend1 to follow you in your most pleasing recital of the numerous exhibitions of ,god's mercy and faithfulness to yourself and family1 and ,i have no question but that in many respects you will see yet greater things than these2--yes6 all is well--much of spiritual good has been reaped by my beloved friend4 ,he has gone forth bearing precious seed1 and even here has come again with joy1 bringing his sheaves with him4 ,april #ba1 #ahda4 ,,much to my mortification1 ,i was unable1 as ,i had wished1 to finish my letter1 when ,i added the few lines about a month ago2 but that slight effort brought on a return of my disability1 and obliged me to be again quiet2 and1 were ,i to consult the suggestions of prudence1 ,i should not1 ,i believe1 now venture on a few lines which ,i am desirous of appending by way of conclusion4 ,but ,i am so thoroughly ashamed of both my apparent neglect1 and the fussiness attendant on my endeavours to write to you the letter ,i have done1 that ,i can keep my sheet by me no longer1 and1 though ,i seem to have many things to say to you1 ,i must content myself with the assurance1 that with unabated affection1 and with every good wish for yourself1 ,mrs4 ,c--1 and family1 in which ,mrs4 ,m-- most sincerely unites1 ,i have the pleasure to subscribe myself1 ,your long attached ,friend ,and brother in the gospel1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,after an interval of eighteen years1 ,i saw my late beloved friend only for the second time after our leaving ,cambridge and settling in life4 ,i saw him for a few short hours in the year #ahbd1 and1 from that time1 ,i had not that pleasure again until ,july1 #ahdb1 when ,i had the long-desired happiness of paying him a visit at ,thornhill1 and passing a week with him1 in the society of his kind family1 to whom ,i had never before been personally introduced4 ,we used1 when at college1 to promise ourselves the pleasure of alternate annual visits1 little thinking that1 for so long a period1 the bounds of our habitation were to be no nearer together than the eastern and western hemisphere4 ,at ,thornhill1 ,i saw my endeared friend in different circumstances and relations to what ,i had ever personally known him before--as the pastor1 the husband1 and the father2 and ,i was not disappointed in contemplating him in these characters4 ,he was as venerable in appearance as grey--,i might rather say white--hairs could make him1 and which crowned a countenance of the most benignant aspect--serene1 intelligent1 animated1 and beaming with tenderness and affection4 ,there was also in his manners1 in the tones of his voice1 and1 when speaking1 in the peculiar expressiveness of his countenance1 something remarkably sweet1 mild1 and engaging4 ,the general contour of the upper part of his body1 especially his long white hair behind1 reminded me of the later likenesses of the justly celebrated ,john ,wesley4 ,his body was of low stature and deformed1 which1 at first sight1 might have given to a stranger but a lowly opinion of him2 but every disadvantage from appearance soon wore off1 and the mind shone brightly through the mean and weak and uncommanding body1 which contained it4 ,a pleasing instance of this effect occurred when ,i was in ,canada4 ,he was kind enough to spend three or four days with me at my son's--a visit to which the following letter has some reference1 and which1 as being the last ,i ever received from him1 though it contain nothing of any importance1 ,i insert with a deep recollection of the intercourse which ,i had with my friend on the occasion4 ,we were spending an evening together at the house of a friend3 a lady of piety and intelligence was present as a visitor like ourselves1 and who had never before seen ,mr4 ,mortimer4 ,before the evening passed1 she observed to me1 8,that gentleman is no common man10 so struck was she1 and1 perhaps1 contrary to her expectations1 with the superior cast of his conversation1 which ,i had myself also observed in the course of the evening4 ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,armstrong4 ,thornhill1 ,aug4 #g1 #ahdb4 ,my dear ,armstrong1 ,,it struck me that the last thing you said to me in parting was1 that you would inform me of your movements1 and for such information ,i have hitherto been waiting2 but as ,i possibly may have misunderstood you1 and you are expecting to hear from me1 ,i had better write at once4 ,circumstances1 ,i find1 will not admit of my going to ,new ,york just at present1 nor do ,i apprehend that ,i shall find it necessary for the accomplishment of my literary purpose to go beyond ,buffalo1 or ,rochester at the farthest1 though this ,i cannot quite settle till ,i see you4 ,i shall hope1 if all be well1 to sleep in ,toronto on ,monday next1 and proceed the next morning for ,niagara or ,queenston2 or1 in fact1 whatever place ,i shall find1 on inquiry on board the steamer ,transit1 shall be the nearest point to your son's abode2 and from that point shall make my way to him as ,i can4 ,i am no nice traveller on such occasions1 and therefore very readily get accommodated4 ,there are two or three matters ,i am wishing to talk over with you1 and which strike me as of no small importance in reference to our ,canadian ecclesiastical matters4 ,i suppose you have not been able to arrive at any decision in our favour2 and1 while we are beating our rough and perilous way1 you will be felicitating yourself1 when in some tranquil cozy retreat1 that you have escaped the threatening danger of our more unquiet seas4 ,but whether such outward tranquillity is awaiting my endeared friend or not1 ,i trust he will ever experience much of that peace which his peace-imparting ,saviour can alone bestow2 and may the peace and rest which awaits him in heaven be realized by him in all its delightful fulness4 ,and oh1 may his unworthy friend be privileged to meet him there6 ,our kindest regards to yourself and our endeared young friend1 ,yours ever1 my dear ,armstrong1 ,most affectionately and sincerely1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the last letter addressed to his fondly attached sister1 ,mrs4 ,holland1 was written in a broken manner1 and was probably among the last1 except on mere matters of business1 which he ever wrote4 ,i have myself seen but one other written after the date which this bears1 and which will be noticed presently4 ,,to ,,his ,,sister4 ,thornhill1 ,april #f1 #ahdd4 ,,am not dead1 dear ,mary1 but increasingly abhorrent of the epistolary--it's no use scolding--quite inveterate4 ,after entering more minutely than usual into family details1 he adds1 ,self alive again--marvel greatly--though an old man1 still two full services on the ,sunday--no assistant--do all the parochial--visit not a little from house to house1 more regularly and systematically than has been my wont--never felt my duties less onerously--peaceful dependent1 and more hopeful--more power to cast my burden on another1 and find my ,redeemer mighty--oh never fails--so faithful1 condescending1 kind4 ,sorry1 oh sorry1 that deafness has appeared2 but could ,brother ,g4 heal as well as sympathise1 he would soon show1 by its immediate removal1 that blundering affection1 instead of the wisdom of love1 which marks mortals' wishes and decisions2 but1 dear ,mary1 it's more than compensated4 ,may that blessed ,christian grace of patience have its perfect work6 ,am a middle man still--hate ,dissent1 but never preach against ,dissenters--love the men1 but greatly deplore the evils of the whole system--therefore budge not from my long wont--a real ,churchman ,i hope still1 but neither ultra high1 nor ultra low4 ,and now1 dear ,mary1 adieu--your letter has shamed1 has lovingly shamed me1 and therefore have written something4 ,kindest love from all to all4 ,yours as ever1 ,g4 ,m4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the day before his death1 ,mr4 ,mortimer addressed a long letter to his brother1 the ,rev4 ,thomas ,mortimer1 full of interest and full of kindness1 and which1 no doubt1 will be treasured up by him with great care and affection2 but it is of so personal and domestic a tenor1 that it is only a single short extract that ,i can with propriety insert in this memoir1 though nothing could be more appropriate1 as a conclusion to his correspondence4 ,june #ad1 #ahdd4 99 99 99 99 ,of myself a word or two will suffice4 ,though old and grey-headed1 my ,god forsakes me not2 but graciously imparts a gleam of sunshine in my latter days1 which almost makes me marvel4 ,i have just completed my sixtieth year1 and1 though encompassed1 as ever1 with infirmities1 have for the last twelvemonth done full duty twice on the ,sabbath4 ,the flame yet flickers1 and till it shall sink into total darkness1 may it send forth some shining ray to enlighten the minds and change the hearts of my beloved ,canadian people4 ,adieu1 my beloved ,brother1 ,ever affectionately yours1 ,,george ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,mr4 ,mortimer's death1 which took place on ,saturday1 ,june #ae1 #ahdd1 has been so suitably and feelingly described by others that ,i have nothing to do but to avail myself of their services4 ,these consist of notices of the event1 taken by the public papers of ,toronto2 a resolution of the ,central ,board of the ,church ,society of the ,diocese of ,toronto1 presented to ,mrs4 ,mortimer by the ,rev4 ,w4 ,w4 ,ripley1 secretary2 a brief memoir drawn up by the ,rev4 ,thomas ,grinfield1 and inserted in the ,bristol ,journal2 and letters written by his amiable and excellent daughter1 ,miss ,phebe ,mortimer1 giving some account of the last years of her father's life1 as well as of the circumstances and particulars of his death4 7,from the 8,church0 newspaper of ,june #ba1 #ahdd47 ,it is with feelings of no ordinary pain and grief that we announce the sudden and afflictive death of a venerable friend and fellow-labourer in this diocese1 the ,rev4 ,george ,mortimer1 ,m4,a41 ,rector of ,thornhill4 ,as this deeply-lamented gentleman was proceeding on ,saturday afternoon last from his residence to ,toronto1 his horse1 when about half way through the village1 took fright1 and the reins breaking1 the carriage was upset1 and ,mr4 ,mortimer was thrown violently against the stump of a tree4 ,he received immediate assistance1 and was carried into the house of a neighbour1 ,mr4 ,griffiths4 ,dr4 ,paget1 his medical attendant1 speedily arrived1 and drove him home4 ,on the way he spoke with cheerfulness1 and hopes were entertained that the injury would not prove very serious2 but soon after his arrival at his own house1 he expressed his conviction that he had not long to survive--an apprehension which was confirmed by his kind and afflicted medical friend4 ,having called his family round him1 he addressed them in his own peculiarly affectionate and earnest manner1 upon the solemn change he was soon to undergo1 blessed them1 and presently after sunk to his rest1 so calmly and quietly that they knew not of his departure until the mournful event was communicated by ,dr4 ,paget4 ,about two hours only had elapsed between the occurrence of the accident and his death4 ,the servant who had driven him1 was thrown also with great violence against a heap of stones1 and severely hurt2 but he is now1 we are happy to say1 recovering4 ,the well-known excellencies of ,mr4 ,mortimer in every ,christian sphere and relation1 render any extended remarks of our own unnecessary4 ,he was all that the mind can conceive1 in this imperfect state1 of a gentle1 consistent1 and established ,christian4 ,with talents and acquirements of the highest order1 a polished mind and a benevolent heart1 he was fitted to adorn any society2 while the zealous and conscientious discharge of every pastoral duty to which his strength was equal1 added to a large and systematic charity1 endeared him1 in a peculiar degree1 to the flock who were so fortunate as to enjoy his ministrations4 ,in the diocese at large1 as a well-informed1 pious1 and influential clergyman1 his loss will be severely felt2 a loss the more afflictive to many1 from the very recent opportunity occurring at the late visitation1 where he attended apparently in unusual health1 of enjoying the benefits and gratification of his society4 ,he has gone to his rest in a mature1 though not old age2 and1 in the words of a contemporary1 8the chief consolation to the family and friends of this truly good man will be1 that he died in the full assurance of entering into the perfect realization of the true believer's promised happiness40 7,from the ,toronto ,patriot1 of ,tuesday1 ,june #ah1 #ahdd47 ,,melancholy ,,accident4--,it has seldom been our task to announce a more truly melancholy accident than that which1 on ,saturday evening1 deprived the diocese of ,toronto of one of its most zealous1 useful1 and truly respected clergymen1 the ,rev4 ,george ,mortimer1 of ,thornhill4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,few men could have moved in a sphere of more active ,christian usefulness than this most excellent minister of religion4 ,to the poor1 and the neighbourhood generally1 of ,thornhill1 his death will be a severe loss4 ,his charities were large1 and extended to the bounds of his clerical remuneration and a large private income4 ,the chief consolation to the family and friends of this truly ,christian man will be1 that he died in the full assurance of entering into the perfect realization of the true believer's promised happiness4 7,from the 8,british ,colonist10 a ,presbyterian paper1 of ,tuesday1 ,june #ah1 #ahdd47 ,,with much regret we announce the death of the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,mortimer1 of ,thornhill4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,mr4 ,mortimer was the incumbent of the ,episcopal ,church1 at ,thornhill2 he was beloved by his congregation1 and held in high respect by all around him1 and distinguished for his benevolence and charity4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,at a meeting of the ,central ,board of the ,church ,society1 of the diocese of ,toronto1 held at the ,society's ,house1 on the #crd ,july1 #ahdd1 the ,lord ,bishop in the chair3 on the motion of the ,rev4 ,h4 ,j4 ,grasett1 ,m4,a41 domestic chaplain to the ,lord ,bishop1 seconded by the ,hon4 ,w4 ,allan1 it was ,resolved--,that the ,central ,board of the ,church ,society of ,toronto1 with feelings of the deepest emotion1 embrace the first opportunity of their meeting together since the sudden and lamented death of the ,rev4 ,george ,mortimer1 ,m4,a41 ,rector of ,thornhill1 to express their sorrow in the removal of a member of their body1 who1 for warm yet humble piety1 enlarged and ,christian charity1 a self-denying course of life1 and a holy devotedness to his ,heavenly ,master's cause1 was surpassed by none of those who have been commissioned to feed the flock of ,christ in this diocese4 ,and while the ,board view in this melancholy bereavement1 the chastening hand of a merciful and gracious ,father1 who scourgeth every son whom he receiveth1 they most sincerely beg to offer their condolence to the widow and family of their deceased brother1 who1 his warfare being accomplished1 has been thus suddenly called from the ,church militant to join the society of those who have departed hence in the faith and fear of the ,lord4 7,signed7 ,,john ,,toronto4 7,from the ,bristol ,journal47 ,,the ,,rev4 ,,george ,,mortimer1 ,m4,a4 ,,with deep regret and affectionate esteem1 we record the death of one1 whose memory 7we are persuaded7 is embalmed in the hearts of many among our fellow-citizens--the ,,rev4 ,,george ,,mortimer4 ,in the midst of his ministerial usefulness in ,upper ,canada1 whither he emigrated from this city about ten years ago1 his valuable life was suddenly terminated by one of those mysterious dispensations of ,infinite ,wisdom1 which1 while they make us feel our deep ignorance1 exercise at once reverential submission and ,christian confidence4 ,thrown from an open carriage against the stump of a tree1 he received a fatal injury on his chest2 and having been carried to his home1 and placed on his bed1 he expired within two hours4 ,it is remarkable that1 as a fall1 suffered in his infancy1 had injured his growth1 and distorted his person1 a fall should have proved the occasion of his death4 ,for several years 7between #ahbf and #ahcd7 he resided in this neighbourhood2 first at ,horfield1 when he officiated as evening preacher at ,st4 ,mary-le-,port1 in this city2 afterwards1 as curate of the ,rev4 ,alfred ,harford1 at ,hutton1 in ,somerset4 ,he was a man equally distinguished by his intellectual and ,christian excellence4 ,the strength and symmetry of his mental constitution presented a striking contrast and relief to the imperfection of his stature and his form--imperfection redeemed by a countenance eloquently expressive of benignity blended with intelligence4 ,those who enjoyed his personal intimacy will remember him long among the most instructive and interesting of companions--among the most kind and faithful of friends4 ,as a preacher1 he was eminently popular1 powerful1 and profitable2 peculiarly excelling in accurate details of practical and social duty1 and also in discriminative representations of the character and the heart4 ,a mind acute1 perspicuous1 methodical1 enriched with knowledge at once varied and exact2 a natural unwritten eloquence1 aided by a voice of peculiar and pathetic tone--imparted an extraordinary charm to those evening discourses1 which1 delivered to crowded auditories in ,st4 ,mary-le-,port ,church1 have left1 we doubt not1 vivid and valued impressions on the memory and the heart of many a surviving hearer4 ,at this moment we well recollect particular passages of his preaching2 and especially his farewell address1 heard with mournful eagerness by an overflowing throng on the evening of the day preceding his departure for ,america3 the text1 8,choose ye this day whom ye will serve60--the sermon1 a masterpiece of comprehensive and momentous exhortation4 ,on the next morning 7,monday7 in company with many of his attached friends and hearers1 8we accompanied him to the ship1 sorrowing most of all for this1 that we should see his face no more40 7,acts1 xx4 #ch47 ,our ,canadian colony1 then the scene of large emigration1 and greatly in need of able clergymen1 rejoiced to receive the treasure which ,bristol once enjoyed4 ,by his natural and acquired endowments1 ,mr4 ,mortimer was singularly qualified for usefulness in the new field of his ministry4 ,in his extensive parish of ,thornhill1 the parish church was considerably enlarged during the year preceding his last1 towards which he contributed greatly2 and also effected the establishment of two other churches1 with clergymen attached to them1 in the same extensive district4 ,during a long course of years1 ,mr4 ,m-- had made it his rule to expend a tenth part of his income annually1 on the various objects of ,christian benevolence3 his liberality must have proved doubly valuable1 where1 while numerous necessities demanded relief1 the people are generally slow to give4 ,in what high esteem he was held by his ,canadian brethren1 is sufficiently attested by the extraordinary honours of his funeral3 the ,bishop of ,toronto1 accompanied by more than forty clergymen1 many from distant places1 attended his remains to their sepulchral rest1 with tears of mingled love and grief4 ,he has left an excellent widow and six children to lament his loss1 and cherish his memory4 ,of his sons1 two are engaged in the ministry2 one as a missionary among the ,chippeway ,indians1 and the youngest is studying in the ,college of ,toronto for the same sacred destination4 ,may the spirit of their father be perpetuated in his children's children4 ,t4 ,g4 ,august #g1 #ahdd4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,to ,,miss ,,eliza ,,ford4 ,thornhill1 ,september #be1 #ahdd4 ,my dear ,madam1 ,,in compliance with the wishes expressed in your letter to ,mamma1 and at her request1 ,i proceed to retrace the latest years of my dear father's life4 ,though it is in some respects a painful task1 and one for which ,i feel myself incompetent1 ,i shall be quite repaid if ,i afford any pleasure to the respected and valued friends of my late beloved father4 ,i think you must have heard of the distressing nervous attack which my dear father had about four years since1 and which1 for a time1 entirely incapacitated him for the discharge of his ministerial duties1 and obliged him to engage the services of a curate4 ,when he had partially recovered1 but1 at the same time1 felt unequal to the resumption of his ministrations at ,thornhill1 he undertook a service in a retired place1 nearly four miles distant1 where no church service had been before held4 ,he felt very much interested in this self-imposed charge1 which he termed1 in speaking of it to me1 the nursling of his old age4 ,many of the members of this congregation1 which consisted entirely of farmers1 mechanics1 and labourers1 have frequently spoken in strong terms of gratitude for his attention to them1 and ,i hope that his labours there were in some measure appreciated4 ,when he afterwards gave ,mr4 ,townley some assistance in ,thornhill ,church1 #beb he still continued his exposition1 as he was accustomed to call it1 at the ,german ,mills1 but then went only once a fortnight1 and my youngest brother1 with the consent of the bishop1 officiated as lay-reader1 on the alternate ,sundays4 ,at the end of ,june1 in last year1 my dear father having felt very anxious to resume his charge at ,thornhill1 at length came to the determination of dismissing his curate1 notwithstanding the fears of his family that he would be unequal to bear the sole burden of the then greatly increased parochial duties4 ,connected with this determination1 was a resolution to devote himself entirely to his ministerial work1 and he re-entered upon it with renewed zeal and ardour4 ,at the same time he entirely gave up all his literary pursuits1 and1 as if to confirm his purpose1 removed from his study all the geological and other scientific works1 which had previously engaged and captivated his attention4 ,this was an evident and great sacrifice1 but it was made with cheerfulness for the sake of his ,divine ,redeemer2 and the comfort and great peace of mind which he enjoyed in doing his ,master's work1 fully recompensed him for this act of self-devotion4 ,our fears respecting his health proved to have been groundless1 for he frequently said that he never felt his ministerial duties less oppressive than he then did4 ,the good health which he enjoyed was greatly promoted by the practice which he had adopted of driving out regularly every day1 and which he then continued both for the benefit of the exercise1 and also for the purpose of visiting his parishioners1 very many of whom lived at a distance of many miles4 ,his visits have been frequently alluded to1 and they appear to have been prized by many1 as marks of kindness and condescension1 when they could not appreciate their spiritual advantage4 ,during this last year of my dear father's life1 owing perhaps to the exclusively religious nature of his studies1 his conversation much more frequently than before took a serious turn4 ,i was frequently much struck with the beauty of his observations1 and at times the thought occurred that his remarks were those of one ripening for glory4 ,at the end of last ,may1 ,arthur and his bride came to visit us1 and we then effected a family meeting1 every member being present excepting ,maria4 ,during the next week1 my dear father was present at the bishop's triennial visitation1 and at the annual meeting of our ,diocesan ,church ,society2 and his apparent good health was generally remarked by his clerical and other friends4 ,the ceremony of opening a church in our neighbourhood1 occurring in the following week1 he thought it his duty to attend2 but these exertions1 combined with the excitement of an enlarged family circle1 affected his health1 and on that account1 during the three last days he spent the whole of his time in parochial visiting4 ,the man-servant spoke with much feeling of his conversation during their drives1 and mentioned his having said1 each day1 when they reached home1 8,once more1 ,stephen1 ,god has brought us home in safety40 ,some of the persons that he visited on those days remarked to a young friend1 that their minister spoke to them particularly of preparation for death4 ,on ,saturday1 the #aeth of ,june1 having heard that his bookseller in ,toronto had received a supply of new books1 he determined upon going there to select some theological works4 ,while he was waiting for the carriage1 he returned to the dining-room1 and talked in a very lively manner till it was ready4 ,he had only proceeded about a mile on his journey1 when the fatal accident occurred4 ,the newspapers gave a correct account of the accident1 which perhaps you have heard--that the horse ran away2 that one rein broke suddenly1 though nearly new1 which caused the horse to make so sudden and violent a turn1 that the carriage was overturned1 and that the man1 though thrown out as well as his master1 was only slightly injured1 while the latter received his deathblow on the chest1 by being thrown with violence against the stump of a tree4 ,it had long been the practice of my endeared father1 and one which he recommended from the pulpit1 to make death a daily subject of prayer1 and a part of that1 ,i believe1 daily petition1 was that he might1 if consistent with the will of ,god1 have an easy death4 ,the testimony of his kind and skilful medical attendant1 is a decisive evidence to the striking fulfilment of this prayer2 for he told us that no other death was so easy1 excepting when occasioned by lightning1 as that which terminated the existence of my dear father1 who1 he assured us1 suffered no pain4 ,he also mentioned that he considered it a very remarkable circumstance1 that he should have survived so long a time as four hours3 for that two hours was deemed the utmost length of time that life could be prolonged1 under such circumstances1 and that instant death was the frequent result of such a blow4 ,that such was not the case in this instance1 we felt very thankful1 and he himself expressed his satisfaction at being brought home to his own bed1 and his thankfulness that none of his bones were broken2 not knowing then the fatal nature of his accident4 ,he expressed a desire that some of his family should leave the room1 that he might be quiet1 and we all therefore quitted his room1 excepting ,dr4 ,paget and ,arthur4 ,he was perfectly composed1 and resigned to the will of ,god1 whatever that might be1 but expressed a wish that he might fall asleep in ,jesus4 ,when he became aware1 or rather suspected1 that his end was approaching1 he sent for all the members of his family who were then at home1 mentioning us by name1 and we received in succession his last blessing4 ,he was then perfectly calm1 and in a peaceful state of mind4 ,almost his last words were expressive of his admiration of1 and thankfulness for1 the wonderful plan of redemption3 his words ,i do not remember accurately enough to quote1 but his last petition was for his beloved flock6 ,dr4 ,paget1 though his affectionate heart felt deep sorrow1 said1 that it was a privilege to witness such a death4 ,the testimony which has been borne by all ranks to the esteem in which he was held1 is very gratifying4 ,the bishop came from ,toronto1 though with great inconvenience1 to pay the last mark of respect to the dear remains of one whom1 to the credit of both parties1 he greatly respected1 though differing from him in many points4 ,the church was greatly crowded on the mournful occasion1 and a deep feeling appeared to pervade the assembly4 ,the pulpit1 c4 were hung with black cloth1 and all the genteel residents in the neighbourhood put on mourning4 ,these are the consolations which the world has in its power to offer to mourning relatives1 and very many have we received1 nor were they by any means undervalued by us1 but1 added to them1 we had far higher sources of comfort1 in the perfect assurance that he whom we mourned had entered into his rest1 and in the full assurance that the event1 deeply afflicting as it was to us1 was ordered by an allwise and gracious ,god4 ,mamma desires her ,christian respects to yourself and your dear sister1 of whose very afflictive state of deprivation of almost every outward comfort1 she was truly grieved to hear4 ,my dear father was much affected when he heard1 through ,miss ,b--1 the sad intelligence1 and he more than once alluded to your dear sister's blindness with tears of sympathy4 ,believe me1 dear ,madam1 ,very sincerely and respectfully yours1 ,,phebe ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following letter1 written by the same hand1 repeats so much of what was said in the foregoing1 that at first the writer of these memoirs determined1 on the omission of one of them3 but1 upon consideration that1 though there was repetition1 there was also so much variety of expression1 as well as of additional matter1 he judged it best to insert both--a judgment which he doubts not will be approved by his readers4 ,,to ,,mrs4 ,,holland4 ,thornhill1 ,feb4 #h1 #ahde4 ,my dear ,aunt1 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 8,the memory of the just is0 indeed 8blessed02 and ,i wish that the last remembrances of my beloved father could have been traced for you by a more able hand than mine4 ,his memory is1 ,i am sure1 treasured in the hearts of very many here who knew him4 ,i wish it may incite them to follow him as he followed ,christ4 ,the last year of my beloved father's life was marked by an entire devotion to his ministerial work2 for when he came to the determination of resuming the entire charge of his parish1 it was accompanied by a resolution to abandon every other pursuit1 and to devote all his time and powers to the one object of winning souls to ,christ4 ,as if to confirm this purpose1 he put away from his study library all the geological and other scientific and literary books with which it was furnished1 and replenished it with theological works4 ,it was to him an act of great self-denial thus entirely to give up the studies and pursuits which had previously so engaged and captivated his attention2 but they were relinquished with cheerfulness1 because for his ,redeemer's sake2 for he observed at the time that he made this sacrifice1 8,oh6 it is a very little thing to do for my ,saviour40 ,he was fully recompensed for this devotion to his ,heavenly ,father's cause1 as appears from his having expressed to mamma the great comfort and peace of mind which he afterwards enjoyed in his clerical avocations4 ,from that time a change was apparent in his conversation2 for although he was always accustomed to introduce religious subjects in conversation with his family1 especially in the evening1 when he would sit with us for a short time after family prayers1 still1 during the last year1 his conversation1 partaking of the exclusive nature of his studies1 was more uniformly serious than it had been previously4 ,i was frequently much struck with the beauty and spirituality of his observations1 and1 once or twice1 while listening to his conversation1 the idea presented itself1 that the sentiments and feelings he expressed were those of one who was ripening for the garner4 ,this1 however1 was merely a passing thought1 and never at all realized or dwelt upon2 for my dear father was1 at that time1 particularly well1 and he frequently told us that he never felt his ministerial duties less burdensome4 ,one of his remarks1 which made an impression on my mind at the time1 has since struck me the more from the coincidence of the following text being written in one of the blank leaves of the ,bible that he was accustomed to use1 until within the last two or three years of his life3 8,when ,i am old and grey-headed1 ,o ,god1 forsake me not40 ,psalm lxxi4 #ah4 ,the remark which he made in conversation was this3 8,he has been my ,god from my youth up1 but ,i never felt that he was so near to me as now in my old age40 ,these are not1 ,i think1 quite the expressions he made use of1 for ,i quote from memory1 and although ,i attempted to write them down the same day1 ,i could not even then recall the words that he used4 ,often similar attempts that ,i made failed also1 and ,i then relinquished the idea that ,i had entertained1 of preserving in writing some of my endeared father's religious observations4 ,during one of our drives to the station at the ,german ,mills1 speaking of the ministering of angels1 a subject of which he was very fond1 he remarked1 that the dispensation of faith under which we are placed made it necessary that an unseen agency should be employed for our protection and deliverance1 as otherwise faith would be lost in sight2 and also that1 had these ministering spirits been made visible to us1 we should have been very prone to place our reliance upon them1 instead of putting our trust simply in ,god4 ,he pursued the conversation as we ascended a very steep hill1 and said1 8,i think we are little aware how constantly angels are employed on our behalf2 perhaps now1 an angel is leading that horse by the bridle1 and encouraging it onwards40 ,one of the horses1 a fine animal1 was then exerting itself to the utmost2 for the roads were very bad at the time1 and the hill was therefore very difficult of ascent4 ,i think the following anecdote will be interesting to you1 as it is one which made a strong impression on my dear father's mind1 and1 as it is short1 ,i am tempted to copy it for you3 8,as one said to ,philip ,j4 ,jenks just before he expired1 #8,how hard it is to die1' he replied1 #8,oh1 no1 easy dying1 blessed dying1 glorious dying4' ,looking up at the clock1 he said1 #8,i have experienced more happiness in dying this day1 than in my whole life4 ,it is worth living for1 it is worth a whole life1 to have such an end as this4 ,i have long desired that ,i might glorify ,god in my death2 but oh6 ,i never thought that such a poor worm as ,i could have come to such a glorious death4'0 ,i believe this account of 8happiness experienced in death10 contributed very much to weaken his apprehension of the pains of death1 which he afterwards entirely lost4 ,it had1 however1 long been his own practice1 and one which he recommended to others from the pulpit1 to make death a daily subject of prayer1 particularly as regarded its time and manner2 and ,i believe one of these daily petitions was1 that he might have an easy death1 if consistent with the will of ,god4 ,this petition was answered by his ,heavenly ,father in a striking manner1 for our kind friend and physician assured us1 that he suffered no pain1 not even so much as a person experiences in fainting4 ,it is also remarkable1 as ,dr4 ,paget mentioned to us1 that in no other way could his existence have been terminated with this absence of pain1 except by a stroke of lightning4 ,the doctor also considered it remarkable that he survived so long after the fatal accident1 as instant death frequently occurs under such circumstances4 ,that such was not his case was an unspeakable comfort to us2 and he himself expressed his satisfaction at being brought home to his own comfortable bed4 ,he also stated his thankfulness for the circumstance of no bone being broken1 or even dislocated1 and quoted that passage of ,scripture1 8,he keepeth all his bones1 not one of them is broken40 ,this was before he was aware of the fatal nature of the accident4 ,he expressed a wish to be left alone that he might be quiet1 and we all left the room in consequence1 except ,arthur and ,dr4 ,paget4 ,we had no idea that any danger was to be apprehended1 till a few moments before he expired1 when he sent for us1 asking for each by name1 and for the servants also4 ,he said he thought he was dying1 and added1 8,do not be surprised if ,i should struggle at the last40 ,immediately after he said1 8,what a salvation is that which ,christ has purchased for us2 what a blessing that ,i have nothing to do now6 ,my dear flock1 may the ,lord bless them all1 and provide for them60 ,then seeing us all around him1 he said to each1 8,may the ,lord bless you40 ,these were his last words1 except the expression of his wish to lie down4 ,i supported his head on my arm1 and thought that he was falling asleep--but no1 it was the sleep of death4 ,mr4 ,osier preached a most excellent funeral sermon from this appropriate text1 8,blessed are those servants1 whom their ,lord1 when he cometh1 shall find watching40 ,my dear father was employed to the very last in doing his ,lord's work3 his three last days were spent entirely in parochial visiting1 contrary to his usual practice of spending the greater portion of each day in his study1 and two or three hours in his drives and in visiting his people4 ,some of those whom he visited on these days1 afterwards told a young friend1 that he talked to them principally about preparation for death4 ,the man-servant also has spoken with much feeling of his conversation during those drives1 and he mentioned also1 that each day1 when they reached home1 he said1 8,once more1 ,stephen1 ,god has brought us home in safety40 ,my beloved father's consistency of conduct won for him the respect and esteem of all who knew him1 even of those who differed from him1 sometimes widely1 in religious opinions4 ,such was the case with the bishop1 who however not only respected him1 but entertained very kind feelings towards him1 which he evinced by coming from ,toronto1 though with great inconvenience1 and unsolicited1 to pay the last mark of respect to his remains4 ,the public testimony which was borne to the excellence of my dear father's character1 in a resolution of the ,central ,board of the ,church ,society1 of which body he was a member1 was so gratifying1 that ,i cannot refrain from copying a part of it4 ,he is spoken of in the resolution as one 8who for warm yet humble piety1 enlarged and ,christian charity1 a self-denying course of life1 and a holy devotedness to his ,heavenly ,master's cause1 was surpassed by none of those who have been commissioned to feed the flock of ,christ in this diocese40 ,one of the features of character alluded to in this resolution had been especially observed by a young clerical friend1 who1 when speaking with much warmth of the high estimation he entertained of my dear father's character1 particularly mentioned his great humility4 ,as an instance of this1 he told us1 that1 when he had gone with my father into the vestry after preaching what ,mr4 ,d4 considered a most excellent sermon1 he had spoken of it as furnishing cause for fresh humiliation1 and a stimulus to greater exertions and more earnest prayers for the future4 ,mr4 ,d41 on the same occasion1 alluded to the peculiar facility with which he constantly introduced religious remarks in conversation1 which1 he said1 he had particularly noticed on the few occasions on which he had met him in company4 ,in answer to an observation1 that my dear father had often deplored the want of this very gift1 ,mr4 ,d4 remarked1 that this circumstance afforded a fresh proof of his humility4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,believe me1 my dear ,aunt1 ,your ever-affectionate ,niece1 ,,phebe ,,mortimer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,preaching4 ,,mr4 ,,mortimer1 says one of his friends #bfb 7well fitted to form a correct estimate of him71 was 8a rarely gifted person40 ,as a preacher1 he possessed very considerable excellence4 ,his extemporaneous discourses were of a very finished kind1 lucid in order1 striking in illustration1 and powerful in application4 ,these discourses were not the mere effusions of thoughts unprepared and of matter undigested1 but the result of diligent reading1 close study1 and fervent prayer1 which alone can enable even the competent extempore speaker to address a ,christian congregation with any good effect4 ,he was eminently a practical preacher1 and signally excelled in pourtraying the unfair arts so often practised by men of business with a view to their worldly gain3 and1 as his hearers were mostly tradesmen1 his graphic delineations were sometimes keenly felt in the consciences of individuals1 who were ready to say1 8,art thou come to call our sins to our remembrance80 ,more than one of his mercantile hearers has asked him1 in private intercourse1 by what means he had acquired so exact and extraordinary an acquaintance with the varieties of fraud1 which1 however familiar in the busy walks of trade1 might be supposed little known to a minister of the gospel4 ,to such a question he has replied1 that he had derived his knowledge1 partly from the habitual study of his own heart1 partly from his personal experience of a busy life in his earlier years2 as he had been apprenticed to an eminent ,london bookseller1 previously to his collegiate preparation for the ministry4 ,so searchingly did he probe the consciences of his hearers1 that it was not unfrequent with some among them to visit him for the purpose of private conference1 counsel1 and consolation4 ,he well knew how to 8speak a word in season to the weary10 with a peculiar sympathy and kindness4 ,yet quite as well he knew how to apply 8the terror of the ,lord30 and ,i remember his telling me1 that one of the most effective sermons 7as he had reason to believe7 which he had ever preached1 was of terrific character1 and founded on those words of overwhelming horror2 8,in ,hell he lifted up his eyes1 being in torments40 ,that sermon 7he had reason to hope7 had been used by the ,lord as an instrument for rescuing 8a brand from the burning10 which the preacher aimed to represent4 ,another of his most striking sermons1 divided between the morning and evening of the same ,sabbath1 was formed on a theme contrasted with the preceding1 the conduct and the reward of the faithful ,christian1 as exemplified in ,st4 ,,paul3 8,i have fought the good fight1 ,i have finished my course1 ,i have kept the faith3 henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness1 which the ,lord1 the righteous ,judge1 shall give me at that day40 #bfd ,but1 whatever excellencies he possessed as a preacher1 ,mr4 ,mortimer was unconscious of them himself3 for he frequently deplored what he considered the inefficiency of his ministrations1 and was accustomed to speak in the most humble terms of his sermons4 ,on one such occasion1 he said1 8,when ,i come out of the pulpit1 and turn over in my mind what ,i have said1 ,i think1 ,what does it all amount to8 ,how much more to the purpose it might have been1 and how much more useful60 ,on the ,sunday evenings1 after committing his past endeavours into the hands of his ,god by prayer1 he would turn his thoughts from the review of what he considered his past failures to the hope of future usefulness1 by at once renewing his exertions4 ,with this view1 he was accustomed1 before he retired to rest on the ,sunday evening1 to look out a text for the following ,sunday1 and to form the outline of the sermon4 ,but although he was thus peculiarly anxious about the preparation of his sermons1 he seldom spoke on the subject without remarking upon the necessity of the accompanying influences of the ,holy ,spirit1 to render efficacious even the most highly wrought1 powerful1 and most convincing sermon4 ,indeed1 he has expressed the opinion1 that the most common-place sermons were often made the most useful2 because1 in such cases1 the preacher1 being aware of their defects1 and being thus divested of all feelings of self-congratulation1 was led1 in more humble dependence upon ,god1 to entreat that ,he would give the increase4 ,in connexion with this subject1 he once mentioned having preached for a friend on a rainy day to an exceedingly small congregation4 ,the comparatively large number of empty pews presented a very discouraging aspect1 and tended very much to depress his spirits2--altogether such was the effect produced on his mind1 that least of all on that day would he have expected any favourable result from his sermon4 ,some time afterwards1 when he was spending an evening at the house of a person who resided at some distance both from the place where he preached and from his own home1 a lady1 who was of the party1 took an opportunity of stating how much she felt indebted to him for the spiritual sight that she had received through his instrumentality4 ,he was at a loss to know what she alluded to1 for he had no recollection of having seen her before3 but she brought to his recollection the thinly scattered congregation in his friend's church1 for whom he had preached on a very rainy day3 and then stated that she was one of those few hearers1 and that the sermon had made so deep an impression on her mind as to have been productive of lasting benefit4 ,,pastoral ,,visiting4 ,,in his pastoral visits1 ,mr4 ,mortimer appears to have been remarkably successful4 ,he seems always to have paid attention to this very important and often very useful part of the ,christian pastor's office1 but more especially during a few of the latter years of his life1 making his daily drives for the benefit of his health subservient to that purpose4 ,he made a point of visiting at first six1 and afterwards ten families during each week1 by which arrangement he considered that he could visit each family four times during the year1 besides paying more frequent visits in case of illness1 or any particular affliction4 ,he not only visited the different members of his congregation and others belonging to the church1 but he went to every house in the immediate neighbourhood1 and1 for several miles around1 he knew the occupants of almost every house4 ,when he visited ,roman ,catholics1 or ,dissenters1 he never sought to enter into controversy with them2 for he considered it1 in general1 unprofitable1 and seldom productive of the desired effect of bringing them into the fold of the ,church4 ,he was far1 however1 from shrinking from entering upon the subject1 when it appeared desirable for him to do so2 and when the subject was brought forward in conversation1 he stated the grounds of his firm adhesion to his own communion1 and conscientiously1 but with a mild and affectionate manner1 warned them of the sin of schism4 ,on such occasions1 unity was generally the theme of his discourse1 and he would dwell much on its importance and obligations1 and urge upon them the consideration of that beautiful prayer1 8,that they1 ,father1 may be one1 as we are40 ,he was never satisfied unless he could give a decided religious turn to the conversations he had with his people1 but1 even if he failed in doing this1 he always contrived to introduce some serious remark before he left their houses4 ,a ,presbyterian1 who was warmly attached to her own ,church1 when speaking of ,mr4 ,mortimer1 said1 8,ah1 he was a real good man4 ,i have often said1 that he and ,mr4 ,j4 the minister of her own communion were the two best ministers in ,canada4 ,i wouldna miss going to hear ,mr4 ,mortimer preach in the evening she went to her own place of worship in the morning1 but ,i havena the heart to go now4 ,i weel remember how he sat here1 for near an hour1 talking to my husband the last time he was here4 ,my husband served at ,waterloo1 and they were talking about the battle1 and such things2 and then he stopped all of a sudden1 and smiled1 and said1 #8but ,i didna come here to talk about politics4'0 ,he was particularly desirous of impressing upon the minds of those whom he visited the importance of individual and experimental religion1 and would constantly remind them that their great aim should be to prepare for heaven4 ,he took also occasion to warn them of open sins which they were in the habit of committing1 such as drunkenness1 or the neglect of public worship4 ,an old man1 who frequently gave way to a habit of intoxication1 and1 perhaps from this cause1 has now become prematurely infirm and almost childish1 alluded to the last visit of his pastor in the following manner3--8,on the ,thursday--the ,thursday1 you mind1 before he died--old ,mr4 ,mortimer came to see me in his little carriage1 and his man drove him3 and he gave me a caution4 ,he said1 #8,mr4 --1 ,i saw you on ,yonge-street a short time since1 and you were drunk2' and on the next ,saturday he was a corpse1 and ,i lost my brother30 and the old man turned aside to hide his tears4 ,the husband1 or rather the widower1 of a ,presbyterian1 mentioned that his wife had frequently remarked to him1 that there could not be a better minister by a sick bed than ,mr4 ,mortimer3 for that he never excited persons1 but that at the same time he did not delude them about their eternal prospects1 but spoke candidly to them1 according to their different states of mind4 ,she said that there was no minister that she should so much like to see1 if she were ill1 as ,mr4 ,mortimer4 ,her wish1 however1 was not gratified1 for she survived him about half-a-year4 ,another person1 a member of a ,presbyterian family in the neighbourhood1 after stating that ,mr4 ,mortimer was very much missed1 said1 8,and no one misses him more than my mother2 for he used to come and sit with her1 and talked so nicely to her1 that it did her so much good--it did her good till he came again4 ,there will never be another minister like ,mr4 ,mortimer3 if there were to come five thousand1 there would not be another like him40 #bfh;a ,he took an interest in the concerns of those whom he visited1 and1 following the example of ,st4 ,paul1 strove to 8please all men in all things1 not seeking his own profit1 but the profit of many1 that they might be saved40 8,he was not naturally fond of children1 and ,i was much struck1 on that account1 with the remark of a woman when talking about the visits of my dear father2 #8,ah1 miss1 your father was mighty fond of this little one1 and he took so much notice of him the very last time he was here6' ,another woman said1 #8,ah6 he was a real gentleman1 and he would sit down with us1 and talk so free and pleasant-like4'0 #bfh;b ,,confirmation4 ,,mr4 ,,mortimer devoted a good deal of time and attention to preparing the candidates for the confirmation that was held at ,thornhill1 in ,july1 #ahdc4 ,mr4 ,townley was then assisting him2 for he began the instruction of the candidates several months previous to the solemnizing of the rite1 and he was thus left more at liberty than he had ever before been for this important branch of duty4 ,his plan1 on that occasion1 was to divide the candidates into three distinct classes2 viz41 one comprising the juniors1 and another1 the adults of the less educated among his congregation1 and the third embracing the remainder4 ,the first of these classes was required to learn by heart portions of an explanation of the ,church ,catechism1 which they repeated to their minister when they met together on a specified afternoon in each week4 ,their attention was particularly directed to the ,scripture proofs of the ,catechism1 which was also commented upon in a familiar manner1 and particularly in connexion with confirmation4 ,in order to encourage them to learn the ,catechism well1 a prize was promised to each of the three who should be able to repeat the whole of it most accurately4 ,the adult classes met also once a week in the evening1 and were prepared with answers1 which they read from the ,bible1 to questions on scriptural subjects1 with which they were furnished the previous week4 ,they also repeated a part of ,dean ,nowell's ,catechism1 which1 together with the scriptural questions1 formed the subject for addresses and interrogations4 ,the third class met one morning in the week at their pastor's house1 and they were expected to give verbal answers to questions on the ,book of ,common ,prayer1 with which they were previously supplied4 ,for the use of this class also1 ,mr4 ,mortimer prepared a set of questions and answers explanatory of the sacrament1 which will appear in another place2 and he made use of a ,catechism on ,confirmation to explain that ordinance to the candidates1 besides distributing several tracts on the subject4 ,,social ,,meetings4 ,,in the years #ahdb and #ahdc1 ,mr4 ,mortimer established several different week-day meetings for promoting the spiritual benefit of his flock4 ,one of these was held on ,tuesday evenings1 and was conducted alternately by himself and ,mr4 ,townley1 both1 however1 being present4 ,the meeting was opened by singing a hymn1 and by offering up a short extempore prayer1 either by himself or ,mr4 ,townley4 ,one of them then spoke on some subject connected with experimental religion2 after which1 some of the members were expected to make observations connected with the spiritual life of the ,christian1 or their own particular experience1 or to ask any question on practical or doctrinal subjects2 and1 when a pause ensued1 one of the clergymen would carry on the remarks1 or introduce another subject4 ,singing the doxology1 and the use of one or two collects1 or1 occasionally1 extempore prayer1 and the blessing1 concluded the meeting4 ,this meeting was not continued long2 for it was not found to answer1 owing to the difficulty that persons experienced in speaking on these subjects4 ,after this was given up1 another was established for the ,sunday-school teachers4 ,there were twelve members1 all young1 in the same rank of society1 and on terms of intimacy with each other and with their respected pastor1 at whose house they met2 and these circumstances1 together with the cheerful easy manner in which it was conducted1 combined to render it pleasant1 as well as profitable4 ,each member learnt by heart a short portion of a catechetical work on the 8,elements of ,christian ,knowledge10 which they repeated by turns1 and afterwards gave verbal answers to questions1 previously written out1 on miscellaneous subjects connected with religion1 such as the evidences of ,christianity1 the history of the ,old ,testament1 or doctrinal subjects4 ,questions were prepared by ,mr4 ,mortimer for this purpose1 and other questions were copied by the different members from a book of 8,questions on the ,old and ,new ,testament1 and the ,book of ,common ,prayer1 by the ,rev4 ,edward ,thompson40 ,the different subjects thus brought forward1 always drew forth many interesting and profitable remarks in connexion with the duties of ,sunday-school teachers4 ,at other times1 they were addressed as professors of ,christianity4 ,these meetings were very much liked1 and are still looked back upon with feelings of pleasure and grateful recollection by1 at least1 some of its members4 ,they only lasted one winter1 as the summer evenings were not found so convenient for them1 and the following winter ,mr4 ,mortimer was unable to resume them1 as his whole time was devoted to other ministerial duties4 ,,library4 ,,at the beginning of the year #ahcg1 ,mr4 ,mortimer opened a 8,library for ,sunday ,reading40 ,it contained1 at first1 about #aej volumes1 and1 as the books were very much read by all classes of persons1 about #ajj more were afterwards added to the number1 all of which were furnished at his own cost4 ,they were lent gratuitously1 and were changed weekly in the vestry4 ,the different readers were furnished with a printed catalogue of the books1 that they might have the opportunity of selecting those that they preferred1 as being most suitable to their taste or circumstances4 ,these books were in circulation up to the time of his death4 ,about the same time an attempt was made to establish a 8,library of ,useful ,knowledge10 at ,thornhill1 the object of which was to promote useful information to 8,farmers1 ,mechanics1 and ,artizans10 at a cost so trifling as to bring it easily within their reach2 the terms of subscription being five shillings annually1 or a penny-a-week for each volume4 ,this endeavour1 which was made with the hope of improving the habits and character of a large portion of the population1 by furnishing profitable employment for leisure hours usually spent in idleness or frivolous amusements1 was mainly seconded by ,mr4 ,mortimer1 who made a handsome donation towards it in money1 besides about eighteen volumes1 most of which1 though scientific or literary works1 were distinguished for their religious tendency4 ,most of the gentlemen in the neighbourhood also contributed towards this library4 ,it was found1 however1 for the most part1 that there was no taste for this style of reading among the class for whom the library was intended2 only ten or a dozen persons availed themselves of the use of the books1 and in rather more than a year applications for them ceased to be made4 ,,extra-,,parochial ,,services4 ,,it was while visiting the people in the neighbourhood of the ,,german ,,mills1 in ,august1 #ahda1 that their state of spiritual destitution was impressed upon ,mr4 ,mortimer's mind1 and he immediately determined upon trying to do something for them4 ,as he had then no ,sunday duty to perform1 and1 at the same time1 was partially recovered from his nervous attack1 he made up his mind to attempt a ,sunday service there himself1 and immediately began to inquire if any room could be found for the purpose4 ,a farmer1 whose house was very conveniently situated1 on being applied to1 willingly consented to secure the use of a room in his own house1 without any charge1 for the remaining term of his lease1 five-and-a-half years2 nor would he at any time accept any remuneration for the expense and trouble which he incurred by the service being held in his house2 and both himself and his wife were ever ready to do all in their power to promote the comfort of their minister1 and of those who were engaged in the ,sunday school1 which was also held in the room used for ,divine service4 ,their generous conduct much pleased ,mr4 ,mortimer1 who often said1 that they would never suffer for 8sheltering the ark of ,god10 but that1 on the contrary1 he felt sure that as the 8,lord blessed the house of ,obededom10 so ,he would bless them and their family4 ,the room being then in an unfinished state1 ,mr4 ,mortimer agreed to have it prepared for ,divine worship at his own expense1 the fitting up consisting simply of a desk and benches4 ,on the #eth of the following month1 ,september1 the service was performed in this room for the first time4 ,mr4 ,mortimer was much surprised1 and greatly encouraged by the largeness of the congregation1 many being unable to find seats1 and standing in the entrance4 ,before the following ,sunday the room was furnished with additional benches1 which1 altogether1 was considered sufficient to seat a hundred persons4 ,on that day also1 there was a large congregation1 as appears from a memorandum in ,mr4 ,mortimer's handwriting2 8,the room quite filled1 and overflowing40 ,as he himself expected1 however1 after a time1 the novelty wore off1 and the congregation decreased1 leaving an average of about seventy attendants2 but even this number he thought a large congregation1 considering the scattered state of the population4 ,he always felt a peculiar interest in this station1 which he styled1 8the nursling of his old age40 ,the congregation always appeared grateful for the establishment of the service there1 which they evinced by the willingness with which they subscribed to the 8,church ,society10 when called upon to do so4 ,though this place is not more than three-and-a-half miles from ,thornhill ,church1 it is believed1 that not more than one person during their residence there ever attended the church service1 until it was held at the ,german ,mills4 ,the settlement derives its name from the circumstance of the surrounding country having been settled chiefly by ,germans many years since2 at which time there were mills close to the house in which the service is now held4 ,these mills have been long since in ruins1 having never been repaired1 owing1 it is said1 to some superstition connected with the history of them4 ,there are now scarcely more than two dozen houses within a circuit of half-a-mile from the ruins of the mills4 ,the other dwellings are scattered on the different surrounding farms4 ,on the #ajth ,october1 in the same year1 a ,sunday ,school was begun in connexion with the ,church1 which was well attended1 having from forty to sixty attendants4 ,at the time the ,church service was established at the ,german ,mills1 there was no ,sunday service there of any description4 ,the ,methodists had previously attempted to establish prayer and other meetings1 but had then no service of any kind3 as soon1 however1 as the ,church service was commenced1 ,mr4 ,mortimer was informed that they had again opened a meeting at a house close by1 apparently for the sake of opposition1 but of which he took not the slightest notice3 it was shortly afterwards given up1 though in a little time re-commenced4 ,in the same manner1 when he was informed that the editor of the ,christian ,guardian1 a ,methodist paper1 had written against him1 he would not even look at the paper1 observing1 that 8it matters but little what people said of him40 ,he considered it the wisest plan to let opposition die away4 ,by some he was called a ,puseyite1 by others a low ,churchman2 but his own aim was to be 8a consistent ,churchman40 ,what he considered one breach of consistency is mentioned in his pastoral letter to his parishioners at ,thornhill2 viz41 attending other places of worship3 another was contributing towards the support or encouragement of ,dissent1 which he invariably declined doing from conscientious motives4 ,,charity4 ,,the following memorandum is made in his pocket-book for #ahcb3-- 8,after ,i leave ,england1 ,i purpose giving one-seventh to poor-purse1 as my object in devoting one fifth was that ,i might more extensively employ the poor about my premises1 c4 c4 ,but as there is no want of labour there1 so large a proportion will not be needed3 at least1 it so strikes me at present4 ,possibly1 however1 more will be needed for the cause of ,god40 ,one way in which employment was given to the poor at ,hutton was1 making a side walk through the village1 covered with white spar1 which was procured from the neighbouring hills1 and was broken very small4 ,his rector1 the ,rev4 ,alfred ,harford1 shared in many of the plans which were adopted for the benefit of the poor in ,hutton4 ,mr4 ,mortimer made a point of never being his own instrument in affording pecuniary assistance to any of the persons he visited4 ,if he noticed that any persons were in distressed circumstances1 or if any told him of their difficulties1 he would mention them to ,mrs4 ,mortimer1 and she would do what was necessary to relieve them4 ,indeed1 she was in every case his almoner2 for he never himself gave any money in charity4 ,his reason for this was1 that the people might have no selfish aim in desiring his visits1 which he wished to be purely spiritual4 99 99 99 99 99 ,as a ,,husband and a ,,father1 ,mr4 ,mortimer was a pattern of conjugal tenderness and of parental kindness3 there was a remarkable suavity in his manners1 which greatly endeared him to his family1 and indeed to all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance4 ,if ever he said or wrote an unkind word1 he was the first to discover and acknowledge it1 and to make the most ample apology4 ,his humility was so great that it might have been suspected of disingenuousness1 if those who knew him the most intimately were not well assured of his ,christian simplicity and sincerity4 ,his youngest daughter1 writing to me1 says1 in reference to this subject3-- 8,he kindly made me the companion of his drives before he began to visit his people regularly1 and he frequently talked to me more as if ,i were his friend than his daughter2 for he would speak of his religious feelings1 and even of his faults4 ,he once said that he had no wish to conceal his sins and failings here2 for that they would all be revealed before the assembled multitudes of men and angels at the day of judgment4 ,i frequently felt deeply humbled by the thought that ,i was so unworthy of the feelings my beloved father entertained towards me3 but ,i was fully aware that it was his own disposition to cause him to feel as he did towards me40 ,my amiable young friend and god-daughter also writes1 in reference to his kindness to servants3-- 8,my dear father was the kindest and most considerate of ,,masters4 ,he was always anxious to promote the comfort and happiness of his servants1 and very careful not to wound their feelings1 or to give them unnecessary trouble or annoyance4 ,he often expressed his pleasure at seeing them seated by the fire at their needlework1 or enjoying the society of their relatives and friends1 and would tell them that he wished them to be as comfortable as he was himself4 ,nor was he less mindful of their spiritual welfare1 and took pains to instruct them in the great duties of religion40 ,for the foregoing particulars1 illustrative of my friend's character as a ,christian pastor1 and in his domestic relations1 with the exception of a part of the article on the character of his preaching1 attributed in a note1 to another friend1 ,i am entirely indebted to his youngest daughter1 ,miss ,phebe ,mortimer3 nothing is due to myself except for the arrangement of the materials with which ,i have been so kindly and so well furnished4 ,from the foregoing sketch1 as well as from the general contents of the volume1 ,mr4 ,mortimer's character is clearly seen1 and cannot fail to excite admiration3--let every reader here add a prayer to be enabled to imitate as well as to admire4 ,that my friend was possessed of no peculiarities1 or of no defects1 ,i do not affirm2 but they were blended with so much purity of motive1 integrity of principle1 and correctness of conduct1 that his general excellences were visible to all1 his peculiarities were known but to few4 ,his extreme carefulness in expenditure1 and his--seemingly1 at least--over anxiousness to preserve unimpaired1 if not to increase1 his fortune1 led him to the adoption of some measures1 which by many of his friends were thought questionable4 ,it is1 however1 exceedingly difficult to judge another in this matter1 or1 indeed1 to set up any precise and universal standard by which to form a judgment in the case4 ,so many among the clergy1 it is to be feared1 err in the opposite extreme1 and so much reproach has been brought upon the ,church and the clerical character1 by the want of a sufficient prudence and economy in secular affairs1 to prevent pecuniary embarrassment1 that the error of too much care is much to be preferred to that of a want of it1 where it is attended by such counteracting properties as marked ,mr4 ,mortimer's management of his income4 ,his systematic charity1 his cheerful and bountiful liberality1 and his strict integrity1 more than balance any defective peculiarity in his secular matters4 ,if ,i might venture to sum up ,mr4 ,mortimer's character in a few words1 ,i should say that his whole life1 from the time of his becoming a decided ,christian1 was characterized by firm faith1 deep humility1 great decision1 steady consistency1 self-denial1 holy zeal1 and patient perseverance2 and his manners were characterized by urbanity1 kindness1 and sweetness of address peculiar to himself4 ,as a pastor1 as a private ,christian1 as a relative1 and as a friend1 he has left an example worthy of imitation4 8,blessed are the dead which die in the ,lord3 even so saith the ,spirit2 for they rest from their labours1 and their works do follow them40 ,mr4 ,mortimer1 just before his death1 gave directions to destroy all his papers and writings1 and it does not appear that he kept any record of the events of his life1 or of his ,christian experience3 no specimen1 therefore1 of his regular composition has come into the hands of the writer4 ,the following fragments or remains have been collected from different sources1 and show his opinions on the several subjects of them4 ,,arminianism4 ,,your very ,christian remarks and feelings connected with my much honoured and much beloved ,wellington friend deserve my sincere thanks4 ,you are quite right3 the unity of the ,spirit in the bond of peace is of infinitely more importance than nice and subtle distinctions upon points of which1 after all1 we know so exceedingly little4 ,i do not think those two sermons should have been attached to the volumes1 whose other contents are generally practical3 and ,i objected at the time1 but the opinions of others prevailed4 ,i think with you that the text is unhappily chosen4 ,as to the contents1 we shall of course differ3 but ,i can say so much as this1 that ,i attach so little importance to the peculiarities of the system which ,i adopt1 that1 for many months past1 ,i have declined in toto entering upon the subject with every one who would dispute with me3 and am so moderate in my own statements1 that most of my ,arminian friends have their fears of my eventually leaving them3--not that any alteration has taken place in my doctrinal views1 but simply in the ideas of importance which ,i used at one time to attach to them4 ,,athanasian ,,creed4 ,,the ,athanasian ,creed is not the milk which the ,church gives to her babes1 but the test to which she brings her heretics4 ,,catholic ,,emancipation4 ,as to ,catholic ,emancipation ,i profess to know and to fear but little4 ,were ,i better acquainted with the effects of the present system1 ,i fancy ,i should think with such men as ,mr4 ,wilberforce3 but not knowing these1 having only a very limited survey1 ,i feel quite satisfied to let them think for me4 ,a meeting was lately called at ,bridgenorth to petition against the claims4 ,i refused both to attend and to authorize the use of my signature4 ,i am equally satisfied1 however1 that the bill should be lost3 and ,i should imagine that the strength in the ,upper ,house will always throw it out4 ,,dr4 ,a4 ,,clarke',s ,,commentary4 ,,you ask me my opinion of ,dr4 ,adam ,clarke's ,commentary4 ,i think that upon the whole it is a great work3 and few persons could have produced such a one4 ,but after all1 the ,dr4 is not to be depended on1 he is far too venturesome and far too positive--he drives through thick and thin--certain opinions must be maintained1 certain characters must be vindicated1 and this is done in a manner and spirit which is not quite suited to my taste4 ,i continue1 however1 to take in the work for the present3 but have told one of the ,methodist preachers stationed here1 that1 if he can part with it for me on reasonable terms1 ,i will take from him ,benson's ,commentary in its stead4 ,,classes4 ,as to classes1 ,i still think that something like church fellowship is the grand desideratum of our ,church4 ,the ,communion1 which was originally intended for this1 now completely fails4 ,it is almost anything but the communion of saints4 ,private meetings1 too1 of a familiar1 conversational1 or expository kind1 do not quite come up to the supposed point4 ,there must be some enclosure--some hedge of separation1 something which shall admit the apparently sincere inquirer and exclude the worldly--something1 in fact1 which shall 8gather believers together out of the mass of the ungodly world40 ,,dissent4 ,,in reference to ,dissent1 ,i am1 ,i believe1 what ,dissenters consider a high1 bigoted1 stiff ,churchman1 but the simple true ,churchman is all ,i wish to be known by4 ,i love my ,church right thoroughly1 and ,i love ,church unity in the same degree1 and have never1 for many years past1 done anything by countenancing1 encouraging1 aiding1 or abetting ,dissent1 and ,i hope ,i never shall2 but ,i cannot1 dare not1 unchurch ,dissenters1 and deny that they are sections of ,christ's outward and visible ,church1 and1 of course1 ,i cannot but respect the private characters and conduct of many individuals among them4 ,,episcopacy4 ,as to ,episcopacy1 ,i think with ,bishop ,hall1 that it is necessary for the well or better being of a ,church1 but not essentially necessary to its very being itself2 and as to ,high ,church principles1 or ,puseyism1 or ,tractarian notions1 ,i go not a single step4 ,i regard them as quite subversive of the doctrine of ,christ2 there is not one single point1 by which they are distinguished but1 if honestly carried out1 must lead to ,romanism4 ,admit1 for example1 that in ordination there is conveyed through the bishop1 of necessity1 and independent of the state of mind of the candidate1 any grace or virtue or qualification for the spiritually and graciously discharging the duties of the ministerial office1 which is not conveyed by ,presbyterian or ,methodistical ordination1 and you arrogate for our ,church what neither ,scripture on the one hand1 nor daily observation on the other1 will substantiate4 ,they may authorize and commission those who appear to them already qualified1 but it is the ,divine ,spirit alone1 which can fit and qualify with all the gifts and graces necessary for a due discharge of their important function4 ,,faith ,,and ,,works4 ,,when a man is justified by faith1 he is by faith accounted just and righteous before ,god4 ,when a man is justified by works1 he is by his works proclaimed or declared to man to be just and righteous4 ,to be justified is generally to be considered or regarded just or righteous4 ,,first ,,step4 ,,the first step in vital religion is a sense of the presence of ,god4 ,,friendship4 ,,it generally happens when there are little unpleasantnesses among friends and relations1 that they arise from mutual faults1 and therefore ,i cannot but conclude1 that there must have been something either in my observations or manner1 which it would have been better to avoid4 ,i am surprised1 however1 that you should so long have suffered from such incidents3 friends1 and especially relatives1 should be like two bowls suffering temporary collision2 they should rub and go on1 for in this imperfect state we must expect many such a rub2 we cannot move at equal rates1 we cannot keep at equal distances1 there will be an infringing every now and then1 but still let us go on1 go on in love1 agree to differ1 and expect occasionally to feel2 but why should this feeling be either strong or lasting8 ,i am glad1 however1 that you have relieved your mind1 and though it has been a little at my expense1 yet as the effort has been beneficial to you1 ,i will not attempt in any way to destroy the effect1 but will1 for the sake of good will and kind feeling1 admit anything you have said4 ,and here may such matters rest 8never to rise again40 ,,millennium4 ,,on the ,millennial question1 ,i am always backward to speak2 for ,i expect no personal reign3 look for nothing very immediate1 and then merely suppose a general or universal profession of ,christianity throughout the world1 and deeper work in the hearts of believers4 ,as to the time of previous trial1 ,i dare hazard but little--in sober truth1 ,i do not suffer myself to be puzzled1 or even much occupied with unfulfilled prophecy2 with this we have graciously little to do2 it is purposely so revealed that it cannot be previously known1 that it may not seem1 when accomplished1 to have been through its prediction fulfilled4 ,,sir ,,isaac ,,newton4 7,from the ,rev4 ,t4 ,grinfield47 ,,mr4 ,,mortimer had a fine mind for mathematical studies1 and took a high degree in the ,senate ,house ,examination of #ahaa4 ,i have often questioned him on topics connected with those studies2--and well remember asking him1 on one occasion1 what he supposed might be the reason why ,,newton1 with so vast a mind for mathematical science1 and after such unprecedented success1 should have deserted all further investigations of that kind during the latter thirty years of his studious life4 ,with his characteristic sagacity1 he promptly assigned a reason which has not 7that ,i know7 been remarked by ,sir ,d4 ,brewster1 or the other biographers of ,,newton1 and which1 while it exempts him from the unjust imputation of an enfeebled mind1 does just honour to his piety1 and may probably be the real1 deep1 and admonitory reason3 8,ah1 sir1 we must remember that1 great as he was in intellect1 after all ,,newton was but a man1 who had the same wants and cravings of the heart with ourselves4 ,having achieved his great discoveries1 he began to feel within himself1 this also is vanity3 he could not find1 in his mathematical demonstrations1 rest for his soul--satisfaction for his heart1 he therefore turned his attention from science to the ,scriptures40 ,i thought the explanation at once original and just1 and1 as it refers to 8,magnum illum1 ,,newtonum1 qui genus humanum ingenio superavit10 #bhd singularly interesting and impressive3--a fragment1 among many reminiscences1 that ,i would fain preserve from being lost4 ,,bishop ,,of ,,peterborough',s ,,eighty-,,seven ,,questions4 ,,the ,bishop of ,peterborough1 in my opinion1 richly deserves all he has met with2 and ,i do hope that since many1 perhaps a majority of our bishops1 read the ,christian ,observer the rough handling he has experienced will operate beneficially on the bench at large4 ,from my heart ,i hate and detest all inquisitorial measures4 ,perhaps1 however1 the ,evangelical body need some fan or other to purge the floor2 and though a great stir has lately been made about oppression c41 ,i am not without hope that it will do us considerable good4 ,,subjects ,,for ,,prayer4 ,i4 ,that we may habitually realize a sense of the ,divine presence4 ,,ii4 ,that we may live in the will of ,god1 and feel that it is precious to us4 ,,iii4 ,that we may be grateful ,christians--trace our mercies--and thankfully adore the good ,lord for sending them4 ,,iv4 ,that we may be helped against the soul-ruining1 and ,god-dishonouring sin of unbelief4 8,lord1 increase our faith40 ,v4 ,that our confidence may be strengthened as connected with prayer in general1 and especially in these private addresses4 ,,vi4 ,that we may discover in all our enjoyments1 social intercourse1 c4 c4 true sobriety of mind1 and guard against every approach to a light and frivolous spirit4 ,,vii4 ,that we may manifest a spirit of faithful admonition and reproof1 combined with tenderness4 ,,viii4 ,for earnestness in the cause of ,god4 ,,ix4 ,for those gifts and graces implied in the outpouring of ,god's ,spirit4 ,x4 ,for a discovery of the love of ,jesus1 and a greater knowledge of him in all his saving benefits--wisdom1 righteousness1 and strength4 ,,xi4 ,for growth in grace in general1 and in its evidences4 #ast4 ,increased love to the ,saviour4 #bnd4 ,increased hatred to sin2 and #c;d4 ,increasingly lowly views of ourselves4 ,,sacramental ,,grace4 ,,with regard to sacramental grace1 ,i do not conceive that an episcopally ordained minister has any inherent grace deposited in him1 which imparts a greater efficacy1 when a sacrament is administered by him1 above what may be received by graciously prepared recipients1 who may have it administered by others not episcopally ordained4 ,the good imparted is immediately and directly from the ,divine ,spirit1 just as the power of seeing came immediately and directly from ,christ1 and not through the clay with which the eyes of the blind man were anointed3 no inherent or even transferred power with which the clay had become endowed1 but a simple transaction between ,christ and the believing applicant4 ,the outward and visible signs are of great importance1 but most lamentable is it when they are invested with that power which belongs to ,god alone4 ,the connexion between these views and ,romanism is easily apparent4 ,salvation is no longer of faith1 but of works3--use forms1 ceremonies1 penances1 sacraments1 prayers1 recitations1 liturgical services1 and all is done3 grace is conveyed1 and that1 too1 in proportion to the number and frequency of the performances2 and the state of the heart all the while disregarded--the vast surplusage of merit will be obtained1 or extreme unction adjust all4 ,,the ,,sacraments4 #bhg;a #a4 ,what are the ,sacraments8 #bhg;b 8,they are outward and visible signs and pledges of inward and spiritual grace40--,ch4 ,cat4 #b4 ,how many are the ,christian ,sacraments8 8,there are 7only7 two ,sacraments ordained by ,christ our ,lord in the ,gospel3 that is to say1 ,baptism and the ,supper of the ,lord40--#beth ,art4 ,ch4 of ,england4 #bhg;c #c4 ,what are the design and use of ,sacraments8 ,the principal design is to convey 8spiritual grace0 to the soul3 and their chief use consists in their being suitable 8means0 for the purpose4 #d4 ,what is the nature of the ,christian ,sacraments8 8,sacraments ordained of ,christ be not only badges or tokens of ,christian men's profession1 but rather they be certain sure witnesses1 and effectual signs of grace1 and ,god's good will towards us1 by the which he doth work invisibly in us1 and doth not only quicken1 but also strengthen and confirm our faith in ,him40--#beth ,art4 ,ch4 of ,england4 #e4 ,what do you understand by 8spiritual grace10 which you say it is the design of the ,sacraments to convey to the soul8 ,the term grace has many significations in ,scripture3 but most commonly it either means good-will1 or favour 7,romans xi4 #f2 #b ,tim4 i4 #i2 ,rom4 v4 #bj72 or it signifies the internal operation of the ,holy ,spirit upon the soul1 regenerating1 purifying1 and sanctifying our nature3 and the ,sacraments1 when duly regarded1 are signs and pledges of the one1 and effectual means of conveying the other4 #f4 ,how1 then1 are the ,sacraments to be regarded8 ,simply as means of grace1 and not as necessarily conveying any internal benefit to the soul3 for no such benefit is1 or can be1 derived from them1 unless the mind be previously prepared to partake of them as ,god has willed and commanded4 #g4 ,what proofs can you adduce that the internal benefits of ,sacraments are not absolute1 and independent of the previous state of the mind8 ,first1 because we have no warrant either in ,scripture1 or in the reason of things1 to think so2 and1 secondly1 because1 if they were so1 no one could eat and drink in the ,lord's ,supper to their own condemnation1 which ,st4 ,paul affirms is the case with those who eat and drink unworthily4 7#a4 ,cor4 xi4 #bi4 ,acts viii4 #ac1 #bj-bc47 #h4 ,but though this is the case in the ,lord's ,supper1 are not the benefits of ,baptism absolute and unconditional8 ,no3 repentance and faith in our ,lord ,jesus ,christ are indispensably necessary in all cases previously to any saving benefits being derived from the use of this sacrament4 ,repentance and faith1 however1 though previously necessary1 are in nowise the meritorious and procuring cause of these benefits2 they form only a preparatory and necessary meetness for a due reception of them4 #i4 ,but are not infants1 although incapable of either repentance or faith1 invariably regenerated1 renewed1 and sanctified in and by this sacrament8 ,all that are baptized are said to be regenerated1 because the outward ordinance is a sign or emblem of 8spiritual regeneration40 ,and nothing is more common1 both in ,scripture and in ancient writings1 than the use of a term which only denotes the sign for the thing signified4 ,and in the judgment of ,christian charity1 in all cases when this sacrament is rightly received1 and the after conduct corresponds with the professions therein made1 we may conclude that they partake1 as of the sign1 so also of the thing signified4 #aj4 ,what do you understand by the sacrament being 8rightly received08 ,the sacrament is rightly received in infant baptism1 when the parents and sponsors have just scriptural views of its nature and design1 and present children to be baptized in obedience to the authority of ,god2 simply1 humbly1 and sincerely depending upon his unmerited grace and favour in ,christ ,jesus2 and are truly desirous that the child so presented by them1 may become 8the faithful soldier and servant of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ20 and when the sponsors themselves exercise repentance1 whereby 8they forsake sin1 and faith1 whereby they stedfastly believe the promises of ,god made to them in that sacrament40 ,in all such cases we have 8a presumptive certainty0 that spiritual regeneration commences in the ordinance2 for then it is 8rightly received40 #aa4 ,what is the best after proof of this8 ,the best after proof which children can give of this is1 the fulfilment of those promises and engagements made for them by their sponsors in their baptism4 #ab4 ,and what were the promises and engagements8 8,that they should renounce the devil and all his works1 the pomps and vanity of this wicked world1 and all the sinful lusts of the flesh2 that they should believe all the articles of the ,christian faith2 and that they should keep ,god's holy will and commandments1 and walk in the same all the days of their life40--,ch4 ,cat4 #ac4 ,but how do you show that children in after life are bound to fulfil those engagements made for them by others1 at this unconscious period of their infancy8 ,they are bound to do so by the obligation which they themselves owe to ,god1 inasmuch as their parents or spiritual guardians entered into such engagements only1 on their behalf1 as each individual is bound to fulfil1 whether such engagements had or had not been entered into by others4 ,,temperance4 ,,public opinion is1 through ,god's mercy1 effecting much among us4 ,much bitterness1 indeed1 still exists in some1 as well as most determined opposition4 ,but the work is of ,god1 and ,i feel a blessed assurance that much good will eventually be done4 ,i am beginning to perceive with much thankfulness that the ,temperance ,society is an important engine in aid of all my ministerial plans--a kind of stepping stone to the church and to piety2 and ,i am careful to watch all its movements1 and to follow up every indication for good4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the following letter1 addressed to the ,rev4 ,john ,cooper1 it is presumed may not unsuitably close the preceding ,memoir4 ,the writer1 who so affectionately expresses his deep obligations to the late ,mr4 ,mortimer1 has been for many years the faithful minister of a large parish in ,shropshire1 very near the scene of ,mr4 ,m4's former labours in that county4 ,w-- ,vicarage1 ,june #ah1 #ahde4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,i ,,feel sincerely and deeply obliged to you for the kindness you have shown in sending me the interesting extracts you have made from ,miss ,mortimer's letter1 relative to her beloved father4 ,there are few1 if any1 to whom ,i am so deeply indebted as ,i am to that dear and valued friend4 ,at an early period of my life he noticed me with a kindness and humility which ,i can never forget4 ,these were1 indeed1 traits constantly exhibited in his ,christian character1 but they were the more affecting and attractive as appearing in a man of such ability and accomplishments4 ,whatever ,i know of ,christian truth and experience ,i owe in a high degree to the daily conversations which ,i was permitted to enjoy for many months in three or four successive years1 with him1 and to the sermons and expositions which ,i heard from him at that time1 every ,sabbath and every week4 ,after ,i left ,madeley ,i saw less of him1 though our intercourse was renewed1 in some measure1 when he came to ,bristol1 and1 in the end1 he succeeded me in my old curacy at ,hutton1 on my presentation to the living which ,i now hold4 99 99 99 ,not many letters ever passed between us2 but ,i have never ceased to remember him with admiration1 gratitude1 and love4 ,indeed1 take him altogether1 and ,i have never seen his equal4 ,with my very kind regards to yourself and family1 ,i remain1 my dear ,sir1 ,very sincerely yours1 ,g4 ,l4 ,y4 ,,the ,,watchful ,,servant4 ,a ,,sermon ,,preached ,,at ,,thornhill ,,church1 ,,june #ai1 #ahdd1 ,,occasioned ,,by ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,the ,,rev4 ,,george ,,mortimer1 ,m4,a41 ,rector of that ,township4 ,,by ,,the ,,rev4 ,f4 ,l4 ,,osler4 ,,luke ,,xii4 #cg4 8,,blessed ,,are ,,those ,,servants ,,whom ,,the ,,lord1 ,,when ,,he ,,cometh1 ,,shall ,,find ,,watching40 ,,on receiving an invitation to officiate on the mournful occasion which calls us together1 accompanied with a request that ,i would also preach a sermon suitable to the afflicting circumstance1 the oft-repeated encouragement of my dear departed friend1 eagerly to embrace every opportunity of setting forth ,christ1 was brought home to my mind1 and a voice from the dead seemed to say1 ,stand in my accustomed place1 and for me tell to my bereaved family and friends1 to the people of my charge and of my many prayers1 that the ,gospel which they have so often heard proclaimed by the lips now cold in death1 is not a vague uncertainty1 but the power of ,god unto salvation2 and while they weep for one whose most earnest endeavours were to promote their welfare1 that they should not sorrow as those without hope1 but seek earnestly to become imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises4 ,so suddenly was he whose loss we mourn taken from the midst of us1 that the necessity and duty of watchfulness naturally presents itself to the mind2 such is the injunction implied in the words of my text--to that and the blessing promised let us first direct our attention4 ,under the figure of a householder1 or master1 and his servants1 ,christ represents ,himself1 and those who profess to be ,his disciples2 for it is evident that the words are addressed to such1 and not to the godless and profane4 ,and as ,christ's watching servants are also to be working servants1 fidelity1 diligence1 and perseverance the ,lord requires to find in them1 when he comes to call them to their account4 8,it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful10 saith ,st4 ,paul4 ,no other qualification can compensate for the want of this1 and the higher the trust reposed1 the greater is the fidelity required4 ,how solemn1 then1 and awful1 is the position of the minister of ,christ6 he has not only to watch for his own soul1 and take care lest his very duties1 by their frequent performance1 become the means of imperceptibly leading him to trust in them1 and think that because he is made useful to others1 it must1 therefore1 be well with himself1 but also to watch for the souls of others4 ,as ,christ's ambassador1 there is committed unto him the ministry of reconciliation1 to entreat sinners in ,christ's stead to be reconciled to ,god2 and should any perish through his wilful neglect1 either to warn or to give instruction1 against the unfaithful minister is denounced the fearful sentence1 8his blood will ,i require at thy hand40 ,deeply did our beloved friend feel this2 his daily prayer and study was to make full proof of his ministry1 and seek by every means to win souls to ,christ4 ,his manner of life from the time of his first coming among you1 up to the hour of his death1 is known to most present4 ,in his family the kind husband1 parent1 and master1 anxious for the comfort and welfare of all1 yet most anxious that each who dwelt beneath his roof1 might love that ,saviour who was so precious to his own soul4 ,owing to the delicate state of his health1 and what he suffered from even a little unusual excitement1 he was1 perhaps1 seen less in his family than most clergymen2 but those friends with whom he felt that he could act freely1 and leave when he found himself no longer equal to conversation1 will doubtless bear me witness1 that as the head of a family few excelled him1 and that it was a happy privilege to join with him at the family altar in prayer and praise4 ,in the temporal property which ,god had given him1 we find the same earnest care that ,god might be glorified thereby4 ,his liberality is well known1 and the principle on which he acted1 he believed to be in accordance to ,god's revealed word4 ,at first1 a tenth of his property was set apart1 and after a little while1 not feeling satisfied with that portion1 one seventh of his income1 as he received it1 was regularly set apart1 and most carefully used1 as might best promote the glory of ,god1 and the good of his fellow-creatures4 ,all he possessed he considered as a talent given by ,god with the injunction1 8,occupy till ,i come10 and as a good steward he laboured faithfully to improve the talent committed to his trust4 ,but the fulfilment of his ministerial duties was that which engaged his most earnest attention4 ,he would not offer to the ,lord that which cost him nothing1 and whether his sermons were what is commonly termed extempore1 or written1 they were composed with much care1 and after much prayer4 ,his anxiety was to win souls to ,christ1 and to give to each his portion of meat in due season2 he was careful1 almost to a fault1 that the subject on which he was treating should be rightly divided4 ,but his greatest delight #bih appeared to be in visiting his people from house to house1 warning the wicked of the danger of his ways1 encouraging the weak1 comforting the feeble minded1 but more especially delighting to dwell upon that theme so dear to his own soul1 the love of ,christ4 ,as a father with his children1 they were all upon his heart1 and few days were suffered to elapse in which he did not visit some families1 and his visits were literally ministerial ones1 as many present can testify1 and who will do well to treasure carefully the instructions they have received1 and pray earnestly that they may be profitable to their souls4 ,judging by the test which ,christ himself hath given us1 8,by their fruits ye shall know them10 will it not be the testimony of all who knew our dear departed brother1 that he was in the highest sense of the term a faithful minister of ,god8 and doubtless he has heard from that ,master whom he loved and served1 8,well done1 good and faithful servant1 enter thou into the joy of thy ,lord40 ,and he was not only faithful but diligent4 ,it is well known that the strength of our friend was small1 and that he was afflicted with a nervous affection1 the natural tendency of which is to prostrate the energies both of mind and body4 ,he felt this and struggled against it1 and frequently would return to his house completely exhausted4 ,with him there was no 8spare thyself20 whatsoever his hand found to do1 he did it with all his might1 and as a good servant1 his aim and endeavour were to make the most of that strength which was given him4 ,patience and perseverance also are necessary qualifications for the ,christian minister4 8,ye have need of patience10 saith the ,apostle ,st4 ,paul1 8that after ye have done the will of ,god1 ye might receive the promise40 8,add therefore10 saith ,st4 ,peter1 8to your faith1 virtue2 and to virtue1 knowledge2 and to knowledge1 temperance2 and to temperance1 patience40 8,in your patience10 saith ,christ1 8possess ye your souls40 ,and because his difficulties are great1 and the enemies with which he has to contend1 numerous and powerful1 he must put on the whole armour of ,god1 in order to withstand the evil day1 and having done all to stand4 ,he must not only pray1 but pray with all prayer and supplication in the spirit2 he must not only watch1 but watch with all perseverance4 ,may it not1 alas6 be said of some1 that they began well1 but lacked patience to run the race that was set before them2 as ,st4 ,paul complains of the ,galatians 7chap4 v4 #e71 ,ye did run well1 and yet afterwards they made shipwreck of faith4 ,the young ,christian1 when he feels himself as a brand plucked out of the burning1 and experiences the love of ,christ in his soul1 constraining him to devote all his powers to the service of that ,god who called him out of darkness into marvellous light1 like ,peter1 is ready to combat a host of men in his ,master's defence1 wonders at his former blindness1 and almost thinks it strange1 that any should neglect the service of so good a ,master4 ,and in like manner the young minister1 when first appointed to his charge1 and opening his commission as one of ,god's ambassadors1 like the untried soldier1 thinks of great things to be achieved1 and the difficulties seem light2 but by degrees both find that the course cannot be run without many a struggle1 nor the victory won without many a battle4 ,and the minister of ,christ more than any other1 will be assaulted by the great adversary of souls with temptations exactly suited to his circumstances and disposition1 and all tending to one point1 the making ,christ1 and ,christ crucified1 if ,i may so state it1 a secondary object in his ministrations1 first in name1 second in reality1 giving to other duties and doctrines1 valuable in themselves and in their proper place1 that pre-eminence which belongs to ,christ alone4 ,alas6 my brethren1 do we not see too much of this in the present day6 ,bread is asked for1 and a stone is given by some who once preached 8,christ in everything1 and everything in ,christ40 ,but we can thankfully bear testimony to the perseverance of our dear departed brother in the right way2 from the day of his admission into the sacred office of the ministry up to the hour of his removal from us1 he looked unto ,jesus1 as the author and finisher of his faith1 set ,him always before him1 and with deep humility sought to follow in his steps4 ,he was ordained in the year #ahaa1 and for many years officiated in the parish of ,madeley1 ,england1 and the testimony of those who knew him there is1 that he was systematic in all his plans1 which were laid after much consideration and prayer1 and then as earnestly carried out4 ,for eleven years and a half he was your minister1 part of which time he was unable to perform any active duties from weakness1 and a violent nervous affection which seized him when the ,bishop of ,toronto visited this place1 to consecrate the church and confirm the young4 ,it was to him a severe trial to be laid aside1 as he used to express himself1 as of no more use1 and yet with cheerful humility he would often observe1 8,the ,lord's work can go on without me10 or words to that effect4 ,but contrary to his own expectation and that of his friends1 he was again restored to comparative health and strength1 and oh1 how eagerly did he resume his duties directly he felt himself equal to them1 and his gratitude to ,god was great for enabling him again to set forth ,christ6 ,joined to fidelity1 diligence1 and perseverance1 was continual watchfulness4 ,he waited for the ,lord's coming1 he watched unto prayer1 as one who was to give an account4 ,the exhortation of the prophet ,ezekiel 7iii4 #ag71 8,son of man1 ,i have made thee a watchman unto the house of ,israel10 was deeply impressed upon his mind1 and every means in his power he used to win souls to ,christ4 ,he watched over the young of his flock with a father's love and a father's anxiety1 and many present can testify to the affectionate kindness with which he received them in little parties to explain and enforce the precepts of the ,gospel4 ,in visiting his people he was watchful to speak a word in season1 making it1 ,i believe1 a rule never1 or very rarely1 to leave a house or family without speaking of the one thing needful4 ,ever remembering that the vows of ,god were upon him1 he was studiously careful that even in manner he might act as became a minister of ,god1 whilst at the same time few were more cheerful than himself4 ,his pulpit preparations were also subjects of much anxious watchfulness and prayer3 he studied what he conceived to be his people's wants1 and in love endeavoured to declare to them the whole counsel of ,god4 ,and whilst watchful over those committed to his charge he was not unmindful of that solemn hour which has come upon him4 ,for some time previous to his death1 he seemed to have the subject continually present to his mind1 and would frequently observe to the servant who drove him1 on returning from his accustomed rides1 8,once more the ,lord has brought us home in safety20 and particularly during the last week his conversation at every house he visited1 was on death1 and the necessity of a constant state of preparation for it1 warning the careless1 and entreating the almost ,christian to come out from an ungodly world1 and so to live as to be accounted worthy to stand before the ,son of ,man1 when he shall come to judge the world in righteousness4 ,a few days since he observed to his servant1 8,i shall not be long here10 and mentioned with satisfaction that the house was his private property1 and that ,mrs4 ,mortimer would not have to leave it1 as she must have done had it been a parsonage4 ,these remarks were made when his bodily health appeared to be improving1 and1 humanly speaking1 there was every probability of his being spared many years2 and it is satisfactory to dwell on these minute particulars now1 as they give us the most certain evidence that the sudden call to render up the account of his stewardship found him ready and watchful for the summons4 ,our beloved friend was found watching1 and the blessing promised is his portion2 he received the earnest of it in this world1 he doubtless enjoys it more fully now4 ,he was blessed in the enjoyment1 in no small degree1 of the confidence and affection of his people2 he was looked up to as a father and a friend1 and the outward demonstrations of respect and sorrow which appear on every side this day prove that the loss is felt to be no common one1 and many are ready to exclaim1 8,my father6 my father6 the chariot of ,israel and the horsemen thereof40 ,he was blessed in being permitted to see that his labours were not in vain in the ,lord4 ,whilst we would by no means lay down ministerial success as the certain token of ,god's favour1 or the want of it a mark of his displeasure--for sometimes the most faithful devoted ministers are only permitted to sow the seed1 while others reap the harvest1 in order practically to prove to us that it is not by human might or power1 but by the ,spirit of ,god alone1 that souls can be converted to ,him2 that a ,paul may plant1 and ,apollos water1 but it is ,god alone who giveth the increase--yet it is a blessing1 and a great and precious one1 to be permitted to see the work of the ,lord prospering in our hands4 ,little1 perhaps1 do some present think of the anxious hopes and fears which fill the minister's heart while preparing for his public ministrations1 or striving to bring before his people the whole counsel of ,god4 ,how often in the bitterness of disappointed hope he is ready to exclaim1 8,who hath believed our report80 ,but when he marks the earnest attention paid to his ministrations1 the vanities of the world forsaken by some1 who boldly1 and yet with humility declare1 ,whatever be the conduct of others1 8as for me and my house we will serve the ,lord20 great is his encouragement1 and he goeth on his way rejoicing4 ,this blessing was vouchsafed to our dear departed friend1 and he was also permitted to see that his ministrations were so highly valued that the church in which we are now assembled required twice to be enlarged to accommodate the increasing congregation4 ,there is something painful in the thought that so good a man should be thus suddenly1 and in such a manner1 taken from the midst of us4 ,we should have chosen for him a long and peaceful old age1 and when1 at length1 he must depart this life1 like corn fully ripe1 the ,master whom he loved and served would come and gently receive him to himself4 ,but his death and the manner of it was appointed by ,one wiser than man1 and who loved him better than his dearest earthly friends4 ,even in his sudden death1 there was a blessing and an answer to many prayers4 ,from the state of his bodily health1 and what he had previously suffered1 he used to dread the pains of dying1 and earnestly prayed that he might either be spared these pains1 or be strengthened under them4 ,and ,god gave him more than he asked2 for nearly two years past this dread was taken away1 and the bodily pain he suffered after the accident1 was1 ,i have been informed1 not equal to the uneasy sensations experienced at fainting4 ,at first1 he did not consider that he had received a fatal injury1 and on being taken up1 exclaimed1 8,he keepeth all my bones1 not one of them is broken40 ,his kind friend and physician ,dr4 ,paget1 hastened to his assistance1 and brought him gently home4 ,the family1 naturally much alarmed1 eagerly met him as he was being carried into the house1 anxious to ascertain the extent of the injury2 he strove to calm their fears by telling them1 what he then really thought1 that he was not seriously hurt4 ,but when laid upon his bed1 and he found1 as he expressed it1 that it would be instant death for him to lie in any but the one position1 then he felt that he should never rise again1 and was thankful for being brought home to his own comfortable bed4 ,he then spoke with much feeling of the kindness and gentleness of the persons who took him up immediately after the accident1 repeating1 8,kind--kind10 and expressed himself as quite resigned to the will of ,god1 not anxious to live1 and ready to die4 ,he alluded briefly to his temporal affairs1 and when he felt his end approaching1 desired that those who were not present might be called1 when he addressed a few words separately to each1 ending with 8,god bless you40 ,it was evidently an effort for him to speak much1 and his memory appeared to be in some degree affected1 as he mentioned none of the family who were absent1 and only addressed those present as they stood directly before him4 ,having spoken to his family1 he then prayed for his people2 they had always been very dear to him1 and often had his prayers ascended before the throne of grace on their behalf1 and now1 ere the spirit took its flight1 whilst yet he might plead for a blessing to descend upon them1 he lifted up his heart with the words1 8,god bless my poor dear people20 and having uttered this prayer1 he lay for a time quite still1 and then so gently fell asleep in ,jesus1 that an old and valued servant of the family observed1 8,how sweetly master is sleeping60 and knew not that it was death until told by the physician1 8,it is the sleep of death40 ,he was permitted to retain his senses to the last1 having lived about four hours after the accident4 ,beloved friends1 may the dying prayers of your late valued minister be heard and answered abundantly on your behalf6 8,blessed are the dead which die in the ,lord1 even so1 saith the ,spirit1 for they rest from their labours40 ,our departed friend has fought the good fight1 has finished his course1 and entered into his rest4 ,he now beholds ,him whom having not seen he loved4 ,oh that those who are ready to exclaim 8,let me die the death of the righteous1 and let my last end be like his10 may treasure up the instruction they have received from him they will see no more1 till all meet at the judgment-seat of ,christ1 and seek to follow in the steps of their departed minister as he followed ,christ4 ,we observe from what has been stated1 that even in death he was greatly blessed1 but what is that compared with the blessing he is now inheriting6 ,we weep around his lifeless corpse1 but his freed spirit rejoices in the presence of its ,god4 ,eye hath not seen1 nor ear heard1 neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive the things which ,god hath prepared for them that love him3 and in a little time1 that which was a weak and fragile body whilst animated by the spirit1 and now about to turn to corruption1 shall rise a glorious body2 it is sown in corruption1 it is raised in incorruption2 it is sown in dishonour and shall be raised in glory4 ,our departed friend looked forward to this when more than once he exclaimed1 a little before he closed his eyes in death1 8,i am going to my rest10 not yet to the fulness of bliss4 ,it doth not yet appear what we shall be1 man cannot describe it2 raise the imagination to the highest pitch1 and still it will fall far short of the reality2 for 8when ,he shall appear1 we shall be like ,him1 for we shall see ,him as ,he is40 ,from this subject let us seek to derive some practical improvement4 #ast4 ,a solemn warning4 ,the words of my text are addressed by ,christ through his servant to each present1 and the scene before us proves that in such an hour as we think not1 the ,son of man cometh4 ,who would have thought a few days since1 that we should have been assembled here on this occasion1 or that your minister1 whose renewed strength seemed to promise many years of usefulness1 would have been thus cut off suddenly as in a moment8 ,oh1 my brethren1 you well know that he taught you long and faithfully1 ever willing to spend and be spent in your service4 ,you must meet him at the judgment-seat of ,christ1 and how will you answer it if you then be found unprofitable servants1 and he who loved and served you here1 and was honoured and loved by you in return1 be obliged to testify against you1 that he entreated you in ,christ's stead to be reconciled to ,god1 and you refused8 ,may the awful words which are written in the forty-seventh verse of the chapter from whence my text is taken1 awaken each of you to greater diligence1 since the servant which knew his ,lord's will1 and prepared not himself1 neither did according to that will1 shall be beaten with many stripes4 #bnd4 ,submission to ,god's will4 ,be still and know that ,i am ,god1 and this not of necessity1 because we must submit1 but pray and labour that though sorrowful we may yet be rejoicing1 since we sorrow not as those without hope1 that this affliction may produce a lasting blessing4 ,thus ,eli submitted when the message from the ,lord declared such heavy tidings against him and against his family1 saying1 8,it is the ,lord1 let him do what seemeth him good40 ,and thus holy ,job1 when his property was lost1 all his children taken1 and his body afflicted with sore boils1 from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head1 and his very wife urging him to curse ,god and die--8,shall we receive good at the hand of the ,lord1 and shall we not receive evil8 ,the ,lord gave and the ,lord hath taken away1 blessed be the name of the ,lord40 #crd4 ,encouragement4 ,we remember the gifts and graces of our departed friend2 but from whence were they derived8 ,what made him what he was8 ,the ,lord4 ,and who supported him all his journey through life8 ,it was the same ,god4 ,he found the grace of ,god sufficient for him1 and the feeling of his heart at all times was1 8not unto us1 ,o ,lord1 not unto us1 but unto ,thy name be the glory40 ,the ,god who called1 guided1 supported1 and blessed our departed friend1 is still the same4 ,his arm is not shortened1 nor his ear heavy1 and ,his direction to us is1 ask and ye shall receive1 that your joy may be full4 ,we may therefore derive also #dth4 ,comfort4 ,doubtless our friend hath entered into the presence of the ,lord1 and the meanest redeemed sinner will sing a louder song of triumph than the highest archangel4 ,angels have never tasted of pardoning grace and redeeming love4 ,did you love your minister8 ,then thank ,god that he is released from all sorrow and trial4 ,thank ,god for what he has promised1 that1 having preserved your minister to the end1 ,he will1 if you seek ,him1 also preserve you4 ,my reverend brethren1 in this bereavement1 there is a message from ,god sent to us1 as watchmen of the ,house of ,israel4 ,one is taken from our midst1 and we are left exposed to peculiar trials and temptations4 ,our brother was the same1 and he continued faithful to the end4 ,and what was his strength and comfort8 ,it was ,christ4 ,oh let us beware of preaching anything but ,christ crucified1 as 8the way1 the truth1 and the life0 for perishing sinners4 ,the more we seek and exalt ,him1 the more shall we feel in our happy experience1 8,christ all and in all40 ,in conclusion1 let me remind this congregation that your late minister's instructions are yet sounding in your ears4 ,oh take heed to them4 ,pray that the ,holy ,spirit may be to you a spirit of remembrance1 bringing again to your minds what has been said to you2 and as you pass the mound of earth which covers his mortal remains1 strive to call to mind what he said while yet with you1 and seek the grace of ,god to enable you so to live that you may become followers of those who1 through faith and patience1 inherit the promises4 ,amen4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,j4 ,unwin1 ,printer1 #ca1 ,bucklersbury1 ,london 99 99 99 99 99 ,,new ,,works ,,published ,,by ,,aylott ,,and ,,jones1 #h1 ,,paternoster ,,row1 7,,near ,,cheapside47 ,september1 #ahdg4 999999 schools1 libraries1 and reading societies supplied4 ,just ,published in one handsome volume1 #abmo1 ,,the ,,life ,,and ,,letters of the late ,,rev4 ,,george ,,mortimer1 ,m4,a41 ,rector of ,thornhill1 in the diocess of ,toronto1 ,canada ,west4 ,completed and prepared by the ,rev4 ,john ,armstrong1 ,b4,a41 ,british ,chaplain at ,monte ,video1 ,south ,america4 ,in #hvo1 price #gs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,church ,,melodies4 ,by ,viscount ,massereene ,v4 ,ferrard4 ,in #abmo1 price #bs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,watts' 7,,dr4 ,,isaac7 ,,guide ,,to ,,prayer2 or1 ,the ,gift1 ,grace1 and ,spirit of ,prayer1 with plain ,directions how every ,christian may attain them4 ,in #abmo1 price #es4 cloth1 ,,evans' 7,,rev4 ,,christmas1 of ,wales17 ,,memoirs4 ,by the ,rev4 ,david ,rhys ,stephen4 ,in #abmo1 price #fs4 cloth1 ,,timpson',s 7,,rev4 ,t47 ,,british ,,female ,,biography2 being ,select ,memoirs of ,pious ,ladies of various ,ranks of ,public and ,private ,life4 ,in #hvo1 ,second ,edition1 price #fs4 cloth1 ,,timpson',s 7,,rev4 ,t47 ,,angels ,,of ,,god3 their ,nature1 ,character1 ,ranks1 and ,ministerial ,services1 as ,exhibited in the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,in #abmo1 ,second ,edition1 price #fs4 cloth1 ,,timpson',s 7,,rev4 ,t47 ,,british ,,ecclesiastical ,,history1 including the ,religion of the ,druids1 the ,introduction of ,christianity into ,britain1 and the ,rise1 ,progress1 and ,present ,state of every ,denomination of ,christians in the ,british ,empire4 ,in #abmo1 ,second ,edition1 price #es4 cloth1 ,,timpson',s 7,,rev4 ,t47 ,,memoirs ,,of ,,mrs4 ,,elizabeth ,,fry1 including a ,history of her ,labours in ,promoting the ,reformation of ,female ,prisoners1 and the ,improvement of ,british ,seamen2 with a ,biographical ,sketch of her ,brother1 ,j4 ,j4 ,gurney1 ,esq4 ,in #abmo1 price #bs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,aldis' 7,,rev4 ,j47 ,,six ,,lectures on the ,importance and ,practicability of ,christian ,union1 chiefly in relation to the movements of ,the ,evangelical ,alliance4 ,in #hvo1 price #gs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,allester',s 7,,david7 ,,decimal ,,dividend ,,tables for ,computing ,dividends on ,claims on ,bankrupt or ,insolvent ,estates1 with ,tables for ,valuing the ,decimals of a ,pound4 ,in #abmo1 price #cs4 #f;d41 cloth1 ,,allom',s ,,sea-,,side ,,pleasures2 or1 ,a ,,peep ,,at ,,miss ,,eldon',s ,,happy ,,pupils4 ,in #abmo1 price #es4 cloth1 ,,allom',s ,,sea-,,weed ,,collector1 illustrated with ,natural ,specimens from the shores of ,margate and ,ramsgate4 ,in #ahmo1 price #f;d4 sewed2 #i;d4 cloth1 ,a ,,plea ,,for ,,the ,,outcasts ,,of ,,israel4 ,by ,philo-,rhoma4 ,in #cbmo41 price #f;d4 cloth1 ,,assembly',s ,,shorter ,,catechism2 with ,scripture ,proofs4 ,schools liberally supplied4 ,in #ahmo1 price #bs4 cloth1 ,,barnes' 7,,albert7 ,,inquiry ,,into ,,the ,,organization ,,and ,,government ,,of ,,the ,,apostolic ,,church1 with reference to the claims of ,episcopacy4 8,who will not rejoice to meet ,albert ,barnes1 who has laid the church of ,christ under such a weight of obligation by his numerous and invaluable ,biblical labours1 on the present occasion8 ,himself a ,presbyterian1 he has demolished the claims of ,episcopacy in a manner as satisfactory as can well be conceived4 ,the book is an exquisite specimen of ,scriptural controversy4 ,as this very cheap ,pocket ,edition was mainly undertaken at our recommendation1 we cannot but wish for it the most extensive circulation40--,christian ,witness4 8,this is a very able and dispassionate ,treatise1 triumphantly disposing of the unscriptural claims and pretensions of the soi disant apostolical successionists4 ,its careful perusal would be very serviceable to young persons40--,patriot4 ,in #ahmo4 price #as4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,bean',s ,,family ,,worship2 a course of ,morning and ,evening ,prayers for every ,day in the ,month3 with ,prayers for ,special ,occasions1 and a ,discourse on ,family ,religion4 ,in #cbmo1 price #bs4 cloth1 ,,bogatzky',s ,,morning ,,and ,,evening ,,golden ,,treasury4 ,with a ,life of the ,author1 by ,,rev4 ,c4 ,f4 ,,steinkopff4 ,morning and ,evening separate1 #as4 #c;d4 each4 ,superior edition in royal1 cloth1 gilt edges1 #cs4 ,separate1 #as4 #i;d4 ,in #abmo1 price #cs4 cloth1 ,,booth',s 7,,abraham7 ,,select ,,works1 consisting of ,glad ,tidings to ,perishing ,sinners1 the ,reign of ,grace1 and ,death of ,legal ,hope4 ,in royal #ahmo1 price #gs4 #f;d4 ,,brown',s 7,,dr47 ,,exclusive ,,claims ,,of ,,puseyite ,,episcopalians ,,to ,,the ,,christian ,,ministry ,,indefensible2 with an ,inquiry into the ,divine ,right of ,episcopacy1 and the ,apostolic ,succession3 in a ,series of ,letters to the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,pusey4 ,in #cbmo1 price #as4 cloth1 ,,buck',s 7,,charles7 ,,treatise ,,on ,,religious ,,experience3 its ,nature1 ,evidences1 and ,advantages4 ,in #abmo1 price #cs4 cloth1 ,,burder',s 7,,george7 ,,village ,,sermons2 or1 ,fifty-,two ,plain and ,short ,discourses on the ,principal ,doctrines of the ,gospel4 ,intended for the use of ,families1 ,sunday ,schools1 and ,companies assembled for ,religious ,instruction4 ,a new ,edition1 with a ,life of the ,author by ,rev4 ,i4 ,cobbin1 ,m4,a4 ,in royal #cbmo1 with twenty ,engravings1 price #bs4 cloth1 ,,burns' 7,,jabez7 ,,missionary ,,enterprises ,,in ,,many ,,lands2 with a ,history of ,missionary ,societies4 8,this is a most interesting little volume for the young4 ,it is a gem-book of brief records1 exemplifying the faith1 energy1 enterprise1 and success of missionaries of various ,societies in all parts of the globe4 ,sufficient notice is taken of the scene of labour to give a good general idea of it3 and facts are sketched with so much rapidity and life1 that the least attentive have scarce time to tire before the narrative is complete40--,primitive ,church ,magazine4 8,a beautifully got up book1 full of matter1 and all matter of fact4 ,a rich store of information is furnished respecting ,missions1 ,missionaries1 and the result of ,missionary labour4 ,we hope that the work will be widely circulated1 especially amongst the young40--,methodist ,new ,connexion ,magazine4 8,this is an interesting manual for children2 and now that they are actively engaged in contributing their pence to aid in the diffusion of the gospel1 it cannot fail1 if carefully read1 to keep alive in their hearts those sympathies for heathens which have been happily awakened40--,primitive ,methodist ,magazine4 ,in #hvo1 price #gs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,catherwood',s 7,,dr47 ,concise and ,practical ,treatise on the ,principal ,diseases of the ,air-passages1 ,lungs1 ,pleura4 ,in #abmo1 price #bs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,cecil',s 7,,rev4 ,,richard1 late of ,bedford ,row7 ,,sermons4 ,collected1 and printed verbatim1 from the ,author's works4 ,in #abmo1 price #bs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,cennick',s ,,village ,,discourses on the more important doctrines of the ,gospel4 ,with the ,life of the ,author1 and ,preface by ,matthew ,wilks4 ,in #abmo1 price #es4 cloth1 ,,chamberlain',s 7,,thomas7 ,,windsor2 a ,poem1 historical and imaginative4 ,dedicated to ,serjeant ,talfourd4 ,in #cbmo1 #d;d4 in a wrapper2 #f;d4 cloth1 gilt1 ,,channing 7,,dr47 ,,on ,,self-,,culture4 8,a ,gem of ,english composition2 of sound1 vigorous thought1 and pure wisdom40--,evening ,post4 ,just ,published1 in pocket size1 pp4 #eab1 price #bs4 cloth1 ,,cheever',s ,,lectures on ,,pilgrim',s ,,progress1 and on the ,,life and ,,times of ,,bunyan4 ,the ,lectures on 8,the ,life and ,times0 and on 8,the ,pilgrim's ,progress0 separate1 #as4 #c;d4 each1 ,cloth4 4 4 4 8,dr4 ,cheever's sketches are so vivid1 and so true1 at the same time1 to the spirit of ,bunyan1 that we have passed on from ,lecture to ,lecture without feeling1 in a single instance1 that either the poetry or the theology of the ,pilgrim has been dissipated4 ,indeed1 we cannot withhold our strongly cherished conviction1 that our ,american brother has better caught the feeling of the ,pilgrim1 and better transfused it into his pages1 than any writer on this side the ,atlantic40 ,evangelical ,magazine4 8,in this volume the author has shown that he possesses all the qualities1 both intellectual and moral1 necessary to form a just estimate of ,bunyan1 whether as a man1 a preacher of the gospel1 a sufferer for conscience' sake1 or a writer4 ,the author's observations on the character of ,bunyan's writings1 and especially on his great work1 are of high merit and excellence0--,witness4 ,fifth ,thousand1 pocket size1 price #bs4 #f;d4 cloth1 gilt edges1 ,,cobbin',s ,,bible ,,reader',s ,,hand-,,book4 ,combining many of the advantages of a ,dictionary1 ,index1 ,concordance1 ,natural ,history1 ,geography1 ,commentary4 ,chiefly arranged in ,alphabetical order4 ,pocket volume1 pp4 #chd2 plate and vignette4 8,this is a most valuable volume2 and its worth1 in our esteem1 is exceedingly enhanced by its extraordinary cheapness40--,christian ,witness4 8,it is1 what its title indicates1 a ,hand-book to the ,bible1 explaining terms and phrases1 and elucidating some of the most difficult passages4 ,as a book of easy reference it will be found very useful1 the subjects being ,alphabetically arranged40--,patriot4 8,an invaluable companion to ,scripture reading4 ,it is a small volume1 prepared by one of the most useful ,biblical writers of the day1 and really combines most of the advantages of a ,dictionary1 ,index1 ,concordance1 ,natural ,history1 ,geography1 and ,commentary of the ,holy ,scriptures40--,sunday ,school ,mag4 8,this little volume contains a variety of useful and interesting matter1 illustrative of the ,holy ,scripture4 ,it is arranged in ,alphabetical order1 under several heads40--,christian ,guardian4 8,professedly designed for ,bible readers2 an examination of the contents of this volume has convinced us that it is equally well adapted for ,scripture teachers40--,sunday ,school ,teachers' ,mag4 8,the ,sabbath-school teacher will find it a valuable assistant40 8,a treasury of information40--,general ,advertiser4 ,in #abmo1 price #cs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,cooper',s 7,,rev4 ,,edward7 ,,fifty-,,two ,,doctrinal ,,and ,,practical ,,sermons2 a ,sermon for every ,sunday in the ,year4 ,designed for ,village and ,domestic use4 ,in #abmo1 price #bs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,cooper',s 7,,rev4 ,,edward7 ,,sermons on the ,,leading ,,doctrines ,,of ,,the ,,gospel4 ,in #abmo1 price #cs4 cloth1 ,,cooper',s 7,,rev4 ,,edward7 ,,practical ,,and ,,familiar ,,sermons2 for ,parochial and ,domestic ,instruction4 ,in #abmo1 price #bs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,dale 7,r4 ,w47 ,,the ,,talents3 ,man's ,nature1 ,power1 and ,responsibility4 ,in #cbmo1 ,second ,edition1 price #bs4 cloth1 ,,dunn',s 7,,rev4 ,,sam47 ,,dictionary ,,of ,,the ,,gospels1 ,containing an ,account of all the ,persons and ,places1 a ,description of the ,natural ,history and an ,explanation of the ,doctrines and ,duties mentioned therein4 ,designed for ,schools and ,families4 ,in #abmo1 price #as4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,emerson',s 7,,ralph ,,waldo7 ,,orations1 ,,lectures1 ,,addresses4 ,to which is added1 ,,nature2 an ,essay4 ,in #abmo1 price #fs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,erskine 7,,thomas7 ,,on ,,the ,,doctrine ,,of ,,election1 and its ,connexion with the general tenor of ,christianity2 illustrated from many parts of ,scripture1 and especially from the ,epistle to the ,romans4 ,in #hvo1 price #ajs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,foxe',s ,,universal ,,history ,,of ,,christian ,,martyrdom2 with ,notes1 ,commentaries1 and ,illustrations1 by the ,rev4 ,j4 ,milner1 ,m4,a4 ,with sixteen original designs4 ,in square #afmo1 with ,twenty-four ,engravings1 price #bs4 cloth1 ,,foxe',s ,,history ,,of ,,protestant ,,martyrdom1 compiled from ,foxe's ,book of ,martyrs2 with a summary of the ,erroneous ,doctrines of the ,romish ,church4 ,in #hvo4 price #ajs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,fry 7,,rev4 ,,john7 ,,on ,,unfulfilled ,,prophecy4 ,in #cbmo1 cloth1 price #as42 #as4 #c;d4 bound1 ,,hart',s ,,hymns ,,on ,,various ,,subjects3 with the ,author's ,experience1 the ,supplement and ,appendix1 a brief ,memoir of the ,author1 and copious ,indexes4 ,in royal #ahmo1 large type1 price #ds4 cloth1 ,,hawker',s ,,morning ,,and ,,evening ,,portions2 being a ,selection of a ,verse of ,scripture1 with ,short ,observations1 for every ,day in the ,year4 ,the ,morning and ,evening separate1 #bs4 each4 ,in #abmo1 large type1 price #bs4 cloth1 ,,jenks' ,,family ,,devotions2 with ,prayers for ,particular ,persons on most occasions4 ,by ,rev4 ,charles ,simeon4 ,a ,new ,edition1 in a bold and clear type1 #cgf pages4 ,in #ahmo1 price #f;d4 ,,kendall',s 7,,rev4 ,,james7 ,,plain ,,sermon ,,on ,,peevishness4 ,in #ahmo1 price #h;d4 ,,knitted 7,,the7 ,,stocking ,,and ,,sock ,,book4 ,in #abmo1 price #cs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,lectures ,,on ,,the ,,conversion ,,of ,,the ,,jews4 ,by ,ministers of different ,denominations4 ,published under the ,sanction of the ,british ,society for the ,propagation of the ,gospel among the ,jews4 ,in #hvo1 price #as4 #f;d4 ,m',,caul',s 7,,dr47 ,,hebrew ,,primer2 intended as an ,introduction to the ,spelling and ,reading of ,hebrew with the ,points4 ,compiled for ,beginners4 ,in royal #ahmo1 price #cs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,miall',s 7,,edward7 ,,views ,,of ,,the ,,voluntary ,,principle4 ,in #abmo1 price #cs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,miall',s 7,,edward7 ,,nonconformist',s ,,sketch-,,book3 ,views of a ,state ,church and its attendant ,evils4 ,in royal #hvo1 price #cs4 #d;d4 in a wrapper2 #ds4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,modern ,,orator4 ,a ,collection of the ,most ,important ,speeches of the ,right ,hon4 ,richard ,brinsley ,sheridan4 ,in royal #hvo1 price #bs4 in a ,wrapper2 #cs4 cloth1 ,,modern ,,orator4 ,a ,collection of the ,most ,celebrated ,speeches of the ,earl of ,chatham4 ,in royal #hvo1 price #es4 in a wrapper2 #fs4 cloth1 ,,modern ,,orator4 ,a ,collection of the ,most ,celebrated ,speeches of ,lord ,erskine4 ,in royal #hvo1 price #hs4 #h;d4 in a wrapper2 #ajs4 cloth1 ,,modern ,,orator4 ,a ,collection of the ,most ,celebrated ,speeches of the ,right ,hon4 ,edmund ,burke4 ,now ,publishing1 in royal #hvo1 ,,modern ,,orator4 ,a ,collection of the ,most ,celebrated ,speeches of the ,right ,hon4 ,charles ,james ,fox4 ,in #abmo1 large type1 price #bs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,more',s 7,,mrs4 ,,hannah7 ,,practical ,,piety2 the ,influence of the ,religion of the ,heart on the ,conduct of the ,life4 ,in #abmo1 extra cloth1 illuminated title1 price #cs41 ,,more',s 7,,mrs4 ,,hannah7 ,c,,lebs ,,in ,,search ,,of ,a ,,wife4 ,with a ,biographical ,memoir of the ,author1 by ,rev4 ,ingram ,cobbin1 ,a4,m4 ,in royal #hvo1 ,new ,edition1 price #bds4 cloth1 ,,parkhurst',s ,,greek ,,and ,,english ,,lexicon ,,to ,,the ,,new ,,testament3 to which is prefixed1 a plain1 easy ,greek ,grammar2 with ,additions1 by ,hugh ,james ,rose1 ,b4,d4 ,carefully revised by ,j4 ,r4 ,major1 ,d4,d41 ,king's ,college1 ,london4 ,in #hvo4 price #ds4 cloth1 ,,parkhurst',s ,,hebrew ,,and ,,chaldee ,,grammar1 without ,points4 ,in #abmo1 price #ds4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,parkes' ,,elementary ,,treatise ,,on ,,chemistry1 upon the basis of the ,chemical ,catechism4 ,illustrations1 ,experiments1 ,notes1 and ,engravings of ,chemical ,apparatus4 ,in royal #abmo1 ,second ,edition1 price #hs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,prosser',s 7,,rev4 ,,james7 ,,key ,,to ,,the ,,hebrew ,,scriptures2 being an explanation of every word in the ,sacred ,text1 arranged in the order in which it occurs3 with an ,index1 containing every word1 with its leading idea1 and a reference to its place in the ,key4 ,to which is prefixed1 a short but compendious ,hebrew ,grammar1 without ,points4 ,price #f;d4 sewed1 ,,prosser',s 7,,rev4 ,,james7 ,,index ,,of ,,hebrew ,,roots4 ,in #hvo4 price #bs4 sewed1 ,,prosser',s 7,,rev4 ,j47 ,,book of ,,genesis1 without ,points1 ,in #hvo1 second edition1 price #bs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,rosse',s 7,,earl ,,of7 ,,monster ,,telescopes1 with an ,account of the ,manufacture of the ,specula1 and full ,descriptions of all the ,machinery connected with those ,instruments4 ,views of the ,telescopes1 and numerous ,engravings4 ,in #abmo1 price #ds4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,sketches ,,of ,,sermons ,,on ,,christian ,,missions4 ,original and ,selected4 ,by the ,author of 8,four ,hundred ,sketches and ,skeletons of ,sermons10 8,pulpit ,cyclopedia40 ,the ,selections are from the ,missionary ,sermons of distinguished ,british and ,american ,preachers1 including ,bishop ,wilson1 ,rev4 ,legh ,richmond1 ,rev4 ,g4 ,t4 ,noel2 ,drs4 ,wayland1 ,abeel1 ,dwight1 ,edwards1 ,ryland1 ,wardlaw1 ,griffin1 ,beaumont1 ,w4 ,b4 ,collyer2 and ,reverends ,g4 ,clayton1 ,ewing1 ,lambert1 ,hyatt1 ,atherton1 ,boden1 ,summerfield1 etc4 8,the selection has been made with judgment40--,watchman4 ,in #ahmo1 price #as4 #f;d4 ornamented wrapper2 #bs4 cloth1 gilt1 ,,the ,,words ,,of ,a ,,believer4 ,by the ,abb de la ,mennais4 ,from the ,french1 by ,edward ,smith ,pryce1 ,a4,m4 ,in #abmo1 #as4 paper cover1 ,,thirty-,,six ,,nonconformist ,,sonnets1 by a ,young ,englander4 ,in one handsome volume1 #abmo1 price #cs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,venn',s ,,complete ,,duly ,,of ,,man3 a system of ,doctrinal and ,practical ,christianity3 with ,forms of ,prayer and ,offices of ,devotion for the various circumstances of life4 ,designed for the use of ,families4 ,new and ,copyright ,edition1 with ,memoir and ,portrait4 ,,the ,,cheapest ,,and ,,most ,,accurate ,,edition ,,of ,,the ,,rev4 ,,albert ,,barnes' ,,notes1 ,,edited ,,and ,,carefully ,,corrected ,,by ,,rev4 ,,ingram ,,cobbin1 ,m4,a4 ,in #b ,vols41 #abmo1 #ebj pp4 each1 ,maps and ,engravings1 #bs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,barnes' ,,notes ,,on ,,the ,,gospels4 ,also just ,published1 with ,map1 #bs4 #f;d4 cloth1 ,,barnes' ,,notes ,,on ,,the ,,acts ,,of ,,the ,,apostles4 ,lately ,published1 in #abmo1 #djj pp4 price #bs4 cloth1 ,,barnes' ,,notes on the ,,epistle ,,to ,,the ,,romans4 ,also1 uniform with the above1 ,,barnes' ,,notes ,,on ,,the ,,corinthians ,,and ,,galatians1 #b ,vols4 ,the ,second ,vol4 in the ,press4 ,lately ,published1 in #c ,vols4 #djj pp4 each1 many ,engravings1 #bs4 cloth1 ,,barnes' ,,notes on the ,,ephesians1 ,,philippians1 ,,colossians1 #a ,vol4--,,thessalonians1 ,,timothy1 ,,titus1 ,,philemon1 #a ,vol4--,,hebrews1 #a ,vol4 ,shortly will be ,published1 uniform with above1 a splendid ,edition of ,,barnes' ,,notes1 ,critical1 ,explanatory1 and ,practical1 on ,,isaiah1 with a new ,translation4 ,also a ,new and ,unabridged ,edition1 ,corrected and ,illustrated1 of ,,barnes' ,,notes1 ,critical1 ,illustrative1 and ,practical1 on the ,,book ,,of ,,job1 with a new ,translation4 8,the good sense1 evangelical spirit1 and extensive acquaintance with the writings of other expositors1 evinced by this author1 render the design of publishing in this country a ,uniform ,edition of his productions one deserving of prompt and decisive encouragement40--,baptist ,magazine4 ,in sending for this ,work1 be careful to order 8,,cobbin',s ,,complete ,,edition40 99 99 99 99 99 ,,monthly ,,publications4 ,a ,,second ,,series ,,of 8,,the ,,modern ,,orator10 consisting of a ,collection of the ,most ,celebrated ,speeches of the ,right ,hon4 ,charles ,james ,fox1 is now publishing1 in ,monthly ,parts1 price #as4 ,,baptist ,,record and ,biblical ,repository1 price #f;d4 ,,jewish ,,herald and ,,record of ,christian ,efforts for the spiritual good of ,god's ,ancient ,people1 price #b;d4 ,,footnotes4 #cj ,twenty pounds4 ,j4 ,a4 #fi 8,dr4 ,arnold's ,letters40 ,vol4 ii4 p4 #agj4 #gj 8,archdeacon 7now ,bishop of ,oxford7 ,wilberforce's ,charge1 #ahde10 p4 #ag4 #adb ,it must not be understood1 however1 from this statement1 that ,i wished to invite to these expositions only such individuals as are mentioned above1 ,i must candidly confess that it was not altogether without reference to yourselves4 ,i hoped that by these occasional meetings we should come somewhat nearer into contact3 and that1 as a consequence1 feelings of love and of kindness might more diffusively prevail4 ,it afforded me1 therefore1 real pleasure to see so many of you kindly giving me the meeting on the two evenings on which ,i have been in your neighbourhood4 #adf ,it has been strangely imagined1 and even reported by some1 that ,i do not wish those who consider themselves ,methodists to join with the rest of my people in partaking of the sacrament1 and that ,i object likewise to administer it to them at their own houses1 when unable to attend the church4 ,i feel pleasure in availing myself of this opportunity of assuring them1 that such statements are altogether erroneous4 ,my heart rejoices to see them whenever they attend3 for it reminds me of that general assembly in heaven1 where all party distinctions will be lost in one common feeling of love1 and when we shall all join in sweetest unison in singing that new and never-ending song4 ,my feelings also are similar when kneeling around their beds of sickness1 and consecrating those elements of which we are about to partake in remembrance of that ,redeemer who has taught us so emphatically that his disciples should love one another4 #afd 8,unquestionably our aristocratical manners and habits have made us and the poor two distinct and unsympathising bodies2 and1 from want of sympathy1 ,i fear the transition to enmity is but too easy when distress embitters the feelings1 and the sight of others in luxury makes that distress still more intolerable4 ,this is the plague-spot to my mind in our whole state of society1 which must be removed1 or the whole must perish4 ,and under ,god it is for the clergy to come forward boldly1 and begin to combat it4 ,if you read ,isaiah iii41 v41 and xxxii42 ,jeremiah v41 xxii41 and xxx42 ,amos iv42 ,habakkuk ii42 and the ,epistle of ,st4 ,james1 written to the same people a little before the second destruction of ,jerusalem1 you will be struck1 ,i think1 with the close resemblance of our own state to that of the ,jews40--,dr4 ,arnold's ,letters1 vol4 i4 p4 #bhf4 #aga ,at the date of this letter1 the public mind was much agitated by the question of ,parliamentary ,reform1 and an alarming spirit of lawlessness prevailed in many parts of the kingdom4 ,in a few weeks after this was written1 the city of ,bristol was for about two days in the hands of a numerous mob2 setting all authority at defiance1 and committing the most fearful depredations1 burnings1 c4 ,these events1 happening within a few miles of ,mr4 ,m4's residence1 would doubtless increase his forebodings as to his native land1 and his desire to remove to a foreign scene of ministerial labour4 #aif ,this vessel sailed from ,bristol the #bbnd ,april1 #ahcc1 bound to ,new ,york1 having on board ,mrs4 ,mortimer and her three daughters as passengers4 #bbf ,mr4 ,ditcher1 now vicar of ,south ,brent1 ,somers1 had succeeded ,mr4 ,mortimer in the curacy of ,hutton1 where ,mr4 ,armstrong was paying him a visit2 he suggested that1 being in the house lately occupied by their mutual friend1 ,mr4 ,a4 should write to him from the same1 which he did accordingly4 ,it is from this circumstance that the allusion to ,mr4 ,ditcher is made4 #beb ,on the #ajth of ,october1 #ahda1 ,mr4 ,mortimer preached at ,thornhill1 in the evening1 for the first time after his nervous attack4 ,his text was very striking--8,i shall not die but live1 and declare the works of the ,lord40 ,after that he preached occasionally in the evening1 until he altogether resumed his duties1 about the middle of the year #ahdc4 #bfb ,the ,rev4 ,thomas ,grinfield1 who greatly admired and loved ,mr4 ,mortimer1 and for whom1 from his first acquaintance with him1 he entertained sentiments of mingled affection1 esteem1 and admiration4 #bfd ,from a communication made to me by the ,rev4 ,j4 ,grinfield1 to whom ,i am indebted for several papers and letters with which he has kindly furnished me1 and of which ,i have made ample use in this memoir4 #bfh;a ,such an influence over the minds of those who widely differed from him1 and perhaps viewed the ,church to which he belonged with much prejudice1 was not attained but by a course of great kindness and consideration towards all1 and the thing gained was worth all the cost of it4 ,mr4 ,mortimer was not an indifferent ,churchman2 but he felt that1 like his ,divine ,master1 he should not only be of a meek and lowly spirit towards his own1 but that he should exercise tenderness and conciliation to the ,samaritan as well as to the ,jew2 to the ,dissenter as well as to the ,churchman2 considering all as entitled to the benefits of his flock1 though they were not disposed to partake of them4 ,it will be said1 perhaps1 that many ,dissenters are not only bitter in their spirit1 but violent in their language1 and provoking in their conduct and actions4 ,if it be so1 let us set them a better example2 let us show them a more excellent way2 let us make them the objects of our kindness and prayers1 and not of our scorn1 hatred1 and opposition4 8,be not overcome of evil1 but overcome evil with good40 #bfh;b ,from ,miss ,mortimer's communications4 #bhd ,from the inscription by ,dr4 ,bentley1 on the pedestal of the sublime statue by ,roubiliac1 in the ,chapel of ,trin4 ,college1 ,cambridge4 #bhg;a ,drawn up for the use of the candidates for confirmation4 #bhg;b ,the word ,sacrament is not found in ,sacred ,scripture2 but it signifies an oath3 and the ,christian ordinances of ,baptism and the ,lord's ,supper were very early designated by this term1 by some of the fathers2 because the dedication of ourselves to ,god in these ordinances is as binding and obligatory as a solemn oath4 ,in the ,roman style1 it signifies a most solemn and inviolable engagement4 #bhg;c ,baptism under the ,christian dispensation corresponds with1 and was instituted in place of1 ,circumcision1 under the ,jewish dispensation3 and the ,lord's ,supper corresponds with the ,passover4 #bih ,after stating that it was ,mr4 ,mortimer's delight to visit his people1 ,mrs4 ,m4 informed me that his nervousness was so great1 that pastoral visiting was a duty he rather dreaded than delighted in4 ,how faithfully then must that duty have been performed when thus imagined to be his delight6--,note by the ,author4