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
But here I am sorry to say that much of my satisfaction, as connected
with our church attendance, terminates. For when the morning service is
concluded, as though the Sabbath itself were also ended, we see no more
of the mass of our congregation till we meet them on the following
Sunday. A painful inquiry, then, as you will easily conceive, is often
presented to our minds, as to the probable manner in which the remaining
hours of your Sabbath are employed. Some few of you, I know, are kindly
endeavouring to instruct the young in our Sunday-schools; some few also
(oh that there were more!) make a point of instructing their own families
at home; and some few more attend the evening service in the church. But
what, I would affectionately inquire, becomes of our congregation at
large, after the morning service? As consistent churchmen, I take for
granted that you conscientiously confine yourselves to the ministrations
of the church: for, convinced that the principles of dissenters are in
direct opposition to—are altogether subversive of—the interests, if not
the very existence of the church, you cannot but abstain from everything
which may seem in any degree to support them; and as your attendance on
their place of worship must be so considered, I may naturally conclude
that you refrain from frequenting them. But as you go to no dissenting
place of worship, and as only a very small number attend the evening
service in the church, in what way must I suppose that the rest of the
Sabbath is, for the most part, employed? Oh, think not that I am
uncharitable, if I cannot help suspecting that it is too frequently
frittered away in idleness, or in unprofitable pursuits; in unhallowed
reading; in domestic amusements; in visiting or receiving visits; in
Sabbath rambles; or possibly in some other still more decided
profanations of this sacred day.
Under this impression, then, you will permit me to urge upon you the
bounden duty of increased conscientiousness in regard to
Sabbath-employments? Let the golden moments be duly appreciated and
diligently improved. Religious reading, family instruction, and personal
devotions, should, of course, employ a portion of your time, especially
your Sunday afternoons; but as to your Sabbath evenings, I should hope
that you will be convinced of the paramount obligation, to devote these
to an attendance on the second service, which is now regularly afforded
to you in the church: and that you will strive also so to arrange your
other matters, as to admit of your being accompanied by as many as
possible of your respective households.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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