The Life And Ministry Of William Mortimer
Gospel Standard 1870:
The Late Mr. Mortimer.—Many of our friends expressed their regret that we published so poor an account of Mr. Mortimer as appeared in our No. for June, 1869. But we published all we received, and could not do more. Last month, a friend at Chippenham sent us a copy of the”Wiltshire Independent” of April 8th, 1869, containing a few further particulars, with a request that we would insert them. While expressing our surprise that these particulars have been so long delayed, we feel it right to give them a place, believing they will be acceptable to Mr. Mortimer’s more immediate friends.
“The deceased gentleman had been for the last seventeen years pastor of the old Baptist chapel in Chippenham; but his labours were not confined to that town, his plain and faithful preaching being highly esteemed and valued by many congregations in different parts of Wilts, Berks, Hants, Somerset, Oxfordshire, and Cambridgeshire. It was also his custom to supply at Gower Street chapel, London, for one month in the year (April), and it was often his practice, after officiating at three services on the Sabbath, to preach in different chapels in or near London every evening in the week except Saturday. Having an engagement to preach at Basingstoke on Sunday, the 14th ult., he left his home on the Friday morning previous for Reading, and stayed to preach there the same evening. He took for his text Acts 13:10. After speaking about an hour, he remarked that he must come to an abrupt conclusion, as he felt a strange sensation; and he sank down upon his seat, when he was found to be suffering from a stroke of paralysis, which had affected the left side of his body. He was removed to the house of a friend as quickly as possible, and Dr. Moore, of Reading, was in attendance. Dr. Marston, of Devizes, was also sent for, and visited him repeatedly, but it soon became evident that medical skill was of no avail. He was during some intervals able to recognize and converse with the friends who visited. him from Chippenham and other places; at other times he seemed unconscious to all around him; and while so he resumed and concluded the discourse he had commenced in the place of worship.
“He died on Tuesday, the 23rd ult., at about 12 o’clock p.m. His remains were conveyed the next day to Chippenham, and interred in the Wood Lane cemetery on Monday last, in the presence of a great number of spectators, many of whom had taken a journey of many miles to pay a last tribute of respect to one whom they esteemed highly in love for his work’s sake. Service was held in the chapel at 3 p.m.; when, after singing hymn 466, Gadsby’s Selection, Mr. Doe, of Stadhampton, who, by particular request of the deceased minister, officiated on the occasion, read 1 Cor. 15, and delivered a short but feeling and appropriate address. The corpse was then borne to the place of interment, followed by the relatives of deceased, accompanied by the deacons and members of the church and congregation, and several ministers and friends, including Messrs. Randell (Devizes), Porter (Abingdon), Ferris (Hilperton), Pepler (Swindon), Denman (Bath), Rev. J. M. Bergin (New Baptist), and Rev. W. E. Darby (Independent), Mr. T. Mills, &c. On arriving at the grave, hymn 463 was sung, and, after an address and prayer by Mr. Doe, the body was deposited in its last resting-place. Divine service was held in the chapel in the evening, when, after reading of scripture and prayer, by Mr. Randell, Mr. Doe preached a funeral sermon from Heb. 4:9.
“Of Mr. Mortimer it may be truly said that he, ‘being dead, yet speaketh.’ His sincere profession and integrity of conduct gained him the respect and esteem of those who differed from him in religious opinions, many of whom speak of him as a man whose life and practice corresponded with his profession, and his memory will long survive in the hearts of those who knew him best, and who feel that they have lost not only a faithful patron, but a kind and loving friend.”
William Mortimer (?-1869) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. He served seventeen years as pastor for the congregation meeting at the old Baptist chapel in Chippenham.
