12. And what were the promises and engagements?
“That they should renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanity of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh; that they should believe all the articles of the Christian faith; and that they should keep God’s holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of their life.”—Ch. Cat.
13. But how do you show that children in after life are bound to fulfil those engagements made for them by others, at this unconscious period of their infancy?
They are bound to do so by the obligation which they themselves owe to God, inasmuch as their parents or spiritual guardians entered into such engagements only, on their behalf, as each individual is bound to fulfil, whether such engagements had or had not been entered into by others.
TEMPERANCE.
Public opinion is, through God’s mercy, effecting much among us. Much bitterness, indeed, still exists in some, as well as most determined opposition. But the work is of God, and I feel a blessed assurance that much good will eventually be done. I am beginning to perceive with much thankfulness that the Temperance Society is an important engine in aid of all my ministerial plans—a kind of stepping stone to the church and to piety; and I am careful to watch all its movements, and to follow up every indication for good.
The following letter, addressed to the Rev. John Cooper, it is presumed may not unsuitably close the preceding Memoir. The writer, who so affectionately expresses his deep obligations to the late Mr. Mortimer, has been for many years the faithful minister of a large parish in Shropshire, very near the scene of Mr. M.’s former labours in that county.
W— Vicarage, June 18, 1845.
My dear Friend,
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.