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
Mr. Mortimer made a point of never being his own instrument in affording
pecuniary assistance to any of the persons he visited. If he noticed
that any persons were in distressed circumstances, or if any told him of
their difficulties, he would mention them to Mrs. Mortimer, and she would
do what was necessary to relieve them. Indeed, she was in every case his
almoner; for he never himself gave any money in charity. His reason for
this was, that the people might have no selfish aim in desiring his
visits, which he wished to be purely spiritual.
* * * * *
As a HUSBAND and a FATHER, Mr. Mortimer was a pattern of conjugal
tenderness and of parental kindness: there was a remarkable suavity in
his manners, which greatly endeared him to his family, and indeed to all
who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. If ever he said or wrote an
unkind word, he was the first to discover and acknowledge it, and to make
the most ample apology. His humility was so great that it might have
been suspected of disingenuousness, if those who knew him the most
intimately were not well assured of his Christian simplicity and
sincerity. His youngest daughter, writing to me, says, in reference to
this subject:—
“He kindly made me the companion of his drives before he began to
visit his people regularly, and he frequently talked to me more as if
I were his friend than his daughter; for he would speak of his
religious feelings, and even of his faults. He once said that he had
no wish to conceal his sins and failings here; for that they would
all be revealed before the assembled multitudes of men and angels at
the day of judgment. I frequently felt deeply humbled by the thought
that I was so unworthy of the feelings my beloved father entertained
towards me: but I was fully aware that it was his _own disposition_
to cause him to feel as he did towards me.”
My amiable young friend and god-daughter also writes, in reference to his
kindness to servants:—
“My dear father was the kindest and most considerate of MASTERS. He
was always anxious to promote the comfort and happiness of his
servants, and very careful not to wound their feelings, or to give
them unnecessary trouble or annoyance. He often expressed his
pleasure at seeing them seated by the fire at their needlework, or
enjoying the society of their relatives and friends, and would tell
them that he wished them to be as comfortable as he was himself. Nor
was he less mindful of their spiritual welfare, and took pains to
instruct them in the great duties of religion.”
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