[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.