CONFIRMATION.
Mr. Mortimer devoted a good deal of time and attention to preparing the candidates for the confirmation that was held at Thornhill, in July, 1843. Mr. Townley was then assisting him; for he began the instruction of the candidates several months previous to the solemnizing of the rite, and he was thus left more at liberty than he had ever before been for this important branch of duty. His plan, on that occasion, was to divide the candidates into three distinct classes; viz., one comprising the juniors, and another, the adults of the less educated among his congregation, and the third embracing the remainder. The first of these classes was required to learn by heart portions of an explanation of the Church Catechism, which they repeated to their minister when they met together on a specified afternoon in each week. Their attention was particularly directed to the Scripture proofs of the Catechism, which was also commented upon in a familiar manner, and particularly in connexion with confirmation. In order to encourage them to learn the Catechism well, a prize was promised to each of the three who should be able to repeat the whole of it most accurately. The adult classes met also once a week in the evening, and were prepared with answers, which they read from the Bible, to questions on scriptural subjects, with which they were furnished the previous week. They also repeated a part of Dean Nowell’s Catechism, which, together with the scriptural questions, formed the subject for addresses and interrogations. The third class met one morning in the week at their pastor’s house, and they were expected to give verbal answers to questions on the Book of Common Prayer, with which they were previously supplied. For the use of this class also, Mr. Mortimer prepared a set of questions and answers explanatory of the sacrament, which will appear in another place; and he made use of a Catechism on Confirmation to explain that ordinance to the candidates, besides distributing several tracts on the subject.
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.
LIBRARY.
At the beginning of the year 1837, Mr. Mortimer opened a “Library for Sunday Reading.” It contained, at first, about 150 volumes, and, as the books were very much read by all classes of persons, about 100 more were afterwards added to the number, all of which were furnished at his own cost. They were lent gratuitously, and were changed weekly in the vestry. The different readers were furnished with a printed catalogue of the books, that they might have the opportunity of selecting those that they preferred, as being most suitable to their taste or circumstances. These books were in circulation up to the time of his death.
About the same time an attempt was made to establish a “Library of Useful Knowledge,” at Thornhill, the object of which was to promote useful information to “Farmers, Mechanics, and Artizans,” at a cost so trifling as to bring it easily within their reach; the terms of subscription being five shillings annually, or a penny-a-week for each volume. This endeavour, which was made with the hope of improving the habits and character of a large portion of the population, by furnishing profitable employment for leisure hours usually spent in idleness or frivolous amusements, was mainly seconded by Mr. Mortimer, who made a handsome donation towards it in money, besides about eighteen volumes, most of which, though scientific or literary works, were distinguished for their religious tendency. Most of the gentlemen in the neighbourhood also contributed towards this library. It was found, however, for the most part, that there was no taste for this style of reading among the class for whom the library was intended; only ten or a dozen persons availed themselves of the use of the books, and in rather more than a year applications for them ceased to be made.
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL SERVICES.
It was while visiting the people in the neighbourhood of the German Mills, in August, 1841, that their state of spiritual destitution was impressed upon Mr. Mortimer’s mind, and he immediately determined upon trying to do something for them. As he had then no Sunday duty to perform, and, at the same time, was partially recovered from his nervous attack, he made up his mind to attempt a Sunday service there himself, and immediately began to inquire if any room could be found for the purpose. A farmer, whose house was very conveniently situated, on being applied to, willingly consented to secure the use of a room in his own house, without any charge, for the remaining term of his lease, five-and-a-half years; nor would he at any time accept any remuneration for the expense and trouble which he incurred by the service being held in his house; and both himself and his wife were ever ready to do all in their power to promote the comfort of their minister, and of those who were engaged in the Sunday school, which was also held in the room used for Divine service. Their generous conduct much pleased Mr. Mortimer, who often said, that they would never suffer for “sheltering the ark of God,” but that, on the contrary, he felt sure that as the “Lord blessed the house of Obededom,” so He would bless them and their family. The room being then in an unfinished state, Mr. Mortimer agreed to have it prepared for Divine worship at his own expense, the fitting up consisting simply of a desk and benches. On the 5th of the following month, September, the service was performed in this room for the first time. Mr. Mortimer was much surprised, and greatly encouraged by the largeness of the congregation, many being unable to find seats, and standing in the entrance. Before the following Sunday the room was furnished with additional benches, which, altogether, was considered sufficient to seat a hundred persons. On that day also, there was a large congregation, as appears from a memorandum in Mr. Mortimer’s handwriting; “The room quite filled, and overflowing.” As he himself expected, however, after a time, the novelty wore off, and the congregation decreased, leaving an average of about seventy attendants; but even this number he thought a large congregation, considering the scattered state of the population. He always felt a peculiar interest in this station, which he styled, “the nursling of his old age.” The congregation always appeared grateful for the establishment of the service there, which they evinced by the willingness with which they subscribed to the “Church Society,” when called upon to do so. Though this place is not more than three-and-a-half miles from Thornhill Church, it is believed, that not more than one person during their residence there ever attended the church service, until it was held at the German Mills. The settlement derives its name from the circumstance of the surrounding country having been settled chiefly by Germans many years since; at which time there were mills close to the house in which the service is now held. These mills have been long since in ruins, having never been repaired, owing, it is said, to some superstition connected with the history of them. There are now scarcely more than two dozen houses within a circuit of half-a-mile from the ruins of the mills. The other dwellings are scattered on the different surrounding farms.