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.
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.
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.
After I left Madeley I saw less of him, though our intercourse was renewed, in some measure, when he came to Bristol, and, in the end, he succeeded me in my old curacy at Hutton, on my presentation to the living which I now hold. * * * Not many letters ever passed between us; but _I have never ceased to remember him with admiration_, _gratitude_, _and love_. _Indeed_, _take him altogether_, _and I have never seen his equal_.