Note 268a — LIFE AND LETTERS. (continued 6)

Such an influence over the minds of those who widely differed from him, and perhaps viewed the Church to which he belonged with much prejudice, was not attained but by a course of great kindness and consideration towards all, and the thing gained was worth all the cost of it. Mr. Mortimer was not an indifferent Churchman; but he felt that, like his Divine Master, he should not only be of a meek and lowly spirit towards his own, but that he should exercise tenderness and conciliation to the Samaritan as well as to the Jew; to the Dissenter as well as to the Churchman; considering all as entitled to the benefits of his flock, though they were not disposed to partake of them. It will be said, perhaps, that many Dissenters are not only bitter in their spirit, but violent in their language, and provoking in their conduct and actions. If it be so, let us set them a better example; let us show them a more excellent way; let us make them the objects of our kindness and prayers, and not of our scorn, hatred, and opposition. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”