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Title
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Sarah Mortimer (1780-1810)
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Publisher
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Moravian Lives Project
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Date
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1810
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Type
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Text
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Format
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image/jpg
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Description
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Sarah Mortimer, born in 1780 in Yorkshire, lost her mother as an infant and was raised by a Moravian couple who nurtured her both physically and spiritually. From childhood she was deeply influenced by Moravian schools, hymns, and teachings about the Savior’s love, eventually joining the Moravian congregation and later the Single Sisters’ Choir. She faithfully served the community, including caring for and instructing young girls at Gomersal, and became known for her obedience, humility, and strong reliance on Christ through both spiritual and financial hardships. In her final years she suffered from declining health caused by a severe lung illness, yet remained patient, grateful, and devoted to the Savior, frequently praying for forgiveness and purification through Christ’s blood. After enduring her illness with faith and resignation, she died peacefully at Fulneck in January 1811 at the age of 30, believing she was finally going to see her Savior face to face.
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Subject
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Mortimer, Sarah, 1780-1810
Moravians--Biography
Women--Biography
Biographies
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Identifier
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Ful/SS/2
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Place
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Fulneck, England
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Language
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eng
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Extent
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6 pages
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Rights Holder
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Fulneck Moravian Archives, Fulneck, UK
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transcript of
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Our late sr Sarah Mortimer who departed happily Jan. 2 1810 at Fulneck
Our happily departed Sr Sarah Mortimer, was born June 3 1780 at Scoles in the parish of Birstal, and baptized in the Church of England. Her Mother dy’d before she was a year old, and she being a very weakly Child & not likely to live, was put out to be nursed to a married Br & Sr in Wyke, who had no Children, & who took so much care of her in every respect, as if she had been their own Child. She was sent to the Brns School in Wyke as soon as her health would perpi admit of it, It was then conducted by the sisters Mary Watson / now in Gracehill/ and Benigna Planta / now in Okbrook./ who both with this good advice to the Children, often reminded them, how needful is was, not only to come to School to work &c. But also to get an impression of our Saviour’s love, that they might be happy, and grow up for him, who had suffered so much for us. They used every week to learn Verses out of the Hymn Book. This was a favourite imployment of hers, and with the rehearsal of them, she
often edified those people she lived with; and it was by these means she felt the first impression of our Saviour’s love towards her. Living near the Srs House she was often visited by them, and had the favour to go in and out amongst them, whereby she got a desire to belong to the Brns Congn. Her Father being agreable to it, both she and her Sr obtained leave to live in the Srs Oeconomy at Little More and moved thither March 14th 1792, where she enjoyed many blessings, especially in attending the meetings at Fulnek. When that Oeconomy broke up, in 1794, she with some more Srs moved to Wyke. She would rather have gone to Fulneck; but in a short time grew became reconciled about to it, and indeed she never found reason to re pent. That small family lived at that time very happily together, and in a bles sed course; particularly amongst the great Girls, each was zealous, to get be fore the other in prospserity. From this Period
she dated her the foundation of her happiness which was laid more deep and sure in the all atoning sacrifice of a Crucified Saviour and Redeemer. Nov. 30th the same year she was rec’d into the Congregation, & Jan. 10th 1796 had the favour to partake for the first time of the H. Comn, and the year following 4th of May she was rec’d into the Sgle Srs choir. Soon after this it happened to be a very trying time, as the Srs could get no work for several months, on which account many returned to their homes; but she not being willing to return home, chose to stay, tho’ her living should be ever so poor. But our merciful heavenly Father who knows the wants of all his Children; raised up some particular friends, who assisted them with every thing most nessecary; so that those, whose faith was only as a Grain of Mustard seed, and stayed nevertheless was quite put to shame. She often spoke of that period with gratitude, and it inabled her to place her whole dependance on our Saviour
both with regard to her internal and external course. In 1801 she rec’d a appointment to have the care of the great Girls in Gumersal Tho she felt herself unfit for such a situate yet she submitted to it out of Obediance; and calling to mind, how much the Lord had done for her, she thought it was but little what she could do in return. We can give her that testimony, that she was faith- ful in the charge committed to her not only in teaching them their work, but in making their internal prosperity, was a subject of her progress. She had of late years several heavy trails, which affected her much; but our Saviour in whom she put her trust and confidence, supported her, so that she with resignation submitted to his will In the beginning of last year /1810/ she got a heavy could which settled on her Lungs, and made her feel very weak and poorly; in Sept. she came here
to Fulnek to partake of the H. Comn in fellowship with her Choir; being over taken in a heavy storm of thunder, and lightening, she was much agitated and grew worse from that time, Now and then she had a faint hope of her recovery; but feeling nevertheless miserable her health and strength declining, she was soon resigned to our Saviours will. It was her earnest wish and prayer that he would show her every guilt, & chance & purify her from every stain in his precious Blood, that she might appear before him as a pardoned reconciled sinner; When an anxious thought at times would arise; she was inabled with confidence to look to him, whose strengtht was made perfect in her weakness. She would often express herself to the following purpose: “Ah! when I look back on past years, I cannot help weeping for grief, But Christ wipes away all my tears,
And readily grants me relief: By faith I behold in his wounds A cure for my sins and self-will; His goodness towards me abounds, And his hand is held over me still.” During her confinement she injoyed twice the H. Comn which was a great refreshment and strengthening to her. She loved & was beloved, & was truly thankful for every kindness shown towards her. She bore her pains with great petions patience, and often said: “Dear Saviour! help me,” and also asked her friends to pray for her. Jany 2d 1811 the happy moment came when she was permitted to leave this world, and see him face to face in whom she here believed. Aged 30 years and 6 Months.
