The Life and Letters of the Rev. George Mortimer, M.A.: Rector of Thornhill, in the Diocese of Toronto, Canada WestArmstrong, John
Religion
The Life and Letters of the Rev. George Mortimer, M.A.: Rector of Thornhill, in the Diocese of Toronto, Canada West
Armstrong, John
Mortimer, George, 1784-1844
I have thought a good deal on the hints you throw out respecting my
namesake and endeared godson, and hope the best wishes of your heart will
be realised with regard to him. Canada, however, does not strike me as
being the place for him, at least in a pecuniary point of view. £150
sterling, with a house, and three or four acres of land, is the utmost he
should calculate on. Though a rector, I have no more than £135 sterling,
and have no parsonage house, but am dwelling in one erected by myself, at
my own cost. The general allowance made by the bishop at present is £100
sterling; and this is paid out of the sum contributed by the different
societies in England, principally the Propagation, or by the fund arising
from the sale of clergy reserves. In addition, however, to this £100,
the bishop expects that the congregation should provide four acres of
land, build a parsonage, and pledge themselves to give a salary of £50.
But this pledge is too frequently merely nominal, the money being very
seldom fully, or at all nearly, paid, and little more is obtained beyond
the bishop’s allowance, excepting what may arise from surplice fees and
the rental of church pews. Something in addition, however, may be
expected when the vexatious matter of the clergy reserves shall be
settled; but as these will be uncleared land, no immediate advantage to
any extent would of course accrue. Upper Canada, indeed, I consider as
one of the most necessitous of all our provinces, and none offer so
little in the shape of just and equitable remuneration. Much, therefore,
as I should rejoice on many accounts at Mr. George’s coming here, I am
afraid he would find it very difficult to procure the means of adequate
support. Orders, indeed, if only tolerably qualified, he might with ease
and without expense obtain. Important spheres, also, of ministerial
engagement are numerously presented. And to one who has no thought of
entering on a married life, or is prepared to rough it, or contentedly to
sink below the customary grade of his profession—to one so prepared, the
missionary field of Canada is the very place. But to those who are
otherwise minded, we ought, in Christian charity, and even in common
fairness, to present the salutary _cave_. Sir George Arthur, no doubt,
would do all in his power to assist him, should we be permitted to retain
him among us; but in Canada his means of this description are exceedingly
limited, and I should almost think that he could exert a more beneficial
influence on his behalf by endeavouring to obtain, through his English
friends, some appointment as chaplain to one of the colonies, or, should
this be questionable, some benefice in Australia, or elsewhere, under
circumstances of more encouragement than we are authorized to hold out in
our poor, neglected, harassed province.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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