Yardley, February 21, 1826.
My dear Friend,
THOUGH I fully intended to have answered your very kind letter within the
time that you specified, yet, as it bears date October 15, I find that I
have exceeded the proposed interval _by more than a month_. So much for
my _friendship_. Had it been a letter _on business_, I have little
hesitation in saying that it would have been duly despatched; and, had
there been a dozen of this kind, I think I might venture to assert the
same. But my friends, and those also the most intimate and endeared, are
too generally neglected; and many are the kind reproofs which my
remissness thus draws upon me. You, indeed, my dear friend, have, _in
silence_, borne with all; and this ought to have made me more cautious in
giving you fresh occasions of pain. But nothing seems of sufficient
influence to correct the inveteracy of my habit; and, therefore, I must
still, I fear, keep confessing my reiterated faults, and as often keep
throwing myself upon the kind forgiveness and forbearance of my friends.
I am still, as you will perceive from my date, at Yardley, and, from a
fresh arrangement, our exchange will be prolonged from March till the
latter end of July next. Nothing has as yet been done about an assistant
curate for Madeley. About a fortnight ago, I was congratulating myself
on the acquisition of a very desirable fellow-helper, the Rev. A. B—, who
had consented to join with me in the duties of the parish, and had
engaged the residence of our late departed friend Mrs. E—; but some
obstacles have since arisen, so that I fear we shall now lose him.
Should he decline, I shall not be over anxious in making any permanent
arrangement with any one else until my return in July, by which time I
should hope you will be able to speak somewhat more definitely as to your
own movements, as there will be only about six months to the time of your
own projected removal. The impediments which have been thrown in the way
of every negotiation which I have entered into for so many months past,
incline me to think that it is more than possible the situation may,
after all, be reserved for my endeared friend. But of the future how
little, or rather, how completely nothing, are we permitted to know; and
if we busy ourselves in the shrewdest guesses, or the most cool and sober
calculations, how generally are we disappointed! It is our wisdom,
therefore, to be more occupied with the duties which more immediately
devolve upon us at the present, than with speculations about the
_probabilities_ of more remote and distant periods.
In the foregoing page, I mentioned the name of dear Mrs. E—, and I had no
sooner done this than the recollection of all that transpired between us,
during your short visit to us at Madeley, passed vividly through my mind.
What a painful winding up of W— matters! But yet, in many respects, how
merciful! * * * With respect, however, to the endeared individual so
lately severed from her important charge, I have nothing to say, but what
is encouraging: most clearly, most satisfactorily, had she been latterly
ripening for that blessed world of spirits. And as to the dear family
which she has left behind, “let us not sorrow as those without hope.”
They are beloved by many for their parent’s sake, and, in a qualified use
of the term, we may, perhaps, state the same respecting their parent’s
faithful and condescending God. For He will, no doubt, remember them
peculiarly for good, and that for their parent’s sake; for the good
inheritance of their anxious desires and their holy fervent prayers,
will, sooner or later, be abundantly possessed. We were truly thankful
to hear of dear Mrs. C—’s gradual amendment in health; and though it may
not be commensurate with our naturally impatient and restless desires,
yet every increase of so invaluable a blessing should call forth our
grateful praise. We beg to unite in very kindest and Christian regards
to her, yourself, and family, and I remain,
My dear Friend,
Yours very sincerely,
GEORGE MORTIMER.