SOCIAL MEETINGS.
In the years 1842 and 1843, Mr. Mortimer established several different week-day meetings for promoting the spiritual benefit of his flock. One of these was held on Tuesday evenings, and was conducted alternately by himself and Mr. Townley, both, however, being present. The meeting was opened by singing a hymn, and by offering up a short extempore prayer, either by himself or Mr. Townley. One of them then spoke on some subject connected with experimental religion; after which, some of the members were expected to make observations connected with the spiritual life of the Christian, or their own particular experience, or to ask any question on practical or doctrinal subjects; and, when a pause ensued, one of the clergymen would carry on the remarks, or introduce another subject. Singing the doxology, and the use of one or two collects, or, occasionally, extempore prayer, and the blessing, concluded the meeting. This meeting was not continued long; for it was not found to answer, owing to the difficulty that persons experienced in speaking on these subjects.
After this was given up, another was established for the Sunday-school teachers. There were twelve members, all young, in the same rank of society, and on terms of intimacy with each other and with their respected pastor, at whose house they met; and these circumstances, together with the cheerful easy manner in which it was conducted, combined to render it pleasant, as well as profitable. Each member learnt by heart a short portion of a catechetical work on the “Elements of Christian Knowledge,” which they repeated by turns, and afterwards gave verbal answers to questions, previously written out, on miscellaneous subjects connected with religion, such as the evidences of Christianity, the history of the Old Testament, or doctrinal subjects. Questions were prepared by Mr. Mortimer for this purpose, and other questions were copied by the different members from a book of “Questions on the Old and New Testament, and the Book of Common Prayer, by the Rev. Edward Thompson.” The different subjects thus brought forward, always drew forth many interesting and profitable remarks in connexion with the duties of Sunday-school teachers. At other times, they were addressed as professors of Christianity. These meetings were very much liked, and are still looked back upon with feelings of pleasure and grateful recollection by, at least, some of its members. They only lasted one winter, as the summer evenings were not found so convenient for them, and the following winter Mr. Mortimer was unable to resume them, as his whole time was devoted to other ministerial duties.