The well-known excellencies of Mr. Mortimer in every Christian sphere and relation, render any extended remarks of our own unnecessary. He was all that the mind can conceive, in this imperfect state, of a gentle, consistent, and established Christian. With talents and acquirements of the highest order, a polished mind and a benevolent heart, he was fitted to adorn any society; while the zealous and conscientious discharge of every pastoral duty to which his strength was equal, added to a large and systematic charity, endeared him, in a peculiar degree, to the flock who were so fortunate as to enjoy his ministrations.
In the diocese at large, as a well-informed, pious, and influential clergyman, his loss will be severely felt; a loss the more afflictive to many, from the very recent opportunity occurring at the late visitation, where he attended apparently in unusual health, of enjoying the benefits and gratification of his society.
He has gone to his rest in a mature, though not old age; and, in the words of a contemporary, “the chief consolation to the family and friends of this truly good man will be, that he died in the full assurance of entering into the perfect realization of the true believer’s promised happiness.”
(From the Toronto Patriot, of Tuesday, June 18, 1844.)
Melancholy Accident.—It has seldom been our task to announce a more truly melancholy accident than that which, on Saturday evening, deprived the diocese of Toronto of one of its most zealous, useful, and truly respected clergymen, the Rev. George Mortimer, of Thornhill. * * * * * * * Few men could have moved in a sphere of more active Christian usefulness than this most excellent minister of religion. To the poor, and the neighbourhood generally, of Thornhill, his death will be a severe loss. His charities were large, and extended to the bounds of his clerical remuneration and a large private income. The chief consolation to the family and friends of this truly Christian man will be, that he died in the full assurance of entering into the perfect realization of the true believer’s promised happiness.
(From the “British Colonist,” a Presbyterian paper, of Tuesday, June 18, 1844.)
With much regret we announce the death of the Rev. Mr. Mortimer, of Thornhill. * * * * * * * * * *
Mr. Mortimer was the incumbent of the Episcopal Church, at Thornhill; he was beloved by his congregation, and held in high respect by all around him, and distinguished for his benevolence and charity.
At a meeting of the Central Board of the Church Society, of the diocese of Toronto, held at the Society’s House, on the 3rd July, 1844, the Lord Bishop in the chair: on the motion of the Rev. H. J. Grasett, M.A., domestic chaplain to the Lord Bishop, seconded by the Hon. W. Allan, it was
Resolved—That the Central Board of the Church Society of Toronto, with feelings of the deepest emotion, embrace the first opportunity of their meeting together since the sudden and lamented death of the Rev. George Mortimer, M.A., Rector of Thornhill, to express their sorrow in the removal of a member of their body, who, for warm yet humble piety, enlarged and Christian charity, a self-denying course of life, and a holy devotedness to his Heavenly Master’s cause, was surpassed by none of those who have been commissioned to feed the flock of Christ in this diocese.