Chapter I: AM obliged to you for thinking of me in reference to my monthly

engagements. I can hardly expect that you should enter with any very lively interest into this matter, though, I can assure you, your kind assistance would prove a very acceptable service both to myself and my readers; nor would the time be altogether lost, if the matter were considered in sole reference to yourself; at least I should so conclude, from what I have observed with respect to my own mind and habits, and I very greatly regret that, for so many years, I suffered my feelings to prevail over my better judgment, and cause me to neglect the throwing in of my mite into some channel of usefulness. But I do not blame others, knowing how very unwillingly I was pressed into the service myself. I do not expect that my friends should, by any touch of my poor leaden wand, start into active and willing contributors. Had I Orpheus-like powers, the trees and stones might follow me; but I possess none of these magical or touchingly persuasive means, and therefore, though, as a point of duty, I every now and then turn an entreating eye, and raise a feeble supplicating voice, both the priest and the Levite are afraid of messing themselves in my poor concerns, and prudently pass over to the other side. I would not, however, ungratefully involve all in this sweeping and indiscriminate crimination. A Samaritan or two have kindly pitied me, and for their equally unexpected and unwearied act of friendship, I feel myself peculiarly indebted. But why all this enumeration? Should I not honestly confess that it is not altogether without reference to yourself? I am not a stranger to my good brother’s Samaritan-like feelings, and a distant hope is cherished by me, that he will yet pour in of his truly welcome supplies.

T. L., I should think, would at present pass quite as good an examination as his brother B., but I would not recommend him to be over hasty in applying for orders, nor indeed does he feel thus disposed himself. Young men, I think, sadly err in this matter; they hasten into the ministry far too soon, and repent of their haste all through their subsequent years. But perhaps it is hardly fair to ascribe all the blame to them: it originates, in great part, with those who bear the expense of their education, and who are glad of the first opportunity which presents itself of getting them off. But T. L. supports himself, and, therefore, the burden and the advantage both fall, as they ought, upon the same individual, and he so feels the desirableness of improving the present time, that he prefers waiting a little longer. Another pupil who is reading with me, a very nice young man, supports himself in a similar way; and I do not intend, for the future, to superintend the studies of any who do not, in some way or other, pursue the same method. And

I remain, my dear Brother,

Yours very affectionately,
G. M.

TO THE REV. THOMAS MORTIMER.

Madeley, Feb. 5, 1824.

My dear Thomas,

*******

Matters proceed among us pretty much as usual. My people are kind, our congregations good, classes very fair, and attendance on the weekly expositions pleasingly increasing. As to myself, I can say but little; sometimes I am enabled to live in the spirit of the petition,

“Each moment draw from earth away
My heart, which lowly waits thy call;”

and then my peace flows smooth and tranquil as a river; then all my affections take their proper channel, and are directed to a holy spiritual end. But, alas! too generally I find my feelings and conduct better characterized by complaint than exultation, and have too much reason to say,

“Yet hind’rances strew all the way;
I aim at thee, yet from thee stray.”

But I still keep fixing my eye upon the beauteous light, even when furthest from it, and most ardently do I sigh after its most blessed repose. Well, perhaps, after all my failures, I may still become habitually possessed of it; and indeed without it, I feel that I shall never enjoy anything like true and substantial rest. A minister without the inward grace, and that also in a more than usual measure, is of all others a character most to be pitied—I mean of all other Christians; for in order to instruct others, he must of course be more advanced in knowledge, and consequently will be called to a far stricter account. Besides, the whole routine of his employments, carrying with them the exterior of sanctity, are apt to impress, not only others, but himself also, with fallacious hopes respecting the safety of his state. The constant repetition also of his duties has a strong tendency to render the spiritual impression on himself less and less vivid, till at length the pious feeling, in many instances, is entirely absent, and he detects himself half hypocritically acting or performing a part, attempting to raise emotion in others to which he is so much a stranger himself. These, my dear brother, are our snares—at least they are mine; but I hope I not only perceive them, but am watching against them. And my comfort is, that amidst all my consciousness of weakness, it is still my privilege to rely on an all-sufficient Saviour.

You kindly speak in your letter of your being able to assist me in my editorial labours, by furnishing me with accounts connected with the different societies. I fear, however, that the work will not proceed beyond the present volume. Its sale, I am thankful to state, has increased since it was placed in my hands, and is still increasing; but it will not cover the attendant expenditure—at least not so much so, as to make it worth the publisher’s while to continue. Its discontinuance, however, will prove no great loss to me. I edit the numbers of the present volume for £2. 10s. a number, and, when my monthly expenses are deducted, I have only about £1 each remaining. My object, however, is not gain, but a desire of being in some way useful; and as a work of the kind seems desirable, I shall feel a little regret that it should cease. But perhaps, after it stops, some London bookseller will venture upon something of a similar kind, and, if so, it will then, in all probability, succeed. * * * * * We all unite in sincerest love to yourself, Mrs. T. M., and my dear niece, and

I remain, my dear Thomas,

Your affectionate Brother,
GEORGE MORTIMER.

TO THE REV. THOMAS MORTIMER.

Madeley, Dec. 1, 1824.

My dear Brother,

* * * * * * *

I am afraid, from your intimations respecting your being in quest of a morning service, that Mr. Pratt has failed in substantiating his claim; if so, I shall be much concerned. Retired from the emoluments of a former occupation, he will possibly feel this diminution in point of income; but for such a servant in the house of our God, I trust that not mere adequacy, but even the munificence of our merciful Lord, is in abundant reserve.

You inquire concerning my health. It has been far from well ever since my return from G—, strong as I seemed while there; no sooner did I enter upon my parochial duties, than I began to fail, and in about a fortnight, I was nearly as ill as ever. This induced me to lay the whole matter before Mr. Burton, and to request him to relieve my mind with an assurance that, in case I should be under the necessity of leaving, he would kindly indulge the parishioners with a suitable person in my stead. His kindness has removed my difficulties, and left me at full liberty to leave my work in more efficient hands. I have had an application for the curacy from a gentleman who strikes me as being very suitable, and Mr. Burton has accepted of his services. One difficulty, however, is in the way. He holds a living in the diocese of Worcester; but, being peculiarly circumstanced, he expects that the bishop will permit him to hold it in conjunction with Madeley, and to divide his time between them, his curate sharing the twofold duty with him. Should his application to the bishop not succeed, he has recommended to me another person, who seems equally eligible with himself; but with this latter person I have had no communication.

As to myself, I am of course in uncertainty; but I feel confident, that as I have hitherto been guided by the wisdom and goodness of my condescending God, so he will still point out to me the way in which I should go.

You speak of the mine of paper and print, and, like too many others, comfort yourself with considering that your work is but a little one. But good, my brother, beware, beware! Three services on a Sabbath, occasional weekly ministrations, and numerous official employments, should almost entirely exclude every kind of preparation for the press. With kindest love &c,

Believe me, my dear Thomas,

Your ever affectionate Brother,
GEORGE.

* * * * *

In the spring of 1825, Mr. Mortimer visited his London friends, one of whom writes as follows:—

“Your dear brother appeared so full of love and tenderness, and, at
the same time, so interested himself in everything that appeared to
interest us, that we could not help wishing for a much longer
enjoyment. I heard him preach but once: his sermon was truly
edifying. I will transcribe a brief outline of it, as you may find
it a word of consolation in some season of sorrow. Matt. xv. 28, ‘O
woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.’ The
advantages resulting from strong faith were pointed out in four
important particulars; viz.—I. It yields to no discouragement. II.
It bears and even overcomes the most humiliating discoveries. III.
It receives the strongest marks of the Saviour’s approbation. IV. It
is put into eventual possession of every needful good. Each of these
points was marked out as strikingly illustrated in this affecting and
interesting narrative.”

His brother, the Rev. Thomas Mortimer, has kindly furnished me with the following communication respecting the same sermon:—

“On Sunday, the 27th March, 1825, my beloved brother preached for me
at my lecture at St. Olave’s, Southwark. I shall never forget that
sermon. Being the only church at that time usually open in the
Borough for Sunday evening service, there was generally a large
attendance, and that evening the church was crowded. On entering the
pulpit, my brother’s diminutive figure excited attention; and, in
some, produced a smile. When, however, he had composed himself in
the pulpit, his fine countenance, beaming with intelligence,
evidently inspired some with respect, who, at first, had looked up
with indifference, if not with scorn. His announcement of his text
was most solemn and yet most tender; ‘O woman, great is thy faith: be
it unto thee even as thou wilt.’ From that moment the silence of
death reigned; and, after a few minutes, every eye seemed fixed upon
the preacher, and every ear listening to his voice. The scoffer soon
discovered that the preacher was no ordinary man: the candid inquirer
felt interested in the subject: the timid and weak believer took
courage: and the mourner drank in the water of life, with the
eagerness of the thirsty soul. Many a time, during subsequent years,
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 souls. Though nearly twenty years have rolled away
since that memorable night, the recollection of my beloved brother,
of the touching words that fell from his lips, and the ‘unction of
the Holy One,’ which evidently attended them, is still vivid and
delightful, and will, I doubt not, accompany me to my grave.”

Intimation has already been given, in a letter to his brother, of Mr. Mortimer’s entertaining thoughts of leaving Madeley, owing to the declining state of his health. The following several letters refer to that event and to arrangements for filling up his important post in that parish.

TO THE REV. JOHN COOPER.

Yardley, near Birmingham, Sept. 12, 1825.

My dear Friend,

YOUR very kind and acceptable letter reached me three or four weeks since; and I should have answered it much earlier had I not been in some uncertainty as to my proximate movements; and I thought I would wait till something definite should have transpired. I have been here very nearly seven months, and was thinking of returning to Madeley in about a month from the present time; but it is now arranged that we should continue here till the middle of February. From what you mention in your letter, I should suppose that you have been informed that I had left Madeley altogether, but this is not the case; I have only _exchanged_ duties with the vicar of this place, who has been, like myself, out of health for some months past, and who thought that a complete change of sphere and situation would prove beneficial to him. He and his family, therefore, reside in the vicarage at Madeley, and myself and family here; both of us having left our furniture, library, &c., &c., for each other’s accommodation. The duties in this place being light, as compared with Madeley, and the air exceedingly salubrious, I have found great benefit from the change, and am pretty nearly as well as I was before I began to fail; the whole of my family, also, have found their health considerably improved; so that in this point of view we have reason to be thankful for the exchange. And I hope, also, that the change of ministrations will be beneficial to both our parishes. I hear of an increased attention being produced at Madeley, and I ought to acknowledge with gratitude the acceptance with which I am favoured here.

You mention in your letter that your engagement in your present curacy will terminate early in 1827. I read that part of your letter to Mr. Gwyther (the gentleman with whom I have exchanged duties), who was over here a few days ago, and he said, “Could we not contrive between us to keep the curacy open for Mr. C. till he should be able to take it?”

Our present arrangement will, if we are spared, bring us to the middle of February, 1826, which is only a year short of the time when you will be released from your present charge. Now, if we could manage so as to supply till then, would you like to undertake the charge of the parish, provided the incumbent would admit you, which, from what I have lately ascertained, I think could easily be managed? Since I saw you I have engaged with an assistant, but merely _pro tempore_; the expense of which is to be principally borne by the parishioners. The sum allowed to him will be £100 a year; towards which I myself give £30, on condition of being occasionally absent, should my health require it, at the sea or elsewhere. The value of my curacy is full £100 a year besides the house. You will perceive, then, that matters are now made much easier for you, should you think of fixing your lot among the Madeley people, and I am confident that the arrangement would be highly gratifying to them.

TO THE REV. JOHN COOPER.

Yardley, February 21, 1826.

My dear Friend,

THOUGH I fully intended to have answered your very kind letter within the time that you specified, yet, as it bears date October 15, I find that I have exceeded the proposed interval _by more than a month_. So much for my _friendship_. Had it been a letter _on business_, I have little hesitation in saying that it would have been duly despatched; and, had there been a dozen of this kind, I think I might venture to assert the same. But my friends, and those also the most intimate and endeared, are too generally neglected; and many are the kind reproofs which my remissness thus draws upon me. You, indeed, my dear friend, have, _in silence_, borne with all; and this ought to have made me more cautious in giving you fresh occasions of pain. But nothing seems of sufficient influence to correct the inveteracy of my habit; and, therefore, I must still, I fear, keep confessing my reiterated faults, and as often keep throwing myself upon the kind forgiveness and forbearance of my friends.

I am still, as you will perceive from my date, at Yardley, and, from a fresh arrangement, our exchange will be prolonged from March till the latter end of July next. Nothing has as yet been done about an assistant curate for Madeley. About a fortnight ago, I was congratulating myself on the acquisition of a very desirable fellow-helper, the Rev. A. B—, who had consented to join with me in the duties of the parish, and had engaged the residence of our late departed friend Mrs. E—; but some obstacles have since arisen, so that I fear we shall now lose him. Should he decline, I shall not be over anxious in making any permanent arrangement with any one else until my return in July, by which time I should hope you will be able to speak somewhat more definitely as to your own movements, as there will be only about six months to the time of your own projected removal. The impediments which have been thrown in the way of every negotiation which I have entered into for so many months past, incline me to think that it is more than possible the situation may, after all, be reserved for my endeared friend. But of the future how little, or rather, how completely nothing, are we permitted to know; and if we busy ourselves in the shrewdest guesses, or the most cool and sober calculations, how generally are we disappointed! It is our wisdom, therefore, to be more occupied with the duties which more immediately devolve upon us at the present, than with speculations about the _probabilities_ of more remote and distant periods.

In the foregoing page, I mentioned the name of dear Mrs. E—, and I had no sooner done this than the recollection of all that transpired between us, during your short visit to us at Madeley, passed vividly through my mind. What a painful winding up of W— matters! But yet, in many respects, how merciful! * * * With respect, however, to the endeared individual so lately severed from her important charge, I have nothing to say, but what is encouraging: most clearly, most satisfactorily, had she been latterly ripening for that blessed world of spirits. And as to the dear family which she has left behind, “let us not sorrow as those without hope.” They are beloved by many for their parent’s sake, and, in a qualified use of the term, we may, perhaps, state the same respecting their parent’s faithful and condescending God. For He will, no doubt, remember them peculiarly for good, and that for their parent’s sake; for the good inheritance of their anxious desires and their holy fervent prayers, will, sooner or later, be abundantly possessed. We were truly thankful to hear of dear Mrs. C—’s gradual amendment in health; and though it may not be commensurate with our naturally impatient and restless desires, yet every increase of so invaluable a blessing should call forth our grateful praise. We beg to unite in very kindest and Christian regards to her, yourself, and family, and I remain,

My dear Friend,

Yours very sincerely,
GEORGE MORTIMER.

TO THE REV. THOMAS MORTIMER.

Yardley, June 20, 1826.

My dear Brother,

FROM what you must have perceived of the evident inclining of my mind while you were here, you will not be much surprised at the contents of the accompanying circular. I have long paused, and, I hope, deliberately weighed, as well as sincerely prayed, and now I must leave the result in the overruling hands of an all-wise and ever-gracious God. This I am thankful to state, that I am at present enabled to do, with a measure of calm and peaceful reliance, which I did not at all anticipate.

TO THE INHABITANTS OF MADELEY.

Yardley, June 19, 1826.

My much-endeared Parishioners,

WHEN I left Madeley, in consequence of the delicate state of my health, I had fully intended to have rejoined you in a few months. Various circumstances, however, induced me to accept the proposals made at different times by Mr. Gwyther, for lengthening the period of our exchange: and now that this period is nearly terminated, I regret to be under the necessity of stating, that I feel so strongly my total inadequacy to resume my wonted station among you, that I dare not venture upon it.

My health has indeed, through the blessing of God, upon the diminution of my parochial duties, been considerably amended. It is the opinion, however, of all my more intimate friends, that, should I return to my charge, I shall in a few weeks sink under the pressure of those numerous parochial cares and duties which before so materially injured me. I have, therefore, felt constrained to resign my situation; and have just written to Mr. Burton, stating to him, that I shall vacate the Curacy at Michaelmas next.

I have not mentioned to him anything respecting my successor, leaving a matter so materially affecting yourselves to your own superior judgment. I hope, however, that the principal inhabitants of the parish will lose no time in making a proper application to him; and from the repeated proofs which I have had of his kind feeling towards you, I have no doubt but that he will comply with any request which they may see fit to make to him.

As to my own future movements I am altogether ignorant. I trust, however, that the same gracious GOD, who guided my steps among you, will still appoint for me my future path: and with regard to yourselves, a people who will never cease to be remembered by me with feelings of the strongest affection, I do most sincerely pray that a pastor may be given to you who shall, in all respects, answer your most sanguine wishes: and thus supply my own numerous and often-lamented deficiencies.

Believe me to remain,

Your very affectionate though unworthy Minister,

GEORGE MORTIMER.

* * * * *

The above was also sent to his friend, the Rev. John Cooper, accompanied by the following letter:—

Yardley, June 26, 1826.

My dear Friend,