Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-04
"THE RELIGIOUS DUTY OF
mAE.U
A Fine Sermon by a Former Savan-
nah Clergyman

In the Baltimore Gazette Of Monday last
we find the following, which VIII be read
with much interest by the many friends here
of the Rev. Mr.. Mortimer, former rector OF
Christ Church:
"The pulpit of Ascension P. E. Church
was occupied yesterday by Rev. Geo. d. E.
Mortimer, now one Of the most distinguished
preachers of the Protestant Episcopal
Church. He Ia his youth was well and
favorsbly known in this community, being
q son OF Mr.. Mortimer, Of the late firm OF
Mortimer IL Mowbray. Having received
liberal education, be studied law with the
late st. George w. Tackle, but shortly
after being admitted to the bar he decided
on embracing the ministry. He was edu-
Gated at the Alexandra Theological In
stitute, and since the war had some OF
the most important parishes in the
church, at Louisville, Cincinnati, Savannah
and Grand Rapids. AT present he Is with
out charge. Mr.. Mortimer is 40 years Of
age, and has q wife and family. He is
man Of fine personal appearance, pleasing
IN his demeanor and conversation, and in
the pulpit brilliant orator. He has many
friends OF his early days still living In this
city, and Yesterday they gathered at the
Church of the Ascension to hear q sermon
from their old comrade. The text selected
Was from Exodus (, 2: GO now ye that are
men and serve the Lord" The preacher ex-
planned that he proposed to apply the words
by accommodation, and would respectfully
and atfectionately address them to the irreli-
gious men OF the congregation. He remark
ed that some such appeal was manifeetly
demanded by the solemn exigepcies of
the times. No one,' he observed,
can fail to have remarked
the great numerical disparity between
hnr uvzTk4 r.lx
In attendance upon religious services gener-
ally and upon the holy communion espe-
cially, and that Christianity would eeem TO
have greatly more attraction for the women
than for the men OF all christendom.' Mr..
Mortimer eloquently combatted the idea
that 1t was because Of the mental infer!orty
OF woman, or because she was more suscep.
tible and less logical than man. While in
ferior in physical strength, she was his equal
In mental endowment and moral courage.
Nor is she more credulous and ignorant.
tie then argued the truth OF Christianity In
fOrcible manner, and showed how the great
est statesmen and philosophers had borne
testimony to the truth He attributed mans
indifference to religion firstly TO an in
temperate absorption In secular buzz
nees; secondly, he argued that the moral
predisposition of man toward religion is not
usually so favorable as that of woman, and
that thence is largely derived the prevalent
skepticism and religious indifference OF all
men. Parental negligence also contributed
to continue this state of affairs. The
peroration Of the sermon was q fervid ap-
plication Of the whole subject. Admit
ting said the preacher, that man has
greater difficulties than woman to encounter
in the religious life, still, by bis own admis-
sion, man is the stronger vessel, and should,
therefore, brace himself only the more
vigorously and earnestly to his high and
holy life work. l exhort you, therefore, by
all that is most manly In a true manhood,
to dismiss from your mind forever the I'M
worthy thought that the religion of our
Lord Jesus Christ is for women o1ly, and
conclude, as l began, with the earnest aud
solemn appeal: Go now ye that are men
and serve the Loid'"