Chapter 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 letter, relative to her beloved father. There are few, if any, to whom I am so deeply indebted as I am to that dear and valued friend. At an early period of my life he noticed me with a kindness and humility which I can never forget. These were, indeed, traits constantly exhibited in his Christian character, but they were the more affecting and attractive as appearing in a man of such ability and accomplishments. 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 years, with him, and to the sermons and expositions which I heard from him at that time, every Sabbath and every week.

After I left Madeley I saw less of him, though our intercourse was renewed, in some measure, when he came to Bristol, and, in the end, he succeeded me in my old curacy at Hutton, on my presentation to the living which I now hold. * * * Not many letters ever passed between us; but _I have never ceased to remember him with admiration_, _gratitude_, _and love_. _Indeed_, _take him altogether_, _and I have never seen his equal_.

With my very kind regards to yourself and family,

I remain, my dear Sir,

Very sincerely yours,
G. L. Y.

THE WATCHFUL SERVANT.

A SERMON
PREACHED AT THORNHILL CHURCH, JUNE 19, 1844,
OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF
THE REV. GEORGE MORTIMER, M.A.,
_Rector of that Township_.

BY THE REV. F. L. OSLER.

LUKE XII. 37.

“BLESSED ARE THOSE SERVANTS WHOM THE LORD, WHEN HE COMETH, SHALL FIND
WATCHING.”

ON receiving an invitation to officiate on the mournful occasion which calls us together, accompanied with a request that I would also preach a sermon suitable to the afflicting circumstance, the oft-repeated encouragement of my dear departed friend, eagerly to embrace every opportunity of setting forth Christ, was brought home to my mind, and a voice from the dead seemed to say, Stand in my accustomed place, and for me tell to my bereaved family and friends, to the people of my charge and of my many prayers, that the Gospel which they have so often heard proclaimed by the lips now cold in death, is not a vague uncertainty, but the power of God unto salvation; and while they weep for one whose most earnest endeavours were to promote their welfare, that they should not sorrow as those without hope, but seek earnestly to become imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

So suddenly was he whose loss we mourn taken from the midst of us, that the necessity and duty of watchfulness naturally presents itself to the mind; such is the injunction implied in the words of my text—to _that_ and the _blessing_ promised let us first direct our attention.

Under the figure of a householder, or master, and his servants, Christ represents Himself, and those who profess to be His disciples; for it is evident that the words are addressed to such, and not to the godless and profane. And as Christ’s _watching_ servants are also to be _working_ servants, fidelity, diligence, and perseverance the Lord requires to find in them, when he comes to call them to their account.

“It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful,” saith St. Paul. No other qualification can compensate for the want of this, and the higher the trust reposed, the greater is the fidelity required. How solemn, then, and awful, is the position of the minister of Christ! he has not only to watch for his own soul, and take care lest his very duties, by their frequent performance, become the means of imperceptibly leading him to trust in them, and think that because he is made useful to others, it must, therefore, be well with himself, but also to watch for the souls of others. As Christ’s ambassador, there is committed unto him the ministry of reconciliation, to entreat sinners in Christ’s stead to be reconciled to God; and should any perish through his wilful neglect, either to warn or to give instruction, against the unfaithful minister is denounced the fearful sentence, “his blood will I require at thy hand.”

Deeply did our beloved friend feel this; his daily prayer and study was to make full proof of his ministry, and seek by every means to win souls to Christ. His manner of life from the time of his first coming among you, up to the hour of his death, is known to most present. In his family the kind husband, parent, and master, anxious for the comfort and welfare of all, yet most anxious that each who dwelt beneath his roof, might love that Saviour who was so precious to his own soul. Owing to the delicate state of his health, and what he suffered from even a little unusual excitement, he was, perhaps, seen less in his family than most clergymen; but those friends with whom he felt that he could act freely, and leave when he found himself no longer equal to conversation, will doubtless bear me witness, that as the head of a family few excelled him, and that it was a happy privilege to join with him at the family altar in prayer and praise.

In the temporal property which God had given him, we find the same earnest care that God might be glorified thereby. His liberality is well known, and the principle on which he acted, he believed to be in accordance to God’s revealed word. At first, a tenth of his property was set apart, and after a little while, not feeling satisfied with that portion, one seventh of his income, as he received it, was regularly set apart, and most carefully used, as might best promote the glory of God, and the good of his fellow-creatures. All he possessed he considered as a talent given by God with the injunction, “Occupy till I come,” and as a good steward he laboured faithfully to improve the talent committed to his trust.

But the fulfilment of his ministerial duties was that which engaged his most earnest attention.

He would not offer to the Lord that which cost him nothing, and whether his sermons were what is commonly termed extempore, or written, they were composed with much care, and after much prayer. His anxiety was to win souls to Christ, and to give to each his portion of meat in due season; he was careful, almost to a fault, that the subject on which he was treating should be rightly divided.

But his greatest delight {298} appeared to be in visiting his people from house to house, warning the wicked of the danger of his ways, encouraging the weak, comforting the feeble minded, but more especially delighting to dwell upon that theme so dear to his own soul, the love of Christ. As a father with his children, they were all upon his heart, and few days were suffered to elapse in which he did not visit some families, and his visits were literally ministerial ones, as many present can testify, and who will do well to treasure carefully the instructions they have received, and pray earnestly that they may be profitable to their souls. Judging by the test which Christ himself hath given us, “By their fruits ye shall know them,” will it not be the testimony of all who knew our dear departed brother, that he was in the highest sense of the term a faithful minister of God? and doubtless he has heard from that Master whom he loved and served, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

And he was not only faithful but diligent. It is well known that the strength of our friend was small, and that he was afflicted with a nervous affection, the natural tendency of which is to prostrate the energies both of mind and body. He felt this and struggled against it, and frequently would return to his house completely exhausted. With him there was no “spare thyself;” whatsoever his hand found to do, he did it with all his might, and as a good servant, his aim and endeavour were to make the most of that strength which was given him.

Patience and perseverance also are necessary qualifications for the Christian minister. “Ye have need of patience,” saith the Apostle St. Paul, “that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” “Add therefore,” saith St. Peter, “to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, _patience_.” “In your patience,” saith Christ, “possess ye your souls.” And because his difficulties are great, and the enemies with which he has to contend, numerous and powerful, he must put on the whole armour of God, in order to withstand the evil day, and having done all to stand. He must not only pray, but pray with all prayer and supplication in the spirit; he must not only watch, but watch with all _perseverance_. May it not, alas! be said of some, that they began well, but lacked patience to run the race that was set before them; as St. Paul complains of the Galatians (chap. v. 5), _Ye did run well_, and yet afterwards they made shipwreck of faith. The young Christian, when he feels himself as a brand plucked out of the burning, and experiences the love of Christ in his soul, constraining him to devote all his powers to the service of that God who called him out of darkness into marvellous light, like Peter, is ready to combat a host of men in his Master’s defence, wonders at his former blindness, and almost thinks it strange, that any should neglect the service of so good a Master. And in like manner the young minister, when first appointed to his charge, and opening his commission as one of God’s ambassadors, like the untried soldier, thinks of great things to be achieved, and the difficulties seem light; but by degrees both find that the course cannot be run without many a struggle, nor the victory won without many a battle. And the minister of Christ more than any other, will be assaulted by the great adversary of souls with temptations exactly suited to his circumstances and disposition, and all tending to one point, the making Christ, and Christ crucified, if I may so state it, a secondary object in his ministrations, first in name, second in reality, giving to other duties and doctrines, valuable in themselves and in their proper place, that pre-eminence which belongs to Christ alone. Alas! my brethren, do we not see too much of this in the present day! Bread is asked for, and a stone is given by some who once preached “Christ in everything, and everything in Christ.” But we can thankfully bear testimony to the perseverance of our dear departed brother in the right way; from the day of his admission into the sacred office of the ministry up to the hour of his removal from us, he looked unto Jesus, as the author and finisher of his faith, set Him always before him, and with deep humility sought to follow in his steps.

He was ordained in the year 1811, and for many years officiated in the parish of Madeley, England, and the testimony of those who knew him there is, that he was systematic in all his plans, which were laid after much consideration and prayer, and then as earnestly carried out. For eleven years and a half he was your minister, part of which time he was unable to perform any active duties from weakness, and a violent nervous affection which seized him when the Bishop of Toronto visited this place, to consecrate the church and confirm the young. It was to him a severe trial to be laid aside, as he used to express himself, as of no more use, and yet with cheerful humility he would often observe, “The Lord’s work can go on without me,” or words to that effect. But contrary to his own expectation and that of his friends, he was again restored to comparative health and strength, and oh, how eagerly did he resume his duties directly he felt himself equal to them, and his gratitude to God was great for enabling him again to set forth Christ!

Joined to fidelity, diligence, and perseverance, was continual watchfulness. He waited for the Lord’s coming, he watched unto prayer, as one who was to give an account. The exhortation of the prophet Ezekiel (iii. 17), “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel,” was deeply impressed upon his mind, and every means in his power he used to win souls to Christ. He watched over the young of his flock with a father’s love and a father’s anxiety, 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 Gospel. In visiting his people he was watchful to speak a word in season, making it, I believe, a rule never, or very rarely, to leave a house or family without speaking of the one thing needful. Ever remembering that the vows of God were upon him, he was studiously careful that even in manner he might act as became a minister of God, whilst at the same time few were more cheerful than himself. His pulpit preparations were also subjects of much anxious watchfulness and prayer: he studied what he conceived to be his people’s wants, and in love endeavoured to declare to them the whole counsel of God.

And whilst watchful over those committed to his charge he was not unmindful of that solemn hour which has come upon him. For some time previous to his death, he seemed to have the subject continually present to his mind, and would frequently observe to the servant who drove him, on returning from his accustomed rides, “Once more the Lord has brought us home in safety;” and particularly during the last week his conversation at every house he visited, was on death, and the necessity of a constant state of preparation for it, warning the careless, and entreating the almost Christian to come out from an ungodly world, and so to live as to be accounted worthy to stand before the Son of Man, when he shall come to judge the world in righteousness.

A few days since he observed to his servant, “I shall not be long here,” and mentioned with satisfaction that the house was his private property, and that Mrs. Mortimer would not have to leave it, as she must have done had it been a parsonage. These remarks were made when his bodily health appeared to be improving, and, humanly speaking, there was every probability of his being spared many years; and it is satisfactory to dwell on these minute particulars now, 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 summons.

Our beloved friend was found watching, and the blessing promised is his portion; he received the earnest of it in this world, he doubtless enjoys it more fully now.

He was blessed in the enjoyment, in no small degree, of the confidence and affection of his people; he was looked up to as a father and a friend, 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 one, and many are ready to exclaim, “My father! my father! the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof.”

He was blessed in being permitted to see that his labours were not in vain in the Lord. Whilst we would by no means lay down ministerial success as the certain token of God’s favour, or the want of it a mark of his displeasure—for sometimes the most faithful devoted ministers are only permitted to sow the seed, while others reap the harvest, in order practically to prove to us that it is not by human might or power, but by the Spirit of God alone, that souls can be converted to Him; that a Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but it is God alone who giveth the increase—yet it is a blessing, and a great and precious one, to be permitted to see the work of the Lord prospering in our hands. Little, perhaps, do some present think of the anxious hopes and fears which fill the minister’s heart while preparing for his public ministrations, or striving to bring before his people the whole counsel of God. How often in the bitterness of disappointed hope he is ready to exclaim, “Who hath believed our report?” But when he marks the earnest attention paid to his ministrations, the vanities of the world forsaken by some, who boldly, and yet with humility declare, Whatever be the conduct of others, “as for me and my house we will serve the Lord;” great is his encouragement, and he goeth on his way rejoicing. This blessing was vouchsafed to our dear departed friend, 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 congregation.

There is something painful in the thought that so good a man should be thus suddenly, and in such a manner, taken from the midst of us. We should have chosen for him a long and peaceful old age, and when, at length, he must depart this life, like corn fully ripe, the Master whom he loved and served would come and gently receive him to himself. But his death and the manner of it was appointed by One wiser than man, and who loved him better than his dearest earthly friends. Even in his sudden death, there was a blessing and an answer to many prayers. From the state of his bodily health, and what he had previously suffered, he used to dread the pains of dying, and earnestly prayed that he might either be spared these pains, or be strengthened under them. And God gave him more than he asked; for nearly two years past this dread was taken away, and the bodily pain he suffered after the accident, was, I have been informed, not equal to the uneasy sensations experienced at fainting. At first, he did not consider that he had received a fatal injury, and on being taken up, exclaimed, “He keepeth all my bones, not one of them is broken.”

His kind friend and physician Dr. Paget, hastened to his assistance, and brought him gently home. The family, naturally much alarmed, eagerly met him as he was being carried into the house, anxious to ascertain the extent of the injury; he strove to calm their fears by telling them, what he then really thought, that he was not seriously hurt. But when laid upon his bed, and he found, as he expressed it, that it would be instant death for him to lie in any but the one position, then he felt that he should never rise again, and was thankful for being brought home to his own comfortable bed. He then spoke with much feeling of the kindness and gentleness of the persons who took him up immediately after the accident, repeating, “Kind—kind,” and expressed himself as quite resigned to the will of God, not anxious to live, and ready to die. He alluded briefly to his temporal affairs, and when he felt his end approaching, desired that those who were not present might be called, when he addressed a few words separately to each, ending with “_God bless you_.” It was evidently an effort for him to speak much, and his memory appeared to be in some degree affected, as he mentioned none of the family who were absent, and only addressed those present as they stood directly before him. Having spoken to his family, he then prayed for his people; they had always been very dear to him, and often had his prayers ascended before the throne of grace on their behalf, and now, ere the spirit took its flight, whilst yet he might plead for a blessing to descend upon them, he lifted up his heart with the words, “God bless my poor dear people;” and having uttered this prayer, he lay for a time quite still, and then so gently fell asleep in Jesus, that an old and valued servant of the family observed, “How sweetly master is sleeping!” and knew not that it was death until told by the physician, “It is the sleep of death.”

He was permitted to retain his senses to the last, having lived about four hours after the accident.

Beloved friends, may the dying prayers of your late valued minister be heard and answered abundantly on your behalf! “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, even so, saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labours.” Our departed friend has fought the good fight, has finished his course, and entered into his rest. He now beholds Him whom having not seen he loved. Oh that those who are ready to exclaim “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his,” may treasure up the instruction they have received from him they will see no more, till all meet at the judgment-seat of Christ, and seek to follow in the steps of their departed minister as he followed Christ.

We observe from what has been stated, that even in death he was greatly blessed, but what is that compared with the blessing he is now inheriting! We weep around his lifeless corpse, but his freed spirit rejoices in the presence of its God. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive the things which God hath prepared for them that love him: and in a little time, that which was a weak and fragile body whilst animated by the spirit, and now about to turn to corruption, shall rise a glorious body; it is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonour and shall be raised in glory. Our departed friend looked forward to this when more than once he exclaimed, a little before he closed his eyes in death, “I am going to my rest,” not yet to the fulness of bliss. It doth not yet appear what we shall be, man cannot describe it; raise the imagination to the highest pitch, and still it will fall far short of the reality; for “when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

From this subject let us seek to derive some practical improvement.

1st. A solemn warning. The words of my text are addressed by Christ through his servant to each present, and the scene before us proves that in such an hour as we think not, the Son of man cometh. Who would have thought a few days since, that we should have been assembled here on this occasion, or that your minister, whose renewed strength seemed to promise many years of usefulness, would have been thus cut off suddenly as in a moment? Oh, my brethren, you well know that he taught you long and faithfully, ever willing to spend and be spent in your service. You must meet him at the judgment-seat of Christ, and how will you answer it if you then be found unprofitable servants, and he who loved and served you here, and was honoured and loved by you in return, be obliged to testify against you, that he entreated you in Christ’s stead to be reconciled to God, and you refused? May the awful words which are written in the forty-seventh verse of the chapter from whence my text is taken, awaken each of you to greater diligence, since the servant which knew his Lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to that will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

2nd. Submission to God’s will. Be still and know that I am God, and this not of necessity, because we _must_ submit, but pray and labour that though sorrowful we may yet be rejoicing, since we sorrow not as those without hope, that this affliction may produce a lasting blessing. Thus Eli submitted when the message from the Lord declared such heavy tidings against him and against his family, saying, “It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.” And thus holy Job, when his property was lost, all his children taken, and his body afflicted with sore boils, from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head, and his very wife urging him to curse God and die—“Shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil? The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.”

3rd. Encouragement. We remember the gifts and graces of our departed friend; but from whence were they derived? What made him what he was? The Lord. And who supported him all his journey through life? It was the same God. He found the grace of God sufficient for him, and the feeling of his heart at all times was, “not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name be the glory.” The God who called, guided, supported, and blessed our departed friend, is still the same. His arm is not shortened, nor his ear heavy, and His direction to us is, ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. We may therefore derive also

4th. Comfort. Doubtless our friend hath entered into the presence of the Lord, and the meanest redeemed sinner will sing a louder song of triumph than the highest archangel. Angels have never tasted of pardoning grace and redeeming love. Did you love your minister? Then thank God that he is released from all sorrow and trial. Thank God for what he has promised, that, having preserved your minister to the end, He will, if you seek Him, also preserve you.

My reverend brethren, in this bereavement, there is a message from God sent to us, as watchmen of the House of Israel. One is taken from our midst, and we are left exposed to peculiar trials and temptations. Our brother was the same, and he continued faithful to the end. And what was his strength and comfort? It was Christ. Oh let us beware of preaching anything but Christ crucified, as “the way, the truth, and the life” for perishing sinners. The more we seek and exalt Him, the more shall we feel in our happy experience, “Christ all and in all.”

In conclusion, let me remind this congregation that your late minister’s instructions are yet sounding in your ears. Oh take heed to them. Pray that the Holy Spirit may be to you a spirit of remembrance, bringing again to your minds what has been said to you; and as you pass the mound of earth which covers his mortal remains, strive to call to mind what he said while yet with you, and seek the grace of God to enable you so to live that you may become followers of those who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises. Amen.

* * * * *

* * * * *

J. Unwin, Printer, 31, Bucklersbury, London

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FOOTNOTES.

{30} Twenty pounds. J. A.

{69} “Dr. Arnold’s Letters.” Vol. ii. p. 170.

{70} “Archdeacon (now Bishop of Oxford) Wilberforce’s Charge, 1845,” p. 17.

{142} It must not be understood, however, from this statement, that I wished to invite to these expositions only such individuals as are mentioned above, I must candidly confess that it was not altogether without reference to yourselves. I hoped that by these occasional meetings we should come somewhat nearer into contact: and that, as a consequence, feelings of love and of kindness might more diffusively prevail. It afforded me, therefore, real pleasure to see so many of you kindly giving me the meeting on the two evenings on which I have been in your neighbourhood.

{146} It has been strangely imagined, and even reported by some, that I do not wish those who consider themselves Methodists to join with the rest of my people in partaking of the sacrament, and that I object likewise to administer it to them at their own houses, when unable to attend the church. I feel pleasure in availing myself of this opportunity of assuring them, that such statements are altogether erroneous. My heart rejoices to see them whenever they attend: for it reminds me of that general assembly in heaven, where all party distinctions will be lost in one common feeling of love, and when we shall all join in sweetest unison in singing that new and never-ending song. My feelings also are similar when kneeling around their beds of sickness, 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 another.

{164} “Unquestionably our aristocratical manners and habits have made us and the poor two distinct and unsympathising bodies; and, from want of sympathy, I fear the transition to enmity is but too easy when distress embitters the feelings, and the sight of others in luxury makes that distress still more intolerable. This is the plague-spot to my mind in our whole state of society, which must be removed, or the whole must perish. And under God it is for the clergy to come forward boldly, and begin to combat it. If you read Isaiah iii., v., and xxxii.; Jeremiah v., xxii., and xxx.; Amos iv.; Habakkuk ii.; and the Epistle of St. James, written to the same people a little before the second destruction of Jerusalem, you will be struck, I think, with the close resemblance of our own state to that of the Jews.”—_Dr. Arnold’s Letters_, vol. i. p. 286.

{171} At the date of this letter, the public mind was much agitated by the question of Parliamentary Reform, and an alarming spirit of lawlessness prevailed in many parts of the kingdom. In a few weeks after this was written, the city of Bristol was for about two days in the hands of a numerous mob; setting all authority at defiance, and committing the most fearful depredations, burnings, &c. These events, happening within a few miles of Mr. M.’s residence, would doubtless increase his forebodings as to his native land, and his desire to remove to a foreign scene of ministerial labour.

{196} This vessel sailed from Bristol the 22nd April, 1833, bound to New York, having on board Mrs. Mortimer and her three daughters as passengers.

{226} Mr. Ditcher, now vicar of South Brent, Somers, had succeeded Mr. Mortimer in the curacy of Hutton, where Mr. Armstrong was paying him a visit; he suggested that, being in the house lately occupied by their mutual friend, Mr. A. should write to him from the same, which he did accordingly. It is from this circumstance that the allusion to Mr. Ditcher is made.

{252} On the 10th of October, 1841, Mr. Mortimer preached at Thornhill, in the evening, for the first time after his nervous attack. His text was very striking—“I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” After that he preached occasionally in the evening, until he altogether resumed his duties, about the middle of the year 1843.

{262} The Rev. Thomas Grinfield, who greatly admired and loved Mr. Mortimer, and for whom, from his first acquaintance with him, he entertained sentiments of mingled affection, esteem, and admiration.

{264} From a communication made to me by the Rev. J. Grinfield, to whom I am indebted for several papers and letters with which he has kindly furnished me, and of which I have made ample use in this memoir.

{268a} Such an influence over the minds of those who widely differed from him, and perhaps viewed the Church to which he belonged with much prejudice, was not attained but by a course of great kindness and consideration towards all, and the thing gained was worth all the cost of it. Mr. Mortimer was not an indifferent Churchman; but he felt that, like his Divine Master, he should not only be of a _meek and lowly_ spirit towards his own, but that he should exercise tenderness and conciliation to the Samaritan as well as to the Jew; to the Dissenter as well as to the Churchman; considering all as entitled to the benefits of his flock, though they were not disposed to partake of them. It will be said, perhaps, that many Dissenters are not only bitter in their spirit, but violent in their language, and provoking in their conduct and actions. If it be so, let us set them a better example; let us show them a more excellent way; let us make them the objects of our kindness and prayers, and not of our scorn, hatred, and opposition. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

{268b} From Miss Mortimer’s communications.

{284} From the inscription by Dr. Bentley, on the pedestal of the sublime statue by Roubiliac, in the Chapel of Trin. College, Cambridge.

{287a} Drawn up for the use of the candidates for confirmation.

{287b} The word Sacrament is not found in Sacred Scripture; but it signifies an _oath_: and the Christian ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper were very early designated by this term, by some of the fathers; because the dedication of ourselves to God in these ordinances is as binding and obligatory as a solemn oath. In the Roman style, it signifies a most solemn and inviolable engagement.

{287c} _Baptism_ under the Christian dispensation corresponds with, and was instituted in place of, _Circumcision_, under the Jewish dispensation: and the _Lord’s Supper_ corresponds with the _Passover_.

{298} After stating that it was Mr. Mortimer’s delight to visit his people, Mrs. M. informed me that his nervousness was so great, that pastoral visiting was a duty he rather dreaded than delighted in. How faithfully then must that duty have been performed when thus imagined to be his delight!—_Note by the Author_.