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MEMOIRS 


OF  THE 


REV.  CHARLES    SIMEON. 


JAN  24  1958 


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LONDON 
llICnAKD    CLAY,    PI'.INTER,    BREAD    STREET    HILL. 


GH AFTER  XVill. 

LETTERS — TO  REV.  T.  THOMASON  ON  THE  ABUSE  OP  POWER — AN- 
NOYANCE FROM  A  FELLOW  OF  HIS  COLLEGE FAVOUR  IN  THE  UNI- 
VERSITY  CHAPLAINS     TO     INDIA KINDNESS    OF    BISHOP     MANSEL 

—  ON  MEEKNESS  AND  FORBEARANCE ON  CONSULTING  THE  PRE- 
JUDICES   OP     OTHERS — REV.    D.    CORRIe's     MISSIONARY    SERMON 

LETTER  FROM  MR.  CORRIE  TO  MR.  SIMEON— LETTER  TO  MR. 
THOMASON  ON  THE  DEPARTURE  OP  MR.  AND  MRS.  ROBINSON  FOR 
INDIA— SOCIETY  FOR  EDUCATING  PIOUS  MEN  FOR  THE  MINISTRY 
ON  ATTENTION  TO  COLLEGE  DISCIPLINE  AND  STUDIES  —  MEMO- 
RANDUM     RESPECTING      HIS      BROTHER'S     PROPERTY TO     REV.     T. 

THOMASON  ON  THE  CHARACTER  OF  HENRY  MARTYN — ON  SYMP- 
TOMS OP  APPROACHING  ILLNESS — THE  IMPROVED  STATE  OF  HIS 
PEOPLE. 


1816. 


CORRESPONDENCE,    ETC. 

To  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"K.  C,  March  8,  1816. 
"  My  beloved  Brother, 

"  I  have  just  received  yours  and  my  dear 

Sister's  of  Sept.  1st:    they  have  been  ahiiost  seven 

months  on  their  voyage.     I  regret  that  your  prospects 

about  your  Church,  and  the  Bible   Society,    are    so 

clouded.    I  confess,  I  have  always  been  of  the  opinion, 

originally  suggested  by  you  and  our  beloved  Martyn, 

respecting  Dr.  Buchanan's  plan  of  a  visible  Episcopal 

Government  among  you.     Power  is  good,  if  used  for 

the  Lord ;  but  there  is  great  danger  of  its  not  being 

used  for  the  truth.     People  in  authority  think  they 

must  do  something:    and  to  obstruct  good  men  and 

good  things,  is  more  popular  than  to  punish  neglect, 


426  PATIENCE    UNDER   TRIALS. 

or  to  censure  lukewarmness.  Our  great  comfort  is, 
that  God  reigneth,  and  that  He  will  ultimately  be 
glorified  in  men,  whether  they  will  or  not.  He  can 
not  only  loork  toiihout  them,  but  ayamst  them,  or  even 
hy  them  against  their  oion  designs. 

"  I  have  at  this  moment  sweet  consolation  from 
this  thought.  Such  conduct  is  observed  towards  me 
at  this  very  hour  by  one  of  the  Fellows  of  the  College, 
as,  if  practised  by  me,  would  set  not  the  College  only, 
but  the  whole  town  and  University  in  a  flame.  But 
the  peace  and  joy  which  I  experience,  from  lying  as 
clay  in  the  potter's  hands,  are  more  than  I  can  express. 
I  forbear  to  state  particulars,  because  I  must  fill  two 
sheets  with  them  before  you  could  properly  enter  into 
them :  but  I  know  that,  whether  men  give  or  take 
away,  it  is  not  man,  but  the  Lord ;  and  that  '  He  doeth 
all  things  well,'  and  that  if  we  only  wait  to  the  end,  we 
shall  see  infallible  wisdom  and  unbounded  goodness  in 
His  darkest  dispensations.  The  example  of  our  blessed 
Lord,  who,  '  as  a  lamb  before  its  shearers,'  was  dumb, 
and  without  either  threatening  or  complaint,  'com- 
mitted himself  to  Him  that  judgeth  righteously,' 
appears  to  me  most  lovely;  and  I  have  unspeakable 
delight  in  striving  (and  hitherto  with  some  success)  to 
tread  in  His  steps.  God  has  long  taught  you  this 
lesson,  and  I  am  endeavouring  to  learn  it  day  by  day. 
A  little  of  the  Zoklimt]  will  be  an  ample  compensation 
for  a  good  deal  of  OXcyjrls. 

"  The  case,  however,  that  I  refer  to,  is  insulated ; 
the  respect  and  kindness  shewn  me  in  the  whole 
University  far  exceeds  anything  I  ever  experienced  in 
former  times.  The  numbers  that  attend  my  Church 
are  greatly  increased ;  and  I  do  hope  that  the  work  of 
God  is  prospering  amongst  us. 


CHAPLAINS   FOR    INDIA.  427 

"  If,  however,  you  judge  of  what  is  doing  here  by 
what  we  are  doing  for  you,  you  will  form  far  too 
favourable  an  estimate.  For  within  this  year  and 
a  half  I  shall  have  sent  you  about  a  dozen  :  to  Bengal, 
poor  Mr.  Crosthwaite ;  to  Bombay,  Mr.  Carr,  and  I 
hope  Mr.  Robinson  ;  to  Madras,  Messrs.  Harper,  Jack- 
son, Malkin,  Hough,  Church,  Trail ;  to  Bencoolen, 
Mr.  Winter ;  to  St.  Helena,  Mr.  Vernon.  Besides 
these,  if  money  can  be  raised,  I  hope  to  send  two 

more  to  Madras,  a  Mr.  Spring,  and  a  Mr. ,  not 

yet  ordained. 

"  All  these  are  independent  of  those  who  are  come 
to  you  from  other  quarters ;  e.g.  Davies  and  Fisher. 
.  .  .  Had  my  anonymous  gentleman  been  in  Orders, 
I  should  have  sent  him  to  China;  for  which,  by  his 
talents  and  piety,  he  is  well  qualified.  But  that  must 
now  slip  through  my  fingers.  It  must  be  given  away 
before  the  5th  of  April. 

"  I  take  for  granted  that  I  mentioned  to  you  the 
new  Bishop  of  Gloucester,  who  is  truly  pious  and 
devoted  to  God,  and  who  houom-s  me  with  his  con- 
fidential friendship.  He  will  be  an  unspeakable  bless- 
ing to  the  Church.  But  it  is  not  by  him  that  I  either 
do  work  or  intend  to  work.  The  Bishop  of  Bristol 
(Mansel)  is  the  man  who  does  for  me  all  that  I  can 
ask.  Mr.  M.  took  his  degree  in  January ;  and  .... 
was  ordained  Deacon  and  Priest,  both  times  by  letters 
dimissory.  This  is  doing  something  ;  and  more  than 
I  would  venture  to  ask  of  any  one  else.  But  the  Lord 
is  in  all  this. 

"  In  another  quarter  there  has  been  most  cruel 

persecution.     The  Bishop  of has  refused  Orders 

to  two  excellent  young  men,  on  account  of  what 
he  called   Calvinism.     I  should  fill  sheets  of  paper 


428  DUTY    or    FORBEARANCE. 

if  I  were  to  state  to  you  their  case.  .  .  .  At  last  Mr. 
Wilson  (who  was  in  Deacon's  Orders)  is  ordained 
Priest* :  Mr.  Blackburn,  the  other,  is  not  yet 
ordained. 

"  I  have  not  time  to  write  very  particularly  about 
your  situation  in  India.  Before  any  observations  of 
mine  could  reach  you,  your  situation  Avould  be  so 
changed  that  they  would  be  quite  irrelevant.  But 
J  liifjldy  approve  of  your  conciliatory  conduct  toioards 
the  Bishop.  Both  duty  and  policy  enjoin  that,  and 
I  am  greatly  mistaken,  if  duty  and  policy  are  ever 
at  variance.  Honesty  is  the  best  policy  ;  so  is  meek- 
ness, forbearance,  and  rendering  good  for  evil.  At  all 
events,  they  bring  peace  into  the  soul,  both  here  and 
for  ever." 


To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  Aspeden  Hall,  April  16,  1816. 

"  My  beloved  Brother, 

"  I  have  set  my  heart  upon  dating  a  letter 
from  this  place  ;  and  of  treating  you  with  news  about 
my  boy,  as  I  do  my  company  with  coffee,  hot  from 
the  spit.  You  would  scarcely  know  him,  so  florid 
and  so  robust.  But  you  would  be  delighted  to 
hear  the  account  which  Mr.  and  Miss  Preston  give 
of  him.  .  .  . 

"  In  my  last  I  mentioned  eleven,  whom  within 
this  year  and  a  half  I  have  had  the  happiness  of  re- 
commending to  India ;  and  I  am  now  happy  to  say, 
that  ]\Ir.  S.,  of  whose  going  I  was  doubtful,  makes 
a  twelfth.  There  are  two  more  vacancies  I  hope  to 
fill,  (one  for  Canton,  and  the  other  for  Bombay,)  as 


*  By  Bishop  Mansel,  in  Trinity  College  Chapel. 


CONSULTING   PREJUDICES.  429 

soon  as  I  can  get  the  persons  ordained.  The  person 
for  Canton  is  a  man  of  great  talents. 

*'  I  have  not  spoken  concerning  the  Orphan  School 
for  two  reasons ;  first,  I  cannot  form  any  adequate 
judgement  respecting  it,  so  much  depending  altogether 
upon  local  considerations ;  and,  next,  because  all  would 
be  over,  long  before  my  observations  could  reach  you. 
Misrepresentations  of  it  have  reached  me  through 
Mr.  Marsh,  to  whom  a  letter  was  sent  from  Calcutta  : 
and  he,  full  of  love,  wished  me  to  write  to  you,  either 
in  a  way  of  consolation,  or  advice,  according  as  the 
occasion,  in  my  judgement,  required.  But  I  feel  my- 
self incompetent  to  either,  as  not  understanding  the 
gist  of  the  question.  Only,  I  should  say  in  general, 
that  it  is  well  to  consult  the  prejudices  of  men,  even 
where  we  know  those  prejudices  to  be  wrong ;  just 
as  Paul  did  in  the  matter  of  circumcision,  and  the 
whole  of  the  Jewish  law.  The  true  point  for  our 
inquiry  is,  what  our  motive  is  in  those  concessions  : 
if  it  be  the  avoiding  of  the  Cross,  we  are  wrong ;  but 
if  it  be  the  avoiding  of  offence,  we  are  right. 

"  The  great  Week  is  now  near  at  hand.  I  look 
forward  to  it  with  joy  ;  though,  in  fact,  it  borders  too 
much  upon  religious  dissipation.  Still,  however,  the 
effect  on  the  public  is  good.  Mr.  Corrie  preaches 
the  Church  Missionary  Sermon,  (by  the  way,  I  have 
put  ^our  Missionary  Sermon  with  my  own  Skeletons, 
that  I  may  have  the  happiness  of  being  in  your  com- 
pany as  long  as  my  book  shall  exist)  ;  I  have  looked  it 
over,  and  am  going  to-morrow  to  look  it  over  with 
him.  It  contains  much  information  ;  but  needs  to 
have  a  good  deal  of  it  put  into  notes.  An  audience 
like  his  will  require  somewhat  more  of  religion  to 
interest  them  :  they  would  be  tired  with  a  succession 


430  REV.    DANIEL   CORRIE. 

of  accounts  about  things,  with  which  they  are  not 
sufficiently  acquainted  to  enter  fully  into  them.  What 
a  lovely  character  he  is !  1  hope  he  will  be  restored 
to  you  strong  as  '  a  giant  refreshed  with  wine.' 

"  Ever,  ever  yours." 


The  Rev.  D.  Corrie  to  the  Rev.  C.  Simeon. 

"  Very  dear  Sir,  "  April  15,  1816. 

"  With  this  I  take  the  liberty  to  send  my 
Sermon  for  your  inspection  and  correction.  I  am 
sensible  of  its  defects,  being  anxious  to  introduce  a 
number  of  facts,  not,  as  I  think,  sufficiently  known ; 
there  is  too  little  Scripture  quotation,  and  I  feel  it  to 
be  wanting  in  devotional  spirit ;  though  I  hope  the 
relation  may  excite  a  feeling  of  compassion,  and  excite 
to  exertion  in  behalf  of  the  Heathen.  ...  I  commend 
myself,  as  well  as  my  poor  production,  to  your  kind 
attention  and  help.  Whatever  may  be  effected  by  it, 
is  to  be  referred  to  you,  as  the  instrument  of  blessing, 
present  and  sensible  blessing  to  my  own  soul  in  the 
first  instance.  My  poor  prayers  have  ascended,  at 
home  and  abroad,  for  your  health  and  continued 
usefulness,  in  a  phice  where  so  unlooked  for  and 
undesired  your  labours  were  made  useful  to  myself ; 
and  in  eternity  I  feel  I  shall  delight  to  acknowledge 
you  as  the  means  of  the  mercy  I  have  found.  1 
purpose,  D.V.,  to  be  in  Cambridge  on  Wednesday 
the  24th,  so  that  you  need  not  take  any  further 
trouble  about  sending  the  manuscript  back  :  there  will 
be  time  to  make  any  alterations  or  additions  after  that 
period. 

"  I  remain  yours  very  truly  and  respectfully, 

"Daniel  Corrie." 


MR.  Robinson's  departure.  431 

To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  On  board  the  Castlereagh,  May  6,  1816. 
"  My  best  beloved  Brother, 

"  Here  I  am  with  your  dear  Mother  and 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robinson.  .  .  .  We  went  on  board,  un- 
certain when  the  ship  would  sail ;  but  expecting  it 
rather  to  sail  the  next  day.  .  .  .  We  were  very  desirous 
of  stopping  till  we  should  see  the  ship  actually  under 
weigh ;  but  there  were  some  engagements  of  mine  that 
rendered  it  almost  impossible.  However,  the  next 
morning  we  could  not  endiue  the  thought  of  not  sail- 
ing with  them  a  part  of  their  way,  as  I  had  done  with 
you  :  and  therefore  impossibilities  were  constrained  to 
give  way,  as  sometimes  they  will,  to  the  omnipotent 
and  controlling  power  of  love.  .  .  .  Your  dear  Mother, 
as  you  will  readily  conceive,  is  very  much  affected  with 
the  separation.  By  this  removal  also  my  duties  are 
increased;  as  I  shall  now  have  to  add,  as  far  as  I  am 
capable  of  adding,  the  services  of  a  daughter  to  those 
of  a  son.  I  would  that  I  could  so  expand  with  the 
occasion,  that  your  beloved  Mother  might  never  feel  a 
void.  I  hope  I  can  say,  that,  in  my  poor  endeavours 
to  fill  your  place,  I  am  richly  recompensed  in  the  con- 
solations which  she  enjoys.  As  for  you,  we  seem  to 
be  as  near  to  you  as  if  you  were  in  England.  Our  com- 
munion with  you  is  very  sweet,  and  our  joy  over  you 
exceeding  great. 

"  Having  had  certain  information  of  their  proceed- 
ing on  their  voyage,  your  Mother  and  I  travelled  85 
miles  to  Mr.  Sargent's,  where  we  now  are,  and  where 
I  am  finishing  this  letter.  Mr.  Sargent  (at  Graffham, 
near  Petworth)  is  going  on  with  honoured  Martyn's 
life :  but  could  not  advance  comfortably  without  me. 
I  therefore  embraced  this  opportunity  of  going  to  him, 


432  CLERICAL   EDUCATION    SOCIETY. 

and  shall  spend  about  four  days  with  him,  and  then 
return  to  Cambridge. — rrom  the  last  accounts  of  your 
beloved  daughter,  I  am  in  hopes  of  seeing  her  soon, 
that  we  may  pay  her,  as  your  proxy,  a  little  of  our 
debt  of  love  to  you.     Kindest  love  to  my  Sister." 


To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  June  4,  1816. 
"  My  beloved  Brother, 

..."  You  will  be  glad  to  hear  that  the 
Society,  which  I  have  for  two  years  been  endeavouring 
to  establish  in  London  for  the  education  of  pious 
young  men  for  the  Ministry,  is  now  established ;  and, 
I  hope,  will  soon  become  a  powerful  instrument  in  the 
Lord's  hands.  The  trustees  are  Lord  Calthorpe, 
Messrs.  Wilberforce,  Babington,  Grant,  &c.  .  .  . 

"The  gentleman,   whom  I  hope  to  send  off  for 
China,  is  to  be  ordained  next  Sunday  by  the  Bishop  of 

• .     Thus  he  will  be  ready  to  go  at  Christmas.    It 

is  astonishing  how  God  has  opened  the  hearts  of  the 

Bishop  of and  the  Bishop  of  Bristol  towards 

me.  They  do  more  than  could  reasonably  be  hoped 
for  from  any  Bishop  whatever. 

'  "  You  were  informed  some  time  since  of  my  Ser- 
mons before  the  University,  on  '  I  speak  as  to  wise 
men;  judge  ye  what  I  say.'  An  absurd  but  Avell- 
meaning  man  has  been  preaching  violently  against 
tliem.  He  has  excited  a  good  deal  of  disgust,  even  in 
those  who  are  no  friends  to  me ;  but  still  he  may  do 
some  harm;  though  I  think  not  much.  He  has  pub- 
lished his  sermons ;  and  will,  I  hope,  be  set  right  by 
the  Reviewers.  .  .  . 

"Ever  most  affectionately  yours." 


ATTENTION    TO    STUDIES.  433 

To  the  Rev. 

"  K.  C,  Nov.  1,  1816. 
*'  My  dear  Sir, 

"  There  are  many  reasons  why  I  should 

prefer for  your  brother  before  any  other  Cohege. 

He  vi^ill  find  there  a  greater  variety  of  rehgious  cha- 
racters than  elsewhere ;  and  will  therefore  more  easily 
fall  into  the  habits  of  those  who  are  prudent,  whilst  his 
little  singularities  will  be  the  less  noticed.  But  if  he 
go  about  visiting  the  sick  instead  of  attending  to  his 
academical  studies,  I  shall  give  my  voice  against  him 
instantly,  that  he  may  be  removed :  and  if  he  come  to 
College,  he  must  come  Avith  the  express  understanding, 
that  he  shall  be  removed  upon  the  first  intimation 
from  the  Tutor,  and  not  be  continued  to  be  dis- 
missed by  authority.  If  he  come  without  a  full 
determination  to  conform  in  all  things  to  College 
discipline  and  College  studies,  or  with  any  idea  of 
acting  here  as  he  might  in  a  little  country  parish, 
he  will  do  incalculable  injury  to  religion.  Pray  let 
him  understand  this,  and  not  come  at  all,  if  he  is  not 
prepared  both  to  submit  to  authority,  and  to  follow 
friendly  advice.  I  do  not  at  present  know  of  any 
situation  near  Town  :  but  there  will  be  no  difficulty  in 
obtaining  one. 

"  Your  most  affectionate  and  obedient  servant, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


/ 


Memorandum. 

"  K.  C,  Cambridge. 

"  Last  week  I  returned  from  Bristol,  where 

I    witnessed   a  thing  almost   unprecedented   in   the 

annals  of  the  world ; — a  whole  city  combining  to  fill 

up,  by  their  united  exertions,  the  void  made  in  all 

L.  s.  F  F 


434  MEMORANDUM    RESPECTING 

cliaritable  Institutions  by  the  loss  of  one  man,  Richard 
Reynolds,  a  member  of  the  Society  called  Quakers. 
Having  myself  acted  in  some  measure  upon  that  idea, 
in  relation  to  my  dear  and  honoured  brother,  Edward 
Simeon,  I  take  this  opportunity  of  recording  it  for  the 
satisfaction  of  myself  and  my  executors. 

"  My  brother  was  extremely  liberal,  and  did  good 
to  a  vast  extent.  At  his  death  an  exceeding  great 
void  would  have  been  made,  if  I  had  not  determined 
to  accept  a  part  of  his  property,  and  to  appropriate  it 
to  the  Lord's  service,  and  the  service  of  the  poor. 
The  loss  they  would  have  sustained  being  about  £700 
or  £800  a-year,  I  suffered  my  brother  to  leave  me 
£15,000,  and  have  regularly  consecrated  the  interest 
of  it  to  the  Lord ;  and  shall  (d.  v.)  continue  to  do  so 
to  my  dying  hour.  Had  I  wished  for  money  for  my 
own  use,  I  might  have  had  half  his  fortune  ;  but  I 
wanted  nothing  for  myself,  being  determined  (as  far 
as  such  a  thing  could  be  at  any  time  said  to  be  deter- 
mined) to  live  and  die  in  College,  where  the  income 
which  I  previously  enjoyed  (though  moderate  in  itself) 
sufficed,  not  only  for  all  my  own  wants,  but  for  liberal 
supplies  to  the  poor  also. 

"  These  things  are  well  known  at  present  in  our 

College  (Mr. in  particular,  as  a  counsel,  examined 

my  brother's  will,  wherein  there  is  proof  sufficient 
cf  these  things) ;  but  at  a  future  period  they  may 
be  forgotten ;  and  persons  may  wonder,  that  with 
my  income  I  do  not  resign  my  Fellowship.  The  fact 
is,  I  have  not  increased  my  own  expenditure  above 
£50  a-year ;  nor  do  I  consider  myself  as  anything 
but  a  steward  of  my  deceased  brother  for  the  poor. 
Tt  is  well  known  that,  long  previous  to  his  death,  I 
refused    what    was   considered    as   the    best   Living 


HIS  brother's  bequest.  435 

of  our  College  :  and  I  should  equally  refuse  any- 
thing that  the  King  himself  could  offer  me,  that 
should  necessitate  me  to  give  up  my  present  situation, 
and  especially  my  Church.  And  I  write  this  now, 
that  if,  after  my  decease,  it  should  be  asked,  '  Why 
did  he  not  vacate  his  Fellowship  ?'  my  executor  may 
have  a  satisfactory  answer  at  hand.  It  lies  in  a  short 
space : 

"1st.  If  twice  £15,000  were  offered  me- to  vacate 
my  Fellowship,  I  would  reject  it  utterly. 

"  2d.  The  Legacy  I  have  received  I  do  not  con- 
sider as  mine,  but  as  belonging  to  the  poor  and  to 
the  Lord ;  and  I  am  only  the  steward,  to  whose  hands 
it  is  committed. 

"  3d.  The  proof  of  this  will  be  found  in  my 
refusal  of  any  Living  before,  as  well  as  since,  my 
brother's  death,  and  in  my  Account-books,  wherein 
the  disposal  of  this  money  is  regularly  entered. 

"  Witness  my  hand  this  19th  of  October,  1816. 

"  C.  Simeon." 


To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

«K. C,  Nov.  20,  1816. 
"  My  beloved  Brother, 

"  Never  did  I  write  to  you  under  such 
peculiar  circumstances  as  the  present.  Three  whole 
mornings  of  about  six  or  seven  hours  have  dear 
Mr.  Sargent,  and  Mr.  Corrie,  and  your  beloved  Mother, 
and  myself,  been  reading  the  Life  of  our  lamented 
brother,  Mr.  Martyn.  Truly,  it  has  humbled  us  all  in 
the  dust.  Since  the  Apostolic  Age  I  certainly  think 
that  nothing  has  ever  exceeded  the  wisdom  and  piety 
of  our  departed  brother :  and  I  conceive  that  no  book, 

r  F  2 


436  martyn's  memoir. 

except  the  Bible,  will  be  found  to  excel  this.  In 
general,  the  Diaries  of  religions  people  exhibit  the 
same  thing  again  and  again  :  but  in  this  there  is 
nothing  repeated;  and  it  exhibits  such  a  mind  and 
such  a  heart,  as  make  him  to  appear  almost  like  a 
different  species  from  ourselves :  we  looked  to  him  as 
at  an  almost  unapproachable  distance.  David  Brainerd 
is  great :  but  the  degree  of  his  melancholy  and  the 
extreme  impropriety  of  his  exertions,  so  much  beyond 
his  strength,  put  him  on  a  different  footing  from  our 
beloved  Martyn ;  whilst  the  imagination  of  Martyn 
and  the  inexhaustible  richness  of  his  ideas,  give  to  his 
relations  an  interest  superior  to  anything  I  ever  read. 
Mr.  Corrie's  presence,  too,  has  been  highly  favourable 
in  rectifying  some  little  things,  which  would  have 
given  to  some  parts  an  air  of  inaccuracy.  But  I  must 
not  enlarge ;  though  were  I  to  enlarge  ever  so  much, 
I  should  have  no  fear  of  disappointing  your  expecta- 
tions. The  circumstance  of  Mr.  Sargent  having  so 
much  leisure  has  been  of  incalculable  benefit :  for  it 
has  enabled  him  to  throw  a  lightness  over  the  whole, 
by  connecting  every  part,  and  making  the  transitions 

easy  and  natural 

"  Now  let  me  advert  to  those  circumstances  of 
yours  which  have  made  my  heart  bleed.  I  lost  not 
a  moment  in  sending  your  letter  to  Mr.  Grant,  and  in 

concerting  the  best  measures  for  your  assistance 

In  this  state  of  things  I  have  deliberated  much,  and 
with  the  wisest  and  best  of  men  in  concert  (Mr.  W., 
Lord  C,  and  the  Bishop  of  G.),  to  find  what  is  the 

best  to  be  done  for  you But  in  my  request 

I  confined  myself  to  what  might  be  asked  without 
injury  and  without  offence.  I  have  got  for  you  a 
blessed  Assistant,  such  an  one  as  I  wished  you  to 


THOUGHTS    ON    DEATH.  437 

have;  and  I  wished  Mr.  W.  to  get  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Caiinmg  to  the  Bishop  respecting  him.  But 
I  find  that  Mr.  W.  will,  as  soon  as  he  can  find  an 
opportunity,  bring  the  whole  matter  before  Mr.  C.  .  .  . 
Be  assm'ed  I  will  not  cease  day  or  night  to  labour  for 
you ;  and  to  look  up  to  our  God  to  direct  and  bless 
my  exertions.  The  name  of  the  gentleman  I  refer  to 
is  Mr.  Fenn,  a  man  of  eminent  talents  and  piety ;  and 
under  you  he  will  soon  become  a  great  proficient  in 
Eastern  languages. 

"  Yesterday   was    our   Cambridge   Bible    Society 
Anniversary.     It  was  remarkably  well  attended,  Lord 
Hardwicke  in   the  chair.      I  was   unfortunately  kept 
away  by  either  a  bruise  in  my  foot,  or,  as  Mr.  Parish 
and  your  dear  Mother  think,  and  as  I  fear,  the  gout ! ! 
My  father  once  had  it,  and  only  once ;  I  may  there- 
fore have  it  now,  and  no  more :  but  in  my  mind  I  am 
rather  inclined   to   think,   that   the   time  is   now  ap- 
proaching when  I  must  descend  from  my  horse  to  a 
carriage  ;  and  if  so,  I  consider  it  as  a  very  long  step 
towards  the  eternal  world.    What  may  be  my  views  of 
eternity  when  it  comes  very  near,  I  know  not :   but 
my  trust  is  in  the  tender  mercy  of  my  God  in  Christ 
Jesus ;  and  I  can  joyfully  leave  myself  in  His  hands. 
It  has  for  many  years  been  my  delight  to  contemplate 
death  as  close  at  hand  -.  and  the  more  my  mind  is 
familiarized  with  death  now,  the  more  tranquil,  I  trust, 
it  will  be,   when  the  closing  scene  of  hfe  shall  have 
actually  arrived.  "  Ever,  ever  yours, 

''  C.  Simeon." 


438  JOY    IX    HIS    MINISTRY. 

To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

«  K.  C,  Dec.  19,  1816. 

"  My  beloved  Brother, 

"  I  am  truly  glad  that  you  suggested 
what  you  did  about  dear  Martyn's  Persian  Transla- 
tion.    It  came  at  a  most  important  crisis You 

may  be  assm*ed  that  all  shall  be  done  respecting  them 
(if  my  life  be  spared)  advisedly.  There  shall  be  no 
unnecessary  delay ;  but  no  ill-advised  haste 

"  My  people,  who  remained  stedfast,  are  in  a 
blessed  state  :  my  Church  better  attended  than  ever : 
my  delight  in  my  work  greater :  my  health  is  good : 
my  strength  is  renewed,  so  that  I  preach  with  ease. 
I  do  hope  that  God  has  yet  something  for  me  to  do 

before  I  die Kindest  love  to  my  Sister  j  and 

the  smaller  fry  a  kiss  each." 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


LETTERS  —  TO      REV.      T.     THOMASON     ABOUT     THE    JEWs'     CHAPEL — ■ 

TYRWHITt's    legacy    for    HEBREW  LITERATURE HINDOO    COLLEGE 

MOVEMENTS    IN     FAVOUR     OF    THE     JEWS RELIGIOUS    MEETINGS 

IN      LONDON RAMMOHUN      ROY  —  MARTYn's      PERSIAN      PSALMS 

brown's      MEMOIR REV.      D.      CORRIe's      RETURN PREPARATION 

FOR    A    NEW    WORK TO    A    FRIEND    IN    OFFICE  ON    ATTENDING  THE 

OFFICIAL    CHAPEL MEMORANDA    ON    VARIOUS    OCCASIONS ON    THE 

PROPER     EXERCISE     OF     THE     MINISTRY ON     LISTENING     TO     EVIL 

REPORTS — ON     SUFFERING    INJURIES  —  TO     REV.    T.     THOMASON     ON 

THE    SUBJECT    OF     HIS    PREACHING TO     REV.    LEWIS    WAY    ON     HIS 

JOURNEY    TO     RUSSIA SELECTION     OF    A    COMPANION — TO    REV.    T. 

THOMASON    ON    THE    HINDOO    COLLEGE  —  JEWISH    MISSION    TO  RUSSIA 

PROPOSED     TOUR     AT     HOME GENERAL     ZEAL     FOR     DIFFUSION 

OF  CHRISTIANITY — CHARACTER  OF  DR.  BUCHANAN — SERMON  FOR 
THE    JEWS — ON     TRIALS    AS    A    COUNTERBALANCE     OF     POPULARITY 

TO    A    CLERGYMAN    ON     PREACHING     THE     TRUTH    IN     LOVE TO 

A    DAUGHTER     ON     HER     DUTY    TO    HER     FATHER TO    A    LADY    ON 

HER  DUTY  TO  HER  HUSBAND  — TO  A  CLERGYMAN  ON  PAROCHIAL 
DIFFICULTIES — TO    ANOTHER     ON    THE    TRUE    MODE    OF    PREACHING 

—  TO  ANOTHER  ON  THE  EXERCISE  OF  CONSCIENCE — TO  REV.  T. 
THOMASON  ON  HIS  EFFORTS  FOR  THE  JEWS—OPENING  CHAPELS  AT 
AMSTERDAM    AND    HAMBURGH  —  THE    HAPPY    STATE    OF    HIS  PEOPLE 

—  PROFESSOR    PARISH — DEATH    OF    THE    PRINCESS    CHARLOTTE. 


1817. 


CORRESPONDENCE,  ETC. 

To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 
My  beloved  Brother,         "  K.  C,  Mar.  29,  1817. 

"  Time  runs  fast :  Mr.  Corrie  is  going  : 
your  Mother  also  goes  on  Monday  to  Town,  whither  I 
am  going,  being  summoned  to  a  Jews'  Committee  of 
Messrs.  Babington,  Wilberforce,  Way,  and  Hawtrey. 


440  tykwhitt's  legacy. 

Behold,  tlie  Rector  of  the  parish  has  refused  to 
give  his  consent  to  the  Jews'  Chapel  being  opened 

in  the  Estabhshment Ten  thousand  Chapels  may 

be  built  and  opened  by  Dissenters,  '  will  ye,  nill  ye,' 
but  a  Chapel  that  was  (I  believe)  consecrated,  but 
certainly  licensed  as  a  French-Refugee  Chapel,  is  not 
suffered  to  be  filled  by  an  Established  Minister ;  were 
it  not  that  I  know  Who  reigns,  my  soul  would  sink 
Avithin  me. 

"  But  if  this  be  so  painful,  we  have  something  joy- 
ful to  counterbalance  it.  The  Emperor  of  Russia  and 
Prince  Galitzin  have  sent  over  to  request  from  our 
Societv  Missionaries  to  the  Jews,  and  Hebrew  Bibles. 

0  that  God  may  be  with  us  !  I  do  not  despair  that 
we  shall  see  good  done  among  them, 

"  You  who  are  a  Hebraist  will  be  glad  to  hear 
that  Mr.  Tyrwhitt  of  Jesus,  who  is  just  dead,  has  left 
£4000  to  the  University  for  the  encouragement  of 
Hebrew  Literature.  This  is  a  truly  excellent  legacy. 
It  is  a  disgrace  to  our  University  that  a  Hebrew 
teacher  has  never  yet  found  employment  enough  to 
support  him. 

"  I  enclose  you  a  copy  of  the  Rules  of  our  Provi- 
dent Bank  at  Cambridge.  Would  not  such  an  institu- 
tion be  of  great  use  amongst  you  ?  Might  there  not 
be  one  for  the  Europeans,  and  one  for  the  Hindoos  ? 

1  think  you  might  be  a  great  blessing  to  that  land 

in  promoting  such  institutions I  am  in  great 

haste  :  I  have  laid  everything  in  the  smallest  possible 
space.     MuJtum  in  parvo  is  my  motto  on  all  occasions. 

"  Most,  most,  most,  affectionately  yours,  "  C.  S." 
"  My  little  (or  rather  my  great)  boy  is  very  well." 


HINDOO    COLLEGE.  441 

To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"May  14,  1817. 

*'  My  beloved  Brother, 

"  The  Puritans  used  to  date  their  prefaces 
'from  their  study.'  I  date  this  from  your  dearest 
Mother's  breakfast -room,  a  httle  Elysium.  The  house 
is  on  the  Peas  Market :  but  this  is  an  eastern  room, 
that  hears  no  more  of  the  Peas  Market  than  of  you  at 
Calcutta — sweet  abode  of  peace,  and  love,  and  grati- 
tude, and  praise  !  .  .  . 

"Let  me  now  come  to  your  School.  Indeed  I  am 
far  from  undervaluing  it.  I  have  not  Mr.  Grant's 
letter  by  me,  else  I  should  give  you  an  extract  from  it : 
but  he,  when  I  wrote  him  word  of  it,  thought  that  the 
hand  of  God  was  in  a  most  remarkable  manner  in  the 
whole  transaction.  He  is  able  to  appreciate  the 
matter  aright :  and  it  afforded  him  exceeding  great 
joy.  I  have  long  been  looking  out  for  a  person  fit  to 
fill  the  station  of  President,  or  at  least,  of  Professor 

there  :  I  had  looked  to  Mr. in  that  view,   as 

hoping  he  may  come  out  two  or  three  years  hence ; 
but  he  is  an  only  son,  which  may  be  a  bar  in  his  way. 
Of  himself  he  is  willing  to  come,  if  his  parents  will  let 
him.  He  has  yet  to  study  for  a  Fellowship  at  Trinity  : 
and  I  encourage  him  to  run  that  heat ;  for  he  will 
gain  in  his  training  what  will  richly  repay  him,  though 
he  should  not  gain  the  prize.  I  never  lose  sight  of 
you ;  and  hope  yet  I  may  be  an  instrument  in  God's 
hand  to  fulfil  some  of  your  wishes.  I  shall  be  anxious 
to  hear  more  about  the  progress  of  this  new  Institution. 
It  is  one  of  the  things  which  strongly  mark  the  signs 
of  the  times.  The  world  are  everywhere  reproving 
our  hardness ;  they  are  literally  saying,  '  Come  over 
and  help  us.' 


442  MOVEMENTS   FOR   THE    JEWS. 

"  Of  the  like  nature  is  oiir  news  respecting  the 
Jews  in  Russia  and  Poland.  They  are  enquirino- 
after,  and  desirous  of  obtaining,  the  New  Testament 
in  Hebrew ;  which  is  already  printed  to  the  end  of 
Philemon,  and  proceeding  rapidly,  so  that  we  hope 
the  whole  will  be  finished  by  Christmas  next.  The 
Emperor  of  Russia  has  just  published  an  Ukase, 
promising  to  all  converted  Jews  his  protection  and 
tracts  of  country  in  two  different  parts,  whereon  they 
may  settle  and  follow  their  respective  occupations.  In 
consequence  of  these  two  favourable  circumstances,  I 
expect  that  Mr.  Way  and  two  learned  and  pious  Jews 
will  go  over  very  soon  to  Russia,  in  order  to  stir  up 
the  Jews  to  inquire  into  their  own  Scriptures,  and  to 
gather  them  into  such  societies  as  may  mutually  sup- 
port and  edify  one  another. 

"  I  am  just  returned  from  Town,  where  both  your 
Mother  and  myself  spent  the  Bible  Week — the  week 
of  Jubilee  :  she  at  Dr.  Steinkopff's,  and  I  at  my 
accustomed  home,  Mrs.  Cecil's.  The  tout  ensemble  of 
the  Bible  Society  was  the  grandest  that  we  ever  yet 
have  witnessed.  Such  an  intellectual  feast  was  scarcely 
ever  spread  before.  Mr.  ^loney,  from  Bombay,  gave 
us  much  interesting  information,  and  in  an  elegant 
style ;  Dr.  Mason  of  America  also,  in  a  dry  way, 
arrested  and  edified  the  whole  assembly.  ]\lr.  Wilson's 
sermon  before  the  Missionary  Society  was  one  of  the 
grandest  things  we  have  ever  heard.  You  will  be 
much  delighted  with  it.  All  the  Societies  had  a  richer 
savour  of  piety  than  before.  The  public  taste  in  this 
respect  is  daily  improving. 

"  I  am  dehghted  to  hear  that  your  hopes  of  Ram- 
mohun  Roy  are  somewhat  improving.  It  was  pleasing 
to  see  that  he  was  enabled  to  stand  up  for  the  Unity 


RAMMOHUN    ROY.  443 

of  God ;  and  tliongli  that,  of  itself,  was  very  short  of 
what  we  wished,   I  could  not  but  hope  that  it  would 
be  introductory  to   something  better ;    because  that 
brouo-ht  persecution  :  and  persecution  would  cause  a 
deeper  examination    of    the    question ;    and   inquiry 
would  bring   hglit ;    and  light,    I   hoped,    might  be 
accompanied  with  a  blessing  to  his  soul.     Poor  man  ! 
he  does  not  yet  see  that  the  Gospel  must  be  revealed 
in  him,  as  well  as  to  him  :  and  therefore  I  should  not 
wonder  if  the  Trinity  in  Unity  prove  to  him  a  stum- 
blino-block  over  which  he  shall  fall  to  his  everlasting 
ruin.     It  is  indeed  the  great  stumblingblock  both  to 
Jews  and  Gentiles  :  perhaps  even  beyond  the  Atone- 
ment itself.      But  if  he  could  be  prevailed  upon  to 
answer  one  question  aright,   '  What  is  the  Gospel  ? ' 
*  A  Remedy,'  he  would  find  all  the  mountains  reduced 
to  a  plain  :   I  take  for  granted,  that  you  referred  him 
to  such  passages  as  tended  to  give  a  right  direction 
to  his  mind,  and  to  shew  him,  not  merely  that  he  must 
pray  for  illumination,  (which  a  person  may  do  whilst 
leaning  wholly  to  his  own  understanding,)  but  that  he 
must  really  pray  as  '  a  babe  and  suckling,'  instead  of 
in  the  character  of  one  that  is  'wise  and  prudent.' 
If  he  will  do  that,  he  will  soon  have  to  add,  '  I  thank 
thee,  O  Father.'     This  however,  taken  in  connexion 
with  your  Hindoo  College,  shews  that  God  is  at  work 
even  without  our  instrumentality ;  and  it  is  a  great 
encouragement  to  us  to  exert  ourselves  to  the  utter- 
most. 

"  Tiiily  I  am  thankful  to  hear  that  you  have 
finished  the  Persian  Psalms ;  and  you  will  be  not 
a  little  delighted  to  have  Mr.  Martyn's  Translation 
of  the  Psalms,  which  I  have  had  copied  for  you,  and 
sent  you  by  Mr.  Corrie.     I  have  reserved  the  original. 


444  REV.   DAVID    BROWN, 

that  I  may  not  risk  the  loss  of  it  at  sea :  and  perhaps 
I  may  give  it  either  to  his  College,  or  to  the  Bible 
Society.  But  this  is  only  the  thought  of  the  moment; 
that   will  require   much    deliberation.     I   wrote   you 

word  that  our  sanguine  friend  Mr. would  have 

had  it  published  here ;  but  from  the  inaccuracy  of  his 
New  Testament,  I  am  well  assured  that  the  Psalms 
must  be  still  more  inaccurate,  and  that  they  will 
chiefly  be  of  use  to  assist  you,  or  others,  in  your  trans- 
lations. I  have  also  some  other  papers  of  Mr.  Martyn 
in  Persian,  all  the  most  important  of  which  I  shall 
have  copied  for  you.  His  Life  is  revising,  in  order  to 
send  it  forth  in  as  perfect  a  state  as  possible.  It  will 
be  such  a  treat  as  the  world  has  rarely  had. 

"  Mr.  Brown's  Memoir  has  been  forwarded  by 
Mr.  Corrie.  Truly  this  dear  man  was  of  a  larger 
calibre,  both  in  intellect  and  piety,  than  I  had  con- 
ceived. .  .  .  You  will  have  a  vast  acquisition  in  Mr.  Lee 
when  he  comes  :  he  is  truly  a  wonderful  man.  .  .  .  The 
£4000  left  by  Tyrwhitt  for  the  encouragement  of 
Hebrew  Literature  will  be  disposed  of,  I  apprehend, 
in  the  establishment  of  two  scholarships,  like  the 
University  scholarships  :  but  when  it  came  to  the  vote 
to-day,  it  was  thrown  out  in  the  white-hood  house, 
because  the  persons  proposed  for  the  Syndicate  were 
not  approved.  Who  were  objected  to  I  know  not : 
but  I  suppose  it  vnW  be  carried  ere  long.  This  on 
the  whole  will  be  a  good  way  of  disposing  of  it.  The 
candidates  are  to  be  of  the  standing  of  B.A.  one  year, 
to  M.A.  two  years.  And  if  good  examiners  can  be 
found  (there's  the  rub)  it  will  do  good.  But  this 
matter  taken  in  connexion  with  the  Jews'  Society  is 
very  important. 

"  I  enjoy  the  thought  that  ere  this  reaches  you, 


REV.    D.    CORRIli's    RETURN.  445 

you  will  again  have  our  dearly-beloved  friends,  Daniel 
Corrie  and  liis  wife.  He  has  been  a  great  blessing  to 
England,  and  to  the  cause  of  Missions.  Truly  his 
time  has  not  been  lost,  and  I  hope  he  will  return  to 
you  with  strength  greatly  augmented.  The  love  that 
is  borne  him  by  all  ranks  of  people  here  can  scarcely 
be  expressed.  And  when  he  comes  to  you,  he  will 
prove,  I  trust,  a  yet  richer  blessing  than  he  has  ever 
been. 

"  My  own  health,  through  mercy,  is  as  good  as  at 
any  period  of  my  life  :  and  by  means  of  constant 
and  extraordinary  caution,  my  voice  in  public  is  as 
strong  almost  as  ever.  But  I  am  silent  all  the  week 
besides.  I  think  I  once  told  you,  that  I  compare 
myself  to  bottled  small  beer  :  being  corked  up,  and 
opened  only  twice  a  week,  I  make  a  good  report ; 
but  if  I  were  opened  every  day,  I  should  soon  be  as 
ditch-water.  I  think  I  do  right  in  saving  myself 
thus,  because  it  enables  me  to  throw  an  energy 
into  my  public  discourses  which  makes  them  far 
more  interesting  than  they  would  otherwise  be.  The 
Gownsmen  are  sometimes  almost  one  half  of  my 
congregation. 

"  Your  picture  I  am  panting  for.  There  will  cer- 
tainly be  a  battle  between  your  Mother  and  myself 
for  it :  but  I  am  stronger  than  she,  except  in  faith 
and  love.     Ever,  ever  yom-s." 


To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  May  30,  1817. 
"  My  beloved  Brother, 

"  Scarcely  a  day  passes  but  I  have  reason 
to  thank  God  for  the  plan  I  have  pursued  for  many 
years,  of  keeping  copies  of  my  correspondence  on  all 


446  PREPARING    A   NEW    WORK. 

important  events.     I  will  give  you,  in  answer  to  yours 
this  moment  received,  a  succinct  account  of  what  has 

happened  relative  to ,  and  then  you  will  see  how 

true  Mr.  C.'s  story  is.  .  .  .  But  quite  enough  of  this.  As 
I  shall  be  resident  in  Cambridge  all  the  Vacation, 
I  shall  have  it  in  my  power  to  take  James  out  on 
horseback  every  day.  This  will  tend  to  strengthen 
him ;  though,  indeed,  he  is  already  so  stout  and  hearty 
as  not  to  need  any  aid  of  this  kind.  It  is  surprising 
how  much  he  conciliates  the  regards  of  all  by  his 
lovely  habit  and  demeanour.  I  should  have  liked  to 
have  taken  him  an  excursion  this  year ;  but  I  feel 
that  I  am  running  a  race  against  time  ;  and  I  want  to 
finish  my  work  before  '  the  night  cometh,  in  which  no 
man  can  Avork.'  On  this  account  I  wish  never  to  be 
absent  more  from  my  post,  if  I  can  help  it.  Here  I 
find  the  work  grow  under  my  hands.  I  am  now 
studying  No.  1700*  for  the  press:  but  I  have  300 
more  to  write,  in  order  to  complete  my  number.  I 
expect  (d.v.)  to  finish  the  Bible  in  200  more ;  and  then 
to  glean  the  texts  which  I  have  omitted  throughout 
the  whole  Bible.  The  sale  of  my  present  work  is  large; 
and  if  I  live  to  finish  the  whole,  I  trust  that  will  be 
large  also :  for  I  take  all  the  pains  with  it  that  I  can, 
that  it  may  be  useful  to  the  Church  when  I  am  resting 
from  my  labours.  It  is  a  comfort  to  my  mind  to  have 
a  hope  that  I  may  not  be  altogether  unprofitable, 
when  my  personal  exertions  shall  have  ceased.  And 
in  this  view  you,  my  dear  Brother,  will  have  abundant 
reason  to  rejoice.  I  hope  that  thousands  in  India  will 
have  reason  to  bless  God  for  you  to  all  eternity.  .  .  . 
"  Most  affectionately  yours,         "  C.  S." 


*  Of  his  Discourses. 


CHRISTIAN    SELF-DENIAL.  447 

To  a  Friend  in  an  official  station. 

"  My  dear ,  "  June  4,  1814. 

"With  respect  to  yonr  future  line  of 
conduct,  I  feel  that  different  persons  would  give 
different  advice,  according  to  their  views  of  Christian 
liberty  and  Christian  duty  :  and  if  I  offer  my  thoughts, 
I  would  do  it  with  great  diffidence,  and  only  in 
obedience  to  your  commands.  Certainly,  the  point  is 
one  which  has  often  and  deeply  engaged  my  mind  : 
and  if  I  had  an  opportunity  of  conversing  upon  it,  and 
opening  my  sentiments  fully,  I  should  feel  less  diffi- 
culty in  communicating  my  views  of  it.  But  on 
paper,  and  at  a  distance,  where  an  erroneous  im- 
pression cannot  easily  be  rectified,  I  am  fearful  of 
speaking  :  for  it  is  impossible  to  say  how  an  obser- 
vation may  strike  another  person  ;  because  the  very 
same  observation  may  admit  of  different  constructions, 
according  as  it  is  associated  with  different  ideas  in  the 
mind  of  the  reader.  Suffice  it  however  to  say,  that 
I  am  a  great  admirer  of  St.  Paul's  casuistry  in  Rom. 
xiv.,  and  of  his  conduct  in  1  Cor.  ix.  19 — 23.  I 
consider  self-denial  as  the  principle  which  we  should 
always  have  in  exercise  to  its  utmost  possible  extent 
for  the  good  of  others ;  and  that,  in  many  instances, 
not  only  temporal  advantage,  but  what  would  be 
thought  spiritual  advantage  also,  should  be  sacrificed 
for  the  good  of  others.  I  am  well  persuaded  that  the 
Christian  world  often  greatly  mistake  mth  respect  to 
what  they  call  spiritual  advantage  :  and  I  think  that 
the  benefit  to  be  derived  to  our  own  souls  (not  to 
mention  the  glory  accruing  to  God)  from  self-denial, 
is  far  greater  and  more  lasting  than  any  that  can  arise 
from  self-gratifi cation,  even  in  spiritual  matters.  And 
in  this  I  think  T  am  justified  by  the  conduct  of  St. 


448  DUTY    OF  AN    OFFICIAL 

Paul,  wlio  sought  not  liis  own  ^jroft,  but  the  profit  of 
many,  that  they  might  be  saved  (1  Cor.  x,  33).  Now 
you  will  begin  to  see  what  scent  I  am  upon,  and  what 
is  the  ground  of  the  opinion  I  am  about  to  give.  The 
question  I  understand  to  be,  '  Shall  I  go  with  my 
family  to  the  (official)  Chapel,  now  there  is  a  fresh 
Minister  coming,  if  I  should  not  find  that  he  preaches 
agreeably  to  my  views  of  the  Gospel  ?'  To  this  I 
answer;  1.  That  there  is  a  great  difference  between 
preaching  all  that  you  could  wish,  and  preaching  in  a 
hostile  manner  ^'^^x/ws-^  the"  truth.  2.  That  as  being 
at  the  head  of  that  Institution,  you  have,  as  it  appears 
to  me,  a  duty  to  perform  in  the  house  of  God,  as  well 
as  in  your  own  house,  if  circumstances  of  imperious 
necessity  do  not  prevent  your  appearance  there.  3. 
That  the  authorities  having  expressed  that  wish,  it  is 
{loith  the  same  limitation)  binding  upon  you  to  pay  it 
a  respectful  attention.  4.  That,  like  Priscilla  and 
Aquila,  you  have  a  great  duty  of  love  to  pay  to  your 
new  ApoUos  :  which  never  can  be  paid  with  effect,  if 
you  turn  your  back  upon  him.  5.  That  if  you  turn 
your  back  on  him,  and  forsake  his  Ministry  without 
absolute  necessity,  you  weaken  his  hands,  and  teach 
all  under  your  authority  to  despise  his  Ministry.  6. 
That  policy,  in  this  matter,  is  on  the  side  of  duty ; 
because,  if  you  pour  contempt  on  his  Ministry,  you 
can  never  hope  to  introduce  such  persons  into  the 
pulpit  as  may  approach  nearer  to  yom^  own  wishes ; 
whereas  if  you  pay  respect  to  his  Ministry,  you  will 
lead  him  to  return  that  respect  in  an  attention  to 
your  wishes. 

"  If,  in  opposition  to  all  this,  it  be  said,  that  by 
attending  at  the  Chapel  you  will  contribute  to  deceive 
others,  in  making  thein  imagine  that  the  full  Gospel 


ATTENDANCE    AT   CHURCH.  440 

is  preached,  when  it  is  not ; — I  answer,  That  though 
your  forsaking  the  Chapel  is  a  pubHc  declaration,  that 
in  your  opinion  the  Gospel  is  not  preached  there,  your 
attending  the  Chapel  is  not  a  declaration  that  it  is 
preached  there;  nor  can  any  one  be  authorized  to 
draw  any  such  deduction  from  it ;  you  not  being 
called  upon  to  declare  your  opinion  at  all.  At  those 
times  when  there  is  no  Service  in  the  Chapel,  you  are, 
of  course,  at  liberty  to  go  where  you  will :  and  if  any 
take  offence,  it  is  their  own  fault. 

"Thus  I  have  given  you,  in  as  few  words  as 
possible,  what  strikes  me  on  the  subject :  and  it  will 
be  a  gratification  to  me  to  receive  your  sentiments 
upon  the  statement  that  I  have  made.  I  again  say, 
that  in  a  general  view  of  the  subject,  it  admits  of  a 
diversity  of  opinion  ;  and  that,  whe7i  connected  with 
different  circumstances,  it  may  assume  a  very  diiferent 
appearance.  My  opinion  is  formed  only  on  existing 
circumstances,  and  on  those  only  as  far  as  I  am  ac- 
quainted with  them.  In  a  former  letter  I  remember 
I  expressed  a  similar  hesitation  ;  because  circumstances 
in  themselves  apparently  trivial  may,  in  their  connexion 
with  the  whole  matter,  make  a  very  wide  difference  in 
one's  judgment  respecting  it.  Of  course,  I  can  only 
speak  as  far  as  I  can  judge  from  the  documents  before 
me.  Happy  shall  I  be,  my  very  dear  friend,  if  any- 
thing which  I  may  have  suggested,  may  tend  to  make 
your  way  more  clear,  or  to  afford  satisfaction  to  your 

own  mind.     Give  my  very  kind  regards  to ,  and 

believe  me,  my  dear  Friend, 

"  Most  affectionately  yours, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


L.  s.  G  G 


450  REFLECTIONS    UPON 

MEMORANDA    ON    VARIOUS    OCCASIONS. 

«  June  18,  1817. 

"  I  have  often  thought  of  keeping  a  Diary,  and  as 
often  dedined  it,  because  there  are  things  which  one 
cannot  commit  to  paper,  and  because  there  is  danger 
of  pride  in  committing  to  paper  the  more  spiritual 
exercises  of  the  soul.  On  these  two  accounts  I  still 
intend  only  occasionally  to  write  down  such  thoughts, 
as  though  committed  to  paper,  can  excite  neither  fear 
nor  pride.  I  conceive  that  neither  the  worst,  nor  the 
best,  of  any  man  can  be,  or  ought  to  be,  known  to  any 
but  God. 

"But  I  am  arrived  at  a  time  of  life  when  my 
views  of  early  habits,  particularly  in  relation  to  the 
Ministry,  are  greatly  changed.  I  see  many  things 
in  a  different  light  from  what  I  once  did ;  such  as  the 
beauty  of  order,  of  regularity,  and  the  wisdom  of 
seeking  to  win  souls  by  kindness,  rather  than  to  con- 
vert them  by  harshness,  and  what  I  once  called  fidelity. 
I  admire  more  the  idea  which  I  have  of  our  blessed 
Lord's  spirit  and  ministry  than  I  once  did. 

"  But  as  I  wish  to  have  a  jealousy  over  myself,  I 
think  it  useful  to  commit  occasionally  my  thoughts  to 
paper ;  that  if  I  live  to  be  laid  aside  from  the  Ministry, 
and  to  have  my  time  wholly  for  reflection  in  the  near 
view  of  eternity,  I  may  be  able  to  see  what  w^ere  my 
sentiments  at  this  time,  and  to  compare  them  with 
what  they  shall  be  in  that  horn-.  I  see  in  others  a 
great  diversity  of  opinion  about  men  and  things ;  and 
why  should  not  a  similar  diversity  arise  in  the  same 
mind  at  different  times  ?  I  have  been  on  Loch- 
Lomond  and  seen  the  islands  rising  in  grandeur  before 
me ;  but  on  j5e;z-Lomond  I  have  seen  them  all  as  flat 
as  a  pancake.     Sure  I  am  that  many  things  appear 


VARIOUS    SUBJECTS,  451 

different,  according  to  the  aspect  in  wliich  they  are 

seen  ;  and  I  therefore  promise  myself  some  edification, 

if  I  should  hereafter  see  these  brief  hints  on  a  dying 

bed." 

On  Listening  to  Evil  Reports. 

«  July  4,  1817. 

''  Last  night  Mr.  D.  represented  to  me  in  strong 

terms  the  (supposed)  ill  behaviour  of  Mr. to  his 

pupils ;  and  particularly  to  Mr.  B.,  to  whom  he  refused 
lately  to  give  his  hand. 

"  The  longer  I  live,  the  more  I  feel  the  importance 
of  adhering  to  the  rules  which  I  have  laid  down  for 
myself,  in  relation  to  such  matters. 

"  1st.  To  hear  as  little  as  possible  what  is  to 
the  prejudice  of  others. 

"  2nd.  To  believe  nothing  of  the  kind  till  I  am 
absolutely  forced  to  it. 

"  3rd.  Never  to  drink  into  the  spmt  of  one  who 
circulates  an  ill  report. 

"4th.  Always  to  moderate,  as  far  as  I  can,  the 
unkindness  which  is  expressed  towards  others. 

*'  5th.  Always  to  believe,  that  if  the  other  side 
were  heard,  a  very  different  account  would  be  given 
of  the  matter. 

"  I  consider  love  as  wealth ;  and  as  I  would  resist 
a  man  who  should  come  to  rob  my  house,  so  would  I 
a  man  who  would  weaken  my  regard  for  any  human 
being.  I  consider,  too,  that  persons  are  cast  into 
different  moulds ;  and  that  to  ask  myself,  What 
should  /  do  in  that  person's  situation,  is  not  a  just 
mode  of  judging.  I  must  not  expect  a  man  that 
is  naturally  cold  and  reserved  to  act  as  one  that 
is  naturally  warm  and  affectionate ;  and  I  think  it 
a  great  evil,  that  people  do  not  make  more  allowances 

G  g2 


452  ON    LISTENING    TO    REPORTS. 

for  each  other  in  this  particular.  I  think  rehgious 
people  are  too  little  attentive  to  these  considerations ; 
and  that  it  is  not  in  reference  to  the  ungodly  world 
only,  that  that  passage  is  true,  '  He  that  departeth 
from  evil  maketh  himself  a  prey ;'  but  even  in  refer- 
ence to  professors  also ;  amongst  whom  there  is  a  sad 
proneness  to  listen  to  evil  reports,  and  to  believe  the 
representations  they  hear,  without  giving  the  injured 
person  any  opportunity  of  rectifying  their  views,  and 
of  defending  his  own  character. 

"  The  more  prominent  any  person's  character  is, 
the  more  likely  he  is  to  suffer  in  this  way;  there  being 
in  the  heart  of  every  man,  unless  greatly  subdued  by 
grace,  a  pleasure  in  hearing  anything  which  may  sink 
others  to  his  level,  or  lower  them  in  the  estimation  of 
the  world.  We  seem  to  om^selves  elevated,  in  pro- 
portion as  others  are  depressed.  Under  such  cir- 
cumstances I  derive  consolation  from  the  following 
reflections : 

"  1.  My  enemy,  whatever  evil  he  says  of  me,  does 
not  reduce  me  so  low,  as  he  would  if  he  knew  all 
concerning  me  that  God  knows. 

"  2.  In  drawing  the  balance,  as  between  Debtor 
and  Creditor,  I  find  that  if  I  have  been  robbed  of 
pence,  there  are  pounds  and  talents  placed  to  my 
account,  to  which  I  have  no  just  title. 

"3.  If  man  has  his  'da?/,'  God  will  have  His. 
See  1  Cor.  iv.  3,  the  Greek. 

On  Sufferinf/  Injuries. 

"  August  30,  1817. 
"  I  have  this  moment  heard  of  a  most  malignant 
attempt  to  injure  my  character :    and  I  take  up  my 
pen  to  record,  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  my  God, 


ON    SUFFERING   INJURIES.  453 

that  my  soul  is  kept  in  perfect  peace.  I  pity  those 
who  dehght  in  the  exercise  of  such  wicked  dispositions. 
Little  do  they  think  that  they  injure  themselves  more 
than  me ;  and  that  there  is  a  day  coming  when  the 
righteousness  of  the  righteous  shall  be  upon  him,  and 
the  wickedness  of  the  wicked  shall  be  upon  him. 
It  is  an  unspeakable  consolation  that  God  knoweth 
everything,  and  will  judge  righteous  judgment.  To 
Him  I  can  make  my  appeal,  that  in  the  point  referred 
to  I  am  greatly  injured :  but  whilst  I  have  the  testi- 
mony of  my  own  conscience  and  light  of  my  Re- 
deemer's countenance,  none  of  these  things  do  move 
me,  or  ought  to  move  me." 


On  one  occasion,  when  a  friend  observed  to  Mr. 
Simeon  ;  '  O,  Su,  you  don't  know  what  wicked  things 
they  are  saying  of  you ! '  he  quietly  answered  with  a 
smile,  'Nor  do  I  wish  to  know.' — 'Bat  they  are  so 
untrue,  Sir  ! ' — '  And  would  you  wish  them  to  he 
true  ?' 

To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  K.  C,  July  15,  1817. 

"  My  beloved  Brother, 

"  I  see  very  little  company  of  any 

kind.  I  find  that  silence,  perfect  silence  is  the  only 
thing  for  me:  and  by  imposing  that  upon  myself 
at  all  other  times,  I  go  through  my  pubhc  duty  with 
energy  and  comfort.  Last  year  during  the  long  Vaca- 
tion I  took  the  first  Epistle  to  the  Thessalonians  for  my 
subject  on  Sunday  Mornings,  and  through  mercy  was 
enabled  not  only  to  enter  into  the  spirit  of  it,  but 
to  breathe  the  spirit  of  it  in  my  ministrations.  But 
the  proud,  unsubdued  spirit  of  some  of  my  people 


454  TENDERNESS    IN    PREACHING. 

could  not  bear  it.  Had  I  scolded  tliem  from  the 
pulpit,  tliey  could  liave  endured  it :  but  when  I  wept 
over  them,  and  besought  them  with  many  tears,  they 
quite  raged,  and  separated  from  me  altogether.  But 
those  who  were  of  a  humbler  spirit  were  twined 
closer  round  my  heart.  Now  the  Second  Epistle  to 
the  Corinthians  comes  in  its  proper  order ;  and  I  am 
entering  upon  it  with  great  delight.  The  first  twelve 
verses  of  the  2d  Chapter  will  be  my  subject  next 
Sunday  Morning.  My  soid  longs  to  drink  into  the 
spirit  of  the  Apostle,  if  peradventure  I  may  recover 
and  restore  those  who  yet  attend  my  ministry.  At  all 
events,  I  find  it  sweet  to  have  the  testimony  of  my 
o^\"n  conscience  that  I  desire  no  other  office  than  to 
be  '  a  helper  of  their  joy.'  I  am  labouring  this  point 
also  with  all  my  little  might  in  private,  that  so  I  may 
leave  them  all  without  excuse,  if  they  return  not  to 

me  as  children  to  a  loving  parent 

"  I  long  to  hear  the  result  of  Rammohun  Roy's 
examination  of  the  doctrine  of  the  Divinity  of  Christ. 
I  confess  I  augur  no  good  from  it 


To  the  Rev.  Lewis  Way. 

"  K.  C,  July  25,  1817. 
"  My  very  dear  Friend, 

"  I  tremble  at  taking  up  my  pen  to  an- 
swer your  letter  just  received.  I  remember  the  Spec- 
tator somewhere  says,  '  Many  will  complain  of  their 
want  of  memory,  but  none  of  their  want  of  judg- 
ment.' To  this  however  I  am  an  exception ;  for  I 
feel  a  lamentable  lack  of  both.  And  so  distrustful 
am  I  of  my  own  judgment,  that  I  would  almost 
rather  do  wrong  by  the  advice  of  another,  than  right 
in  opposition  to  his  counsels.      And  where  the  ark 


REV.    LEWIS   WAY.  455 

of  God  is  concerned,  I  really  dread  to  approach  it, 
unless  to  learn  from  the  wisdom  of  others,  how  it 
should  be  carried  so  as  to  please  our  God. 

"  The  first  dictate  of  my  mind  would  be  to  run 
up  to  you,  agreeably  to  youi'  invitation ;  but  that  it  is 
inexpedient,  and  impracticable.  It  is  inexpedient, 
because  I  have  a  measure  of  deliberative  firmness  at  a 
distance,  which  would  give  way  if  I  came  in  contact 
with  my  friend.     And  it  is  impracticable,  because  I 

have  left  myself  to  the  absolute  disposal  of  Mr.M , 

who  is  to  fix  all  my  motions  next  week,  and  to  make 

my  engagements Nevertheless  if  you,   by 

return  of  post,  give  the  command,  the  mountains  will 
become  mole-hills. 

"  But  to  the  point.  That  some  one  should  go 
with  you  I  think  :  that  he  should  be  a  man  of  prac- 
tical wisdom  I  think  :  that  that  is  not  the  character 

of I  am  sure :  that,   defective  as  they  equally 

are  in  all  the  proper  requisites  for  the  journey,  I 
should  be  disposed  to  lay  a  considerable  stress  upon  a 
comparatively  insignificant  matter,  namely,  manners. 
Here,  the  one  is  as  defective  as  the  other  is  eminent. 

..."  Thus  have  I  freely  and  candidly  imparted 
what  occurs  to  me  on  the  subject.    Could  I  have  done 

it   without   speaking  at  all  of  I  should  have 

preferred  it ;  but  where  the  whole  point  turns  on 
the  comparative  qualifications  of  two  persons,  I  am 
constrained  to  give  you  my  sentiments.  Whether  the 
journey  had  better  be  deferred  till  the  spring,  is  a 
point  on  which  I  am  not  called  to  touch ;  and  there- 
fore I  shall  be  silent.  But  in  my  Sermon  last  night, 
on  Eccl.  ix.  16,  I  had  occasion  to  call  the  attention 
of  my  people,  in  a  very  particular  manner,  to  Prov. 
xxiv.  27.     If  deejply  reflected  upon,  it  will  be  found 


456  THE   HINDOO   COLLEGE. 

perhaps  in  your  case  a  most  instructive  passage.  I 
have  all  my  days  felt  my  danger  to  lie  on  the  side 
of  precipitancy ;  and  hence  have  been  led  for  many 
years  to  mark  with  more  peculiar  care  such  passages 
as  incidcate  prudence,  and  forethought,  and  practical 
wisdom.  These  appear  to  me  to  be  the  finer  touches 
in  a  painting,  which  experience  only  can  give.  But 
possibly  I  may  have  run  into  an  opposite  extreme  : 
though  I  do  not  think  men  in  general  consider  me 
as  overwhelming  my  zeal  with  a  superabundance  of 
prudence.     Yours  most  affectionately,  "  C.  S." 


To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  K.  C,  Aug.  8,  1817. 

"  Mv  beloved  Brother, 

"  Mr.  Fenn,  in  consequence  of  my  not 
being  able  to  get  him  sent  out  to  you,  is  going  as 
a  Missionary  to  the  Syrian  Chm'ches.  There  are 
nineteen  (men  and  women)  going  out  from  the  Chm-ch 
Missionary  Society  in  October;  and  I  am  going  up 
at  the  beginning  of  that  month  to  Town,  to  deliver 
to  them  a  short  address. 

"  Without  a  moment's  loss  of  time  I  communi- 
cated to  dear  Mr.  Grant  the  blessed  intelligence  which 
you  sent  me  relative  to  the  Hindoo  College.  Well 
may  it  be  said,  '  Wliat  hath  God  wrought ! '  I  wish 
you  may  be  enabled  to  lay  half  a  dozen  more  such 
bantlings  at  their  door,  and  that  they  may  take  them 
up,  and  adopt  them  as  their  own.  I  am  quite  content 
that  you  should  lose  the  honour,  if  only  they  may 
receive  the  good,  and  God  may  have  the  glory.  I 
shall  be  extremely  anxious  to  have  the  fullest  accounts 
of  the  Institution  from  time  to  time  ;  and  shall  gladly 
exert  myself  to  supply  any  instruments,  as  far  as  God 


MISSION    TO    RUSSIA.  457 

may  enable  me,  for  the  furtlieriug  of  your  great  and 
good  designs. 

"  You  will  be  glad  to  hear  that  the  London  Jews' 
Society,  which  has  rather  languished  since  it  came 
under  the  exclusive  care  of  the  Established  Church,  is 
reviving,  both  shooting  its  roots  downwards,  and 
spreading  its  branches  upward.  This  day,  this  very  hour 
whilst  I  am  writing  this,  are  Missionaries  (if  I  may  so 
call  them)  going  on  board  a  packet  at  Harwich,  to 
proceed  through  Holland  and  Prussia  to  Petersburgh, 
in  order  to  explore  the  state  of  the  Jews,  and  spread 
among  them  the  Hebrew  New  Testament,  (which  is 
finished  to  the  end  of  the  Hebrews,  and  will  be  wholly 
finished  in  two  months),  and  to  ascertain  what  oppor- 
tunities may  offer  for  establishing  Missions  among 
them.  The  persons  going  are  Mr.  Way  of  Stansted 
Park,  now  ordained  a  Priest,  Mr.  Nehemiah  Solomon, 
a  Polish  Jew,  converted  to  Christianity,  and  ordained 
a  Deacon  in  the  Church  of  England,  and  Sultan  Kate- 
garry  (a  converted  Mahometan  from  near  Astrachan, 
sent  over  hither  by  the  Emperor  of  Russia,   to  be 

educated  at  his  expense),  and  ]\Ir. ,  who  was  of 

St.  John's  not  very  long  after  your  time.  We  all  met 
at  Colchester,  whence  I  am  just  returned  this  day,  and 
had  such  another  parting  yesterday  as  once  took  place 
at  Miletus  .... 

"  Wliat  stay  they  will  make  I  do  not  know ;  but 
it  is  probable  they  will  be  absent  a  year ;  as  it  is  in 
their  contemplation  not  only  to  go  to  Petersburgh  and 
Warsaw,  but  to  be  at  Jerusalem  at  Easter.  The  state 
of  the  Jews  in  Russia  and  Poland  is  very  encouraging. 
Very  many  are  anxious  to  have  the  New  Testament  in 
Hebrew  :  and  if  the  Jews  (two  millions  of  whom  are 
in  the  Russian  empire)  can  be  furnished  with  that. 


458  THE    SYRIAC    TESTAMENT. 

there  is  reason  to  hope  that  many  will  find  it  the 
power  of  God  to'  the  salvation  of  their  souls.  The 
whole  go  at  the  sole  expense  of  Mr.  Way. 

"  The  last  answer  which  the  Mahometans  have, 
sent  forth  to  Martyn's  Essays  on  the  Mahometan 
Religion  is  now  in  Mr.  Lee's  hands.  I  intend  that 
the  state  of  the  controversy  shall  be  collected  from 
Mr.  M.'s  Manuscripts  and  published,  if  it  can  be 
made  sufficiently  clear  and  full.  I  have  laboured  long 
and  with  all  my  might  to  get  the  whole  controversy. 
I  would  spare  no  expense  however  great.  I  still  hope 
I  shall  succeed  at  last :  but  no  one  seems  to  enter  into 
the  matter  as  I  could  wish  ;  no  one  seems  to  appre- 
ciate the  importance  of  this  controversy  as  I  think  it 
deserves.  The  Syriac  Testament  is  printed  under  the 
superintendence  of  Mr.  Lee,  and  will,  I  hope,  be  a 
valuable  present  to  the  Syriac  Churches.  A  great 
many  copies  of  the  Coptic  Bible  (or  Pentateuch)  have 
been  found  at  Oxford ;  and  fifty  are  sold  to  Mr.  Jow^ett 
and  another  gentleman,  who  are  to  go  to  Palestine,  for 
the  purpose  of  examining  and  procuring  MSS.  from 
that  country. 

"  Li  a  word,  God  seems  to  be  stirring  up  multi- 
tudes, in  difi'erent  quarters,  beyond  all  expectation,  to 
concur  in  the  great  work  of  diffusing  Christianity 
throughout  the  world.  What  a  blessing  it  is  to  live 
in  such  a  day  as  this 

"  Dear  Professor  Parish  is  quite  metamorphosed ; 
he  is  full  of  zeal :  he  is  even  made  eloquent,  which, 
you  know,  was  not  his  forte  by  nature.  All  round 
Cambridge  are  Auxiliary  Meetings  which  he  has  es- 
tablished. Dr.  R.  has  accepted  a  Living,  and  will 
become  a  Benedict  in  about  six  weeks.  Mr.  C.  also  has 
taken  a  very  small  Living,  and  will  be  married  pretty 


LIFE    OF    DR.   BUCHANAN.  459 

soon.  Your  friend  C.  S.  continues  a  poor  bachelor 
still.  He  lias  passed  many  valuable  Livings  :  but  lie 
looks  to  nothing  short  of  heaven  as  his  preferment." 


To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  K.  C,  Camh.,  Aug.  17,  1817. 
"  My  beloved  Brother, 

"  I  have  been  enjoying  such  a  day  as  I 
can  rarely  get.  I  have  shut  myself  in,  and  not  stirred 
out  from  morning  till  evening,  except  to  go  to  hall. 
I  am  aware  that  such  days  would  not  be  beneficial  if 
they  occurred  too  often  ;  for  I  must  use  exercise,  or 
else  I  shall  not  preserve  my  health ;  and  I  must  keep 
open  my  door,  because  the  members  of  the  University 
who  call  upon  me,  some  for  business  and  some  for 
kindness,  would  be  wearied  with  ineffectual  attempts 
to  find  me  at  home,  living  as  I  do  up  two  pair  of 
stairs.  Certainly,  if  I  consulted  my  own  pleasure, 
I  should  frequently  shut  myself  up  in  this  manner; 
but  I  do  not  esteem  it  the  path  of  duty.  As  a  servant 
of  God,  I  must  Hve  for  the  public,  and  make  sacrifices 
for  the  public.  Selfishness  is  rather  to  be  opposed 
than  indulged ;  and  when  we  are  thwarting  self,  we 
never  can  very  widely  err. 

"  My  occupations  to-day  have  been,  the  writing  a 
Sermon  to  be  preached  at  Ely  Chapel  next  week,  on 
the  best  way  of  removing  the  objections  which  the  Jews 
make  to  the  miracles  of  our  Lord  as  evidences  of  his 
true  Messiahship,  founded  on  that  command,  Deut. 
xiii.  1 — 3 ;  the  other  has  been,  the  reading  of  Dr. 
Buchanan's  Life.  I  have  just  finished  the  Life ;  and 
am  greatly  delighted  and  edified  with  it.  There  seems 
to  have  been  in  him  a  certain  dignity  of  character  very 
uncommon  in  religious  men.     His  independence,  and 


460  MR.  currie's  departure. 

generosity,  and  capacity  to  adapt  himself  to  all  persons 
of  every  station,  yet  accompanied  with  such  a  sur- 
prising simplicity  of  mind,  cast  an  air  of  nobleness  and 
majesty  around  him,  that  I  have  never  met  wdth  in 
any  other  man.  He  was  formed  for  great  things  both 
by  nature  and  grace  ;  and  great  things  he  lived  to 
accomplish.  As  compared  with  pious  ministers  in 
general,  he  shines  velut  inter  ignes  Luna  minores. 
Many  equal  him  in  what  we  should  call  piety ;  but 
there  is  a  luminousness  and  a  grandeur  about  him  that 
is  very  uncommon  ;  and  to  have  been  the  instrument 
of  bringing  such  a  man  forward  is  no  little  honour  to 
that  blessed  man,  Mr.  Henry  Thornton. 

"  Your  Mother,  I  expect,  is  by  this  time  returned 
from  Deal,  whither  she  went  to  accompany  the  dear 
Corries.  Had  they  gone  any  time  after  next  week,  I 
should  probably  have  accompanied  them  ;  for  I  washed 
exceedingly  to  shew  that  mark  of  respect  to  Mr.  Corrie  ; 
but  I  could  not  possibly  afford  the  time  now.  To  be 
minding  my  own  work  is  after  all  the  most  satisfac- 
tory to  my  own  mind.  There  will  be  a  goodly  party 
on  board  the  ship ;  and  I  feel  anxious  for  Mr.  Corrie's 
health  :  I  fear  he  will  exert  himself  too  much ;  but 
I  have  entreated,  and  even  charged  him  in  the  name 
of  his  Divine  Master,  to  save  himself  for  Agra,  or 
Calcutta,  or  any  other  Indian  post  to  which  he  may 
be  destined 

"  Aug.  29tli.  Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  been 
to  Tow^n  to  preach  for  the  Jews'  Society.  The  subject, 
which  was  fixed  for  me,  was  to  shew  that  Deut.  xiii. 
1  —  3  gives  no  ground  for  the  Jews  to  reject  Chris- 
tianity. I  regretted  that  there  were  but  few  Jews 
present ;  for  I  felt  as  if  the  evidence  which  I  had  to 
propose  to  them  was  irresistible ;  though  alas  !  I  know 


DANGER   OF   POPULARITY.  4G1 

too  well  the  force  of  inveterate  prejudice  and  of  judi- 
cial blindness.  I  was  not  out  on  the  Sunday ;  for  it 
seems  daily  of  more  and  more  importance  that  I  should 
avail  myself  of  the  disposition  which  there  is  in  the 
young  men  to  receive  the  Word.  Indeed,  if  I  were 
to  attempt  to  assign  a  cause  for  the  untoward  circum- 
stances before  detailed  having  been  permitted,  I  should 
think  it  was  partly  in  mercy,  to  add  ballast  to  my 
slender  bark,  and  partly  in  judgment,  to  counteract 
and  punish  an  undue  measure  of  complacency,  which 
I  may  have  felt  in  my  growing  popularity.  I  certainly 
have  seen  for  a  long  time  back  the  almost  invariable 
kindness  and  respect,  with  which  I  have  been  treated 
by  all  orders  and  degrees  of  men  in  this  place  ;  and  it 
is  possible,  that  God  may  have  seen  me  more  gratified 
with  it  than  I  ought  to  be."  .  .  .  . 


To  a  Clergyman  on  preaching  the  truth  in  love. 

"  My  very  dear  Friend,  «  Nov.  4,  1817. 

"  I  have  long  and  earnestly  desired  to  see 
you,  that  I  might  converse  with  you  on  the  subject  of 
your  Ministrations.  I  seem  to  feel  that  I  can  say 
anything  to  you  without  offence,  and  without  suspicion  : 
without  offence,  because  of  the  ardent  love  I  bear  you ; 
and  without  suspicion,  because  you  well  know  that 
I  am,  and  ever  have  been,  as  far  from  a  timid,  tempo- 
rizing character,  as  a  man  can  well  be.  I  have  heard 
with  deep  concern,  that,  whilst  all  unite  in  loving  and 
honouring  your  general  character,  a  great  number  of 
persons  are  grievously  offended  with  the  style  of  your 
preaching,  (not  with  the  doctrine,  but  with  the  style,) 
which  I  am  told  is  unnecessarily  harsh  and  offensive ; 

and  that  on  this  being  suggested  to  you  by  Mr. 

you  gave  him  notice  to  quit  the  curacy.     Will  you 


462       PREACHING  THE  TRUTH  IN  LOVE. 

forgive  me,  my  dear  Friend,  if  I  say,  that  in  both 
these  respects  you  have  en-ed.     It  is  not  by  coarseness 
of  expression,  or  severity  of  manner,  that  we  are  to 
win  souls,  but  by  '  speaking  the  truth  in  love,'  and  if 
we  are  offended  at  such  a  suggestion  being  offered  to 
us   in  a  kind   and  affectionate  way,    it   shews  that 
humihty  and  love  have  not  a  due  ascendant  over  us. 
I  did  suppose,  from  your  age  and  deep-rooted  piety, 
you  would   have   been   able  to  fill  with  comfort  to 
yourself  and  advantage  to  the  people  that  situation, 
which  is  of  singular  delicacy  and  importance ;  but  if  I 
am  rightly  informed,  yom-  own  mind  is  uncomfortable, 
and  your  ministrations,  as  under  such  circumstances 
might  well  be  expected,  breathe  no  more  of  the  spirit 
of  love  than  before  the  matter  was  mentioned  to  you. 
"  If  this  be  the  case,  and  you  find  that  you  cannot 
adopt  a  different  mode,  it  will  perhaps  be  better  that 
you  do  carry  your  own  proposal  into  effect,  and  take 
a  situation  where  you  ^vill  meet  with  less  fastidious- 
ness on  the  part  of  your  audience,  and  be  enabled 
gradually  to  acquu'e  a  habit  which  wiU  fit  you  for  such 
situation  at  a  future  period.     Pray,  my  dear  Friend, 
give  me  an  early  answer ;    tell  me  that  you  are  not 
offended  Avith  me  :  and  that  my  '  balm  hath  not  broken 
your  head.'     I  shall  be  extremely  anxious  to  receive  a 
line  from  you  ;  for  if  in  this  exercise  of  my  friendship, 
*  I  make  you  soiTy,  who  will  then  ever  make  me  glad, 
but  the  same  who  is  made  sorry  by  me?'    Forgive, 
I  pray  you,  and  still  continue  to  love,  your  most  affec- 
tionate friend  and  Brother, 

"C.  Simeon." 


DUTY    or    A    DAUGHTER.  463 

To  a  young  Lady,  on  her  duty  to  her  Father. 

"  My  dear  Madam,  "  1817. 

"  The  task  you  have  assigned  me  is  diffi- 
cult ;  not  because  there  is  any  difficulty  in  laying 
do\yn  general  principles,  but  because  without  a  toler- 
ably complete  knoAvledge  of  all  parties,  and  of  the 
father  especially,  it  is  impossible  to  modify  the  prin- 
ciples, or  to  enter  into  such  minute  distinctions,  or  to 
suggest  such  expedients  as  the  case  might  call  for. 
An  enlightened  and  tender  conscience,  with  prayer  to 
God,  will  tend  greatly  to  supply  these  defects  :  but  an 
adviser  cannot  supply  them,  unless  he  have  specific 
grounds  to  go  upon.  If  a  receipt  were  to  be  given 
for  the  compounding  of  any  medicine  by  a  chemical 
process,  though  the  operation  might  be  delicate,  yet 
the  directions  might  be  sufficient,  because  the  fire  is 
under  your  own  controul ;  but  where  you  know  not 
whether  there  be  not  a  furnace  that  may  blow  up  your 
materials  and  yourself  into  the  air,  you  go  on  such 
uncertain  grounds,  as  to  make  it  problematical  whether 
your  directions  be  good  or  bad. 

"  Supposing  the  father  to  be  a  reasonable  man, 
and  a  man  of  good  temper,  I  should  recommend,  in 
writing,  or  in  conversation,  as  the  daughter  might  feel 
most  likely  to  do  good,  such  a  statement  as  this  : — 

'Sir, 

'  You  well  know  that  God  is  greatly  to 
be  feared,  and  that  m.j  first  duty  is  to  Him.  My  next 
duty  is  to  my  earthly  parent,  whom  I  am  to  regard  as 
God's  representative,  and  to  obey  even  as  God  him- 
self, in  everything  not  contrary  to  the  revealed  will  of 
God.  I  think.  Sir,  you  would  not  urge  your  claims 
farther  than  that ;  and  I  pledge  myself  that  I  will 
never  wish  them  to  be  contracted  so  much  as  an  hair's 


464  DUTY    OF    A    DAUGHTER. 

breadth.  It  will  be  my  pleasure  and  my  delight,  if  I 
have  received,  or  may  yet  receive,  the  grace  of  God, 
to  shew  the  power  and  efficacy  of  that  grace  in  that 
veiy  way. 

'  Now,  Sir,  my  sisters  are  altogether  under  your 
controul,  and  I  have  no  right  to  contravene  your 
authority  in  relation  to  them.  Yet  on  the  other  hand, 
I  think  you  will  admit,  that  I  must  faithfully  serve 
God  myself  according  to  His  w^ord,  and  the  dictates 
of  my  own  conscience.  Every  sacrifice  that  I  can 
possibly  make  consistently  with  my  duty  to  God,  I 
will  engage  to  make ;  and  to  meet  yom'  wishes  in 
relation  to  my  sisters  in  all  things,  as  far  as  I  can 
without  violating  my  own  conscience.  This  promise 
I  freely  make  you.  But  to  say,  that  I  never  wall 
speak  of  religion  before  them,  or  maintain  in  their 
presence  w^hat  I  know  and  believe  to  be  the  very 
truth  of  God,  would  be  to  lay  a  snare  for  my  ow^i 
conscience,  and  destroy  my  peace  perhaps  throughout 
my  whole  hfe.  All  that  I  can  promise  consistently 
w^ith  my  duty  to  God,  I  will  promise,  and  will  per- 
form :  and  I  feel  persuaded,  Sir,  that  though  you  do 
not  altogether  approve  of  the  principles  I  have  em- 
braced, you  will  approve  of  a  child  of  yom's  acting 
according  to  her  principles ;  because  you  cannot  but 
see,  that  a  dereliction  of  principle  in  relation  to  God 
will  soon  lead  to  a  dereliction  of  it  in  relation  to  man  ; 
and  that  when  God's  authority  has  been  trampled  on, 
the  authority  of  an  earthly  parent  is  not  likely  to  be 
regarded  as  it  ought,  provided  only  a  sufficient  induce- 
ment be  offered  to  set  it  at  nought.  But  from  this 
one  thought  I  have  great  pleasure,  that,  whilst  from  a 
sense  of  duty  to  my  God  I  am  walking  in  a  path 
that  is  not  altogether  agreeable  to  your  Anshes,  my 


DUTY    OF    A    WIFE.  465 

wliole  life  and  conduct,  I  trust,  will  eventually  shew 
you,  bow  much  my  heart  is  bent  on  doing  everything 
that  will  please  you,  and  on  approving  myself  in  all 
things  'Your  most  dutiful,  &c.' 

"  Thus  you  perceive  the  line  I  would  draw  : 

1.  I  would  obey  God  rather  than  man; — 

2.  I  would  obey  man  as  far  as  would  consist  with 
my  duty  to  God  : — 

3.  I  w^ould  not  interfere  with  a  father's  authority 
over  others : — 

4.  I  would  not  bind  and  ensnare  my  own  con- 
science by  promises,  that  would  preclude  me  from  an 
occasional  and  temperate  avowal  of  my  own  senti- 
ments, lest  it  should  prove  a  denial  of  my  God. 

"  After  all,  I  feel  that  I  have  said  notliing,  because 
I  cannot  judge  of  any  one  of  the  parties. 

"  I  am.  Madam,  your  willing  servant,    "  C.  S." 


To  a  Lady,  on  her  duty  to  her  Husband. 

"  My  dear  H «  Nov.  4,  1817. 

"  I  received  vour  letter  at  Leeds  ;  but  w^as 
so  occupied  w^itli  travelling,  and  preaching,  and  attend- 
ing public  Meetings,  that  I  had  no  time  to  answer  it. 
I  have  been  almost  the  circle  of  England,  taking 
Leeds  and  Bristol  for  the  extreme  points  ;  and  have 
succeeded  w^onderfully  beyond  all  my  expectations.  .  .  . 
On  my  return  I  have  found  an  accumulation  of  busi- 
ness, that  leaves  me  but  little  time  even  now  to  answer 
your  letter. 

"  I  do  rejoice  over  you,  my  dear  H ,  I  will, 

though  thousands  of  others  should  mourn  over  you ; 

I  will   mourn  indeed  that  they  mourn  :    but  I  will 

rejoice  that  you  rejoice  :  and  my  prayer  for  you  shall 

L.  s.  H  H 


466  DUTY    OF    A    WIFE 

be,  that  you  may  be  found  '  faithful  unto  death,  and 
then  receive  a  crown  of  hfe.'  But  the  particidar  point 
on  which  you  consult  me  is  extremely  delicate,  and 
requires  the  utmost  care  to  answer  it  aright. 

"  I  will  lay  dowTi  some  principles,  and  then  suggest 
how,  in  my  opinion,  they  should  be  modified  in  the 
application. 

"  First,  We  must  serve  God  faithfully  and  su- 
premely. 

"  Second,  We  must  serve  man  faithfully,  but  in 
subordination  to  God,  and  so  far  only  as  will  consist 
with  our  duty  to  God, 

"  But  firstly,  we  must  take  care  not  to  make  that 
sin  which  is  not  sin,  or  that  duty  which  is  not  duty : 
the  former  of  these  is  needless  scrupidosity ;  the  latter 
is  superstition, 

"  Secondly,  we  must  take  care  not  to  make  that 
ow  duty,  which  is  the  duty  of  of/iers  indeed,  but  fiof 
ours  ;  for  instance,  as  in  the  State  there  may  be  many 
things  amiss,  which  yet  it  is  not  our  duty,  but  the 
duty  of  Parhament  only,  to  rectify,  so  there  may  be 
in  the  house  of  a  husband.  A  wafe  may  advise,  but 
not  order,  except  in  /ler  oion  department.  You  may 
lament  evil,  but  not  authoritatively  oppose  it,  where 
God  has  not  invested  you  w^ith  the  supreme  command. 

"  Thirdly,  we  must  distinguish  between  things  evil 
in  themselves,  and  things  evil  hy  accident  only.  I 
think  I  should  be  disposed  to  arrange  plays  under  the 
former,  and  operas  imder  the  latter.  It  would  take 
me  too  long  to  assign  all  my  reasons  ;  reasons  enough 
will  occur  to  you.  If  I  considered  yoiu*  welfare 
alone,  I  should  say,  '  Renounce  such  vanities  alto- 
gether ;'  for  in  your  state  of  mind,  I  doubt  not  but 
that  they  have  a  great  tendency  to  injiue  your  spiri- 


TO    HER   HUSBAND.  467 

tual  and  eternal  interests  ;  but  your  husband's  welfare 
ought  to  be  most  dear  both  to  you  and  me  :  and  con- 
sequently such  a  line  of  conduct  as  is  most  kind  and 
concihatory,  and  likely  to  win  him,  is  that  which  I 
shoidd  advise.  If  he  m^ge  you  to  go,  I  would  go  to 
an  opera :  but  when  I  had  a  favourable  opportunity 
(be  especially  attentive  to  that,  and  let  nothing  be  ill- 
timed)  I  would  tell  him,  in  a  tender  and  affectionate 
manner,  what  a  dilemma  he  reduces  you  to  :  viz.  that 
if  you  refuse,  it  is  most  distressing  to  your  mind, 
because  it  gives  pain  to  him  ;  and  if  you  go,  it  also 
distresses  yom*  mind,  because  it  wounds  yoiu*  con- 
science and  casts  a  snare  upon  yom*  soul ;  and  entreat 
him,  as  he  tenders  your  happiness,  and  ultimately  his 
own  also,  that  he  will  forbear  to  press  you.  If  this 
be  done  in  a  modest,  affectionate  manner,  you  will 
soon  prevail  upon  him  to  leave  you  to  the  exercise  of 
your  own  discretion.  But  if  you  find  him  fixed  and 
determined,  yield  instantly  without  uttering  a  word. 
Let  your  compliance  be  kind  and  affectionate,  however 
opposite  it  be  to  yom*  own  wishes.  Let  any  differences 
of  opinion  between  you  and  your  husband  be  revealed 
to  none,  without  absolute  necessity ;  and  be  eoctremeJy 
careful  whom  you  consult.  It  is  not  every  one  that 
is  able  to  advise.  It  is  easy  enough  to  lay  down 
general  principles,  but  to  modify  them  to  existing  cir- 
cumstances is  extremely  difficult.  In  this  consists  the 
difference  between  a  novice  and  a  father,  between  folly 
and  wisdom,  error  and  truth.  Hoping  that  God, 
in  His  infinite  mercy,  ^vill  guide  and  preserve  you, 
I  remain  most  affectionately  yours, 

"C.S." 


H  H 


468  VARIOUS    HINTS 

To  a  Clergyman,  on  blending  wisdom  with  zeal. 

"  K.  C,  Camb.,  Nov.  11,  1817. 

"  My  dear  Friend, 

"  Two  ships  were  aground  at  London 
Bridge.  The  proprietors  of  one  sent  for  a  hundred 
horses ;  and  pulled  it  to  pieces.  The  proprietors  of 
the  other  waited  for  the  tide  ;  and  with  sails  and 
rudder  directed  it  as  they  pleased. 

"  The  rules  I  should  offer  to  vou  are  these  : 

"  First,  Do  not  attempt  to  act  in  a  parish  with 
which  you  have  no  legal  connexion. 

"  Second,  In  yom'  own  parish  form  your  judgment 
what  measme  of  countenance  you  are  likely  to  have 
from  your  Principal,  yom-  Parishioners,  and  your 
neighbouring  Clergy;  and  if  you  have  not  some  mea- 
sure of  approbation  and  aid  from  two  out  of  the  three, 
do  not  be  driven  to  attempt  what  is  sure  to  fail  ; 
see  Pro  v.  xxiv.  27. 

"  Unless  I  were  myself  upon  the  spot,  to  weigh  all 
circumstances  with  precision,  I  can  do  no  more  than 
suggest  these  general  hints.  But  I  feel  that  there  is 
in  all  such  matters  a  Scylla  as  well  as  a  Charybdis. 
Of  the  two,  too  much  zeal  is  better  than  too  little  ; 
but  if  we  can  blend  zeal  and  wisdom,  we  do  better. 

"  Hoping  that  God  in  His  mercy  will  direct  you, 
I  remain,  my  dear  Friend,  most  affectionately  yom's." 


To  one  who  had  been  m-ged  to  'preach  very  strongly.' 
"  My  dear  Sir,  «  Dec.  7,  1817. 

"  TVTiat  is  yom'  object  ?  Is  it  to  win  souls  ? 
If  it  be,  how  are  you  to  set  about  it  ?  by  exciting  all 
manner  of  prejudices,  and  driving  people  from  the 
Church  ?  How  did  our  Lord  act  ?  He  spake  the 
word  in  parables  '  as  men  %oere  able  to  hear  it.'     How 


TO    CLERGYMEN.  469 

did  St.  Paul  act  ?  He  fed  the  babes  with  milk,  and 
not  with  strong  meat.  As  for  the  reUgious  world, 
they  are  as  selfish,  for  the  most  part,  as  the  ignorant 
and  ungodly.  They  are  not  content  that  you  should 
seek  the  welfare  of  others,  unless  you,  to  please  them, 
bring  forward  also  things  which  will  utterly  subvert 
yoiu'  end :  and  if  they  be  but  gratified,  they  care  not 
who  is  stumbled  and  driven  away. 

"  You  must  not  be  m  bondage  to  the  religious 
world  any  more  than  to  the  ungodly.  True,  you  are 
not  to  keep  back  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the 
Gospel :  but  there  are  different  ways  of  stating  them  ; 
and  you  should  adopt  that  which  expresses  kindness 
and  love,  and  not  that  which  indicates  an  unfeeling 
harshness.  Only  speak  from  love  to  man,  and  not 
from  the  fear  of  man,  and  God  will  both  accept  and 
prosper  you.     Most  affectionately  yours." 


To  another,  on  Christian  expediency. 

"  My  dear  Friend,  «  Dec.  10,  1817. 

"  I  should  be  cautious  of  making  up  my 
mind  stronfjly  on  anything  that  is  not  clearly  defined 
in  Scripture.  Nothing  is  easier  than  to  lay  down  an 
apparently  good  principle,  and  to  err  in  following  it ; 
e.g.  the  eating  of  meats  offered  to  idols,  and  circum- 
cision. Do  not  make  bonds  for  your  own  feet — con- 
structed as  your  mind  is,  you  will  be  in  danger  of  this. 
In  things  that  are  good  or  evil  per  se,  there  is  no 
room  for  expediency  ;  in  things  that  are  good  or  evil 
only  by  accident,  expediency  must  guide  you.  Many 
think  that  the  opposite  to  right  must  be  wrong ;  but 
the  opposite  to  right  may  be  right ;  as  in  the  instance 
before  specified.  My  rule  in  reference  to  the  bap- 
tizing of  aduhs  would  be  this  :  I  will  do  that  which 


470  EFFORTS    FOR  THE    JEWS 

I  judged  best,  on  the  whole  for  the  individual  himself, 
and  for  the  people  under  ray  care.  In  the  case  of  the 
Apostles  there  was  no  time  for  minute  inqniry.  Our 
Dissenters,  I  think,  take  too  much  time,  and  require 
too  much.  Where  I  felt  I  could  adopt  my  own  plan 
without  injury  to  the  cause  of  Christ,  I  should  take 
a  medium :  but  I  would  not  so  determinately  mark 
out  my  own  path,  as  to  admit  of  no  deviation  from  it. 
The  human  mind  is  very  fond  of  fetters,  and  is  apt  to 
forge  them  for  itself.  This  is  not,  how^ever,  recom- 
mended by 

"  Your  very  affectionate  Friend    and  Brother  in 
the  Lord,  "  C.  Simeon." 


To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

«  K.  C,  Camb.,  Dec.  24,  1817. 

"  My  beloved  Brother, 

"  Greatly  do  I  rejoice  in  the  tidings  you 
give  me,  relative  to  the  Association  for  the  furnishing 
of  school-books  to  the  Natives.  Only  let  the  princijple 
of  doing  good  to  the  Natives  get  into  operation,  and 
the  efforts  will  gradually  become  enlarged  from  the 
body  to  the  mind,  and  from  the  mind  to  the  soul.  .  .  . 

"  Now  let  me  tell  you  a  little  about  myself.  My 
strength,  through  the  goodness  of  God,  has  rather 
increased  :  and  I  have,  dming  the  months  of  Septem- 
ber and  October,  taken  a  very  extensive  tour  of  about 
800  miles,  with  Mr.  Marsh  and  Mr.  Hawtrey,  for  the 
Jews'  Society,  At  NorAvich  the  Bishop  gave  us  his 
countenance  ;  and  the  speech  which  I  delivered  there 
I  printed,  and  it  is  now  circulating  throughout  the 
United  Kingdom.  I  have  sent  a  few  to  you ;  but 
I  hope  you  will  receive  many  more  from  Mr.  Haw^trey. 
It  will  go  to  Madras  and  Bombay,  and  be  extensively 


AT   HOME   AND   ABROAD.  '  471 

circulated  in  America  also.  Througli  tlie  mercy  of 
God,  it  has  removed  to  a  great  extent  the  {too  just) 
prejudices  Avhich  had  arisen  in  the  public  mind  against 
the  Society ;  and  we  hope  the  Society  will  flourish, 
and  be  made  a  blessing  to  the  whole  Jewish  people. 
If  my  life  be  spared  till  next  Jnne,  we  shall  extend 
our  jomiiey  to  Edinburgh  and  Glasgow. 

"  We  have  great  reason  to  think  that  the  Hebrew 
New  Testament  is  doing  good  among  the  Jews  in 
Poland  and  Germany.  The  fields  there  seem  white, 
ready  to  the  harvest.  The  Jews  abroad  are  of  a  very 
different  cast  and  complexion  from  the  poor  sordid 
people  in  England.  We  are  going  at  private  expense 
to  take  a  chapel  at  Amsterdam,  and  send  a  Chaplain 
there.  In  that  city  are  30,000  Jews.  In  less  than 
a  week  the  thing  will  be  done  :  and  if  it  succeed,  so 
as  to  promise  well,  we  shall,  after  two  years  of  trial, 
bring  it  before  the  public.  But  till  the  experiment 
has  been  fully  tried,  the  public  will  not  be  burdened 
with  one  shilling  expense  about  it.  I  have  a  similar 
plan  for  Hamburgh ;  only,  if  I  succeed  there,  it  will 
be  without  any  expense  ;  there  being  already  the  train 
completely  laid,  and  nothing  remaining  but  to  apply 
i)ie  port  feu  to  it. 

"  At  home  also,  blessed  and  adored  be  our  God, 
all  is  going  on  well.  My  Church  more  thronged  with 
GoA\Tismen  than  ever  :  and  my  people  going  on  better 
than  for  many  years.  The  bad  spirits  are  withdrawn, 
and  peace  and  love  are  abounding  in  the  midst  of  us. . 

"  Professor  Farish  is  doing  great  things ;  he  has 
built  two  School-rooms,  one  for  400  boys,  and  another 
for  300  girls :  and  is  now  enlarging  his  Church,  so 
that  it  will  seat  as  many  as  mine.  This  last  will  be 
some  expense  to  him.  ...  I  wish  you  could  see  and 


472  DEATH   OF  PRINCESS    CHARLOTTE. 

hear  the  Professor  at  a  Bible  i\leeting.  You  would 
not  at  all  know  liim,  or  believe  your  eyes  and  ears, 
he  is  so  earnest,  so  fluent,  and  so  eloquent.  The  Bible 
Society  has  done  more  for  him  than  for  any  other 
person  I  know. 

"  The  papers  will  tell  you  all  about  the  death  of 
the  Princess  Charlotte  of  Wales,  She  died  in  child- 
bed. The  whole  nation  was  ready  to  rejoice  at  the 
birth  of  an  heir  to  the  throne  :  but  it  pleased  God  to 
take  away  both  the  mother  and  child ;  and  the  -vAhole 
land  was  thrown  into  consternation.  I  suppose  that 
no  event  ever  penetrated  the  nation  with  such  grief. 
At  Cambridge  the  pulpit  at  St.  ^Mary's  and  the  read- 
ing-desk and  throne  were  all  put  into  mourning :  and 
a  day,  the  day  of  her  funeral,  was  spontaneously  kept 
throughout  the  land  as  a  Sabbath.  At  St.  Mary's 
the  Regius  Professor  of  Divinity,  Dr.  Kaye,  preached 
to  a  congregation,  not  seated,  but  jammed.  AVe  assem- 
bled in  the  Senate-house,  and  then  walked  in  pro- 
cession round  the  Senate-house  yard  to  St.  Mary's. 
Every  pulpit  in  the  Toaati,  too,  is  in  mourning.  No- 
thing but  black  is  seen  anywhere. 

"  Poor  Prince  Leopold  will  feel  himself  a  stranger 
now  in  this  land,  and  will  doubtless  go  back  again 
to  his  own  country.  He  has  behaved  nobly  on  the 
occasion,  and  gained  the  hearts  of  the  whole  country. 
Were  he  to  die  now,  there  would  be  nothing  but 
busts  and  monuments  aU  the  kingdom  over.  In  a 
year's  time  his  name  will  scarcely  be  known. 

"  Most  affectionately  yours." 


CHAPTER  XX. 


LETTERS TO      REV.     T.       THOMASON     ON     EFFORTS     FOE,     THE     JEWS 

IN    HOLLAND FEMALE     AGENCY KINDNESS    OF     BISHOP    BLRGESS 

VISIT     TO     AMSTERDAM INTERVIEW     WITH     DR.     CAPPADOSE 

SERMONS    FOR    THE    JEWS ENGLISH    EPISCOPAL    CH0RCH  THERE 

LETTER  TO  BISHOP  BURGESS  ON  THE  OBJECTS  OF  HIS  JOURNEY 
TO    HOLLAND— TO     THE    SAME,    ON    NOTICING    THE     JEWS    IN     THE 

king's  LETTER MORBID  STATE  OF  A  STUDENT  —  TO  REV.  MR.  

ON     DELtGHT     IN     HIS     WORK DUTY    TO    A    HARASSED     FRIEND 

ADVICE    ABOUT    VARIOUS  PERSONS KIND  COUNSEL  FOR  HIMSELF 

TO    REV.    T.    THOMASON     ON     SENDING     HELPERS    TO    INDIA STATE 

OF  HIS  PEOPLE  — PROGRESS  OF  HIS  NEW  WORK — TO  REV.  T. 
THOMASON  ON  THE  CAMBRIDGE  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY — GOWNSMEN 
AT  TRINITY  CHURCH— TO  BISHOP  MANSEL,  ON  GIVING  LETTERS 
DIMISSORY  TO   A    FRIEND THE    BISHOPS    REPLY. 


1818. 

CORRESPONDENCE,  ETC. 

To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  Harwich,  May  13,  1818. 

"  My  beloved  Brother, 

"  Here  I   am  on  my  way  to   Holland. 
But  I  must  go  to  other  matters  first.  .  .  . 

"  Mr.  Lewis  AVay  is  gone  to  Petersbiu^gh,  ]\loscow, 
(where  he  was  most  kindly  received  by  the  Emperor 
of  Russia),  and  the  Crimea  ;  to  search  out  the  state  of 
the  Jews,  and  to  spread  the  Hebrew  Testament  among 
them.  Mr.  C.  went  with  him  as  far  as  jMoscow,  and 
is  returned.  There  are  at  Berlin  a  great  number  of 
Jews  who  put  away  the  Talmuds,  and  read  the  Scrip- 
tures by  themselves,  and  even  believe  in  Christ  as  the 
Messiah,  though  they  do  not  confess  him  openly.     At 


474  VISIT   TO    HOLLAND. 

Amsterdam  too,  whither  I  am  going,  I  understand 
that  there  are  some  of  this  description.  I  have  got  a 
Minister  to  superintend  that  Chapel ;  and  for  two  full 
months,  till  he  can  come,  Mr.  Marsh  and  myself  are 
going  over  to  collect  the  Congregation,  which  has 
been  scattered  for  seven  years,  and  to  set  on  foot 
a  great  variety  of  plans  in  reference  to  the  Jews. 
I  hope  to  do  the  same  at  Rotterdam  also ;  if  as  I 
expect  a  third  friend  follow  us.  My  strength  is  not 
great ;  but  with  Mr.  Marsh  I  shall  be  able  to  do  all 
that  the  occasion  calls  for. 

"  We  propose  to  converse  with  the  Jews,  and  to 
collect  into  a  body  all  who  may  be  disposed  to  obey 
the  call:  of  course  our  object  will  not  be  to  call  them 
to  merely  nominal  Christianity.  But  for  all  that  you 
will  give  us  credit ;  you  know  om-  minds  on  such 
subjects  as  these.  It  may  seem  strange  that  we  should 
go  thither,  but  with  God's  help  we  may  be  able  to 
effect  in  two  months  more  than  quite  a  young  man 
could  in  a  much  longer  time  ;  more  especially  as  God 
has  been  pleased  to  make  use  of  me  as  His  instrument 
to  take  the  Chapel,  where  they  have  not  had  Service 
for  seven  years.  I  was  to  have  travelled  this  year 
into  Scotland  for  the  Jews  (my  last  year's  tom^  you 
have  already  heard  of);  but  I  must  defer  that,  in 
hopes  of  accomplishing  it,  if  my  life  be  spared,  the 
next  year.  .  .  . 

"  On  my  return  from  Amsterdam,  I  propose  to  go 
to  Brussels,  Waterloo,  Valenciennes,  &c.,  and  Paris  : 
and  I  think  that  when  my  young  Minister  comes 
to  me  at  Amsterdam,  I  shall  desire  him  to  take  James 
in  charge,  and  bring  him  to  me.  It  is  a  great  joy  to 
me,  an  exquisite  delight,  to  shew  love  to  him :  and  it 
will  be  a  great  benefit  to  him,  I  trust,  in  every  way. 


FEMALE   AGENCY.  475 

"  Your  Orphan  Asylum — ^What  a  blessed  work  ! 
I  greatly  rejoice  in  it,  and  bless  God  that  the  ladies 
have  begun  to  exert  their  influence  in  India,  as  they 
have  done  in  England.  In  fact,  they  have  done  almost 
all  that  has  been  done  in  the  Bible  Society, — Mission- 
ary Society, — and  Jews'  Society.  They  are  God's 
great  instruments  for  carrying  on  every  benevolent 
and  pious  work.  But  haw  shall  the  Duke  of  York  be 
prevailed  upon  to  give  you  £1000  ?  He  has  no  public 
money  at  his  disposal ;  and  no  thousands  of  his  own 
to  spare.  But  if  you  will  send  over  a  kind  of  Address 
to  him  through  Mr.  Wilberforce,  Mr.  W.  thinks  he 
may  be  prevailed  on  to  give  you  his  name.  This, 
perhaps,  may  be  as  good  as  his  money, 

"  I  thought  how  Rammohun  Roy's  reading  of  the 
Scriptures  with  a  number  of  other  persons  would 
terminate  :  I  was  well  assured  it  would  end  in  some- 
what like  Socinianism.  But  still  good  may  arise  out 
of  it  all. 

"  Wonderful  are  the  tidings  I  have  to  commu- 
nicate. It  appears  to  om'  Governors  in  the  Church 
that  Missionaries  are  sent  out  by  every  denomination 
of  Christians,  except  the  Church  of  England.  They 
have  therefore  applied  to  Government  for  a  King's 
Letter,  to  ask  subscriptions  through  all  the  Churches 
of  the  kingdom  in  aid  of  this  good  work.  I  am 
endeavom-ing  to  take  care  that  the  Jews  shall  not  be 
forgotten.  It  will  give  you  pleasure  to  hear  that  I  am 
on  the  best  footing  with  the  Bishop  of  St.  David's,  and 
that  he  will  do  anything  I  can  wish  (in  prudence)  to 
promote  my  views.  He  is  going  to  establish  a  Mis- 
sionary Class  in  his  College.  He  has  taken  under  his 
protection  Eriedenburgh,  a  converted  Jew  of  great 
talent  and  piety,  and  a  young  man  from  New  Holland; 


476  DIARY    OF   A  TOUR 

botli  at  my  request.  I  hope  and  trust  that  God  will 
make  him  an  instrument  of  great  good.  God  is 
evidently  gone  out  before  us  :  and  considerable  work, 
I  hope,  will  ere  long  be  done.  .  .  . 

"  It  will  give  you  pleasure  to  hear  that  two  young 
Jews  are  now  educating  under  the  direction  of  Lean- 
der  Von  Ess,  at  a  Protestant  University  in  Germany, 
at  the  expense  of  some  in  connexion  wdth  myself.  K 
it  please  God  to  make  them  (as,  indeed,  they  already 
appear  to  be)  truly  pious,  they  will  greatly  fm-ther  the 
diffusion  of  the  Truth  amongst  their  own  nation,  under 
the  direction  of  our  Society. 

"  I  am  thankful  to  God  that  your  dear  Wife  is 
so  laborious  and  so  useful  in  her  station.  Give  my 
kindest  love  to  her. 

"  Most  affectionately  yom-s." 


Extracts  from  the  Diary  of  his  tour  in  Holland. 

"Amsterdam,  June  15, 1818.  I  went  with  Mr.  Atkin- 
son to  visit  Dr.  Cappadose,  a  Jewish  physician.  He  under- 
stood English,  but  conversed  in  French.  He  is  not  a  strict 
Jew.  Many  of  his  relations  have  embraced  Christianity ; 
but  he  considers  them  all  as  having  done  it  from  carnal 
motives.  He  is  appointed  the  President  of  the  Jews' 
School  Committee  under  the  edict  of  the  king.  He  says 
that  five  of  the  Habbies  sent  a  petition,  or  memorial,  to  the 
king,  desiring  to  lay  down  their  office ;  but  afterwards 
apologized,  and  recalled  it. 

"  He  is  a  Portuguese  Jew;  and  says  that  the  Spanish 
and  Portuguese  Jeus  are  descended  from  Jews  who  bore  no 
part  in  the  Crucifixion  of  otir  Lord,  and  iiever  approved  it. 
I  think  this  will  give  great  facilities  for  their  conversion. 

"  He  conceives  that  much  prudence  and  patience  are 
necessary,  if  we  would  do  good  among  them.  He  reckons 
the  Jews  in  Amsterdam  at  25,000.  1  paid  him  a  second 
visit.  He  says  that  the  Jews  in  Holland  have  all  posts 
and  honours,  nobility  not  excepted,  open  to  them :  and  that 


IN   HOLLAND.  477 

some  high  posts  are  filled  by  them;  and  that  they  are  on  a 
footing  of  equality  with  others.  This  he  considered  as  a 
reason  why  they  did  not  need  my  aid ;  but  I  told  him  that 
this  was  the  very  reason  that  I  ought  to  begin  here, 

"1st.     Because  their  prejudices  would  be  less. 

"2nd.  Because  I  might  then  hold  forth  Holland  as 
a  pattern  for  other  Governments  and  people. 

"  Thursday,  18th.  Thanksgiving-day  for  Waterloo. 
— All  shops  shut. — Nothing  to  be  sold  under  penalty  of 
twenty-five  guilders  for  every  article.  —  All  Churches 
crowded.  The  preachers'  names,  and  their  texts,  all  ob- 
tained by  the  printer,  and  sent  out  in  the  evening.  Mr. 
Marsh  at  the  head.  Mr.'  Marsh  preached  a  patriotic  Ser- 
mon, in  which  he  entered  into  an  historical  view  of  the 
benefits  which  have  arisen  to  the  Dutch  Government  and 
people.  I  announced  in  the  papers  that  I  should  recom- 
mend and  enforce  the  King's  Edict  about  the  educating  of 
the  Jews.  His  Edict  requires  this,  and  recommends  the 
people  to  encourage  it.  My  Sermon  being  thought  likely 
to  do  good,  I  resolved  to  print  it  in  French,  and  Dutch ; 
a  good  many  Jews  attended  — perhaps  thirty. 

"  Sunday,  21st.  For  the  first  time  the  English  Epis- 
copal Church  is  named  in  the  weekly  list  of  Preachers, 
which  is  always  published.  No  such  thing  was  ever  done 
before.  It  is  a  great  point  gained :  though  both  in  the 
Morning  and  Evening  it  brought  us  many  people  who 
could  not  understand  us.  This,  however,  will  soon  end ; 
and  the  respectability  of  the  Church  will  be  raised  in  the 
eyes  of  the  people.  .... 

"  I  begin  now  to  see  that  my  work  here  is  done.  I 
have  great  reason  to  thank  God  that  we  ever  came  : — for, 

"  1st.  The  English  Episcopal  Church  is  now  settled 
on  a  ojood  footinsr. 

"  2nd.  The  people  of  Amsterdam,  both  Jews  and 
Christians,  have  their  attention  drawn  to  the  King's  Edict, 
which  was  altogether  unknown. 

"  3rd.  A  favourable  impression  is  made  on  the  minds 
of  the  Jews,  and  a  way  of  access  to  them  is  opened. 

"  July  4th.  Mr.  V.  O.  a  Jew,  who  is  a  Christian  at 
heart,  visited  us.     Mr.  M.  in  my  absence  had  conversed 


478  OBJECTS    PROPOSED 

with  him.  When  I  came  In  he  was  just  gone,  and  was 
recalled.  My  conversation  was  exclusively  on  the  means 
by  which  he  might  benefit  his  countrymen.  I  recom- 
mended that  he  should  instruct  six  youths  on  his  Sabbath, 
and  agree  with  each  of  them  to  instruct  six  others,  after 
the  manner  of  T.  in  Ireland.  He  expressed,  but  in  a  very 
modest  way,  his  gratitude  to  me  for  my  attention  to  his 
nation ;  and  declared  his  determination  to  adopt  the  plan 
I  recommended.  He  seems  simple  and  upright;  and  I 
afterwards  heard  a  good  account  of  him  from  Mr.  H.  He 
is  afraid  of  losing  all  for  Christ ;  and  I  conceive  that  his 
remaining  a  Jew  for  a  season  may  be  overruled  by  God  for 
gracious  purposes  to  his  nation.  My  soul  was  deeply  im- 
pressed. I  went  to  prayer  ;  and  we  all  pleaded  with  God, 
'  with  strong  crying  and  tears,'  for  him  and  his  nation. 

"  It  has  certainly  been  much  blessed  to  our  souls  ;  and 
I  do  most  unfeignedly  adore  my  God  for  this  rich  mercj'. 

"July  5th.  I  administered  the  Lord's  Supper  to 
about  twenty-five,  and  had  a  very  blessed  season.  I  never 
before  had,  for  so  long  a  continuance,  such  a  remarkable 
and  uninterrupted  tenderness  in  my  ministrations,  as  I 
have  had  during  these  last  eight  Sundays." 


To  the  Bishop  of  St,  David's,  (Dr.  Burgess). 

-My  Lord,  "  July  24,  1818. 

"To  yoiu-  Lordship,  as  Patron  of  the 
London  Society  for  promoting  Christianity  amongst 
the  Jews,  I  beg  to  leave  to  give  an  account  of  what, 
in  concert  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Marsh  of  Colchester, 
I  have  been  doing  on  the  Continent  with  a  view  to  the 
furthering  of  the  great  objects  of  that  Society.  Your 
Lordship  knows,  I  believe,  that  the  Episcopal  Church 
at  Amsterdam,  not  having  had  service  performed 
amongst  them  for  seven  years,  (with  the  exception  of 
a  few  times  about  a  year  ago  by  Mr.  Way),  and 
having  now,  in  consequence  of  the  refusal  of  the 
English    Government    to    pm'chase    the   Chapel,    no 


IN  THE   TOUR    TO   HOLLAND.  479 

prospect  of  serving  God  according  to  the  rites  to 
which  they  have  foruierly  been  accustomed,  and  to 
which  in  their  hearts  they  are  still  attached,  sent  over 
to  our  Society  a  request  that  we  would  purchase  it 
and  send  them  a  Minister,  who,  whilst  he  officiated 
for  them,  should  pay  attention  to  the  Jews  in  Amster- 
dam, and  further  the  Society's  designs  among  them. 

"This  request  however  the  Society,  for  want  of 
funds,  was  obliged  to  decline ;  for  though  it  is  indis- 
pensable to  our  success,  that  we  have  one  or  more 
stations  on  the  Continent,  it  was  thought  inexpedient 
to  enter  into  any  thing  which  might  have  the  appear- 
ance of  speculation,  and  involve  the  society  in  debt. 
This  was  the  rock  upon  which  the  former  Conductors 
struck;  and  it  is  that  which  the  present  Managers 
are  fully  determined  to  avoid. 

"  But  whilst,  as  one  of  the  Committee,  I  perfectly 
concurred  in  this  opinion,  I  felt  the  unspeakable  im- 
portance of  not  suffering  a  place  so  favom'ably  situated 
to  be  lost,  without  first  endeavouring  to  ascertain  how 
far  it  was  worthy  of  an  effort  on  the  part  of  our 
Society  to  secure  it.  I  therefore,  after  having  ascer- 
tained the  price  of  the  premises,  agreed  with  the 
proprietor  to  pay  him  the  interest  of  the  money  for 
tAvo  years,  and  the  principal  at  the  close  of  that  time, 
if  at  the  expiration  of  it  I  should  think  the  situation 
such  as  to  justify  an  extraordinary  exertion  on   the 

part  of  the  Society 

"  Accordingly  I  went  in  the  middle  of  May  (not 
at  public  expense),  and  commenced  the  Service  on 
Trinity  Sunday.  The  Church  is  small ;  and,  I  am 
sorry  to  say,  the  congregation  was  small  also.  After 
having  been  driven  for  seven  years  to  the  Presby- 
terian   Church,    many   did    not    feel    themselves    at 


4S0  THE  king's  edict 

liberty  to  come  back  again  to  the  Church  of  England, 
notwithstanding  the  preference  which  they  felt  for  it. 
But  during  my  stay  of  two  months  I  had  the  satis- 
faction of  seeing  the  congregation  doubled,  and  of 
establishing  it  on  a  permanent  basis.  Another  point 
of  great  importance  I  had  the  happiness  to  accom- 
plish. The  Church  of  England  worship  has  obtained 
there  since  the  year  1707;  but  never  till  the  present 
moment  was  it  publicly  recognized  by  the  State.  But 
now  it  is  acknowledged  by  the  Consistory,  and  adver- 
tised in  the  public  bills,  which  from  week  to  week  are 
sent  forth  by  the  Consistory  for  the  information  of  the 
public.  Thus  it  is  placed  altogether  on  the  same 
footing  as  the  Dutch  Church,  and  oiu*  Minister  on 
the  same  footing  as  the  Dutch  Ministers  in  every- 
thing except  in  support  from  the  public  funds. 

"  During  my  stay  there  I  was  particularly  atten- 
tive to  everything  which  coidd  mark  my  respect  for 
the  State,  and  for  the  constituted  authorities ;  and 
a  very  remarkable  occasion  offered  itself  for  shewing 
loyalty  to  the  King,  and  benevolence  to  the  Jewish 
people,  without  laying  myself  open  to  any  remarks 
on  the  score  of  obtrusiveness  or  ostentation.  The 
18th  of  June  was  appointed  to  be  kept  as  a  day  of 
thanksgiving,  being  the  third  anniversary  of  the 
Victory  of  Waterloo :  and  this  afforded  me  an  ex- 
cellent opportunity  for  noticing  the  edict,  which  the 
King  of  the  Netherlands  had  issued  a  year  before, 
relative  to  the  educating-  and  instructing  of  the  Jewish 
children  throughout  his  dominions.  This  edict,  though 
so  graciously  designed,  had  not  been  at  all  attended 
to :  (the  Dutch  are  rather  slow  in  all  their  motions) : 
and  I  thought  I  could  not  do  better  than  call  the 
attention  of  the  public  to  it  in  the  evening,  after  my 


IN  FAVOUR  OF  THE  JEWS.  481 

friend  had  dilated  upon  the  more  appropriate  subject 
in  the  morning.  I  determined  therefore  to  put  into 
the  papers  an  advertisement  to  this  effect.  But 
wishing  to  act  in  the  most  guarded  and  prudent 
manner,  I  first  sent  the  advertisement  to  the  gen- 
tleman Avho  is  the  great  Agent  of  the  Police,  (with 
■whom  by  the  way  Buonaparte  and  King  Louis  had 
frequent  conferences),  requesting  him  to  model  it 
agreeably  to  his  own  judgment,  and  then  to  submit 
it  to  the  Burgomasters  for  their  approbation.  This 
done,  I  had  it  inserted :  and  I  was  glad  afterwards 
that  I  had  used  all  these  precautions,  because  I  found 
that  some,  who  knew  nothing  of  my  prudential  care, 
were  rather  offended  at  the  measure. 

"  The  Sermon  which  I  preached  on  the  occasion 
was  thought  likely  to  be  of  general  use  ;  on  which 
account  I  have  printed  it  in  Prench,  Dutch,  and  Eng- 
lish; and  have  desired  that  a  copy  of  the  three, 
elegantly  bound,  be  delivered  through  the  proper 
channel,  and  in  the  most  respectful  manner,  to  his 
Majesty,  and  to  Lord  Clancarty  the  Ambassador  from 
our  own  Court.  Had  the  translations  been  made  and 
printed  in  due  time,  I  should  have  presented  them 
in  person ;  but  the  approaching  Confirmation  of  the 
Bishop  of  London  at  Colchester  rendered  it  neces- 
sary that  Mr.  Marsh  (the  A^icar  of  St.  Peter's,  Col- 
chester) should  be  at  home  to  examine  the  yomig 
people,  who  have  been  instructed  by  his  locum-tenens, 
before  he  gives  them  a  ticket  for  Confirmation,  and 
therefore  I  was  constrained  to  leave  to  others,  what 
perhaps  should  rather  have  been  done  by  myself. 
If  your  Lordship  should  have  any  curiosity  to  see 
the  Sermon,  I  have  a  few  which  were  sent  after 
me  for  presents,    and  should    feel   highly   honoured 

L.  s.  II 


482  ON    NOTICING   THE   JEWS 

in  your  acceptance  of  it :  I  could  send  it  under  three 
envelopes  by  the  post.  These  Sermons  will  spread 
through  the  country,  and  dispose  many,  I  trust,  to 
co-operate  Avith  our  Society,  and  the  rather,  because 
the  plans  which  I  propose  are  in  perfect  unison  with 
the  King's  Edict. 

"  If  your  Lordship  should  think  the  Sermon 
likely  to  be  of  use  in  forwarding  anything  of  a  similar 
nature  at  home,  I  could  present  it  to  the  Bishop  of 
London  also,  in  whose  diocese  it  was  delivered.  In- 
deed I  feel  persuaded,  that  if  our  Governors  in  Church 
and  State,  knew  of  the  Edict  of  the  King  of  the 
Netherlands  (I  have  brought  a  copy  home  with  me,) 
they  would  take  care  to  mention  the  Jewish  people 
in  the  King's  Letter,  which,  I  understand,  is  about 
to  be  sent  through  the  kingdom  to  call  forth  the 
exertions  of  the  people  in  behalf  of  IMissions  to  the 
heathen.  They  would  never  overlook  that  nation  Avho 
have  the  greatest  claim  on  our  pity,  and  make  them 
an  exception  to  the  whole  world. 

"  But  I  have  a  further  reason  for  presenting  the 
Sermon  to  him,  because  it  is  to  his  Lordship  that 
I  must  apply  for  the  Queen  Anne's  Bounty,  which, 
I  understand  has  from  the  beginning  been  given 
to  that  Church.  To  that  I  look  as  a  substantial 
aid;  for  there  are  no  longer  the  great  and  opulent 
men  at  Amsterdam  there  were  formerly ;  and  it  is 
evident,  that  a  Clergyman  of  great  talents  must  have 
somewhat  of  an  adequate  support,  in  order  that  he 
may  become  settled  there,  and  be  able  to  support 
a  wife  and  family  in  a  decent  way.  A  novice  can 
do  nothing  there :  he  must  understand  both  Erencli 
and  Dutch,  as  well  as  the  learned  languages,  or  he 
will   never   be   qualified  to  carry  on  conversation  to 


IN  THE  king's  letter.  483 

any  extent  among  the  Jews :  and  it  is  only  through 
an  extensive  acquaintance  with  the  Jews,  tliat  he 
Tv^ill  be  able  to  instruct  the  Christians  how  to  converse 
with  the  Jews  :  for  I  am  ashamed  to  say,  that  even 
the  more  intelligent  amongst  ourselves  are  but  ill 
qualified  to  take  the  Jews  upon  their  own  ground.  I 
say,  therefore,  that  as  the  expense  of  maintaining  such 
a  Clergyman  must  of  necessity  be  large,  (for  he  must 
on  no  account  have  his  time  occupied  with  pupils,) 
I  hope  and  trust  this  aid  will  be  afforded  towards  it ; 
and  I  entreat  the  favour  of  your  Lordship  to  represent 
the  matter  to  the  Bishop  of  London,  and  to  gain  for 
us  his  countenance  and  support.  I  would  not  pre- 
sume to  trouble  your  Lordship  with  this,  but  I  have 
not  myself  the  honour  of  being  known  to  the  Bishop 
of  London,  and  the  application,  if  I  mistake  not, 
will  come  with  peculiar  weight  from  your  Lordship, 
as  a  Governor  of  that  Church  whose  interests  will 
be  upheld,  and  a  Patron  of  that  cause  to  which 
the  support  of  such  a  ]\Iinister  will  be  so  greatly 
snbsement. 

"  Were  I  not  afraid  of  being  tedious,  I  could  state 
•to  your  Lordship  several  other  circumstances,  which, 
•  in  connexion  with  the  King's  Edict,  greatly  encourage 
my  hope  that  many  of  the  Dutch  Clergy,  and  many  of 
the  Moravian  Ministers,  will  speedily  combine  their 
exertions  in  behalf  of  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of 
Israel :  but  I  had  rather  that  you  should  hear  of  it, 
when  actually  existing,  than  be  led  to  expect  it  by  any 

representation  of  mine.     I  am,  &c. 

-C.S." 


T      r      O 


484  rORElGN    PROCEEDINGS 

To  tlie  Bishop  of  St.  David's. 

"  My  Lord,  .  "  August  19,  1818. 

"  I  am  truly  happy  that  your  Lordship 
approves  of  my  proceedings  at  Amsterdam.  I  have 
just  received  a  letter  informing  me  that  a  large  body 
of  the  Dutch  Clergy,  including  some  who  were  in 
the  Commission  to  carry  the  King's  Edict  into  effect, 
(and  who,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  had  thought  and  even 
published  in  a  Report,  '  that  the  time  was  not  come,') 
are  so  convinced  of  the  practicability  and  utility  of 
my  plans,  that  they  have  engaged  to  co-operate  with 
me  and  to  work  with  energy.  But  I  should  fill 
sheets  if  I  were  to  tell  your  Lordship  of  these  mat- 
ters :  I  only  suggest  this,  to  shew  your  Lordship  that 
my  quiet,  sober,  prudent  procedure  has  not  been  lost 
upon  them.  I  am  persuaded,  that  it  is  in  this  way 
alone  we  can  succeed,  especially  in  the  cold  climate  of 
Holland. 

"  I  feel,  from  the  kindness  and  condescension  with 
which  your  Lordship  treats  me,  that  I  am  writing 
to  a  friend  :  and  with  this  feeling  so  strong  upon 
my  mind,  I  fear  that  I  mai/  forget  myself,  and  com- 
municate matters  more  freely  and  easily  than  I  ought. 
If  I  should  do  so,  I  pray  you  not  to  impute  it  to 
me  for  forwardness,  or  deficiency  in  respect ;  I  would 
assuredly  put  on  my  court-dress,  if  I  were  not  verily 
persuaded  that  you  would  be  better  pleased  to  see 
me  in  my  gown  and  slippers.  I  know  that  your 
Lordship  has  deeply  at  heart  the  welfare  of  the 
Church  of  God,  and  of  the  people  of  Israel ;  and, 
therefore,  I  think  you  Avill  be  better  satisfied  with 
my  artless  and  free  communications  than  with  more 
formal  addresses. 

"  I  am  not  altogether  sorry,  for  the  Jews'  sake. 


INL^AVOUR    0¥    THE    JEWS.  485 

that  the  King's  Letter  is  suspended.  For  I  have  a 
long  time  been  working  (silently)  through  such  instru- 
ments as  I  could,  to  get  the  Jews  noticed  in  that 
Letter ;  but  the  higher  powers  seem  to  have  thought, 
with  the  Dntch  Clergy,  that  '  the  time  was  not  come.' 
But  who  will  say  now  that  the  time  is  not  come, 
when  the  Emperor  of  Russia  sends  forth  such  an 
Ukase,  and  the  King  of  the  Netherlands  such  an 
Edict  ?  Is  it  too  much  after  this  to  hope,  that  our 
Government  will  recognize  the  duty  of  the  Chiistian 
world  to  that  degraded  people,  and  put  them  in  their 
Letter  upon  a  footing  at  least  with  the  heathen 
nations  ? 

"  With  the  hope  of  succeeding  in  this  point,  I  have 
been  wishing  to  put  my  Sermon  into  the  hands  of 
the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  and  Lord  Liverpool;  for 
though  there  is  nothing,  literally  notluuf/,  in  the  Ser- 
mon itself,  yet  as  arising  out  of  the  King  s  Edict,  and 
operating  to  a  great  extent  upon  the  Continent  in 
that  view,  it  may  serve  to  remove  from  their  minds 
the  idea  that  '  the  time  is  not  come.'  I  pray  you,  my 
Lord,  if  on  reading  the  Sermon  you  should  think  that 
it  will  be  of  any  use,  as  bringing  before  the  minds  of 
our  Government  the  Kings  Edict  and  the  proceedings 
that  are  now  going  fonvard  in  consequence  of  it  through 
the  Netherlands,  I  pray  you  avail  yourself  of  the 
present  interval  to  obtain  this  most  desirable  measure. 

"  I  have  not  hitherto  suffered  the  Sermon  to  be 
seen  in  England,  because  I  thought  it  most  respectful 
to  our  Governors  in  Church  and  State  to  put  it  into 
their  hands  first ;  (on  this  plan  I  proceeded  in  Hol- 
land, I  would  not  suffer  any  to  appear  before  they 
were  presented  to  the  King,  and  the  Minister  of  Reli- 
gion, and  Lord  Clancarty;)  but  as  the  time  now 


486  THE   KING   OF    PRUSSIA. 

not  press,  and  the  eflPect  of  the  Sermon  may  evaporate 
l)cfore  the  Letter  comes  out,  I  shall  send  it  forth  to 
the  public  without  delay. 

"  But  I  hope  you  will  forgive  me  if  I  again  intrcat 
you  not  to  leave  a  stone  unturned  to  obtain  this  small 
and  reasonable  boon,  the  associating  of  the  Jews  with 
the  heathens  as  joint  objects  of  our  attention.  It  will 
come  from  your  Lordship  with  such  peculiar  weight, 
that  I  think  one  word  from  you  would  turn  the 
scale.  I  have  the  King's  Edict,  if  that  will  be  of  any 
use  :  but  the  Sermon  sufficiently  illustrates  that.  Yet 
I  have  no  wish  that  the  Sermon  be  seen  by  any  one. 
I  care  not  who  does  the  work,  if  the  work  be  but 
done.  That  was  my  plan  in  Holland  :  I  have  done 
nothing  but  drive  a  few  piles,  (Amsterdam  you  know 
is  built  on  piles,)  and  I  leave  others  to  build  the 
bouses  :  that  will  be  better  done  by  the  natives  than 
by  me :  but  they  have  engaged  to  keep  up  a  corre- 
spondence with  me,  so  that  we  may  all  in  our  respective 
jjlaces  work  together. 

*'  I  have  further  views  to  Russia ;  but  at  present 
I  forbear,  lest  you  shoidd  think  me  not  quite  so  sober 
as  I  pretend  to  be. 

"  I  should  not  omit  to  mention,  that  the  King  of 
Prussia  also  is  favourable  to  the  Jews ;  two  having 
been  recently  (if  I  am  rightly  informed)  admitted 
amongst  his  privy  counsellors.  The  bare  mention  of 
them  by  our  Government  would  aid  our  efforts  on  the 
Continent  to  a  vast  extent — I  pray  you,  pardon  my 
importunity,  that  almost  borders  upon  rudeness. 

"  I  am  happy  that  you  approve  of  Friedenburgh  ; 
I  wish  him  to  overcome  that  morbid  state  of  mind, 
Avhich  interferes  much  with  his  comfort,  and  Avill 
hereafter  impede  his  usefulness.     He  wants  to  discern 


•  "  EFFECTS    OF    SCENERY.  487 

more  clearly  the  nature  of  true  humility,  as  contrasted 
with  that  which  often  assumes  the  name.  It  is  im- 
possible to  feel  too  deeply  that  saying,  '  Who  is  suffi- 
cient for  these  things?'  but  to  suffer  a  sense  of  our 
insufficiency  to  discourage  us  is  wrong.  We  should 
do  all  we  can  to  qualify  ourselves  for  our  work  ;  but 
when  we  have  done  that,  we  should  remember  from 
whence  alone  our  success  can  flow :  and  avc  should  be 
content  to  feel  ourselves  but  '  earthen  vessels,  that  the 
excellency  of  the  power '  may  the  more  evidently 
appear  to  be  of  God.  This  lesson  I  hope  he  will 
learn  in  due  time,  and  be  enabled  to  rejoice  '  even  in 
his  infirmities,  that  the  power  of  Christ  may  rest  upon 
him.'  From  hence  will  flow  cheerfidness  of  mind, 
which  tends  to  adorn  and  recommend  religion.  But 
after  all,  we  must  make  due  allowance  for  the  different 
temperament  of  men's  minds  and  bodies,  and  be 
thankful  for  the  excellencies  we  see  in  them,  instead 

of  repining  at  their  defects 

"  I  am,  my  Lord,  with  most  unfeigned  respect  and 
esteem,  your  Lordship's  obedient  Servant, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


'     To  the  Rev.  Mr. at  Amsterdam. 

"K.  C,  Camb.,  Aug.  26,  1818. 

"  jNIy  dear  Friend, 

"  I  take  up  a  large  sheet  of  paper  to 
answer  your  two  kind  letters,  that  I  also  may  shew 
my  love  as  you  have  done  yours. 

"  Your  first  sentence  reminds  me  forcibly  of  what 
I  have  often  felt,  and  still  feel,  'This  situation  I 
certainly  do  not  like.'  You  refer  evidently  to  t/ie 
place,  and  not  either  the  church  or  people.  Now  I 
never  come  in  sidit  of  Cambridgeshire,  but  I  feel, 


488  DELIGHT    IN   THE    MINISTRY. 

I  Avill  not  say  disgust,  but  a  sensation  wliicli  tells  me 
what  would  arise  in  my  mind,  if  I  did  not  check  it. 
After  the  beautiful  country  of  Herts,  to  come  upon 
the  dreary  fields  (field,  I  should  rather  say)  of  Royston, 
for  many,  many  miles,  I  shiver  in  the  midst  of  July  ; 
the  wilds  of  America  are  not  more  desolate  in  my  idea 
than  is  the  whole  horizon  to  a  vast  extent.  Yet  with 
all  this,  when  I  turned  my  back  upon  Cambridge 
twenty  years  ago  for  an  excursion  into  the  north,  and 
again  the  other  day  when  I  proceeded  for  Holland,  I 
looked  at  every  house  and  tree,  as  long  as  anything  of 
Cambrido-e  was  visible,  with  res-ret  that  I  was  to  be 
so  long  absent  from  it,  and  with  prayers  to  God  for 
His  blessing  upon  every  body  in  it,  whether  my  people 
or  strangers,  whether  friends  or  enemies.  So  I  trust 
it  will  be  with  you  in  a  little  time,  when  God 
shall  have  pom-ed  out  His  blessing  upon  your  own 
soul  and  upon  your  Ministry,  and  especially,  when  He 
shall  have  opened  for  you  some  door  of  utterance 
amongst  the  Jewish  people,  your  soul  will  be  knit  to 
the  place,  and  you  will  bless  your  God  that  ever  your 
lot  was  cast  there.  Amsterdam  will  still  be  Amster- 
dam, and  Holland  will  still  be  Holland,  to  the  natural 
eye  ;  but  to  your  inner  man  it  will  be  an  Elysium — • 
the  '  gate  of  heaven,' 

'*  Next,  about  dear  Mr, :     People  there  do  not 

consider  what  an  exceedingly  difficult  thing  it  is  to 
maintain  an  entirely  blameless  walk  with  a  Xantippe 
always  at  one's  elbow  and  that  for  years  together, 
spending  too  upon  herself  what  ought  to  go  in  the 
support  of  him  and  his  family.  It  is  easy  for  those 
who  have  had  no  such  trial  to  say,  '  How  can  a  man 
go  from  quarrelling  with  his  wife  to  preaching  in  the 
pulpit?'  but  neither  the  one  nor  the  other  has  been 


ADVICE   ABOUT   STRANGERS.  489" 

at'  his  option.  One  of  the  most  striking  evidences  of 
the  excellence  of  his  spirit  is,  that  in  all  my  intercourse 
with  him  he  never  so  mncli  as  mentioned  her  once : 
and,  what  is  more,  he  never  uttered  one  word  to 
derogate  from  the  character  of  one  excellent  man  who 
did  not  deal  out  the  same  measure  towards  him. 
From  my  heart  I  pity  him,  and  from  my  soul  I  love 

him It  will  be  your  wisdom  to  side  with  none, 

and  to  commit  yourself  to  none,  but  to  keep  in  jJeace 

and  love  with  all.     As  to  Mr. not  being  visited, 

how  is  it  possible  in  the  state  of  his  family  that  he 
could  be  visited  ?  no  one  would  choose  to  interfere  in 
his  domestic  matters,  and  consequently  all  must  stand 
aloof.  But  before  he  is  condemned,  inquire  what 
efforts  she  makes  towards  reconciliation  ;  if  none,  the 
matter  is  clear.  Unless  you  have  most  unquestionable 
evidence  of  something  essentially  vrrong  in  him,  (not 
mere  surmise  but  evidence^  you  will  do  well  to 
strengthen  his  hands  and  to  comfort  his  heart. 

*'  Mr.  H. — It  is  certainly  true  that  he  is  a  Deist, 
and  has  no  rehgion  whatever.  But  he  has  an  ear, 
which  is  a  great  thing  for  you,  who  may  gain  consider- 
able information  from  him  about  the  Jews,  and  may 
be  an  instrument  of  good  to  him  and  to  others 
through  him.  Paul  was  once  a  persecutor,  but  did 
not  always  continue  so ;  and  he  also  may  have  had 
worldly  motives  in  his  intercourse  with  Mr.  Way, 
(though  I  am  far  from  believing  that  he  had),  but  he 
may  acquire  better  things  through  his  intercourse 
with  you.  He  has  the  Hebrew  Translation  of  the 
N.  T.,  and  reads  it  carefully;  and  may  be  extremely 
useful  to  you  in  your  future  intercourse  Avith  the  Jews. 

"  Dr.  Cappadose  is  a  man  of  great  learning  and 
candour  -.  I  am  going  to  write  to  him  on  important 


490"'  .       HINTS   RESPECTING 

matters  probably  by  this  post.     It  will  be  well  worth  • 
while  to  cultivate  to  a  certain  degree  his  acquaintance. 
Conciliate  his  regards,  and  he  will  prove  a  host. 

"  What  we  want  is  a  door  of  entrance  among  the 
JcAvs.  If  the  great  gates  be  not  open,  we  must  be 
glad  to  find  a  wicket. 

"  I  rejoice  to  hear  that  Mr.  Van  Offen  still  remains 
firm  to  his  purpose.  Bid  him  not  be  discouraged. 
There  are  mountains  in  his  way ;  '  but  before  Zerub- 
babel  they  shall  become  a  plain.'  His  Avay  will  be  to 
find  out  some  intelligent  young  man,  whose  mind  is 
open  to  a  general  sense  of  duty  and  benevolence,  and 
gradually  to  stir  up  in  him  and  others  a  desire  to  aid 
in  the  education  of  the  lower  classes.  Your  advice 
Avill  be  of  infinite  service  to  him  ;  you  can  strike  out 
plans  for  him,  and  encourage  him  to  carry  them  into 
execution.  If  he  see  no  prospect  of  good  arising  yet, 
bid  him  'go  seven  times,'  and  he  shall  see  'a  cloud' 
at  last,  which  though  no  bigger  than  a  man's  hand, 
(perhaps  you,  my  dear  friend,  are  that  cloud,)  shall 
soon  overspread  the  whole  horizon.  You  greatly 
comfort  me,  my  dear  friend,  with  those  expressions, 
whicli  with  thankfulness  to  God  in  your  behalf  I  will 
transcribe,  '  Whether  God  will  be  pleased  to  honour  us 
with  equal  success  {i.  e.  Ezekiel's  in  preaching  to  the 
dry  bones)  we  know  not — that  is  not  o/n'  business, 
tliough  it  is  our  hope  :  and  that  hope  must  be  our 
encouragement,  as  those  promises  teach  us  our  duty 
—may  God  bless  us — give  us  zeal  and  wisdom — ear- 
nestness and  patience.'  To  all  this  my  soul  adds  a 
most  hearty.  Amen. 

"You  greatly  comfort  me  also,  my  dear  friend,* 
with  the  tidings  from  Rotterdam.    Let  us  bring  them 
more  of  our  fire  from  England,  and  we  shall  at  least 


MINISTERIAL    DUTIES.  49 1" 

(Deo  juvaiite)  melt  their  Dutcli  ice.  Follow  it  up  my 
brother ;  and  let  your  love  to  our  adorable  Saviour 
aiiimate  and  quicken  all  around  you.  I  am  truly,  happy 
too  that  you  took  some  hints  from  one  of  my  Skele- 
tons, because  it  she^Ys,  that  you  may  make  use  of 
them  Avithout  fettering  your  own  genius,  or  damping 
your  own  ardour.  It  is  in  this  view  that  they  are 
chiefly  intended.  Follow  up  that  plan,  whilst  you 
want  time  for  your  academical  studies.  The  field  is 
all  your  own  ;  and  such  occasional  and  ready  help 
will  entirely  remove  all  wish  to  put  aside  the  second 
Service. 

"  As  you  touch  upon  that  point  in  both  yom*  let- 
ters, I  will  proceed  to  state  my  views  of  the  proposal. 

"1.  What  would  be  the  effect  of  it  on  your 
Conyrcyatlon  ?<  Would  they  not  be  ready  to  think, 
that  as  you  reduced  yourself  in  that  respect  to  a  level 
with  all  the  Clergy  of  the  land,  there  was  no  difference 
between  you  and  them  ?  Would  they  not  too,  blind 
and  ignorant  as  they  are,,  lose  half  the  means  of 
grace  which  God  has  sent  them  for  their  instruction? 
Is  not  the  second  Service,  too,  the  very  opportunity 
now  afforded  for  augmenting  your  Congregation, 
which,  if  that  were  set  aside,  would  settle  at  its  present 
low  rate  ? 

"  2.  What  would  be  the  effect  on  ih.e  Dutch 
Clergy?  Would  they  feel  any  impulse  from  your 
zeal  ?  Would  not  your  habit  be  considered  by  them 
as  a  justification  of  theirs  ? 

"  3.  What  would  be  the  effect  on  the  Jews  around 
you  ?  Is  this  his  zeal  for  Christ  ?  Is  this  his  zeal 
even  for  his  own  Congregation  ?  What  can  there  be 
in  principles  which  operate  so  coldly  on  the  very  man 
who  is  sent  over  to  convert  us  ?     We  never  preach 


492  FRIENDLY   COUNSEL 

(the  Rabbics  miglifc  say),  because  we  need  not :  and 
if  there  were  no  necessity  on  him,  he  woukl  do  as  we. 

"  4.  What  woukl  be  the  cflect  on  Christians  in 
England  ?  What !  Is  this  the  man  that  is  gone  to 
convert  the  Jews  ?  Is  this  the  man  Avhose  efforts  we 
are  called  upon  to  aid  ?  Is  tins  the  man  espoused  by 
the  London  Society,  and  especially  selected  by  Mr.  S. 
for  this  great  work  ?  Even  our  own  worldly  ministers 
would  feel  askamed  of  preacking  only  once,  and  would 
blusli  at  tlie  very  tkougkt  of  reducing  tkeir  two  Ser- 
vices to  one. 

"  5.  What  would  be  the  effect  upon  your  oion 
soul  ?  Could  you  be  kappy  in  tke  tkougkt  of  cutting 
off  at  one  stroke  kalf  tke  means  of  salvation  wkick 
God  kas  afforded  to  your  people  ?  Could  you  expect 
tke  blessing  of  God  upon  tke  means  you  did  use  ? 
Would  you  not  kave  reason  to  fear,  tkat  your  own 
soul  would  languisk  and  sink  dowai  into  a  Ioav,  cold, 
worldly  state  ? 

"6.  Wkat  Yv'ould  be  tke  effect  upon  the  whole 
concern  that  we  have  in  hand ?  Tke  London  Society 
declined  purckasing  tke  premises  :  I  said,  I  will  take 
tkem  for  two  years,  tkat  we  may  see  wketker,  at  tke 
expiration  of  tkat  time,  tliere  are  suck  prospects  of 
usefulness  to  tke  Jews  as  will  justify  you  in  purckas- 
ing tke  premises,  and  in  keeping  a  IMinister  as  your 
agent  tkere.  Tkey  will  inquire  of  course,  wkat  is 
done  ?  Whom  kave  you  tkere  ?  What  have  his 
labours  effected  ?  AVhat  have  they  effected  for  his 
own  Congregation  ?  Wkat  kave  tkey  effected  for  tlie 
Jewisk  people  ? — Beloved  Brotker,  wkat  reply  will 
tkey  make,  if  I  skould  kave  to  say,  '  tkere  were  two 
Services,  and  lie  put  aside  one.'  Would  tkey  kave 
any  thing  to  do  with  the  Chapel  ?     Assuredly  they 


TO    A    YOUNG    MINISTER.    .  493 

would  not ;  and  there  would  he  an  end  of  the  ivhole 
concern. 

"  P.  S.  That  I  may  not  be  mistaken  in  reference 
to  a  preparation  for  a  Fellowship,  I  add,  set  apart  a 
day  for  fasting  and  prayer.  At  the  close  of  that  day 
dedicate,  as  before  God,  such  a  portion  of  your  time  to 
the  prosecution  of  academical  studies  as  you  judge 
right :  and  then  adhere  steadily  to  your  plan,  dedi- 
cating to  the  service  of  your  God  and  Saviour  the 
remainder  of  your  time.  This  will  bring  a  blessing 
upon  your  soul  and  upon  your  very  studies.  You 
need  not  be  told  that,  by  putting  oil  to  the  wheels  of 
a  carriage,  the  labour  to  the  horses  is  diminished,  and 
the  progress  of  the  traveller  accelerated  in  a  degree 
that  an  ignorant  and  inexperienced  person  could  never 
conceive.  T  trust  you  have  often  found  the  blessed 
effect  of  a  divine  unction :  how  sweetly  and  rapidly 
have  you  proceeded  when  in  a  heavenly  frame  !  Onli/ 
get  '  the  ointment  of  the  right  hand  tJiat  bciorai/eth 
itself  and  all  vnll  go  well.     (Prov.  xxvii.  27), 


To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  My  beloved  Brother,  "  Sept.  1,  1818. 

"  I  instantly  sent  off  your  letter  to  \\x. 
Grant ;  and  have  since  written  to  him  again,  desiring 
that  he  will  visit  me  in  his  way  to  Cambridge,  or,  if 
he  cannot  do  that,  will  inform  me  when  he  gets  to 
London,  that  I  may  not  lose  an  hour  in  seeing  him. 
I  feel  all  the  importance  of  the  question,  and  the 
others  connected  with  it :  I  feel,  too,  the  force  of  the 
conflicting  opinions  of  Mr.  U.  and  Mr.  S. ;  and  I  wish, 
in  giving  you  my  advice,  to  have  before  me  not  only 
all  existing  circumstances,  but  all  probable  circum- 
stances :  that  so  I  may  not  give  you  my  opinion  hastily^ 


494  SELECTION    OF    AN    AGENT. 

or  witliout  a  fall  investigation  of  the  point.  No  time 
shall  be  lost — no  pains  be  spared.  'Tis  the  service  of 
my  Brother — 'tis  the  service  of  my  God. 

"  The  matter  for  your  Orphan  School  is  also  much 
upon  my  mind.  I  have  repeatedly  conversed,  though 
not  very  fully,  with  Mr.  Grant  upon  it.  There  arc 
difficulties  on  every  hand,  to  find  proper  persons, 
and  when  found  to  get  them  out.  But  I  am  alive  to 
it,  and  will  do  all  I  can.  I  have  a  young  man  coming 
from  Town  to  me  this  very  day,  whom  I  could  find  it 
in  my  heart  to  send  out  to  you :  but  he  is  too  young ; 
and  not  married ;  and  when  he  is  of  age  your  Bishop 
may  refuse  to  ordain  him.  I  feel  immense  responsi- 
bility on  this  subject,  and  know  not  what  to  do. 
I  know  what  I  would  do,  if  I  could  find  all  to  my 
mind  :  but  when  there  are  mountains  of  difficulty 
before  me  and  on  every  side,  w-hat  is  to  be  done? 
It  is  easy,  when  I  have,  done  the  best  I  could,  for 
persons  on  your  side  to  say,  '  This  was  ill-judged, — 
that  was  imprudent.'  Beloved  Brother,  prepare,  when 
I  have  done  all  that  man  can  do,  to  hear  it  said, 
either,  '  He  has  done  nothing,'  or,  '  He  has  done  ill.' 
Were  it  only  across  the  Channel  that  I  had  to  send 
a  man,  I  should  know  the  worst  of  it ;  but  I  cannot 
calculate  the  consequences  of  sending  a  person  to 
India,  when  I  cannot  get  such  an  one  as  I  would 
approve,  or  that  is  in  all  respects  fit  for  the  station. 
I  hope  that  God  of  his  infinite  mercy  Avill  find  us  a 
man  after  His  own  heart,  and  '  thrust  him  out'  for 
your  help. 

"  Your  drawings,  both  the  larger  and  the  smaller, 
came  safe.  The  smaller  your  IMother  has,  the  larger 
•I.  I  can  scarcely  express  to  you  the  pleasure  wdiich 
it  gives  me  day  by  day.     I  walk  with  you  in  your 


PROGRESS    OF    HIS    WORK.  495 

verandah ;  I  talk  with  you  at  your  window^ ;  I  ride 
with  you  in  yoiu*  carriage ;  I  go  with  you  to  your 
Church.  I  seem  to  be  quite  present  with  you  from 
day  to  day.  I  hope  you  also  have  received  the  drawl- 
ing which  I  had  made  for  you  of  your  Mother's  house, 
in  the  purchase  of  wdiich  she  had  no  little  respect 
to  you,  in  the  event  of  your  having  a  furlough  from 
ill  health.  It  is  to  her,  and  I  may  add  to  me  also, 
a  perfect  paradise.  Your  picture,  which  you  sent  from 
■India,  hangs  in  her  drawing-room.  For  a  little  time  it 
formed  a  pendant  to  Martyn's  in  my  room:  but  I  am  fiif 
better  pleased  with  it  wdiere  it  is  :  for  now  your  IMother 
sees  it  daily,  as  I  myself  also  do  :  and  I  have  the  more 
of  joy  in  it,  because  of  the  joy  it  occasions  to  her. 

"  I  hear  from  Holland  that  tlie  Dutch  Clergy  are 
determining  to  co-operate  with  me,  and  that  my  letter 
to  them  at  Rotterdam  produced  a  good  effect.  I  hope 
one  day  to  have  good  tidings  to  give  you  from  that 
quarter. 

"  Of  my  people  a  few  words.  Since  the  proud  and 
•conceited  separated  from  me,  there  has  been  a  peculiar 
unction  upon  niy  Ministry,  and  a  rich  blessing  on  the 
Word.  It  is  said  by  Solomon,  '  One  sinner  destroyeth 
much  good,'  and  I  have  found  that  one  saint  too,  {soi- 
disant  saint,)  may  do  the  same.  We  are  now  united, 
loving,  and  I  hope  prospering  in  the  best  things.  My 
last  Sermon  to  them  was  on  2  Thess.  i.  3 — 7  (whither 
J  am  come  in  my  work),  and  I  had  much  comfort 
in  addressing  it  to  them ;  though,  of  com-se,  I  could  not 
.go  the  full  length  in  my  application  of  it  to  them. 
I  shall  probably  now  in  a  few  months  go  to  press : 
having  finished  the  Old  Testament,  and  got  to  2  Thes- 
salonians  in  the  New,  besides  at  least  one  hundred  Ser- 
mons from  the  following  Epistles.    I  bless  my  God  that 


49G  ■     CAMBRIDGE   MISSIONARY   SOCIETY. 

He  lias  spared  me  to  proceed  tlius  far ;  but  the  printing 
of  eleven  or  twelve  volumes  will  occupy  two  years. 

"  Our  (Jews')  Society  is  prospering,  and  I  feel  no 
doubt  but  that  God  has  work  for  us  to  do.  Mr.  Way 
lias  had  repeated  and  most  favourable  interviews  with 
the  Emperor  of  Russia,  We  expect  him  home  soon."  . . . 


To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomasox. 

"  My  beloved  Brother,  "  Xov.  30,  1818. 

"  You  will  be  sm'prised  to  hear  that  we 
have  just  had  a  Public  ]\Ieeting  at  Cambridge  for  the 
Missionary  Society.  I  trembled  when  it  was  proposed; 
and  recommended  the  most  cautious  proceedings.  .  .  . 
The  place  of  meeting  was  where  the  Bible  Society, 
both  last  year  and  this,  was  held.  There  were  at  the 
Bible  Society  about  1200  persons  present,  perhaps 
200  Gown :  and  the  next  day  about  900  persons,  and 
120  Gown.  .We  had  at  the  Bible  Society  Dr.  Stein- 
kopfF  and  Dr.  Pinker  ton  :  but  neither  of  them  Avould 
take  any  part  the  next  day.  The  latter  Meeting, 
especially,  was  very  solemn ;  the  Queen's  death  being 
announced  in  the  papers  that  morning.  .  .  , 

"  As  for  my  Church,  there  is  nothing  new.  Those 
-who  so  greatly  disturbed  and  distressed  me  are  gone ; 
and  my  Church  is  sweetly  harmonious.  As  for  the 
Gownsmen,  never  was  anything  like  what  they  are  at 
this  day.  I  am  forced  to  let  them  go  up  into  the 
galleries,  which  I  never  suffered  before ;  and  not- 
withstanding that,  multitudes  of  them  are  forced  to 
stand  in  the  aisles  for  want  of  a  place  to  sit  down. 
What  thanks  can  I  render  to  the  Lord  for  a  si^ht 
of  these  things!  I  am  ready  to  sing  my  ancestor's 
song,  Luke  ii.  "  Yours,  &c.,     "  C.  S." 


BISHOP   MANSEL.  497 

To  the  Bishop  of  Bristol,  about  giving  Letters 
Dimissoiy  to  Mr.  T . 

"  My  Lord,  "  December  9,  1818. 

"  In  a  matter  of  such  extreme  importance 
as  that  which  I  had  the  honour  of  bringing  before 
you,  you  will  not  be  surprised  that  I  am  in  a  state 
of  anxiety ;  and  that  every  hour's  delay  fills  me  with 
deep  concern.  I  did  not  feel  quite  at  liberty  to  state 
it  to  your  Lordship  in  conversation  exactly  as  it 
stands  in  my  mind,  because  I  could  not  conceive  it 
possible,  that  any  stronger  statement  than  that  which 
I  gave  you  should  be  necessary.  But  as  it  is  become 
necessary,  permit  me,  my  Lord,  to  convey  to  you  on 
paper  what  I  could  not  prevail  on  myself  to  speak  on 
my  first  application  to  you. 

"  What  is  it  that  I  ask  ?  It  is.  Letters  dimissory 
for  a  young  man  who  has  distinguished  himself  in 
yom-  College  by  his  studiousness,  his  regularity,  his 
blameless  deportment  during  the  whole  of  his  aca- 
demic life.  But  it  may  be  said,  I  ask  this  without 
a  title.  True,  in  some  sense  I  do ;  but  in  the  most 
important  sense  I  do  not.  A  title  is  intended  to 
answer  two  purposes ;  one  is,  to  provide  that  there 
shall  be  no  Clergy  without  employment  in  the  Church ; 
the  other  is,  that  the  Bishop  may  not  be  responsible 
for  the  support  of  those  whom  he  ordains.  A  title,  as 
far  as  the  former  of  these  purposes  is  involved,  he 
has ;  and  one  the  most  honourable  that  a  man  can 
have.  And  it  is  in  this  view  alone  that  your  Lordship 
can  have  any  responsibility  to  the  Church.  The  latter 
is  merely  personal ;  and  from  that  I  shall  rejoice  to 
relieve  your  Lordship,  by  giving  him  a  title  myself. 

"  But  waiving  this  distinction,  what  do  I  ask  from 
your  Lordship  ?  Nothing  but  wiiat  every  Bishop  upon 

L.  S.  K  K 


498  EARNEST  REQUEST  FOR 

the  Bench  is  in  the  habit  of  granting  to  ^rc^  protege 
of  his  own. 

"  But  you  will  thus,  it  may  be  said,  introduce  into 
Orders  a  person  who  w411  not  otherwise  be  ordained. 
This  however  is  not  the  case ;  for  I  have  at  this 
moment  at  my  own  disposal  three  titles,  to  one  or 
other  of  which  he  would  instantly  be  ordained ;  but 
that  I  should  thereby  lose  his  services  for  ever. 

"  Your   Lordship    well   knows,  that   for  such   a 

station  as ,  a  person  must  possess  studious  habits, 

considerable  attainments,  and  solid  piety.  He  should 
also  combine  a  knowledge  of  Hebrew  and  Trench 
with  that  of  the  Classics ;  and  have  a  zeal  for  the 
cause  in  which  he  is  embarked.  But  where  shall 
I  find  such  persons  already  in  Orders,  and  disengaged? 
I  laboured  for  months  to  find  one,  and  failed :  wdiere 
then  can  I  hope  to  find  one  on  this  great  emergency, 
when  there  is  not  any  time  to  lose,  and  wdien,  if 
one  be  not  immediately  substituted  in  the  place  of 

Mr.  ,  the  whole  concern  must  be  brought  to 

nought,  to  the  great  injury  of  the  Church  of  England 
in  that  city,  and  to  the  no  small  triumph  of  all  the 
Jews  that  are  there  resident  ? 

"  But  wdiy  should  I  not  rather  apply  to  the 
Bishop  of  St.  David's,  instead  of  to  your  Lordship? 
First,  because  the  Bishop  of  St.  David's  is  already 
doing  infinitely  more  for  me ;  and  next,  because  the 
applying  to  him  for  a  young  man  resident  in  your 
Lordship's  College,  will  naturally  raise  in  his  mind  a 
suspicion,  either  that  I  have  forfeited  your  Lordship's 
favour,  which  your  own  introduction  of  me  to  him  at 
Carlton-house  gave  him  reason  to  think  that  I  enjoyed ; 
or,  that  there  is  something  in  the  character  of  the 
young  man  that  will  not  bear  the  light. 


LETTERS    DIMISSORY.  499 

"  Your  Lordship  does  me  the  honour  to  approve, 
and  far  beyond  my  deserts  to  applaud,  my  exertions 
in  the  cause  of  Christianity  and  of  the  Church  of 
England.  But,  if  not  aided  in  so  plain,  and  unexcep- 
tionable, and  necessary  a  matter  as  this  by  those  who 
alone  have  power  to  aid  me,  what  can  I  effect  ?  I  am 
paralyzed  at  once,  and  can  never  do  anything  in  the 
service  of  my  God.  Only  think,  my  Lord,  what 
advantage  this  gives  to  Dissenters  of  every  denomina- 
tion. If  they  have  ability  and  inclination  to  serve  the 
cause  of  Christ,  they  can  avail  themselves  of  any 
opportunity  that  may  offer ;  but  if  we,  at  ever  so 
great  cost  and  labour,  have  abeady  established  our- 
selves in  a  station  of  the  utmost  importance,  we  must 
relinquish  it,  for  want  of  the  smallest  possible  encou- 
ragement on  the  part  of  those,  who  have  been  raised 
up  both  by  God  and  man  to  be  the  Protectors  and 
Fathers  of  the  Church.  I  intreat  your  Lordship  to 
consider  more  fully  what  it  is  that  I  ask.  Is  it  any- 
thing more  than  what  is  actually  done  in  reference  to 
almost  every  IMissionary  that  is  ordained,  and  in  many 
instances  for  those  who  have  never  taken  a  Degree? 
But  it  is  not  for  a  Non- Graduate  that  I  interest 
myself,  but  a  Graduate  of  considerable  distinction  in 
your  Lordship's  own  College ;  a  person  well  qualified 
for  the  office,  and  wilhng  to  undertake  it ;  but  who 
will  be  absolutely  precluded  from  a  possibility  of 
imdertaking  it,  if  a  title  be  requii'ed.  My  Lord,  if 
this  request  be  denied  me,  what  can  I  ever  possibly 
ask  at  your  Lordship's  hands  in  future?  I  cannot 
contemplate  amongst  the  whole  range  of  probabilities 
even  the  existence  of  any  circumstances  which  may 
give  scope  for  a  request  more  easy,  more  unexcep- 
tionable, in  every  point  of  view.  I  have  really  laboured 

K  K  3 


500  THE  bishop's  reply. 

to  find  aii}^  solid  objection  to  the  granting  it,  and 
I  cannot.  I  therefore  hope  that  your  Lordship  will 
compare  the  extreme  importance  of  the  occasion,  with 
the  light  and  almost  non-existent  objections  to  a  com- 
pliance with  my  msh ;  and  that  having  done  so,  you 
will  not  hesitate  to  grant  it.  Your  having  granted 
it  once  emboldens  me  rather  to  ask  it  again :  and 
I  will  venture  to  say,  that  yom'  repeating  the  favour 
will  be  no  matter  of  grief  to  your  Lordship  in  a  dying 
hour.  "  I  am,  &c.  &c." 

The  Bishop  of  Bristol's  reply. 

"  Trinity  Lodge,  Dec.  2,  1818. 
'\  My  dear  Sir, 

"  Had  I  not  been  prevented  by  a  good 
deal  of  indisposition,  as  well  as  an  unusual  pressure 
of  business,  I  should  have  informed  you,  that  I  had 
determined  to  comply  with  your  request,  before  I  had 
the  pleasure  of  receiving  your  letter  this  day.  I  there- 
fore feel  myself  happy  in  this  opportunity  of  testifying 
my  deep  homage  to  your  cause,  and  my  respect  for 
yourself. 

"  I  remain,  with  great  regard,  my  dear  Sir,  very 
faithfully  yours,  "  W.  Bristol." 


CHAPTER  XXL 


XETTERS — TO  REV.  T.  THOMASON  ON  THE  PROTOCOL  IN  FAVOUR 
OF  THE  JEWS — PROPOSED  TOUR  IN  THEIR  BEHALF  TO  SCOTLAND 
AND  IRELAND TO  REV.  MR.  ON  THE  AFFAIRS  AT  AM- 
STERDAM  ON  POETRY  IN  SERMONS — TO  THE  SAME,  ON  TENDER- 
NESS TOWARDS  PARENTS — TO  A  PERSON  SOLICITING  PUPILS- — TO 
A    CURATE     ON     HIS     CONDUCT     TOWARDS     HIS    VICAR — TO     REV.    T. 

THOMASON    ON    HIS     TOUR    FOR    THE   JEWs'    SOCIETY THE    DIVINE 

PURPOSES  WITH  RESPECT  TO  THE  JEWS— TO  MISS  PRISCILLA 
GURNEY  ON  REGARD  FOR  HER  HEALTH MEMORANDUM  RECORD- 
ING   HIS    '  SECRET    EXPERIENCE.' 


1819. 

CORRESPONDENCE,    ETC. 

To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  K.  C,  Jan.  12,  1819. 
"  My  beloved  Brother, 

"  Mr.  Way  has  returned  after  an  excur- 
sion of  sixteen  months.  He  had  repeated  interviews 
with  the  Emperor  of  Russia,  who  conversed  with  him 
as  a  Christian  and  a  Brother.  He  went  to  the 
Congress  at  Aix-la-Chapelle,  and  there  presented  a 
Memorial  to  the  United  Sovereigns ;  and  has  gained 
from  them  a  public  Protocol,  applauding  his  views, 
and  engaging  to  exert  themselves  in  their  respective 
empires  for  the  temporal  and  spiritual  good  of  the 
Jews.  The  Emperor  of  Russia  ordered  Prince  Galitzin 
to  give  a  sketch  of  what  the  i\Iemorial  should  embrace. 
It  was  to  give  a  three-fold  view  of  the  subject ;  1,  Re- 
ligious; 2,  Political;  3,  AdministratiA^e ;  comparing 
and  contrasting  the  benefits  to  be  conferred  on  the 


502  PROTOCOL    IN 

Jews,  with  the  benefits  to  be  derived  to  each  state 
from  them,  when  their  reform  and  consequent  eleva- 
tion in  society  should  take  place,  I  possess  it  all 
containino;  manv  sheets  :  and  bless  God  that  it  was  so 
favourably  received.  The  Protocol  was  signed  by 
Prince  Metternich,  Capodistrias,  Richelieu,  Welling- 
ton, Castlereagh,  and  two  others.  Tell  me;  Is  not 
God  in  all  this  ? 

"  Throughout  Poland  and  Germany  Mr.  Way  met 
with  much  encourao-ement  amongst  the  Jews.  Mr. 
Solomon,  the  Jew-Christian,  that  is  an  ordained 
Minister  in  the  Chm'ch  of  England,  is  left  in  Poland  ; 
and  we  are  going  to  send  him  a  fellow-labourer,  (two 
and  two  was  our  Lord's  plan) ;  we  are  about  to  send 
also  a  Jew-Christian  (Friedenburgh),  whom  I  hope  to 
get  ordained  speedily,  to  another  part  in  Germany, 
and  for  him  too  we  have  just  obtained  a  most  blessed 
coadjutor  and  director,  Mr.  Neitsche,  mth  whose 
name  you  are  already  acquainted  as  a  man  of  learning, 
piety,  and  zeal.  I  have  also  many  other  plans  ;  but 
as  I  know  not  that  they  can  be  realized  till  I  shall 
have  seen  the  Bishop  of  St.  David's,  I  say  nothing  of 
them  at  present.  I  leave  this  letter  to  be  completed 
when  I  have  been  at  Stansted  (Mr.  Way's),  where  I 
go  next  jMonday  to  meet  the  Bishops  of  St.  David's 
and  Gloucester.  I  hope  God  will  open  the  heart  of 
the  former  to  enter  fully  into  my  views.  He  has 
already  shewn  great  kindness  and  done  much ;  but  I 
am  not  content  with  drops :  I  want,  if  it  may  please 
God,  a  shower.  Here  then  I  leave  this  subject  for 
the  present. 

"  I  now  go  on  to  tell  you  some  views  which  I  have 
for  the  advancement  of  the  Society,  and  the  stirring 
up  the  Christian  public.     If  I  live  to  April,  I  expect 


FAVOUR    OF    THE    JEWS.  503 

to  go  all  through  Scotland,  and  then  to  Dublin,  where 
there  are  many  saying,  '  Come  over  and  help  us.' 
We  must  this  year  not  only  get  for  oiu*  ordinaiy 
expenses,  but  for  our  augmented  expenses  of  foreign 
Missions ;  so  I  must  put  my  poor  weak  hand  to  the 
plough,  and  do  all  I  can.  But  God  is  with  us  ;  and  I 
doubt  not  of  a  blessed  issue.  I  shall  hope  to  receive 
some  good  aid  from  your  quarter  also 

"  I  perceive  that  this  paper  will  not  suffice  for  one 
fourth  part  of  what  I  shall  have  to  say  after  seeing 
the  Bishop  of  St.  David's :  and  therefore  I  shall  add 
to  this  some  other  matters,  particularly  one  most 
interesting,  a  copy  of  the  Protocol  before  referred 
to 

"  NoAV,  my  Brother,  if  this  do  not  give  us  encou- 
ragement, what  can?  Is  not  this  a  little  like  the 
times  of  C}Tus,  especially  when  taken  in  connexion 
with  w^hat  is  doing  amongst  Christians  and  now 
looked  for  amongst  the  Jews  ?  I  account  it  a  rich 
blessing  to  have  been  spared  to  see  this  day,  and  to  be 
permitted  to  hold  a  trowel  (and  without  a  sword  too) 
before  my  own  door.  Let  every  one  do  this,  and  the 
wall  will  soon  be  up.  There  were  many  female 
labourers  then,  and  so  there  are  now ;  and  they  put 
us  to  shame.     Let  us  up  and  be  doing. 

"  Ever,  ever  yours, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


To  the  Rev.  Mr. at  Amsterdam. 

"  My  very  dear  friend  and  Brother.  "  1819. 

"I  do  not  promise  to  fill  this  sheet ;  but 
I  do  not  shiink  back  from  the  sight  of  it  as  formi- 
dable :  for  my  soul  is  with  you,  and  I  long  to  prove 
that  it  is  with  you.     I  delight  in  your  openness  ;  and 


504  GENERAL    EFFORTS 

I  wish  you  ever  to  continue  it.  Cardiplionia  must  be 
the  title  of  all  our  correspondence. 

"  Mr. delivered  to  me  your  kind  letter,  and 

I  began  to  think  that  I  should  appear  unkind  in  not 
having  answered  it  before.  But  I  scarcely  considered 
that  as  anything  more  than  a  valedictory  message  by 
him.  Lest,  however,  I  should  have  been  mistaken  in 
that,  I  was  purposing,  as  I  told  your  brother  yester- 
day, to  write  to  you  immediately :  for  I  was  afraid 
that  instead  of  regarding  me  as  the  stork,  (so  much 
loved  in  your  land,)  you  should  look  upon  me  as  the 
ostrich,   which  having  laid  her   egg,  feels   no   more 

concern  about  it 

"  Last  week  I  went  up  to  Town,  with  a  heavy 
cold  upon  me,  in  order  to  arrange  my  journey  to 
Scotland  and  L'eland  ;  but  chiefly  to  meet  Dr.  Pinker- 
ton  and  Mr.  Way,  on  the  subject  of  Missionary  exer- 
tions. The  more  I  think  of  the  state  of  the  Jews 
throughout  the  world,  and  of  the  importance  of 
putting  the  Hebrew  New  Testament  into  their  hands 
with  suitable  tracts,  the  more  1  am  convinced,  that  to 
send  forth  Missionaries  among  them  is  far  more  likely 
to  be  extensively  useful,  than  to  confine  our  attention 
to  any  one  city,  or  any  one  kingdom  in  the  universe. 
I  feel  that  yom^  station  as  a  post  of  observation,  a 
head  quarters,  or  a  point  d'appui  (which  Buonaparte 
used  to  speak  so  much  about),  is  of  vast  importance ; 
but  that  its  importance  consists  not  so  much  in  its 
reference  to  the  Jews  of  Amsterdam  only,  as  in  its 
reference  to  the  Continent  at  large,  of  which  it  is  a 
most  convenient  centre.  On  this  subject  I  was  ex- 
tremely anxious  to  hear  their  opinion ;  not  because  I 
have  any  doubt  what  their  opinion  is,  but  because  I 
am  extremely  desirous    not  to   express   an   opinion, 


ON  BEHALF  OF  THE  JEWS.         505 

wliicli  I  do  not  previously  hnow  to  be  tlie  opinion  of 
better  informed  judges  than  myself. 

"  But  my  illness  so  increased,  tbat  on  the  very 
morning  of  the  Meeting  I  was  compelled  to  set  off  for 
Cambridge ;  it  being  very  doubtful  in  my  own  mind 
when  I  should  be  able  to  go  thither,  if  at  all,  if  I 
neglected  to  move  whilst  I  could.  Thus  I  lost  the 
opportunity  for  which  I  went.  But,  if  I  say  the  truth, 
it  was  rather  from  a  desire  to  approve  myself  to  you, 
and  to  Mr.  A.,  than  from  any  other  thought  whatever, 
that  I  went  up  at  all.  You  know  me  pretty  well ;  you 
know  that  versatility  is  no  part  of  my  constitutional 
or  acquired  character.  You  know  that  little  things  do 
not  stop  me.  You  know  that  if  a  thing  is  to  be  done, 
I  do  not  count  pence,  or  pounds  ;  and  at  the  same 
time,  I  fondly  hope  you  know  that  to  approve  myself 
to  God  as  a  wise  steward,  and  a  faithful  servant,  is 
the  only  object  that  I  account  worthy  of  a  thought. 
My  dear  friend  Mr.  A.  knows  but  little  of  me  ;  he  has 
never  had  an  opportunity  of  forming  any  judgment 
about  my  conduct  towards  God.  To  him  I  might 
appear  to  be  fickle,  or  to  shrink  from  a  sacrifice  ;  and 
the  suggesting  of  a  doubt  about  the  purchase  of  the 
Chapel  might  lead  him  to  say,  '  Who  can  tell,  but 
that  he  may  not  doubt  about  the  maintenance  of  a 
Minister  here  ?'  You,  my  beloved  Brother,  who  know 
more  of  my  secret  springs  of  action,  will  be  in  no 
danger  of  indulging  any  such  surmises.  You  know 
whereabouts  I  am ; — what  I  mean  ; — and  what  I  pur- 
pose. You  know  that  I  am  not  like  the  world,  sug- 
gesting one  thought  first  in  order  to  introduce  another 
afterwards.  You  know  that  whilst  I  love  openness 
in  others,  I  would  practise  it  myself.  I  pray  you 
therefore  not  to  suffer  on  dear  Mr.  A.'s  mind  for  one 


506  POETRY    IN    SERMONS. 

moment  tlie  apprehension  of  versatility  on  my  part,  or 
the  least  idea  that  the  Society  will  ever  feel  less,  than 
they  have  already  done,  the  importance  of  maintaining 
a  Minister  in  yonr  post ;  and  in  treat  him,  with  my 
kind  regards,  to  commmiicate  to  me  with  the  utmost 
possible  freedom  and  candour  his  views  of  the  subject 

which  I  have  here  touched  upon I  only  want  to 

see  what  our  duty  to  God  requires,  and  what  will 
ultimately  most  subserve  the  interests  of  His  cause 
and  people. 

"  I  have  left  but  little  room  for  answers  to  your 
two  letters.  I  highly  approve  of  your  determination 
to  adhere  closely  to  your  subject.  Rambling  may 
occasionally  produce  impression ;  but  its  proper  ten- 
dency is,  idleness  in  you,  and  lassitude  in  your  hearers  : 
poetry  is  beautiful  in  itself ;  but  if  you  will  come  from 
the  mount  of  God,  you  mil  find  prose  better  suited  for 
telling  men  about  their  golden  calf.  First  tell  a  man 
that  his  house  is  on  fire,  or  his  father  dead,  in  verse, 
and  then  interlard  your  sermons  with  it :  but  till  then, 
keep  in  mind  the  motto  : — 

'  I'd  preach  as  though  I  ne'er  should  preach  again, 
I'd  preach,  as  dying,  unto  dying  men.' 

"  Your  preparation  for  the  Jews  should  at  present 
be  general ;  not  particular.  But  they  should  be  kept 
in  mind  as  the  great  ultimate  object.  It  will  be  well 
to  let  Van  Offen  feel  his  ground,  and  show  by  his 
conduct  that  he  may  safely  be  admitted  to  baptism ; 
but  do  not  hold  out  any  expectations  to  him  of  tem- 
poral support.  The  '  pearl  of  great  price'  must  alone 
recompense  his  sacrifices. 

"  Most  affectionately  yours,         "  C.  Simeon." 


TENDERNESS    TOWARDS    PARENTS.  507 

To  the  SAME. 

"  My  beloved  Friend,  "  K.  C,  March  9,  1819. 
"  You  cannot  think  mth  what  dehght 
your  letter  this  moment  received  fills  me.  You  under- 
stand me  clearly  :  you  write  as  one  that  understands 
me ;  you  know,  evidently,  that  any  suggestions  of 
mine  are  not  from  versatility  or  any  unworthy  motive  : 
and  I  feel  encom^aged  to  speak  all  that  is  in  my  heart 
to  you  with  brotherly  freedom.  This  is  as  it  should 
be.  1  delight  exceedingly  in  yom^  views  and  state- 
ments about :  and  on  this,  and  all  subjects  with- 
out exception,  I  shall  dehght  to  receive  your  opinions 
freely.  It  is  on  this  account  that  I  take  up  my  pen 
instantly,  that  I  may  thereby  express  to  you  the  love 
of  my  heart.  I  have  most  important  matters  immedi- 
ately demanding  my  attention  :  and  I  know,  that  if 
I  answer  by  return  of  post,  as  I  intend  to  do,  I  have 
three  days  to  write  in,  yet  I  cannot  rest  three  hours, 
or  three  minutes,  without  assuring  you  what  joy  I  feel 
in  the  freedom  of  your  communications.  And  I  long 
that  Mr.  A.,  whom  I  greatly  respect  and  love,  should 
know  me  thoroughly,  that  so  our  mutual  love  and 
confidence  may  continually  increase. 

"  Having  written  my  prefatory  remark,  I  now  put 
down  my  pen ;  but  it  shews  you,  that  there  is  an 
elasticity  in  my  heart  that  will  rebound  to  any  pressure 
of  vom'  love 

"  What  you  say  respecting  your  father  comes  home 
to  my  own  heart  and  conscience.  My  0"uti  father, 
alas  !  was  so  ;  and  I  feel  that  I  did  not  sufficiently 
bear  with  him,  and  feel  for  him,  and  try  to  win  him. 
I  was  always  so  unhappy  in  his  company,  that  I  could 
not  put  on  sufficient  ease  and  cheerfulness  :  and  I  seem 
to  think,  that  if  he  were  now  alive,  I  would  try  more 


50S  INTEGRITY   IN    GIVING 

the  effect  of  sucli  condescension  on  my  part ;  yet 
I  doubt  much,  whether  as  quite  a  young  man  I  could 
safely  venture  to  do  all  that  I  might  at  a  more 
advanced  age.  I  think  we  ought  to  feel  towards  such 
persons  as  we  should  towards  our  beloved  Monarch, 
if  we  now  saw  him  beating  his  head  against  a  wall. 
That  will  give  you  a  clearer  idea  than  ten  thousand 
M'ords  :  and  that  is  what  I  now  endeavour  to  feel 
towards  those,  whose  situation  calls  rather  for  com- 
passion than  for  anger  and  displeasure. 

"■  Continue,  my  very  dear  friend,  to  speak  to  me 
all  your  heart  on  all  occasions  :  and  assure  yourself  of 
a  perfect  reciprocity  on  the  part  of 

"  Your  most  affectionate  Brother  in  the  Lord, 

"  C.  S." 


To  a  person  who  requested  to  be  recommended  as 
a  Tutor. 

"  Dear  Sir,  "  March  16,  1819. 

"  A  parable  shall  be  my  answer  to  you. 

"  A  friend  of  mine  fell  from  his  horse  and  broke 
both  his  legs,  and  otherwise  bruised  his  body  exceed- 
ingly. He,  knowing  that  I  was  acquainted  with  the 
relative  skill  of  the  surgeons  in  Cambridge,  sent  to  me 
to  recommend  him  one.  There  were  four  or  five  very 
experienced  men.  But  there  was  one  in  straitened 
circumstances,  just  setting  up  in  business,  and  there- 
fore I  recommended  him ;  because  if  my  friend  died, 
the  dead  man  would  tell  no  tales  ;  and  if  he  was 
cured,  his  recovery  would  help  forward  the  young 
surgeon.  It  happened  that  my  friend,  who  if  he  had 
been  treated  skilfully  might  have  recovered,  was  forced 
to  have  both  his  legs  amputated,  and  was  kept  a 
cripple  to  his  bed  for  many  years.     I  was  satisfied. 


A    RECOMMENDATION.  509 

because  I  had  done  my  duty.     There   was  a  young 
man  who  wanted  business,  and  I  had  performed  an 
act  of  friendship  in  helping  him  to  a  job.     It  hap- 
pened, however,  that  after  a  time  my  friend  heard  that 
there  were  four  or  five  skilful  surgeons  within  the 
same  distance  as  the  one  I  had  recommended  :  and  he 
heard  that  the  surgeon  I  had  recommended  thought 
himself  much  indebted  to  me  for  my  recommendation. 
The  cripple  of  course  was  pleased  and  satisfied  with 
what  I  had  done,  because  he  had  applied  to  me  for  a 
recommendation,  and  I  had  given  him  one.     But  an 
enemy  of  mine  got  to  his  ear,  and  represented  my 
conduct  in  a  very  unkind  point  of  view.    He  told  him 
that  he  had  reposed  confidence  in  me  in  a  matter 
of  the  greatest  possible  importance,  and  that  I  had 
hetrayed  that  confidence  ;  and  instead  of  seeking  his 
bodily  welfare,   I  had  lost  sight  of  that,  and  sought 
only  the  pecuniary  benefit  of  another  friend  :  and  had 
thus  actually  sacrificed  his  welfare  through  life  for  a 
little  present  advantage  to  another  person. 

"  This  he  was  unreasonable  enough  to  make  a 
matter  of  complaint  against  me.  But  I  wrote  him 
word  that  he  was  quite  unreasonable  :  for  that  when 
he  applied  to  me  to  recommend  a  surgeon,  he  must 
know  that  his  bodily  welfare  was  the  last  thing  that 
I  ought  to  take  into  my  consideration.  It  afforded 
me  a  piece  of  patronage,  and  gave  me  an  opportunity 
of  promoting  the  pecuniary  interests  of  another ;  and 
of  course  it  w^as  my  duty  to  pursue  the  plan  I  had 
followed ;  and  if  it  happened  that  I  had  done  it  at 
his  expense,  that  was  simply  his  misfortune ;  or 
rather,  he  should  not  think  he  had  suffered  any  mis- 
fortune at  all,  since  the  loss  of  his  limbs  and  health 
had  answered  the  purpose  I  intended,  of  putting  a  few 


510  ADVICE    TO    A    CURATE. 

pounds  into  the  pocket  of  another  to  whom  .they  were 
very  acceptable. 

"  As  you  cannot  but  approve  of  my  conduct  in  this 
respect,  you  will  expect  me  to  follow  it  towards  all  the 
friends  who  consult  me  about  the  paltry  matter  of 
the  education  of  their  children.     I  am,  Sir, 

"  Your  most  faithful  Servant,     "  C.  Simeon." 


To  a  Curate,   who   had  been   requested   by   his 
Incumbent  to  leave  him. 

"  My  dear  Sir,  "  March  18,  1819. 

"  I  never  interfere  in  the  concerns  of 
others,  unless  called  to  do  so  by  both  parties.  As  an 
abstract  question,  I  think,  that  for  a  man  professing 
piety  to  force  himself  upon  his  principal  against  his 
will,  is  no  very  Christian  act.  There  are  a  set  of 
people  in  the  Church  who  would  recommend  and 
encourage  such  a  step ;  but  they  are  not  the  most 
humble  and  modest  of  our  flock.  You  must  take  care 
what  spirit  you  encourage  in  others,  and  what  spirit 
you  exercise  yourself.     I  am,  dear  Sh-, 

"  Your  most  faitliful  Servant,     "  C.  S." 


To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomasox. 

"  Manchester,  June  12,  1819. 
"  My  beloved  Brother, 

"  In  all  my  letters  to  you  I  confine  myself 
to  matters  which  I  conceive  to  be  of  more  interest 
than  common  chit-chat ;  but  now  I  take  up  my  pen 
to  shew  my  love,  just  as  I  should  do  if  sitting  at  your 
side.  I  do  not  commonly  like  to  talk  of  self  (it  is 
a  dangerous  and  hateful  subject  for  the  most  part ;) 
but  in  this  letter  self  will  be,  apparently  at  least,  the 
only  subject.     Nor  am  I  afraid  that  you  will  say,  '  My 


TOUR   FOR   THE   JEWs'    SOCIETY.  511 

old  friend  and  brother  is  strangely  altered :'  for  it  is 
to  please  and  gratify  you  and  my  dear  Sister,  and  to 
shew  my  love  to  both  of  you,  that  I  descend  from 
greater  and  more  important  subjects,  to  give  you 
a  httle  account  of  a  journey  which  I  have  commenced 
for  the  Lord :  and  to  tell  you  the  principal  occurrences 
of  my  torn-,  which  hitherto  has  far  exceeded  my  most 
sanguine  expectations. 

"  The  Jewish  cause  in  Britain  needs  all  the  aid  it 
can  receive  :  none  but  persons  of  piety  in  the  Esta- 
blishment will  come  forward  to  take  a  part  in  it. 
Hence  the  more  need  of  exertion  in  those  who  have 
espoused  it :  hence  I  have  endeavoured  to  do  what 
little  I  could  by  travelling  through  a  large  part  of 
Britain  two  years  ago,  and  going  to  Holland  last  year, 
and  to  Scotland  this  year.  In  order  to  be  at  Edin- 
burgh at  the  time  of  the  General  Assembly,  I  left 
Cambridge  before  the  division  of  Term,  10th  of  May, 
with  Mr.  Marsh,  (the  lovehest  of  men,)  to  proceed 
tluther.  My  plan  was  (and  all  who  were  to  be  visited 
w^ere  apprized  of  it)  not  to  do  two  things,  such  as 
speaking  at  a  Meeting  and  preaching,  in  one  day : 
and  not  to  preach  two  days  following,  because  it  was, 
humanly  speaking,  impossible  for  me  to  sustain  it. 
Accordingly  1  set  out  with  these  good  intentions.  But 
the  very  first  day  at  Liecester  I  preached  besides 
speaking  an  hoiu?  at  a  public  Meeting :  and  the  next 
day  1  conversed  (carefully  indeed  and  in  a  whisper,) 
on  a  most  interesting  case  of  conscience  for  two  hoius, 
and  preached  again.  This  second  Sermon  was  at 
Lutterworth,  and  it  arose  out  of  the  exertions  of  the 
former  day.  The  ]\Iinister  of  LutterAvorth  had  refused 
his  pulpit ;  but  was  so  wrought  on  at  Liecester,  that 
he  urged  me  to  come,  sent  all  round  Lutterworth  to 


512  TOUR   IN    BEHALF   OF 

the  Clergy  to  come  and  meet  me  at  dinner,  and  got  me 
a  good  congregation.  About  thirty  other  Clergy  met 
me  at  Leicester:  and  the  Lord  was  with  me,  and 
strengthened  me  for  my  labour  so  that  I  sustained 
no  injiu-y.  A  spirit  of  life  and  love  w^as  kindled 
there. 

"  Thence  I  went  next  day  to  Derby,  where  every- 
thing had  languished  grievously.  We  had  a  Meeting, 
and  J\Ir.  ]\Iarsh  preached,  and  a  great  revival  took 
place  there  also. 

"  Thence  we  went  to  Hull,  where  our  first  Sabbath 
w^as  spent.  There  also  the  cause  was  at  a  very  low^ 
ebb ;  but  I  preached  in  the  High  Church  to  an  im- 
mense audience,  by  all  of  whom  I  was  well  heard ; 
and  spoke  next  day  at  a  public  Meeting ;  and  numbers 
stepped  forth  full  of  life  and  zeal  to  form  an  Auxiliary 
Society.  Many  inquiries  were  made  after  you  at  that 
place  as  well  as  at  many  others. 

"  Thence  we  proceeded  to  Ber\^'ick,  where,  as  no 
letter  had  reached  us  at  Hull,  we  supposed  we 
were  not  expected.  We  therefore  did  not  hasten 
thither,  as  we  should  otherwise  have  done :  and  when 
we  reached  the  town  we  were  going  forward  w4th 
fresh  horses  immediately.  The  carriage  proceeded 
through  the  town,  whilst  we  walked  through  :  but 
being  recognized,  a  person  informed  us  that  we  had 
been  expected  the  preceding  evening,  and  a  Con- 
gregation of  1500  persons  been  disappointed.  We 
instantly  ordered  back  the  carriage,  waited  on  the 
Minister  and  chief  persons,  offered  to  stop  and  preach, 
and  I  preached  to  above  1000  persons,  whose  coun- 
tenances all  told  us  that  they  cordially  forgave  their 
preceding  disappointment.  They  were  convinced  that 
it  had  not  arisen  from  versatihty  or  indifference  in 


THE  jews'  society.  513 

US.  In  my  apology  I  referred  to  the  Apostle's  ap- 
peal to  God,  '  As  God  is  true,  our  word  was  not  yea 
and  nay,  &c. ;'  but  I  made  a  sad  mistake;  for  I  said 
that  had  I  known  I  was  expected,  I  would  have 
travelled  aU  night,  or  even  come  barefoot;  which 
I  then  began  to  see  would  have  been  no  sacrifice 
at  all,  since  half  the  women  I  saw  travelled  hare- 
foot  hy  choice,  when  they  had  shoes  in  their  hands. 

"  On  Friday,  we  reached  Edinburgh ;  and  were  at 
Dr.  Buchanan's,  whose  love  to  you  and  yours  cannot 
easily  be  exceeded.  The  alteration  that  has  taken 
place  in  the  '^q\n  Town,  and  at  the  Calton-hill,  sur- 
passes all  description.  I  suppose,  and  it  is  generally 
supposed,  that  the  whole  world  does  not  contain  any 
thing  of  the  size  more  grand  and  imposing  than  the 
new  entrance  over  the  Calton-hill.  But  I  forbear  to 
attempt  a  description,  which  would  fill  my  sheet,  and 
fall  infinitely  below  the  reality  at  last. 

"Here  I  was  interrupted,  and  afterwards  being 
disgusted  at  the  very  idea  of  talking  about  self,  I  had 
resolved  to  cast  it  into  the  fire.  But  on  reading  it 
again,  I  do  not  seem  to  have  gone'  beyond  what  the 
narrative  required,  especially  for  the  amusement  of  a 
brother,  and  therefore  I  let  it  stand. 

"  Our  success  at  Edinburgh  exceeded  om*  most 
sanguine  hopes,  even  if  I  estimated  it  by  the  money 
obtained;  but  on  a  review  of  our  whole  journey,  I 
consider  that  as  nothing  in  comparison  of  the  interest 
excited  and  the  good  done.  In  five  weeks  Mr.  Marsh 
and  I  brought  home  800  guineas  clear  gain ;  the 
journey  having  cost  the  Society  nothing. 

"  In  returning  southward,  I  shewed  j\Ir.  Marsh 
the  Falls  of  the  Clyde,  and  Lanark  Mills,  where  he 
addressed  about  300  children.  Carlisle,  in  conse- 
L.  s.  L  L 


514  TOUR    IN    BEHALF   OF 

quence  of  our  stay  at  Lanark,  had  less  of  our  com- 
pany than  I  intended :  but  though  I  went  not  to 
Scaleby,  we  saw  the  dear  inhabitants.  There  was 
however  there,  as  in  every  other  place,  a  deadness  to 
the  object  till  we  stirred  them  up.  But  our  statements 
carried  conviction  to  their  minds.  Three  things  in 
particular  created  a  deep  sensation  in  everyplace.  1st. 
The  Edict  of  the  King  of  the  Netherlands  relative  to 
the  education  of  the  Jews  in  the  knowledge  of  their 
own  Scriptures  in  the  Hebrew  tongue.  2d.  The  Pro- 
tocol, drawn  up  by  the  five  United  Sovereigns  at  Aix- 
la-Chapelle,  declaring  their  approbation  of  the  great 
objects  of  our  Society,  and  their  determination  to  pro- 
mote the  civil  and  religious  advancement  of  the  Jews 
in  their  respective  dominions.  3d.  A  Challenge 
which  I  gave  to  the  whole  world,  that  if  any  person 
would  state,  what  might  reasonably  be  expected  to  be 
done  by  God  to  evince  that  the  time  for  the  conversion 
of  the  Jews  was  near,  I  would  undertake,  not  only  to 
shew,  but  to  prove,  and  that  to  demonstration^  that 
those  signs  were  at  this  moment  in  actual  existence ; 
and  not  those  signs  only,  but  far  greater  signs  than  a 
reasonable  being  could  venture  to  demand.  I  should 
like  to  enter  on  this  subject  fully  with  you,  but  have 
neither  time  nor  room.  But  you  who  know  my  writ- 
ings, know  that  I  am  not  in  the  habit  of  taking  light 
things  for  proofs,  or  of  making  my  conclusions  broader 
than  my  premises, 

"  At  Preston,  where  the  second  son  of  Cams  Wilson 
is  Vicar,  there  is  an  immense  sphere ;  and  two  thou- 
sand people,  at  least,  flocked  to  hear  me.  I  had 
originally  intended  not  to  preach  above  three  times  in 
a  week;  but  being  strengthened,  almost  as  in  former 
days,  I  preached  nearly  every  day,  and  to  immense 


THE  jews'  society.  515 

congregations,  besides  speaking  at  Meetings;  and  I  am 
returned  a  miracle  to  myself  and  to  my  people. 

"  But  at  Liverpool  you  would  be  amazed  to  hear 
what  a  holy  zeal  is  kindled.  We  staid  a  whole  week 
there,  preaching  in  one  or  more  places  every  day. 
There,  as  well  as  at  Leicester  and  Hull,  they  have 
formed  Auxiliary  Societies  in  consequence  of  this  visit. 
The  astonishhig  reception  we  met  with  there,  and  in 
all  other  places,  seems  to  make  it  imperative  upon  us 
to  go,  if  om^  lives  be  spared,  another  year.  To  Ireland 
also,  in  all  probabihty,  we  shall  go,  if  I  can  get  my 
work,  which  is  about  to  be  printed,  in  sufficient  for- 
wardness to  admit  of  that  time  for  relaxation.  We 
expect  Lord  Derby  will  be  President  of  the  Liverpool 
Auxiliary,  and  Mr.  Gladstone,  General  Murray,  (who 
was  in  the  Chair,)  and  Admiral  Dirom  (who  also  was  at 
the  Meeting),  will  be  Vice-Presidents. 

"  At  Manchester  the  divine  favour  was  still  con- 
tinued to  us :  and  from  thence  we  came  home  with- 
out one  untoward  event ;  so  that  instead  of  singing 
of  '  mercy  and  judgment,'  we  were  constrained  to  sing 
of  mercy  only. 

*'  On  Sunday  last  I  preached  twice  in  my  Church 
as  in  former  days  ;  and  shall  continue  to  do  so  whilst 
my  Assistant  is  absent. 

"  I  ought  to  have  told  you,  that  at  Liverpool  and 
Manchester  the  Jews  were  convened  that  I  might 
address  them.  Had  I  time  to  write  you  on  this 
subject,  I  could  say  much.  I  spoke  from  Mic.  v.  7  ; 
and  shewed  that  God  had  mercy  in  view  both  for 
them,  and  for  the  world,  in  their  present  disper- 
sion :  for  them,  because  their  banishment  from  Judaea 
precluded  them  from  a  possibility  of  looking  to  the 
Mosaic  rites  for  acceptance,  and  shut  them  up  to  the 

L  L  2 


516  THE   DUTY   0¥ 

Messiali:  (as  Adam's  expulsion  from  Paradise  had 
prevented  him  from  erroneously  regarding  the  tree  of 
life  as  a  pledge  of  life  in  his  fallen  state,  which  it  had 
been  in  his  state  of  innocence :)  and  it  was  in  mercy 
to  the  icoiid,  to  whom  they  are  sent  like  the  dew 
and  rain,  uncalled,  unsent  (by  man),  unconscious,  but 
the  appointed  means  of  tiu-ning-  the  wilderness  into 
an  Eden,  and  '  the  desert  into  a  garden  of  the  Lord.' 
I  opened  at  last  then'  fitness  for  this  work  beyond 
all  the  people  of  the  earth,  and  proved  it  from  the 
word,  '  They  shall  declare  my  glory  among  the  Gen- 
tiles,'Isai.  Ixvi.  19.  See  alsoZech.  viii.  18.  Rom.  xi. 
12,  15.  This  reflects  the  tnie  light  on  Zech.  viii.  ult. ; 
and  answers  the  objections  deduced  from  it,  viz. 
'  AMiy  do  you  seek  to  make  us  Christians,  when  it  is 
as  Jews  that  you  are  to  lay  hold  of  om-  skirt  V  But 
I  did  not  intend  to  jjr each  to  you." 


To  Miss  Priscilla  Gurney. 

"  King's  Coll.,  Sept.  1,  1819. 

"  My  very  dear  friend  and  Sister, 

"  I  am  much  concerned  to  hear  of  your 
increased  illness.  1  thought,  when  I  had  the  plea- 
sm^e  of  seeing  you,  that  you  needed  great  care  :  and 
though  I  doubt  not  but  that  you  are  quite  ready 
to  meet  this  dispensation  of  illness,  or  even  of  death, 
I  greatly  doubt  whether  you  are  prepared  to  meet  the 
dispensation  of  caring  for  your  own  health.  This  is  a 
lesson  which  you  have  yet  to  learn.  Had  I,  when 
my  voice  first  failed  me  fourteen  years  ago,  been 
able  to  lay  by  entirely,  and  not  expend  the  little 
strength  which  was  given  me  from  time  to  time,  I 
should  in  all  probability  have  been  a  strong  man  at 
this  day.      But  I  loved  my  work,  and  I  loved  my 


PRESERVING   HEALTH.  51? 

fellow-creatures,  and  when  urged  to  abstain  from 
any  particular  work  and  labour  of  love,  I  pleaded, 
*  Is  it  not  a  little  one  ? '  And  thus  I  never  got 
forward 

"  But,  my  dear  Priscilla,  it  is  comforting  both  to 
you  and  me  to  know  that  our  wounds  have  been 
got  in  our  Master's  service  :  and  we  may  well  doubt 
v.hether  the  beaux  and  belles,  who  have  caudit  their 
death  by  going  to  plays  and  balls,  can  feel  the  satis- 
faction in  their  maladies  that  we  do. 

"  We  know  that  the  Apostle  Paul  took  pleasure 
in  his  infirmities  and  distresses  for  Christ's  sake ;  and 
it  is  om-  privilege  to  do  the  same.  Still  however  I 
do  feel,  and  I  wish  you  to  feel,  that  it  is  our  duty 
to  take  care  of  our  health ;  and  if,  on  the  one  hand, 
we  'desu*e  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ;'  yet,  con- 
sidering the  benefit  that  may  accrue  to  others,  it 
becomes  us  to  be  wdlhng  to  abide  longer  in  the  body, 
and  to  do  more  work  before  we  go  to  our  reward. 

"  I  thank  you,  my  dear  Friend,  for  permitting 
me  to  be  informed  of  your  state ;  because  it  will  be 
my  delight  to  bear  you  in  remembrance  before  the 
Lord;  with  whom  also  I  hope  you  will  kindly  in- 
tercede for  me.  I  hope  and  trust  that  this  cessation 
from  your  accustomed  laboiu-s  will  be  attended  with 
more  intrinsic  and  abiding  communion  with  your 
Lord;  and  my  prayer  to  God  for  you  is,  that  you 
may  in  this  season  of  seclusion  have  such  abundant 
discoveries  of  his  incomprehensible  love,  as  may  be 
effectual  to  '  fill  you  with  all  the  fulness  of  God.'  Be- 
lieve me,  my  dear  Priscilla,  your  sympathizing  friend, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


518  HIS    INWARD 

In  the  early  part  of  this  year,  Mr.  Simeon,  hav- 
ing accidentally  heard  that  a  friend  had  made  some 
remarks  upon  his  habit  of  giving  expression  to  his 
religious  feelings,  '  in  sighs  and  groans,'  as  if  it  indi- 
cated that  '  all  was  not  right  in  his  experience/  drew 
up  the  following  paper  : — 

"  Circtwistances  of  my  Inioard  Experience. 

"  It  is  now  a  little  ahove  forty  years  since  I  began 
to  seek  after  God ;  and  within  about  three  months  of 
that  time,  after  much  humiliation  and  prayer,  I  found 
peace  through  that  Lamb  of  God  who  taketh  away 
the  sins  of  the  world.  About  half  a  year  after  that,  I 
had  some  doubts  and  fears  about  my  state,  in  conse- 
quence of  an  erroneous  notion  which  I  had  imbibed 
from  ]\Ir.  Hervev  about  the  nature  of  savinor  faith. 
But  when  I  found  from  better  information  that  justi- 
fvino-  faith  was  a  faith  of  affiance,  and  not  a  faith 
of  assiu'ance,  my  peace  returned ;  because,  though 
I  had  not  a  faith  of  assurance,  I  had  as  full  a 
conviction  that  I  relied  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
alone  for  salvation,  as  I  had  of  mv  own  existence. 
From  that  time  to  the  present  hour  I  have  never  for 
a  moment  lost  my  hope  and  confidence  in  my  ador- 
able Saviom' ;  for  though,  alas !  I  have  had  deep  and 
abundant  cause  for  humiliation,  I  have  never  ceased  to 
wash  in  that  fountain  that  was  opened  for  sin  and 
uncleanness,  or  to  cast  myseK  upon  the  tender  mercy 
of  my  reconciled  God. 

"With  this  sweet  hope  of  ultimate  acceptance 
vrii\\  God,  I  have  always  enjoyed  much  cheerfulness 
before  men ;  but  I  have  at  the  same  time  laboured 
incessantly  to  cultivate  the  deepest  humihation  before 
God.     I  have  never  thought  that  the  cii'cumstance  of 


EXPERIENCE.  519 

God's  having  forgiven  me,  was  any  reason  why  I 
should  forgive  myself ;  on  the  contrary,  I  have  always 
judged  it  better  to  loath  myseK  the  more,  in  propor- 
tion as  I  was  assm-ed  that  God  was  pacified  towards 
me.*  Nor  have  I  been  satisfied  with  viewing  my 
sins,  as  men  view  the  stars  in  a  cloudy  night,  one 
here  and  another  there,  with  great  intervals  between  ; 
but  have  endeavoured  to  get,  and  to  preserve  con- 
tinually before  my  eyes,  such  a  view  of  them  as  we 
have  of  the  stars  in  the  brightest  night :  the  greater 
and  the  smaller  all  intermingled,  and  forming  as  it 
were  one  continuous  mass ;  nor  yet  as  committed  a 
long  time  ago,  and  in  many  successive  years ;  but  as 
all  forming  an  aggregate  of  guilt,  and  needing  the 
same  measure  of  humiliation  daily,  as  they  needed  at 
the  very  moment  they  were  committed.  Nor  would 
I  willingly  rest  with  such  a  view  as  presents  itself  to 
the  naked  eye;  I  have  desired,  and  do  desire  daily, 
that  God  would  put  (so  to  speak)  a  telescope  to  my 
eye,  and  enable  me  to  see,  not  a  thousand  only,  but 
millions  of  my  sins,  which  are  more  numerous  than 
all  the  stars  which  God  himself  beholds,  and  more 
than  the  sands  upon  the  sea-shore.  There  are  but 
two  objects  that  I  have  ever  desired  for  these  forty 
years  to  behold ;  the  one  is,  my  own  vileness ;  and 
the  other  is,  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus 
Cluist :  and  I  have  always  thought  that  they  should 
be  viewed  together ;  just  as  Aaron  confessed  all  the 
sins  of  all  Israel  whilst  he  put  them  on  the  head  of 
the  scape-goat.  The  disease  did  not  keep  him  from 
applying  to  the  remedy,  nor  did  the  remedy  keep  him 
from  feeling  the  disease.     By  this  I  seek  to  be,  not 


*  Ezek.  xvi.  63. 


520  HIS    INWARD 

on^y  humbled  and  ilianlfid,  but  Jumbled  in  tJianJifuI- 
ness,  before  my  God  and  Saviour  coutiniially. 

"  This  is  the  rehgion  that  pervades  the  whole 
Liturgy,  and  particularly  the  Connnunion  Service ; 
and  this  makes  the  Liturgy  inexpressibly  sweet  to 
me.  The  repeated  cries  to  each  Person  of  the  ever- 
adorable  Trinity  for  mercy,  are  not  at  all  too  frequent 
or  too  fervent  for  me ;  nor  is  the  confession  in  the 
Communion  service  too  strong  for  me ;  nor  the  '  Te 
Deum,'  nor  the  ascriptions  of  glory  after  the  Lord's 
Supper,  '  Glory  be  to  God  on  high,  &c.'  too  exalted 
for  me ;  the  praise  all  through  savours  of  adoration  ; 
and  the  adoration  of  humility.  And  this  shews  what 
men  of  God  the  framers  of  our  Liturgy  were,  and 
what  I  pant,  and  long,  and  strive  to  be.  This 
makes  the  Liturgy  as  superior  to  all  modern  com- 
positions, as  the  work  of  a  Philosopher  on  any  deep 
subject  is  to  that  of  a  school-boy  wdio  understands 
scarcely  anything  about  it. 

"  The  consequence  of  this  unremitted  labour  is, 
that  I  have,  and  have  continually  had,  such  a  sense  of 
my  sinfulness,  as  would  sink  me  into  utter  despair,  if 
I  had  not  an  assured  view  of  the  sufficiency  and 
w^illingness  of  Christ  to  save  me  to  the  uttermost. 
And  at  the  same  time  I  have  such  a  sense  of  my 
acceptance  through  Christ,  as  would  overset  my  little 
bark,  if  I  had  not  ballast  at  the  bottom  sufficient  to 
sink  a  vessel  of  no  ordinary  size.  This  experience 
has  been  now  so  unintermitted  for  forty  years,  that  a 
thought  only  of  some  defect,  or  of  something  which 
might  have  been  done  better,  often  draws  from  me  as 
deep  a  sigh  as  if  I  had  committed  the  most  enormous 
crime ;  because  it  is  viewed  by  me  not  as  a  mere 
single  grain  of  sand,  but  as  a  grain  of  sand  added  to 


EXPERIENCE.  521 

an  abeady  accumulated  mountain.  So  deep  are  my 
views  of  my  corruption,  tliat  I  scarcely  ever  join  in 
the  Confession  of  our  Church  without  perceiving, 
almost  as  with  my  bodily  organs,  my  soul  as  a  dead 
and  putrefied*  carcase ;  and  I  join  in  that  ackno^^^- 
ledgement  'There  is  no  health  in  us,'  in  a  way  that 
none  but  God  himself  can  conceive.  No  language 
that  I  could  use  could  at  all  express  the  goings  forth 
of  my  soul  with  those  words,  or  the  privilege  I  feel  in 
being  permitted  to  address  the  God  of  heaven  and 
earth  in  these  words,  '  Almighty — and  most  merciful 
—Father.' 

"  Hence  then  my  sighs  and  groans  when  in  secret, 
and  which,  when  least  thought  of  by  me,  may  have 
been  noticed  by  others.  And  if  the  Apostle  Paul  so 
felt  the  burthen  of  sin  as  to  cry  '  0  wretched  man 
that  I  am  !  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of 
this  death?'  (Rom.  vii.  24);  if  he,  who  'had  the 
first-fruits  of  the  Spirit,  groaned  within  himself, 
waiting  for  the  adoption,  to  wit,  the  redemption  of 
the  body '  (Rom.  viii.  23,)  yea,  '  groaned,  being  bur- 
thened '  (2  Cor.  v.  4) ;  who  am  I,  that  I  should  not 
so  feel,  or  so  express  my  feelings ;  or  that  I  should 
even  wish  to  be  exempt  from  them?  So  far  am  I 
from  msliing  to  be  exempt  from  them,  that  I  wish  and 
long  to  have  them  in  a  tenfold  greater  degree ;  and 
as  already  in  my  daily  approaches  to  the  throne  of 
grace,  and  in  my  solitude,  and  in  my  rides,  it  is  in 
sighs  and  groans  that  I  make  known  my  wants  to 
God  more  than  in  words,  for  '  He  know^eth  the  mind 
of  His  Spirit  speaking  in  me ;'  so  I  desire  yet  more 
and  more  that  the  Spirit  of  God  may  make  interces- 

*  Isai.  i.  6. 


522  HIS    INWARD 

sion,  both  in  me  and  for  me,  '  witli  groanings  wliicli 
cannot  be  uttered,'  since  Avords  would  fail  to  give 
them  utterance.     (Rom.  viii.  26.) 

"But  persons  mistake  who  imagine  that  groans 
are  expressive  only  of  a  sense  of  guilt :  they  are 
often  the  expressions  of  desire ;  as  David  says,  '  Lord, 
all  my  desire  is  before  thee  ;  and  my  groaning  is  not 
hid  from  thee  '  (Ps.  xxxviii.  9).  And  such,  I  trust, 
have  been  many  of  the  groans  which  I  have  uttered  in 
secret,  and  some  of  which  may  possibly  have  been 
overheard. 

"  Nor  is  it  on  a  personal  account  only  that  groans 
are  uttered.  A  Minister  who  knows  what  it  is  to 
'  travail  in  birth  with  his  people  till  Christ  be  formed 
in  them,'  wiW.  find  many  occasions  of  sorrow,  as  I  have 
of  late  years.  I  have  had  a  people,  some  of  whom 
have  ill  understood  their  duty  towards  me  (Heb. 
xiii.  17),  and  have  constrained  me  'to  give  up  my 
daily  account,  not  with  joy,  but  wdth  grief;'  or  as  it 
is  in  the  original,  '  with  groans.' 

"  But  supposing  those  expressions  of  my  feelings 
to  have  been  on  a  personal  account  only,  and  that 
only  from  a  sense  of  my  unworthiness,  I  am  far  from 
conceivino;  it  to  be  on  the  whole  an  undesirable  ex- 
perience ;  for'  by  means  of  it  my  joys  are  tempered 
with  contrition,  and  my  confidence  with  fear  and 
shame.  I  consider  the  religion  of  the  day  as  mate- 
rially defective  in  this  point ;  and  the  preaching  of 
pious  ministers  defective  also.  I  do  not  see,  so  much 
as  I  could  wish,  an  holy  reverential  awe  of  God,  The 
confidence  that  is  generally  professed  does  not  suffi- 
ciently, in  my  opinion,  savour  of  a  creature-like  spirit, 
or  of  a  sinner-like  spuit.  If  ninety-nine  out  of  an 
hundred,  of  even  good  men,  were  now  informed  for 


EXPERIENCE.  523 

the  first  time,  that  Isaiah  in  a  vision  saw  the  Seraphim 
before  the  throne  ;  and  that  each  of  the  Seraphs  had 
six  wings ;  and  then  were  asked,  '  How  do  you  think 
they  employ  their  wings  ? '  I  think  their  answer 
would  be,  '  How  ?  why  they  fly  with  them  with  all 
their  might ;  and  if  they  had  six  hundred  wings  they 
would  do  the  same,  exerting  all  their  powers  in  the 
service  of  their  God:'  they  would  never  dream  of 
their  employing  two  to  veU  then-  faces,  as  unworthy 
to  behold  their  God,  and  two  to  veil  their  feet,  as 
unworthy  to  serve  him ;  and  devoting  only  the  re- 
maining two  to  what  might  be  deemed  their  more 
appropriate  use.  But  I  doubt  much  whether  the 
Seraphs  do  not  judge  quite  as  well  as  they,  and  serve 
their  God  in  quite  as  acceptable  a  manner  as  they 
would,  if  their  energies  were  less  blended  with 
modesty  and  conscious  unworthiness.  But  whatever 
opinions  the  generality  of  Christians  might  form, 
I  confess  that  this  is  the  rehgion  which  I  love ; 
I  would  have  conscious  unworthiness  to  pervade  every 
act  and  habit  of  my  soul ;  and  whether  the  woof  be 
more  or  less  brilliant,  I  would  have  humility  to  be 
the  warp. 

"  I  often  in  my  ministry  speak  of  Job's  experi- 
ence, after  God  had  so  revealed  Himself  to  him,  as 
proper  for  all :  why  then  should  I  not  cultivate  it 
myself,  and  really,  truly,  deeply,  and  as  before  the 
heart-searching  God,  '  abhor  myself,  and  repent  in 
dust  and  ashes  ?'  (Job  xlii.  6).  Can  I  enter  into  the 
spirit  of  that  word  ahhor,  and  not  groan  ?  Or,  is  that 
a  word  which  is  to  have  no  counterpart  in  our  actual 
experience  ? — I  do  not  undervalue  joy  ;  but  I  suspect 
it,  when  it  is  not  blended  with  the  deepest  humiliation 
and  contrition.     God  has  said  that  a  'broken  and  a 


524  HIS   INWARD 

contrite  heart  He  will  not  despise ;'  and  is  that  an 
attainment  that  is  so  low  and  small  that  I  may  leave 
it  behind  me,  as  a  state  that  was  proper  for  me  forty 
years  ago  l3ut  not  now  ?  What  is  meant  by  a  broken 
heart  ?  Would  to  God  that  I  knew  !  for  with  all  my 
groaning  I  do  not  know  a  thousandth  part  of  what  it 
means.  I  remember  to  have  heard  a  saying  of  ...  . 
and  though  I  do  not  admire  the  expression,  I  do 
admire  the  sentiment ;  and  I  would  not  feel  my 
obligation  to  my  Saviour  less  than  I  do  for  ten 
thousand  worlds.  Indeed,  I  consider  that  this  very 
feeling  will  constitute  the  chief  felicity  of  heaven ;  and 
that  every  blessing  we  there  enjoy  will  be  most  of  all 
endeared  to  us  as  being  the  fruit  of  redeeming  love.  I 
behold  the  glorified  saints  in  heaven  falling  on  their 
faces  before  the  throne,  whilst  they  sing  praises  to 
their  redeeming  God  (Rev.  v.  8 — 14).  What  then 
should  /  do  on  earth  ?  Yea,  I  behold  even  the  angels 
who  never  sinned  adoring  God  in  that  same  posture 
(Rev.  vii.  11).  What  then  should  /do,  whose  whole 
soul  is  but  one  mass  of  sin  and  corruption  ?  Finally, 
God  himself  is  light,  and  I  am  to  be  as  like  Him  as  I 
can.  But  what  is  light  ?  is  it  not  a  combination  of 
different  rays, — the  red,  the  orange,  the  yellow,  the 
green,  the  blue,  the  indigo,  and  the  violet?  Some 
would  think  perhaps  that  they  could  make  better 
light,  if  they  had  the  brilliant  rays  alone :  but  so 
think  not  I ;  I  would  have  the  due  proportion  of  the 
sombre  with  the  bright ;  and  all  in  simultaneous 
motion :  and  then  I  think  I  should  more  resemble 
both  the  created  and  the  uncreated  light.  At  all 
events,  this  is  my  one  ambition,  to  live  with  one 
Mary  at  my  Saviour's  feet,  listening  to  His  words 
(whilst  others  are  cumbered  about  the  world),  and 


EXPERIENCE.  525 

to  die  with  the  other  Mary,  washing  His  feet  with 
my  tears,  and  wiping  them  with  the  hairs  of  my 
head." 

"  P.  S.  I  have  not  been  till  lately  acquainted 
with  any  book,  except '  Augustine's  Meditations,'  that 
exactly  paints  all  that  I  approve,  and  all  that  I  wish 
to  be  ;  Brainerd's  Life  has  too  much  of  gloom  and  de- 
spondency for  me.  But  I  think  that  the  Memoirs  of 
my  beloved  and  honom-ed  Friend,  Henry  Martyn, 
come  exactly  to  the  point  :  and  his  Biographer,  the 
Rev.  John  Sargent,  has  marked  it  with  beautiful  pre- 
cision in  the  close  of  that  jMemoir.  0  !  that  all  the 
world  would  study  that  short  Memoir  !  it  speaks  what 
I  would,  if  I  were  able,  speak  in  the  ear  of  every 
human  being  day  and  night.  May  God  of  His  infinite 
mercy  give  me  more  abundantly  to  experience  this 
heavenly  disposition  !  and  may  all  that  I  have  written 
be  blessed  of  Him  to  the  producing  of  this  holy 
disposition  in  others.     Amen,  and  Amen." 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

LETTERS TO    REV.  T.    THOMASON    ON    PUBLISHIXG   THE  'hOR^  HOMI- 

LETIC^' EXTRACTS     FROM    THE    PREFACE     TO     THE     HOR^  — REV. 

T.    THOMASON    ON    RELIGIOUS    WORKS    IN    INDIA— ON  ACTING   WITH 

TENDERNESS      AND     CAUTION — CLERICAL      EDUCATION      SOCIETY 

MEMORANDUM       ON      THE      RESTORATION     OF     HIS     STRENGTH TO 

BISHOP     BURGESS     ON     THE     '  HOR^     HOMILETICJ;' — REMARKS    ON 

.  A  CRITICISM  OF  THE  BISHOP's — EXTRACTS  FROM  SERMONS  ON 
'THE    NEW    birth' AND   'JUSTIFICATION    BY    WORKS.' 


1820. 

CORRESPONDENCE,    ETC. 

To  tlie  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  My  beloved  Brother,  "  July  7,  1820. 

"  I  have  not  of  late  dared  to  take  u^^  such 
a  sheet  as  this.  And  my  letters  have  been  few  as  well 
as  short :  but  eleven  volumes  sent  out  to  the  public 
will  plead  my  excuse.  ...  It  is  a  great  joy  to  me  to  see 
them  all  safely  edited ;  it  has  been  the  chief  object  for 
which  I  have  of  late  wished  to  live  ;  and  I  am  now 
quite  wiUing  to  depart,  and  be  with  my  Lord  and 
Savioiu' :  though,  if  my  life  and  health  be  yet  spared, 
I  propose,  with  God's  help,  to  prosecute  the  work, 
gleaning  every  fine  passage  that  I  can  find  in  the 
inspired  Volume.  But  I  have  no  intention  of  ever 
publishing  more  in  my  life-time.  When  I  am  gone, 
the  public  may  have  them  if  they  please.  They  will 
have  had  abundant  opportunity  from  sixteen  volumes 
already  published,  to  shew  whether  they  wish  for  more, 
or  are  cloyed  and  surfeited  with  what  they  have  got. 
AVere   the  publication  of  a  different  kind,  I  should 


THE  HORiE   HOMlLETICiE.  527 

witliout  hesitation  say,  that  I  had  already  pubhshed 
a  great  deal  too  much  :  but  from  the  peculiar  nature 
of  it  as  a  book  of  reference,  I  conceive  that  they  who 
like  it  at  all,  will  be  glad  to  have  every  fine  portion  of 
Scripture  treated  in  the  same  way.  But  my  exe- 
cutors will  be  able  to  judge  better  than  I  can  do. 
At  all  events  the  Clergy  ^dll  derive  a  benefit  from  the 
voluminousness  of  the  work  :  and  if  it  lead  the  igno- 
rant to  preach  the  truth,  and  the  indolent  to  exert 
themselves,  and  the  weak  to  attain  a  facility  of 
writing  their  own,  and  the  busy  and  laborious  to  do 
more  and  with  better  eff'ect  than  they  otherwise  could 
have  done,  I  shall  be  richly  repaid  for  my  labom\  My 
prayers  for  God's  blessing  upon  it  will,  I  hope,  ascend 
as  long  as  I  am  able  to  pray  at  all :  for  I  know,  that 
without  His  blessing  it  will  be  published  to  no  pur- 
pose. I  am  encouraged  by  frequent  testimonies  from 
persons  unknown  to  me  respecting  the  usefulness  of 
my  former  work  :  and  I  fondly  hope  that  the  present 
will  not  be  found  inferior  to  that  in  any  respect. 
I  have,  at  least,  laboured  that  it  should  not :  and  I 
rather  think  that  it  will  be  generally  thought  superior. 
"  I  before  told  you  the  reason  of  my  title  Horcs 
Homiletica.  It  will  be  found  in  the  Greek  of  Acts 
XX.  11*,  and  the  adoption  of  the  word  '  Homihes'  by 
the  English  Reformers.  With  such  a  title  it  will  be 
suffered  to  stand  on  a  shelf :  whereas  with  the  former 
title  it  was  thrust  into  a  cupboard.".  .  . 


It  may  be  proper  to  introduce  here  some  extracts 
from  the  Preface  to  this  Work,  to  exhibit  the  particular 
object  Mr.  Simeon  had  in  view  in  its  publication. 


E^   iKurov  Tt  6ni\i](7uc  a-^iQ  avyiiQ. 


528  ON  ExrosiTiON 

Extracts  from  the  Piieface. 

"  It  has  not,  as  the  Author  beheves,  occurred  to 
any  Divine,  to  sujjpli/  a  regular  series  of  Discourses  on 
the  most  important  parts  of  the  ivhole  Volume  of 
Scripture ;  and  to  adap)t  these  Discourses,  hy  their 
general  construction,  their  simplicity,  and  their  brevity, 
to  the  special  service  of  the  younger  order  of  the  Cleryy. 
It  is  the  particular  object  of  these  Volumes,  which 
the  Author  now  humbly  presents  to  the  public,  to 
supply  this  deficiency  in  Theological  writings.  And 
he  trusts  this  labour  of  love  will  be  regarded  by  his 
brethren  in  the  Ministry,  not  as  an  act  of  presump- 
tion, but  as  a  humble  and  affectionate  attempt  to 
render  their  entrance  on  their  holy  and  honourable 
calling  more  easy,  and  their  prosecution  of  it  more 
useful.  .  .  . 

"  The  Author  is  no  friend  to  systematizers  in  Theo- 
logy. He  has  endeavoured  to  derive  from  the  Scrip- 
tm-es  alone  his  views  of  religion,  and  to  them  it  is  his 
wish  to  adhere  with  scrupulous  fidelity ;  never  wresting 
any  portion  of  the  Word  of  God  to  favour  a  particular 
opinion,  but  giving  to  every  part  of  it  that  sense, 
which  it  seems  to  him  to  have  been  designed  by  its 
Great  Author  to  convey. 

"  He  is  aware  that  he  is  likely,  on  this  account,  to 
be  considered  by  the  zealous  advocates  of  human 
systems  as  occasionally  inconsistent :  but  if  he  should 
be  discovered  to  be  no  more  inconsistent  than  the 
Scriptures  themselves,  he  will  have  reason  to  be  satis- 
fied. He  has  no  doubt  but  that  there  is  a  system  in 
the  Holy  Scriptures  (for  truth  cannot  be  inconsistent 
with  itself) ;  but  he  is  persuaded  that  neither  Calvin- 
ists  nor  Arminians  are  in  exclusive  possession  of  that 
system.     He  is  disposed  to  think  that  the  Scripture 


WITHOUT    PARTIALITY.  529 

system,  be  it  what  it  may,  is  of  a  broader  and  more 
comprehensive  character  than  some  very  exact  and 
dogmatical  theologians  are  inclined  to  allow  :  and  that 
as  wheels  in  a  complicated  machine  may  move  in 
opposite  directions  and  yet  subserve  one  common  end, 
so  may  truths  apparently  o2)posite  be  perfectly  recon- 
cileable  with  each  other,  and  equally  subserve  the 
purposes  of  God  in  the  accomplishment  of  man's  sal- 
vation. This  the  Author  has  attempted  to  explain 
more  fully  in  the  Preface  to  his  former  Work.  But 
he  feels  it  impossible  to  repeat  too  often,  or  avow  too 
distinctly,  that  it  is  an  invariable  rule  with  him  to 
endeavom'  to  give  to  every  portion  of  the  Word  of 
God  its  full  and  proper  force,  without  considering  one 
moment  what  scheme  it  favours,  or  whose  system  it  is 
likely  to  advance.  Of  this  he  is  sure,  that  there  is  not 
a  decided  Calvinist  or  Arminian  in  the  world,  who 
equally  approves  of  the  whole  of  Scripture.  He  appre- 
hends that  there  is  not  a  determined  votary  of  either 
system,  who,  if  he  had  been  in  the  company  of  St. 
Paul  whilst  he  was  writing  his  different  Epistles,  would 
not  have  recommended  him  to  alter  one  or  other  of 
his  expressions. 

"  But  the  Author  would  not  wish  one  of  them 
altered  :  he  finds  as  much  satisfaction  in  one  class  of 
passages  as  in  another  ;  and  employs  the  one,  he 
believes,  as  often  and  as  freely  as  the  other.  Where 
the  Inspired  Writers  speak  in  unqualified  terms,  he 
thinks  himseK  at  liberty  to  do  the  same ;  judging  that 
they  needed  no  instruction  from  him  how  to  propagate 
the  truth.  He  is  content  to  sit  as  a  learner  at  the 
feet  of  the  Holy  Apostles,  and  has  no  ambition  to 
teach  them  how  they  ought  to  have  spoken.  And  as 
both  the  strong  Calvinists  and  Arminians  approve  of 
some  parts  of  Scripture  and  not  of  others ;  such,  he 
L.  s.  M  M 


530  IMPARTIAL    INTERPRETATION 

expects,  will  be  the  judgment  of  the  partisans  of  these 
particular  systems  on  his  unworthy  comments  ; — the 
Calvinists  approving  of  what  is  written  on  passages 
which  have  a  Calvinistic  aspect ;  and  the  Arminians 
of  what  is  written  on  passages  that  favour  their  par- 
ticular views.     In  like  manner  he  has  reason,  he  fears, 
to  expect  a  measure  of  condemnation  from  the  advo- 
cates of  each  system,  when  treating  of  the  passages 
which  they  appear  to  him  to  wrest,  each  for  the  pur- 
pose of  accommodating   them  to  his  own   favourite 
opinions.     He  bitterly  regrets  that  men  will  range 
themselves  under  human  banners  and  leaders,  and 
employ  themselves  in  converting  the  Inspired  Writers 
into  friends  and  partisans  of  their  peculiar  principles. 
Into   this  fault   he  trusts    that  he   has  not  hitherto 
fallen  ;  and  he  unfeignedly  hopes  and  prays  to  be  pre- 
served from  it  in  future.    One  thing  he  knows,  namely, 
that  pious  men,  both  of  the  Calvinistic  and  Arminian 
persuasion,   approximate  very  nearly  when  they  are 
upon  their  knees  before  God  in  prayer ; — the  devout 
Arminian  then  acknowledging  his  total  dependence 
upon  God  as  strongly  as  the  most  confirmed  Calvinist ; 
and  the  Calvinist  acknowledging  his  responsibility  to 
God,  and  his  obligation  to  exertion,  in  terms  as  decisive 
as  the  most  determined  Arminian.     And  that  which 
both  these  individuals  are  upon  their  knees,  it  is  the 
wish  of  the  Author  to  become  in  his  writings.     Hence 
it  is  that  he  expects  to  be  alternately  approved  by 
both  parties,  and  condemned  by  both.     His  only  fear 
is,  that  each  may  be  tempted  to  lay  hold  only  of  those 
parts  of  his  work  which  ojjpose  their  favourite  system, 
and  represent  them  as  containing  an  entire  view  of 
his  sentiments.    He  well  knows  the  force  of  prejudice, 
and  the  bitterness  of  the  Odium  Tlieologicmii ;  and  he 
cannot  hope  to  be  so  fortunate  as  completely  to  escape 


OF    THE    SCRIPTURES.  531 

either.  But,  even  if  assailed  on  all  sides,  lie  shall 
have  the  satisfaction  of  reflecting  that  it  has  been  his 
wish  simply  to  follow  the  Oracles  of  God.  The  Scrip- 
tures and  the  Church  of  England  have  been  claimed 
by  each  of  these  two  parties,  as  exclusively  favouring 
their  peculiar  systems ;  and  if  the  same  comprehensive 
and  liberal  character  be  found  in  his  writings,  he  shall 
consider  it,  whatever  may  be  the  judgment  of  mere 
partisans,  as  no  small  presumption  in  his  own  favom*. 

"  There  is  another  point  also,  in  respect  to  which 
it  has  been  his  aim  not  to  offend ;  and  that  is,  in  not 
so  perverting  the  Scripture  as  to  make  it  refer  to 
Christ  and  His  salvation,  when  no  such  object  appears 
to  have  been  in  the  contemplation  of  the  inspired 
writer.  He  regrets  to  observe,  in  some  individuals, 
what  he  knows  not  how  to  designate  by  any  more 
appropriate  term  than  that  (which  however  he  uses 
with  much  hesitation)  of  an  ultra-Evangelical  taste ; 
which  overlooks  in  many  passages  the  2)ractical  lessons 
they  were  intended  to  convey,  and  detects  in  them 
only  the  leading  doctrines  of  the  Gospel.  This  error 
he  has  laboured  earnestly  to  avoid  ;  being  well  assured 
that  lessons  of  morality  are,  in  their  place,  as  useful 
and  important  as  the  doctrines  of  grace.  In  a  word, 
it  has  been  his  endeavour  faithfully  to  deliver,  in  every 
instance,  what  he  verily  believed  to  be  the  mind  of 
God  in  the  passage  immediately  under  consideration  : 
and  in  the  adoption  of  this  principle  of  interpretation, 
he  trusts  for  the  approbation  of  all,  who  prefer  the 
plain  and  obvious  comments  of  sobriety  to  the  far- 
fetched suggestions  of  a  licentious  fancy. 

"  He  wishes  much  that  the  practice  of  exjjoiinding 
the  Scriptures,  which  obtained  so  generally,  and  with 
such  beneficial  effects,  at  the  time  of  the  Reformation, 
were  revived.     He  has  in  his  present  work  introduced 

M  M  2 


532  FAMILY    INSTRUCTION. 

many  Discourses  constructed  upon  this  model ;  and 
lie  cannot  but  earnestly  recommend  it  to  liis  younger 
Brethren  in  the  Ministry,  especially  those  who  preach 
three  times  in  the  week,  to  reserve  at  least  one  of 
those  seasons  for  exposition.  It  is  his  wish,  however, 
to  guard  them  against  a  desultory  manner  of  explain- 
ing the  Scriptm'e ;  and  to  advise  that  the  leading 
point  of  the  whole  passage  be  the  point  mainly  re- 
garded ;  and  the  subordinate  parts  only  so  far  noticed, 
as  to  throw  additional  light  on  that.  If  this  caution 
be  not  attended  to,  the  minds  of  the  people  are  likely 
to  be  distracted  with  the  diversity  and  incoherence  of 
the  matter  brought  before  them.  But  if  an  unity  of 
subject  be  preserved,  the  discourse  will  come  with 
ten-fold  weight  to  the  minds  of  the  audience ;  who 
will  be  led,  under  the  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  to 
search  the  Scriptures  for  themselves,  and  to  read  them 
with  more  profit  at  their  own  homes.  To  this  it  may 
be  added,  that  it  is  not  necessary  the  whole  passage 
should  be  read  for  the  text  :  let  the  most  striking  part 
of  it  alone  be  introduced  in  the  first  instance ;  and 
then  the  whole  explained,  with  such  remarks  as  are 
suited  to  impress  on  the  mind  the  truths  contained  in 
it.  This  will  be  found  to  have  been  the  course 
pursued  in  many  of  the  following  Discourses,  to  a 
greater  extent  perhaps  than  at  first  sight  appears. 

"  The  Author  has  also  sought  to  render  the  work 
usefid  for  families.  It  has  often  been  a  matter  of 
complaint,  that  there  existed  few  Sermons  sufficiently 
plain  and  concise  for  the  instruction  of  Servants :  he 
has  therefore  filled  up  the  outhne  of  these  Sketches 
somewhat  more  fully  than  those  in  his  former  Volumes, 
hoping  that  Clergymen  and  others  may  find  them  not 
altogether  useless  as  a  Family  Instructor 

"  In  order  that  the  agreement  between  the  Author's 


EVANGELICAL    RELIGION.  533 

views,  and  what  lie  conceives  to  be  tlie  views  of  the 
Chiu'ch  of  England,  may  be  ascertained,  he  begs  leave 
to  refer  the  Reader  to  the  Tour  Sermons  on  Deut.  v. 
28,  29,  in  which  '  The  Excellency  of  the  Liturgy'  is 
delineated;  and  to  that  on  2  Cor.  i.  13,  wherein  '  The 
Chm'chman's  Confession'  is  considered.  And  to  any 
who  may  wish  to  become  acquainted  with  the  Author's 
views  of  what  is  called  '  Evm^gelical  Religion^  he  begs 
to  recommend  the  perusal  of  the  Sermons  on  1  Cor. 
ii.  2,  and  Psalm  cxix.  128;  which  were  written  for 
the  express  purpose  of  exhibiting,  in  as  clear  and  com- 
prehensive a  manner  as  he  was  able,  his  opinions  upon 
that  important  subject.  ]\lore  especially,  with  this 
object,  he  would  entreat  their  candid  consideration  of 
what  he  has  called  an  *  Appeal  to  Men  of  Wisdom  and 
Candour;'  (on  1  Cor.  x.  15.)  All  these  Sermons,  toge- 
ther with  those  on  the  Liturgy,  were  delivered  before 
the  University  of  Cambridge.  These  Discourses,  it 
may  be  added,  comprehend  all  the  topics  which  he 
considers  as  of  primary  and  fundamental  importance 
to  mankind.  On  many  other  points  there  exists,  and 
will  probably  continue  to  exist,  a  diversity  of  opinion  : 
and  in  writing  upon  the  loliole  Scriptures,  it  would  not 
be  expected  but  that  he  should  occasionally  touch  on 
such  topics,  as  they  presented  themselves  to  him  in  his 
course.  But  as  he  has  endeavoured,  without  prejudice 
or  partiality,  to  give  to  every  text  its  just  meaning,  its 
natural  bearing,  and  its  legitimate  use,  he  hopes  that 
those  who  dislike  his  expositions  of  the  texts  which 
oppose  their  particular  views,  will  consult  what  he  has 
written  on  the  texts  which  they  regard  as  the  sheet- 
anchors  of  their  system  ;  and  that,  finding  him,  as  he 
trusts  they  will,  free  from  party  spirit,  they  will  them- 
selves endeavour  to  shake  off"  party  prejudices,  and 
co-operate  with  him  in  maintaiuiug  and  extending  that 


534  PROCEEDINGS    IN    INDIA. 

comprehensive,  and  generous,  and  harmonious,  as  well 
as  devout  spirit  in  the  Church,  which,  he  ventures  to 
say,  it  has  been  one  of  the  great  objects  of  his  life  to 
promote." 


To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  Now  for  something  better  than 

my  own  foolish  matters. 

"  I  have  received  your  Reports,  and  first-fruits  of 
the  labours  of  your  Tract  Society.  What  a  glorious 
work  this  is  !  to  see  so  much  talent  called  forth  and 
combined ;  in  such  a  variety  of  ways,  and  to  such  a 
vast  extent  !  Verily,  it  makes  me  utterly  ashamed. 
Only  I  am  thankful  that  the  Lord  enables  me  to  do 
any  thing  for  Him.  The  smallest  pin  driven  into  His 
tabernacle,  or  the  badger's  skin  for  its  covering,  are 
accepted  of  God  from  those  who  can  contribute  no 
more.  Every  work  in  which  you  engage  is  so  much 
to  my  heart  and  to  my  mind,  that  my  soul  appears  (as 
far  as  respects  sentiment)  to  be  cast  into  the  very  same 
mould  with  yours.  All  your  proceedings  about  the 
Orphan  House — and  the  kind  of  tracts  to  be  written 
for  the  Natives — and  your  editing  of  Euclid — my  soul 
goes  along  with  you  in  every  atom  of  it. 

"  I  cannot  at  all  approve  of  the  egotism  of  the 
Christian  world ;  if  that  disposition  savour  of  zeal,  it 
does  not  breathe  love.  Why  should  we  be  pleased 
with  nothing  but  what  suits  our  oiim  tastes  ?  Why 
should  we  not  put  a  veil  over  our  face,  if  it  give  to  our 
weak  brethren  an  opportunity  of  nearer  access  to  us  ? 
AVhy  should  we  not  feel  ourselves  happy  to  administer 
milk  to  those  who  cannot  digest  meat  ?  Could  not 
Jehovah  have  revealed  everything  as  plainly  by  Moses 
as  by  the  Lord  Jesus  ?  And  could  not  our  blessed 
Lord  have  spoken  more  intelligibly  than  by  parables  ? 


DUTY    OF    TENDERNESS.  535 

And  Paul  have  gone  at  once  to  perfection,  instead  of 
dwelling  so  much  on  the  first  principles  of  the  Oracles 
of  God  ?  But  the  object  of  all  was  to  give  that,  which, 
in  existing  circumstances,  was  fittest  for  the  recipients. 
And  with  such  examples  before  us,  let  us  not  be 
grieved  if  we  be  blamed  for  treading  in  their  steps. 
Even  the  Christian  community  amongst  you,  as  well 
as  the  Native  population,  needed  all  that  sobriety  and 
caution  to  be  exercised  towards  them :  and  the  con- 
currence of  the  Christian  world  will  pave  the  way  for 
still  further  exertions,  and  accelerate  your  ultimate 
objects  far  more  than  any  premature  efforts  of  your 
own  could  have  done.  The  translations  of  Matthew 
into  Hindoostanee  and  Bengalee  are  blessed  works; 
and  I  trust  that  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  mul- 
titudes of  the  Natives  will  drink  water  with  joy  out  of 
those  wells  of  salvation 

"  Surely  God  has  been  very  merciful  in  preserving 
your  health  under  such  an  accumulation  of  labours. 
Your  wicked  Mother  however  would  not  be  sorry  if  a 
twitch  in  your  great  toe,  or  some  temporary  indis- 
position, were  to  bring  you  to  her  arms  for  a  few 
months.  This  is  very  allowable  in  her ;  but  I,  who 
have  no  such  o-ropyrj,  sternly  tell  her,  that  I  will  be 
contented  to  meet  you  in  my  Father's  house.  We 
have  got  two  sweet  representatives ;  James,  of  my 
sister  ;   and  Eliza,  of  you. 

"  My  strength,  notwithstanding  my  great  exertions 
for  the  last  year,  is  quite  unimpau'ed :  so  that,  instead 
of  going  forth  only  as  a  quarter  of  a  man,  I  have 
authorized  the  (Jews')  Society  to  reckon  me  as  /m^/  a 
man,  and  to  provide  labour  for  me  accordingly.  I 
preach  twice  every  Sunday,  and  with  great  energy ; 
would  that  I  could  add  also  with  much  effect !  but  my 
chief  usefulness  is  amongst  my  academic  hearers. 


536  CLERICAL    EDUCATION    SOCIETY. 

"  You  will  be  glad  to  liear  that  a  third  Education 
Society  for  pious  young  men  has  been  established  in 
London,  (the  other  two  are  at  Elland  and  Bristol,)  and 
that  there  are  already  about  twenty  young  men  on  the 
funds,  all  of  them  very  excellent  characters.  This  is 
an  Institution  of  mine ;  and,  like  my  dear  sister's  in 
Calcutta,  may  well  fill  my  soul  with  joy  and  gratitude. 
The  numbers  of  pious  Clergy  are  greatly  on  the 
increase;  how  it  is  I  know  not  -.  for  I  do  not  think 
that  either  myself,  or  any  other  Mhiister  in  the  Church, 
is  very  successful  in  converting  souls  to  Christ.  In 
my  mind  I  ascribe  it, 

"  1st.  To  God's  secret  blessing  on  the  nation,  on 
account  of  the  attempts  which  are  made  to  honour 
Him  in  Britain. 

"  2d.  To  the  influence  of  the  Bible  Society,  which 
has  given  a  kind  of  currency  to  Gospel  truths. 

"  And  now,  my  beloved  Brother,  I  think  I  have 
pretty  w^ell  wearied  you  with  my  scrawl.  Present  my 
most  Christian  regards  to  my  dear  Sister,  and  believe 
me,  my  dear  Brother,  most  affectionately  yours, 

"  C.  Simeon. 

"  P.  S.  I  never  touch  on  News  or  Politics ;  but 
the  nation  is  in  a  most  dreadful  state.  You  wdll 
have  heard  of  the  Conspiracy  to  destroy  all  the  King's 
Ministers." 


Memorandum. 

On  the  icondeifid  and  unexjjccted  Medoration  of  my 

Strenyth. 

"  July  24,  1820. 

"  About  this  time  last  year  I  took  a  journey  to 

Scotland,  to  advocate  with  Mr.  Marsh  the  cause  of 

the  Jews :     and  within  the  space  of  ten  days  from 

my  setting  out  on   the  journey,  I  felt  my  strength 


RESTORATION    OF    HEALTH.  537 

renewed  in  a  most  astonishing  way ;  and  as  it  has 
pleased  God  to  continue  that  strength  for  a  whole 
year,  I  now  take  up  my  pen  to  record  for  my  own 
future  benefit  the  circumstances,  as  they  appear  to  me 
at  this  moment. 

"Fourteen  years  ago,  through  the  excess  of  my 
exertions,  my  voice  entirely  failed  me,  so  that  I  was 
necessitated  to  suspend  my  labours  for  several  months. 
On  that  occasion,  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  humble  myself 
before  God,  and  in  earnest  prayer  to  seek  the  reason 
of  the  dispensation.  And  I  think  that  God,  in  answer 
to  my  prayer,  revealed  it  to  me.  I  had  often  thought 
with  a  kind  of  complacency,  that  as  I  had  for  many 
years  accumulated,  and  was  continuing  daily  to  amass 
a  great  stock  of  Sermons  upon  the  finest  portions  of 
Scripture,  I  shoidd,  if  my  life  should  be  spared  to 
attain  the  age  of  sixty,  have  a  fund  to  go  to,  and  be 
able  to  prosecute  my  work  with  more  ease,  at  a  time 
when  I  might  expect  my  strength,  according  to  the 
course  of  nature,  to  be  diminished.  My  dear  friend, 
old  Mr.  Venn,  had  suspended  his  labours  entirely  at 
that  period  of  life  :  and  I  thought  that  I  also,  if  spared 
till  then,  might  be  miles  emeritus.  This  now  appeared 
to  me  extremely  wrong ;  and  it  seemed  as  if  God  in 
this  dispensation  said  to  me,  '  Well,  if  you  look 
forward  with  complacency  to  a  relaxation  from  labour 
in  my  service  at  that  period,  yon  shall  have  it  now, 
and  be  altogether  disabled  from  serving  me  at  all.'  I 
now  saw  that  I  had  sinned  in  entertaining  such  a 
thought,  and  I  determined,  through  grace,  that  what- 
ever measure  of  strength  God  should  see  fit  to  allot 
to  me  in  future  life,  I  would  spend  it  for  Him ;  and 
that  w^hether  my  days  should  be  more  or  less  protracted, 
I  would,  like  ]\Ir.  Newton,  Mr.  Romaine,  and  Mr. 
Wesley,  die  in  harness.  - 


538  REFLECTIONS    ON    THE 

"  Diuiug  the  space  of  thirteen  years,  I  had  used 
all  proper  means  for  the  restoration  of  my  strength, 
but  in  vain  :  and  so  vveak  was  I,  that  I  could  preach 
only  once  in  the  day,  and  that  with  a  very  slender 
voice ;  and  after  preaching  I  was  always  so  reduced, 
as  to  be  more  Hke  one  dead  than  alive :  nor  could  I 
during  that  period  keep  up  conversation,  except  in  a 
whisper;  and  then  only  for  a  short  time.  Never- 
theless, as  far  as  my  strength  would  admit  of  it,  I  was 
glad  to  prosecute  the  labours  of  the  Ministry  both  at 
home  and  abroad.  With  a  view  to  promote  the  wel- 
fare of  the  Jewish  nation,  I  took  a  journey  to  Scotland 
with  Mr.  Marsh ;  purposing,  however,  not  on  any 
account  to  preach  two  days  following,  or  at  any  time 
to  speak  at  a  public  jMeeting  and  preach  in  the  same 
day.  But  I  did  not  adhere  to  this  intention  for  one 
single  day.  I  went  forward  pari  passu  with  my  brother 
j\Iarsh,  and  yet  increased  in  strength  daily ;  so  that  in 
ten  days — by  the  time  I  arrived  at  Berwick,  I  was 
almost  as  perceptibly  renewed  in  strength  as  the 
woman  was,  after  she  had  touched  the  hem  of  our 
Lord's  garment.  During  all  the  remainder  of  my 
journey  this  strength  continued ;  and  it  has  continued 
through  this  whole  year,  so  that  throughout  the 
whole  year  I  have  been  enabled  to  preach — twice  a 
day  instead  of  once, — with  extraordinary  vigour  hi- 
st ead  of  in  a  voice  that  could  scarcely  be  heard, — with 
one  fourth  of  the  fatigue  and  exhaustion  that  was 
formerly  occasioned  by  one  single  sermon  in  the 
slenderest  voice. 

"  Now  I  had  taken  a  much  longer  journey  through 
the  HigUands  four  years  before ;  I  had  also  suspended 
all  labour  for  three  months  by  the  sea-side  three  years 
before ;  I  had  also  gone  to  Holland  for  three  months, 
where  my  labour  was  very  small  indeed;    and  yet 


RESTORATION    OF   HEALTH.  539 

from  all  these  relaxations  I  had  gained  no  particular 
accession  of  strength.  What  then  do  I  collect  from 
this  remarkable  dispensation?  I  consider  God  as 
saying  to  me,  *  I  laid  you  aside,  because  you  enter- 
tained with  satisfaction  the  thought  of  resting  from 
your  labom';  but  now  you  have  arrived  at  the  very 
period  when  you  had  promised  yourself  that  satisfac- 
tion, and  have  determined  to  spend  yom-  strength  for 
me  to  the  latest  hour  of  your  life,  I  have  doubled, 
trebled,  quadrupled  your  strength,  that  you  may 
execute  your  desires  on  a  more  extended  plan.' 

"  I  do  not  approve  of  fancyhig  myself  more  an 
object  of  God's  special  care  and  favour  than  other 
people,  and  much  less  of  recording  any  such  conceit ; 
(though  I  am  not  insensible  of  what  the  Scriptures 
teach  us  both  to  expect  and  acknowledge ;)  but  this 
particular  interposition  of  the  Divine  goodness  I  think 
I  ought  to  see  and  acknowledge ;  and  I  conceive  that 
any  one,  who  duly  considers  the  foregoing  statement, 
will  see  that  there  is  dignus  vindice  nodus ;  and  that 
not  to  see  the  hand  of  God  in  this  mercy  would  be 
the  basest  ingratitude." 


To  Bishop  Burgess,  on  his  kind  acknowledgement  of 
a  Copy  of  the  Horce  Homileticce,  and  his  sending 
in  return  a  Criticism  on  1  John  v.  20. 

"  My  Lord,  "  K.  C,  Oct.  24,  1820. 

"If  it  had  not  been  presumptuous,  I 
should  have  ventured  to  express  the  feelings  and 
sentiments  of  my  heart  by  addressing  you.  j\ly  dear 
Lord, 

"  I  am  truly  thankful  that  your  Lordship  has  done 
me  the  honour  to  accept  my  Book,  and  that  it  in 


540  LETTER   TO    THE 

some  degree  meets  with  your  approbation.  It  however 
was  never  intended  to  be  critical,  any  further  than 
was  necessary  for  practical  purposes.  My  mode  of 
interpreting  Scripture  is  this.  I  bring  to  it  no  predi- 
lections whatever :  for  though  I  have  in  my  mind  the 
analogy  of  faith,  and  am  aware  that  no  portion  of  the 
Scripture,  rightly  interpreted,  can  contradict  that,  yet 
I  never  wish  to  find  any  particular  truth  in  any  par- 
ticular passage.  I  am  willing  that  every  part  of  God's 
blessed  Word  should  speak  exactly  what  it  was  in- 
tended to  speak,  without  adding  a  single  iota  to  it, 
or  taking  from  it  the  smallest  particle  of  its  legitimate 
import.  If  there  be  a  doubt  which  a  candid  mind 
would  feel,  I  readily  state  that  doubt,  and  leave  it  to 
have  its  full  operation  against  what  I  conceive  to  be 
the  juster  interpretation.  It  is  by  coming  to  the 
Scriptures  with  this  mind,  that  I  have  been  led  into 
the  views  which  I  maintain ;  and  which  no  other 
person,  as  far  as  I  am  informed,  has  ever  ventured  to 
maintain,  in  relation  to  the  Calvinistic  and  Arminian 
controversy.  Bishop  Hall  in  his  Via  Media  occupies  far 
different  ground.  It  is  in  the  exercise  of  this  disposi- 
tion that  I  have  been  led  to  give  up,  both  in  my 
Sermons  on  *  The  Excellency  of  the  Liturgy,'  and  in 
my  '  Appeal  to  Men  of  Wisdom  and  Candour,'  the 
word  TraXijyeveaia,  in  reference  to  the  baptismal  con- 
troversy :  and  it  is  in  the  same  way  I  have  met  the 
question  of  Justification  hy  Works.  See  James  ii.  24. 
"  In  a  critical  work  like  that  of  your  Lordship's  it 
is  highly  proper  to  maintain  every  post,  as  far  as  truth 
and  sound  criticism  will  carry  us :  but  even  then, 
I  love  to  concede  everything  to  an  adversary  that  can 
be  justly  required.  I  feel  that  the  great  leading  truths 
of  Christianity  are  so  plain  and  so  incontrovertible, 


BISHOP  OF  ST.  David's.  541 

that  after  every  concession  that  can  be  made  to  him, 
an  opponent  of  any  one  essential  truth  has  not  a  leg 
to  stand  upon.  One  or  two  typographical  errors  in 
your  Lordship's  paper  I  will  take  the  liberty  of  point- 
ing out.  In  the  first  page  the  printer  has  put  a  comma 
after  on,  which,  if  the  sheet  be  not  printed  off,  may  be 
corrected.  The  reference,  Jer,  x.  9,  in  p.  70,  should 
be  Jer.  x.  10;  the  citation  of  Rev.  xix.  2,  should  be 
xix.  11.  I  conceive  your  Lordship  is  perfectly  right 
in  referring  rbv  akr]$Lvov  and  rm  dXriOi.vM  to  the  same 
person ;  and  that  the  ovtos  must  designate  the  same 
person  also.  And  I  think  that  what  your  Lordship 
mentions  about  the  false  Chrisfs  throws  great  light 
upon  the  passage,  inasmuch  as  it  shews  the  necessity 
that  existed  for  marking  distinctly  that  Jesus  was  the 
true  Christ.  Had  the  contest  been  between  Jehovah 
and  the  idols  of  the  heathen  (as  in  Isai.  xl),  we  might 
more  readily  have  conceded  that  rbv  aXrjdcvov  referred 
to  the  Father;  but  when  w^e  know  that  the  contest 
was  between  the  true  Christ  and  false  Christs,  the 
reason  of  the  last  clause,  which  as  addressed  to  Chris- 
tians  would  have  no  literal  sense,  is  clear,  and  the 
application  of  it  both  just  and  necessary.  If  the  scope 
of  the  passage,  as  pointed  out  by  your  Lordship,  be 
not  kept  in  view,  the  close  of  the  Epistle  is,  in  fact, 
without  sense  or  meaning;  but,  with  the  different 
heretics  in  view,  its  sense  is  plain,  and  its  use  both 
obvious  and  important. 

"  Hoping  that  God  in  His  mercy  wiU  long  pre- 
serve you  to  be  a  blessing  to  His  Church,  I  remain, 
my  Lord, 

"  Your  Lordship's  most  aflPectionate  and  devoted 
Servant,  "  C.  Simeon." 


542  THE    DOCTRINE    QF 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  '  Appeal  to 
men  of  Wisdom  and  Caudoiu*,'  to  which  Mr.  Simeon 
refers  in  the  foregoing  letter ;  the  other  passage  from 
the  Sermons  on  the  '  Excellency  of  the  Litm^gy'  has 
been  given  in  pages  301 — 304. 

"  We  now  come  to  state  what  our  views  of  the  sub- 
ject really  are  : — 

"We  have  before  shewn,  that  man  by  nature  has 
nothing  in  him  that  is  spiritually  good,  or  good  toicards 
God.  But  in  order  to  be  made  meet  for  heaven,  he  must 
be  made  spiritually  good ;  that  is,  he  must  love  what  God 
loves,  and  hate  what  God  hates ;  and  be,  and  do,  what 
God  commands.  Does  God  hate  sin  in  all  its  branches  ? 
he  must  hate  it  too,  and  loathe  and  abhor  himself  for 
havino-  ever  committed  it.  Does  God  love  holiness?  he 
also  must  love  a  holy  God,  and  holy  exercises,  and  holy 
affections ;  and  must  so  love  holy  things,  as  to  make  them 
the  continual  objects  of  his  most  earnest  pursuit ;  in  rela- 
tion to  everything  that  is  holy  and  heavenly,  '  the  same 
mind  must  be  in  him  that  was  in  Christ  Jesus.'  Has  God 
required  him  to  come  as  a  weary  and  heavy-laden  sinner 
to  Jesus,  and  to  live  altogether  by  faith  in  Christ,  for 
wisdom,  and  righteousness,  and  sanctification,  and  re- 
demption ;  and  to  glory,  not  in  any  human  strength  or 
goodness,  but  wholly  and  exclusively  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  ?  the  man's  mind  must  be  brought  to  this,  and 
Christ  must  be  exceeding  precious  to  liim  in  all  these 
points  of  view  ;  yea,  he  must  '  determine  to  know  nothing 
and  to  rejoice  in  nothing,  but  Christ  and  him  crucified.' 
These  views  and  these  principles  must  not  rest  as  mere 
notions  in  the  head,  but  must  be  wrought  into  the  heart 
and  exhibited  in  the  whole  of  the  life  and  conversation. 

"  This  change  far  exceeds  the  power  of  fallen  man. 
Whatever  powers  you  may  be  pleased  to  invest  him  with, 
they  fall  very  short  of  this.  A  semblance  of  these  things 
he  may  put  on  ;  but  he  cannot  form  them  really  and  truly 
in  his  heart.  This  is  the  work  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  who 
is  promised  to  us  for  this  very  end ;  '  A  new  heart  will 
I  give  you,  and  a  new  spirit  will  I  put  within  you ;  and 


'  THE    NEW    BIRTH.'  543 

I  will  take  away  the  stony  heart  out  of  your  flesh,  and 
I  will  give  you  a  heart  of  flesh  ;  and  I  will  put  my  Spirit 
within  you,  and  cause  you  to  walk  in  my  statutes,  and  ye 
shall  keep  my  judgments  to  do  them*.'  As  to  the  mode 
of  effiecting  this  great  work,  we  have  already  observed,  the 
Spirit  is  not  restricted ;  but  whenever  it  is  truly  effected, 
then  we  say,  that  the  man  is  born  again,  and  born  of  the 
Spirit ;  and  the  change  that  has  taken  place  within  him, 

we  call  the  new  birth, 

"  Now  the  question  is,  \Yhether  this  be  the  new  birth 
or  not  ?  and  whether  we  do  right  in  insisting  upon  it  as 
necessary  to  man's  salvation? 

"  In  answer  to  this,  we  reply,  not  only  that  the 
Scriptures  call  this  a  new  birth,  a  new  creation,  a  being 
born  of  God,  and  a  being  born  of  the  Spirit,  but  that  an 
experience  of  it  is  predicated  of  all  who  are  in  a  state  of 
favour  with  God  now,  or  shall  find  admission  into  His 
kingdom  hereafter.  'If  any  man  be  in  Christ,  he  is  a 
new  creature,  or  a  new  creation,'  says  the  Apostle :  '  old 
things  are  passed  away;  behold,  all  tilings  are  become 
new.'  And  our  Lord,  with  repeated  asseverations,  says  to 
Nicodemus,  'Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  thee.  Except  a 
man  be  born  again,  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God  f .' 

"  These  declarations  of  our  Lord  to  Nicodemus  are 
peculiarly  strong;  because  the  import  of  them  cannot 
with  any  appearance  of  reason  be  explained  away.  Some 
indeed  have  endeavoured  to  explain  this  of  baptism ;  but 
I  wish  that  those,  who  think  it  can  bear  that  construction, 
would  see  what  sense  they  can  on  that  supposition  make 
of  the  whole  context.  Let  us  suppose  for  a  moment  that 
baptism  is  the  new  birth,  and  that  baptism  was  the  point 
which  our  Lord  so  strongly  insisted  on  ;  why  should  our 
Lord,  when  explaining  and  enforcing  his  first  assertion, 
so  carefully  distinguish  between  water-baptism,  and  the 
operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  '  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto 
thee.  Except  a  man  be  born  of  water  and  of  the  Spirit,  he 
cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God?'  Here,  admitting 
that  he  insisted  on  the  necessity  of  being  born  of  water,  he 


*  Ezek.  xxxvi.  26,  27.  t  John  iii.  3—5. 


544  THE    DOCTRINE    OF 

insisted  also  on  being  born  of  the  Spirit,  in  order  that  he 
might  convince  Nicodemus  that  he  spoke,  not  of  an  out- 
ward and  carnal,  but  of  an  inward  and  spiritual,  change. 
Again — how  can  his  subsequent  explanations  apply  to 
baptism  ?  On  the  supposition  that  he  speaks  of  a  spiritual 
birth,  his  reasons  are  clear  and  forcible;  'that  which  is 
born  of  the  flesh,  is  flesh ; '  and  therefore  imfit  for  a 
spiritual  kingdom ;  but  '  that  which  is  born  of  the  Spirit, 
is  spirit,'  and  exactly  suited  to  that  kingdom  which  he 
was  about  to  establish.  Again — If  it  Avere  baptism  of 
which  he  speaks,  what  connexion  has  that  with  the  wind, 
*  which  bloweth  where  it  listeth,'  and  which,  tliough  in- 
explicable in  some  respects,  is  invariably  and  infallibly  to 
be  seen  in  its  effects  ?  If  it  were  baptism,  it  would  blow, 
not  where  the  Spirit  listeth,  but  where  the  parents  and 
the  minister  list :  and  as  for  its  effects,  they  are  for  the 
most  part  -sdsible  to  no  human  being.  Moreover,  how 
could  our  Lord  with  justice  ask  Nicodemus,  *Art  thou 
a  master  in  Israel,  and  knowest  not  these  things  ?'  Nico- 
demus might  have  well  replied,  'Yes,  I  am  a  master  in 
Israel,  and  yet  know  not  tliese  things :  for  how  should  I 
know  them  ?  ^Yliere  are  they  revealed  ?  What  is  there 
in  the  writings  of  Moses  or  the  prophets  that  should  have 
taught  me  to  expect  so  much  from  baptism  ?  God  re- 
quired the  circumcision  of  the  flesh  as  you  do  baptism ; 
but  he  required  the  circumcision  of  the  heart  also  :  and, 
if  there  be  a  spiritual  change  of  a  similar  nature  required 
of  us  under  your  dispensation,  and  that  be  the  thing 
which  you  call  a  new  birth,  then  I  confess  I  ought  to 
have  had  clearer  views  of  these  things,  since  they  were 
evidently  inculcated  in  the  Jewish  Scriptures,  and  were 
represented  also  as  particularly  characterizing  the  Messiah's 


reign. 


.  ..."  As  some  distinguished  characters  are  very 
strong  and  positive  upon  this  point,  we  think  it  not 
improper  to  enter  somewhat  more  fully  into  it. 

"  If  by  the  term  regeneration  they  meant  an  intro- 
duction into  a  new  state,  in  which  the  baptized  persons 
have  a  right  and  title  to  all  the  blessings  of  salvation,  we 
should  have  no  controversy  with  them. 


'  THE    NEW    BIRTH.'  545 

"If  they  meant  that  all  adults,  who  in  the  exercise 
of  penitence  and  faith  are  baptized  into  Christ,  have  in 
that  ordinance  the  remission  of  their  sins  sealed  to  them, 
and  the  Holy  Spirit  in  a  more  abundant  measure  commu- 
nicated to  them,  Ave  should  not  disagree  with  them. 

"If  they  meant  that  infants  dedicated  to  God  in 
baptism  may  and  sometimes  do  (though  in  a  way  not  dis- 
coverable by  us,  except  by  the  fruits)  receive  a  new 
nature  from  the  Spirit  of  God  in,  and  icith.,  and  hy  that 
ordinance,  we  could  cordially  join  with  them. 

"But  they  go  much  farther  than  all  this 

.  .  .  ."With  some  we  hope,  that  there  is  really  an  error 
of  judgment  arising  from  the  strong  things  which  are 
«poken  of  baptism  in  the  Holy  Scriptures.  They  do  not 
consider,  that,  when  it  is  said,  'Repent,  and  be  baptized 
for  the  remission  of  sins ;'  those  words  were  addressed  to 
adults,  who  had  just  been  informed,  that  Jesus  was  the 
Christ,  and  that,  if  they  believed  in  Him,  and  became  His 
disciples,  their  sins  should  be  blotted  out.  Expressions 
of  this  kind  were  highly  proper  as  addressed  to  adults ; 
but  afford  no  ground  for  the  idea,  that  the  rite  of  baptism 
is  the  new  birth. 

"  We  are  no  more  disposed  to  detract  from  the 
honour  of  that  sacred  ordinance  than  our  adversaries 
themselves ;  we  admit,  and  beg  you  to  bear  in  mind  our 
admission,  that  great,  exceeding  great,  benefit  accrues  to 
the  soul  from  baptism.  In  many  instances,  where  the 
ordinance  is  really  attended  upon  in  faith,  and  prayer  is 
offered  up  to  God  in  faith,  we  do  believe  that  God  be- 
stows a  peculiar  blessing  on  the  child ;  and,  though  we 
cannot  ascertain  that  He  does  so  but  by  the  fruits  that 
are  afterwards  produced,  yet  are  we  warranted  from 
Scripture  to  believe,  that  the  effectual  fervent  prayer  of 
righteous  people  shall  not  go  forth  in  vain ;  and  that  '  what- 
soever we  ask,  believing,  we  shall  receive.'  But  even  from 
the  ordinance  itself  we  may  consider  great  good  as  arising 
to  the  soul;  since,  as  in  the  case  of  circumcision,  the 
person  is  thereby  brought  into  covenant  with  God.  The 
Israelites,  as  a  nation  in  covenant  with  God,  were  highly 
privileged ;  for  '  to  them,'  as  the  Apostle  says,  '  belonged 
L.  S.  N   N 


546  '  THE    NEW    BIRTH.' 

the  adoption,  and  the  glory,  and  the  covenants,  and  the 
giving  of  the  law,  and  the  service  of  God,  and  the  pi'o- 
mises  *.'  The  same,  I  donbt  not,  may  be  justly  said  of  all 
that  are  baptized:  indeed,  we  doubt  not,  but  that  our 
Reformers  had  that  very  passage  of  Scripture  in  their  eye, 
Avheu  in  our  baptismal  service  they  instructed  us  to  thank 
God  for  having  regenerated  the  baptized  person  by  his 
Holy  Spirit ;  and,  in  our  Catechism,  to  speak  of  children 
as  by  the  ordinance  of  baptism  *  made  members  of  Christ, 
children  of  God,  and  inheritors  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven.' 
These  expressions  are  doubtless  strong;  and  so  are  St. 
Paul's  expressions  respecting  the  benefits  of  circumcision  ; 
and  every  blessing  which  he  asserts  to  have  been  conveyed 
by  circumcision,  we  may  safely  and  truly  apply  to  baptism. 
By  the  very  admission  of  persons  into  covenant  with  God, 
they  are  brought  into  a  new  state,  have  a  right  and  title 
to  all  these  privileges ;  and  by  the  exercise  of  faith  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  they  come  to  the  actual  possession  of 

them 

'•'  But  the  chief  source  of  the  fore-mentioned  error  is, 
that  men  do  not  distino-uish  between  a  change  of  state  and 
a  change  of  nature.  Baptism  is,  as  we  have  just  shewn,  a 
change  of  state :  for  by  it  we  become  entitled  to  all  the 
blessings  of  the  new  covenant ;  but  it  is  not  a  change  of 
nature.  A  change  of  nature  may  be  communicated  at  the 
time  that  the  ordinance  is  administered ;  but  the  ordinance 
itself  does  not  communicate  it  now,  any  more  than  in  the 
apostolic  age.  Simon  Magus  was  baptized ;  and  yet 
remained  in  the  gall  of  bitterness  and  the  bond  of  iniquity, 
as  much  after  his  baptism  as  he  was  before.  And  so  it 
may  be  with  us :  and  this  is  an  infallible  proof,  that  the 
change,  which  the  Scriptures  call  the  new  birth,  does  not 
always  and  of  necessity  accompany  this  sacred  ordinance. 
As  the  circumcision  of  the  heart  did  not  always  accom- 
pany the  circumcision  of  the  flesh,  so  neither  does  the 
renovation  of  the  soul  always  accompany  the  outward  rite 
of  baptism,  which  shadows  it  forth ;  and  if  only  our 
opponents  will  distinguish  the  sign  from  the  thing  signi- 


*  Rom.  ix.  4. 


'  JUSTIFICATION    BY    WORKS.'  547 

fied,  and  assign  to  each  its  proper  place  and  office,  there 
will  be  an  immediate  end  of  this  controversy." 


Extract  from  the  Sermon  on  James  ii.  24. 

*'  Ye  see  then  how  that  hy  works  a  man  is  justified,  and  not 

by  faith  only. 

"  It  is  obvious,  that  the  words  which  I  have  read  to 
you  are  a  deduction  from  a  preceding  argument.  We 
ought  therefore  carefully  to  examine  the  argument  itself; 
for  it  is  only  by  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  premises 
that  we  can  understand  the  conclusion  drawn  from  them. 
Suppose  that  I  were,  as  a  conclusion  of  an  argument,  to 
say,  '  So  then  man  is  an  immoi'tal  being ;'  if  the  argument 
itself  were  not  investigated,  you  might  understand  it  as  a 
denial  of  man's  mortality :  but,  if  the  argument  shewed 
that  the  conclusion  referred  to  his  soul  alone,  the  con- 
clusion would  be  found  f)erfect]y  consistent  with  an  appa- 
rently opposite  position,  namely,  that  man  is  a  mortal 
being.  In  like  manner,  if  the  Apostle's  argument  in  the 
preceding  context  be  candidly  examined,  there  will  be 
found  no  real  Inconsistency  between  the  deduction  con- 
tained in  the  text,  and  an  apparently  opposite  deduction 
which  may  be  founded  on  premises  altogether  different."  . . 

"  It  is  said  that  St.  Paul's  sentiments  and  declarations 
on  this  subject  are  directly  opposed  to  those  of  St.  James; 
since,  after  a  Ions;  argument,  he  comes  to  this  conclusion  : 

*  Therefore  we  conclude,  that  a  man  is  justified  by  faith 
without  the  deeds  of  the  law  *.'  He  goes  further  still,  and 
says,  that  '  to  him  that  icorketh  not,  but  believeth  in  Him 
that  justifieth  the  ungodly,  his  faith  is  counted  for  righteous- 
ness-j-.'  Now  it  may  well  be  asked,  'How  can  this  be 
reconciled    with    the    foresfoins;    statement?'      I    answer, 

*  Only  examine  St.  Paul's  argument,  as  you  have  that  of 
St.  James,  and  you  Avill  see  that  there  is  no  opposition  at 
all  between  their  respective  assertions.'  The  two  Apostles 
are  writing  on  two  different  subjects.  St.  Paul  is  proving 
that  a  man  is  not  to  seek  salvation  by  any  righteousness 
of  his  own,  but  simply  by  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ : 


*  Kom.  iii.  28.  t  Rom.  iv.  5. 

N  N  2 


548  'justification  by  works.' 

wliereas    St.  James  is   proving,  that    tlie  man  wlio    pro- 
fesses to  have  faith  in  Christ,  must  shew  forth  liis  faith  by 
his  works.       St.  Paul  endeavours  to    convince   the    self- 
justiciary;    St.  James,    the    Antinomian ;     St.    Paul,    by 
shewing  that  works  are  nothing  without  faith ;   St.  James, 
by  shewing    that    faith  is    nothing  without    works.      St. 
Paul  exalts  Christ,  as  giving  a  title  to  heaven ;   St.  James, 
as  giving  a   meetness    for   heaven.     St.   Paul  bends  the 
Avhole  force    of  his    mind    to    establish   the    one    leading 
doctrine   of  the    Gospel;    St.  James    to  have    that  doc- 
trine adorned.     Thus,    according    to    the   two    Apostles, 
a   man   is  justified    by  faith,   because    by   it  he   is   made 
righteous ;  and  he  is  justified  by  icorJcs,  because  by  them  he 
is  proved  righteous  :  and  God  in  justifying  him,  whether 
on  the  one  ground,  or  the  other,   approves  Himself  both 
'  a  just  God  and  a  Saviour.'     We  may  render  this  matter 
somewhat  more  clear  by  means  of  a  familiar  illustration. 
A  scion  must  be  engrafted  into  a  stock  in  order  that  it 
may  live:  and  it  must  bring  forth  fruit  in  order  to  prove 
that  it  does  live.     Is  there  any  opposition  between  these 
two    assertions  ?     None    whatever.     So   then    with   Paul 
I  assert,  that  man  must  be  engrafted  ■  into  Christ  by  faith, 
in  order  that  he  may  live ;  and  with  St.  James  I  assert, 
that  he  must  bring  forth  fruits  of  righteousness,  to  prove 
that  he    does   live.     Without   being   engrafted    into  the 
stock,  he  can  have  no  life:    and,   if  he  bring  not  forth 
good  works,  he  shews  that  he  has   no  life.     These  two 
positions  are  perfectly  compatible  with  each  other :   and 
so,  when  properly  understood,  are  the  apparently  opposite 
positions  of  these  two  Apostles." 

In  referring  to  the  statements  in  this  Sermon, 
towards  the  close  of  his  life,  Mr.  Simeon  writes : — 

"  On  all  subjects,  except  that  of  Justification  by 
Faith,  St.  Paul  exercised  the  greatest  candour;  but  on 
that  he  would  not  tolerate  an  angel  from  heaven,  if  he 
brought  anything  erroneous.  ...  I  think  I  have  myself 
gone  to  the  utmost  verge  of  what  is  right  (or  rather,  stated 
what  is  precisely  right)  in  my  Sermon  on  James  ii.  24,  in 
my  Horce.'^'' 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

LETTERS  — TO     REV.     T.     THOMASON — VARIOUS     EFFORTS     ON     BEHALF 
OF    THE     JEWS— FORMATION     OF    A    JEWS'    SOCIETr    AT    CAMBRIDGE 

—  TO    MISS     GURNEY    ON     THE    DEATH     OF     HER     SISTER TO     REV. 

J.    W.    CUNNINGHAM    RESPECTING     DR.    CHALMERS  — ON    CLERGYMEN 

ATTENDING     TO     SECULAR    CONCERNS TO    REV.    E.    B.    ELLIOTT     ON 

RECEIVING   TWO    VASES  —  TO    HIS   GODSON  AT    HAILEYBURY    ON    THE 
COLLEGE     REPORTS — TO     REV.    T.    THOMASON    ON     THE    ENJOYMENT 

OF     MERCIES SENDING      HIM     AN      ASSISTANT — RETURN     OF     HIS 

SON   TO     INDIA — MEMORANDUM    ON     RECEIVING    INJURIOUS    TREAT- 
MENT. 


1821. 

CORRESPONDENCE,    ETC. 

To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  K.  C,  Jan.  31,  1821. 

"  My  beloved  Brother, 

"  Your  report  has  come  to  hand,  and 
cheap  as  dirt:  the  former  was  charged  £10.  5^.,  and 
this  onli/  £7.  Your  friends  are  not  so  considerate 
as  might  be  wished ;  but  I  consider  for  them,  and 
keep  my  money  in  my  pocket,  till  the  Post  Office 
come  down  to  my  terms.  I  was  filled  with  wonder 
by  the  last ;  and  doubt  not  but  that  this,  when  it 
conies  to  hand,  will  warm  my  heart  with  gratitude 
and  praise. 

"  Through  the  tender  mercy  of  our  God  the  Jewish 
cause  is  prospering.  I  will  just  mention,  in  few  words, 
what  the  last  fortnight  has  produced.  We  have 
established  a  College,  or  Seminary,  for  our  INIission- 
aries.     We  have  an  excellent  (a  pious  and  learned) 


550  CAMBRIDGE    JEWS     SOCIETY, 

man  for  tlie  President :  and  we  have  fonr  students, 
very  hopeful  ones,  already  there.  The  Bishop  of 
Gloucester,  Mr.  Way,  &c.,  and  myself,  drew  up  for 
them  a  course  of  study,  and  there  is  to  be  a  kind 
of  public  examination  at  Midsummer.  Thus  they 
will  have  an  appropriate  education ;  and  I  hope  that 
in  a  year  three  of  them  will  go  forth.  We  could 
have  a  great  number  of  others,  but  must  wait  for 
funds  to  enable  us  to  proceed  on  a  larger  scale. 

"  I  am  going  soon,  anonymoudy,  to  give  prizes  for 
the  best  tracts  on  Jewish  Questions.  I  have  fixed  two 
questions  for  this  year ;  but  I  must  first  draw  the 
public  mind  to  the  subject  by  some  Papers  in  the 
Expositor.  I  hope  by  this  to  interest  the  Public  in 
the  general  question,  and  to  get  the  best  tracts  com- 
posed for  the  Jews.  You  know  the  great  results  of 
Dr.  Buchanan's  prizes,  and  I  hope  there  will  be  the 
blessing  of  God  on  these  also, 

"  On  the  18th  and  25th  of  February  I  am  to 
preach  (d.v.)  before  the  University,  on  the  Jewish 
Question.  My  Sermons  Avill  be  printed ;  and  I  pro- 
pose to  send  you  some.  If  I  live  till  May,  I  shall 
have  a  Public  Meeting  at  Cambridge ;  and  if  my 
Sermons  shall  have  prepared  the  way,  I  hope  that 
many  will  join  themselves  to  your  unworthy  but  most 
affectionate  Brother,  "  C,  S." 


To  the  SAME  : — 

"  We  have  just  established  a  Jews'  Society 

in  the  University,  and  had  a  Public  Meeting,  Indeed 
such  is  the  state  of  the  University  now,  that  multi- 
tudes are  ready  to  come  forward  in  every  good  work. 
It  is  no  little  mercy  to  have  lived  to  see  such  a  day 
as  this.     When  I   was   an  Undergraduate  myself,   I 


DEATH    OF    BELIEVERS.  551 

could  not  find  one  who  feared  God ;  now  we  can  find 
many,  who  through  the  mercy  of  God  are  burning  and 
shining  lights." 


To  Miss  GuRNEY,  on  the  death  of  her  Sister. 

"  My  dear  Madam,  "  March  30,  1821. 

"  I  often  think  that  my  mind  is  very 
peculiarly  constructed  in  this  respect,  that  the  death 
of  those  who  are  dear  to  me  is  in  many  cases  a  real 
source  of  joy,  from  the  realizing  view  which  I  have 
of  their  happiness.  But  a  few  days  ago,  a  relation  of 
Mr.  Scott  was  regretting  that  he  was  drawing  near 
his  closing  scene  :  and  so  far  was  I  from  sympathizing 
with  him  in  his  regret,  that  I  could  not  refrain  from 
congratulating  the  departing  saint  on  his  prospects. 
I  say  the  same  in  reference  to  dear  Priscilla.  Had 
she  been  restored  to  health  and  usefulness  in  the 
Church,  I  should  have  regarded  that  as  a  ground 
of  unspeakable  joy.  But  to  have  her  kept  here  in 
a  state  of  extreme  languor,  without  any  prospect  of 
ever  rendering  any  further  services  to  the  Church, 
w^ould  have  been  in  my  mind  rather  a  matter  of  sub- 
mission, than  of  desire.  Of  her  preparation  for  glory 
no  one  can  entertain  a  shadow  of  a  doubt  ;  why  then 
keep  her  from  it  ?  AVhy  not  rejoice  in  her  full  pos- 
session of  it?  AVhy  not  consider  her  as  just  gone 
a  stage  before  us,  and  redouble  our  own  speed  to 
enjoy  her  society  again  as  soon  as  we  may  be  per- 
mitted to  arrive  at  those  blest  abodes?  Yet  whilst 
I  say  this,  I  mean  not  that  the  feelings  of  nature 
should  be  suppressed ;  but  sanctified,  and  elevated 
to  a  heavenly  refinement.  And  I  feel  assured  that 
such  will  be  the  one  sentiment  that  will  pervade 
you  all,  when  assembled  on  the  mouraful  occasion  of 


552  .  CHRISTIAN  soimow. 

committing  her  mortal  remains  to  the  tomb.  I  even 
iioAv  taste  the  spirit  of  you  all :  I  seem  to  be  one  wdth 
you  all :  I  think  I  understand  you  all :  and  you  also 
understand  me.  I  love  the  '  gathering  into  stillness,' 
the  sweet  sorrow,  and  the  adoring  joy. 

"  But  I  must  restrain  my  pen ;  lest  I  should  ap- 
pear to  forget  that  '  Jesus  wept.'  Yet  methinks,  if  I 
know  a  little  what  it  is  to  '  rejoice  with  trembling,'  I 
know  also  what  it  is  to  be  melted  with  love,  and  to 
rejoice  with  weeping. 

"  Present  my  tender  regards  to  your  whole  circle, 
and  especially  to  my  ever  dear  friends  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
J.  J.  Gurney,  and  beheve  me,  my  dear  Madam,  most 
affectionately  yours,  "  C.  Simeon." 


To  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Cunningham. 

"  K.  C,  Oct.  22,  1821. 

"  My  very  dear  and  honoured  Friend, 

"  Your  person,  w^ork,  and  circumstances, 
find  a  deep  interest  in  my  heart;  and  I  have  much 
joy  in  the  conviction  that  they  are  all  indelibly  en- 
graven on  the  breastplate  of  our  Great  High  Priest, 
who  is  touched  with  the  feeling  of  all  our  wants  and 
all  our  infirmities.  I  trust  that  your  supports  and 
consolations  abound  above  all  your  afflictions;  for 
our  God  giveth  good  measure,    pressed   down,   and 


running  over. 


"  I  have  seen  with  much  satisfaction  the  review 
of  Dr.  Chalmers'  Works.  I  have  received  a  letter 
from  himself  this  very  day,  and  not  having  time  to 
answer  it,  have  conveyed  to  him  an  oral  reply,  carrying 
my  whole  heart  along  with  it.  Truly  I  consider  him 
as  raised  up  by  God  for  a  great  and  peculiar  Avork. 
His    depth    of    thought,     originality   in    illustrating 


DR.    CHALMERS.  553 

and  strength  in  stating,  are  unrivalled  in  the  present 
day :  and  I  think  he  is  somewhat  less  turgid,  and 
intricate,  and  careless  in  his  language  than  he  was 
at  first 

"  In  another  respect  he  is  too  sanguine.  He  does 
not  sufficiently  see,  that  a  Chalmers  is  necessary  to 
carry  into  effect  the  plans  of  Chalmers.  But  he  has 
a  noble  aim  ;  and  I  think  will  do  great  good.  If  we 
cannot  all  follow  him  closely,  we  may  yet  tread  in  his 
steps  ;  and  I  trust  that  many  will  make  the  attempt. 

"  I  think  also  he  carries  too  far  the  complaint 
about  Government  making  use  of  J\Iinisters  in  secular 
matters.  Dr.  C.  and  half  a  score  of  others  may  find 
it  a  serious  inconvenience.  The  great  mass  of  Ministers, 
I  fear,  thronghout  the  united  kingdom  woidd  not 
engage  one  atom  more  in  spiritual  exercises,  or  in 
ministerial  labours,  if  they  were  to  be  exempted  from 
all  temporal  matters  to-morrow.  Still,  if  some  things 
are  overstrained,  (and  wdio  ever  rode  a  favourite  hobby 
without  going  now  and  then  a  little  too  fast  ?)  many 
things  are  nobly  stated,  and  come  with  great  power  to 
the  mind;  and  I  rejoice  exceedingly  that  you  are 
calling  the  attention  of  the  Public  to  them.  Such  a 
measure  was  wanted.  Religious  people  are  apt  to 
overlook  secular  matters,  instead  of  giving  them  a  due 
measm-e  of  attention,  forgetting  that  motto,  'Nihil 
liumani  a  me  alieniim puto'  .... 

"  My  province  is  just  to  attend  to  the  little  things 
that  are  before  me.  Were  I  to  attempt  to  execute 
Dr.  C.'s  plans,  my  folly  would  soon  appear  unto  all 
men.  I  have  often  thought  that,  as  sapientia  prima 
est  stultitid  caruisse ;  so  seciinda  est,  to  know,  quid 
valeant  humeri,  quid,  ferre  recusent ;  and  however 
defective  in  the  first,  I  have  studied  carefully,  and  to 


554  RECOLLECTIONS    OP 

pretty  good  purpose,  tlie  second.  I  make  known  my 
little  pittance  of  knowledge,  but  carefully  conceal  my 
ignorance  ;  which  is,  I  conceive,  laudably  concealed, 
when  you  affect  not  talents  or  acquirements  you  do 
not  possess.  I  intended  only  to  drop  you  a  few  lines 
in  answer  to  your  kind  note ;  and  behold  here  is  quite 
a  letter ;  and  after  all  it  does  not  express  a  tenth  part 
of  what  I  tacitly  comprehend,  when  I  sign  myself  your 
truly  sympathizing  and  most  affectionate  Friend, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


To  the  Rev.  Edw.  B.  Elliott,  on  receiving  from 

him  two  beautiful  Vases. 

"  K.  C,  Nov.  5,  1821. 

"  Indeed,  my  dear  friend,  I  know  not 
what  I  shall  say  to  you.  You  put  me  to  shame,  and 
oppress  me,  for  I  have  not  only  never  done,  but  never 
had  it  in  my  power  to  do,  anything  to  merit  such 
kindness  at  your  hands.  That  I  love  every  member 
of  your  family  is  certain  ;  and  that  I  should  leap  for 
joy  if  an  opportunity  offered  to  testify  my  love  is 
certain.  But  I  have  always  studiously  (whether  pro- 
perly or  not  is  another  matter)  traced  the  peculiar 
strength  of  my  attachment  to  another  *,  whom  I  have 
viewed,  and  delighted  to  view,  in  all  connected  with 
him.  I  have  defied  him  to  get  out  of  my  reach,  as 
long  as  there  were  any  on  earth  that  have  his  blood  in 
their  veins.  I  have  exulted  in  this,  and  do  exult  in 
it,  and  will  exult  in  it.  He  can  do  nothing  for  me 
now :  but  I  can  (at  least  in  desire  and  purpose)  for 
him  :  and  though  in  the  efforts  of  a  thousand  years  I 
never   can  repay  my  obligations  to  him  for  all  his 


The  Rev.  H,  Yeno,  grandfather  of  Uev.  E.  B.  Elliott. 


THE    REV.    H.    VENN.  555 

labours  of  love,  1  am  prepared  to  pay  my  peppercorn 
towards  it :  and  I  feel  every  personal  regard  to  sur- 
viving individuals  so  refined,  so  heightened,  so  sweet- 
ened, by  the  consideration  of  him,  that  I  never  for  a 
moment  suffer  the  one  to  operate  without  the  other. 

"  How  far  this  may  be  connected  with  a  principle, 
which  for  more  than  forty  years  I  have  laboured 
diligently  to  cultivate,  I  know  not.  It  has  been  a 
favourite  object  with  me,  as  far  as  human  weakness 
would  admit  of  it,  to  love  all  for  my  Saviour's  sake  ; 
and  in  proportion  as  I  have  seen,  or  thought  I  saw. 
His  image  in  them.  And  it  may  possibly  be,  that  the 
fixedness  of  this  principle  in  my  mind,  as  it  respects 
my  Saviom*,  has  led  me  into  an  error  in  respect  to 
him,  whom  I  have  ever  loved  next  to  my  Saviour. 
Be  it  so  ;  and,  if  it  be  a  fault,  forgive  it :  but  it  will 
take  some  time,  after  all,  to  convince  me,  that  the 
feelings  of  love  and  gratitude  to  a  departed  saint  can 
be  too  ardent,  of  that  a  thought  of  exultation,  when  I 
find  my  arm  long  enough  to  reach  him,  is  bad.  One 
thing  at  least  I  can  say,  I  love  not  any  individual  in 
your  family  less  than  I  should  have  done,  if  your 
honoured  Grandfather  had  never  been  known  to  me  : 
and  if  there  be  a  superabundance  of  feeling  towards 
them,  as  arising  from  my  knowledge  of  him,  no  injm-y 
is  done  to  them.  It  was  for  my  spiritual  benefit  that 
he  watched  over  me  and  laboured ;  and  if  I  might,  in 
the  remotest  possible  degree,  contribute  to  the  spiritual 
benefit  of  any  connected  with  him,  it  would  indeed  be 
a  matter  of  unbounded  joy. 

"  In  passing  within  view  of  the  Yelling  grounds, 
(for  spire,  alas  !  no  longer  exists)  it  is  still  my  delight- 
ful employment  to  bring  you  all,  not  en  masse,  but  in 
single  file  before  our  common  Lord  :    and  who  can 


556  TENDER    ANXIETY 

tell  ?  though  /can  render  no  assistance  to  any  of  yon, 
He  can,  and  perhaps  may  send  down  a  few  drops  of 
rain,  in  answer  to  the  request  of  the  most  unworthy  of 
his  servants. 

"  The  Vases  have  only  one  fault ;  they  are  too 
elegant ;  but  they  are  just  placed  securely  in  the  front 
of  my  large  glass,  (a  securer  place  than  my  mantel- 
piece,) and  will  call  forth  the  admiration  of  a  bride  and 
bridegroom,  who  are  to  dine  with  me  this  very  day. 
Believe  me,  I  shall  value  them  most  highly  for  the 
donor's  sake  ;  and  that  I  am,  with  lively  gratitude  and 
affection,  your  brother  in  the  Lord, 

"  C.  Simeon."    , 


To  his  Godson  at  Haileybury  College. 

"  My  beloved  James,  «  Xov.  6, 1821. 

"  I  have  this  moment  received  a  letter 
which  greatly  afflicts  me  :  it  is  the  monthly  Report, 
in  which  the  word  '  quite'  is  omitted ;  and  even  the 
word  '  very'  is  omitted,  and  nothing  is  said  but  '  re- 
gular and  correct.'  In  the  last  three  this  has  been  the 
gradation : 

"  1.  Quite  regular  and  correct. 

"2.  Very  (not  quite)  regular  (but  not  at  all 
correct). 

"  3.  Regular  and  correct  (but  not  quite,  or  very.) 

"  Is  my  beloved  James  degenerating  ?  And  as  the 
time  approaches  for  my  losing  sight  of  him  for  ever, 
am  I  to  have  less  joy  in  him  and  less  delight  ?  Have 
you  not,  my  ever  dear  boy,  been  my  joy,  my  boast, 
my  glory ;  and  shall  a  diminution  of  your  excellencies 
put  me  to  shame  ? 

"  I  am  the  more  grieved,  because  I  fear  that  my 
late  method  of  testifying  my  love  was  injudicious,  and 


FOR    HIS    GODSON.  557 

has  led  j^ou  into  the  course  which  has  lowered  you  in 
the  estimation  of  your  Professors.  If  this  have  been 
the  case,  I  pray  you  to  forgive  me.  It  is  difficult  to 
feel  ardent  love,  and  not  shew  it  injudiciously.  But 
for  my  sake,  for  your  own  sake,  for  your  dear  parents' 
sake,  I  pray  you  correct  instantly  whatever  is  amiss ; 
and  let  no  young  companion  tempt  you  to  persevere 
in  anything,  which  is  contrary  to  the  rules  of  the 
College,  or  contrary  to  the  dictates  of  sound  judgment. 
"  Beloved  James,  you  have  trod  a  distinguished 
path  :  get  back  to  it  without  delay.  Measure  not  out 
your  good  behaviour  by  drams  and  scruples,  but  let 
the  measure  be  full,  pressed  down,  and  running  over. 
My  unvaried  feeling  respecting  you  has  hitherto  been 
that  of  joy  and  delight :  let  it  not,  I  beseech  you, 
become  that  of  anxiety  and  fear.  It  is  but  a  little 
time,  my  dear  boy,  that  your  trials  here  and  my 
anxieties  are  to  last :  let  me  have  the  supreme  delight 
of  sending  you  off  to  your  father  confirmed  in  all  that 
is  good, ,  and  laden  with  the  love  and  applause  of  all 
who  have  the  oversight  of  you. 

"  As  my  last  contained  a  draft,  you  should  have 
acknowledged  the  receipt  of  it  without  delay.  I  con- 
strued your  silence  thus  ;  '  The  public  Report  shall 
answer  him  :  Quite,  quite,  quite,  shall  stand  in  tele- 
graf)hic  characters  to  rejoice  his  heart.' 

"  Tell  me,  my  beloved  James,  by  an  early  post, 
that  you  are  determined,  with  God's  help,  that  if  I 
ojKu  the  next  Report  with  fear,  I  shall  read  it  loith  joy. 
This  will  be  a  great  comfort  to  the  mind  of 

"  Your  loving  Father  in  man's  stead,  and 

"  Your  anxious  Father  in  God's  stead, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


558  WORKS    IN    INDIA. 

To  the  SAME  : — 

"  My  beloved  James,  «  Nov.  8,  1821. 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  openness,  and  hope 
you  will  redouble  your  caution  in  future.  When  you 
know  how  my  happiness  is  wrapt  up  in  you,  I  can 
have  no  doubt  but  that  you  will  further  it  to  the  very 
utmost  of  your  power.  I  take  it  as  a  good  omen 
respecting  you,  that  the  Dean  made  rather  light  of 
the  words  'quite'  and  *very.'  But  you  have  miscon- 
strued this  meaning,  I  have  no  doubt*.  Seeing  you 
wounded  and  grieved  at  the  dishonour  incurred,  he 
kindly  and  tenderly,  as  I  myself  should  probably  have 
done,  endeavoured  to  heal  your  wound  by  that  species 
of  balm  which  was  nearest  at  hand,  upon  the  principle 
of  not  hreaking  a  bruised  reed.  But  to  one  who  loves 
you  as  I  do,  there  is  an  immense  difference  between 
'quite'  and  'very;'  and  the  omission  of  them  is  a 
dagger  to  my  heart.  Being  assured  of  this,  I  know 
you  will  cut  off  your  hand  rather  than  let  me  have 
anything  but  '  Quite,  Quite,  Quite,'  in  future. 

"  Yours  ever,  "  Philoquite." 


To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  My  beloved  Brother,  "  Nov.  27,  1821. 

"  Sweet  tidings  your  letters  bring.  The 
abundance  of  your  own  personal  labours,  and  of  those 
engaged  in  the  School-book  Society,  amazes  me ;  and 
the  success  your  labours  meet  with,  in  gaining  the 
sanction  and  aid  of  Government,  fills  me  with  grati- 
tude. In  truth,  I  do  not  think  lightly  of  those  things  : 
I  well  know  the  force  of  prejudice  :  I  well  know  that 


*  It  was  really  a  matter  of  no  moment  whatever  which  gave 
rise  to  the  change  in  the  terms  of  the  Report.     En. 


MERCIES    ACKNOWLEDGED.  559 

God  alone  is  able  to  subdue  it ;  and  that  till  He  opens 
men's  eyes,  they  cannot  see  even  the  sun  at  noon-day. 
Indeed,  I  feel  it  an  unspeakable  mercy  that  I  have 
been  made  acquainted  with  these  secrets  of  the  Lord : 
by  means  of  this  knowledge  I  derive  '  meat  out  of  the 
eater,'  and  '  honey  from  the  strong,'  Yet  though  I 
rejoice  and  glory  when  I  am  accounted  worthy  to 
suffer  shame  for  Christ,  I  rejoice  no  less  when  I  see 
'  the  earth  helping  the  woman,'  and  God  overruling 
even  '  the  wrath  of  man  to  praise  him.'  It  does  seem 
that  God  is  at  work  all  the  world  over  :  and  that  the 
time  is  hastening  on  apace  for  all,  both  Jews  and 
Gentiles,  to  glorify  His  Name.  That  you  too,  my 
beloved  Brother,  should  be  kept  in  so  hot  a  furnace  as 
your  last  summer,  and  not  have  '  the  smell  of  fire  pass' 
upon  you  ;  and  this  too,  when  the  young  and  stout 
were  attacked : — my  dear  Sister  too,  that  she  also  has 
been  preserved  !  I  tell  you  of  a  truth,  that  I  believe 
these  things  to  be  of  God ;  and  that  '  He  is  a  rewarder 
of  them  that  diligently  seek  Him.' 

"  Former  letters  will  have  shewn  you  that  I  am 
labouring  for  you,  to  provide  the  assistance  which  you 
so  greatly  need.  I  have  a  most  lovely  man  to  send 
you  :  all  that  is  wanting  is  a  vote  of  the  Court.  As 
for  a  person  coming  to  you  as  a  Curate,  it  is  thought 
that  the  Directors  would  not  suffer  such  an  anomaly 
to  be  introduced  into  their  system  :  and  I  fear  that 
there  is  another  Director  who  woidd  not  suffer  it, 
even  if  an  Assistant  were  this  moment  landed  on  your 
shore.  I  wish  that  he  were  forced  to  bear  your 
burthen  for  one  summer  :  he  would  soon  feel  the  need 
of  more  consideration  both  for  preachers  and  hearers. 
I  love  general  rules ;  and  I  can  excuse  him  for  making 
and  acting  up  to  them.     But  if  God  Himself  dispenses 


560  THOUGHTS   ON    RECEIVING 

with  His  laws  in  belialf  of  mercy,  who  is  that  man 
that  sliall  think  to  serve  God  by  estabhshing  and 
maintaining  rules  at  the  expense  of  mercy  ?  I  wish  he 
;knew  what  that  meaneth,  '  I  will  have  mercy,  and  not 
sacrifice.' .... 

"I  am  truly  glad  that  you  have  expressed  so 
decided  a  desire  that  James  should  go  out  as  early  as 
possible  after  his  Term.  It  had  been  my  own  pur- 
pose ;  bnt  I  was  already  blamed  not  a  little  by 

who  does  not  sufficiently  consider  what  is  best  for  the 
youth.  But  I  have  learned  not  to  speak,  or  say  what 
I  will  do  :  I  find  it  better  to  judge  and  act  in  silence ; 
and  not  in  relation  to  this  only,  bnt  in  every  thing. 
However  you  have  spread  a  broad  shield  over  me,  and 
I  shall  be  as  firm  as  King's  Chapel.  Before  the 
expiration  of  his  Term  I  shall  have  everything  in 
readiness  for  him ;  and  sliall  fix  on  the  best  ship,  the 
best  commander,  the  best  company,  as  for  my  own  son  : 
and  shall  in  all  probability  sail  part  of  the  way  to 
India  with  him,  as  I  did  with  you. 

"  Yours,  &c.  "  C.  S." 


A  Memorandum,  on  meeting  with  injurious 
Treatment.  "  K,  C,  Dec.  19,  1821. 

"  A  circumstance  has  just  occmTed;  and  I  record 
it  merely  to  illustrate  an  idea  long  familiar  to  my 
mind,  and  brought  home  to  my  experience,  if  not 
every  day,  certainly  every  loeel^  of  my  life ;  viz.,  that 
the  servant  of  God  does  not  live  under  the  same  laws 
as  others ;  and  that  if  he  were  to  act  towards  others 
as  they  do  towards  him,  the  woi'ld,  who  are  regardless 
of  the  treatment  he  meets  with,  would  be  full  of 
indignation  against  him.  [The  incident  is  then  nar- 
rated.] 


INJURIOUS    TREATMENT.  5G1 

"  Perhaps  I  ought  to  take  some  notice  of  it ;  but 
my  rule  is — never  to  hear,  or  see,  or  know,  what 
if  heard,  or  seen,  or  known,  would  call  for  animadver- 
sion from  me.  Hence  it  is  that  I  dwell  in  peace 
in  the  midst  of  lions.  My  blessed  Lord,  '  when  He 
was  reviled,  reviled  not  again ;  when  He  suffered,  He 
threatened  not,  but  committed  Himself  to  Him  that 
judgeth  righteously.'  That  seems  the  right  thing  for 
me  to  do ;  though  some  perhaps  would  think  it  better 
for  me  to  stand  up  for  my  rights.  But  to  all  the  ac- 
cusations that  were  brought  against  Him,  our  Lord 
made  no  reply ;  '  insomuch  that  the  (/overnor  marvelled 
greatly^  I  delight  in  that  record :  and  God  helping 
me,  it  is  the  labour  of  my  life  so  to  act,  that  on  my 
account  also  the  governor,  or  spectator,  may  marvel 
greatly. 

"  My  experience  all  this  day  has  been,  and  I  hope 
will  yet  continue  to  be,  a  confirmation  of  that  word, 
'  Thou  wilt  hide  me  in  the  secret  of  thy  presence  from 
the  strife  of  tongues.'  Lisult  an  Angel  before  the 
throne ;  and  what  would  he  care  about  it  ?  Just  such 
will  be  my  feeling,  whilst  I  am  hid  in  the  secret  of  my 
Redeemer's  presence." 


L     S.  GO 


CHAPTER  XXIV 


LETTERS TO    REV.    T.    THOMASON     ON    THE     RETURN     OF     HIS     SON — ■ 

JOURNEY     TO     IRELAND SERMONS     AND     MEETINGS     IN     DUBLIN 

ARCHBISHOP     OF     TUAM REMARKS      ON      CALVINISM  —  STORM      ON 

THE   PASSAGE    HOME VISIT    TO    OXFORD — THE    PROVOST  OF    ORIEL 

TO     DR.     COPPLESTON     ON     THE     CALVINISTIC     CONTROVERSY TO 

A     MISSIONARY    ON      EXPERIMENTAL     RELIGION EXTRACTS     FROM 

HIS     DIARY HIS     CLIMACTERIC — VISIT     TO     EARLHAM ON     DELI- 
CACY     IN     MAKING     BEQUESTS — ON     ACTING     WITH     JUDGEMENT 

jews'      meeting     at     BRISTOL  — and      AT      GLOUCESTER  — DUCHESS 

OF    BEAUFORT    ON    WALKING    WITH     WISDOM A    REBUKE     OF     HIS 

VANITY — ON      GIVING      A      VOTE  —  CATHOLIC     EMANCIPATION MR. 

BANKES'S    ELECTION. 


1822. 


CORRESPONDENCE,    ETC. 

To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  Oxford,  April  26,  1822. 
"  My  beloved  Brother, 

"  I  am  now  on  my  return  from  Ireland, 
whither  I  have  been  mth  my  dear  friend  Mr.  Marsh ; 
he  for  the  Gentiles,  and  I  for  the  Jews.  As  you  will 
soon  hear  from  me  at  large  respecting  yom'  beloved 
James,  I  shall  pass  him  over,  with  only  saying,  that  I 
have  taken  his  berth  in  the  David  Scott ;  that  on  the 
23d  of  May  I  intend  to  go  and  see  him  receive  his 
last  prizes ;  and  that  on  the  1st  of  June  1  hope  your 
Mother  and  1  shall  sail  with  him,  as  I  did  with  vou 
and  my  dear  Sister,  as  far  as  the  pilot  goes.  Mr. 
Harrington  and  Sergeant  Blossett,  and  your  colleague 
Mr.  Craufurd,  will  sail  with  him,  and  all  on  the  same 


VISIT    TO    IRELAND.  563 

deck,  in  contiguous  cabins.  O  that  God  may  pre- 
serve him  in  safety,  and  bring  him  to  your  bosom 
as  the  most  dear  and  acceptable  of  all  earthly  trea- 
sures. 

"  Now  for  Ireland. — You  will  wish  to  hear  of  mv 
motions  now  in  my  Climacteric,  more  especially  as 
my  dial  has  been  '  put  back  ten  degrees.' 

"  There  is  amongst  the  Prelates  of  Ireland  an  aug- 
mented prejudice  against  the  truth.  The  Primate  and 
the  Archbishop  of  Dublin  have  withdrawn,  and  others 
with  them,  from  the  Bible  Society  and  all  the  Reli- 
gious Societies,  It  appeared  to  me  therefore  that, 
through  the  Divine  blessing,  I  might  do  good  by  going 
there.  The  bugbear  in  their  minds  is  Calvinism ;  by 
which  term  they  designate  all  vital  religion.  You 
well  know  that  though  strongly  Calvinistic  in  some 
respects,  I  am  as  strongly  Arminian  in  others.  I  am 
free  from  all  the  trammels  of  human  systems  ;  and 
can  pronounce  every  part  of  God's  blessed  Word, 
ore  rotundo,  mincing  nothing,  and  fearing  nothing. 
Perhaps  too  I  may  say,  that,  from  havhig  published 
sixteen  Volumes,  and  preached  for  forty  years  in 
Cambridge,  I  may  be  supposed  to  give  a  pretty  just 
picture  of  the  state  of  Evangelical  Religion,  such 
as  it  really  is.  On  this  account  I  hoped,  that  how- 
ever insignificant  in  myself,  I  might  be  an  instrument 
of  good :  more  especially,  because  in  the  last  year  I 
sent  to  every  Prelate  there  my  Sermons  on  the  Con- 
version of  the  Jews.  It  happened  too  that  they  were 
anxious  to  have  me  come  over  thither  ;  and  that 
Mr.  Marsh  was  actually  engaged  to  go  for  the  Church 
Missionary  Society.  With  joy  therefore  I  accepted 
the  invitation,  being  myself  most  willing  to  go ;  and 
accordingly  I  proceeded  with  Mr.  Marsh,  on  Monday, 

o  o  .2 


501  MEETINGS 

April  8th,  and  got  to  Holyhead  on  Thursday ;  and  we 
reached  oui'  destmed  home  in  good  health  and  spirits 
on  the  Saturday  afternoon. 

"  No  sooner  were  we  arrived  than  Irish  hospitality 
evinced  itself  in  an  extraordinary  degree.  You,  who 
know  the  precise  line  in  which  I  walk  at  Cambridge, 
will  be  astonished,  as  I  myself  was,  to  find  Earls 
and  Viscounts,  Deans  and  Dignitaries,  Judges,  &c. 
calling  upon  me,  and  Bishops  desirous  to  see  me. 
Invitations  to  dinner  were  numerous  from  different 
quarters ;  one  had  been  sent  even  to  London,  and 
to  Cambridge,  to  engage  us  to  dinner  on  the  Bible- 
day.  But  let  me  enter  on  what  will  appear  yet  more 
extraordinary  on  the  other  hand.  The  Archbishop, 
understanding  that  foreigners  were  invited  to  preach 
in  Dublin,  had  said  that  he  had  no  objection  to 
Mr.  Marsh  or  myself;  but  that  he  expected  the 
minister  to  adhere  to  the  Canon,  which  requu'ed  the 
exhibition  of  our  Letters  of  Orders  previous  to  our 
admission  to  any  pulpit  in  his  province.  Informa- 
tion respecting  this  had  been  sent  us,  and  we  came 
prepared  :  and  the  Chm'chwardens  were  summoned 
to  the  Vestry  to  record  and  attest  the  exhibition 
of  them.  In  the  morning  of  the  next  day  I  preached 
at  St.  George's  Church,  to  a  congregation  of  1200, 
a  kind  of  preparatory  Sermon  for  the  Jews ;  and 
God  seemed  to  be  manifestly  present  with  us.  In 
the  evening  I  preached  at  another  smaller  Church 
in  the  outskirts  of  the  City ;  and  had  reason  to  hope 
that  the  word  did  not  go  forth  in  vain. 

"  On  the  next  day  (JNIonday)  I  dined  at  the  Coun- 
tess of  Westmeath's,  and  met  Judge  Daly  and  many 
other  characters  of  the  highest  respectability.  Tuesday 
was  the  Jews'  Society-day.     This  Society  in  Ireland 


IN    DUBLIN.  503 

takes  the  lead,  and  is  carried  on  witli  surprising 
spirit.  Their  Committee  meets  every  Monday  morn- 
ing; and  they  give  themselves  to  prayer  as  well  as 
to  the  ministry  of  the  varions  offices  that  are  called 
for.  The  Archbishop  of  Tuam  was  in  the  Chair :  we 
met  in  the  Rotunda.  It  is  however  ill-adapted  for 
speaking.  The  windows  were  open  on  both  sides, 
so  that  the  voice  was  earned  out  by  the  wind,  and 
those  in  front  could  not  hear :  I  did  my  best  how- 
ever; but  not  without  suffering  for  it  for  two  or 
three  days.  They  looked  to  me  as  the  representative 
of  the  Society,  and  therefore  I  felt  bound  to  exert 
myself  to  the  uttermost.  It  was  altogether  a  very 
interesting  meeting. 

"  The  Bible  Meeting  was  the  next  day.  The  Arch- 
bishop again  was  in  the  Chair :  and  his  iVddress  was 
the  finest  thing  I  ever  heard.  The  Primate  and  the 
Archbishop  of  Dublin  had  withdrawn  their  names 
from  the  Society;  the  Archbishop  of  Tuam  therefore 
stood  on  very  delicate  ground.  This  he  stated ;  but 
observed  that  as  they  had  not  declared  their  reasons 
for  withdrawing,  and  he  could  discover  none  himself, 
he  must  continue  to  uphold  it.  He  spoke  with  a  dig- 
nity suited  to  his  rank,  yet  with  the  meekness  of  his 
Divine  Master.  Perhaps  Paul  before  Pestus  will  give 
you  the  best  idea  of  his  whole  action,  spirit,  and 
deportment.  I  doubt  not  but  that  he  v^dll  hear  of 
that  speech  at  the  day  of  judgment.  After  the  read- 
ing of  the  Report  I  left  the  assembly:  for  after  the 
exertions  of  the  preceding  day  I  greatly  needed  rest. 
Thursday  was  the  Meeting  of  the  School  Society:  that 
was  in  a  smaller  room,  and  Earl  Roden  in  the  Chair. 
It  was  a  most  delightful  Meeting  :  and  my  dear  fellow- 
traveller,  Mr.  Marsh,  produced  a  vast  sensation,  as 


566  CALVINISM. 

indeed  he  generally  does;  sucli  a  playful  suavity  as  his 
I  never  heard.  On  the  Friday,  at  the  Church  Mission 
Society,  the  Archbishop  of  Tuam  again  presided.  If 
I  could  have  accepted  of  all  the  invitations  they  would 
have  lasted  almost  to  this  time. 

"  On  Saturday  I  preached  my  Jewish  Sermon  to 
a  good  congregation,  Avho  collected  £114,  and  my 
Sermon  is  printing  there :  and  as  I  preached  it  three 
days  ago  before  the  University  of  Cambridge,  it  is 
printing  here  also  at  Cambridge,  where  I  am  finishing 
this  letter.  I  shall  send  you  a  copy.  In  the  Note  * 
you  will  see  perhaps  a  harder  blow  at  Calvinism,  as  an 
exdiisive  system,  than  it  has  ever  yet  received.  It  has 
been  assaulted  severely  by  enemies,  times  without 
number ;  but  here  it  is  wounded  by  a  friend :  and 


*  The  Note  referred  to  by  Mr.  Simeon  is  the  following  : — 

"  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  whilst  Calvinists  complain  of 
Arminians  as  unfair  and  uuscriptural,  in  denying ^je?'so?<rt/,  though 
they  admit  national,  election,  they  themselves  are  equally  unfair 
and  uuscriptural  in  denying  the  danger  oij^^rsonal  apostasy,  whilst 
they  admit  it  in  reference  to  churches  and  nations.  It  is  lamentable 
to  see  the  plain  statements  of  Scripture  so  unwarrantably  set  aside 
for  the  maintaining  of  human  systems.  Happy  would  it  be  for 
the  Church,  if  these  distinctions  were  buried  by  the  consent  of  all 
parties,  and  the  declarations  of  Holy  Writ  were  adhered  to  by  all, 
without  prejudice  or  partiality  ! 

"  The  Author's  views  of  this  subject  are  simply  these.  All  good 
is  from  God,  dispensed  by  Him  in  a  way  of  sovereignty  according 
to  the  counsels  of  His  ovna.  will,  and  to  the  praise  of  the  glory  of 
His  grace.  All  evil,  whether  moral  or  penal,  is  from  man  ;  the 
mora^  as  resulting  from  his  own  free  choice  ;  the  penal,  as  the  just 
and  necessary  consequence  of  his  sins.  The  Author  has  no  doubt 
but  that  there  is  in  God's  blessed  Word  a  system  ;  but  it  is  a  far 
broader  system  than  either  Calvinists  or  Arminians  admit.  His 
views  of  that  system  may  be  seen  in  the  Preface  to  this  Work." 

Respecting  this  Note  Mr.  Simeon  wrote  not  long  before  his 
death  : — '  This  7  regard  as  very  important.' 


STORM    AT    SEA.  567 

I  hope  the  blow  will  be  felt,  to  the  restrammg  of  its 
friends  and  the  reconciling  of  its  enemies  to  my  views. 
I  believe  in  final  perseverance  as  much  as  any  of  them; 
but  not  in  the  way  that  others  do.  God's  purpose  shall 
stand ;  but  our  liability  to  fall  and  perish  is  precisely 
the  same  as  ever  it  was  :  oui*  secmity,  as  far  as  it 
relates  to  Him,  consists  in  faith;  and,  as  far  as  it 
relates  to  ourselves,  it  consists  mfear. 

"  But  I  see  that  if  I  go  on,  my  paper  will  not  hold 
half  that  I  have  to  say.  Let  it  suffice  therefore  to 
add,  that  as  I  was  not  expected  in  other  parts  of 
Ireland,  I  went  no  further,  but  returned  on  the  follow- 
ing Monday  to  Holyhead On  the  morning  of 

my  return  there  was  as  violent  a'  storm  as  had  been 
known  in  that  sea  for  twenty  years :  and  already  I 
have  seen  an  account  of  ten  ships  lost  in  it ;  one  King's 
ship  of  eighteen  guns,  three  packets,  (I  myself  was  in 
a  packet,)  three  large  foreign  ships,  and  three  smaller, 
besides  many  fishing  vessels ;  and  I  doubt  not  several 
other  ships  of  which  I  have  not  heard.  Tlu'ough  the 
tender  mercy  of  God  I  was  kept  from  any  appre- 
hensions, having  my  mind  sweetly  employed  in  travel- 
ling between  heaven  and  earth,  with  all  my  friends 
successively  in  my  head ;  you  and  yours  were  not  for- 
gotten. I  trust  that  in  your  best  seasons  I  am  not 
forgotten  by  you ;  and  I  hope  that  my  life  is  yet 
preserved  for  further  usefulness  in  the  Church  of 
God. 

"  On  my  retm^n,  I  stopped  a  few  days  at  Oxford, 
accounting  it  a  matter  of  importance  to  see,  if  I 
could,  some  of  the  Dons.  I  had  two  opportunities  of 
seeing  several,  particularly  the  Provost  of  Oriel ;  with 
whom  I  dined  and  held  most  profitable  conversation. 
He  accords  more  with  my  vicAvs  of  Scripture  than 


5G8  THE    CALVINISTIC 

almost  any  other  person  I  am  acquainted  with ;  and  I 
hope  our  conversation  was  made  usefuL" 


To  the  Rev.  Dr.  CoprLESTON  *,  Provost  of  Oriel 
College,  Oxford. 

"  My  dear  Sir,  "  May  10,  1822. 

"  After  the  great  kindness  which  you  have 
shewn  me,  I  make  no  apology  for  addressing  you  in 
this  manner,  or  for  requesting  you  to  honour  me  with 
accepting  three  copies  of  a  Sermon,  which  I  preached 
on  Sunday  last  before  the  University  of  Cambridge. 
My  object  in  printing  it  is,  not  so  much  to  advocate 
the  cause  of  the  Jews  and  their  claims  upon  us  for  our 
best  exertions  in  their  behalf,  {that  ha\dng  been  done 
in  my  two  former  Discourses,  circulated  through  the 
Empire,)  as  to  give  to  Calvinism,  as  an  exclusive 
si/ste7n,  a  blow,  which  I  am  not  aware  it  has  ever  yet 
received. 

"  It  has  afforded  me  unspeakable  pleasure  to  find 
a  cause,  which  I  conceive  to  be  so  essential  to  the 
peace  and  welfare  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  which 
Ihroughout  my  whole  life  I  have  laboured  with  all  my 
might  to  maintain,  so  ably  supported  by  one  in  your 
high  station ;  and  by  one  whose  statements  will  be 
weighed  with  the  candour  and  consideration  due  to 
them.  If,  agreeably  to  your  views,  all  would  be  con- 
tent to  meet  on  Scripture  ground,  and  not  attempt  to 
be  wise  above  what  is  \\Titten,  how  many  controversies 
and  contentions  might  be  avoided  !  We  may  sm^ly 
leave  to  Him,  who  has  given  us  the  Revelation,  to  explain 
in  His  own  time  anything  which  we  cannot  comprehend. 
I  do  conceive  that,  if  taken  abstractedly,  nothing  can  be 


*  The  Bishop  of  Llandaff. 


CONTROVERSY.  509 

plainer,  than  that  all  good  is  of  God  and  all  evil  of 
man.  It  is  only  the  attempt  to  reconcile  these  two 
positions,  and  to  satisfy  oin*  own  reason  upon  every 
difficulty  which  may  be  raised  respecting  them,  that 
makes  the  ground  of  controversy ;  and  I  earnestly 
hope,  that  you  will  long  continue  to  use  the  powerful 
influence  of  your  pen  to  drive  men  from  that  ground, 
and  to  estabhsh  their  minds  on  the  broad  basis  of 
Scripture  Truth.  I  am,  my  dear  Sir,  with  most  un- 
feigned respect  and  esteem,  your  most  faithful  Servant, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


To  a  Missionary,  on  experimental  religion. 
"  My  very  dear  Friend,       «  K.  C.,  Aug.  16,  1822. 

"  Never  did  I  take  up  my  pen  to  write 
to  you  with  such  pleasure  as  at  this  moment.  Your 
letter  is  come  to  hand,  dated  Dec.  5,  1821.  This 
does  that,  which  I  both  desired  and  expected ;  and 
in  that  very  particidar  which  I  Avas  most  desirous  to 
see.  It  shews  me,  what  I  was  most  anxious  to  hear, 
that  you  are  growing  in  self-knowledge  ;  and  it  there- 
fore opens  to  me  a  fit  opportunity  of  declaring  to  you 
what  have  been  my  fears  respecting  you  from  the 
beginning.  You  have  always  appeared  to  me  to  be 
sincere.  But  your  views  of  Christianity  seemed  to  be 
essentially  defective.  You  have  always  appeared  to 
admire  Christianity  as  a  si/ si  em ;  but  you  never 
seemed  to  have  just  views  of  Christianity  as  a  remedy ; 
you  never  seemed  to  possess  self-knowledge,  or  to 
know  the  evil  of  yoiu"  own  heart.  I  never  saw  in  you 
any  deep  contrition,  much  less  anything  of  a  tender 
self-loathing  and  self-abhorrence.  This  always  made 
me  jealous  over  you  with  a  godly  jealousy  ;  and  never 
till  this  moment  have  I  had  my  fears  for  your  ultimate 


570  EXPERIMENTAL 

state  removed.  I  beheld  in  vou  somewhat  of  a  child- 
like  simplicity  ;  and  I  well  know  that  if  it  he  associated 
loith  contrition,  it  is  a  vu'tue  of  the  sublimest  quality  ; 
but  if  contrition  be  wanting,  the  disposition  which 
assumes  that  form  differs  but  little  from  childishness. 
But  you  now  begin  to  feel  the  burthen  of  sin  :  you 
now  begin,  though  still  in  a  very  small  degree,  to 
liave  your  mind  open  to  the  corruptions  of  the  heart, 
and  to  your  need  of  a  di/int/  Saviour  to  atone  for  you 
by  His  blood,  and  a  livin(^  Saviour  to  renew  you  by 
the  influences  of  His  Spirit.  Seek,  my  dear  friend, 
to  grow  in  this  knowledge  ;  for  it  is  this  that  will 
endear  the  Saviour  to  you,  and  make  you  stedfast 
in  your  walk  wdth  God.  This  is  the  foundation  which 
must  be  dug  deep,  if  you  w^ould  ever  build  high, 
and  the  ballast  W'hich  alone  wiU  enable  you  to  carry 
sail.  You  may  conceive  the  brasen  serpent,  which 
Moses  erected  in  the  wilderness,  to  have  been  ex- 
quisitely formed,  and  you  may  suppose  persons  to 
have  greatly  admired  the  W'Orkmanship,  and  the  con- 
trivance of  erecting  it  upon  a  pole  for  the  benefit 
of  all  who  should  behold  it ;  but  the  meanest  person 
in  the  w^hole  camp,  who  had  but  the  most  inchstinct 
view  of  it,  if  he  beheld  it  wdth  a  sense  of  his  own 
dying  condition,  and  with  an  experience  of  its  efficacy 
to  heal  his  w^ounds,  w^ould  have  an  incomparably 
better  view  of  it  than  the  virtuoso,  however  much 
he  might  admire  it.  This  hint  w^ill  shew^  you  what 
in  my  judgment  you  loere,  and  wdiat  I  hope  you  will 
be.  Christianity  is  a  personal  matter,  not  to  be  com* 
mended  merely  to  others,  but  to  be  experienced  in 
your  own  soul :  and  though  you  may  confound  your 
opponents  by  your  arguments,  you  will  never  do  any 
essential  good,  and  much  less  will  you  reap  any  saving 


RELIGION.  571 

benefit  to  your  own  soul,  till  you  can  say,  '  What 
mine  eyes  have  seen,  mine  ears  have  heard,  and  mine 
hands  have  handled  of  the  word  of  Hfe,  that  same 
declare  I  unto  yon.' 

"  Your  work,  which  I  have  read  with  much  plea- 
sure, gives  me  reason  to  hope  that  God  is  teaching 
you  this  lesson.       In  some  respects  your  situation  is 
favourable  for  advancing  in  this  knowledge :  in  other 
respects  it  is  unfavourable.     It  is  favourable,  because 
you  will  be  made  to  feel  the  pride  and  vanity  of  the 
human  heart;  sometimes  by  undue  complacency  in 
your  victories,  and  at  other  times  by  undue  discou- 
ragement from  your  disappointments.     On  the  other 
hand,    it   is  unfavourable,  because  you  will  be  told 
about  yom-  adroitness  in  wielding  your  weapons  of 
assault  and  defence,  and  be  flattered  on  account  of 
your  superiority.     But  you  will  remember  that  Herod, 
when   he   hstened   to   flattery,    was    eaten    up   with 
worms.     You  will  have  no  one  with  you  to  caution 
you  on   this   head :  and  your  letters  from  England 
are  hkely  to  be  more  injurious  in  this  respect,  than 
all  the  others  that  you  may  receive  from  every  quarter 
of  the  world.     Remember,  that  if  we  are  '  lifted  up 
with  pride,   we   shall  fall  into  the  condemnation   of 
the   devil.'     At  present  you  are  but  a  novice ;  this 
therefore    will   be   your   danger.     Be   watchful  then 
over  your  own  spirit,  and  live  nigh  to  God  in  earnest 
and  continual  prayer ;  and  then  you  may  hope  that 
God  will  be  with  you,  and  will  '  preserve  you  blame- 
less imto  his  Heavenly  kingdom.' 

"  In  your  future  letters  open  your  mind  fully 
to  me;  and  expect  always  both  fidelity  and  love 
from  your  very  affectionate  Friend, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


573  HIS    CLIMACTERIC. 

Extracts  from  a  Diary  written  in  1822. 

"  Tliougli  I  have  often  thought  of  keeping  a  Diary, 
I  have  as  often  rehnqiiished  it ;  because  I  should  not 
deem  it  right  to  commit  to  paper  a  partial  view  of  my 
experience,  nor  think  it  expedient  to  state  all  that 
myself  am  conscious  of  before  God.  But  since  a 
record  oi  facts  will  serve  as  a  memorial  of  passing 
events,  and  as  my  life,  contrary  to  human  expectation, 
becomes  more  replete  with  important  incidents,  I  put 
down  a  few  of  them,  beginning  with  my  Climacteric, 

"  Sept.  24.  Who  would  have  thought,  especially  for 
tlie  last  sixteen  years,  that  I  should  ever  live  to  this  day  ? 
I  myself  should  almost  as  soon  have  expected  to  attain  the 
ace  of  Methuselah,  as  to  see  this  day, — my  Climacteric 
(63).  I  spent  this  day  as  I  have  for  these  forty-three  last 
vears,  as  a  day  of  humiliation  ;  having  increasing  need  of 
such  seasons  every  year  I  live. 

My  strength  and  vigour  both  of  mind  and  body  seem 
to  increase  with  years :  and  1  bless  my  God,  my  Avork  is 
as  delightful  to  me  as  at  any  period  of  my  life. 

Sept.  30.  Went  to  Norwich  to  attend  the  ISIeetings 
there.  I  had  set  my  heart  on  administering  comfort  to  my 
dear  afflicted  friend,  J.  J.  Gurney  of  Earlham,  who  has 
lately  lost  the  most  lovely  of  wives ;  and  it  pleased  God  so 
to  pour  oil  and  wine  into  his  wounds,  that  he  rested  far 
better  than  he  had  done  for  a  very  long  period. 

Oct.  1.  I  met  the  Collectors  of  the  London  Society 
at  Miss  Hancock's.  Mr.  Thelwall  and  Mr.  Stewart  of 
Percy  Chapel  were  there ;  we  all  officiated,  and  it  was  an 
useful  season. 

Oct.  2.  The  Church  Missionary  Society  met ;  and  I 
spoke  there.  What  a  pity  it  is  that  people  cannot  seek 
the  welfare  of  Jews  and  Gentiles  without  envy  and  jea- 
lousy !  On  the  part  of  the  London  Society,  I  would  utterly 
disclaim  and  abhor  everything  of  rivalry.  Love  to  God 
and  man  should  be  the  only  feeling  of  the  soul. 

Oct.  3.  The  Bible  Society,  where  I  attended.  My 
aid  was  not  wanted. 


VISIT    TO    EARLllAM.  573 

Oct.  4.  The  London  (Jews')  Society  Meeting. 
My  friends  at  Earlham  were  all  cold,  and  rather  prejudiced 

against  the  Society. acknowledged  that  he  did  not 

think  well  of  the  Society,  on  account  of  several  persons 
who  had  formerly  borne  a  conspicuous  part  in  it ;  and  he 
thought  we  ought  not  to  have  our  Meeting  at  the  time 
that  the  other  Societies  had  theirs.  With  gentleness  and 
love  I  answered  his  objections,  and  pretty  well  removed 
tliem.  And  dear  Mr.  Gvirney,  who  is  all  love,  prevailed 
on  him  to  stay  and  speak  at  the  Meeting,  which  he  did 
Avith  good  effect.  Mr.  B.  and  F.  C.  spoke,  as  did  Mr. 
Gurney  also.  Here  I  found  the  benefit  of  a  principle 
which  I  invariably  adopt,  of  never  pressing  upon  any 
human  being  my  sentiments  or  wishes,  without  an  absolute 
necessity.  If  a  friend  be  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  re- 
fusing or  complying,  he  will  feel  grieved :  but  if,  thouo-h 
wdth  pain  to  himself,  he  do  anything  without  being  impor- 
tuned, he  has  a  sweet  feeling  of  love  excited  by  that  very 
act ;  or,  if  he  refrain  from  doing  what  you  wish,  he  feels 
a  love  to  you  for  not  pressing  him  against  his  will.  God 
gave  me  the  hearts  of  all,  and  I  had  every  individual  active 
in  my  cause.  I  should  indeed  have  been  better  pleased,  if 
they  had  sought  to  please  God  instead  of  me  ;  because 
God  would  have  been  better  pleased  with  them,  and  woidd 
have  rewarded  them  better  than  I  can  ever  do ;  but  I  am 
pleased  to  find  my  principle  so  sanctioned  and  honoured  by 
Almighty  God. 

During  the  week  1  assisted  the  whole  family  at  Earl- 
ham in  reading.  How  rare  it  is  to  find  a  person  who  reads 
well !  They  all  greatly  improved.  I  feel  this  to  be  a  very 
important  vocation.  I  pretend  not  to  read  well ;  but  God 
enables  me  to  give  instructions  which  are  not  to  be  obtained 
elsewhere ;  and  I  have  on  some  occasions  met  with  extra- 
ordinary success.  The  world,  I  hope,  will  have  to  thank 
me  for  the  benefit  that  has  already  accrued  to  Mr.  Gurney, 

and  to  Mr. ,  whose  great  talents  are  lost  by  means  of 

his  bad  delivery. 

Oct.  14.     Went  to  Town,  and  next  day  to  Sir  Thos. 

Baring's,   Stratton  Park  ;  I  went  to  meet  Mr. ,  who 

had  informed  me  of  his  desire  to  return  to  the  Church. 


574  KELIGIOUS    MEETINGS. 

'J'hey  wished  to  consult  me  as  to  the  means  to  be  adopted, 
and  in  my  advice  I  went  as  opposite  to  my  dear  brother 
Marsh,  as  the  East  is  from  the  West,  He  is  all  love;  and 
lets  affection  sit  as  president  in  his  counsels.  I,  on  the 
contrary,  turn  affection  out  of  the  council-chamber,  or  at 
best,  only  let  him  have  a  single  vote.  If  I  advise,  it  is  in 
order  to  produce  the  best  ends  by  the  fittest  means :  to  do 
this,  I  must  consider,  not  what  I  wish,  but  what  others  will 
think,  and  say,  and  do.  Paul  spoke  privately  to  the  cliief 
persons  at  Jerusalem  in  the  first  instance,  lest  he  should 
defeat  his  pious  purposes  :  I  wish  to  tread  in  his  steps, 
endeavouring  to  unite  the  wisdom  of  the  serpent  with  the 

harmlessness  of  the    dove.      Sir  Thos.  B.  and  Mr. 

were  thoroughly  convinced  that  my  plans  were  good;  and 
they  will  act  upon  them. 

Oct.  18.  The  Meeting  at  Bristol  — the  Mayor  in  the 
chair.  It  was  opened  with  a  fine  Report.  Dr.  Hamilton, 
a  son  of  the  Bishop  of  Dromore,  moved  the  first  resolu- 
tion :  he  is  a  sweet-spirited  man,  with  a  ready  flow  of 
words.  ]\Ir.  Thelwalfs  speech  was  very  pious,  eloquent, 
and  sound  ;  it  produced  a  fine  impression.  Mr.  Marsli 
brought  forward  the  resolution  of  the  Greek  women  to 
fight  with,  and  die  by  the  side  of  their  husbands ;  and  he 
urged  on  the  females  to  stand  by  their  husbands,  brothers, 
and  sons,  in  this  good  cause.  Major  Mackwortli  spoke 
admirably.  He  was  present  with  Wolff  at  Joppa,  at  what 
is  supposed  to  be  the  house  of  Simon  the  tanner.  He 
spoke  highly  of  the  interest  he  excited  among  the  Jews. 
It  was  the  most  hohj,  heavenhi  Meeting  that  I  ever  attended. 

Oct.  21.  In  the  Evening  there  was  a  large  party  of 
ladies  and  gentlemen  at  the  Palace,  met  to  prepare  for 
forming  a  Jews'  Society  the  next  day.  I  read  Mr.  W.'s 
last  letter :  Mr.  Marsh  and  Mr.  Hawtrey  spoke  a  little, 
and  rules  were  drawn  up  by  Mr.  Plodson.  After  the  com- 
pany were  gone,  I  conversed  much  and  dee})ly  with  our 
home  party :  a  divine  unction  was  upon  us,  and  I  believe 
all  were  edified  and  comforted. 

Oct.  22.  We  went  to  the  Meeting  at  Gloucester. 
The  Bishop  in  the  chair.  The  Meeting  was  very  respect- 
ably attended.     It  was  a  good  meeting  ;  l)ut  not  so  holy 


WALKING    WITH    WISDOM.  573 

as  that  at  Bristol.  After  dinner  I  had  hours  of  conversa- 
tion with  tlie  Duchess  of  Beaufort  and  Mrs.  Whitmore. 
About  thirty  persons  had  been  invited  to  tea :  but  they 
chose  to  have  me  to  themselves ;  and  glad  should  I  be  if 
I  could  record  the  conversation.  Ladies  in  their  station 
have  a  very  difficult  path  to  move  in ;  and  to  act  wisely  in 
it  is  of  infinite  importance.  My  object  was  to  lead  them 
into  all  those  nice  discriminations  which  the  Apostolic 
Avritings  contain,  and  which  constitute  true  practical  wis- 
dom. The  easier  way  would  be  to  lay  down  broad  prin- 
ciples without  any  qualifications,  and  to  adhere  to  them 
without  any  regard  to  circumstances.  But  so  did  not  the 
Apostle:  he  became  'all  things  to  all  men,  that  he  might 
by  all  means  save  some.'  This  indeed,  if  injudiciously 
done,  may  be  attended  with  bad  effect  both  to  themselves 
and  others  ;  but  if  wisely  done,  and  for  God,  and  in  hum- 
ble dependence  on  Him  for  the  benefit  of  those  connected 
with  us, — it  forms  the  line  of  distinction  between  a  wise 
Christian,  who  by  his  'well-doing  puts  to  silence  the  igno- 
rance of  foolish  men,'  and  the  inconsiderate  Christian,  who 
casts  only  stumbling-blocks  in  their  way.  These  discrimi- 
nations are  exceedingly  difficult  to  be  reduced  to  system, 
because  they  depend  on  a  variety  of  circumstances,  which 
must  of  necessity  affect  every  separate  case.  We  sat  till 
near  twelve :  and  I  hope  that  both  the  ladies,  and  Mrs.  R. 
who  was  of  the  party,  will  have  reason  to  be  thankful 
for  it." 

After  a  statement  of  the  rude  treatment  which  he 
had  just  received  from  one  of  the  Fellows  of  his 
College,  Mr.  Simeon  observes  : — 

"  Nov.  8.  But  such  has  been  his  conduct  on  former 
occasions,  and  such  of  many  others  at  different  times;  and 
they  all  lead  me  to  practise,  what  God  has  hitherto  enabled 
me  to  practise,  '  the  turning  of  the  right  cheek  to  him  who 
smites  me  on  the  left,  and  the  giving  my  cloak  to  him  who 
has  taken  away  my  coat.'  The  season  of  this  is  somewhat 
peculiar :  Dr.  Buchanan  sent  me  this  very  morning  Dr. 
Stewart's  Life.  I  had  opened  it  (perhaps  improperly)  to 
see  if  there  were  any  mention  made  of  my  visit  to  him  at 
Moulin  in    the  year  1796:  and  my  vanity  was  gratified 


57G  THE    CATHOLIC    QUESTION. 

with  the  large  notice  taken  of  it,  and  the  unmerited  ex- 
pressions of  respect  in  a  book  which  is  circulating  to  a 
great  extent  through  Scotland.  I  had  not  finished  that 
part  five  minutes,  before  this  check  to  vanity  Avas  admi- 
nistered. From  hence  then  I  learn  to  say,  'Let  me  be 
honoured  of  God,  and  trampled  under  foot  of  men.'  I 
know  the  connexion  between  the  two,  nor  do  I  ever  wish  it 
to  be  dissolved.  But  who  would  have  believed,  that  a  person 
Avho  but  lately  gave  £700  to  the  College  towards  the  build- 
ing of  the  bridge,  should  receive  such  treatment  as  this  ? 

Nov.  9.     I  have  said  nothing  to  Mr. ,  or  to  the 

Vice-provost,  or  any  in  the  College,  about  Mr.  — — 's  con- 
duct. It  is  the  second  blow  that  makes  the  battle.  And 
what  harm  does  it  do  to  me  to  be  silent?  To  pass  by  a 
transgression  is  more  becoming  the  Gospel  than  to  resent  it. 

Nov.  19.  Old  Mr.  Grant,  with  Professor  Fai-ish,  called 
on  me  and  dined  with  me.  It  was  a  great  grief  to  me  that 
I  could  not  vote  for  his  son  on  Tuesday  next :  but  I  told 
him  that  I  regard  my  vote  for  a  Member  of  Parliament 
not  as  a  right  but  a  trust,  to  be  used  conscientiously  for  the 
good  of  the  whole  kingdom ;  and  his  son's  being  a  friend 
to  what  is  called  Catholic  Emancipation,  is  in  my  eyes 
an  insurmountable  objection  to  his  appointment.  Gladly 
would  1  give  to  Catholics  every  privilege  that  could  con- 
duce to  their  happiness:  but  to  endanger  the  Protestant 
ascendancy  and  stability  is  a  sacrifice  which  I  am  not  pre- 
pared to  make.  Viewing  this  matter  as  I  do,  I  could  not 
vote  for  Mr.  Robert  Grant,  if  he  were  my  own  son.  I 
think  I  shall  not  vote  at  all. 

Nov.  26.  Mr.  Grant  having  withdrawn,  I  feel  at 
liberty  to  vote  for  Mr.  Bankes,  wdio  is  a  friend  both  to  the 
existing  Government  and  the  Protestant  ascendancy.  The 
Poll  lasted  two  days ;  and  the  numbers  were,  for  Lord 
Hervey  280,  Mr.  Scarlett  219,  Mr.  Bankes  419.  I  am 
glad  of  the  result,  Ijecause  it  shews  the  sense  of  the 
University  about  the  Catholic  question.  I  had  a  good 
deal  of  conversation  with  Mr.  Bankes's  father,  who  fully 
approved  of  my  letter  to  Lord  Liverpool,  and  engaged  to 
shew  it  to  tiie  Lord  Chancellor,  and  Lord  Stowell,  O  that 
it  might  opt'U  their  eyes!" 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


LETTERS TO    A    FATHER     ON    RELIGIOUS     SOCIETY    FOR    HIS    SON ON 

OUR    lord's    example ON     RELIGIOUS     EXPERIENCE    AND    CHEER- 
FULNESS  DIARY     AT     PARIS DUCHESS     DE      BROGLIE MARSHAL 

SOULt's     PICTURE-GALLERY LETTER     TO     THE     DUCHESS    OF    BEAU- 
FORT   ON     CHRISTIAN     LIBERTY     AND     CHRISTIAN     DUTY — TO     REV. 

T.   THOMASON    ON    MR.  GRANT's    DEATH HIS    RESTORED    HEALTH  — 

SERMONS    AT    ST.    MARy's     ON     'THE     LAW ' TO     A     FRIEND     WHO 

REQUESTED    A    LOAN — ON    THE    RELIGIOUS     DISPOSAL    OF    HIS    PRO- 
PERTY  MEMORANDUM     ON     THE    RECEIPT     OF    A    LARGE    SUM    FOR 

RELIGIOUS    OBJECTS. 


1823. 

CORRESPONDENCE,    ETC. 

To  a  Father,  on  religious  society  for  his  Son. 

«  K.  C,  March  4,  1823. 

"  If  he  were  to  have  spent  a  fortnight  or  three 

weeks  at ,  I  shoukl  have  dreaded  it.     Three  or 

four  days  there  will  do   good :  more  than  that  will 

do  harm.     This  needs  explanation.     Mr. is  of  a 

very  ardent  mind  ;  truly  pious,  but  by  no  means 
judicious.  His  hold,  broad,  animated  statements  have 
been   made   without   effect.      But  to  contract   from 

Mr. a  wild  discursive  habit  of  mind  or  speech, 

would,  in  my  judgment,  be  a  calamity.  My  wish  is, 
that  your  Son  should  see  religion  in  a  cheerful  dress  ; 
but  that  he  should  never  be  led  to  conceive  of  it  as 
separable,  even  for  a  moment,  from  wisdom  and 
gravity,  from  modesty  and  sobriety.  And  I  gave 
a  portable  and  easy  canon  whereby  to  judge, 

L.  s.  p  p 


578  CHEERFULNESS 

and  to  assist  yoiu'  Son  in  judging,  namely  this :  Always 
consider  whether  you  can  conceive  of  oiu*  blessed 
Lord  as  speaking  or  acting  in  such,  a  way ;  and  if  it 
appears  quite  incongruous  for  Him,  be  very  cautious 
of  adopting  it  yourself.  Mr.  M.  mentioned  the  con- 
struction which  your  Son  put  upon  the  occupation  of 
his  mind  with  study.  This  was  nothing  more  than 
what  was  to  be  expected.  I  told  him  to  tell  your  Son 
from  me,  that  I  thought  an  hour  in  the  morning,  and 
the  same  in  the  evening,  was  sufficient  for  rehgious 
exercises,  and  better  than  a  longer  time.  The  Sabbath, 
of  com-se,  he  would  devote  to  its  more  appropriate 
studies.  I  am  not  anxious  about  combating  this  ob- 
jection verT/  strongly  at  the  present  moment.  Let  us 
have  the  effect.  Let  the  mind  be  profitably  engaged, 
and  like  the  light  the  propriety  of  such  an  occupation 
will  bring  its  own  evidence  along  with  it,  and  its  own 
reward  also  in  every  way." 


On  religious  experience  and  cheerfulness. 

To  the  SAME.  «K.  C,  July  17,  1823. 

..."  Your  Son  wants  to  hnoio  whether  his  heart 
is  right  with  God ;  and  through  Mr.  E.  I  should  have 
led  him  insensibly  to  the  knowledge  of  it,  just  as  I 
should  shew  a  mower  whether  he  had  a  proper  edge 
upon  his  scythe.  Wlien  he  put  it  in  motion  and  saw 
the  effects  produced,  he  would  have  a  demonstration 
which  he  could  not  withstand.  So  your  Son,  brought 
to  interest  himself  in  works  of  benevolence  abroad, 
would  have  his  morbid  feelings  dispelled,  and  his  ex- 
perience  would  refute  his  arguments.  He  would  see 
that  he  is  right,  in  spite  of  all  that  a  distorted  imagi- 
nation can  suggest.  .  .  .  The  things  which  I  regret, 
are  the  loss  of  regular  study,  which  I  conceive  to  be 


IN    RELIGION.  579 

in  every  vieio  of  tlie  utmost  importance  to  him ;  and 
the  loss  of  a  friend,  who  with  wisdom  and  piety  pos- 
sesses a  good  measure  of  tacf,  which  is  pecuUarly 
necessary  for  one  who  has  to  deal  with  a  mind  like 

your  Son's.     Mr. is  truly  excellent  as  possessing 

real  piety ;  but  if  he  had  a  little  more  of  vivacity,  and 
an  elasticity  of  mind  capable  of  suiting  itself  more 
completely  to  the  motions  of  your  Son's  mhid,  I  shoidd 
be  glad.  We  must  not  however  expect  to  find  every 
thing  in  any  man.  Religion  is  calculated  to  make  us 
happy;  and  I  love  to  seerehgion  in  a  cheerful  dress. 
But  the  minds  of  men  are  differently  constituted  ;  and 
we  must  take  them  all  as  nature  and  grace  have  made 
them.  Peter  and  John,  though  two  of  our  Lord's 
most  favoured  disciples,  were  formed  in  different 
moulds ;  and  if  your  Son  should  not  set  off  the 
beauties  of  rehgion  as  we  could  wish,  I  feel  no  doubt, 
but  that  in  the  sight  of  the  Omniscient  Judge,  he  is  in 
a  state  highly  to  be  envied ;  his  heart  is  upright ;  his 
conscience  is  tender ;  his  spirit  humble ;  his  conduct 
uniform  and  holy." 

Extracts  from  a  Diary  of  a  Journey  to  Paris. 

"  Friday,  March  25.     Reached  Paris. 

Sunday,  27.  We  went  to  Mr.  Way's  Chapel.  There 
were  nearly  500  present,  many  were  in  an  ante-room. 
Mr.  Way  preached  on  John  xir.  1.  He  was  eloquent 
and  striking ;  but  after  somewhat  of  a  desultory  manner. 
I  staid  for  the  afternoon,  when  Mr.  H.  preached.  If  he 
liad  strength  to  give  effect  to  his  words,  he  would  be  a 
very  fine  preacher.  His  style  is  elegant,  and  his  discus- 
sion sensible,  1  Pet.  i.  7. 

Good  Friday,  April  1 .  Mr.  Way's  Chapel  very  full ; 
Prince  Leopold  and  the  Duchess  of  Somerset  received  the 
Sacrament.  Above  200  persons  received  it.  Mr.  W. 
went  out  of  his  way  to  introduce  his  favourite  subject.     I 

P  P  2 


580  DUCHESS    DE    BROGLIE. 

think  It  could  hardly  be  a  fair  specimen  of  his  ministra- 
tions ;  for  General  Macaulay  told  me  he  Avas  doing  exten- 
sive good ;  and  from  the  numbers  who  attend,  and  the 
reverent  way  In  which  they  attend,  I  cannot  but  think 
that  he  Is  more  useful  here  than  he  would  be  In  any  other 
place  on  earth. 

I  am  Invited  to  prolong  my  stay, 

1.  To  dine  with  the  Duchess  de  Broglle,  the  daughter 
of  Madame  de  Stael : 

2.  To  attend  the  Jews'  jNIeetlng  on  Friday : 

3.  To  preach  for  the  Jews  on  Sunday. 
For  these  ends  I  shall  prolong  my  stay. 

Sunday,  April  3.  Preached  for  Mr.  Way  on  Eev. 
XV.  3,  4  ;  the  Congregation  large,  and  the  Communicants 
200.  Truly  tliat  blessed  man  has  a  most  important 
sphere. 

Dined  with  Lady  William  Bentlnck. 

W^ednesday,  6th.  Lady  Wm.  took  me  In  her  car- 
riage to  the  Duke  de  Broglie's.  The  Duchess  understands 
English  well;  and  has  both  written  a  Preface  to  Mr. 
Erskine's  book  on  the  Evidences  of  Christianity,  and 
translated  his  book  on  Faith.  I  had  a  great  deal  of 
conversation  with  her.  She  has  a  strong  aversion  to 
Calvinism,  and  a  strong  persuasion  that  the  Heathen  shall 
be  saved ;  because  It  would  be  contrary  to  all  that  God 
has  done  for  the  salvation  of  the  world,  to  punish  those  to 
whom  that  salvation  has  not  been  revealed.  I  opened  to 
her  my  views  of  the  Scripture  system,  as  far  broader  than 
either  Calvin  or  Armlnlus  made  It;  and  I  shewed  her 
that  brokenness  of  heart  was  the  key  to  the  whole.  She 
Is  a  lovely  woman  and  very  sensible.  Her  mother,  Ma- 
dame de  Stael,  has  no  reason  to  be  ashamed  of  such  a 
daughter, 

Friday,  8th.  I  then  called  on  Lady  Wm.  B.  and 
went  with  her  to  Marshal  Soult's,  to  see  his  collection  of 
pictures.  Those  which  are  most  esteemed  are  the  Pool  of 
Bethesda,  and  the  Peturn  of  the  Prodigal  Son.  Of  the 
former  I  should  say,  the  paralytic  is  extremely  good  ;  but 
the  compassion  of  our  Lord  is  himan,  not  divine.  I  think 
that  as  our  Lord  s/)ake  as  God  (John  v.),  so  he  should  be 


DUCHESS    OF    BEAUFORT.  581 

represented  as  acting  like  God  ;  and  that  the  countenance 
should  rather  have  expressed  majestic  benignity  than  human 
compassion.  Respecting  the  latter  I  should  say,  Most 
persons  would  think  that  the  father  expresses  too  little 
joy;  but  to  me,  he  says  to  his  son,  'Drop  that  subject; 
you  pain  me  by  your  confessions;'  and  this  I  consider  to 
be  more  suited  to  the  occasion  than  an  expression  of  great 
joy.  Joy  alone  might  have  become  a  brother  or  a  sister ; 
but  this  mixed  feeling  became  a  father.  The  son's  ex- 
pression is  exquisite  ;  and  the  boy  bringing  the  fatted  calf, 
and  the  servants  the  best  robes  are  all  finely  in  character. 
I  prefer  this  to  the  former.  Then  we  went  to  a  Jews' 
Meeting  at  Mr.  Way's.  There  were  several  blessed 
men  there  ;  particularly  M.  Merle  d'Aubigne,  Protestant 
Minister  at  Brussels,  and  M.  Bertalacci  of  Versailles.  I 
had  sweet  union  with  both  of  them.  We  all  dined  at 
Mr.  Way's;  and  my  soul  was  much  refreshed  with  the 
conversation  of  these  two. 

Sunday,  April  10.  I  preached  at  Mr.  Way's  Chapel 
on  John  iv.  22,  for  the  Jews.  The  Chapel  was  not  quite 
so  full  as  on  Good  Friday.  I  had  a  remarkably  blessed 
season  for  a  full  hour.  Most  were  in  tears.  The  Duchess 
de  Broglie  was  there. 

Monday,  April  11.     Left  Paris,  to  my  great  joy." 

On  the  important  and  delicate  topics  in  the  follow- 
ing letter  to  the  Duchess  of  Beaufort,  Mr.  Simeon 

observes  in  his  Diary  : — 

"  I  had  many  repeated  opportunities  of  opening  what 
I  considered  as  the  Scriptural  view  of  this  subject,  drawing 
as  accurately  as  I  could  the  line  between  Christian  liberty 
and  Christian  duty.  I  have  done  this  more  fully  in  a 
letter,  which  at  her  request  I  sent  her ;  and  which  she 
has  since  shewn  to  the  Duke :  and  it  seems,  by  her  answer, 
to  have  satisfied  in  a  measure  all  their  minds.  I  pray  God 
it  may  never  prove  a  snare  to  her  or  her  daughters.  I 
wrote  it  as  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  shewed  it  to  Mr. 
Sargent  and  Mr.  Hawtrey  before  I  sent  it ;  and  if  it  prove 
a  blessing  to  them,  it  will  be  some  little  recompence  from 
the  Lord  for  all  the  kindness  which  they  shewed  me." 


5S3  CHRISTIAN    DUTY 

To  tlie  Duchess  of  Beaufort. 

"  My  clear  Madam,  "May  13,  1823. 

"  On  the  subject  of  your  Grace's  letter, 
I  have  always  felt  myself  incompetent  to  advise  those 
who  move  in  the  higher  walks  of  life.     I  know  in  a 
measure  what  the  blessed  Word  of  God  says  in  rela- 
tion to  our  separation  from  the  world,  and  I  know  in  a 
measure  the  line  of  conduct  that  befits  my  own  situa- 
tion in  hfe  :   but  when  I  come  to  mark  with  precision 
the  line  that  is  to  be  observed  in  your  high  station,  I 
feel,  and  have  ever  felt,  myself  unequal  to  the  task. 
]\Iy  own  habits,  instead  of  inspiring  me  with  confi- 
dence in  relation  to  others,  only  make  me  the  more 
difiident.     I  am  a  man  of  some  firDUiess  and  decision 
of  character ;    and  from  the  first  moment  that  I  set 
myself  to  seek  the  Lord,  I  gave  up  myself  wholly  to 
Him,  and  separated  myself  altogether  from  the  world. 
I  had  no  one  to  control  me  :  my  situation  favoured  it : 
the  people  about  me  had  not  (as  far  as  I  could  see) 
one  particle  of  what  I  judged  to  be  the  only  true 
wisdom :    and  therefore  I  walked  with  Him  only  who 
had  chosen  and  called  me  to  be  His  servant.     And  to 
this  hour  I  have  ever  persevered  in  this  course :  I  feel, 
and  have  ever  felt,  that  I  have  no  talents  for  the  world, 
no  taste  for  the  world,  no  time  for  the  world  ;   and 
therefore,  except  as  an  Ambassador  from  the  Lord,  I 
have  had  for  forty-four  years  almost  as  little  to  do 
with  the  world,  as  if  I  had  not  been  in  the  world. 

"  It  were  easy  therefore  for  me  to  di-aw  my  line 
broad,  and  to  make  as  little  distinction  for  others,  as 
I  have  made  for  myself.  But  it  does  not  appear  to 
me  that  this  would  comport  either  vdth  wisdom,  or 
with  love.  The  difference  between  young  and  old 
Ministers,  in  general,  consists  in  this ;    that  the  state- 


AND    LIBERTY.  583 

ments  of  tlie  former  are  crude  and  unqualified,  whilst 
those  of  the  latter  have  such  limitations  and  distinc- 
tions, as  the  Scriptures  authorize  and  the  subjects 
require.  The  doctrines  of  salvation  by  faith  alone  and 
of  predestination,  &c.  are  often,  it  is  well  known, 
so  stated,  as  to  become  a  stumblingblock  to  thou- 
sands ;  whilst,  when  scripturally  stated,  they  approve 
themselves  to  those  who  have  been  most  prejudiced 
against  them.  And  this,  I  think  particularly  distin- 
guishes the  statements  of  Ministers  respecting  over- 
coming the  world.  A  person  who  views  the  subject 
broadly,  and  without  reference  to  the  different  circum- 
stances of  men,  finds  it  easy  to  adduce  strong  and 
sweeping  expressions,  and  to  require  a  full  conformity 
to  them,  without  any  modification  whatever.  But  one 
who  takes  into  his  account  all  the  varieties  of  situation 
in  which  Christians  move,  and  all  the  diversities  of 
circumstances  under  which  they  may  be  placed,  will 
feel  it  his  duty  to  consider  what  those  situations  and 
circumstances  call  for,  and  what  influence  they  ought  to 
have  on  the  conduct  of  those  who  are  found  in  them. 
They  will  be  led  to  distinguish  between  the  spirit  and 
the  letter  of  a  command,  and  to  modify  the  latter, 
whilst  in  the  strictest  possible  way  they  adhere  to  and 
require  the  former. 

"  Take  this  in  relation  to  our  baptismal  vow.  If 
a  person  in  my  situation  were  to  affect  the  pomp  and 
grandeur  of  a  Duke,  I  should  not  hesitate  to  denounce 
him  as  violating  his  baptismal  engagements.  But 
does  a  person  of  your  Grace's  rank  come  under  that 
anathema,  because  of  the  elegancies  that  are  about 
you  ?  or,  if  the  King  Avere  to  become  truly  alive  to 
the  best  things,  must  he  dismiss  all  that  adorns  his 
palaces  ?     From  those  who  are  the  most  unqualified 


5S4  CHRISTIAN    DUTY 

in  tlieir  statements,  I  differ  not  one  atom  in  principle, 
but  only  in  the  application  of  tliat  principle.  What 
would  be  wrong  in  one  person,  would  not  be  so  in 
another;  and  what  would  be  wrong  under  some 
circumstances,  would  not  be  so  under  other  circum- 
stances. What  would  be  wrong  if  done  from  choice, 
might  not  be  wrong  if  done  for  fear  of  offending 
others,  or  of  casting  a  stumblingblock  before  them, 
or  with  a  \iew  to  Avin  them.  The  whole  College  of 
Apostles  ad^dsed  St.  Paid  to  piurify  himself  with  those 
who  had  on  them  the  vows  of  Nazarites.  And,  though 
I  doubt  not  but  that  there  are  Christians  of  a  high 
stamp,  who  would  condemn  them  all,  and  call  it  a 
sinful  conformity,  I  am  not  prepared  to  do  so.  I 
suspect  my  own  judgment  rather  than  that  of  the 
Apostles.  Christians  of  this  high  cast  will  bend  to  no 
one  either  in  sentiment  or  in  conduct ;  but  will  in- 
flexibly adhere  to  their  own  way :  but  I  feel  inclined 
rather  to  become  (as  far  as  God's  word  ^^ill  admit) 
'  all  things  to  all  men,'  not  through  fear  of  their 
destroying  me  ;  but  from  love,  that  I  may  save  them. 
I  would  eat  or  not  eat  meat,  according  to  circum- 
stances; and  act  differently  towards  Timothy  and 
Titus,  according  as  I  thought  I  shoidd  promote  or 
obstruct  the  welfare  of  others.  I  know  I  shoidd  be 
called  inconsistent,  and  unstable,  and  be  represented 
as  conceding  too  much  to  the  opinions  and  prejudices 
of  men.  But  1  should  account  it  a  small  matter  to  be 
judged  of  man's  judgment,  if  only  I  approved  myself 
to  God  and  my  own  conscience. 

"  It  is  doubtless  an  easier  path  to  disregard  the 
sentiments  and  feelings  of  all  others,  and  to  act  for 
myself  independently  of  them  :  but  I  have  not  so 
learned  Chi'ist ;  nor  can  I  so  teach  His  blessed  Gospeh 


AND    LIBERTY.  5S5 

I  think  that  in  any  compliances  wliicli  I  were  urged 
to  make  for  the  sake  of  peace  and  love,  I  should  be 
regulated  by  the  quality  of  the  act  itself ;  if  it  -were 
evil  in  itself,  no  power  or  persuasion  on  earth  should 
induce  me  to  do  it ;  if  it  were  evil  only  in  its  acciden- 
tal circumstances,  as  circumcision  was,  I  should  con- 
sider, what  was  hkely  to  arise  out  of  that  particular 
case ;  and  shoidd  be  regulated  by  the  urgency  of  the 
occasion,  and  the  probability  of  the  result.  In  exa- 
mining the  particular  act  which  I  was  recjuired  to 
perform,  I  should  guard  against  bhnd  superstition  on 
the  one  hand,  and  unreasonable  scrupulosity  on  the 
other.  Superstition  makes  that  to  be  duty  which  is 
no  duty  ;  and  scrupulosity  makes  that  to  be  sin,  which 
is  no  sin.  And  I  would  endeavour  to  have  my  con- 
science well  informed,  so  as  to  avoid  both  the  one  and 
the  other. 

"  But  here  there  is,  and  ever  must  be,  room  for 
much  difference  of  opinion.  Every  one  has  a  stand- 
ard of  his  own,  and  is  disposed  to  make  that  a  rule 
for  all  other  persons.  Prom  the  latitudinarian  to  the 
hermit,  all  will  be  ec|ually  confident :  but  my  rule 
shoidd  be,  '  Let  every  one  be  fidly  persuaded  in  his 
own  mind.'  There  is  no  precise  line  in  Scriptm'e 
cbawn  with  respect  to  Church  Government :  yet  the 
whole  Christian  Chmxh  is  fiUed  with  dissensions  and 
animosities,  because  aU  will  dogmatize  for  others, 
instead  of  conceding  to  each  other  a  liberty  to  judge 
for  themselves,  and  being  content  with  that  Apostolic 
doorma,  '  Let  aU  thins-s  be  done  decently  and  in  order.' 
So  it  is  with  respect  to  what  may  be  called,  a  con- 
formity to  the  world.  AYlio  shall  draw  a  precise  line 
in  everything,  and  say,  '  Thus  far  you  may  go,  and  no 
farther  ? '     Who  shall  undertake  to  say  to  a  poor  man, 


586  CHRISTIAN    DUTY 

'  You  must  not  visit  a  poor  neiglibour ; '  or  to  a  gen- 
tleman, '  You  must  not  shew  courtesy  to  a  neighbour- 
ing gentleman ;'  or  to  a  peer,  '  You  must  not  pay  a 
customary  respect  to  him  whose  peer  (by  creation  at 
least)  he  is  ? '  In  my  mind,  it  is  a  question  of  degrees, 
as  far  as  acts  are  concerned ;  and  a  question  of  incli- 
nation, as  far  as  the  habits  are  concerned.  In  the 
habit  of  our  mind  we  should  be  altoo-ether  dead  to 
the  world ;  but  in  our  acts  we  are  not  so  called  to 
separate  from  all  ungodly  persons  as  to  have  no  inter- 
course with  them  whatever :  for  then,  as  the  Apostle 
says,  '  we  must  needs  go  out  of  the  world ;'  whereas 
our  blessed  Lord  prayed  '  not  that  we  should  be  taken 
out  of  the  world,  but  be  kept  from  the  evil  of  it.'  If 
we  think  that  by  going  out  of  the  world  we  shall  get 
rid  of  all  difficulties,  we  shall  find  ourselves  mistaken. 
We  may  change  our  difficulties ;  but  we  shall  not 
divest  ourselves  of  them  altogether  ;  nor  is  it  imquali- 
fied  good  that  we  shall  do  by  such  conduct.  We  may 
make  our  own  path  easier  :  but,  if  we  cast  a  stum- 
blingblock  in  the  way  of  multitudes,  whom  by  more 
temperate  measures  we  might  have  conciliated,  we 
shall  have  no  reason  to  glory  in  the  choice  that  we 
have  made.  In  my  opinion,  it  is  not  by  abandoning 
our  situation  in  life  that  we  are  to  honour  God,  but 
by  being  examples  in  it,  and  by  filling  it  to  His  glory. 
And,  if  we  desire  to  fill  it  to  His  glory,  and  pray 
earnestly  to  God  for  grace  to  do  so,  we  may  expect 
Him  to  direct  us  in  all  our  ways,  and  to  uphold  us  by 
His  power  that  our  footsteps  slip  not. 

"  And  now,  have  I  said  this  from  love  to  the 
world  ?  My  whole  life  for  forty-four  years,  after 
liaving  to  the  age  of  nineteen  enjoyed  all  that  the 
world    could   give   me,    shall   answer   that   question. 


AND    LIBERTY.  587 

Or,  do  I  say  it  from  the  fear  of  man  ?  That  also 
my  whole  life  will  answer.  Or,  do  I  say  it  from 
complaisance  to  a  person  in  high  life  ?  My  writings 
are  full  of  this  subject  whenever  the  occasion  called 
for  it ;  and  I  have  never  varied  in  my  judgment  re- 
specting it.  I  speak  as  I  think  St.  Paul  w^ould  speak, 
if  he  were  in  my  place :  and  whilst  I  state  my  views 
without  obtruding  them,  as  if  I  were  competent  to 
judge  for  all  the  world,  I  leave  others  to  think  and 
act  for  themselves,  commending  them  to  God  for  His 
special  grace  and  direction ;  for  it  is  God  alone  that 
can  direct  us  in  such  intricate  paths  ;  and,  in  what- 
ever path  He  calls  us  to  walk,  His  grace  is  sufficient 
to  uphold  us. 

"  As  to  personal  advice  I  presume  not  to  give  it : 
but  as  to  my  opinion  about  the  boundaries  of  Christian 
liberty  and  Christian  duty,  I  should  sin  against  God 
if  I  dissembled  it.  A  brother  or  a  sister  has  a  right 
to  demand  it  of  me  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  I 
am  not  at  liberty  to  refuse  it.  I  speak  according  to 
the  light  that  I  have,  and  in  the  integrity  of  my  heart 
before  God.  I  would  not  cast  a  snare  upon  any  one, 
either  by  entangling  his  conscience  with  unnecessary 
restrictions,  or  by  accommodating  the  path  of  duty  to 
human  infirmity.  I  look  at  the  Apostle  Paul  in  his 
own  personal  example,  and  in  the  directions  he  has 
given  to  the  Church ;  and  according  to  my  view  of 
them  I  have  stated  my  judgment.  I  again  say,  to 
take  a  broad  sw^eeping  rule  for  ourselves  is  far  easier. 
It  is  easier  for  monks  or  virgins  to  shut  themselves 
up  in  cloisters,  than  to  fill  up  their  stations  well  in 
life  :  and  they  can  find  abundantly  sufficient  to  justify 
their  conduct  to  their  own  minds.  But  we  Protest- 
ants have  other  views  of  Christian  liberty  and  Chris- 


588  DEATH    OF    MR.    GRANT. 

tian  duty ;  and  I  am  not  sure  tliat  this  will  not  be 
found  a  case  in  point,  as  it  respects  the  foregoing  sub- 
ject. To  shut  ourselves  up  entirely  from  the  world, 
and  put  om'  light  under  a  bushel,  is  the  more  easy: 
but  to  be  '  blameless  and  harmless  as  sons  of  God, 
without  rebuke,  in  the  midst  of  a  crooked  and  per- 
verse nation,  shining  among  them  as  lights  in  the 
world,  and  holding  forth  among  them  the  w^ord  of 
life'  (Phil.  ii.  15,  16),  is  in  my  opinion  more  worthy  of 
our  profession,  more  honom'able  to  our  God,  and  more 
beneficial  to  those  whose  welfare  w^e  are  bound  to  seek. 

"  Your  Grace  is  at  liberty  to  make  what  use  you 
please  of  this  :  only  I  loill  enter  into  no  controversy 
with  any  one  res^jectiny  it. 

"  My  prayer  to  God  for  your  Grace,  and  for  your 
daughters,  is,  that  God  may  pour  out  His  Spirit  upon 
you  abundantly  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour; 
that  He  may  guide  you  into  all  truth,  and  direct  you 
to  '  walk  W'isely  before  Him  in  a  perfect  way ;'  and 
that  you  may  be  enabled  to  '  stand  perfect  and  com- 
plete in  all  the  will  of  God.' 

"  I  am,  my  dear  Madam,  your  Grace's  most  tridy 
affectionate  and  devoted  Servant,       "  C.  Simeon." 


To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  My  beloved  Brother,  "  K.  C,  Nov.  22,  1823. 
"  Before  you  receive  this  you  will  pro- 
bably have  heard  of  the  loss  that  India  and  Britain 
have  sustained  in  the  death  of  Mr.  Grant.  His  illness 
was  only  of  about  two  hours'  continuance.  But  to  a 
man  hke  him,  this  I  think  was  a  blessing.  But  this 
loss  will  be  severely  felt  in  the  Direction ;  I  am  happy 
however  to  inform  you,  that  on  my  writing  to  Mr. 
,  he  has  assm'ed  me  that  he  will  stand  in  the 


SERMONS    ON    THE    LAAV.  5S9 

place  of  Mr.  G.,  and  employ  me  to  fmniisli  him  with 
Chaplains  as  Mr.  G.  did 

"  In  strength  of  mind  and  body  I  have  reason  for 
thankfulness  ;  and  I  hope  in  ministerial  usefulness 
also,  if  I  may  judge  by  the  numbers  of  the  University 
that  attend  my  ministry.  At  this  time  I  am  preach- 
ing five  Sermons  upon  the  Law  (Gal.  iii.  19),  at  St. 
Mary's :  and  the  numbers  that  flock  thither  are  so 
great,  that  many  of  the  University  are  forced  to  go 
away,  not  being  able  to  get  in.  At  my  weekly  tea- 
party,  where  none  are  invited,  I  had  yesterday  forty 
young  men.  For  all  this  I  have  great  reason  for 
thankfulness.  I  have  long  looked  for  nothing  but 
debility  and  death  i  and  beyond  all  human  expectation 
God  has  continued  to  me  both  life  and  strength; 
insomuch  that  I  am  thinking  of  putting  to  press  my 
entire  work  of  twenty  volumes ;  and  am  on  that  ac- 
count sweeping  away  the  remainder  of  my  '  Horai'  at 
half  price.  No  one  will  edit  the  work  with  half  the 
care  that  I  shall :  and  therefore  I  think  it  desirable 
to  do  it  in  my  lifetime,  if  my  life  should  be  so  long 
preserved.     It  Anil  take  two  years  to  print  it. 

"  I  delight  to  hear  such  blessed  tidings  of  my 
beloved  James.  Give  my  kindest  love  to  him.  We 
bear  him  in  sweet  remembrance,  and  most  affection- 
ately long  for  his  welfare  in  every  possible  view. 

"  My  ever  dear  Brother,  most  affectionately  yours, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


To  a  Friend  who  requested  the  loan  of  a  large  sum. 

"My  dear  Sir,  Oct.  13,  1823. 

"  Your  letter  demands  a  frankness  on  my 
part  which  might  otherwise  appear  to  savour  of  osten- 
tation.    Having  no  family,  and  my  Brother's  family 


590  PURCHASE    OF 

being  in  good  circumstances,  and  having  suffered  a 
legacy  to  be  left  me  for  the  express  purpose  of  doing 
that  good  which  was  in  a  measure  lost  to  the  world 
by  my  late  Brother's  death;  I  have  for  these  many 
years  determined  to  devote  a  great  part  of  the  prin- 
cipal, and  all  the  interest,  to  the  service  of  our  common 
Lord,  who  gave  His  own  life  a  ransom  for  us.  The 
object  I  have  selected,  and  prosecuted  for  several 
years,  has  been  the  purchase  of  Livings,  (which  I  com- 
mit immediately  to  Trustees  in  perpetuity,)  that  in 
them  may  be  preached  those  doctrines  which  have 
produced  so  happy  an  effect  on  my  own  soul ;  (you 
remember  me  a  very  different  person  at  Eton  from 
what  I  have  been  these  forty-five  years  since  I  came  to 
College).  I  have  bought  several,  and  for  above  this 
month  past  I  have  expected  a  demand  of  £9000  for 
fresh  purchases :  and  I  am  at  this  moment  in  treaty 
for  two  more  Livings.  I  should  not  have  been  able 
to  go  on  thus  far,  if  I  had  not  been  helped  * ;  but  my 


*  Early  in  tliis  year  Mr.  Simeon  made  the  following  Memo- 
randum in  his  Diary : — 

"  What  wonders  does  our  gracious  God  work !  Behold !  but 
four  days  ago  my  friend  Lord  P.  offers  to  aid  me  with  £4000,  and 
Dr.  Kilvington  this  day  has  offered  to  put  at  my  disposal  £10,000 
Stock,  worth  £7500.  How  evidently  is  God  with  me  in  this  good 
work  !  And  what  an  encouragement  does  this  afford  me  to  serve' 
Him  yet  further!  Shall  I  on  account  of  these  assistances  spare 
myself?  God  forbid.  No  :  I  will  with  God's  help  proceed,  and 
rather  increase  than  diminish  my  own  efforts ;  in  proportion  as  God 
stirs  up  his  people  to  help  me.  And  I  record  this  not  only  as  a 
Memorandum  to  prevent  mistakes,  but  as  a  pledge  to  Thee,  my 
God  and  Father,  that,  with  Thy  help,  I  will  proceed  to  serve  Thee 
with  my  own  property,  as  well  as  with  the  property  of  others  which 
may  be  entrusted  to  me.  May  God  accept  my  poor  services,  and 
may  His  holy  name  be  for  ever  adored  for  all  the  wonders  which 
He  has  wrought  for  me  in  providence  as  well  as  grace!" 


ADVOWSONS.  591 

plan  is  first  to  leap  into  the  mire,  and  then  to  say  to 
my  friends,  '  If  you  choose  to  give  me  an  helping 
hand,  I  will  take  a  few  more  leaps  ; '  but  my  efforts 
must  of  necessity  be  bounded  by  my  means.  I  do  not 
first  ask,  and  then  act ;  but  first  act,  and  then  ask ; 
and  leave  it  to  the  Lord  to  send  friends  to  my  assist- 
ance, or  not,  as  it  shall  please  Him.  With  respect  to 
the  issue  I  have  no  uneasiness.  King  Henry  finds  me 
with  a  very  adequate  supply  to  my  wants,  though 
I  should  have  nothing  else,  and  beyond  my  means  I 
shall  on  no  account  proceed.  Nevertheless,  I  am  not 
anxious  to  stop  much  short  of  them.  To  be  my  own 
Executor  is  a  thing  which  I  contemplate  with  plea- 
sure rather  than  with  pain,  provided  I  do  only  what 
is  wise  in  itself,  and  conducive  to  the  object  I  have  in 
view. 

"  This  plain  story  will  be  the  best  answer  I  can 
give.  It  speaks  for  itself,  and  supersedes  all  the 
apologies,  which,  if  I  were  not  thus  frank  and  open, 
I  should  be  constrained  to  make ;  and  it  at  the  same 
time  demonstrates  the  sincerity  with  which  I  am, 

"  My  dear  Sir,  your  most  faithful  friend  and 
Servant,  ^  "  C.  Simeon." 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

LETTERS TO    REV.    T.    THOMASON     ON     LORD     POWERSCOURt's     BENE- 
FACTION   MR.      GOODE's      removal     TO      INDIA PROGRESS      OF 

RELIGION    IN    CAMBRIDGE — GENERAL    IMPROVEMENT    OF     THE    UNI- 

VERSITr SERMONS    ON    THE    GOSPEL — MR.    GOODE's    APPOINTMENT 

THE     VICE-CHANCELLOR     AT     THE     JEWs'     MEETING — TO     J.     J. 

GURNET,    ESQ.    ON     THE    MOTTO     TO    HIS     '  ESSAYS  ' TO    A    FRIEND 

ON    FIDELITY     TO    GOD — TO     THE     SAME     ON    SUFFERING     PERSECU- 
TION— TO     A    MISSIONARY      ON     THE     GOLDEN     MEAN ON     HUMAN 

INFIRMITIES TO     REV.    S.    CARR     ON     THE     CIRCULATION    OF     THE 

APOCRYPHA MEMORANDA    ON   A  BEQUEST  FOR    RELIGIOUS    OBJECTS 

ON    THE     NUMBERS    AT     HIS    EVENING    PARTIES— ON     RECEIVING 

MARKS    OF    ATTENTION. 


1824—18.26. 

COREESPONDENCE,  ETC. 

To  tlie  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  K.  C,  Camb.,  June  8,  1824. 

"  My  beloved  Brother, 

.  .  .  "I  now  corue  to  that  which  is  more  particularly 
my  own  province. 

"  1st.  To  ask  yoa  whether  you  ever  received  my 
letter,  desiring  to  know  how  I  may,  to  the  greatest 
profit,  apply  a  smn  of  money  left  to  me  with  two  other 
trustees  by  Lord  Viscount  Powerscourt  for  the  use  of 
India.  I  wish  you  to  learn,  and  to  give  me  a  choice  of 
plans — not  plans  already  carrying  on  by  the  Chm-ch 
JMissionary  Society ;  but  others,  to  which  their  funds 
are  not  applied.  I  must  not  be  limited  to  one,  but 
must  have  different  to  choose  out  of.  You  will  of 
course  give  me  your  opinion ;  but  1  shall  submit  all 


REV.    F.    GOODE.  593 

to  my  co-trastees,  and  act  iDitli  them :  tliey  are  Mr. 
Justice  Lefroy,  and  the  Hon.  Mr.  Wingfield,  Lord 
Powerscourt's  brother. 

"  2nd.  Let  me  give  you  my  opinion  about  your 
appointment  to  the  Presidency  Church.  I  wish  I  could 
send  you  my  advice  by  a  carrier-pigeon.  On  an  ab- 
stract view  of  the  question  I  might  agree  with  Mr. 
Corrie  and  Mr.  Sherer :  but  I  have  entered  fully  into 
matters,  and  I  think  I  have  already  informed  you  that 
I  am  to  appoint  yoiu"  successor,  and  have  for  the  place, 
I  hope,  another  JMartyn,  almost  in  talent  and  altog ether 
in  piety — my  own  assistant,  Mr.  Goode,  a  son  of  him 
who  was  Minister  of  St.  Anne's,  Blackfriars. 

"  All  your  exertions  in  Lidia  perfectly  surprise 
me  :  your  Bible  Committees,  Book  Societies,  &c.  &:c. ; 
I  quite  blush  when  I  see  what  you  are  all  doing.  But 
we  must  all  be  content  with  doing  what  we  can, 
and  feel  neither  envy  nor  discouragement  at  being 
exceeded  by  others.  Li  truth,  the  whole  world  seems 
to  have  received  somewhat  of  a  new  impulse :  and 
glorious  times  are  fast  approaching.  The  sun  and  the 
moon  are  scarcely  more  different  from  each  other  than 
Cambridge  is  from  what  it  was  when  I  was  first 
Minister  of  Trinity  Church ;  and  the  same  change  has 
taken  place  through  almost  the  whole  land. 

"Dear  Professor  Parish  has  become  an  itinerant 
advocate  for  the  Church  Missionary  Society.  A  few 
years  ago  I  should  have  as  soon  expected  that  he 
would  be  historical  painter  to  his  Majesty,  or  Envoy 
Extraordinary  to  the  com-t  of  China.  His  soul  is  sur- 
prisingly quickened,  and  his  powers  are  mcreascd.  He 
looks  very  little  older  than  when  you  were  here. 

"  I  believe  I  told  you  of  the  immense  alterations 
that  are  taking  place  in  the  Colleges  here.     Corpus 
L.  s.  Q  Q 


594  IMPROVEMENTS 

(Bene't)  has  built  an  entire  new  College,  which  will 
be  finished  before  Christmas.  Trinity  has  added  a 
Court  that  enables  them  to  admit  into  College  double 
the  number  they  used.  King's  is  building  a  most 
magnificent  College  at  £100,000  expense.  St.  John's 
think  of  emulating  Trinity.  A  wonderfully  fine  Obser- 
vatory is  built  on  the  road  to  Madingley.  .  .  .  What 
think  you  of  taking  away  Caius  College,  and  of  re- 
building it  by  the  Hospital  ?  It  is  probable  that  may 
be  done.  By  the  way,  Addenbrooke's  Hospital  also 
is  doubled  in  size.  Where  Caius  College  now  is,  if  it 
be  removed,  we  shall  have  a  grand  ]\Iuseum.  Yet 
wonderful  as  all  this  improvement  is,  it  does  not 
exceed  the  improvement  in  the  studies  of  the  Univer- 
sity. All  is  going  forward  together  :  and  I  hope, 
when  you  come,  you  will  find  us  all  improved." 


To  the  Rev.  T.  Thomason. 

"  My  beloved  Brother,  "Dec.  1,  1824. 

"  I  can  fullv  enter  into  the  difference  you 
experience  in  your  ministrations  at  the  Cathedi'al ;  and 
I  fear  that  your  valuable  time  is  sadly  broken  in  upon 
by  mere  official  calls.  I  have  myself  but  three  days 
ago  finished  my  Course  before  the  University.  I  have 
some  idea  that  I  told  you  in  my  last  what  the  subject 
was  :  if  I  did,  forgive  me  for  mentioning  it  now.  It 
Avas  '  the  glorious  Gospel  of  the  blessed  God'  (1  Tim. 
i.  II)  :  its  nature  and  office — its  riches  and  fulness — 
its  suitableness  and  sufficiency — its  excellency  and 
glory.  ... 

"  Glorious  news  have  I  to  tell  you.  This  very  day 
does  my  friend  and  assistant,  Mr.  Goode,  receive  his 
final  appointment  to  succeed  to  your  Church.  You 
Avill   now  have    a    co-adjutor    second   only    to    dear 


IN    THE    UNIVERSITY.  595 

Martvii.  In  his  ministry  lie  will  be  far  superior  to 
Martyn :  it  is  only  in  research  and  powers  of  mind 
that  he  will  be  second.  I  thank  God  most  imfeignedly 
for  enabhng  me  to  make  this  sacrifice.  Mr.  Goode,  I 
expect,  will  sail  in  January  with  Mr.  Slierer  :  a  blessed 
pair  to  send  you  at  once  !  .  .  .  .  I  should  tell  you  that 
the  next  vacancy  for  Bengal  will  be  filled  with  one  of 
my  recommending  :  so  that  I  stand  in  the  same  relation 
to  India  that  I  did  before  iNIr.  Grant's  death.  Hoav 
justly  is  the  memory  of  that  blessed  man  honoured ! 

"  I  ought  to  tell  you  that  the  JMaster  of  Corpus, 
Mr.  Lamb,  took  the  chair  at  om-  Jews'  Meeting,  not- 
withstanding he  was  Vice-chancellor  ;  and  Dr.  God- 
frey, the  President  of  Queens',  was  also  there.  In  truth, 
things  are  wonderfully  altered  even  since  yom*  time. 
What  reason  for  thankfulness  have  we  on  account  of 
these  changes  !  As  for  me,  I  am  precisely  the  same 
that  ever  1  was ;  so  that  the  change  is  in  others,  and 
not  in  me.  But  it  is  the  Lord's  work,  and  marvellous 
in  our  eyes." 

To  J.  J.  Gurnet,  Esq.,  Earlham  Hall. 

"Jan.  4,  1825. 
"  My  beloved  friend  and  Brother, 

"  I  have  received  your  most  kind  and 
acceptable  present,  and  had  hoped  before  this  time  to 
have  read  your  Essays  on  Christianity,  that  when  I 
acknowledged  the  receipt  of  them  I  might  be  able  to 
speak  of  them  from  a  knowledge  of  their  contents. 
It  was  a  real  delight  to  me  to  see  your  motto, 
EN  TOYTOIS  ISei,  1  Tim.  iv.  15,  in  the  title-page. 
O  that  it  were  written  on  the  hearts  of  all  Avho  make 
a  profession  of  religion  ;  and  so  written  that  their 
profiting  might  appear  unto  all  men  !     This  is  to  be 

Q  Q  .2 


596  STEDFASTNESS 

*  men  of  God.'  Notliing  short  of  this  will  suffice. 
Ask  those  who  have  profited  most  in  every  profession, 
in  every  art,  and  every  science,  what  has  led  them  to 
their  attainments  ?  They  will  all  tell  you  that  they 
owe  their  proficiency  to  this  motto.  Go  on,  my 
beloved  brother,  and  may  God  make  you  more  and 
more  earnest  in  His  blessed  work,  and  give  you  to 
see  the  desire  of  your  heart  in  the  edification  and 
salvation  of  many  many  souls  !" 


To  the  Rev.  Mr. ,  on  fidelity  to  God. 

"  My  dear  Friend,  «  K.  C,  July  26,  1825. 

"  Agreeably  to  your  wish,  I  commit  to 
paper  the  substance  of  what  I  mentioned  to  you  in 
conversation. 

"  From  the  time  that  I  set  myself  to  seek  the 
Lord,  and  more  especially  from  the  time  that  I  began 
to  minister  in  holy  things,  I  found  trials  in  my  OAvn 
family.  My  father  especially  was  prejudiced  against 
Methodism  as  it  is  called ;  and  required  me  to  re- 
nounce the  friendship  of  the  Honourable  Mr.  Cadogan, 
who  preached  at  Reading,  where  my  father  lived.  I 
told  my  father,  that  if  he  could  allege  anything  against 
the  moral  character  of  my  friend  I  would  renounce 
hira  instantly ;  but  that  if  I  was  called  to  renounce 
him  on  account  of  his  fidelity  to  my  Lord  and  Saviom', 
I  should  consider  it  as  a  denial  of  my  Lord  himself; 
and  I  dared  not  to  do  it.  (2  Tim.  i.  16.)  When  he 
complained  of  my  disobedience,  (I  did  obey  him  so  far 
as  not  to  preach  for  Mr.  Cadogan,  because  I  had  no 
particular  call  to  t/iat),  I  desired  him  to  find  out  some 
test  whereby  to  try  the  obedience  of  all  his  sons  ;  and 
if  he  found  me  second  to  any,  I  would  give  him  leave 
to  lay  the  blame  on  religion ;  but  if  he  put  his  autlio- 


UNDER    TRIALS.  597 

rity  in  competition  witli  that  of  God  himself,  he 
rendered  it  impossible  for  me  to  obey  him ;  nay,  he 
himself  would  be  the  first  to  condemn  me  as  a  hypo- 
crite, when  he  fomid  me  loving  and  serving  an  earthly 
parent  more  than  my  Lord  and  Saviour. 

"  I  sent  him  a  Sermon  written  by  old  Mr.  Venn 
upon  Matt.  x.  34 — 39.  Whether  he  ever  read  it  or 
not  I  cannot  tell.  I  myself  have  written  on  that 
passage ;  but  it  is  since  my  '  Horce  were  published, 
and  it  will  appear  in  my  next  four  volumes  ;  but  if 
you  should  wish  for  a  copy  of  it,  it  shall  be  at  your 
service.  I  do  not  know  one  syllable  that  I  have 
written  ;  but  I  should  have  no  hesitation  in  saying, 
that  it  is  a  clear  exposition  of  my  views,  and  of  that 
passage  so  far  as  I  understand  it.  The  circumstance 
of  my  not  knowing  what  I  have  written  there  is  an  ad- 
vantage in  this  respect,  that  it  cannot  have  been  written 
for  this  particular  occasion.  Indeed  instead  of  speaking 
more  on  this  subject  now,  when  I  may  be  supposed  to 
write  under  a  bias,  I  should  rather  refer  to  that,  as 
containing  my  deliberate  and  unbiassed  sentiments. 

"  Unhappily  my  poor  father  retained  his  prejudices 
to  the  last ;  but  I  have  never  entertained  a  doubt,  but 
that  I  did  right  in  obeying  God  rather  than  man. 
Great  care  must  be  taken  that  we  act  in  a  right  spirit, 
and  that  we  '  let  patience  have  its  perfect  work,  that 
we  may  be  perfect  and  entire,  wanting  nothing.'  But 
if  the  Cross  cannot  be  removed  by  mild  and  gentle 
means,  we  must  consider  it  as  lying  fairly  in  our  way, 
and  must  take  it  up  and  bear  it  after  our  blessed 
Lord.  And  if,  in  this  mode  of  proceeding,  we  lose 
father  or  mother,  or  house  or  lands,  for  Christ's  sake, 
we  have  His  assurance  that  we  '  shall  receive  an  hun- 
dred-fold more  in  this  life,   (and  in  kind  too,)  with 


59S  ON    SUFI'ERING 

persecutions,  and  in  tlic  world  to  come  life  everla8tin(/.' 
(Mark  x.  28—30). 

"  Hoping  tliat  God  will  be  graciously  pleased  to 
afford  botli  to  you  and  to  your  friends  all  needful 
direction  and  support, 

"  I  remain,  my  dear  Priend,  very  affectionately 
yours,  "  C.  Simeon." 


To  the  SAME,  on  suffering  persecution. 

"  My  very  dear  Friend, 

"  God  is  now  calling  you  to  serve  Him 
and  to  honour  Him  in  a  more  especial  manner ;  and 
I  trust  you  will  approve  yourself  a  good  soldier  of 
Jesns  Christ.  As  for  receding  from  the  field  of  battle, 
I  hope  you  will  not  entertain  the  thought  for  a  single 
moment.  The  eyes  of  all  the  University  will  be  fixed 
on  you  ;  and  by  your  conduct  many  will  either  be 
intimidated,  or  emboldened,  to  maintain  their  holy 
profession  with  more  firmness  than  ever.  (Phil.  i.  14.) 
God  is  putting  great  honour  upon  yon,  in  that  He  is 
'  making  you  a  partaker  of  Christ's  sufferings.'  '  The 
Spirit  of  glory  and  of  God  is  now  made  more  visibly  to 
rest  upon  yon.'  It  is  as  a  Christian,  and  for  the  name 
of  Christ,  that  you  are  reproached  ;  and  therefore, 
instead  of  being  ashamed,  you  have  reason  to  glorify 
God  on  this  behalf.  (1  Pet.  iv.  12 — IG.  You  will 
noiD  know  Avhat  this  passage  means.)  Your  less  en- 
lightened friends  will  pity  you,  but  those  who  are 
better  instructed  out  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  will  con- 
gratulate you.  Moses  possessed  a  higher  situation 
than  you  did,  and  voluntarily  renounced  it  all  tliat  he 
might  '  suffer  affliction  with  the  people  of  God.'  He 
balanced  against  each  other  the  dest  of  f//is  tvor/ci,  aW 
the  riches  of  the  greatest  kingdom  upon  earth,  and 


PERSECUTION.  599 

the  icorst  of  feligion,  reproach  and  the  Cross  ;  and  he 
found  that  the  Christian's  portion  was  as  a  talent  of 
gold  against  a  feather.  Seek  from  God  the  same  faith 
as  he  possessed,  and  you  will  soon  both  approve  his 
choice,  and  follow  his  example.  And  who  can  tell 
what  God  has  for  you  to  do  for  the  advancement  of 
His  kingdom  ?  Matthew  was  called  from  his  employ- 
ment, Peter  and  John  from  theirs,  and  Paul  from  his, 
that  they  might  be  more  at  liberty  to  serve  Him  ;  and 
for  this  honour  they  counted  all  things  but  as  dimg 
and  dross.  But  I  would  earnestly  wish  you  not  to  be 
precipitate  as  to  any  measures  which  you  shall  adopt. 
God,  who  has  called  you  to  this  trial,  will  make  your 
way  plain  before  your  face,  if  only  you  wait  upon  Him 
in  faith  and  patience 

"  I  did  intend  to  have  written  you .  a  long  letter, 
but  my  pressing  engagements  have  prevented  me  from 
executing  my  purpose.  I  only  add,  What  would  Paul 
have  said  to  you  in  existing  circumstances  ?  Would 
he  have  used  the  language  of  consolation  ?  Would  he 
not  of  congratulation  rather  ?  Yes,  assuredly  of  con- 
gratulation, and  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  '  after  you 
have  suffered  aivMIe,'  God  will  '  stablish,  strengthen, 
settle  you,'  and  turn  all  your  troubles  into  occasions  of 
praise  and  thanksgiving.     Believe  me,  my  dear  Friend, 

"  Your  truly  sympathizing  and  most  affectionate. 
Friend,  "  C.  Simeon." 


To  the  Rev.  Mr.  T ,  on  'the  golden  mean.' 

"K.  C,  Camb.,  July  9,  1825. 
"  My  beloved  Brother, 

"  Perhaps  you  little  thought  that  in  what 
you  have  said  about  extremes,  a7id  ayainst  the  golden 
mean,  you  would  carry  me  along  with  you.     But  I  not 


GOO  THE    GOLDEN    MEAN. 

only  go  along  with  you,  I  even  go  far  beyond  you  : 
for  to  you  I  can  say  in  words,  what  for  these  thu-ty 
years  I  have  proclaimed  in  deeds,  (}on  will  not  mis- 
understand me,)  that  the  truth  is  not  in  the  middle, 
and  not  in  one  extreme ;  hut  in  both  extremes.  I  see 
you  filled  with  amazement,  and  doubting  whether 
I  am  sober,  [i.  e.)  in  my  sober  senses. 

"  Here  were  two  extremes  ;  observing  days,  eating 
meats,  &c. — '  Paul,  how"  do  you  move  ?  In  the  mean 
way  ?'  'No.' — '  To  one  extreme  ?'  ' No.' — 'How  then  ?' 
'  To  both  extremes  in  their  tmii,  as  occasion  requires.' 

"  Here  are  two  other  extremes,  Calvinism  and 
Arminianism,  (for  you  need  not  be  told  hoAV  long 
Calvin  and  Arminius  lived  before  St.  Paul).  '  How  do 
you  move  in  reference  to  these,  Paul  ?  In  a  golden 
mean  ?'  '  No.' — '  To  one  extreme  ?'  *  No.' — '  How 
then  ?'  '  To  both  extremes :  to-day  I  am  a  strong 
Calvinist  ;  to-morrow  a  strong  Arminian,' — '  Well, 
well,  Paul,  I  see  thou  art  beside  thyself :  go  to  Aris- 
totle, and  learn  the  golden  mean.' 

"  But,  my  brother,  I  am  unfortunate  :  I  formerly 
read  Aristotle,  and  liked  him  much  :  I  have  since  read 
Paul,  and  caught  somewhat  of  his  strange  notions 
oscillating  (not  vacillating)  from  pole  to  pole.  Some- 
times I  am  a  high  Calvinist,  at  other  times  a  low 
Arminian,  so  that  if  extremes  will  please  you,  I  am 
your  man  ;  only  remember,  it  is  not  one  extreme  that 
w^e  are  to  go  to,  but  both  extremes. 

"  Now,  my  beloved  brother,  if  I  find  you  in  the 
zenith  on  the  one  side,  I  shall  hope  to  find  you  in  the 
nadir  on  the  other ;  and  then  w^e  shall  be  ready  (in  the 
estimation  of  the  world,  and  of  moderate  Christians, 
who  love  the  golden  mean)  to  go  to  Bedlam  together. 
"  Now  to  yom"  letter — '  exalting  Missionaries  above 


COMMITTEES.  COl 

Societies.'  If  you  are  wrong,  I  am  ten  times  more 
A^Tong  than  you  in  this  also :  for  in  my  address  to  the 

Society,  deUvered   eight    or  ten   years    ago    at 

Freemasons'  Hall,  and  published  by  them,  I  laboured 
this  point  with  all  my  might.  You  knoAv  that  I,  Avhen 
delivering  my  sentiments  before  the  Lord,  do  not 
know  much  of  the  golden  mean ;  so  that  I  am  still 
with  you,  my  brother,  and  with  my  whole  heart. 
Societies  are  like  the  Cabinet  of  Ministers,  who  send 
out  armies,  and  sit  at  home,  and  get  some  credit :  but 
it  is  the  armies  that  strike  the  blow,  and  that  are 
God's  instruments  to  us  for  good.  Yet  the  Cabinets 
are  of  use  in  their  place,  though  they  may  sometimes 
be  wrong  in  their  judgment. 

"  In  truth,  my  brother,  I  am  ready  to  go  with  you 
much  farther  also  in  what  you  say  of  Committees. 
This  is  the  case  at  this  moment  in  the  Committee 

of .     And  I  think,  in  the  instance  you  refer  to, 

our  own  Committee  did  not  judge  well.  And  if  all 
Committees  were  more  earnest  in  prayer  to  God  for 
direction  they  Avould  do  better.  Still,  however,  there 
must  be  Committees,  as  well  as  Cabinets ;  and  where 
there  are  men,  there  will  be  mistakes,  and  errors,  and 
infirmities;  and  if  we  expect  only  from  men  what 
savours  strongly  of  human  infirmity,  we  shall  be  less 
stumbled  by  their  errors.  You  will  remember  that 
every  Missionary  has  not  your  powers  of  thought ; 
and  that  if  all  were  left  to  themselves,  there  is  no 
knowing  what  they  would  do.  To  say  the  least,  there 
would  be  no  unity  in  their  plans  j  and  the  errors  of 
the  many  would  in  the  issue  be  found  cpiite  equal  in 
number  to  the  errors  of  the  Committee. 

"  And  now  let  me  ask,  Did  you  expect  to  find 
such  an  agreement  between  us  ?     Did  you  not  expect 


602  CIRCULATION    OF 

that  tliere  would  be  a  considerable  diversity  in  our 
opinions  ?  Well,  let  there  be  the  same  unity  in  our 
spirit.  Let  us  not  expect  too  much  from  man ;  but 
look  simply  to  the  Lord,  to  act  bi/  them,  or  loiiliout 
them,  or  against  them,  as  He  pleases.  We  wDl  be 
thankful  for  all  the  good  that  He  does,  either  by  indi- 
viduals or  Societies  :  for  whether  Paul  plant,  or  Apollos 
water,  it  is  '  God  alone  who  gives  the  increase.'  And 
whilst  in  our  desires  we  will  be  enlarged  to  the  utter- 
most, we  will  be  moderate  in  our  expectations;  (the 
golden  mean  may  here  be  used ;)  and  let  neither  our 
joys  so  prevail  as  to  dispel  our  sorrows,  nor  our 
sorrows  so  prevail  as  to  overwhelm  our  joys. 

"  '  Ilejoice  with  trembling,'  and  tremble  with 
rejoicing,  has  always  been  my  motto.  I  never  pass 
a  day  without  seeing  occasion  for  both,  in  all  around 
me  ;  but  most  of  all  in 

"  Your  most  affectionate  Brother,     "  C.  Simeon." 


To  the  Rev.  S.  Care,,  on  aiding  the  Bible  Society, 
"  My  dear  Friend,  "May  12,  1826. 

"  I  went  last  week  to  Town,  though  very 
unfit  to  be  out  of  my  room  on  account  of  gout,  from 
which  I  am  not  yet  quite  recovered,  very  much  for 
the  purpose  of  shewing  my  face  at  the  Bible  Society, 
Persons  unacquainted  with  my  state  of  health  would 
have  put  a  wrong  construction  on  my  absence,  and 
have  imputed  it  to  pique.  I  felt  it  due  therefore  to 
my  divine  Master  to  shew  that  he  did  not  suffer  me 
to  be  under  the  influence  of  any  such  feeling  as  that  *.. 

*  During  tlie  previous  year  Mr.  Simeon  had  published  a  letter 
to  Lord  Teignmouth,  in  vindication  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Bible 
Society  relative  ta  the  circulation  of  the  Apocrypha.     After  much- 


THE    ArOCKYPHA.  603 

"  I  consider  the  Bible  Society  as  forced  into  the 
measures  they  have  adopted ;  though  T  think  tliere  is 
among  them  a  lamentable  want  of  what  /  consider  as 
right  feeling  in  relation  to  the  whole  matter.  However, 
I  presume  not  to  judge  them.  Those  who  ate,  and 
those  who  abstained  from  eating,  meats  offered  to 
idols,  were  equally  accepted  of  their  God,  and  were  only 
warned  not  to  judge  or  to  despise  one  another.  I  do  not 
think  that  any  either  judge  or  despise  me ;  and  sorry 
should  T  be  to  manifest  less  candour  than  my  adversaries. 

"  The  Bible  Society  will  yet  do  good,  and  still 
needs  support.  But  I  do  think  that  the  field  which 
they  abandon  should  be  occupied,  and  most  thankful 
shall  I  be  to  see  it  occupied,  and  to  take  my  post 
there.  To  do  this  with  effect,  we  must  shew  that  we 
are  not  influenced  by  any  bad  spirit.  I  think  we 
should  still  aid  the  old  Society ;  but  I  do  not  see  that 
we  are  necessitated  to  leave  all  Apocryphists  in  dark- 
ness, because  they  have  done  so.  I  will  see  some 
friends,  and  endeavour  to  set  on  foot  something.  But 
I  am  a  poor  insignificant  creature  to  lead,  I  would 
infinitely  rather  follow. 

"  I  wish  Mr.  B.  may  not  run  too  fast.  But  it  is 
difficult  to  embark  in  a  good  cause,  and  to  proceed 
with  all  the  moderation  that  is  requisite  for  its  ulti- 
mate success.  I  icould  run  as  fast  as  he  :  but  I  want 
to  win  the  race ;  and  therefore  proceed  at  this  2^ art  of 
the  course  somewhat  slower  than  he.  A  warm  advo- 
cate will  call  this  lukewarmness ;  to  me  it  appears,  in 
existing  circumstances,  wisdom  and  prudence." 


warm  controversy,  the  Society  at  length  resolved,  that  '  the  funda- 
mental law,  which  limits  their  operations  to  the  circulation  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  be  fully  and  distinctly  recognized  as  excluding 
the  circulation  of  the  Apocrypha.' 


g04  various  tokens 

Memoranda  on  various  Occasions. 
On  a  Bequest  for  religious  Objects. 

"Feb.  23,  1826. 
"  About  four  years  ago,  when  I  was  in  my  blessed 
work  of  purchasing  Livings,  to  secure  in  perpetuity 
pious  and  laborious  Ministers  in  them,  by  the  advice 
of  a  gentleman  I  wrote  to  Dr.  Kilvington,  whom  I  had 
never  seen,  to  ask  some  assistance  towards  it,  thinking 
he  might  possibly  give  me  £500  ;  and  behold  he  gave 
me  nearly  £8000  !  And  now  that  I  am  again  engaged 
to  the  amount  of  above  £10,000,  a  gentleman,  whom 
I  never  saw  but  once,  and  then  only  for  half-an-hour, 
has  died  and  left  me,  as  my  informant  says,  £9000. 
My  poor  dear  honoured  and  lamented  Father  thought 
that  I  should  ruin  myself  by  giving  my  money  to  the 
poor,  and  therefore  left  my  little  fortune  in  the  hands 
of  trustees,  to  keep  me  from  this  apprehended  mis- 
chief. Behold,  this  is  the  way  in  which  God  leaves  me 
to  be  ruined  !  Oh,  what  a  Master  He  is !  I  wonder 
who  ever  lost  by  serving  Him  ?  It  is  sufficient  for  me 
to  know,  that  '  what  we  give  for  His  glory,  we  lend  to 
Him ;  and  he  will  repay  us  again.'  But  He  will  not 
even  take  the  loan  :  for  on  both  these  occasions  He 
has  just  interposed  (as  indeed  He  has  on  several  other 
occasions)  to  forestall  and  prevent  the  payment  out  of 
my  own  pocket ;  so  that  I  am  still  as  strong  as  ever 
to  prosecute  the  same  good  work.  Who  needs  prove 
to  me  the  providence  of  God?" 

On  receiving  Marks  of  Attention. 

"  May  26,  1826. 
"  I   have  thought  that  I  would  not  make  any 
memorandiun  of  two   events,   lest  it  should  appear 
to  savour  of  vanity :  but  they  do  in  a  very  striking 


OF    RESPECT.  C05 

way  evince  the  goodness  of  God  to  me,  and  may  serve 
to  shew  how  He  rewards  a  simj)le  and  faithful  ad- 
herence to  Him.  I  remember  the  time  that  I  was 
quite  surprised  that  a  Fellow  of  my  own  College  ven- 
tured to  walk  with  me  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour  on 
the  grass-plot  before  Clare  Hall :  and  for  many  years 
after  I  began  my  Ministry,  I  was  a  man  wondered  at, 
by  reason  of  the  paucity  of  those  who  shewed  any 
regard  for  true  religion.  But  now  on  my  open  days 
(Fridays),  when  I  receive  visitors  at  tea,  frequently 
more  than  forty  (all  without  invitation)  come.  AVliat 
an  honour  is  this  !  How  impossible  would  it  have 
been  for  me  ever  to  have  obtained  it,  if  I  had  sought 
it !     But  God  gives  it  me  unsought." 

"  Again. — In  the  month  of  April  I  was  proposed  as 
a  member  of  the  Society  for  promoting  Christian 
Knowledge  *  ;  and  as  it  was  apprehended  that  I  might 

*  In  his  'Answer'  to  Dr.  Marsh  in  1812,  Mr.  Simeon  observes 
in  a  note : — 

"As  it  is  possible  that  a  circumstance  relating  to  myself  may 
give  you  occasion  to  represent  me  as  no  friend  to  the  Society  for 
Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  I  will  here  mention  it.  .  .  I  once 
had  the  honour  of  being  a  member  of  that  Society  myself;  but 
afterwards,  for  reasons  which  appeared  to  me  satisfactory  at  the 
time,  I  withdrew  my  name.  Altering  however  my  opinion  some 
time  after,  ahove  twenty  years  ago  1  wished  to  renew  my  subscrip- 
tion ;  and  the  late  Dean  of  Ely,  Dr.  Cooke,  then  Provost  of  King's 
College,  had  undertaken  to  propose  me.  But  on  mentioning  it  to 
the  Rev.  Secretary  of  that  Society,  he  found  a  doubt  suggested 
whether  my  name  would  be  re-admitted.  Of  course,  I  did  not 
choose  to  be  proposed,  if  there  was  the  smallest  chance  of  a  re- 
pulse ;  and  have  been  deterred  from  offering  myself  by  that  con- 
sideration ever  since.  But  though  I  have  not  oiFered  myself,  I 
nearly  two  years  ago  recommended  my  Brother  to  become  a  mem- 
ber ;  and  if  you.  Sir,  will  do  me  the  honour  to  propose  me  (for 
with  your  recommendation  I  can  be  in  no  danger  of  a  repulse), 
I  shall  be  happy  in  being  again  united  to  that  Society,  and  in 
co-operating  in  all  their  benevolent  designs." 


600  RESPECT    rilOM    BISHOPS. 

be  black-balled  (for  some  have  been  who  were  far 
less  notorious  than  myself),  there  went  a  host  of 
Bishops  and  other  Dignitaries  of  the  Church,  with 
their  friends  (about  90  or  100  in  all),  to  beat  down 
opposition,  and  to  vote  me  in  with  a  high  hand.  I 
understand  there  were  but  three  opponents ;  and  that 

Mr. w^as  peculiarly  zealous  in  my  support.     Is 

not  this  of  the  Lord  ? 

"  Again. — Last  week  three  Bishops  did  me  the 

honour  of  visiting  me ;  Dr.  Burgess,  Bishop  of  Salis- 

bmy — Dr.  Law,  Bishop  af  Bath  and  Wells — Dr.  Jebb, 

Bishop    of  Limerick ;    and   I  accompanied  them  to 

King's    Chapel,   and   to  Trinity  Library,  and   spent 

above  an  hour  with  them.     This   shews  how  much 

Christian  liberality  has  increased,  and  is  increasing. 

I  am  not  conscious  that  I  am  one  atom  less  faithful  to 

my  God  than  in  former  days,  or  more  desirous  of 

human  favour ;    yet  God  is  pleased  thus  graciously  to 

honour  me.     Li  former  years  I  should  as  soon  have 

expected  a  visit  from  three  crowned  heads,  as  from 

three  persons  wearing  a  mitre  ;    not  because  there  was 

any  w-ant  of  condescension  in  them,  but  because  my 

religious  character  affixed  a  stigma  to  my  name.     I 

thank  God  that  I  receive  this  honour  as  from  Him, 

and  am  pleased  wutli  it  no  further  than  as  it  indicates 

an  increasing  regard  for  religion  amongst  my  superiors 

in   the   Church,    and   may  tend   to   lessen  prejudice 

amongst  those  to  whom  the  report  of  it  may  come." 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

LETTERS TO      TEIE      SECRETARY      OF     A     RELIGIOUS     SOCIETr TO     A 

CLERGYMAN,    ON    AVOIDING     THE    APPEARANCE    OF    EVIL TO     THE 

PROVOST    OF   ETON — DR.  GOODALl's    REPLY TO  MRS.  CUNNINGHAM, 

ON    THE    MEMOIR    OF    HER    SISTER TO    A   FRIEND,    ON  CHERISHING 

A    SPIRIT    OF    LOVE TO    REV.    W.  H.    MICHELL,    ON  THE    DEATH    OP 

MR.     LLOYD  -^  MEMORANDUM      ON      BEING     DEFRAUDED      BY      HIS 
SERVANT. 


18.27— 1828. 

CORRESPONDENCE,    ETC. 

To  the  Secretary  of  a  religious  Society. 

"  My  dear  Sir,  «K.  C,  March  20,  1827.     , 

"It  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  come  up, 
because  1  can  express  my  sentiments  on  paper  better 
than  viva  voce ;  and  if  I  express  them  with  Cliristian 
fidehty  I  hope  the  Committee  will  forgive  me.     I  ex-, 

pressed  them  fully  to  Mr. after  our  last  Meeting, 

and  with  much  anguish  of  mind,  I  perceived  in  the 
Committee  a  spirit  which  deeply  grieved  and  humbled 
me.  But  I  dare  not  proceed  to  state  my  sentiments, 
lest  I  should  wound  and  grieve  others.  I  therefore 
leave  my  crimination  altogether  out  of  the  question, 
and  give  only  my  advice. 

"  My  advice  is,  tread  back  your  steps — cultivate  a 
spirit  of  Christian  love  and  liberality — if  wronged, 
why  do  you  not  rather  take  wrong,  and  cover  it  even 
from  your  own  eyes  ?  yea,  do  more  than  they  say. 
Verily  the  want  of  this  spirit  put  me  to  shame  and 
deeply  humbled  me.  When  shall  we  rise  to  the  true 
standard  of  Christian  morals  ?     Matt.  v.  40,  41. 

"  Your  afflicted  Priend,         "  C.  Simeon. 


608  INTEGRITY    OF    CONDUCT. 

"  P.S.  I  tliink  I  made  my  sentiments  known  to 
Mr.  M.  also.  I  beg  pardon  of  the  Committee  for  not 
protesting  against  their  measures.  But  who  am  I 
that  I  shoidd  dictate  ? 

"  The  fault  of  this  whole  matter  is  in  the  unyield- 
ing pertinacity  of  our  own  Committee.  The  Com- 
mittee do  not  stand  at  a  sufficient  distance  from  the 
object  of  contention  to  judge  of  it  aright.  You  may 
lay  this  letter  before  them.  It  is  the  only  way  in 
which  I  can  atone  for  my  want  of  fidelity  before. 
Indeed,  indeed,  even  Peter  and  Barnabas  are  all 
wrong  in  this  matter." 


To  the  Rev.  Mr. ,  on  avoiding  all  appearance 

of  evil. 

"  My  dear  Sir,        "K.  C,  Camb.,  June  10,  1827. 

"  '  He  that  belie veth  shall  not  make 
haste.'  There  is  a  straightforward  mode  of  pro- 
ceeding that  will  alone  satisfy  my  mind.  It  is  the 
Lord  alone  whom  I  am  serving ;  I  have  no  more 
personal  interest  in  it  than  the  Emperor  of  China ; 
and  I  have  no  wish  to  serve  God  in  a  dubious  way  : 
He  does  not  require  it.  If  it  be  His  will  that  I 
should  effect  for  Him  the  construction  of  this  Tem- 
ple— well;  the  silver  and  the  gold  are  His,  and  He 
will  enable  me.  If  not — well ;  it  was  well  that  it 
was  in  my  heart :  and  He  will  accept  the  will  for 
the  deed. 

"  There  are  oaths  too ;  and  who  can  tell  what 
rumours  might  grow  out  of  a  dubious,  or  even  inno- 
cent transaction  ? 

"  The  Paschal  lamb  was  set  apart  four  days  in 
order  that  it  might  undergo  the  strictest  examina- 
tion ;  and  our  blessed  Lord  for  four  days  underwent 


DR.    GOODALL.  609 

this  examination,  and  was  pronounced  fit  by  His 
bitterest  enemies,  who  could  find  no  fault  in  Him. 
Such  I  wish  my  sacrifices  to  be.  '  We  must  be  wise  as 
serpents,  and  harmless  as  doves.'  I  am,  my  dear  Sir, 
"  Your  very  affectionate  Friend, 

"C.  Simeon. 

"This  is  the  Lord's  work,  and  fit  for  a  Sab- 
bath-day. I  always  love  to  answer  by  return  of 
post  " 


To  the  Rev.  Dr.  Good  all,  Provost  of  Eton. 

"  My  dear  Friend,  «  Sept.  4,  1827. 

"  I  will  not  be  so  ungracious  again  as 
to  send  to  my  '  loving  friends,'  without  a  single  line 
to  shew  that  the  expression  when  used  by  me  towards 
yourself,  is  not  a  mere  official  courtesy,  but  a  reality. 
Never  have  I  had  in  all  my  life  but  one  feeling 
towards  you ;  and  notwithstanding  our  pursuits  and 
habits  of  life  have  been  so  difierent,  I  verily  believe 
that  your  regards  towards  me  have  also  been  un- 
changed ;  and  were  I  nearer  to  you,  I  should  feel 
much  pleasure  in  keeping  up  a  more  friendly  inter- 
course than  our  present  distance  admits  of.  I  think 
you  would  receive  with  kindness  any  hint  which  I 
might  suggest  respecting  our  prospects  in  the  eternal 
world. 

"It  is  often  with  me  a  matter  of  regret  that  the 
atmosphere  of  Eton  is  so  unfavourable  for  the  health 
of  the  soul ;  and  that  amidst  all  the  attention  that  is 
paid  to  the  Poets  and  Philosophers  of  Greece  and 
Rome,  scarcely  ever  by  any  chance  is  the  name  of  our 
blessed  Saviour  heard,  especially  in  a  Avay  of  admira- 
tion and  love;    and  that  whilst  earthly  honours  are 

L.  S.  11  11 


610  REGARD    FOR 

held  up  as  proper  objects  of  our  ambition,  so  little  is 
spoken  of  heaven  as  worthy  of  our  pursuit.  But  our 
College-records  of  this  very  year  speak  loudly  to  us  on 
this  subject.  The  very  occasion  on  which  I  send  you 
this  letter  admonishes  us,  that  in  a  little  time  nothing 
will  remain  to  us  of  this  world,  except  our  responsi- 
bility to  God  for  all  that  we  have  done  in  it,  and  all 
that  we  have  neglected  to  do.  This  is  the  fourth 
death  that  has  taken  place  in  our  small  Society  in 
about  twice  as  many  months,  besides  two  or  three 
others  of  quondam  fellows  ;  and  five  of  them  much 
younger  than  ourselves.  Through  mercy,  it  is  my 
chief  labour  here  to  prevent  regret  in  the  eternal 
world ;  and  I  earnestly  hope  that  you  also,  my  dear 
Friend,  will,  after  labouring  so  honourably  and  so 
successfully  for  the  meat  that  perisheth,  'labour  also 
for  the  meat  which  endureth  unto  eternal  life.'  Will 
you  do  me  the  favour  to  accept  as  a  small  pledge  of 
my  regard,  a  book  *  which  I  had  intended  as  a 
present  to  my  Nephew  ?  The  preface  to  it  I  consider 
as  of  very  singular  value.  As  for  the  book  itself, 
the  world  has  already  stamped  its  value  so  legibly, 
that  I  need  say  nothing  respecting  it.  If  either  the 
preface  or  the  book  shall  prove  a  source  of  benefit  and 
comfort  to  your  mind,  I  beg  leave  to  assure  you,  that 
it  will  greatly  rejoice 

"  Your  officially  '  loving  friend,' 

''  And  your  truly  most  affectionate  friend, 

"  C.  Simeon. 

"  P.  S.  My  very  kind  and  respectful  compliments 
to  Mrs.  Goodall." 


*  Wilberforce's  Practical   View,  with  a  Preface  by  the  Rev. 
Dauiel  Wilson. 


DR.    GOODALL.  Oil 

[Not  having  received  any  answer  from  Dr.  Goodall 
after  tlie  interval  of  a  month,  Mr,  Simeon  wrote  to 
him  again.] 

"  My  dear  Friend,  "  Oct.  4,  1827. 

"  If  any  person  in  the  world,  or  all  the 
people  in  the  world  confederate,  had  told  me  that 
you  would  take  offence  at  the  letter  which  I  wrote 
you,  I  should  have  said.  You  do  not  know  Dr. 
Goodall  as  I  do.  I  have  known  him  almost  sixty 
years  :  and  if  ever  there  was  a  person  that  never  gave, 
or  took  offence,  it  is  he.  Instead  of  being  offended 
at  a  friendly  communication,  which  bore  upon  the 
very  face  of  it  nothing  but  respect  and  love,  he  is 
precisely  the  man  of  whom  that  might  be  said  v^hich 
was  said  of  Cranmer,  '  Do  my  Lord  of  Canterbury  an 
ill  turn,  and  he  will  be  yom-  friend  for  ever.'  In  fact, 
I  cannot  conceive  what  there  could  be  in  it  to  give 
offence.  It  was  in  my  apprehension,  and  certainly  in 
my  purpose,  as  pm'e  an  ebidlition  of  perfect  friend- 
ship as  ever  proceeded  from  a  warm  and  affectionate 
heart.  It  must  be  taken  in  connexion  with  the  apo- 
logy which  I  had  recently  made  you,  when  you  Avere 
here,  for  having,  not  long  before,  sent  you  a  special 
messenger  in  the  usual  form  without  a  single  line 
expressive  of  personal  regard. 

"  A  similar  occasion  now  again  offered  itself.  The 
letter  announcing  a  vacancy  at  King's  I  received 
between  eight  and  nine  o'clock ;  I  sent  off  the  special 
messenger  by  ten  :  and  whilst  the  official  form  was 
preparing,  it  occurred  to  me  that  I  ought  on  no 
account  to  omit  sending  you  a  few  lines.  And,  as 
Jesse,  when  sending  David  to  '  look  how  his  brethren 
fared  and  to  take  their  pledge,'  sent  a  present  of  a 
few   loaves   and   cheeses   to  the    '  Captain   of    their 

R  R  2 


612  TOKEN  OF  REGARD. 

thousand,'  without  ever  dreaming  that  by  such  a 
hberty  he  should  give  offence,  so  I,  in  the  innocency 
of  my  heart,  sent  you  one  of  the  copies  of  a  most 
valuable  publication  which  I  had  ordered  from 
Glasgow,  (as  presents  to  my  own  Nephews,)  as  a 
small  token  of  my  regard.  The  preface  I  consider 
as  one  of  the  finest  compositions  in  our  language ; 
and  therefore,  though  it  might  not  convey  to  you 
anything  you  did  not  know  before,  it  might  put  the 
subject  in  a  view  which  would  w^ell  repay  the  perusal. 
Even  if  it  had  been  a  treatise  on  the  beauties  of  the 
Greek  language,  I  should  not  have  expected  it  to  give 
offence ;  though  there  might  tlien  have  been  some 
reason  for  offence,  because  it  might  be  construed  as 
an  attempt  to  convey  to  you  some  information  on  a 
subject,  with  which  you  have  been  all  your  life  pre- 
eminently conversant.  But  on  matters  of  eternal 
moment,  however  conversant  you  were  with  the  sub- 
ject, I  could  have  no  conception  of  giving  you  offence, 
because  you  would  of  necessity  recollect,  that  the 
great  parent  and  progenitor  of  all  infallibility  (St. 
Peter),  when  Amting  '  to  those  tcJio  had  obtained  like 
precious  faith  with  him,'  says,  '  I  will  not  be  negligent 
to  put  you  always  in  remembrance  of  these  things, 
though  ye  hiow  them,  and  be  established  in  the  present 
truth  *.'  In  fact,  I  should  have  expected  you  would 
rather  have  been  gratified  with  an  opportunity  of 
expressing  your  concurrence  with  me,  in  the  great 
object  which  both  the  preface  and  the  book  propose 
to  our  consideration.  At  all  events,  if  it  were  only 
for  Ovid's  sake,  I  was  assured  you  would  forgive  me : 
for  you  well  remember,  that  when  addressing  his  wife, 
(whom  certainly  he  did  not  intend  to  offend,)  he  says, 

■••  2  Peter  i.  1,  12. 


DR.    GOOD  all's    REPLY.  613 

*  Qui  moiiet  ut  facias  quod  jam  facis,  ille  monendo 
Laudatj  et  hortatu  comprobat  acta  suo.' 

If  however  I  have  given  you  offence,  do  me  the  justice 
to  beUeve  it  was  quite  unintentionally;  and  beheve 
me  to  be, 

"  With  truly  respectful  and  very  affectionate  re- 
gard, ever  yours,  "  C.  Simeon." 

Dr.  Good  all's  Reply. 

"  Cloisters,  Windsor  Castle,  Oct.  8,  1827. 

"  My  dear  Friend, 

"  Most  sincerely  do  I  entreat  your  pardon 
for  my  protracted  silence,  which  has  caused  j^ou  to 
entertain  a  suspicion  that  I  could  possibly  be  offended 
at  so  very  kind  a  proof  of  your  regard.  That  I  did 
not  acknowledge  your  obliging  present  and  most 
flattering  letter  immediately,  was  entirely  OAving  to  an 
accidental  press  of  business,  which  would  not  allow 
me  to  retm'n  as  full  an  answer  as  I  wished  to  do. 
That  I  should  since  have  suffered  day  after  day,  and 
week  after  week,  to  pass  by  without  expressing  how 
much  I  w^as  gratified  by  the  very  kind  interest  you 
took  in  my  welfare,  and  by  your  solicitude  that  I 
should  not  disregard  the  pearl  of  inestimable  price, 
would  be  surprising  even  to  myself,  had  I  not,  oftener 
than  ought  to  be  the  case,  had  occasion  to  apologize 
for  the  effects  of  a  procrastinating  spirit.  I  coidd 
with  truth  plead  much  unexpected  business,  much 
distress  of  mind,  and  an  almost  uninterrupted  demand 
on  my  time  ;  but  were  I  to  attempt  by  such  pleas  to 
extenuate  my  apparent  inattention  and  want  of  a 
proper  sense  of  your  kindness,  I  should  be  angry  with 
myseff ;  I  have  been  much  to  blame :  Habes  conji- 
tentem. 

"  After  this  confession  it  will  be  needless  to  assure 


G14  DR.  goodall's  reply. 

you,  that  I  did  not  take  offence  at  what  had  I  taken 
offence  I  should  have  ill  deserved  the  opinion  you 
have  hitherto  entertained  of  me.  I  acknowledge,  with 
I  trust  the  most  proper  feeling,  my  conviction  that 
yoiu-  address  to  me  was  in  truth  as  '  pure  an  ebullition 
of  perfect  friendship  as  ever  proceeded  from  a  warm 
and  affectionate  heart ;'  nor  was  it  necessary  that  the 
historiette  of  the  circumstances  connected  wdth  the 
cause  of  your  truly  friendly  letter  should  have  been 
detailed.  j\Irs.  Goodall  is  however  parcel-guilty  (in 
the  first  instance)  of  my  silence,  though  certainly 
without  intention.  She  begged  me  so  earnestly  to  let 
her  re-peruse  yom*  letter,  which  I  read  to  her,  that  I 
consigned  the  MS.  to  her  care.  This  she  had  so  very 
carefully  put  up,  that  on  my  asking  her  for  it,  my 
request  was  m-ged  in  vain,  as  she  could  not  recollect 
Avhere  she  had  contrived  to  place  it  so  as  to  elude  her 
search. 

"  A  most  violent  head- ache,  to  which,  thanks  be  to 
the  Almighty,  I  am  little  subject,  distracts  me  so  at 
this  moment,  that  it  is  no  hyperbole  to  say  that  I 
scarcely  know  what  I  have  written  ;  but  to  let  another 
post  depart,  without  endeavomiug  to  do  away  tiie  ill 
impression  which  my  silence  has  left,  would  be  worse 
than  inconsiderate. 

"  In  better  spirits,  in  a  more  idle  moment,  I  shall 
hope  to  say  much  which  I  meant  to  say  when  I  began 
this  No- Apology. 

"Believe  Die  to  be,  with  the  most  perfect  regard 
and  esteem,  and  with  a  just  value  of  your  friendship, 
"  My  dear  Sir, 
"  Your  obliged  and  faithful  friend, 

"  J.  Goodall." 


RELIGIOUS    MEMOIRS.  615 

To  Mrs.  Cunningham. 

«K.  C,  Monday  Evening,  Nov.  12,  1827. 

"  My  very  dear  Friend, 

"  Your  most  kind  favour  came  to  hand  on 
Saturday  evening  last ;  but  I  would  not  read  it  till 
I  should  have  leisure  to  consider  its  contents,  and  to 
give  myself  up  to  the  feelings  which  it  is  calculated 
to  excite.  Often  do  I  intend  to  peruse  this  blessed 
Memou.  When  your  dear  sister  Catharine  read  por- 
tions of  it  to  me,  it  almost  transported  me  to  heaven  ; 
and  made  me  most  truly  thankful  for  the  lumbago 
which  detained  me  at  home,  and  gave  me  an  oppor- 
tunity of  hearing  it  read  to  me.  This  is  the  religion 
which  I  love.  I  love  simplicity  :  I  love  contrition  :  I 
love  affiance  :  I  love  the  tender  breathings  of  affection. 
Talkativeness  and  boasting  are  not  at  all  to  my  mind : 
I  am  jealous  of  everything  that  even  in  appearance 
savoiu-s  of  self.  Even  religion  itself  I  do  not  love,  if 
it  be  not  cast  in  a  mould  of  humility  and  contrition. 
I  love  the  religion  of  heaven  ;  to  fall  on  our  faces, 
whilst  we  adore  the  Lamb,  is  the  kind  of  religion 
which  my  soul  affects ;  and  it  was  this  spirit  which  I 
so  admii-ed  in  yom'  beloved  sister.  How  would  it 
have  dehghted  me  to  hear  from  her  lips  some  of  those 
blessed  expressions  which  your  Memoir  records  !  If 
they  bore  me  to  heaven  by  the  recital  of  them,  how 
would  they  have  transported  me,  if  I  had  heard  them 
from  her  own  lips !  Yet  perhaps  they  would  not  have 
affected  me  so  much  :  for  then  I  should  have  heard 
them  as  from  one  on  earth ;  whereas  I  hear  them  now 
as  from  one  in  heaven. 

"  I  am  in  the  habit  of  accounting  religion  as  the 
simplest  of  all  concerns, — '  To  Him  that  loved  us,  and 


616  RELIGIOUS    MEMOIRS. 

washed  us  from  our  sins  in  His  own  blood,  and  hath 
made  us  kings  and  priests  unto  our  God,  to  Him  be 
glory  and  dominion  for  ever  and  ever,'  expresses  the 
very  frame  of  mind  in  which  I  wish  both  to  live  and 
die.  In  that  dear  departed  saint  I  saw  it  all.  It 
seemed  to  be  the  very  spirit  of  her  mind  :  it  was  her 
meat  and  drink :  and  soon,  I  trust,  we  shall  join  her 
in  this  blessed  song.  I  greatly  rejoice  that  so  many 
of  her  family  are  hke-minded  w^ith  her,  having  their 
views  of  the  Saviom*  alike  clear,  and  their  feelings 
towards  Him  alike  elevated.  May  you,  my  dear 
Madam,  and  I  also,  drink  more  and  more  into  her 
spii'it :  and  may  your  dear  husband  also  testify  of 
Christ  with  more  devout  energy  than  ever,  knowing 
that  His  riches  are  unsearchable,  and  the  joy  that  He 
imparts  is  *  unspeakable  and  glorified.' 

"  Tuesday. — Intending  to  send  this,  not  by  the 
post  but  by  coach,  in  a  parcel  with  a  little  token  of  my 
love  and  gratitude,  I  deferred  the  remainder  of  my 
letter  tiU  this  morning,  after  I  should  have  again  read 
this  Memoir,  which  I  have  been  perusing  with  tears  of 
joy.    I  have  indeed  been  just  interrupted  in  the  midst 

of  it  by  a  Clergyman,  a  Fellow  of  College,  wdio 

has  begun  to  seek  after  the  Lord,  and  who  came  to 
introduce  himself  to  me.  I  know  not  what  he  must 
think  of  me  with  my  eyes  suffused  with  tears ;  but  I 
trust  he  found  my  spirit  sw^eetly  softened  and  affec- 
tionately solicitous  for  his  welfare.  In  truth,  what  is 
there  worth  living  for,  but  to  prepare  for  such  an  end 
as  your  dear  sister  found,  and  to  help  forward  all 
around  us  to  the  attainment  of  it?  Indeed,  I  am 
greatly  edified  and  comforted  :  and  I  pray  God  that  a 
double  portion  of  dear  Rachel's  spiiit  may  rest  on 
yon,  and  on  Mr.  C,  and  on  every  member  of  your 


CHRISTIAN   TENDERNESS.  C17 

much-loved  family,  and  on  your  much  mdebted  friend 
and  brother,  "  C.  Simeon." 


To  a  Friend,  on  cherishing  a  spirit  of  love. 

"March  1,  1828. 

"  You  did  not  shew  dear  Mrs. your  letter 

before  you  sent  it.  It  would  never  have  received  her 
imjjrimafur.  She  has  a  wisely-tempered  and  well- 
regulated  mind  ;  and  love  has  a  dominant  possession 
of  her  heart. 

"  Why  did  I  not  answer  your  letter  about  paying 
my  subscription,  except  by  obeying  instantly  its  con- 
tents ?  It  was  because  I  felt  I  ought  to  say  so^netMng^ 
but  knew  not  how  to  say  it,  lest  I  should  grieve  you. 
My  last  I  was  compelled  to  write :  but  read  it  again, 
and  say  whether  Paul  would  have  retiu'ned  to  it  such 
an  answer  as  you  have  sent  ?  I  forbear  to  make  any 
reply,  because  the  slightest  reply  would  be  construed 
as  the  dictate  of  a  partisan.  My  dear  brother,  you  do 
not  suspect  your  own  feelings  as  arising  out  of  your 
own  situation.     You  saw  and  mourned  over  them  as 

existing  in  poor  Mr. ;  but  you  are  unconscious 

of  any  as  existing  in  your  own  bosom.  My  dear 
brother,  I  coidd  say  much  if  I  were  sitting  by  your 
side,  and  you  could  see  the  delicate  hesitation,  the 
affectionate  look,  the  starting  tear,  that  were  the 
evidences  of  my  spirit.  But  pen  and  ink  cannot  hesi- 
tate, or  look,  or  weep,  or  do  anything  but  convey  dry 
sentiments  to  a  pained,  and  perhaps  a  prejudiced  and 
offended  mind.  Hence  I  utter  nothing.  I  live  in 
a  region  in  which  I  would  have  you  also  move.  Shall 
I  grieve  you  if  I  say,  that  your  w^ant  of  union  and 

kindness  and  love  to  Mr. compels  him  to  act 

without  consultino;  vou  ?     And  did  not  the  same  cause 


618  SPIRIT    OF    LOVE. 

compel  you   also   to    act  in    a  similar  Avay  towards 

Mr. ?    Cherisli,  my  dear  brotlier,  a  spirit  of  love, 

and  all  your  mountains  will  soon  become  mole-hills, 
or  rather  a  perfect  plain.  Ask  your  beloved  wife  this 
question,  '  Do  you  not  think  that  if  I  had  more  of  a 
spii'it  of  love  towards  that  man  of  God,  I  might  move 
most  easily  and  sweetly  with  him  ?  Do  you  not  see  in 
me  somewhat  of  a  disposition  unlike  to  what  the 
Apostle  Paul  would  exercise  towards  him  ? ' 

"  Yes ;  put  this  question  to  your  beloved  wife,  and 
let  her  not  retm'n  an  answer  till  she  has  passed  a  night 
in  committing  it  to  God  in  prayer :  and  I  have  no 
doubt  what  answer  her  candid  and  discerniuo;  mind 
will  give. 

"  Then  put  to  her  another  question  ;  '  Do  you  see 
anything  in  Mr.  Simeon's  last  letter,  or  in  this,  that 
should  alienate  our  affections  from  him,  or  make  us 
turn  a  deaf  ear  to  him  as  a  blind  and  partial  judge?' 
I  will  not  believe  that  she  will  answer  that  in  the 
affirmative,  unless  I  see  it  in  her  own  hand-writing. 
If  however,  contrary  to  my  expectation,  this  letter 
grieve  you,  do  me  one  favom* : — \mte  for  me  a  letter, 
such  as  a  man  of  God  ought  to  write  you  under  these 
circumstances,  tliat  I  may  see  loliat  I  ought  to  have 
written,  and  let  your  beloved  wife  annex  to  it  her 
initials  mtli  her  own  hand.     I  shall  be  glad  to  sit  at 

yom'  feet  and  learn.     With  kind  love  to  Mrs. , 

I  remain,  my  dear  friend, 

"  Most  aflfectionately  yours, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


REV.    T.    LLOYD.  CI  9 

To  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Michell. 

"  My  dear  Brother, 

"  Cambridge,  July  28,  1828. 

"  Two  days  ago  did  I  receive  official  notice 

from  the  Provost,  for  the  information  of  the  Fellows, 

respecting  the  painful  event  to  which  your  letter  refers. 

And  yesterday  I  read  a  letter  of  our  dear  friend's  to 

Mr.   Hickman   (written   but  a  few  days   before   his 

death),  wherein  he  spoke  of  his  own  state  of  mind 

m  most  sweet  and  delightful  terms.     Respecting  his 

transition  to  glory  I  have  no  more  doubt  than  of  the 

Apostle  Paul's.     If  I  were  to  write  an  Epitaph  for  him, 

it  would  be  this  : — 

In  Memory  of 
The  Rev.  THOMAS  LLOYD,  M.A., 

who  was 

in   the    tenor   of  his  life, 

*  A  Servant  of  Christ ;' 

and 

in  the  habit  of  his  mind, 

'  The  Meekness  of  Wisdom.' 

A  more  perfect  character  I  knew  not  upon  earth.  He 
was  pre-eminently  dear  to  me,  as  being  my  own  son 
in  the  faith,  the  very  firstfruits  of  Achaia.  He  is  gone 
a  little,  a  very  little,  before  us.  Through  mercy  I  pos- 
sess at  present  very  peculiar  vigour  both  of  body  and 
mind ;  both  of  which  I  need  for  the  completing  of  my 
Appendix  of  six  volumes,  or  700  Discourses,  now  in 
the  press.  I  print  and  revise  a  volume  of  about  600 
pages — of  my  close  pages — every  month.  Three 
volumes  are  now  finished,  and  I  hope  to  be  out  in 
October ;  after  which  time  I  have  a  kind  of  presenti- 
ment (which  I  dehght  to  indulge),  that  I  shall  speedily 
be  called  home.  But  I  am  willing  to  wait,  and 
delighted  to  work  while  it   is   dav.     Never   at    any 


020  DISHONESTY 

period  was  my  work  more  delightful  to  me  than 
at  this  present  moment.  My  energy  in  it  even 
astonishes  myself.  But  I  seem  to  be  so  near  the  goal, 
that  I  cannot  but  run  with  all  my  might.  You,  my 
beloved  brother,  by  yom-  infirmities  are  precluded 
from  such  exertions.  But  you  have  the  portion  which 
a  wise  and  gracious  Father  sees  best  for  you.  Soon, 
very  soon,  shall  we  meet  our  beloved  brother  again, 
and  join  with  him  in  everlasting  Hallelujahs  to  God 
and  to  the  Lamb. 

"  I  liave  written  to  the  dear  afflicted  widow,  whom 
I  greatly  love  and  honour.     Believe  me, 

"  Most  affectionately  yours,         "  C.  Simeon." 


Memorandum. 

"  August  8,  1828. 

"  A  curious  fact  occurred  last  night,  which  with 
gratitude  to  God  I  will  record,  because  it  strongly 
illustrates,  what  I  know  by  experience  to  be  the 
manner  in  which  the  Lord  often  deals  with  his  people, 
and  at  the  same  time  confirms  what  I  had  been 
preaching  upon  not  an  hour  before,  '  All  things  shall 
work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God.' 
(Rom.  viii.  28.) 

"  My  coachman,  to  whom  I  had  shewn  as  much 
kindness  as  could  well  be  conceived,  has  behaved 
most  basely  towards  me.  To  encourage  him,  I  had 
not  only  given  him  very  good  w^ages,  but  promised 
him  an  increaise  of  £4  every  year  for  five  years 
to  come,  if  he  should  behave  well.  I  had  already 
increased  it  twice  out  of  the  five  times.  In  a  word, 
it  is  both  my  principle  and  my  habit  to  win,  if  pos- 
sible, the  hearts  of  those  that  serve  me,  and  to  be 
rather  a  father   to  them  than    a   master.      But   he 


OF    A    SERVANT.  G21 

adopted  a  way  of  getting  money  to  a  great  extent, 
and  witli  that  money  gave  himself  over  to  the  most 
Hcentious  habits.  I  kept  with  him,  as  with  my  other 
servants,  a  weekly  account,  that  I  might  not  have 
a  bill  any  where.  Brooms,  brushes,  pails,  &c.  he 
got  for  me  from  time  to  time ;  but  pocketed  the 
money,  and  ran  me  up  bills  without  my  knowledge. 
He  even  went  to  merchants  whom  I  had  never  seen 
in  my  life,  and  took  hay  and  corn  which  he  sold 
immediately  for  ready  money ;  and  that  ran  me  up 
bills  to  the  amount  of  altogether  about  £100.  In 
this  way  he  would  have  proceeded  still,  and  have 
involved  nie  to  a  far  greater   amount,    had  he  not 

wickedly This   was  immediately   complained 

of  to  me;  and  he,  foreseeing  that  it  must  produce 
a  separation  between  us,  set  off  to  London.  This 
was  instantly  known ;  and  that  very  same  day  there 
poured  in  bills  fi'om  every  quarter;  one  of  above 
£40,  and  another  of  £20,  from  persons  Avhose  very 
face  I  never  saw,  and  who  were  never  authorized 
to  put  me  down  in  their  books  for  one  penny.  These 
therefore  I  refused  to  pay,  unless  it  were  decided  by  a 
jury  that  I  must :  and  I  felt  my  mind  irritated,  so  as 
more  than  once  to  designate  the  conduct  of  these 
tradesmen  by  a  harsher  name  than  perhaps,  after  all, 
it  deserved.  This  was  the  second  time  in  which  I  had 
been  treated  in  the  same  way. 

"  All  this  was  painftd ;  but  it  led  me  to  consider, 
that  this  was  not  man  but  God ;  eyen  as  it  was, 
when  the  Chaldeans  and  Sabeans  robbed  Job  -.  and 
it  was,  in  fact,  the  Lord  saying  to  me,  'You  have 
given  me  thousands  in  a  way  agreeable  to  yourself; 
now  give  me  an  hundred  in  a  way  that  I  please ;  and 
do  it  with  cheerfulness   as   unto   me.     You  have  a 


622  ALL    THINGS    WORKING 

lesson  to  learn,  which  this  is  designed  to  teach  3'on. 
Youi'  spirit  is  by  no  means  such  as  it  should  be.  You 
sadly  want  the  patience  of  Job.  You  by  no  means 
resemble  Him  who  was  led  as  a  lamb  to  the  slaughter, 
and  as  a  sheep  under  the  hand  of  the  shearer  was  dumb.' 
— Convinced  of  my  very  low  proficiency  in  the  meek- 
ness and  gentleness  of  Christ,  I  looked  up  to  God  for 
grace  sufficient  for  me  ;  and  I  hope  I  obtained  both 
mercy  and  grace  to  help  me  in  the  time  of  need. 
The  Assizes  ended  only  on  Satmxlay  last ;  and  by 
acquiescing  in  the  Divine  appointment,  I  avoided  all 
the  disquietude  of  mind  wdiicli  a  trial  would  have 
occasioned,  and  which  woidd  have  been  far  worse  than 
the  loss  of  many  hundreds  of  pounds,  and  felt  a 
sweet  peace  of  mind  arising  from  an  entire  acquies- 
cence in  the  Divine  will.  Dming  the  last  four  days  I 
have  enjoyed  much  comfort  in  the  exercise  of  submis- 
sion to  God,  and  have  contrasted  the  state  of  my 
mind  with  what  it  would  have  been  even  in  the  event 
of  a  successfid  trial,  and  much  more  in  the  event  of  a 
defeat.  I  had  been  just  preaching  on  Rom.  viii.  28  ; 
and  on  coming  home,  I  found  a  letter  from  my  lawyer 
in  London,  saying,  that  a  person  Avho  had  defi'auded 
me  of  many  hundreds  of  pounds,  and  was  a  bankrupt 
and  might  have  been  sent  to  prison,  but  whom  I  had 
commissioned  him  to  spare,  if  he  would  only  pay 
£100  towards  the  expenses  to  which  he  had  put  me 
in  recovering  my  right,  that  that  person  had  offered  to 
pay  me  £200  towards  my  expenses,  if  I  would  release 
him  from  his  obligations.  Thus  has  God  in  His  ten- 
der mercy,  first  taught  me  to  check  and  mortify  my 
unsubdued  spirit ;  and  then  had  no  sooner  accom- 
plished His  gracious  will  in  that  particular,  than 
He  paid  for  me,  as  it  were,  the  very  sum  of  which 


TOGETHER    FOR    GOOD.  623 

I  had  been  robbed ;  so  that  by  this  dispensation  He 
has  instructed  my  mind,  humbled  my  spirit,  disposed 
and  enabled  me  to  see  His  hand  in  everything,  given 
me  sweet  peace  in  the  stead  of  trouble,  and,  at  last, 
restored  to  me  what  He  had  taken  away ;  and 
preached  over  again  to  me,  what  I  had  that  moment 
been  preaching  to  my  people,  '  that  all  things,  of 
whatever  kind  (except  sin),  shall  work  together  for 
our  good.' 

"  Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul ;  and  remember  the 
lessons  which  thou  hast  been  so  mercifully  taught." 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

LETTERS — FROM     MR.     WILBERFOROE     ON     THE     FIFTIETH      YEAR     OF 

MR.    Simeon's    residence    in    the    university — memorandum 

ON     THE     occasion — TO     A    FRIEND     ON     MAINTAINING     CHARITY, 

AND   PREACHING    '  CHRIST    CRUCIFIED  ' REMARKS  ON  THE  PASSING 

OF  THE  ROMAN  CATHOLIC  RELIEF  BILL  —  TO  A  FRIEND  ON  DE- 
CLINING    CONTROVERSY TO     THE     BISHOP      OF      WINCHESTER     ON 

RECEIVING  A  COPY  OF  HIS  CHARGE  —  TO  SIR  R.  H.  INGLIS  ON 
GUARDING  AGAINST  MISREPRESENTATION — TO  REV.  R.  W.  S.  ON 
THE  MODE  OF  CONDUCTING  HIS  WEEKLY  PARTIES  OF  UNDER- 
GRADUATES— SPECIMEN  OF  THE  ARRANGEMENT  OF  A  SERMON — 
DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    WEEKLY    TEA-PARTY. 


1829. 

CORRESPONDENCE,  ETC. 

We  are  now  come  to  a  period  in  Mr.  Simeon's  history, 
which  is  memorable  as  bringing  to  a  completion  the 
fiftieth  year  of  his  residence  in  the  University.  In 
order  to  commemorate  this  event  in  a  devout  and 
becoming  manner,  he  requested  a  select  party  of  his 
friends  to  assemble  for  two  days  in  his  rooms  for 
exercises  of  a  social  and  religious  character. 

The  following  letter  from  one  of  the  most  en- 
deared and  distinguished  of  the  party  invited,  express- 
ing as  it  does  so  admirably  the  sentiments  which 
were  shared  in  general  on  this  occasion,  will  doubtless 
be  read  with  no  ordinary  interest. 

W.  Wilberforce,  Esq.  to  Mr.  Simeon, 

"  Highwood  Hill,  Middlesex,  22d  January,  1829. 
"  My  dear  Friend, 

"  Ought  I  to  be  ashamed  to  confess,  or 
rather  shall  I  not  rejoice  and  with  thankfulness  avow 


MR.  WILBERFOIICE.  625 

it,  that  at  my  time  of  life,  in  my  seventieth  year, 
I  preserve  such  a  warmth  of  feehng,  that  on  the 
perusal  of  yom*  very  interesting  letter,  and  more 
especially  on  reading  your  kind  invitation  to  join  the 
party  that  will  celebrate  with  you  your  Jubilee; 
I  was  at  first  kindled  into  such  a  blaze  as  to  be  quite 
dazzled  by  the  splendour  of  my  own  conceptions, 
and  heated  into  a  hope  that  I  might  become  a  sharer 
in  your  Christian  festivities.  But  a  little  cool  reflec- 
tion sufficed  for  enforcing  on  me  a  more  sober  view 
of  things,  and  compelled  me  to  admit  that  having 
been  commanded  by  medical  authority  to  shut  tip 
during  the  winter  months,  I  should  be  taking  a  Hberty 
with  my  constitution  that  woidd  be  utterly  unwar- 
rantable, if  I  were  to  sally  forth  in  such  a  season 
as  this  ;  though  to  indulge  in  the  exercise  of  some 
of  the  most  generous  and  even  sacred  pleasures  of 
which  our  natiu-e  is  capable  in  this  imperfect  state. 
I  must  be  content  then  to  join  yom-  party  in  spirit, 
if  not  in  person  :  and  in  offering  up  my  petitions 
for  the  various  blessings  you  have  enumerated  (I 
thank  you  for  the  specification),  I  shall  not  forget 
to  return  my  humble  thanksgivings  to  the  Giver 
of  all  good,  for  having  enabled  you  '  to  continue  imto 
this  day'  (how  much  is  contained  in  that  brief  though 
compendious  expression  !)  But  you  are  blessed  with 
so  much  bodily  health  and  vigour,  that  we  may  humbly 
indulge  the  hope  that  the  Almighty  will  still  grant 
you  a  long  com'se  of  usefulness  and  comfort.  The 
degree  in  which,  without  any  sacrifice  of  principle, 
you  have  been  enabled  to  overcome,  and  if  I  may  so 
term  it,  to  live  doion  the  prejudices  of  many  of  our 
higher  Ecclesiastical  authorities,  is  certainly  a  pheno- 
menon I  never  expected  to  witness. 

L.  S.  S  S 


Q'2Q  MR.  Simeon's 

"  But  I  must  spare  my  weak  eyes,  which  are 
sorely  remonstratmg  agaiust  my  usmg  my  pen  so 
freely,  as  I  have  just  now  a  good  deal  of  writing  that 
requires  my  own  hand : — and  ardently  'washing,  and 
humbly  praying,  that  you  may  be  blessed  in  your 
endeavour  to  have  that  most  important  station  wor- 
thily filled,  and  that  our  Heavenly  Father  may  grant 
you  an  abundant  measure  of  His  best  blessings  in  this 
life,  to  be  followed  by  an  abundant  entrance  into  His 
everlasting  kingdom,  is  the  cordial  wish,  and  shall  on 
the  29th  be  the  prayer  of,  my  dear  friend,  ever  yours 
sincerely  and  affectionately,       "  AV.  Wilberforce." 


Extract  from  Mr.  Simeon's  Diary  on  the  occasion. 

"  Jan.  26,  1829. 

"  A  most  remarkable  and  even  wonderful  time  is  this. 
Who  would  ever  have  conceived  that  one,  such  as  I  know 
and  feel  myself  to  be,  should  be  permitted  to  exert  such 
influence  as  I  have  done  this  year,  in  getting  ]\Ir.  Thomason 
(after  his  residence  in  England)  restored  to  his  place  in 
India;  and  in  sending  forth  Mr.  Dealtry  to  fill  up  the 
vacancy  at  the  old  Church;  and  above  all,  for  the  part  I  am 

enabled  to  take  in  relation  to  India  at  this  time But 

no  one  needs  to  tell  me  who  it  is  that  has  done  these  thino-s. 
I  thank  my  God  I  see  His  hand  as  clearly  as  at  the  Bed 
Sea,  and  in  the  wilderness,  and  in  the  land  of  Canaan. 

But  that  which  I  principally  take  up  my  pen  to  record 
is  the  astonishing  coincidence  of  circumstances  which  will 
take  place  on  Thursday  29th  instant.  On  that  day  I  shall 
have  been  here  ffti/  years.  On  that  day  I  determined  some- 
time since  (d.v.)  to  keep  a  Jubilee ;  of  which  I  will  add  some 
short  account  after  it  has  passed.  On  that  day  the  Provost 
has  summoned  the  whole  College  to  attend,  in  comphance 
with  the  Visitor's  directions,  to  complete  the  election  of  Offi- 
cers, which  was  left  incomplete  in  November  last.  (See  my 
account  of  it  as  given  to  the  Visitor,  the  Bishop  of  Lincoln, 
by  his  particular  desire.) 


JUBILEE.  627 

The  election  of  Deans  having  been  suspended,  I,  of 
course  as  Senior  Dean,  was  not  elected :  and  now  on  the 
very  day  of  my  Jubilee,  and  at  the  very  hour  on  ti-hich  I  was 
first  admitted,  will  the  whole  College  of  above  forty  members 
meet  to  elect  me  and  the  Junior  Dean.  That  /,  who  labovir 
as  for  my  life  to  live  peaceably  with  all  men,  and  against 
whom  not  an  atom  of  unkind  feeling  (so  far  as  I  know) 
exists,  should  be  called  to  sustain  so  prominent  a  part  in 
this  matter,  is  truly  wonderful ;  but  that  it  should  occur  on 
that  very  day  and  hour,  when  not  much  less  than  thirty 
friends  will  be  assembled  in  my  rooms  for  reading  the  Scrip- 
tures and  prayer,  I  really  consider  as  peculiarly  calculated  to 
impress  my  mind,  that  God  is  watching  over  me  for  good; 
and  to  give  me  a  humble  confidence,  that  He  will  be  with  me 
to  the  end,  and  finally  perfect  that  which  concerneth  me. 

Jan.  29th. — Curious  enough  I  This  day,  the  day  of 
my  Jubilee  and  of  my  investiture  with  the  office,  was  ushered 
in  by  the  ringing  of  bells  all  over  Cambridge.  It  is  the  day 
of  the  King's  Accession. 

Now  then  let  me  in  a  few  words  give  an  account  of  my 
Jubilee.  Several  were  kept  away  by  illness  ;  so  that  my 
party  was  not  very  large  at  dinner  the  first  day.  The  first 
evening  was  very  sweet.  I  opened  my  views  of  a  Jubilee — 
(not  like  the  joy  of  the  man  healed  in  Solomon's  porch,  but 
like  the  prodigal,  whose  joy  would  be  not  only  tempered  by, 
but  almost  wholly  consisting  in,  a  retrospective  shame,  and 
prospective  determination  through  grace  to  avoid  in  future 
the  evils,  from  which  God's  free  mercy,  founded  on  the  atone- 
ment, has  delivered  us) — it  teas  proclaimed  on  the  day  of 
Atonement.  (See  Lev.  xxv.  9.) 

The  second  day  we  met  at  11  o'clock.  I  read  some 
portions  of  Scripture,  and  prayed  generally  for  the  Divine 
presence.  Then  Mr.  Sargent  read,  and  gave  a  prayer  of 
humiliation :  — Mr.  Daniel  Wilson  followed  for  the  Uni- 
versities;— then  Dr.  SteinkopfF  for  the  religious  Societies 
and  the  Church.  We  then  separated  for  an  hour. — 
Mr.  Hawtrey  ended  with  Thanksgiving.  Mr.  D.  Wilson 
preached  the  Lecture  (at  Trinity  Church).  On  the  whole 
it  was  a  season  of  refreshing  to  us  all;  ....  Blessed  be 
God  for  this  mercy." 

~~  s  s  2 


628  ox    PRESERVING 

On  maintaining  charity,  and  preaching  *  Christ 
crncified.' 

"  My  dear  Friend,  "  March  8,  1829. 

"  I  hope  it  has  pleased  God  to  restore 
you  to  health,  and  I  hope  so  the  rather,  because  from 
yom*  letters  I  perceive  that  you  do  not  altogether 
know  what   spirit  you  are  of.     I  have  seen  some  of 

your  letters  to ,  and  am  grieved  to  behold  with 

what  acrimonious  feelings  you  speak  of  a  variety  of 
persons,  whose  praise  is  in  all  the  Churches.  Do  you 
not  remember  what  St.  James  says,  '  Speak  not  evil 
one  of  another,  brethren.  He  that  speaketh  evil  of  his 
brother,  and  judgeth  his  brother,  speaketh  evil  of  the 
law,  and  judgeth  the  law ;  but  if  thou  judge  the  law, 
thou  art  not  a  doer  of  the  law,  but  a  judge.  There  is 
one  lawsfiver  who  is  able  to  save  and  to  destrov. 
"Who  art  thou  that  judgest  another?'  St.  Paul,  when 
he  was  constrained  to  condemn  what  was  notoriously 
evil,  said,  '  I  now  tell  you  even  iceejmig^  But  you, 
my  dear  friend,  speak  with  a  degree  of  malignity  that 
involves  your  own  soul  in  a  greater  degree  of  guilt 
than  that  which  vou  condemn  in  others.  Against  the 
]\Iethodists  you  have  taken  up  a  very  unwarrantable 
prejucUce.  Xeed  you  be  reminded  at  this  day,  that  if 
we  have  not  charity,  whatever  we  may  do  or  suffer  for 
the  Lord,  we  are  only  '  as  sounding  brass  or  a  tinkling 
cvmbal  ? ' 

"  In  order  to  form  a  correct  judgment  of  your 
spirit,  ask  yourself  what  you  should  think  of  a  per- 
son who  shoidd  speak  in  the  same  acrmionious  way 
of  you  ?  You  would  doubtless  condemn  him  for  his 
uncharitableness.  You  would  tell  him,  that  even  if 
there  were  some  just  fault  to  be  found,  Jove  would 
rather  cover  it,  and  Avould  hope  that  the  conduct  was 


CHARITY.  629 

not  so  bad  as  it  appeared.  Then  let  this  be  your  own 
spirit  towards  others.  I  do  indeed  make  great  allow- 
ances for  you  ;  for  it  is  not  easy  for  a  person,  noticed 
and  caressed  as  you  are,  to  preserve  an  humble  spirit. 
But  humility  and  love  are  the  chief  ornaments  of  a 
Christian ;  and  if  you  decline  in  these,  God  will  leave 
you  to  fall  into  some  dreadful  sin,  and  constrain  you 
to  learn  by  bitter  experience  what  you  do  not  learn  in 
a  season  of  prosperity, 

"  You  speak  of  your  having  now  got  views  of  pro- 
phecy relating  to  the  second  Advent ;  and  you  tell  us 
that  you  are  unfolding  them  to  your  hearers.  But  I 
wish  you  to  remember  what  was  the  exclusive  subject 
of  St.  Paul's  ministry,  '  He  determmed  to  know 
nothing  amongst  his  hearers  but  Jesus  Christ,  and  him 
crucified'  N.  B.  Not  Jesus  Christ,  and  him  reigning 
on  earth,  but  Jesus  Christ,  and  him  crucified.  This  is 
the  subject  in  which  as  sinners  we  are  most  deeply 
interested,  and  in  which  as  saints  we  find  all  our  hope 
and  peace  and  joy  ;  and  if  you  relinquish  this  for  any- 
thing else,  I  shall  not  wonder  that  God  leaves  you  to 
betray  a  want  of  those  sublimer  virtues  which  consti- 
tute the  beauty  of  the  Christian  character. 

"  Write  me  word  that  you  take  these  suggestions 
kindly  and  thankfully  at  my  hands.  Write  me  word 
that  you  have  spread  the  matter  before  the  Lord  in 
prayer,  and  that  He  has  discovered  to  you  your  error 
in  indulging  so  uncharitable  a  spirit.  And  then  I 
shall  bless  God  that  I  have  taken  up  my  pen  to  speak, 
at  the  risk  of  being  accounted  '  an  enemy  for  telling 
you  the  truth.' 

"  Your  very  affectionate  Friend, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


630  ON    THE    CATHOLIC 

On  tlie  25tli  of  March,  being  'Pounder's  Day'  at 
King's  College,  a  Sermon  is  annually  preaclied  by  one 
of  the  Society  before  the  University,  who  assemble 
in  the  College  Chapel.  The  Sermon  this  year  was 
preached  by  Mr.  Simeon,  who  took  occasion  to  deliver 
his  sentiments  on  the  momentous  subjects,  then  in 
debate,  connected  with  the  passing  of  the  Bill  for 
removing  the  Roman  Catholic  Disabilities. 

The  following  is  the  conclusion  of  the  Discourse. 

"  Prov.  IV.  7.  '  Wisdom  is  the  principal  thing ;  therefore  get 
wisdom;  and  loith  all  thy  getting,  get  understanding  J* 

"  Under  any  circumstances  the  pursuit  of  true  religion 
is  beyond  all  comparison  the  principal  thing ;  but  at  the 
present  awful  crisis  its  claims  upon  our  attention  are  very 
greatly  increased.  As  to  the  measures  which  our  Govern- 
ment is  now  pursuing,  I  condemn  them  not.  I  believe  from 
my  heart  they  are  necessary,  not  only  for  the  averting  of  the 
immediately  impending  evils  of  civil  war,  but  for  the  forming 
of  a  permanent  bond  of  union  amongst  the  widely  diiFering 
subjects  of  our  distracted  empire.  But  I  cannot  hide  from 
myself  the  dangers  to  which,  even  by  this  very  remedy,  the 
whole  nation  w^ill  be  speedily  exposed.  That  a  more  familiar 
intercourse  between  Catholics  and  ourselves  will  be  the 
immediate  and  necessary  resvdt  of  their  introduction  to  all 
places  of  honour  and  profit  in  our  land,  is  certain  :  and  we 
may  well  expect  in  a  very  short  time  to  see  almost  the  whole 
of  Britain  inundated  with  Papists.  Their  priests,  of  course, 
will  labour  by  all  possible  means  to  diffuse  their  tenets,  and 
to  proselyte  our  people  to  their  Church.  And  I  think  it 
highly  probable  that  their  success  for  a  time  will  be  both 
Avide  and  rapid;  not  because  of  the  real  force  of  their  argu- 
ments, but  because  of  the  imprepared  state  both  of  our 
Clergy  and  Laity  to  withstand  them.  iS^or  do  I  think  that 
their  success  will  be  confined  to  the  lower  ranks.  I  shall  not 
wonder  if  many  who  ai'e  well  instructed  in  other  things, 
shoidd  fall  into  the  snare,  and  be  drawn  away  by  their 
specious  arguments  ;  because  as  soon  as  the  mind  of  any 


RELIEF    BILL.  631 

nian  is  impressed  with  a  sense  of  tlie  value  of  his  soul,  he 
naturally  inquires,  'What  shall  I  do  to  obtain  eternal  life?' 
And  if  there  be  no  one  at  hand  well  versed  in  the  truth  and 
excellence  of  the  Gospel  salvation,  no  one  to  say,  '  Believe 
in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  saved;'  he  will 
readily  lend  himself  to  those  who  will  flatter  his  pride,  and 
point  out  to  him  a  number  of  rites  and  services  whereby  he 
may  conciliate  the  Divine  favour.  This  is  the  very  essence 
of  Popery ;  and  tliis  is  caught  at  with  avidity  by  the  natural 
man,  who,  like  the  Pharisees  of  old,  will  rather  undertake 
the  most  laborious  duties,  than  submit  to  be  saved  by  grace 
alone.  This  then  renders  it  necessary  for  us  all  to  acquire 
true  wisdom  without  delay.  For  without  that  we  ourselves 
shall  have  no  security  against  the  specious  arguments  of 
Popish  emissaries :  much  less  shall  we  be  able  to  protect 
others  against  their  insinuating  addresses.  But  let  a  person 
once  attain  the  knowledge  of  Christ  crucified,  and  come 
habitually  to  God  through  Him,  and  he  will  be  in  no  danger 
of  being  drawn  away  by  all  their  subtleties.  A  Mussulman 
or  an  Hindoo  may  as  well  hope  to  draw  him  over  to  their 
creed,  as  a  Papist.  The  man  endued  with  heavenly  wisdom 
has  within  his  own  bosom  a  compass,  by  means  of  which  he 
is  able  to  steer  his  course  aright;  whilst  the  superstitious 
Papist  has  little  beside  the  dogmas  of  liis  priest  and  the 
traditions  of  his  church  to  guide  him.  This  is  what  the 
beloved  Apostle  John  has  affirmed, '  He  that  believeth  in  the 
Son  of  God  hath  the  tcitness  in  himself.^  Here  then,  I  say,  is 
a  strong  additional  call  for  true  Avisdom,  a  call  immediately 
arising  out  of  the  circumstances  of  the  present  time. 

But  there  is  another  ground  on  wdiich  I  Avould  urge  the 
immediate  and  diligent  pursuit  of  wisdom.  The  Papists,  no 
longer  kept  at  a  distance  from  us,  but  mixing  in  society  with 
us,  and  filling  situations  Avhich  demand  our  respect,  will  of 
necessity  look  with  an  envious  eye  on  the  Institutions  which 
are  at  present  engrossed  by  us.  And  they  will  ask  them- 
selves, 'What  use  do  these  persons  make  of  the  distinguished 
privileges  which  they  enjoy  ?  We  (we  Papists)  once  were  dis- 
missed from  those  posts  of  honour  and  emolument  on  account 
of  our  supposed  or  real  abuse  of  them.  And  do  these  who 
have  succeeded  to  our  inheritance  improve  it  to  its  proper 


032  ON    THE    CATHOLIC 

ends  any  more  than  did  our  ancestors  who  were  ejected 
from  it  ?  Are  not  Avorldliness  and  sensuality  the  character- 
istics of  the  present  possessors,  as  much  as  ever  they  were 
of  those  who  have  been  cast  out  ?  Why  then  are  we  still 
to  labour  under  the  ban  of  proscription  ?  Why  is  our  inhe- 
ritance, once  violently  wrested  from  us  and  transferred  to 
them,  to  be  engrossed  by  them  to  our  prejudice,  when  they 
make  no  better  use  of  it  than  our  ancestors  did,  nor  by  any 
means  so  good  an  use  of  it  as  we  should,  if  it  were  now 
restored  to  us  ?  Why,  if  we  are  admitted  to  a  participation 
of  all  the  other  rights  and  privileges  of  Britons,  are  we  not 
to  enjoy  also  our  share  of  these?'  This  argument  would 
soon  pass  current  with  them,  and  would  find  multitudes  of 
advocates  all  around  us ;  for  it  is  unhappily  but  too  well 
knoAvn,  and  every  ingenuous  person  in  the  midst  of  us  must 
confess,  that  to  vital  piety  these  Institutions  do  not  administer 
by  any  means  in  the  degree  they  should;  nor  are  they  pro- 
ductive of  that  entire  devotedness  to  God  which  was  a  very 
principal  end  of  their  formation.  If  then  we  do  not  speedily 
cut  oiF  this  occasion  for  complaint,  we  may,  ere  many  years 
are  passed  over  our  heads,  be  compelled  to  fight  with  other 
weapons  than  mere  argument  for  the  privileges  we  have  so 
unworthily  enjoyed. 

But  if  the  Papists,  coming  in  contact  with  us,  could 
see  that  with  our  attainments  in  science,  we  blended  a  due 
proportion  of  that  wisdom  of  which  my  text  speaks,  they 
would  be  constrained  to  acknowledge  the  excellence  of  our 
principles,  and  perhaps  too  the  superiority  of  them  to  those 
which  they  themselves  profess.  In  truth,  the  very  events 
which  we  are  now  dreading  as  a  source  of  evil,  might  thus 
be  made  an  occasion  of  the  greatest  good :  for  at  present  we 
can  have  no  access  to  our  Catholic  brethren  in  any  way,  and 
there  is  no  hope  but  that  the  mutual  alienation  which  has 
continued  for  so  many  ages,  and  has  now  attained  to  such  an 
height,  will,  if  the  measures  of  our  Government  be  thwarted, 
continue  for  ages  yet  to  come.  But  let  the  barrier  between 
us  be  removed,  as  is  now  proposed,  and  there  will  be  an 
opjjortunity  to  convince  them  of  their  errors,  and  to  convert 
multitudes  of  them  to  the  Protestant  faith.  This  will  brinn* 
good  out  of  evil :  and  I  cannot  but  earnestly  exhort  you  all 


RELIEF    BILL.  633 

to  rise  to  the  occasion.  Get  secular  learning  to  the  utmost 
of  your  power.  But  be  not  content  with  that;  No:  Get 
that :  but  with  all  your  getting,  get  spiritual  understanding: 
get  the  knowledge  of  Christ  and  him  crucified ;  in  comparison 
of  which  all  other  things  are  but  as  dung  and  dross.  Get 
i\\\&  for  yourselves,  as  the  only  sure  preservative  from  error  ; 
get  \tfor  others,  that  you  may  be  able  to  prevent  the  inroads 
of  Popish  superstition.  Get  it  for  the  henefit  of  those  who  are 
hoping  to  make  a  prey  of  you;  that  those  who  are  now  elated 
with  the  hope  of  converting  you,  may  themselves  be  con- 
verted to  the  true  faith  of  Christ,  and  attain  through  you 
the  knowledge  that  shall  make  them  wise  unto  salvation. 

If  I  say  the  truth,  I  consider  the  present  crisis  as  a 
judgment  from  God  upon  us  Protestants,  for  having  most 
grievously  abused  our  own  advantages,  and  shamefully  neg- 
lected the  eternal  interests  of  our  Catholic  fellow- subjects. 

What  the  ultimate  designs  of  Providence  may  be  I 
presume  not  to  judge.  It  may  be  to  chastise  the  Protest- 
ants through  the  instrumentality  of  the  Papists  ;  or  it  may 
be  to  convert  the  Papists  through  the  Instrumentality  of  the 
Protestants.  But,  If  I  may  so  speak,  our  fate  is  in  our  own 
hands.  We  may  even  yet  avert  God's  displeasure,  and  bring 
down  His  blessing  on  our  souls.  One  way  to  avert  His  dis- 
pleasure is,  to  turn  unto  Him  that  smiteth  us,  even  unto  that 
God  from  whom  we  have  so  deeply  revolted.  Then  shall  we 
also  bring  down  His  blessing  upon  ourselves  and  on  our 
Catholic  brethren;  and  turn  that,  which  so  many  thousands 
of  our  countrymen  are  now  deprecating  as  a  curse,  into  a 
blessing  of  no  common  order ;  a  blessing  that  shall  be  a 
prelude  to  that  day,  when  all  shall  know  the  Lord  from  the 
least  to  the  greatest,  and  when  there  shall  be  but  one  Lord 
and  His  name  One,  over  the  face  of  the  whole  earth." 

Mr.  Simeon  has  made  the  following  note  on  the 
blank  leaf. 

"  The  concluding  part  of  It  is  Important,  as  shewing 
how  I  viewed  the  Catholic  Question,  while  It  was  yet  (in 
a  measure)  pending,  and  how  I  stated  my  views  to  the 
University  in  our  Chapel.  It  was  heard  with  astonishing 
kindness  and  acceptance  by  all  without  exception." 


634  ON    DECLINING 

To  a  Friend,  wlio  liad  requested  Mr.  Simeon  'to 
attack  the  work  of  a  Clergyman,  wlio  denied  the 
restoration  of  the  Jews  to  their  own  land  ;'  hoping 
that  he  would  '  answer  him,  and  knock  him  down.' 

"  My  dear  Sir,  «  K.  C,  Nov.  14,  1829. 

"  I  have  neither  taste  nor  talent  for 
controversy;  nor  do  I,  on  the  whole,  envy  those  by 
whom   such  taste  and  such  talent  are  possessed.     I 
know  you  will  forgive  me,    if  I   say  that  the  very 
account  you  give  of  yourself,  in  relation  to  controversy, 
is  a  dissuasive  from  embarking  in  it.     Let  a  man  once 
engage  in  it,  and  it  is  surprising  how  the  love  of  it 
will  grow  upon  him ;  and  he  will  both  find  a  hare  in 
every  bush,  and  follow  it  with  something  of  a  hunts- 
man's feelings.     I  am  not  certain,  my  dear  friend, 
that  your  preserves,  though  they  have  provided  many 
dishes  for  your  table,  have  administered  any  sound 
health  to  yoiu'  soul.     As  for  me,  I  have  been  a  dying 
creature  these  fifty  years,  and  have  as  on  the  borders 
of  eternity  sought  for  truth  only,  and  that  from  the 
fountain  of  truth  itself.     I  have  never  had  time  or 
inchnation  to  run  after  error  in  all  its  windings :  in 
fact,  there  are  so  many  errors,  that  one  can  never 
successfully  search  them  out.     I  have  been  glad  that 
others  had  the  ability  to  occupy  that  line  of  investiga- 
tion, and  I  have  been  happy  to  avail  myself  of  their 
labours.     But  having  the  office  of  a  nursing-mother 
committed  to  me,  I  have  sought  nothing  but  nutritious 
food  for  myself,  and  have  found  no  pleasure  but  in 
administering  the  unadulterated  milk  of  the  Word  to 
my  babes.     Hence,  if  at  the  close  of  life  I  could  find 
pleasure  in  controversy,  I  have  no  real  ability  for  it, 
none  of  that  acumen  which  the  investigation  requires, 
none  of  those  treasures  of  research  which  are  neces- 


CONTROVERSY.  635 

sary  for  overwhelming  an  adversary  by  an  appeal  to 
authority. 

"  And  if  I  should  begin,  where  should  I  end  ?  One 
tells  us,  that  the  JeAVS  shall  never  return  to  Palestine ; 
another,  that  the  Mosaic  ritual  is  still  in  full  force 
as  it  respects  the  Jews.  One  tells  us,  I  know  not  what 
about  the  humanity  of  Christ ;  another  tell  us,  he 
himself  knows  not  what  about  the  Old  and  New  Cove- 
nants. In  fact,  this  is  a  day  of  trifling.  But  I  am' 
a  dying  man,  and  view  these  things  as  I  shall  view 
them  from  the  bar  of  judgment.  All  these  things  are 
about  religion :  but  they  have  very  little  to  do  with 
rehgion  itself.  One  drachm  of  contrition,  and  of  simple 
affiance  in  the  Saviour,  and  of  an  admiring  and  adoring 
sense  of  redeeming  love,  is  worth  all  the  knowledge 
that  has  been  of  late  conveyed  to  us  on  these  subjects, 
and  all  the  feelings  that  have  been  generated  by  the 
prosecution  of  them. 

"  Thus  you  see,  my  dear  friend,  I  have  written  to 
you,  as  to  one  who  understands  me.  You  may  not  go 
along  with  me  in  all  that  I  have  said :  but  you  will 
neither  be  angry  wdth  me,  nor  contemptuously  pity  me, 
for  what  I  have  thus  plainly  written.  I  must  not  be 
understood  to  say  that  I  think  all  these  points  are 
unworthy  of  attention ;  for,  doubtless,  error  ought  to 
be  refuted,  and  truth  to  be  placed  on  high  ground : 
and  I  shall  be  extremely  glad  to  see  that  absurd  posi- 
tion relating  to  the  non-restoration  of  the  Jews  firmly 
assaulted,  and  triumphantly  carried  by  your  hand. 
Yet  I  would  say,  if  you  are  '  gentle  toward  all  men, 
and  instrvict  in  meekness  them  that  oppose  them- 
selves,' yonr  arguments  will  appear  stronger,  than 
they  will,  if  maintained  in  language  of  severity  and 
triumph.      If  you  answer  it,  pray  let  me  have  a  copy 


C36  REVIEW    OF    HIS 

from  the  author,  as  an  evidence  that  you  are  not  dis- 
gusted with  all  this  rigmarole  from 

"  Your  very  affectionate  Friend,     "  C.  Simeon. 

"  N.  B.  The  Post-office  is  too  keen  for  your  M.P. 
friend,  who  dated  thirteenth,  and  the  P.  O.  says,  '  Put 
twelve,'  and  charges  it  double.  But  you  never  need 
trouble  yourself  about  franks ;  1  shall  gladly  welcome 
1/our  letters." 


To  the  Bishop  of  Winchester,  on  receiving  a 
copy  of  his  Charge. 

"  My  Lord,  «  K.  C,  Dec.  11,  1829. 

"  Were  your  Lordship's  Charge  of  an 
ordinary  kind,  I  should  feel,  that  in  presenting  to  your 
Lordship  my  humble  and  grateful  acknowledgements 
for  the  honom*  conferred  upon  me  by  the  gift  of  it,  I 
should  properly  discharge  the  duty  incumbent  on  me. 
But  it  is  not  of  an  ordinary  kind.  It  has  humbled  me 
in  the  dust,  and  filled  me  with  contrition.  My  own 
judgment  goes  along  with  it;  and  if  my  life  were 
to  come  over  again,  I  would  endeavour  more  than 
I  have  done  to  conform  to  it.  My  only  comfort 
is,  that  there  is  a  fountain  opened  for  sin  and  un- 
cleanness,  and  that  I  am  yet  at  liberty  to  wash  in  it. 

"  But  the  whole  tenor  of  the  Charge  emboldens 
me  to  speak  to  your  Lordship  somewhat  of  the  inward 
experience  of  my  soul.  On  the  verge  of  eternity  I  am, 
as  may  well  be  expected,  led  to  view  my  whole  Minis- 
terial life  with  shame  and  sorrow  j  and  yet  to  fo]'m 
somewhat  of  an  estimate  of  what,  with  our  very  limited 
powers,  a  Minister  like  myself  may  reasonably  expect 
to  be  and  do.  And  if  I  take  the  liberty  of  communi- 
cating to  your  Lordship  my  sentiments,  which  a  sense 


OWN    MINISTRY.  637 

of  my  own  innumerable  defects  has  forced  upon  me, 
I  shall  do  it  with  fear  and  trembling,  and  without  any 
confidence  in  the  rectitude  of  my  views.  I  am  forced 
by  my  own  consciousness  of  evil  to  look  for  somewhat 
of  a  palhation  of  it,  in  reference  to  my  whole  Minis- 
terial life.  And  in  this  view  I  am  ready  to  say,  There 
are  divers  gifts  ;  and  God  has  bestowed  them  on  every 
man  in  the  measure  that  He  himself  has  ordained: 
and  He  himself  has  authorized  me  to  say,  '  Are  all 
apostles  ?  are  all  prophets  ?  are  all  teachers  ?  are  all 
workers  of  miracles  ?  have  all  the  gifts  of  healing  ?  do 
all  speak  with  tongues  ?  do  all  interpret  ?  but  covet 
earnestly  the  best  gifts.'  Now  if  every  man  has  not  all 
these  gifts,  I  hope  he  may  take  to  himself  some  mea- 
sure of  comfort,  if  he  have  improved  the  gifts  which 
he  possessed.  (Of  course,  I  speak  not  in  a  way  of 
pride  and  self-complacency,  but  only  in  answer  to  an 
accusing  conscience.)  We  cannot  do  everytliing,  though 
we  ouglit,  and  loould,  if  we  were  equal  to  the  task.  We 
are  therefore  constrained  to  exercise  the  powers  given 
us,  in  the  way  which  in  oiu*  judgment  will  be  most 
conducive  to  the  good  of  our  own  peculiar  people,  and 
of  \\\Q  Church  of  which  we  are  members  and  Ministers. 
This  is  the  refuge  of  a  poor,  self-condemning  Minister 
to  allay  the  sense  of  his  guilt,  whilst  the  precious 
blood  once  shed  on  Calvary  can  alone  prevail  for  the 
pacifying  of  the  guilty  conscience. 

"  I  have  seen,  my  Lord,  of  very  recent  date  a  little 
pamphlet,  wherein  a  Minister  is  set  forth  in  Herbert's 
way  as  the  Father,  the  Physician,  &c.,  &c.,  of  his  Parish; 
but  my  judgment  did  not  go  along  with  it.  In  a  very 
small  parish  these  duties  may  be  combined;  but  it 
appears  to  me  that,  conq)arativeli/,  this  is  serving 
tables.     A  Pastor   has  other   and   higher   duties   to 


638  DUTY    OF    A    PxVSTOR. 

attend  to.  His  wife  (if  he  have  one)  shoukl  be  the 
Mother  of  the  Parish :  but  he  must  not,  so  to  speak, 
be  the  Father ;  he  must  be  the  Pastor.  The  giving 
himself  to  the  word  of  God  and  prayer,  seems  to  me 
to  be  his  pecuhar  duty;  and  the  paternal  part — of 
administering  relief,  &c. — should,  I  think,  be  dele- 
gated to  others  under  his  siqjerintendence,  as  Moses 
delegated  many  of  his  duties  to  the  seventy  employed 
by  him.  This  is  what  I  have  done  myself  for  nearly 
fifty  years  :  I  have  thirty  (male  and  female)  in  their 
different  districts,  and  I  preach  an  annual  Sermon  in 
aid  of  their  efforts.  ...  By  these,  I  hope,  great  good 
has  been  done ;  whilst  by  their  supplying  my  lack  of 
service,  I  have  been  left  at  libertv  to  follow  that  line  of 
duty  which  was  more  appropriate  to  my  own  powers, 
and  which  I  could  not  have  prosecuted,  if  I  had  not 
thus  contrived  to  save  my  time.  .  .  . 

"  But  after  all,  I  must  confess  that  all  this  is  a 
kind  of  refuge  to  which  I  am  ckiven,  and  to  which  I 
flee  under  a  sense  of  my  o\^m  shortcomings  and  defects, 
which  have  been  brought  deeply  to  my  mind  by  the 
perusal  of  your  Lordship's  Charge.  And  now,  my 
Lord,  what  shall  I  say  to  justify  or  extenuate  all  this 
egotism  ?  I  must  cast  the  blame  upon  yoiu'  Lordship 
and  your  Charge, — upon  yom*  Lordship,  for  conde- 
scending to  send  me  your  Charge — and  upon  your 
Charge,  for  harrowing  up  my  conscience  and  com- 
pelling me  to  unburden  my  mind. 

"  With  most  respectful  and  unfeigned  gratitude  to 
your  Lordship  both  for  the  gift  and  for  the  wounds 
inflicted  by  it,  I  remain,  my  Lord, 

"  Yoiu'  Lordship's  most  devoted  Servant, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


ON    MISREPRESENTATIONS.  G39 

To  Sir  R.  H.  Inglis,  on  guarding  against  mis- 
representations. 

"  My  very  dear  Friend,     «  K.  C,  Dec.  18,  1829. 

.  .  .  .  "Did  you  never  hear  the  Spanish 
proverb,   '  It  is  hard  to  make  an  empty  purse  stand 
upright  ?'  (their  bags  are  all  filled  with  silver :)   so  if 
people  are  got  on  the  wrong  side  of  an  hedge,  they  see 
their  way  veiy  imperfectly,  and  often  wander  very  far 
from  it.     In  my  intercourse  even  with  good  people,  I 
have  found  much  occasion  to  lament  this :    and  this 
very  consideration  it  is,  which  makes  me  wish  on  all 
occasions  where  there  is  a  liability  to  err,  first  to  have 
a  wise  and  upright  adviser,  and  secondly  to  have  a 
candid  and  unimpeachable  witness.    You  may  remem- 
ber that  once  I  besought  you,  for  the  Lord's  sake,  to 
be  present   upon  some  occasion   (I  forget  what  the 
occasion  was,  but  I  judged  it  to  be  one  where  the 
presence  of  a   candid    and   undaunted   witness    was 
necessary) ;  and  I  most  exceedingly  rejoice  that  God 
has  given  me  a  wise  and  firm  friend  on  this  occasion. 
I  have  joersonally  nothing  to  do  with  the  matter  ;  but 
being  made  a  referee,  I  am  compelled  to  act,  so  far  as 
my  agency  shall  be  necessary,  for  a  just  settlement  of 
the  matters  between  the  parties  concerned.    Yet  I  am 
sensible  that  this  is  at  my  own  great  peril.  .  .  In  a  word, 
we  are  in  a  fallen  world  :  and  it  is  with  exceeding  care 
and  watchfulness  that  I  labom-  to  get  through  it  as 
unblameably  as  I  can.     With  this  view,  I  have  for 
nearly  fifty  years  taken  copies  of  all  important  letters 
(I  have  at  least  7000  letters  at  this  moment  on  my 
sideboard),  that  if  at  any  subsequent  period  my  con- 
duct be  misrepresented,  I  may  be  able  to  put  the 
matter  in  its  true  light.     From  the  station  in  which  I 
am  placed,  I  have  felt,  that  however  insignificant  I  am, 


640  ON    MISREPRESENTATIONS. 

tlie  honour  of  religion  is  to  a  considerable  degree 
bound  up  in  my  conduct ;  and  I  am  anxious,  if  the 
Lord  will,  that  it  may  not  suffer  through  me.  I  should 
find  no  great  difficulty  in  proving  the  Apostle  Paul  a 
very  inconsistent  man,  if  men  would  take  my  state- 
ments alone,  and  not  compare  them  with  his.  And  so 
many  people  do,  yea,  and  infinitely  more,  with  respect 
to  me :  but  I  have  taken  care  from  the  beginning  that 
there  shall  be  ample  grounds  to  shew  hoiu  I  have 
acted. 

"  It  may  be  that  in  many  things  I  have  acted 
unwisely,  but  I  hope  no  man  shall  ever  have  it  in  his 
power  to  say  that  I  have  acted  wickedly.  Thus  I  have 
given  you  a  clue  to  my  general  line  of  acting.  And 
more  especially  do  I  think  this  caution  necessary  in 

reference  to ,  who  have  gratuitously  entered  a 

vote  of  censure  against  me  for  a  line  of  conduct,  which, 
if  thev  had  full  information  before  them,  and  under- 
stood  it  right,  would  have  drawn  forth  their  most 
afiectionate  and  grateful  approbation. 

"  Not  that  this  is  of  the  slightest  moment.  I  told 
them  in  my  reply,  that  it  was  not  them  whom  I  had 
served,  but  the  Lord ;  and  that  instead  of  resenting 
their  conduct  by  a  withdrawment  from  them,  I  shoidd 
still  continue  to  serve  them  as  I  had  ever  done,  the 
Lord  in  them,  and  them  for  the  Lord's  sake.  This 
spirit  is  totus,  teres,  atcjue  rotundus :  and  they  may 
kick  it  about  as  a  football  if  they  will,  and  they  shall 
iujm'e  neither  it  nor  me.  Forgive  all  this  prolixity, 
and  act  entirely  in  accordance  with  yoiu*  own  judg- 
ment, both  with  respect  to  the  public  and  private  docu- 
ments :  you  are  infallibly  sm'e  to  please  and  oblige 
"  Your  most  affectionate  and  faithful  Friend, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


THE    WEEKLY    PARTIES.  641 

To  the  Rev.  R.  W,  S ,  Oxford. 

«  K.  C,  Dec.  9,  1829. 
"  My  dear  Sir, 

"  Days  are  materially  altered  in  two 
respects :  much  good  is  in  existence  and  in  progress 
now,  so  that  the  same  irregular  exertions  that  were 
formerly  necessary  do  not  appear  to  be  called  for  in 
the  present  day ;  and  om*  ecclesiastical  authorities  are 
more  on  the  alert  now,  to  repress  anytliing  which  may 
be  deemed  irregular.  I  should  be  disposed  therefore 
to  carry  my  cup  more  even  than  I  did  in  former  days : 
not  that  I  would  relax  my  zeal  in  the  least  degree,  but 
I  would  cut  off  occasion  from  those  who  might  be  glad 
to  find  occasion  against  me.  On  this  account  I  would 
not  do  anything  which  might  subject  me  to  the  Con- 
venticle Act.  My  own  habit  is  this  :  I  have  an  open 
day,  wdien  all  wdio  choose  it  come  to  take  their  tea 
with.  me.  Every  one  is  at  liberty  to  ask  what  questions 
he  will,  and  I  give  to  them  the  best  answer  I  can. 
Hence  a  great  variety  of  subjects  come  under  review — 
subjects  which  we  could  not  discuss  in  the  pulpit, — 
and  the  young  menfi.nd  it  a  very  edifying  season.  We 
have  neither  exposition,  as  such,  nor  prayer;  but  I 
have  opportunity  of  saying  all  that  my  heart  can  wish, 

without  the  formality  of  a  set  ordinance You 

need  not  expound :  but  if  there  be  any  passage  of 
Scripture,  which  you  think  of  peculiar  importance  for 
their  consideration,  you  may  easily,  without  being  a 
conjuror,  contrive  to  have  their  attention  turned  to  it ; 
and  you  can  easily  recommend  the  young  men  to  pray 
over  it  in  secret.  All  this  is  unexceptionable ;  and  if 
you  fear  yom*  nmnbers  Avill  be  too  great,  you  may 
easily  divide  the  Colleges  into  two  or  three  parts,  as 
you  judge  expedient,  taking  those  on  the  one  side  the 

L.  S.  T  T 


642  COMPOSITION 

High  Street  at  one  time,  and  those  on  the  opposite  at 
another. 

"  I  have  one  evening  for  the  study  of  Composition, 
making  Claude  my  groundwork.  I  give  the  text  for 
the  ehicidation  of  each  distinct  topic.  They  treat  the 
text ;  and  I  make  my  remarks  on  their  compositions, 
pointing  out  what  1  conceive  to  be  the  more  perfect 
way.  My  method  formerly  (nearly  forty  years  ago) 
was  to  form  a  svstem  of  natural  and  revealed  relio;ion, 
and  having  condensed  it,  as  my  method  ever  has  been, 
into  a  nutshell,  to  read  it  to  them,  and  let  them  WTite 
it  from  my  lips  ;  but  when  I  found  in  Claude  my  oion 
2)lans,  ivhich  I  had  many  years  before  struck  out  for 
wyself  reduced  to  a  system,  I  took  that,  and  have  lec- 
tured upon  it  ever  since;  i.e.  since  1792.  I  would 
do  all  the  good  I  could ;  but  in  such  a  place  as 
Oxford,  I  woidd  do  it  in  the  most  prudent  and  un- 
exceptionable way.  At  air  events,  I  would  recommend 
you  to  feel  your  ivay,  not  timidly,  but  wisely.  In  the 
regular  discharge  of  my  duty,  I  would  cast  away  the 
veil  of  ]\Ioses  (not  as  j\Ioses),  but  in  the  less  regular 
wav,  I  would  imitate  his  condescension  to  the  infir- 
mities  of  others ;  and  not  his  only,  but  Paul's  also 
(Gal.  ii.  2).  Hoping  that  God  in  His  mercy  wiU 
direct  your  path,  and  bless  your  endeavours  to  the 
glory  of  His  own  Name,  I  remain,  my  dear  Sir, 

"  Your  most  affectionate  friend  and  brother  in  the 
Lord,  "  C.  Simeon. 

"  P.  S.  The  French  have  conversation  parties  ; 
something  of  that  kind  perhaps  you  would  find  profit- 
able." 


OF    SERMONS.  643 

It  was  the  intention  of  the  Editor  to  have  devoted 
an  entire  Chapter  to  the  description  of  Mr.  Simeon's 
method  of  instructing  the  Sermon-class  in  all  the 
details  connected  with  the  composition  and  delivery 
of  their  discom^ses ;  but  this  Memoir  has  increased  so 
much  beyond  the  extent  proposed,  that  he  is  com- 
pelled to  omit  the  subject  altogether*.  A  single 
example  however  may  here  be  introduced,  to  illustrate 
Mr.  Simeon's  method  of  lucid  distribution. 

As  a  last  lesson  for  good  proficients,  he  used  to 
take  the  long  discussion  in  the  Christian  Observer, 
under  sixteen  different  heads,  on  '  Separation  from  the 
world.' 

His  directions  then  were : — 

"  1.  Comprehend  them  all  in  one  discourse. 

2.  Let  that  discourse  be  so  luminous  and  simple,  that 
a  very  child  may  understand  it,  or  form  it  from  his 
own  mind. 

3.  Let  it  contain  all  the  proper  parts  of  a  discourse : 
Exordium  —  Arrangement  —  Discussion — Applica- 
tion. 

4.  Let  every  one  of  these  sixteen  heads  find  its  place. 

5.  Let  not  one  be  omitted,  nor  one  be  added. 

6.  Let  it  be  totus,  teres,  atqtie  rotundiis ;  and  turn  out 
of  your  hand  as  a  filbert  from  its  shell." 

"  This,"  he  observes,    "  has  been  done  from  time  to 

time  :  and  the  following  arrangement  by  Mr.  T shews 

how  eflPectual  my  instructions  have  been;  and  also  what 
a  perusal  of  Claudes  Essay,  with  occasional  reference  to 
my  Discourses,  will  bring  young  Ministers  to,  even  though 
they  have  no  instruction  of  this  kind  given  them  in  their 
academic  studies." 


*  The  whole  of  these  details  may  perhaps  he  published  here- 
after as  a  separate  work. 


T  T  2 


644  aurangement 

*'  Topics  given  for  distribution. 


1.  A  broad  distinction  subsists  between  the  Church  and 
the  world. 

2.  We  should  cultivate  perpetually  the  life  and  energy 
of  religion  in  our  souls. 

3.  The  nature  of  earthly  things  is  mean  and  degrading ; 
and  it  is  highly  important  to  have  a  distinct  con- 
viction of  this. 

4.  The  world  seduces  us  in  a  gradual  and  imperceptible 
manner. 

5.  This  seduction  is  perhaps  aided  by  the  peculiar  cha- 
racter of  the  present  times. 

6.  A  further  difficulty  springs  from"  the  arduous  and 
apparently  conflicting  duties  we  have  to  perform  to 
those  around  us. 

7.  Again,  a  diflficulty  arises  from  the  very  great  acqui- 

sition and  use  of  human  learnins;. 

8.  Our  own  dispositions  and  circumstances  form  fre- 
quently a  barrier  to  our  spiritual  progress. 

9.  The  importance  of  knowing  the  marks  of  a  heart 
declining  into  a  worldly  spirit. 

10.  Consider  frequently  both  the  failure  and  success  of 
others. 

11.  Peculiar  obligations  lie  on  us,  both  as  Christians  and 

Ministers,  to  be  separate  from  the  world. 

12.  We  should  be  engaged  in  frequent  meditations  on 

the  Cross  of  Christ. 

13.  All   our   endeavours    should   be    accompanied  with 
fervent  persevering  prayer. 

14.  We  shoidd  keep  death  and  eternity  continually  in 
view. 

15.  The  absolute  necessity  of  perpetual  effort. 

16.  All  our  trust  should  be  humbly  reposed  in  the  grace 

and  power  of  God." 


of  a  discourse.  645 

"  The  same  Topics  arranged. 


I.  The  duty  of  spiritual  separation  from  the  world. 

1.  A  broad  distinction  subsists  between  the  Churcb  and  the  world  . 

2.  Peculiar  obligations  lie  on  Christians  and  Ministers  to  be 
separate  from  the  same. 

II.  The  difficulty  of  attaininy  this  separation. 

This  difficulty  is  two-fold,  arising, 

1.  From  tJie  world. 

1.  The  nature  of  earthly  things  is  mean  and  degrading  ;  and  it 
is  highly  important  to  have  a  distinct  conviction  of  this. 

2 .  It  is  no  less  important  to  consider  that  the  world  seduces  us 
in  a  gradual  and  imperceptible  manner. 

3.  This  seduction  is  aided  by  the  peculiar  character  of  the  present 
times. 

2    From  ourselves. 

1.  Our  own  dispositions  and  circumstances  form  a  barrier. 

2.  The  very  acquisition  and  use   of  human  learning   creates 
another  difficulty. 

3.  A  further  difficulty  springs  from  other  arduous  and  appa- 
rently conflicting  duties. 

III.  The  means  by  which  it  is  to  be  accomplished. 

In  general. 

1.  Consider  frequently  both  the  failure  and  success  of  others. 

2.  Cultivate  perpetually  the  life  and  energy  of  religion  in  the  soul. 

More  particularly 
[    3,  Keep  death  and  eternity  continually  in  view. 

4.  Be  engaged  in  frequent  meditations  on  the  Cross  of  Christ. 

Improvement 
Learn, 

1.  The  importance  of  knowing  the  marks  of  a  heart  declining 
into  a  worldly  spirit. 

2.  The  absolute  necessity  of  perpetual  effi^rt. 

But  remember, 

3.  All  our  endeavours  should  be  accompanied  with  fervent  per- 
severing prayer. 

4-.  All  our  trust  should  be  humbly  reposed  in  the  grace  and 
power  of  God." 


046  GENERAL    RULES 

In  the  Essay  on  the  Composition  of  a  Sermon, 
annexed  to  the  complete  edition  of  his  works,  ]\Ir. 
Simeon  writes  ; — 

"  This  is  the  great  secret,  (so  to  speak,)  of  all  composition  for 
the  pulpit.  Every  text,  whether  long  or  short,  must  be  reduced 
to  a  categorical  proposition  ;  1st,  In  order  to  preserve  a  perfect 
unity  in  the  subject :  and,  2dly,  in  order  to  take  it  up,  and  prose- 
cute it  in  an  orderly  manner, 

"  If  the  passage  contain  a  great  diversity  of  matter,  the  simple 
proposition  should  declare  its  main  scojye  only ;  and  the  other  points 
which  are  contained  in  the  text,  should  be  no  further  noticed,  than 
as  they  elucidate  the  one  great  point  which  is  intended  to  be  con- 
sidered. 

THE   EULE9   WHICH   THE   EDITOB  WOULD  GIVE   SO^  THE   COMPOSITION 
OF    A    SERMON,  ARE    THESE. 

"  1.  Take  for  your  subject  that  which  you  believe  to  be  the  mind 
of  God  in  the  passage  before  you. 

"  (Be  careful  to  understand  the  passage  thoroughly  :  and 
regard  nothing  but  the  mind  of  God  in  it.) 

"  2.  Llark  the  character  of  the  passage. 

"  It  may  be  more  simple,  as  a  declaration,  a  precept,  a  pro- 
mise, a  threatening,  an  invitation,  an  appeal ;  or  more  complex, 
as  a  cause,  and  effect ;  a  principle,  and  a  consequence  ;  an 
action,  and  a  motive  to  that  action,  and,  whatever  be  the 
character  of  the  text,  (especially  if  it  be  clearly  marked)  let 
that  direct  you  in  the  arrangement  of  your  discourse  v2'>on  it. 

"  For  instance.  1  John  iv.  1 8,  '  There  is  no  fear  in  love  ; 
but  perfect  love  casteth  out  fear,  because  fear  hath  torment. 
He  that  feareth,  is  not  made  perfect  in  love.' 

"This  passage  should  not  be  treated  in  a  common- place 
way  of  shewing,  1st.  What  this  love  is  ;  2d.  What  is  the  fear 
which  it  casts  out ;  and  3d.  How  it  casts  out  this  fear.  The 
passage  is  intended  to  shew  the  influence  of  the  love  of  God 
upon  the  soul,  and  to  set  it  forth  as  a  test  of  our  attainments 
in  true  piety  ;  and  therefore  the  scope  and  intent  of  it  should 
be  seized  as  the  groundwork  of  the  division.  Thus — Con- 
sider the  love  of  God  :  1.  Its  influence  as  a  principle  (casting 
out  all  slavish  fear  j)  and,  2.  Its  importance  as  a  test; 
(enabling  us,  by  means  of  its  influence  in  this  respect,  to 
estimate  the  precise  measure  of  our  attainments.) 


?0R    COMPOSITION.  G47 

"  3.   Mark  the  spirit  of  the  passage, 

"(It  may  be  tender  and  compassionate,  or  indignant,  or 
menacing :  but  wbatever  it  be,  let  that  he  the  spirit  of  your  dis- 
course. To  be  tender  on  an  indignant  passage,  or  indignant 
on  one  that  is  tender,  would  destroy  half  the  force  and  beauty 
of  the  discourse.  The  soul  should  be  filled  with  the  subject, 
and  breathe  out  the  very  spirit  of  it  before  the  people.  As 
God's  ambassadors,  we  should  speak  all  that  he  speaks,  and  as  he 
s2)eaTcs  it.    God  himself  should  be  heard  in  us  and  through  us.) 

"  The  true  meaning  of  the  text  should  he  the  ivarp,  which 
pervades  the  whole  piece  :  and  the  words  should  he  the  ivoof 
that  is  to  be  interwoven,  so  as  to  form  one  connected  and 
continued  whole. 

"  The  spirit  of  the  words  should  pervade  the  discourse  upon 
them.  Whatever  peculiarity  there  be  either  in  the  matter  or 
manner  of  the  text,  that  should  be  transfused  into  the  dis- 
course, and  bear  the  same  measure  of  prominence  in  the 
sermon,  as  it  bears  in  the  text  itself. 

"  Take  for  instance,  Ps.  cxlvii,  1 1, '  The  Lord  taketh  pleasure 
in  them  that  fear  him,  in  those  that  hope  in  his  mercy ;'  you 
would  give  the  sense  of  the  text,  if  you  were  to  set  forth,  1st. 
The  characters  described,  and,  2d.  God's  favour  towards  them  : 
but  if  you  were  to  shew  from  that  text,  1st.  How  low  God 
descends  for  the  ohjects  of  his  favour;  and,  2d.  How  high  he 
soars  in  his  regards  towards  them  ;  you  would  mark,  and  every 
one  of  your  audience  would  feel,  the  spirit  of  them.  If  the 
reader  consult  the  discourse  on  John  i.  45,  he  will  find  that 
the  spirit  of  the  text,  that  is,  the  Jog  exjyressed.  in  it,  serves  as 
a  foundation  for  one  half  of  the  discourse.  So  also  if  he  will 
consult  the  discourse  on  Jer.  v.  23, 24,  he  will  find  that  thesjjirit 
of  that  text  gives  the  entire  tone  to  the  subject.  The  common 
way  of  treating  that  text  would  be  to  consider,  1,  The  mercies 
w^hich  God  has  vouchsafed  to  us,  and,  2.  The  efiect  w^hich  they 
ought  to  produce  upon  us.  But  with  such  a  division  of  the 
subject  the  vituperative  spirit  of  it  would  be  comparatively  lost. 

"  If  these  few  hints  be  thoroughly  understood  and  duly 
attended  to,  the  composition  of  a  sermon,  which  is  supposed 
to  be  so  difficult,  will  become  extremely  easy.  And  the  Editor 
cannot  render  the  student  a  greater  service,  than  by  entreating 
him  to  fix  these  short  rules  deeply  in  his  mind,  and  when 
studying  for  the  pulpit,  carefully  to  seize  the  sense,  the  cha- 
racter, and  the  spirit  of  his  text." 


G48  ■    ACCOUNT    OF    AN 

As  it  may  be  interesting  to  those  who  never  were 
present  at  Mr.  Simeon's  weekly  tea-parties,  to  know 
in  what  manner  they  were  conducted,  the  following 
graphic  and  accurate  description  is  here  introduced 
from  a  letter,  addressed  to  the  late  lamented  '  Charlotte 
Elizabeth  *.' 

"  The  report  may  have  reached  you,  that  Mr,  Simeon 
was  in  the  habit  of  receiving  at  his  rooms,  on  Friday  even- 
ings, those  Members  of  the  University  who  might  be  desir- 
ous of  profiting  by  his  valuable  instructions.  Such  practical 
or  critical  difficulties  as  had  been  met  with  during  the  pre- 
ceding week,  in  the  course  of  private  study,  or  in  social 
intercourse  with  Christian  brethren,  were  brought  by  us 
gownsmen  to  the  Friday  evening  tea-party  to  be  pro- 
pounded to  Mr.  Simeon :  and  although  I  fear  that,  in  some 
instances,  those  who  were  present  abused  the  privilege 
afforded  us,  and  asked  '  foolish  and  vain  questions,'  for  the 
purpose  of  displaying  their  own  wit  and  cleverness  of  parts, 
and,  perha2)S,  with  the  mean  hope  of  being  able  to  say,  '  I 
have  puzzled  Mr.  Simeon ; '  yet  much  do  I  err  In  judgment, 
if  many  will  not  have  occasion  to  praise  God  with  eternal 
praises  for  benefits  received  at  those  important  and  instruc- 
tive meetings. 

I  must  bring  you,  then,  into  Mr.  Simeon's  audience- 
chamber,  where  my  mind's  eye  sees  him  seated  on  a  high 
chair  at  the  right-hand  side  of  the  fire-place.  Before  him 
are  the  benches,  arranged  for  the  occasion,  occupied  by  his 
visitors.  Even  the  window-recesses  are  furnished  with 
seats,  which,  however,  are  usually  filled  the  last,  notwith- 
standing the  repeated  assurances  of  our  venerated  friend, 
somewhat  humorously  expressed,  that  he  has  taken  special 
pains  to  make  the  windows  air-tight,  and  has  even  put  the 
artist's  skill  to  the  test  with  a  llglited  candle.  '  I  shall  be 
very  glad,'  he  would  say,  '  to  catch  from  you  every  cold 
that  you  catch  from  the  draught  of  my  windows.' 


*  Extracted  by  kind  permission  from  the  Christian  Ladys 
Magazine. 


EVENING    PARTY.  .  041) 

At  tlie  entry  of  each  gownsman  he  wonlJ  advance  to- 
wards the  opening  door,  with  all  that  suavity  and  politeness 
which  you  know  he  possessed  in  a  remarkable  degree,  and 
would  cordially  tender  his  hand,  smiling  and  bowing  with 
the  accomplished  manners  of  a  courtier ;  and  I  assure  you 
we  deemed  it  no  small  honour  to  have  had  a  hearty  shake 
of  the  hand,  and  a  kind  expression  of  the  looks  from  that 
good  old  man. 

If  any  stranger  was  introduced  to  him  at  these  meet- 
ings, he  would  forthwith  produce  his  little  pocket  memo- 
randum-book, and  enter,  with  due  ceremony,  the  name  of 
his  new  acquaintance,  taking  care  to  inquire  his  College, 
and  such  other  matters  as  he  deemed  worthy  of  "being  regis- 
tered. Sometimes,  too,  he  Avould  comment,  in  his  own  way, 
upon  the  name  he  was  writing,  or  make  some  passing  quaint 
remark,  which  would  put  us  all  into  a  good  humour. 

As  soon  as  the  ceremony  of  introduction  was  con- 
cluded, Mr.  Simeon  would  take  possession  of  his  accustomed 
elevated  seat,  and  would  commence  the  business  of  the 
evening.  I  see  him  even  now,  with  his  hands  folded  upon 
his  knees,  his  head  turned  a  little  to  one  side,  his  visage 
solemn  and  composed,  and  his  whole  deportment  such  as 
to  command  attention  and  respect.  After  a  pause,  he  would 
encourage  us  to  propose  our  doubts,  addressing  us  in  slow, 
and  soft,  and  measured  accents: — '  Now, — if  you  have  any 
question  to  ask, — I  shall  be  happy  to  hear  it, — and  to  give 
what  assistance  I  can.'  Presently  one,  and  then  another, 
would  venture  with  his  interrogatories,  each  being  em- 
boldened by  the  preceding  inquirer,  till  our  backwardness 
and  reserve  w^ere  entirely  removed.  In  the  meantime,  two 
waiters  would  be  handing  the  tea  to  the  company ;  a  part 
of  the  entertainment  which  the  most  of  us  could  well  have 
dispensed  with,  as  it  somewhat  interrupted  the  evening's 
proceedings;  but  it  was  most  kindly  provided  by  our  dear 
friend,  who  was  always  very  considerate  of  our  comfort 
and  ease. 

It  is  my  purpose,  if  you  will  so  far  indulge  me,  to  give 
your  readers  the  substance  of  some  conversations  which  took 
])lace  in  Mr.  Simeon's  rooms,  on  May  3,  1833.  This  was 
the  most  interesting  and  solenni  Friday-evening  meeting 


C50  ACCOUNT    OF    AN 

that  I  ever  attended.  I  never  saAV  tlie  holy  man  of  God 
more  full  of  the  spirit  of  his  Master.  His  words  were 
distilled  as  honey  from  his  lips  ;  at  least  they  were  very 
sweet  to  my  taste ;  and  their  savour,  I  trust,  I  have  still 
retained.  On  that  memorable  evening,  such  a  deep  sense 
of  his  own  unworthiness  rested  upon  his  soul,  that  he  was 
low  in  self-abasement  before  God.  All  his  lano-ua^e  seemed 
to  be,  "Lord,  I  am  vile; "  and  his  very  looks  spake  the  same. 

While  the  impression  was  fresh  and  vivid  upon  my 
mind,  I  wrote  down  his  observations,  on  leaving  the  room, 
as  correctly  as  my  memory  would  allow.  In  order  to  be 
concise,  I  shall  give  them  as  proceeding  directly  from  his 
mouth;  together  with  the  questions  with  which  they  origi- 
nated. By  this  plan,  you  will  be  able  to  see  in  what 
way  these  meetings  were  conducted. 

One  asked,  "  Pray,  Sir,  how  do  you  understand  Ro- 
mans xi.  32?"  The  passage  was  turned  to,  and,  after  a 
moment's  consideration,  the  reply  was  given  to  the  follow- 
ing effect : — 

"  All  men  have  sinned ;  and  there  is  but  one  way  of 
salvation  for  all.  Both  Jews  and  Gentiles  must  look  for 
mercy  only  in  the  free  grace  of  God  by  Jesus  Chi'ist.  Deep 
humiliation  is  what  most  becomes  guilty  rebels.  Having 
no  hope  but  in  the  mercy  of  God,  we  should  approach  Him 
as  Benhadad  approached  king  Ahab,  with  sackcloth  on  our 
loins,  and  ropes  upon  our  heads:  and  our  language  shoidd  be 
that  of  his  servants,  '  Behold  now,  we  have  heard  that  the 
kino's  of  the  house  of  Israel  are  merciful  kings.'  "  .  .  .  . 

Again :  when  he  suspected  that  any  of  his  hearers 
were  desirous  to  draw  him  upon  controverted  ground,  he 
would  soon  put  an  end  to  their  design  by  a  short  and 
pithy  reply.  Of  this  the  following  is  an  instance,  which 
occurred  on  the  same  evening : — 

"  What  does  the  Apostle  mean,  Sii',  when  he  says, 
in  1  Tim.  iv.  10,  'that  God  is  the  Saviom*  of  all  men,  spe- 
cially of  those  that  believe  ? ' " 

Mr.  Simeon  replied  ;  "  Of  all,  potentially  ;  of  them 
that  believe,  effectually.  Does  that  make  it  clear  to  you?'' 
Then,  to  render  the  subject  practical,  he  added,  "Faith  is 
a  simple  apprehension  of  Christ.  It  is  not  merely  believing 


EVENING    PARTY.  C5l 

tliat  He  Is  the  Saviour  of  the  world ;  but  It  is  believing 
In  Him  as  peculiarly  suited  to  our  own  individual  cases.  It 
is  not  the  saying,  Oh,  now  I  see  I  am  to  be  saved  In  this 
way,  or  in  that  way ;  this,  so  far  as  it  goes,  is  very  well  ; 
but  the  Gospel  simply  declares,  '  Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  saved.' " 

"  What,  Sir,  do  you  consider  the  prlnclj^al  mark  of 
resceneration  ?" 

"  The  very  first  and  indispensable  sign  Is  self-loathing 
and  abhorrence.  Nothing  short  of  this  can  be  admitted  as 
an  evidence  of  a  real  change.  Some  persons  inquire,  '  Do 
you  hate  what  you  once  loved,  and  love  what  you  once 
hated?'  But  even  this  mark  cannot  be  so  surely  relied 
upon  as  the  other.  I  have  constantly  pressed  this  subject 
upon  my  Congregation,  and  it  has  been  the  characteristic  of 
my  Ministry.  I  want  to  see  more  of  this  humble,  contrite, 
broken  spirit  amongst  us.  It  is  the  veiy  spirit  that  belongs 
to  self-condemned  sinners.  Permit  me  to  lay  this  matter 
near  your  hearts.  Take  home  with  you  this  passage,  '  Then 
shall  ye  remember  your  own  evil  ways,  and  your  doings  that 
were  not  good,  and  shall  loathe  yourselves  in  your  own  sight 
for  your  iniquities  and  foryour  abominations ;'  (Ezek.  xxxvi. 
31,)  and  to-night  on  your  beds,  or  in  the  morning,  meditate 
thus  within  yourselves ;  Loathe  ? — why  if  I  loathe  and 
abhor  anything,  I  cannot  look  upon  it  without  disgust.  The 
very  sight  of  it  gives  me  great  pain  and  uneasiness.  I  turn 
away  from  it  as  from  something  abominable  and  hateful. 
Have  I  ever  thus  loathed  and  abhorred  myself,  at  the  re- 
membrance of  my  iniquities  and  abominations  ?  This  sitting 
in  the  dust  is  most  pleasing  to  God.  When  we  carry  our 
thoughts  to  heaven,  and  consider  what  is  going  on  in  that 
blessed  region,  we  behold  angels  and  archangels  casting  their 
crowns  at  the  feet  of  Him  that  sltteth  upon  the  throne,  in 
whose  presence  the  cherubim  veil  their  faces  with  their  wings. 
I  have  been  in  the  company  of  religious  professors,  and  have 
heard  many  words  about  religion:  but  give  me  to  be  with  a 
broken-hearted  Christian,  and  I  prefer  his  society  to  that  of 
all  the  rest.  In  these  days  there  is  too  much  of  talking 
about  religion,  and  too  little  of  religion  itself.  On  this  sub- 
ject, I  remember  having  read  a  passage  In  the  life  of  a  pious 


652  ACCOUNT  or  an 

man,  who  observed  on  his  deatli-becl,  *  I  have  met  with  many 
who  can  talk  about  religion  —  with  few  whose  experience 
keeps  pace  with  their  talking.'  Permit  me  again  to  lay  this 
important  subject  before  your  consideration.  And  that  you 
may  be  able  the  better  to  pursue  it,  and  properly  to  enter 
into  it,  allow  me  to  state  to  you  what  have  sometimes  been 
my  feelings  while  seated  in  this  chair  by  myself,  shut  in  with 
God  from  the  world  around  me.  I  have  thought  thus  within 
myself  in  my  retirement — I  now  look  around  me,  and  behold 
this  apartment.  I  see  all  is  comfort  and  peace  about  me.  I 
find  myself  with  my  God,  instead  of  being  shut  up  in  an 
apartment  in  hell,  although  a  hell-deserving  sinner.  Had  I 
suffered  my  deserts,  I  should  have  been  in  those  dark  abodes 
of  despair  and  anguish.  There  I  should  have  thought  of 
eternity,  —  eternity  !  without  hope  of  escape  or  release. 
From  all  this  I  am  delivered  by  the  grace  of  God,  though 
I  might  have  been  cut  off  in  my  sins,  fifty-four  years  ago. 
While  engaged  in  these  thoughts  they  sometimes  over- 
power me.  Were  I  now  addressing  to  you  my  dying  words, 
I  should  say  nothing  else  but  what  I  have  just  said.  Try 
to  live  in  this  spirit  of  self-abhorrence,  and  let  it  habitually 
mark  your  life  and  conduct." 

*'  Sir,  will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  explain  Matthew 
xi.  25?" 

"  The  revelation  which  God  has  given  to  man  is  pre- 
cisely such  as  he  required;  it  is  not  intended  to  be  a 
subject  of  speculation ;  nor  does  it  admit  any  scope  for  the 
exercise  of  an  ungoverned  imagination.  Faith  apprehends 
what  reason  cannot  comprehend.  The  distinguishing  mark 
of  the  religion  of  Christ  is  its  simplicity,  and  its  suitable- 
ness to  the  condition  of  all  men,  whether  rich  or  poor,  wise 
or  unlearned.  At  the  same  time,  its  humbling  truths  are 
offensive  to  the  wise  in  their  own  conceits.  These  may 
be  able  to  talk  about  it,  and  write  about  it,  and  lay  down 
an  exact  system  of  religion ;  but  still  their  conceptions  of 
it  are  confused  and  indistinct.  It  is  just  like  giving  a 
person  a  fine  and  laboured  description  of  some  beautiful 
scenery,  or  of  some  magnificent  building, — King's  College, 
for  instance, — and  filling  his  imagination  with  crude  ideas. 
Such  a  person,  be  he  ever  so  learned  and  clever,  cannot 


EVENING    PARTY.  C53 

comprehend  the  object  so  clearly  as  the  poor  ignorant  man 
who  has  It  placed  mimediately  before  his  eyes.  Were  an 
angel  from  heaven  to  describe  the  properties  of  honey  to 
an  individual  who  had  never  seen  or  tasted  anything  like 
it,  this  individual  would  not  conceive  of  it  so  justly  as 
the  little  child  who  has  tasted  it :  although  the  child  might 
be  quite  unable  to  communicate  to  others  what  it  tasted 
like.  Bring  a  wise  man  and  an  ignorant  man  into  this  room, 
and  tell  them  botli  that  the  house  is  on  fire ;  I  trow  the 
ignorant  man  would  know  how  to  make  his  escape  quite 
as  well  as  the  wise  man.  It  is  just  the  same  in  matters  of 
religion.  We  must  all  forsake  our  own  wisdom  and  con- 
ceit, and  stoop  to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate;  we  must 
become  as  little  babes,  if  we  would  be  saved.  Many  are 
the  ways  in  which  men  endeavour  to  avoid  this  humility 
of  heart,  by  substituting  in  its  place  some  outward  act  of 
voluntary  humility.  The  poor  Hindoo  thinks  that  the  idol 
whom  he  serves  is  appeased  by  his  walking  over  fifty 
miles,  and  counting  the  number  of  his  paces.  The  Papist 
imagines  that  God  is  well  pleased  with  his  works  of  supere- 
rogation and  his  penances.  Others,  with  the  same  notion 
of  gaining  the  favour  of  the  Deity,  have  undertaken  long 
and  dangerous  pilgrimages.  But  there  is  nothing  in  all 
this  to  gain  for  guilty  sinners  acceptance  and  reconcilia- 
tion with  God.  The  plain  and  simple  way  is  unfolded  in 
the  Gospel.  Our  salvation  is  procured  with  the  blood  of 
Christ ;  and  by  coming  to  God  through  Him,  with  lowli- 
ness of  mind  and  deep  self-abasement,  we  receive  the 
benefit  of  His  death  and  resurrection." 

"  What  is  the  way  to  maintain  a  close  walk  Avith  God?" 
"  By  constantly  meditating  on  the  goodness  of  God 
and  on  our  great  deliverance  from  that  punishment  which 
our  sins  have  deserved,  we  are  brought  to  feel  our  vileness 
and  utter  unworthiness ;  and  while  we  continue  in  this  spirit 
of  self-degradation,  everything  else  will  go  on  easily.  We 
shall  find  ourselves  advancing  in  one  course  ;  we  shall  feel 
the  presence  of  God;  we  shall  experience  His  love;  we  shall 
live  in  the  enjoyment  of  His  fiivour,  and  in  the  hope  of  His 
glory.     Meditation  is  the  grand  means  of  our  growth  in 


654  AN    EVENING    PARTY. 

grace:  without  it,  prayer  itself  is  an  empty  service.  You 
often  feel  that  your  prayers  scarcely  reach  the  ceiling :  but 
oh,  get  into  this  humble  spirit  by  considering  how  good  the 
Lord  is,  and  how  evil  you  all  are,  and  then  prayer  will 
mount  on  wings  of  faith  to  heaven.  The  sigh,  the  groan  of  a 
broken  heart,  will  soon  go  through  the  ceiling  up  to  heaven, 
aye,  into  the  very  bosom  of  God.  Without  this  habitual 
experience  of  our  sinfulness  and  natural  depravity,  even  an 
active  religion  is  a  vain  thing.  I  insist  upon  this  point  so 
earnestly,  because  I  feel  it  to  be  so  exactly  in  accox-dance 
with  the  will  of  God.  I  have  found  it  to  be  a  good  state  for 
my  own  soul,  when  I  have  known  what  it  is  to  loathe  and 
abhor  myself.  I  was  once  brought  very  low  before  God, 
when  mine  eyes  were  first  opened  to  see  my  real  state.  A 
passage  which  I  found  in  a  book  was  the  means  of  giving  me 
deliverance  from  my  bondage :  I  read  that  the  Israelites 
believed  that  their  iniquities  were  forgiven  and  taken  away, 
by  being  placed  upon  the  head  of  the  victim  that  was  sacri- 
ficed according  to  the  ceremonial  law.  I  thought  of  this, 
compared  their  state  with  my  own,  saw  that  Christ  was 
sacrificed  for  me,  took  Him  as  my  Saviour,  and  was  det- 
termined  that  the  burden  should  not  remain  upon  my 
conscience  another  hour :    and  I  am  confident  it  did  not 

remain  another  hour 

"  I  cannot  help  trusting  that  I  shall  see  a  kind  of 
revival  amongst  us  before  I  am  taken  away.  I  have  been 
prevented  from  going  to  London  to  attend  the  Jews' 
Society  by  indisposition.  Who  knows  whether  good  may 
not  come  even  of  this  ?  Who  can  tell  but  what  God  may 
have  so  ordered  it,  that  something  I  have  said  this  evening 
may  fix  in  some  of  your  hearts,  to  bring  forth  fruit  to  His 
glory?  For  this  I  would  willingly  be  laid  up  with  ten 
gouts,  yea,  suffer  death  itself." 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

LETTEES ON    THE     TEEATMENT    OF     JEWISH     CONVEETS TO    MISS    E. 

ELLIOTT    ON     THE     STUDY     OF     PEOPIIECY THE     AECHBISHOP     OF 

TUAM     TO      ME.     SIMEON     EESPECTING     ANTINOMIAN     MINISTEES 

MR.    Simeon's    eemaeks — the    aechbishop's    eeply — to    the 

EEV.    DANIEL    WILSON     ON     THE    STATE    OF    HIS     HEALTH TO    THE 

SAME    ON    WEITING    WITH    CLEARNESS    AND    FOECE— TO    A    CLERGY- 
MAN    ON     PEOMISING     HIM     PECUNIARY     AID  —  ON     RECEIVING   AN 

EXORBITANT    BILL MR.  SIMEON's  CARE    IN  KEEPING  HIS  ACCOUNTS 

MEMORANDA     BY    J.    J.    GUENEY,    ESQ.     OF     AN     EVENINg's     CON- 
VERSATION AT  ME.  Simeon's  rooms — hints  on  the  management 

OF    THE    VOICE    IN    READING. 


1830—1831. 

CORRESPONDENCE,    ETC. 

To  a  Friend,  on  tlie  treatment  of  Jewish  Converts. 

«  Jan.  28,  1830. 
.  "I  beg  leave  to  retiurn  you  my  best  thanks 
for  your  report  respecting  the  state  and  progress  of 
yom*  Institution.  In  reference  to  the  work  of  God 
there,  I  would  exercise  the  charity,  '  which  hopeth 
all  things,  and  believeth  all  things ;'  yet  I  cannot 
but  think,  that  the  utmost  possible  care  should  be 
taken  to  prevent  imposition.  We  all  know  what 
advantage  the  opposers  of  religion  have  formerly 
derived  from  the  dishonesty  of  some  pretended  con- 
verts to  Christianity,  and  from  the  instability  of 
others ;  and  on  this  account  T  think  we  shall  do  well 
to  be  cautious.  Our  caution,  it  is  true,  may  for  a 
season  keep  back    some   who   are    sincere,  but  this 


C5G  TREATMENT 

will  eventually  be  no  disadvantage  to  tliem,  and  it 
will  tend  to  sift  the  whole  mass  of  converts,  and  to 
distinguish  the  hypocritical  from  the  true  Israelites. 
It  was  the  want  of  caution  in  the  Jewish  Society 
at  first,  which  brought  such  odium  upon  all  its  plans, 
and  upon  all  its  promoters :  and  I  would  very  ear- 
nestly recommend,  that  as  little  as  possible  be  said 
of  our  early  converts.  Let  them  be  tried ;  let  them 
have  time  to  shew  themselves,  before  they  be  re- 
ported to  the  world :  and,  above  all,  let  them  not 
be  brought  forward  out  of  their  own  proper  and 
original  line  of  social  converse. 

"  Pharaoh  was  not  more  cruel  to  infant  Hebrews 
than  we  are  to  adults.  He  drowned  his  victims,  and 
we  hug  ours  to  death.  Why  are  tliey  to  be  intro- 
duced into  higher  company,  when  converts  from  the 
ungodly  world  are  not?  the  truth  is,  we  want  to 
glory  in  then-  flesh ;  and  God,  to  punish  our  pride, 
makes  use  of  them  to  expose  us  to  shame.  It  is  a 
grievous  mistake  to  imagine  that  the  baptizing  any  hy 
a  Bishoj)  is  at  all  likely  to  advance  their  spiritual 
welfare.  The  employing  a  Bishop  will  only  destroy 
the  simplicity  of  their  minds,  and  endanger  their 
stability,  in  proportion  as  it  fosters  their  pride.     As 

for  ,   I  would  recommend  that  a  considerable 

time  elapse  between  his  liberation  from  prison,  and 
his  full  admission  into  Christian  society.  Let  there 
be  time  to  shew  that  he  was  not  imprisoned  for 
crimes  committed  by  him,  but  for  misfortunes  which 
he  could  not  avert ;  or,  if  this  be  not  the  case,  let 
him  have  time  to  shew  his  penitence.  In  the  first 
establishment  of  Christianity  these  precautions  were 
not  so  necessary,  because  men  had  no  temptation  to 
profess  a  religion  which  would  expose  them  to  per- 


OF  CONVERTS.  G57 

secution  and  death;  but  Avlien  Jews  by  embracing 
Christianity  are  elevated  above  the  rank  in  Avhich 
they  have  been  born  and  bred,  such  caution  is  neces- 
sary; and  I  the  rather  inculcate  it,  because  I  know 
how  deeply  your  benevolent  mind  would  feel  the 
dishonour  which  a  hypocrite  or  an  apostate  would 
bring  upon  the  whole  Institution.  Yet  whilst  I  say 
this,  I  am  ready  to  welcome  every  sincere  convert, 
and  to  glorify  God  on  his  behalf.  Hoping  and  pray- 
ing that  God  wiU  prosper  all  your  labours  of  love,  I 
remain  your  very  affectionate  friend,  "  C.  S." 


To  Miss  E.  Elliott,  on  the  Study  of  Prophecy. 

"My  dear  Ellen,  "K.  C,  Feb.  19,  1830. 

"  A  thousand  thanks  to  you  for  your 
kind  letter.  There  is  a  passage  in  it  which  speaks 
volumes ;  I  will  copy  it :  '  I  can  perfectly  understand 
that  there  is  a  great  tendency  in  many  minds  to 
dwell  too  exclusively  on  prophetical  subjects,  and 
to  be  led  away  in  consequence  from  the  practical 
and  heart-searching  doctrines  of  the  Bible.'  My 
dear  Ellen,  if  your  honoured  grandfather  were  at 
yom'  side,  he  would  rise  from  his  chair,  and  with 
his  wonted  ardour  would  say,  My  dear  Ellen,  it  is 
not  from  tlie  more  ^practical  and  lieart-searchincj  doc- 
trines, &c.,  but  from  the  more  mysterious  and  fun- 
damental doctriiies  of  the  Cross  that  they  are  led 
aside ;  from  Christ  crucified  to  Christ  glorified  per- 
sonally npon  earth  :  from  the  doctrine  which  is  both 
'  the  wisdom  of  God,  and  the  power  of  God,'  to  a 
doctrine  which  is  neither  the  one  nor  the  other ;  from 
that  which  will  to  all  eternity  form,  as  it  does  already 
form,  the  great  subject  of  praise  and  adoration  in 
heaven,  to  a  doctrine,  in  wliicli  no  two  of  its  advo- 
L.  s.  u  u 


658 


UNDUE    STUDY 


cates  agree,  and  which,  as  adding  to  the  honour  of 
God,  or  the  happiness  of  the  redeemed,  does  not 
weigh  so  much  as  the  mere  dust  upon  the  balance : 
from  a  doctrine  which  humbles,  elevates,  refines  the 
soul,  and  brings  '  every  thought  into  captivity  to  the 
obedience  of  Christ,'  to  a  doctrine  which  fills  only 
wdth  vain  conceits,  intoxicates  the  imagination,  alien- 
ates the  brethren  from  each  other,  and,  by' being 
unduly  urged  upon  the  minds  of  himble  Christians,  is 
doing  the  devil's  work  by  wholesale  *. 

"Yes,  my  dear  Ellen,  it  was  by  the  cross  that 
om"  adorable  Lord  trimnphed  over  principalities  and 
powers,  and  by  the  doctrines  of  the  cross  will  He 
subdue  the  world  unto  Himself:  and  if  instead  of 
looking  to  find,  in  some  detached  passages,  what  may 
appear  to  establish  the  idea  of  the  personal  reign 
of  Christ,  you  will  read  the  Scriptures  to  see  what 
is  their  great  scope,  what  the  great  subject  of  the 
Apostolic  preaching,  and  what  the  means  of  effecting 
the  moral  revolution  WTOught  upon  mankind,  you  and 


*  It  must  not  be  supposed,  from  these  and  similar  expressions, 
that  Mr.  Simeon  discouraged  the  study  of  prophecy,  for  he  felt 
strongly  that  ^ye  "  do  well  to  take  heed  unto  it  j"  and  indeed  he 
was  himself  one  of  the  first  in  modern  times  to  call  attention  to 
the  subject.  His  sentiments  will  however  be  more  fully  seen 
from  the  following  passage  in  a  letter  to  Sir  T.  B.,  Sept.  17, 
1830. 

"My  complaint  is,  not  that  they  study  prophecy,  to  whatever 
it  may  relate  ;  but,  that  they  give  it  an  tcndue  measure  of  their 
attention,  (making  all  the  wonders  of  redemption  itself  almost 
secondary  to  their  views  of  Christ's  personal  reign  on  earth),  and 
that  they  press  this  their  favourite  subject  with  an  undue  zeal 
upon  the  attention  of  the  religious  public ;  making  (as  Mr.  D.  has 
done)  a  love  to  all  the  great  principles  of  the  Gospel  no  better 
than  idolatry  in  comparison  of  it,  and  declaring  the  reception  of 
their  views  essential  to  the  salvation  of  the  soid.'' 


OF    PROPHECY.  059 

I  shall  soon  agree.  I  have  no  objection  to  your 
believmg  the  personal  reign  of  Christ  and  his  saints : 
I  object  to  the  prominency  given  it,  and  to  its  thrust- 
ing into  the  background  all  the  wonders  of  redeeming 
love.  And  if  God  make  use  of  this  little  communica- 
tion to  shew  you,  that  unwittingly  you  have  hit  the 
very  nail,  you  will  have  reason  to  bless  God  for  it,  as 
I  also  shall  as  long  as  I  live.  But  it  is  almost  too 
much  for  me  to  hope  for.  The  devil  can  easily 
suggest,  '  Ah  !  this  is  only  an  undue  advantage  taken 
of  my  mode  of  expression :  Mr.  S.  says  nothing  but 
what  I  meant,  though  I  did  not  so  fully  express 
myself.'  To  say  the  truth,  my  dear  Ellen,  this  is  what 
I  fear,  I  think  yom-  \^sual  power  is  not  sufficiently 
clear  to  discern  the  truth  and  force  of  my  observa- 
tions. But  if  you  will  shew  them  to  dear  j\Iary,  and 
nuich  more  to  your  Mama,  they  will  be  clearly,  fully, 
and  justly  appreciated.  Your  Mama  knew  one  Henry 
Venn,  the  author  of  a  short  hymn  on  the  excellency 
of  Christ ;  and  she  knows  that  said  personage  would 
have  uttered,  only  in  ten-fold  more  forcible  language, 
every  sentiment  I  have  conveyed.  Only  get  your 
soul .  deeply  and  abidingly  impressed  with  the  doc- 
trine of  the  Cross,  and  labour  from  day  to  day  '  to 
comprehend  the  height,  and  depth,  and  length,  and 
breadth,  of  the  love  of  Christ'  displayed  in  it,  and 
everything  else  mil  soon  find  its  proper  place  in  your 
system.  That  is  all  I  want :  whether  the  personal 
reign  of  Christ  be  a  part  of  your  system  or  not,  I 
have  not  the  slightest  concern. 

"  I  think  it  highly  probable  that  there  will  be 
some  personal  manifestations  of  the  Saviour,  perhaps 
many ;  and  perhaps  like  that  on  Tabor,  or  more 
glorious  still :    and  I  have   no  objection  to  persons 

u  u  2 


6G0  ANTINOMIAN 

publishing  tlieir  sentiments  u})on  it :  but  as  a  senti- 
ment affecting  the  spiritual  advancement  of  religion 
in  the  soul,  I  account  it  little  more  than  any  other 
question  that  a  curious  and  inquisitive  mind  may 
raise.  Treat  it  as  such,  and  I  have  no  controversy 
with  you. 

"  At  the  same  hour  that  I  was  reading  your  letter, 
dear  IMary  was  reading  mine  upon  the  same  subject. 
But  I  will  not  let  mine  to  her  pass  for  an  answer  from 
me  to  you.  Your  letter  deserves  at  my  hands  the 
speediest  and  most  affectionate  acknowledgement; 
and  if  I  could  send  my  answer  quicker  than  by  return 
of  post,  you  should  have  it.  But,  in  spite  of  me,  the 
post  will  not  set  off  earlier  than  this  evening,  or  pro- 
ceed quicker  with  it  than  one  day  and  a  half,  I  shall 
be  anxious  to  know  whether  you  are  able  to  enter 
with  truly  Christian  feeling  into  my  distinctions  :  but 
none  but  God  can  give  that  discernment  so  as  to  pro- 
duce that  feeling.  But  without  any  more  than  com- 
mon friendship  to  advocate  my  cause,  I  have  no  doubt 
of  a  favourable  reception  of  my  suggestions  at  your 
hand.  Believe  me,  my  dear  Ellen,  most  affectionately 
yours,  "  C.  Simeon." 


The  Archbishop  of  Tuam  to  Mr.  Simeon. 

"  Seamount,  Galway,  June  25,  1830. 
"  My  dear  Sir, 

"  I  am  sure  you  will  freely  forgive  me 
in  venturing  to  seek  your  kind  and  most  valuable 
assistance,  upon  a  subject  of  much  importance  to  me, 
to  luy  Dioceses,  and  to  the  cause  of  ^dtal  religion, 
upon  which  I  have  been  for  some  short  time,  and 
still  am,  sorely  tried  and  afflicted. 

"  In  my  ardent  desire  to  receive  none  into  my 


MINISTERS.  C61 

Dioceses  except  such  as  I  have  a  good  hope,  and 
moral  certamty  will  prove  spiritual,  and  faithful,  and 
sound  Ministers  of  Christ,  I  have  unhappily  and  un- 
wittingly introduced  into  them  some  very  able  and 
gifted  young  men,  who  have  stumbled  upon  the  ques- 
tion, whether  or  not  the  Moral  Law  is  a  rule  of  life 
to  behevers ;  who  reject  the  law,  and  all  things  prac- 
tical in  the  Bible  in  toto  :  they  will  not  have  spiritual 
liberty,  if  carnal  liberty  be  not  added  to  it  also,  and 
they  talk  of  the  illumination  of  the  Spirit  upon  their 
minds,  without  and  independent  of  the  \mtten  Word, 
in  some  such  way  as  the  Quakers ;  except  that  the 
Spirit  which  moves  them,  leads  them  in  quite  the 
opposite  direction,  from  exceedingly  fearing  and  quak- 
ing. The  tendency  of  their  opinions  is  strongly  Anti- 
nomian,  such  as,  that  the  Decalogue,  and  together 
with  it  every  written  rule  of  conduct  for  believers, 
and  all  preceptive  religion  was  to  be  considered  as 
abolished  in  Christ,  in  whom  all  was  in  every  sense 
fulfilled ;  that  Christians  had  no  duties  to  do,  were 
under  no  manner  of  responsibility,  and  Avere  never  to 
be  reproved,  or  judged  by  any  man,  do  what  they 
may,  because  it  is  Amtten,  '  Let  no  man  judge  you  any 
more,'  &c. ;  and  'judge  nothing  before  the  time.' 
The  Spirit  alone  is  to  direct  their  consciences,  without 
the  Word,  as  to  how  they  are  to  act  under  all  circum- 
stances, and  they  are  to  keep  a  good  conscience,  not 
by  walking  outwardly  in  all  the  commandments  and 
ordinances  of  the  Lord  blameless,  and  imcardly  by 
faith  in  Christ  through  whom  is  preached  unto  us  the 
forgiveness  of  sins ;  but  they  are  to  know  no  rule  in 
any  sense,  and  therefore  they  have  no  sin  ! 

"  They  have  not  learned  to  distinguish  between 
^  the  outward  and  visible,  and  the  inward  and  spiritual 


CG2  ANTINOMIAX 

kingdom  ;  and  to  apply  the  Law  to  the  one,  and  the 
Gospel  to  the  other  :  neither  in  the  latter  kingdom  do 
they  distinguish  between  the  experience  of  the  flesh, 
which  requires  continually  to  be  shut  up  under  the 
Law  as  a  schoolmaster  unto  Christ,  and  the  experience 
of  the  Spirit,  or  of  faith,  which  is  indeed  'liberty.' 
Thus  their  system  is  partly  true  and  partly  false, 
which  makes  it  a  matter  of  much  nicety  and  some 
difficulty  to  oppose  them ;  and  they  endeavour,  very 
unfairly,  to  represent  those  who  are  only  resisting 
them  when  they  are  turning  the  grace  of  God  into 
lasciviousness,  as  denying  and  resisting  the  precious 
truth  of  the  Gospel  itself.  These  poor  men  think  they 
can  preach  the  Gospel  without  preaching  the  Law. 
say,  they  must  preach  the  Law,  unless  they  do  not 
mean  to  preach  the  Gospel.  The  Law  entered  that 
the  offence  might  abound  :  proclaim  it,  I  say,  for  this 
purpose  among  yoiu"  ungodly  congregations ;  hft  up 
your  voices  like  trumpets,  and  tell  the  people  their 
transgressions,  that  you  may  glorify  the  more  yom* 
honoured  Master,  in  proclaiming  the  infinite  riches 
and  fulness  of  His  great  salvation.  Preach  the  Law 
to  those  who  believe,  as  finished,  cancelled,  dead  for 
theu-  salvation  :  point  them  to  Immanuel,  as  holding 
it  in  His  bleeding  hand,  and  saying  to  them,  '  If  ye 
love  me,  keep  my  Commandments.*  All  tliis  they 
endeavour  to  gainsay,  and  will  never  listen  to  the 
principle  of  preaching  the  Law  at  all,  in  any  w^ay,  or 
under  any  circumstances. 

"  I  most  heartily  and  sincerely  pity  these  men, 
believing,  as  I  truly  do,  that  they  are  in  earnest ;  my 
bowels  yearn  over  them,  and  I  feel  that  I  ought  by 
all  gentle,  persuasive  means  to  endeavour  to  convince 
and  correct  them,  before  I  take  any  more  decisive 


MINISTERS.  663 

steps  with  tliem.  Thus  I  may  save  them  from  utter 
ruin,  and  keep  in  my  Dioceses  some  most  gifted  men, 
who  would  then  be  (under  God)  useful  and  valuable 
Ministers  of  Christ  Jesus. 

"  Hitherto  all  mij  poor  arguments  have  been  vain 
and  ineffectual.  I  would  now  pray  you  to  assist  me, 
and  at  your  leisure,  (if  you  ever  have  any,)  furnish  me 
with  such  arguments  as  your  experience  and  spiritual 
judgment  will  no  doubt  powerfully  suggest.  Besides 
all  I  could  and  did  adduce  from  the  holy  Scriptures 
in  opposition  to  them,  I  met  them  as  Chiu'chmen,  and 
clearly  (I  think)  proved,  that  our  Liturgy,  Articles, 
Homilies,  and  Formularies,  are  manifestly  against 
them. 

"  I  entreat  yom*  forgiveness  for  the  very  great 
liberty  I  am  taking  with  you.  I  remain,  my  dear  Sir, 
your  very  faithfid  "  Power  Tuam." 

"  Mr.  Simeon  to  the  Archbishop  of  Tuam. 

"My  Lord,  "July  2,  1830. 

"  In  answer  to  the  communication  with 
which  your  Grace  has  been  pleased  to  honour  me,  I 
beg  leave  to  say  that  I  feel  most  deeply  the  painful 
circumstances  to  which  by  reason  of  your  high  station 
in  the  Church  you  are  reduced.  That  persons  making 
a  profession  of  godliness,  and  admitted  as  the  au- 
thorized instructors  of  their  brethren,  should  adopt 
and  circulate  the  pernicious  sentiments,  which  your 
Grace  has  specified,  is  truly  lamentable ;  yet  it  does 
not  sm-prise  me ;  because  I  find  the  Apostle  Paul 
himself  warning  the  very  Elders  of  Ephesus,  who 
came  to  meet  him  at  Miletus,  and  to  receive  his  vale- 
dictory address,  that  '  even  of  their  ownselves  would 
some  arise  speaking  perverse  things,  to  di'aw  away 


6G4  ANTINOMIAN 

disciples  after  tliem.'  Nor  when  I  see  how  awfully 
Peter  and  Barnabas  were  turned  aside,  do  I  wonder 
that  even  good  men  should,  through  the  devices  of 
Satan,  become  his  instruments  for  the  difFusina:  of 
the  most  grievous  errors.  In  fact,  we  are  taught 
to  expect,  especially  in  seasons  when  the  Gospel  is 
propagated  with  more  than  ordinary  effect,  that,  if 
good  seed  be  soAvn  by  the  servants  of  the  Most  High, 
the  enemy  -^-ill  not  fail  to  sow  tares  amongst  it :  and 
I  am  not  sm^e,  but  that  the  zeal  which  your  Grace 
exercises  for  the  enlargement  of  the  Redeemer's  king- 
dom, is  the  very  occasion  of  Satan's  more  strenuous 
efforts  to  counteract  you. 

"As  to  the  particular  system  which  your  erring 
Clergy  embrace,  if  system  it  may  be  called,  it  is  pre- 
cisely that  which  may  be  expected  to  prevail  amongst 
young  men  blinded  by  conceit  and  vanity.  It  agrees 
very  much  with  what  was  a  few  years  ago  adopted  by 
some  amongst  us,  who  called  themselves  seceders  ; 
who,  under  an  idea  of  exalting  Christ  and  His  Gospel, 
maintained  doctrines  altogether  subvei'sive  of  the 
Gospel.  In  their  own  conduct  indeea  they  were 
generally  pretty  correct,  as  I  suppose  yom*s  are  also ; 
but  the  scope  of  then'  tenets  was  to  lidl  men  asleep 
in  sin  :  and  such  persons,  if  they  possess  a  good 
measure  of  fluency  and  confidence,  are  sm'e  to  gain 
admirers  and  followers  in  every  place.  If  they  woidd 
listen  to  reason  or  Scripture,  they  might  be  easily 
made  to  see  the  erroneousuess  of  their  views :  but 
they  are  deaf  to  counsel  of  any  kind ;  nor  will  they 
regard  authority  -.  they  even  make  the  efforts  of  others 
to  reclaim  them  an  occasion  of  augmented  zeal  in 
propagating  their  errors.  What  to  add  to  the  argu- 
ments which  your  Grace  has  adduced  for  their  con« 


MINISTERS.  665 

victioii,  I  know  not ;  and  more  especially  wlien  they 
set  at  nought  their  own  subscription  to  the  formu- 
laries of  our  Church.  The  only  thought  that  occurs 
to  me  is,  to  put  into  their  hands  some  little  treatise 
which  may  correct  their  views.  I  have  myself  printed 
in  my  Appendix  to  my  Horce  Homileticce  some  Ser- 
mons, which,  as  one  of  the  Select  Preachers,  1  delivered 
before  the  University  upon  the  Law  and  the  Gospel. 
Those  on  the  Law  go  over  the  ground  which  these 
Ministers  have  so  grievously  forsaken.  They  contain 
an  answer  to  that  question,  '  Wherefore  then  serveth 
the  Law  ?'  ....  Hoping  that  they  might  be  useful,  as 
containing  in  a  short  space  what  must  elsewhere  be 
looked  for  in  many  volumes,  I  printed  off  some  for 
presents  :  and  I  humbly  intreat  your  Grace's  accept- 
ance of  a  few  copies,  to  lend  or  give  to  any  who  may  be 
walling  to  read  them.  Your  Grace  will  judge  whether 
they  are  at  all  likely  to  counteract  the  evil  which  you 
are  so  justly  desirous  to  arrest  in  its  com-se  :  and  if 
you  should  wish  for  more  of  them,  I  shall  account  it 
an  honom^  and  a  happiness  to  forward  to  your  Grace 
a  dozen  copies  for  distribution  amongst  your  Clergy. 

"I  send  this  as  a  hasty  line  in  answer  to  your 
Grace's  letter;  but  if  anything  fiu'ther  shoidd  occur 
to  me,  I  shall  take  the  liberty  to  address  your  Grace 
again.  Perhaps  a  statement  of  truth,  in  a  didactic 
rather  than  in  a  controversial  form,  might  find  a  readier 
access  to  the  minds  of  these  deluded  men  :  or  perhaps, 
as  not  meeting  their  views  or  obviating  their  objec- 
tions, they  would  only  pour  contempt  upon  it.  If 
your  Grace  should  see  occasion  to  honour  me  with 
any  further  communication,  I  shall  be  glad  to  know 
your  Grace's  views  and  wishes  on  this  subject." 


066  THE    EVIL    CHECKED. 

The  Archbishop's  reply. 

''  My  dear  Sir,  «  Seamount,  July  19,  1830. 

"Your  valuable  Sermons  upon  the  Law 
and  the  Gospel,  which  you  were  so  good  as  to  send 
me,  I  have  frequently  had  recourse  to  in  my  gentle 
controversy  with  my  poor  erring  Clergy,  and  I  feel 
and  trust,  not  without  a  salutary  result. 

"  I  have  not  more  than  four  or  five  persons  in  my 
Diocese  of  this  description  ;  and  in  truth,  they  are 
unexceptionable  in  their  conduct,  and  I  should  humbly 
hope  that  the  Lord  will  direct  them  in  the  true  way 
of  exalting  Him  and  Llis  Gospel,  and  teach  them 
to  propagate  its  sacred  truths  to  the  glory  of  His 
holy  Name,  and  the  souls'  health  of  their  hearers. 

"  I  have  satisfaction  in  saying  to  you  that  the 
plague  is  stayed;  it  is  not  advancing  nor  spreading 
beyond  those  few  who  were  originally  infected  by  it, 
and  I  have  cheering  report  of  the  modesty,  the  humi- 
lity, and  patience  (under  the  efforts  and  instruction  of 
pious  brethren  to  reclaim  them  and  restore  them  to 
their  senses),  that  they  have  manifested. 

"  I  am  grateful  for  the  kind  manner  in  which  you 
have  permitted  me  to  impose  so  much  trouble  upon 
you.  The  Lord  be  with  you.  Amen.  Your  very 
much  obliged  and  faithful  "  Power  Tuam." 


To  the  Rev.  Daniel  Wilson*. 

«  King's  College,  Dec.  22,  1830. 
"  My  beloved  friend  and  Brother, 

"  There  is  a  spring  in  my  heart,  which  at 
the  slightest  touch  of  your  finger  is  ready  to  fly  up, 
and  strike  a  note  equivalent  to — Yes.  But  there 
is  a  consciousness  in  my  frame  which  holds  it  down 

*  The  Bishop  of  Calcutta. 


IMPAIRED    HEALTH.  667 

in  despite  of  all  my  most  elastic  volitions.  I  have 
a  consciousness  that  company  and  bustle  are  no 
longer  suited  to  me ;  and  that  public  exercises  must 
be  confined  to  my  own  little  sphere.  I  am  reduced  to 
preach  only  once  in  the  day,  and  twice  in  the  week ; 
and  if  I  have  preached  with  energy,  which  through  the 
goodness  of  God  I  am  yet  enabled  to  do,  I  am  scarcely 
able  to  walk  to  the  vestry,  but  totter  and  stagger  like 
a  drunken  man.  The  two  last  times  that  I  adminis- 
tered the  Lord's  Supper  after  preaching,  I  was  con- 
strained to  sit  dming  a  part  of  the  Service,  and  the 
last  two  Sacraments  I  judged  it  best  to  devolve  the 
duty  wholly  on  my  Assistant.  Not  but  that  I  have 
still  such  energy,  that  if  necessity  arose,  I  could  with- 
out a  miracle  rise  up  as  vigorously  as  Miss  Fancourt, 
and  still  shew  myself  a  man.  And  if  there  be  a  voice 
in  the  universe  that  would  inspire  me  with  that 
vigour,  it  is  yours  :  for  my  whole  soul  is  with  you. 
Yet  the  question  is — Does  such  a  necessity  exist  at 
this  moment,  that,  in  the  month  of  January,  I  should 
leave  my  home,  and  go  into  a  party  for  which  I  am  so 
unfit,  and  engage  in  a  service  for  which  I  am  so  ill 
qualified  ?  And  that  cold,  hateful  thing  called  judg- 
ment answers.  No.  Were  such  an  answer  capable  of 
calling  my  brotherly  regards  into  question,  this  paper 
would  not  suffice  to  hold  the  Yes,  yes,  yesses,  that 
would  be  written.  But  I  am  not  afraid  of  any  such 
construction  as  that ;  and  therefore  I  force  my  pen  to 
write  the  hateful  word.  No;  but  with  many  many 
thanks  for  your  kind  invitation."  .  .  . 

To  the  SAME.  «  K.  C.,  May  18,  1831. 

I  was  only  half-disposed  to  forgive 


for  preaching  so  long  a  sermon,  which  I  have  under- 
stood occupied  an  hour  and  a-half,  or  three-quarters. 


668  WRITING    FORCIBLY. 

When  I  heard  it  I  sighed  deeply,  fearing  lest  the 
Church  should  be  deprived  of  his  labours  for  months, 
or  probably  for  years  to  come.  I  hope  that  God  in 
His  mercy  has  averted  that.  But  observe,  I  only  half  • 
forgive  him.  .  .  .  And  now  would  you  believe  that  I, 
after  giving  such  a  lecture,  am  going  to  attempt  twice 
a-day  for  three  or  four  months  after  Sunday  next? 
But  Mr.  C.  is  about  to  leave  me  for  that  time,  in  order 
to  plead  the  cause  of  the  Chm'ch  Missionary  Society, 
and  therefore  I  seem  called  to  it.  To  me,  as  to  you, 
health  and  life  are  of  no  value  but  for  the  Lord  :  and 
both  of  us  are  alike  ready  to  sacrifice  one  or  both  for 
the  Lord.  But  still  I  shall  be  as  cautious  as  I  can  be, 
and  will  endeavom-  to  stop  in  time,  if  I  find  that  I  am 
sinking. 

*'  But  now,  after  this  lecture,  let  me  thank  you  for 
your  present.  Let  me  say  also  that  both  in  the  Ser- 
mons on ,  and  in  this  on ,  he  has  shewn  an 

improvement  in  his  style  of  writhig.  He  used  to  be 
grievously  loaded  in  almost  every  part  of  his  writings. 
He  was  not  content  to  say  what  should  elucidate  the 
subject,  but  accumulated  in  every  part  what  tended 
only  to  load  and  to  obscm-e  it.  I  have  been  delighted 
to  find  that  he  is  correcting  this  fault.  The  perfection 
of  writing  is,  to  communicate  our  ideas  clearly,  for- 
cibly, impressively.  Paley  in  his  latter  writings  ex- 
ceedinglv  sm-]3assed  Palev  in  his  earlier  works.  We 
should  be  content  to  express  om'selves  clearly  and 
forcibly,  without  loading  om-  statements  with  ten 
members  of  a  sentence,  when  four  will  suffice  to  convey 
all  that  a  hearer  or  reader  can  receive. 

"  I  am  an  impudent  fellow,  as  you  have  long 
known  ;  but  I  think  you  know  my  deliberate  and  ha- 
bitual plan,  which  is,  not  to  condemn  anything  strongly, 
till  I  can  have  an  opportunity  of  putting  in  contrast 


PROMISING    MONEY.  669 

with  it  what  must  of  necessity  be  commended  and 
admired.  And  then  I  am  not  afraid  of  appearing  to 
indulge  a  vain,  proud,  conceited,  censorious  disposi- 
tion. Love  breaks  through  the  veil,  and  shews  itself 
to  be  the  dominant  principle  in  every  word  I  say, 

"  Long,  my  beloved  Brother,  may  your  health  be 
spared  to  advocate  the  cause  which  is  so  dear  to  both 
,  our  hearts,  and  may  God  pour  out  more  and  more 
His  blessing  upon  your  own  soul,  and  the  souls  of 
all  around  you.  Believe  me,  in  despite  of  all  my 
impudence, 

.    ''Your  most  truly  affectionate  brother  in  the  Lord, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


To  a  Friend  who  solicited  aid  for  the  enlars-ement 
of  his  Church, 

"My  dear  Sir,  "  K.  C,  Camb.,  Dec.  1,  183L 

"  You  are  fond  of  parables,  and  shall  have 
one.  A.  B.  was  once  well  clothed  himself,  and  could 
give  away  clothing  to  others.  At  last  his  means  were 
reduced  {/tow,  it  is  needless  to  say) ;  but  still  he  was 
comfortably  clad  himself,  and  hoped  to  keep  himself 
warm  all  the  winter.  But  in  October  C.  D.,  a  friend 
of  his,  comes  to  him  with  a  piteous  tale,  and  prevails 
on  him  to  give  him  his  coat ;  another  person  having 
only  a  week  before  obtained  from  him  his  waistcoat 
and  his  stockings.  Li  December  the  aforesaid  C.  D. 
comes  with  another  piteous  tale  about  his  sad  state  of 
destitution  and  incapacity  to  obtain  relief;  and,  to 
make  his  story  good,  says  he  hopes  others  will  provide 
him  with  a  pau"  of  small  clothes  and  possibly  too  a 
pair  of  shoes,  and  all  he  w^ants  is  onlj/  a  shirt ;  and  he 
hopes  that  his  friend  A,  B.  will  not  refuse  him  so  small 
a  boon.  Now  what  is  A,  B.  to  do?  Winter  is 
coming,  and  he  is  at  this  moment  sitting  by  a  fire 


670  ON    RECEIVING 

scarcely  large  enoiigli  to  roast  a  sparrow.  He  is  averse 
to  refuse  his  friend  anvthins^,  and  therefore  he  savs 
that  provided  £700  be  actually  expended  on  the  pro- 
posed alterations,  and  c€600  be  actually  subscribed 
from  other  quarters,  he  will  give  £100,  though  he  go 
shirtless  all  the  year.  But  hond  fide  £700  must  be 
expended  in  the  way  proposed,  and  £600  must  be 
already  provided  towards  that  expenditure ;  and  on 
these  conditions  only,  and  faitltfuJly  fulfilled,  will  so 
much  as  a  wristband  of  his  shirt  be  given. 

"  My  work  at  St.  Mary's  is  finished ;  and  my  Ser- 
mons *  will  be  out  by  the  time  you  receive  this  letter. 
A  petition  signed  by  almost  300  has  brought  them 
forth.  Most  aff'ectionately  yours,     "  C.  S." 


On  receiving  an  exorbitant  Bill. 
"  My  dear  Sir,  «  K.  C.,  Camb.,  Aug.  23,  1831. 

"  Friendship  alone  dictates  what  I  am  about 
to  write.  It  is  much  to  be  lamented  that  you  should 
entrust  yom'  reputation  to  a  clerk,  who  has  sought, 
without  any  regard  to  honour,  to  ingratiate  himself 
Avith  you  at  my  expense.  Dream  what  he  will,  and 
conjure  up  what  he  will,  he  can  never  put  on  paper 
what  on  examination  shall  exceed  my  highest  estimate. 
Were  I  to  feel  other  than  the  cUctates  of  friendship,  I 
should  await  still  longer  his  attempt,  and  then  expose 
its  futility.  But  you  personally  had  nothing  to  do 
with  it ;  and  therefore  to  you  personally  I  discharge 
the  debt  of  friendship,  and  tell  you  beforehand  what 
will  be  my  statement  either  to  Arbitrators,  of  in  a 
Court  of  Law. 

"1.  From   the   first   moment  that  I   transacted 


*  On  the  Offices  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  from  Rom.  viii.  9. 
Preached  in  November,  1831.  This  was  his  last  course  before 
the  University. 


AN   UNJUST    BILL.  671 

business  with  you,  I  never  ceased  to  importune  and 
press  a  settlement  of  our  account.  This  has  been  my 
habit  with  everijhody  for  above  fifty  years. 

"2.  If  on  my  first  demand  of  a  settlement,  you 
had  made  the  first  charge  in  your  account,  I  should 
have  made  my  bow,  and  you  would  have  seen  my  face 
no  more.  In  you  as  a  man  of  honoiu'  I  sought  refuge 
from ,  and  I  never  dreamed  of  realizing  the  pro- 
verb, of  leaping  out  of  the  fryingpan  into  the  fire. 

"  3.  I  have  all  the  bills  of ,  and  they  would 

exhibit  a  fearful  contrast  to  the  charges  of  your  clerk. 

"  My  own  journal  and  ledger  (kept  in  the  way  of 
double-entry  so  accurately,  that,  when  but  one  penny 
difference  was  once  found  between  them,  and  after 
long  search  by  a  very  accurate  man  the  penny  was 
found  out,  I  rewarded  him  instantly  with  twenty 
pounds  *,)  will,  with  my  banker's  book,  prove  the  sums 
that  I  have  paid  you,  and  I  have  in  one  instance  your 


*  The  details  of  this  incident  Avere  on  more  than  one  occasion 
mentioned  to  the  Editor  both  by  Mr.  Simeon  and  the  person 
employed  as  his  Accountant.  The  -svhole  circumstance  is  truly 
characteristic  of  Mr.  Simeon.  It  was  observed  in  the  early  part 
of  the  Memoir  that  he  was  remarkably  careful  and  exact  in  the 
mode  of  keeping  his  accounts ;  and  to  ensure  all  possible  accuracy, 
as  well  as  to  prevent  or  detect  errors,  he  not  only  kept  his  Journal 
and  Ledger  m  a  way  of  double  entry,  but  had  them  regularly 
balanced  by  an  experienced  person  at  three  diiferent  periods  of 
the  year.  On  one  of  these  occasions  an  error  was  observed,  to  the 
amount  however  of  but  one  jjenny.  This  exceedingly  annoyed 
Mr.  Simeon,  and  after  some  days  of  fruitless  search  to  discover  the 
mistake,  he  insisted  on  the  Accountant  taking  away  with  him  the 
books,  and  never  remitting  his  efforts  till  he  had  detected  the 
error. — 'There!  make  it  out  for  me,  cost  what  it  will; — I'll  not 
have  my  books  wrong  even  by  a  2)enni/—m.sike  it  out  for  me  you 
shall — and  I'll  give  you  twenty  pounds!'  After  much  laborious 
investigation  the  error  was  discovered.  Great  was  Mr.  Simeon's 
delight  when  the  balance  was  at  length  brought  out  correctly ;  and 
he  instantly  gave  a  check  for  the  twenty  pounds. 


072  SETTLING    A    BILL. 

own  receipt  for  £50  that  is  charged  again.  These  are 
some  of  the  documents  which  I  should  produce  in 
refutation  and  condemnation  of  the  charges  sent  me 
by  your  clerk.  And  I  inform  you  of  them,  that  you 
may  not  be  led  to  do  anything  injurious  to  your  own 
honour,  by  a  vain  attempt  to  establish  the  grossly- 
erroneous  charges  of  your  clerk. 

"  You  may  see  by  my  offer  to  meet  you  half-way 
I  am  not  pressing  things  as  I  well  might.  I  wish  to 
settle  the  business  honourably  and  liberally,  and  there- 
fore I  once  more  renew  my  offer  contained  in  my  last : 
and  if  that  be  not  accepted,  I  desire  to  have  your 
account  without  delay. 

"  With  any  one  but  you,  who  knew  my  views  and 
always  expressed  a  desire  to  aid  them,  I  would  not,  if 
I  could  possibly  have  helped  it,  have  gone  a  second 
step,  till  I  had  settled  fully  and  finally  for  the  first. 
But  I  felt  that  I  was  dealing  with  a  man  of  honour ; 
and  therefore,  though  anxious  to  be  out  of  debt,  I  had 
no  more  apprehension  of  being  so  treated,  than  I  had 
of  being  thrown  into  jail.  It  is  your  clerk,  and  not 
you,  that  I  blame  ;  except  indeed  I  think  it  unwise  to 
expose  yourself  in  such  a  way  to  the  gross  (1  hope  not 
wilful)  errors  of  one,  for  whom  in  strictness  you  are 
responsible.     From  the  time  that  I  determined  not  to 

purchase I  have  returned  to  my  former  habit 

(as  far  as  my  reduced  means  would  allow  me)  of 
relieving  my  brethren  ;  and  I  have  actually  made 
eno:ao;ements  to  a  considerable  extent.  And  now  till 
I  have  settled  with  you,  I  am  quite  embarrassed,  and 
forced  to  refuse  every  one  that  appHes  to  me.  An 
immediate  answer  will  oblige 

"  Your  very  affectionate,  but  I  must  still  say, 
"  Your  oppressed  Friend, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


MR.  J.  J.   GURXEY.  C73 

As  we  have  already  had  a  view  of  IMr.  Simeon  in 
one  of  his  weekly  tea-parties  of  Undergraduates*;  it 
may  not  be  uninteresting  to  observe  him  on  an  ordi- 
nary occasion,  famiharly  conversing  with  a  select  party 
of  endeared  friends.  Those  wdio  w^ere  best  acquainted 
with  him  will  at  once  recognize  the  fidelity  of  the 
following  lively  sketch,  which  has  been  draAvn  by  one 
who  was  especially  beloved  and  honoured  by  IMr. 
Simeon,  the  late  lamented  J.  J.  Gurney,  Esq.,  of 
Earlham. 

Memoranda  of  an  Afternoon  spent  at 
Cambridge,  April,  1831. 

"  After  orderliif  dinner  we  sallied  forth  for  a  walk:  hut 
first  sent  a  note  to  our  dear  friend  Charles  Simeon,  to  propose 
spending  part  of  the  evening  with  him.  While  we  were 
absent  from  the  inn,  there  arrived  a  small  characteristic  note, 
hastily  written  by  him  in  pencil, — '  Yes,  yes,  yes, — Come 
immediately  and  dine  with  me.'  Simeon  has  the  warm  and 
eager  manners  of  a  foreigner,  with  an  English  heart  beneath 
them.  He  is  full  of  love  towards  all  who  love  his  Master, 
and  a  faithful  sympathizing  friend  to  those  who  have  the 
privilege  of  sharing  in  his  more  intimate  aifections.  To  all 
around  him,  whether  religious  or  Avorldly,  he  is  kind  and 
courteous  ;  and  by  this  means,  as  well  as  by  the  weight  of  his 
character,  he  has  gradually  won  a  popularity  at  Cambridge, 
which  now  seems  to  triumph  over  all  prejudice  and  persecu- 
tion. He  is  upwards  of  seventy  years  of  age — but  his  eye 
is  not  dim — his  joints  not  stiffened — his  intellect  not  ob- 
scured. His  mind,  lips,  eyes,  and  hands  move  along  together 
in  unison.  And  singularly  pliable  and  rapid  is  he  both  in 
his  mental  and  bodily  movements — quick  to  utter  what  he 
feels,  and  to  act  what  be  utters.  His  conversation  abounds 
in  illustrations,  and  while  all  his  thoughts  and  words  run  in 
the  channel  of  religion,  he  clothes  them  with  brightness,  and 
entertainment;  and  men,  women,  and  even  children,  are  con- 
strained to  listen.     It  is  not  however  the  ear  alone  which  he 

*  See  pp.  648—6-54. 
L.  S.  XX 


C74  AN  evening's 

engages ;  while  his  conversation  penetrates  that  organ  even 
when  uttered  in  its  lowest  key — so  distinct  are  his  whispers 
— the  eye  is  imraoveably  fixed  on  his  countenance,  which 
presents  an  object  of  vision  peculiarly  grotesque  and 
versatile,  and  at  the  same  time  affecting.  Nor  are  his  hands 
nnwatched  by  the  observer,  while  they  beat  time  to  the 
ever- varying  emotions  of  his  mind. 

Simeon.  '  I  preach  to  the  people  with  my  tongue,  my 
eyes,  and  my  hands ;  and  the  people  receive  what  I  say 
with  their  ears,  their  eyes,  and  their  mouths.' 

We  declined  his  invitation  to  dinner,  and  had  no  inten- 
tion of  intruding  upon  him  before  the  evening ;  but  as  we 
Avere  walkino;  near  Kino-'s  Colleg-e,  we  heard  a  loud  halloo 
behind  us,  and  jn-esently  saw  our  aged  friend,  forgetful  of  the 
gout,  dancing  over  the  lawn  to  meet  us.  Although  the  said 
lawn  is  forbidden  ground,  except  to  the  Fellows  of  the  Col- 
lege, we  could  not  do  otherwise  than  transgi-ess  the  law  on 
such  an  occasion  ;  and  our  hands  were  soon  clasped  in  his 
with  all  the  warmth  of  mutual  friendship.  He  then  became 
our  guide  and  led  us  through  several  of  the  Colleges.  .  ,  . 

We  were  soon  afterwards  talkino;  of  the  crude  zeal  of 
many  persons  in  the  present  day,  who  lose  their  balance 
in  religion,  and  seem  to  drive  up  the  Church  of  Christ 
into  a  narrow  corner.  This  led  us  to  think  of  the  wisdom 
which  is  without  partiality. 

Simeon.  '  I  have  long  pursued  the  study  of  Scripture 
with  a  desire  to  be  impartial.  I  call  myself  neither  a  pre- 
destinarian  nor  an  anti-predestinarian,  but  I  commit  myself 
to  the  teaching  of  the  inspired  writing,  whatever  complexion 
it  may  assume.  In  the  beginning  of  my  inquiries  I  said  to 
myself,  I  am  a  fool ;  of  that  I  am  quite  certain.  One  thing 
I  know  assuredly,  that  in  religion,  of  myself,  I  know 
nothing.  I  do  not  therefore  sit  down  to  the  perusal  of 
Scripture  in  order  to  impose  a  sense  on  the  inspired 
writers ;  but  to  receive  one,  as  they  give  it  me.  I  pretend 
not  to  teach  them,  I  wish  like  a  child  to  be  taught  by 
them.  When  I  come  to  a  text  which  speaks  of  election, 
I  delight  myself  in  the  doctrine  of  election.  When  the 
Apostles  exhort  me  to  repentance  and  obedience,  and  indi- 
cate my  freedom  of  choice  and  action,  I  give  myself  up  to 


CONVERSATION.  675 

that  side  of  the  question.  Don't  you  know,  my  dear 
brother,  that  the  wheels  of  your  watch  move  in  opposite 
directions?   Yet  they  are  all  tending  to  one  result?'  .... 

If  Christians  universally  adopted  this  principle  of  our 
friend's,  this  '  new  discovery'  as  I  ventured  to  call  it,  how 
quickly  would  it  terminate  controversy,  and  put  an  end  to 
polemical  bitterness.  We  should  all  be  brought  into  har- 
mony of  faith  and  doctrine  !  In  the  mean  time,  however, 
it  is  much  to  be  lamented  that  Christians  should  judge  one 
another 

"\Ye  now  reached  the  new  Hall  of  King's,  just  as  the 
dinner  was  awaiting  him,  '  You  see  I  have  taken  leave  of 
the  gout,""  said  he  merrily,  as  he  leaped  up  the  steps 

As  we  were  enjoying  our  cup  of  tea,  our  dear  friend 
continued  to  converse  in  his  own  peculiar  manner.  We 
were  speaking  of  the  importance  of  vuiiversal  kindness. 

Simeon.  '  I  am  sorry  when  I  hear  a  religious  person 
say.  The  world  insults  me— therefore  I  will  insult  the  world. 
They  speak  evil  of  me,  and  deride  me,  and  mock  me  :  it  is 
with  better  reason  that  I  do  the  same  towards  them.  My 
dear  brother,  I  should  say  to  such  a  man.  You  are  quite  in 
error;  should  you  see  a  poor  maniac  knocking  his  head 
against  a  wall,  and  beating  out  his  bi-ains,  you  would  not  be 
angry  with  him,  however  he  might  taunt  you.  You  would 
pity  him  from  your  very  soul :  you  would  direct  all  your 
energies  to  save  him  from  destruction !  A  serious  Christian 
comes  to  me  and  says,  'I  want  an  evidence  that  all  is  right 
with  me.'  '  Well,  my  brother,  what  kind  of  evidence  will 
please  you  ?  Do  you  require  a  voice  from  heaven  ?'  '  Why 
no — I  must  not  expect  such  a  thing.'  '  Do  you  look  for  an 
internal  revelation  communicated  by  special  favour  ?'  '  I 
hardly  dare  expect  it.'  '  Well,  you  shall  soon  have  an 
evidence.  When  the  early  disciples  were  persecuted,  and 
bi'ought  before  kings  and  governors  for  Christ's  sake,  it  was 
to  turn  to  a  testimony  for  them.  So  it  will  be  with  you  : 
the  world  will  mock  and  trample  on  you  :  a  man  shall  come 
and  (as  it  were)  slap  you  on  the  face.  You  rub  your  face, 
and  say.  This  is  strange  work  ;  I  like  it  not.  Sir.  Never 
mind,  I  say.  This  is  your  evidence :  it  turns  to  you  for  a 
testimony.     If  you  were  of  the  world,  the   world  would 

X  X  2 


676  AN  evening's 

love  Its  own  ;  but  now  you  are  not  of  the  world,  therefore 
the  world  hateth  you. 

'  Many  years  ago,  when  I  was  an  object  of  much  con- 
tempt and  derision  in  this  University,  I  strolled  forth  one 
day  buffeted  and  afflicted  with  my  little  Testament  in  my 
hand.  I  prayed  earnestly  to  my  God,  that  He  would  com- 
fort me  with  some  cordial  from  his  word,  and  that  on 
opening  the  book  I  might  find  some  text  which  should  sus- 
tain me.  It  was  not  for  direction  that  I  was  looking,  for  I 
am  no  friend  to  such  superstitions  as  the  sortes  VirgiliancB, 
but  only  for  support.  I  thought  I  would  turn  to  the  Epi- 
stles, where  I  should  most  easily  find  some  precious  promise; 
but  my  book  was  upside  down,  so  without  intending  it  I 
opened  on  the  Gospels.  The  first  text  which  caught  my  eye 
was  this,  "  They  found  a  man  of  Cyrene,  Simon  by  name  ; 
him  they  compelled  to  bear  his  Cross."  You  know  Simon 
is  the  same  name  as  Simeon.  What  a  word  of  instruction 
"was  here— ^what  a  blessed  hint  for  my  encouragement !  To 
have  the  Cross  laid  upon  me,  that  I  might  bear  it  after 
Jesus — what  a  privilege  !  It  was  enough.  Now  I  could 
leap  and  sing  for  joy  as  one  whom  Jesus  Avas  honouring 
with  a  pai'ticipation  in  his  sufferings  *.' 

We  spoke  of  his  having  gradually  surmounted  perse- 
cution, and  of  his  being  now  so  popular,  that  nearly  120 
Freshmen  were  lately  introduced  to  him.  He  ascribed  the 
abatement  of  prejudice  to  his  twenty  volumes  of  Sermons, 
in  which  no  one  could  find  anything  heretical.  I  attriljuted 
it  (I  believe  Avith  greater  justice)  to  his  kindness  and 
courtesv,  and  to  the  force  of  truth. 

Simeon.  '  In  the  interi^retation  of  Scripture,  especially 
in  the  Christian  ministry,  we  must  always  consider  what  the 
words  imply,  as  Avell  as  what  they  express.  Suppose  a 
worldly  man  in  conversation  to  call  Christ  our  Saviour. 
My  dear  Sir,  I  should  say  to  him,  do  you  know  what  that 
term  Implies?  Are  you  aware,  that  by  using  it  you  virtually 


*  Relating  this  on  another  occasion,  Mr.  Simeon  added : — 'And 
when  I  read  that,  I  said,  Lord,  lay  it  on  mo,  lay  it  on  me ;  I  will 
gladly  bear  the  Cross  for  Thy  sake.  And  I  henceforth  bound 
persecution  as  a  wreath  of  glory  round  my  brow  !'     Ed. 


CONVERSATION.  G77 

declare  that  you  are  yourself  a  miserable  sinuer,  and  that 
without  Christ  you  are  eternally  lost  ?'  When  we  reverted 
to  the  subject  of  suffering  for  Christ's  sake,  he  said,  '  My 
doar  brother,  we  must  not  mind  a  little  suffering.  When  I 
am  getting  through  a  hedge,  if  my  head  and  shoulders  are 
safely  through,  I  can  bear  the  pricking  of  my  legs.  Let 
us  rejoice  in  the  remembrance  that  our  holy  Head  has  sur- 
mounted all  His  sufferings  and  triumphed  over  death.  Let 
us  follow  Him  patiently ;  we  shall  soon  be  partakers  of 
His  victory  *.' 

On  looking  at  a  pamphlet  which  he  gave  me,  and 
which  he  had  just  rendered  more  valuable  by  an  affection- 
ate inscription,  I  happened  to  make  a  remark  on  the  strength 
and  clearness  of  his  handwriting. 

Simeon.     '  The  Bishop  of sometimes  writes  to 

me,  but  vain  are  my  attempts  to  decipher  his  letters.  I 
said  to  him  one  day.  Your  Lordship  affords  me  a  new  light 
on  a  very  singular  passage  of  Scripture.  '  Grudge  not  one 
against  another,  brethren.'  (James  v.  9.  jtn)  o-rEvo^trE.) 
What  can  be  meant  by  grudging  one  against  another?  I 
believe  the  word  ought  to  l^e  rendered  grumbling,  or  that 
it  may  even  mean  grunting.  I  take  your  Lordship's  letter 
in  my  hand,  I  try  to  read  a  sentence.  I  am  foiled,  I  try 
again,  I  grunt — I  throw  the  letter  down  and  my  feelings 
are  a  mixture  of  disappointment,  vexation,  and  despair.' 

*  Mr.  Simeon  writes  on  a  kindred  subject  in  his  Diary  : — 
"  The  occurrences  of  almost  every  day  shew  me  what  cause 
1  have  to  bless  and  adore  God  for  enabling  me  to  adopt  and  carry 
into  effect  a  very  simple  principle  which  brings  the  sweetest  peace 
into  my  soul.  It  is  this  :  A  man  strikes  me  Avith  a  sword,  and 
inflicts  a  wound.  Suppose,  instead  of  binding  up  the  wound,  I  am 
shewing  it  to  every  body ;  and,  after  it  has  been  bound  up,  I 
am  taking  off  the  bandage  continually  and  examining  the  depth 
of  the  wound  and  making  it  to  fester,  till  my  limb  becomes  greatly 
inflamed,  and  my  general  health  is  materially  affected  ;  is  there  a 
person  in  the  world  that  would  not  call  me  a  fool  ?  Now  such  a 
fool  is  he,  who,  by  dwelling  upon  little  injuries,  or  insults,  or 
provocations,  causes  them  to  agitate  and  inflame  his  mind.  How 
much  better  were  it  to  put  a  bandage  over  the  wound,  and  never 
look  at  it  again." 


C78  AN  evening's 

It  was  impossible  not  to  laugli  heartily  at  the  story,  and 
even  a  little  girl  was  greatly  tickled  by  the  doleful  visage 
and  expressive  grunts  of  the  narrator.  But  the  train  of 
serious  thought  and  conversation  was  not  long  inter- 
ruj)ted. 

Simeon.  '  I  could  say  to  a  Christian  friend — I  can  tell 
you  what  is  perfect  religion.  Can  you  indeed  ?  Surely  it 
can  be  no  easy  matter  to  define  it.  I  will  do  it,  my  brother, 
in  a  few  simple  words :  perfect  religion  is  to  the  soul,  what 
the  soul  is  to  the  body.  The  soul  animates  the  whole  per- 
son; it  sees  through  the  eye — hears  through  the  ear — ■ 
tastes  throu2;h  the  mouth — handles  through  the  hands — 
talks  through  the  tongue — reflects  through  the  brain.  The 
whole  body  is  moved  and  regulated  by  an  impulse  from 
within.  Let  religion  take  full  possession  of  the  soul,  and 
it  will  be  found  to  actuate  all  its  movements,  and  direct  all 
its  powers.  There  will  be  no  violent  efforts,  no  stiffness, 
no  awkwardness.  All  will  be  natural  and  easy  ;  an  unseen 
and  gentle  influence  will  pervade  the  whole  mind  and  regu- 
late the  whole  conduct ;  and  thus  the  creature  will  gradu- 
ally become  conformed  to  the  image  of  his  Creator.  This, 
my  brother,  is  perfect  religion.'  We  had  afterwards  some 
interestino;  conversation  on  the  rio-ht  method  to  be  aimed 
at,  in  the  exercise  of  the  Christian  Ministry.  Although  he 
and  I  have  been  accustomed  to  such  different  views  in 
relation  to  this  subject,  I  was  glad  to  listen  to  him,  and  felt 
that  there  was  much  in  the  hints  he  gave  me,  which  it 
would  be  well  for  Friends  as  well  as  others  to  observe. 

Simeon.  '  When  I  compose  a  sermon,  I  take  a  single 
text,  and  consider  the  main  subject  to  which  it  relates  as  the 
Avarp.  The  peculiar  language  in  which  it  is  couched  sup- 
plies me  with  the  woof.  The  series  of  ci'oss-threads  with 
Avhich  I  weave  the  subject  may  be  handled  in  various  ways. 
You  may  take  it  up  by  the  right-hand  corner,  or  by  the 
left-hand  corner,  or  by  a  projection  in  the  middle  *.  But 
you  must  never  wander  beyond  its  true  limits,  you  must 
not  patch  up  your  text  by  borrowing  any  extraneous  ideas 
from  other  passages  of  Scripture.     The  ancients  used  to 

*  While  he  said  this  he  was  handling  a  little  parcel  on  the 
table,  bv  way  of  illustration. 


CONVERSATION.  679 

say,  '  There  is  a  man  in  every  stone.'  Choose  your  stone 
— chisel  away  its  outer  covering — and  keep  to  the  man 
which  you  find  in  it.  Canova  Avould  have  regarded  it  as  a 
disgrace  to  his  jirofession  had  he  patched  into  a  statue 
even  a  little  finger  from  a  second  block !  Ministers  differ 
very  much  from  one  another  in  their  administration  of 
religion.  Some  are  forever  playing  tenor — lifting  up  tlieir 
hands  with  exultation — G-inGrlino;  their  shrill  bells.  Otliers 
play  nothing  but  bass — always  grumbling  and  growling. 
Don't  you  hear  that  Eolian  harp,  my  brother,  its  strings 
swept  by  the  breeze — its  melody  gentle  yet  strong — varied 
yet  harmonious?  This  is  wliat  the  Christian  Ministry 
ought  to  be — the  genuine  impartial  Scripture  played  upon 
and  applied  under  a  Divine  influence — under  the  breath  of 
heaven.' 

We  talked  of  spiritual  discernment.  I  mentioned  the 
declaration  of  St.  Paul,  that  '  the  spiritual  man  judgeth  all 
things,  (1  Cor.  ii.  15,  dvaKptvet,  fiev  jravra,)  and  is  judged 
himself  of  no  man.' 

Simeon.  '  Yes,  my  brother,  the  spiritual  man  has  a 
sense  of  his  own ;  or  rather,  his  natural  vision  is  corrected 
and  rendered  applicable  to  Divine  things  by  an  influence 
from  above.  I  am  told  to  look  at  the  planets ;  I  can  see 
Jupiter  and  Venus ;  but  there  is  the  Georgium  Sidus.  I 
look  again, — I  strain  my  eyes — I  cannot  see  it.  Here,  take 
the  telescope.  Oh  !  yes,  now  I  see  it — how  beautiful  the 
star !  how  perspicuous  the  vision  !  You  tell  me  to  read  that 
almanac:  I  am  young  and  short-sighted — the  ball  of  my 
eye  is  too  convex — the  rays  meet  before  they  arrive  at  the 
retina :  my  brother,  it  Is  all  confusion.  (Again)  I  am  old, 
and  my  lens  is  flattened — the  rays  meet  even  behind  my 
head — the  retina  is  left  untouched  by  them.  Give  the  young 
man  those  spectacles  with  a  concave  glass.  Now  he  sees  ! 
now  he  can  read  the  book !  now  the  rays  meet  precisely  on 
his  retina. — Here,  my  old  friend,  take  these  convex  glasses; 
they  will  rectify  your  fading  vision.  He  sees !  he  reads 
again — the  retina  is  touched  and  pencilled  with  nice  preci- 
sion. So  it  is  Avith  the  Spirit ;  in  whatever  manner  or  de- 
gree the  vision  of  the  soul  is  disordered,  the  Spirit  is  always 
applicable — always  a  rectifier.  The  worldling  is  like  the 
mariner  of  ancient  times,  who  had  nothing  to  guide  him 


GSO  ADDITIONAL 

through  the  trackless  deep,  but  the  sun,  the  moon  and  tlic 
stars.  ^Vhen  these  were  veiled,  all  was  obscurity,  guess- 
work, and  peril.  But  the  religious  man,  however  simple, 
is  like  the  modern  mariner,  who  has  a  compass  on  board, 
which  will  always  guide  him  aright,  however  cloudy  the 
atmosphere,  however  dark  the  night.  The  Christian  has  a 
compass  within  him — a  faithful  monitor,  a  clear  director. 
If  he  consult  his  compass  diligently,  he  will  be  sure  to  form 
a  right  decision  on  every  moral  question ;  while  the  proud 
philosopher,  who  knows  no  such  teacher,  is  tossed  on  the 
waves  of  doubt  and  confusion.  And  how  is  this  ?  Why 
my  dear  brother,  '  he  is  renewed  in  the  sphit  of  his  mind.' 
It  is  because  his  dispositions  are  rectified  that  his  vision  is 
restored.' 

The  hour  of  the  evenins;  was  advancing,  and  these 
beautiful  remarks  formed  a  happy  conclusion  to  familiar 
conversation.  His  elderly  servants  vrere  now  called  in, 
and  I  was  requested  to  read  the  Scriptures.  I  chose  the 
first  half  of  the  3rd  of  Lamentations,  and  the  passage,  as  I 
read  it,  seemed  to  me  to  be  full  of  marrow.  A  very  pre- 
cious solemnity  ensued,  during  which  the  language  of 
prayer  and  praise  arose,  I  humbly  hope  with  acceptance. 
I  believe  both  my  dear  wife  and  myself  were  ready  to 
acknowledge,  that  we  had  seldom  felt  with  any  one  more 
of  '  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace.'  Under 
this  feeling  we  took  our  leave,  and  after  the  deep  interest 
of  the  day  were  glad  to  retire  to  rest." 

Additional  Memoranda,  by  J.  J.  G. 

"  I  shall  always  look  back  on  my  intimacy  with  the 
late  Charles  Simeon  as  one  of  the  leading  privileges  of  my 
life.  His  faithful  love  and  affection,  and  his  warm  bright 
cheering  views  of  religion,  have  often  been  a  soui-ce  of 
comfort  to  me  in  times  of  trouble  and  sorrow.  So  Ions;  as 
he  continued  the  practice  of  travelling  in  support  of  his 
favourite  Institution,  the  London  Society  for  converting 
the  Jews,  he  was  annually,  or  more  frequently,  our  inmate 
at  Earlham,  and  plentiful  were  both  the  pleasure  and  in- 
struction we  were  wont  to  derive  from  liis  companv  and 
conversations.  I  remember  asking  liim  one  day,  what  he 
thought  of  that  anxiety  and  depression  of  mind  with  respect 


MEMORANDA.  681 

to  reliirion,  to  whicli  sincere  Christians  are  often  liable,  an 
experience  of  which  he  did  not  himself  appear  to  be  much 
of  a  partaker.  As  far  as  I  can  recollect  his  reply,  it  was 
to  the  following  effect — '  When  such  a  state  is  excessive, 
there  is  probably  physical  disease,  or  there  may  be  some 
secret  fault,  or  some  difficult  duty  still  unperformed,  dis- 
turbing the  conscience,  which  then  acts  upon  us  as  a  tor- 
mentor ;  or  there  may  be  a  mixing  up  of  our  own  w^orks 
Avith  the  plan,  and  only  a  partial  and  inadequate  reliance 
upon  Christ.'  .... 

Yet  this  experienced  Christian  well  knew  what  it  was 
to  mourn  and  be  in  bitterness  *.  It  was  one  of  his  grand 
principles  of  action,  to  endeavour  at  all  times  to  honour 
his  Master  by  maintaining  a  cheerful  happy  demeanour  in 
the  presence  of  his  friends.  No  man  could  compare  him 
to  the  spies  who  brought  an  evil  report  from  the  land  of 
promise,  and  spoke  only  of  the  giants  who  dwelt  in  it. 
Eather  was  he  like  one  coming  forth  from  Canaan  well 
laden  with  grapes  for  his  own  refreshment,  and  for  that  of 
all  his  brethren.  Many  a  good  feast  has  he  aftbrded  us 
after  this  sort.  It  was  on  the  principle  now  mentioned, 
that  he  was  accustomed  to  exercise  at  his  own  house  a 
cheerful,  liberal,  and  sometimes  almost  splendid  hospitality. 
He  considered  that  for  such  liberality  a  warrant  might  be 
found  in  the  conduct  of  our  blessed  Lord  Himself,  who 
turned  the  water  at  the  marriage  feast  into  the  very  best 
wine,  and  who  was  accustomed  to  bless  and  sanctify  by 
His  presence  the  bounties  of  many  a  hospitable  board.  But 
the  same  Jesus  set  us  an  example  of  retirement  into  the 
desert  for  fasting  and  humiliation  before  God  his  Father. 
Thus  also  as  a  humble  follower  of  the  Saviour,  Simeon  in 
his  private  hours,  as  I  have  strong  reason  for  behoving, 
was  peculiarly  broken  and  prostrate  before  the  Lord. 

It  was  I  am  sure  with  undissembled  feelings  of  humi- 
lity, that  he  sometimes  spoke  of  his  own  salvation,  as  of 
that  which  would  be  the  very  masterpiece  of  Divine  grace, 
and  of  the  probability  of  his  being  the  last  and  least  in  the 
kingdom  of  heaven. 

Simeon  knew  the  value  of  truly  spiritual  worship,  and 


See  pp.  olfi — 524:. 


682  ADDITIONAL 

dwelt  under  a  strons:  feelino;  of  our  need  of  Divine  influence 
in  order  to  the  right  performance  of  every  religious  duty. 
His  prayers  were  fervent  and  lively,  poured  forth  under 
apparently  intense  feelings  of  devotion.  When  I  have 
heard  them  they  have  been  mostly  uttered  spontaneously, 
when  some  other  person  had  been  reading  the  Scriptures 
aloud,  and  when  no  one  was  expecting  him  to  be  so  engaged. 
He  dearly  loved  to  unite  with  liis  friends  in  gathering  into 
silence  *  before  the  Lord  ;'  and  he  has  told  me,  that  when 
assembled  with  his  clerical  brethren  for  the  purpose  of 
mutual  edification,  he  often  invited  them  thus  reverently 
to  wait  on  their  holy  Head.  At  such  times  of  silence  (and 
I  have  passed  many  such  in  his  company)  his  countenance, 
full  as  it  was  of  strong  lines,  was  marked  by  such  an  ap- 
pearance of  devotional  feeling  as  I  have  seldom  seen  equalled. 

Like  many  other  good  and  devout  men,  he  Avas  not 
without  his  superficial  imperfections.  Slight  symptoms  of 
irritability  were  now  and  then  apparent ;  and  great  was 
his  particularity  about  a  variety  of  little  matters  *. 

His  manners  also,  though  invariably  refined  and  cour- 
teous, were  sometimes  so  ardent  and  grotesque,  as  to  excite 
in  those  whom  he  was  addressing  an  almost  irresistible  pro- 
pensity to  laugh;  and  yet  one  always  felt  at  such  moments, 
that  he  was  the  last  i^eison  in  the  world  whose  nice  and 
delicate  feelings  one  would  dare  to  wound. 

I  can  recal  various  instances  in  which  the  conflict 
occasioned  by  these  opposite  sensations  was  more  than  a 
little  painful. 

For  my  own  part,  I  quite  love  the  recollection  of  his 
singularities :  they  give  to  the  picture  of  him  which  I  bear 
upon  my  memory,  a  vivacity  and  point  which  I  now  feel  to 
be  valuable.  He  was  impressed  with  a  notion  that  he  Avas 
possessed  of  a  most  scientific  mastery  over  smoking  chim- 
neys ;  and  I  shall  not  soon  forget  his  deliberate,  vigorous, 
but  alas,  ineflfectual  dealing  with  an  oflTender  of  this  descrip- 
tion  among  the  chimneys  at  Earlham. 

Though  often  so  hoarse  as  to  be  scarcely  capable  of 


*  He  used  to  say,  he  thought  it  not  beneath  his  notice  to  attend 
to  the  dotting  of  an  i,  or  the  crossing  of  a  f,  or  the  turning  the  tail 
of  a  y,  if  it  only  made  his  work  more  perfect. 


MEMORANDA.  683 

uttering  anything  but  whispers,  he  was  the  best  master  of 
elocution  I  ever  met  with ;  and  most  obliging  were  his  at- 
tempts to  teach  my  guests,  my  children,  and  myself,  how 
to  manage  the  voice  in  reading  and  speaking.     He  used  to 
advise  us  to  address  some  near  object  in  a  whisper,  then  to 
speak  by  degrees  more  and  more  loudly,  as  the  object  was 
imagined  to  recede — afterwards  to    reverse    the   process, 
until  we  came  back  to  a  whisper.      His  rule  was,  that  when 
a  person  begins   and  ends  such  an   exercise  in  a  natural 
whisper,  it  affords  an  evidence  that  the  voice  has  been  kept 
throughout  in  the  right  key.      He  strongly  objected  to  all 
unnecessary  heightening  of  the  voice,   or  exertion  of  the 
lungs,  commanding  us  with  paternal  authority  not  to  expend 
a  shilling  on  that  which  we  could  procure  for  a  farthing ! 
He  considered  that  a  little  pains  bestowed  in  this  way  on 
his  brethren  in  the  Ministry  was  of  no  trifling  consequence, 
even  to  the  cause  of  religion  :  and  on  this  ground,  polite 
and  tender  as  he  was,  and  full  of  the  most  loving  apologies 
to  those  whom  he  was  instructing,  he  did  not  hesitate  to 
mimic  his  friends  in  order  to  their  cure.     '  How  did  I  speak 
this  evening?'  said  a  clerical  friend  to  him,  shortly  after 
leaving  his  pulpit  ?     '  Why,  my  dear  brother,'  said  he — '  I 
am  sure  you  will  pardon  me — you  know  it  is  all  love,  my 
brother — but  indeed  it  was  just  as  if  you  were  knocking  on 
a  warming-pan— tin,  tin,  tin,  tin,  without  any  intermission.' 
Before  I  conclude  these  memoranda,  I  must  just  advert 
to  his  noble  and  well-principled  support  of  the  British  and 
Foreign  Bible  Society ;  it  was  equally  manly  and  undeviat- 
ino-.     His  opinions  on  the  subject  were  broad,  liberal,  and 
enlif^htened.     He  was  indeed  remarkable  for  the  stedfast 
maintenance  of  sound  and  sober  views  on  every  subject 
connected  with  religion.     He  had  no  liking  for  any  new- 
fangled notions  or  strange  flights  in  the  things  of  God  ;  but 
steadily  pursued  the  old  beaten  path  of  Gospel-faith  and 
Gospel-practice.     The  language  of  his  whole  conduct  and 
demeanour  was,  '  Stand  ye  in  the  ways,  and  see,  and  ask 
for   the    old    paths,    where    is   the   good  way,  and  walk 
therein  ;  and  ye  shall  find  rest  for  your  souls.' " 


0S4  HINTS    ABOUT 

Upon  the  subject  of  instructing  j'onng  Ministers 
respecting  the  management  of  their  voice,  and  the 
proper  mode  of  delivering  their  Sermons,  Mr.  Simeon 
has  left  the  following  among  other  Memoranda. 

"  It  has  long  been  my  habit,  and  In  it,  I  conceive,  a 
considerable  part  of  my  ministerial  usefulness  has  consisted, 
to  instruct  young  ministers  how  to  read  easily,  naturally, 
distinctly,  impressively.  This  is  indeed  a  kind  of  instruction 
which  no  man  gives,  and  no  man  desires :  but  Is  greatly 
needed,  and  of  vast  Importance,  as  well  to  the  health  of  the 
Ministers,  as  to  the  edification  of  their  flocks.  How  often 
are  the  prayers  of  our  Church  spoiled,  and  good  sermons 
rendered  uninteresting,  by  bad  delivery  In  Ministers!  I 
thank  God,  I  could  specify  many,  some  that  were  in  a  very 
hopeless  state,  who  have  been  exceedingly  benefited  by  my 
poor  endeavours.  But  a  remarkable  case  occurred  last  night. 

Mr. ,  who  once  read  extremely  well,  and  delivered  his 

Sermons  well,  both  read  and  preached  In  my  church;  and  to 
my  utter  astonishment  acquitted  himself  extremely  111  In 
both.  He  had  contracted  very  bad  habits,  reading  with  great 
rapidity,  and  with  his  teeth  closed,  and  with  very  bad 
cadences,  and  no  pauses.  And  In  his  sermon  there  Avas  a 
flippancy  and  indistinctness  that  almost  entirely  destroyed, 
except  to  those  Immediately  close  to  him.  Its  usefulness. 
After  the  Service  I  pointed  out  to  him  lils  faults,  and 
prevailed  on  him  to  stay  till  Thursday,  and  preach  again 
for  me.  In  the  meantime  he  read  to  me,  and  I  pointed 
out  to  him  what  I  wished  him  to  attend  to : 

1.  In  Composition — Not  to  have  a  rhapsodical  collection 
and  continuous  concatenation  of  Scriptures ;  but  to 
make  his  text  his  subject,  which  he  was  to  explain — 
confirm —  enforce. 

2.  In  Enunciation — Not  to  form  his  voice  but  with  the 
lips  and  teeth;  and  to  open  his  teeth  as  well  as  his 
lips :  and  at  the  same  time  to  throw  out  his  words, 
instead  of  mumbllnc^. 

3.  In  Delivery — Not  to  have  any  appearance  of  levity 
and  flippancy,  but  to  shew  sobriety — reverence — 
respect. 


PREACHING.  GS5 

Well,  last  night  he  officiated  again ;  and  the  difference 
exceeded  my  most  sanguine  expectations.  In  every  part  of 
the  Service  he  was  admirable;  and  he  himself  was  as  much 
struck  Avith  the  difference  as  I  was.  He  saw  an  attention 
which  might  he  felt ;  and  he  had  in  himself  an  ease,  which 
rendered  his  exertion  comparatively  nothing. 

Now  I  record  this,  because  I  think  it  much  to  be  re- 
gretted that  Ministers  do  not  get  instruction  on  these  points, 
and  that  there  are  none  who  qualify  themselves  to  instruct 
others.  I  could  write  a  book  upon  the  subject ;  but  I  could 
not  make  any  one  understand  it.     I  could  say, 

1.  Form  your  voice,  not  in  your  chest,  nor  in  your 
throat,  nor  in  the  roof  of  your  mouth,  but  simply  with 
your  lips  and  teeth.   But  who  could  understand  me  ? 

2.  Deliver  your  Sermons,  not  pompously,  but  as  a  pro- 
fessor ex  cathedra,  and  as  a  father  in  his  family.  To 
get  ease,  read  parts  of  your  Sermon  to  an  ideal  person 
(any  object,  as  your  inkstand,  or  candlestick),  and 
then  repeat  the  same  u-ords  in  a  way  of  common  oral 
instruction ;  and  repeat  this,  till  you  perceive  (as  it 
were)  that  your  ideal  person  clearly  understands  you. 

3.  Let  there  be  the  same  kind  of  pause,  and  of  emphasis, 
as  a  man  has  in  conversation  when  he  is  speaking 
upon  some  important  subject. 

But  who  can  understand  this  ?  How  shall  I  point  out 
the  place  where  the  pause  is  to  be  made,  and  when,  and 
how  great  the  emphasis,  and  what  kind  of  intonation 
different  words  must  have  ? 

I  am  afraid  that  rules  on  paper  would  never  be  suffi- 
cient to  perfect  a  soldier  in  his  exercise,  or  a  courtier  in 
his  motions  at  the  levee. 

But  I  earnestly  wish  that  Ministers,  who  have  attained 
any  measure  of  propriety  in  speaking,  would  endeavour  to 
render  themselves  useful  to  their  brethren  and  to  the  Church, 
in  imparting  instruction  to  others.  It  is  the  Avant  of  a  good 
and  impressive  delivery  that  destroys  the  vsefidness  of  a  great 
pi'oportion  of  pious  Ministers." 


68G  ON    READING 

The  following  brief  notes  by  Mr.  Simeon  furnisli 
some  fm-tlier  hints  of  importance  on  the  foregoing- 
subject. 

"  I.    JF/uit  is  to  he  guarded  against? 

Monotony  and  Isochrony : 

A  continuous  solemnity.  It  should  be  as  music  ;  and 
not  like  a  funeral  procession.  Guard  against  speaking 
in  an  unnatural  and  artificial  manner. 

At  the  same  time  levity  is  even  Avorse.  The  point  for 
you  to  notice  is  this :  see  how  all  persons,  when  in 
earnest,  converse:  mark  their  intonations,  their  measure 
(sometimes  slow,  and  sometimes  rapid,  nven  in  the  same 
sentence),  their  pauses.  But  especially  mark  these  in 
good  speakers.  Delivery,  whether  of  written  or  ex- 
temporaneous discourses,  should  accord  with  this,  so 
far  as  a  diversity  of  subjects  will  admit  of  it. 

Too  great  a  fiimiliarity  does  not  become  the  pulpit;  but 
a  monotonous,  isochronous  solemnity  is  still  worse. 
The  former  will  at  least  engage  the  attention ;  but 
the  latter  will  put  every  one  to  sleep. 

II.    IFJiat  is  to  be  done  ? 

1.    In  the  forming  the  voice: 

Not  in  the  throat,  or  roof  of  the  mouth;  but  with  the 
lips  and  teeth.  Try  this  in  these  different  ways  con- 
secutively. 
Seek  particularly  to  speak  always  in  your  natural  voice. 
If  you  have  to  address  two  thousand  people  you  should 
not  rise  to  a  different  key,  but  still  preserve  your  cus- 
tomary pitch.  You  are  generally  told  to  speak  iip ; 
I  say  rather,  Speak  doicn.  The  only  difference  you 
are  to  make  is,  from  the  piano  to  the,  forte  o^  the  same 
note.  It  is  by  the  strength,  and  not  by  the  elevation 
of  your  voice,  that  you  are  to  be  heard.  You  will 
remember  that  a  whole  discourse  is  to  be  delivered ; 
and  if  you  get  into  an  unnatural  key,  you  will  both 
injure  yourself,  and  Aveary  your  audience. 


AND    SPEAKING.  C87 

2.  In  the  utterance : 

Head  first ;  then  atldress  the  same  without  readhig. 
Let  every  periphrasis,  which  stands  in  the  place  of 
an  adjective,  be  read  as  a  single  word;  e.g.  *God, 
that  comforteth  all  them  that  are  cast  down : '  read 
it  not,  God,  who  comforteth — all  them — that  are 
cast  dowm:  but  as  though  it  were, — God,  who  is 
merciful. 
Further,  be  not  content  to  express  the  sense,  bu':  convey 
the  spirit  of  the  passage.  Be  the  thing  that  you 
speak — tender  or  impassioned — be  cast  as  it  Avere 
into  the  mould  of  your  sentiment,  so  as  to  express  in 
your  intonation  and  action  what  youjnean  to  convey 
by  your  words. 

3.  In  the  delivery : 

As  to  the  mode  of  delivering  your  Sermons,  speak 
exactly  as  you  would  if  you  were  conversing  with  an 
aged  and  pious  superior.  This  will  keep  you  from 
undue  formality  on  the  one  hand,  and  from  improper 
familiarity  on  the  other. 

And  then  as  to  the  proper  mode  of  conducting  the  devo- 
tional part  of  the  Service,  do  not  read  the  prayers, 
but  pray  them ;  utter  them  precisely  as  you  would 
if  you  were  addressing  the  Almighty  in  the  same 
language  in  your  secret  chamber;  only,  of  course, 
you  must  strengthen  your  tones,  as  in  the  former 
case. 

But  the  whole  state  of  your  own  soul  before  God  must 
be  the  first  point  to  be  considered ;  for  if  you  your- 
self are  not  in  a  truly  spiritual  state  of  mind,  and 
actually  living  upon  the  truths  which  you  preach  or 
read  to  others,  you  will  officiate  to  very  little  pur- 
pose." 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

LETTERS TO    J.  J.  GURNET,  ESQ.  ON    MR.  IRVING  AND    HIS    DOCTRINES 

NARRATIVE    BY  CHARLOTTE    ELIZABETH TO   MISS  MARY  ELLIOTT 

ON    THE     OBSERVANCE     OF    THE     LORd's    DAY TO    THE    BISHOP     OP 

CALCUTTA    ON     HIS     RELIGIOUS     VIEWS TO     REV.    J.    SARGENT     ON 

THE    CHARACTER    OF    MR.    THOMASON TO    REV.  J.    II.    MICHELL    ON 

PRINTING    HIS    ENTIRE  WORKS  — EXTRACTS    FROM  VARIOUS   LETTERS 

ON     THE     SUBJECT MEMORANDUM     ABOUT     HIS     JUBILEE LETTER 

FROM  MR.  WILBERFORCE  ON    HIS  COMPLETING    THE    FIFTIETH    YEAR 

OF    HIS   MINISTRY EXTRACTS    FROM    HIS    DIARY  ON    THE    OCCASION 

TO     REV.    J.   H.  MICHELL     DESCRIBING     THE     EVENT  —  AND     HIS 

RELIGIOUS    VIEWS. 


1833. 

CORRESPONDENCE,    ETC. 

To  J.  J.  Gurnet,  Esq. 

"  K.  C,  Jan.  26,  1832. 

"  My  beloved  friend  and  Brother, 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  kmd  letter,  and 
am  glad  that  my  Sermons  on  the  Holy  Spirit's  Offices 
meet  upon  the  whole  with  your  approbation.  And 
I  think  it  due  to  you  to  explain  why  I  have  acted  in 
a  way  so  different  from  what  I  so  highly  admired  and 
so  cordially  applauded  in  you. 

"  You,  my  beloved  Friend,  have  treated  those, 
whose  sentiments  you  controvert,  with  admirable  ten- 
derness and  lenity.  I,  on  the  contrary,  have  treated 
some  with  severity  as  you  justly  observe  :  '  To  be  sure 
thou  dost  not  use  the  pseudo-gifted  ones  of  the  present 
day  very  ceremoniously.'  This  is  true  :  and  it  becomes 
me  to  assign  to  you  my  reasons. 


IRVINGISM.  G89 

'*!.  I  am  not  controverting  tlieir  sentiments — 
I  do  not  hold  tliem  worthy  of  controversy. 

"  2.  It  was  necessary  to  shew  my  abhorrence  both 
of  their  principles  and  proceedings,  that  my  sentiments 
mi  (/Id  gain  the  freer  access  to  the  minds  of  my  audi- 
ence, and  that  it  might  be  known,  that  whilst  I  main- 
tain and  advocate  the  deepest  truths  of  om'  holy 
religion,  I  do  not  countenance  the  one  or  the  other. 
(I  have  received  letters  inquiring  whether  Daniel 
Wilson  and  myself  are  not,  as  has  been  reported, 
converts  to  their  opinions.) 

"  3.  They  are  doing  great  harm  in  the  Church  ; 
and  it  was  desirable  that  I  should  do  what  I  could  to 
stem  the  torrent,  at  least  as  far  as  Ijy  a  fetv  words 
I  might  do  so. 

"  4.  The  Apostle  Paul  was  ruder  far,  and  rougher 
than  I,  towards  persons  meaning  well  perhaps,  but 
doing  great  injury  to  the  Church  of  God.  '  Beware 
of  dogs,  beware  of  evil  workers,  beware  of  the  con- 
cision.' Many  are  the  passages  where  he  guards  us 
against  '  doting  about  questions  and  strifes  of  words, 
and  profane  and  vain  babblings,  and  oppositions  of 
science  falsely  so  called ;'  yea,  and  even  against 
*  strivings  about  the  law,'  because  '  their  word  will  eat 
as  doth  a  canker  :'  but  that  which  appears  to  me 
most  'unceremonious'  is  in  Col.  ii.  18,  where,  speak- 
ing of  persons  who  in  2'^rofession  inculcated  only 
humility  and  devotion,  he  speaks  of  their  motives  and 
principles,  and  says  they  were  '  vainly  puffed  up  by 
their  fleshly  mind.'  Their  mode  of  promoting 
humility  and  devotion  originated  in  vanity,  pride,  and 
carnality.  Now  if  you  will  go  to  Mr.  Irving's  chapel, 
perhaps  you  may  have  a  practical  comment  on  these 
words.  I  touch  not  on  their  motives,  but  only  on 
L.  s.  Y  y 


690  REBUKE    OP 

.their  habits;  wliicli  I  trace  to  a  want  of  true  Christian 
sobriety; — 'brainsick  enthusiasts.*'  If  I  say  the 
truth,  I  think  it  chanty  to  account  for  j\Ir.  Irving's 
sentiments  and  conduct  by  tracing  them  to  an  aber- 
ration of  mind. 

"  I  should  not  have  thought  it  needfid  to  trouble 
you  with  this,  but  from  the  admiration  I  have  both 
felt  and  expressed  of  yom*  sweet  dehcacy  towards 
those  whom  you  oppose.  Those  whom  you  deal  with 
prefer  arguments ;  and  arguments  should  be  duly  and 
candidly  weighed.  The  persons  whom  I  push  aside 
{not  encounter)  are  known  by  their  actions,  which 
savour  more  of  St.  Lulve's  Hospital  than  St.  Luke's 
Gospel,  What  God  may  do,  I  presume  not  to  say ; 
but  I  think  that  whatever  He  does  will  be  in  ac- 
cordance with  what  He  has  done  both  in  its  manner 
and  end ;  and  that  to  a  humble  spectator,  desirous  of 
knowing  and  doing  His  will,  it  will  commend  itself  as 
His  work ;  and  I  think  it  will  rather  be  a  turning  of 
a  Gadarene  dsemoniac  into  a  meek  follower  of  Jesus, 
clothed  and  in  his  right  mind,  than  an  inversion  of 
this  order.  I  long  greatly  to  visit  you  once  more. 
You  must  not  wonder  if  such  a  desire  be  once  more 
carried  into  effect  by 

"  Your  most  truly  affectionate  friend  and  Brother, 

"  C.  S." 


Mr.  Simeon's  strong  feelings  respecting  Mr.  Irving 
and  his  fearful  doctrines  are  characteristically  exhibited 
in  the  following  narrative  by  '  Charlotte  Elizabeth.' 

"  Once  more  I  saw  and  spoke  to  Mr.  Simeon.  He 
recognized  me  in  a  Meeting,  not  very  large,  held  in  a  room 


*  The  expression  used  by  Mr.  Simeon  respecting  them  in  his 
Sermons  before  the  University. 


IRYINGISM.  691 

in  Regent  Street,  for  one  of  our  dear  Irish  Educational 
Societies.  He  ran  to  me,  and  sorrowfully  told  me  that  our 
dear  friend  H.  was  ill,  very  ill.  He  then  seated  himself  near 
me ;  and  I  shall  not  soon  forget  the  sequel.  At  that  time 
Mr.  Irving  had  not  long  been  led  to  propound  his  fearful 
heresy  respecting  the  human  nature  of  our  spotless  Immanuel, 
but  he  had  said  and  done  enough  to  startle  all  thinking 
Christians;  and  I  suppose  the  various  errors  and  delusions 
set  forth  by  him  and  his  followers  never  had  a  more  deter- 
mined, uncompromising  enemy  than  in  Simeon.  Contrary  to 
all  expectation,  Mr.  Irving  chose  to  address  the  Meeting ; 
and  in  the  midst  of  a  speech,  unexceptionable  enough,  he 
called  on  the  assembly  to  pray  with  him:  then  turning  to 
the  noble  Chairman,  requested  him  to  second  the  proposal. 
Lord  B.,  quite  taken  by  surprise,  rose,  not  wilh  a  very  well 
satisfied  air,  and  silently  bowing  round,  intimated  in  that  way 
that  we  should  also  rise.  I  confess  that  I  was  one  who  felt 
exceedingly  disinclined  to  obey ;  not  knowing  what  that 
gifted,  but  most  erring  individual,  might  think  proper  to 
utter,  as  the  mouthpiece  of  the  party.  But  the  expression 
of  Simeon's  countenance,  who  can  pourtray !  he  rested  his 
elbows  on  his  knees,  firmly  clasped  his  hands  together,  placed 
his  chin  against  his  knuckles ;  and  every  line  in  his  face, 
where  the  lines  were  neither  few  nor  faintly  marked,  be- 
spoke a  fixed  resolve  to  say  Amen  to  nothing  that  he  had 
not  well  sifted,  and  deliberately  approved.  It  was  an 
extraordinary  scene  altogether,  and  I  made  my  exit  as  soon 
as  this  episode  came  to  an  end.  I  never  more  beheld  ]Mr. 
Simeon ;  but  I  shall  hope  never  to  forget  his  look  that  day. 
There  was  in  it  as  much  of  sober  reproof,  exhortation,  and 
caution  as  a  look  could  convey." 


To  Miss  Mary  Elliott,  on  the  observance  of  the 
Lord's  Day. 

«  K.  C,  Cambridge,  March  21,  1832. 

"  My  beloved  Mary, 

"  The   question  you  put  to  me  is  most 
important :    more  especially  as   yom*  brother  Henry 

Y  Y  2 


692  OBSERVANCE    OF 

has  given  somewhat  of  a  decided  opinion  upon  it,  and 
may  conceive  that  I  agree  with  him  in  it.  He  stated 
that,  according  to  the  judgment  of  the  Puritans,  the 
sanctification  of  the  Sabbath  would  consist  with  works 
of  piety,  of  charity,  and  of  necessity :  but  that  he 
would  add  a  fom-th,  viz.,  works  of  refreshment ;  be- 
cause it  was  said,  '  that  thy  servant,  &c.  may  be  re- 
freshed.' I  told  him  I  thought  he  went  too  far  in 
this ;  for  that  '  God  rested  on  that  day,  and  was 
refreshed'  I  thought  that  he  might  have  given  some 
latitude  in  a  way  of  concession,  but  not  as  an  abstract 
rule.  The  other  three  works  might  be  defined  :  this 
could  not.  The  others  were  for  God  m\^  man;  but 
this  was  for  self  only.  He  agreed  with  me,  and 
thought  he  had  gone  beyond  the  mark. 

"  My  views  are  these  : — that  the  spiritual  obser- 
vance of  the  Sabbath  is  to  be  as  strict  as  ever :  but 
that  the  ritual  observance  is  not.  John  came  neither 
eating  nor  drinking :  Christ  came  both  eating  and 
drinking;  yea,  and  wrought  his  first  miracle  at  a 
marriage-feast :  and  why  ? — I  answer,  To  shew  the 
character  of  His  dispensation,  as  contrasted  with  that 
which  it  was  to  supersede.  (Of  course  youwdll  under- 
stand me  as  referring  to  the  liberal  spirit  of  it,  in 
opposition  to  the  servile  spirit  of  the  other.)  His 
dining  on  a  Sabbath  with  a  large  party  on  one  occa- 
sion marked  the  same. 

"  Now  to  give  you  somewhat  of  a  definite  view  of 
my  judgment  on  the  question.  In  my  own  personal 
habit  I  am  as  strict  as  most :  but  in  my  judgment, 
as  before  God,  I  think  that  many  religious  characters 
— Ministers  as  well  as  others — are  in  error.  I  think  that 
many  Judaize  too  much,  and  that  they  would  have  joined 
ihePharisees  in  condemning  our  Lord  on  many  occasions. 


THE  lord's  day.  693 

"  N.B.     /  do  not  think  that  they  err  in  acting  up 
to  their  oxon  jirincijjles  {there  they  are  right)  ;  but  that 
they    err  in  making  their  own    standard  a   standard 
for  all  others.     This  is  a  prevaihng  evil  among  re- 
Hgioiis  persons.     They  will  in  effect  argue  thus  :  '  /  do 
not  walk  out  on  a  Sabbath-day ;  therefore  an  artisan 
may  not  walk  out  into  the  fields  for  an  hour  on  that 
day.'     They  forget  that  the  poor  man  is  confined  all 
the  rest  of  the  week,  which  they  are  not :  and  that 
they  themselves  will  walk  in  their  own  garden,  when 
the  poor  have  no  garden  to  walk  in.     Now  in  this 
I  do  not  think  that  they  act  towards  others,  as  they, 
in  a  change  of  circumstances,  would  think  it  right  for 
others  to  act  towards  them  :  and  if  your  brother  will 
limit  his  refreshment  to  such  a  relaxation  as  is  neces- 
sary for  health,  or  materially  conducive  to  it,  I  shall 
agree  with  him,  and  shall  rank  this  amongst  works  of 
necessity  or  of  charity.     Again,  I  am  not  prepared  to 
utter  either  anathemas  or  lamentations,  if  Ministers  of 
State  occasionally,  in  a  time  of  yreat  pressure  of  public 
business,  and  in  a  quiet  ivay,  avail  themselves  of  an 
hour  or  two  for  conference  with  each  other  on  that 
day.    I  do  not  commend  it ;  but  I  do  not  condemn  it. 
They  cannot  command  their  own  times.    Public  affairs 
may  be  full  as  pressing,  and  may  call  for  immediate 
conference  as  much  as  an  ox  or  an  ass  for  deliverance 
from  a  pit  into  which  it  may  have  fallen  ;  and  I  think 
that  love  to  one's  country  may  justify  a  deviation  from 
a  ritual  observance  of  the  Sabbath,  as  much  as  love  or 
pity  for  a  beast.     In  fact,  if  the  most  scrupulous  will 
examine  the  frame  of  their  own  minds,  and  the  real 
spirituality  of  their  own  conversation  for  two  or  three 
hours  on  some  part  of  the  Sabbath,  they  will  find  but 
little  right,  whatever  their   disposition  be,  to  cast  a 


694  CHRISTIAN    LIBERTY. 

stone  at  a  poor  man  witli  his  family,  or  at  a  IMinister 
of  State  with  his  compeers.  Again  I  say,  tliey  may 
be  rigid :  but  the  others  who  think  and  act  differently 
are  not  therefore  wrong.  Those  who  ate,  and  those 
who  refused  to  eat,  meats  offered  to  idols,  were  hoih 
right,  if  they  acted  to  the  Lord ;  as  were  those  also 
who  observed,  and  those  who  did  not  observe,  certain 
days,  which  under  the  Jewish  dispensation  were  actu- 
ally prescribed.  I  will  tell  you  what  I  consider  the 
perfect  rule  :  Let  all  judge  for  themselves  in  relation 
to  the  ritual  observance  of  such  matters ;  the  strong 
not  despising  the  weak,  and  the  weak  forbearing  to 
sit  in  judgment  on  the  strong.  This  will  be  the  surest 
and  best  discharge  of  the  duty  of  all  parties,  whether 
to  God  or  man :  to  God,  who  has  said,  '  I  will  have 
mercy,  and  not  sacrifice  ;'  and  to  man,  who  should  be 
left  to  stand  or  fall  to  his  own  Master. 

"  AVlioever  neglects  the  spiritual  duties  of  the  day 
is  assuredly  Avrong ;  and  whoever  accounts  the  ritual 
olDservance  of  it  a  burden  is  wrong  also.  But  to 
Judaize  with  Pharisaic  strictness  is  not  well ;  and  to 
condemn  others  for  not  acting  up  to  that  standard  is, 
I  think,  very  undesirable.  I  put  Lord  Bexley  and 
myself  together ;  and  I  say,  that  what  would  be  highly 
inexpedient  in  me  would  be  allowable  for  hitn ;  exactly 
as  jjer  contra  the  slaying  of  sacrifices  was  allowable 
to  the  priests  ;  but  the  killing  of  a  sheep  was  not  for 
the  people. 

"  Thus  I  have  given  to  my  beloved  Mary  my 
opinion  candidly  and  Avithout  reser\'e ;  and  shall  most 
gladly  explain  anything  Avliich  she  may  think  needs 
explanation  from  her 

"  Most  truly  affectionate         "  C.  S." 


ON    CONTRITION.  695 

To  the  Bishop  of  Calcutta,  on  his  rehgious  views. 

"  K.  C  May  22,  1832. 

"  My  beloved  and  honoured  Brother, 

"  I  do  not  Avonder  that  all  are  desirous 
of  seeing  you  before  you  go,  and  of  obtaining  from 
you  a  parting  blessing.  At  my  time  of  life,  I  have 
no  hope  of  seeing  you  again  till  we  meet  before  the 
throne  of  our  reconciled  God  and  Father.  It  is 
doubtless  a  most  joyful  thought  that  we  have  re- 
demption through  the  blood  of  our  adorable  Saviour, 
even  the  forgiveness  of  sins.  But  I  have  no  less  com- 
fort in  the  thought  that  He  is  exalted  to  give  repent- 
ance and  remission  of  sins.  I  would  not  wish  for 
the  latter  without  the  former.  I  scarcely  ask  for 
the  latter  in  comparison  of  the  former.  I  feel  willing 
to  leave  the  latter  altogether  in  God's  hands,  if  I 
may  but  obtain  the  former. 

"  Repentance  is  in  every  view  so  desirable,  so 
necessarv,  so  suited  to  honour  God,  that  I  seek  that 
above  all.  The  tender  heart,  the  broken  and  con- 
trite spirit,  are  to  me  far  above  all  the  joys  that 
I  could  ever  hope  for  in  this  vale  of  tears. 

"  I  long  to  be  in  my  proper  place,  my  hand  on 
my  mouth,  and  my  mouth  in  the  dust.  I  woidd 
rather  have  my  seed-time  here,  and  wait  for  my 
harvest  till  I  myself  am  carried  to  the  granary  of 
heaven.  I  feel  this  to  be  safe  ground.  Here  I  cannot 
err.  If  I  have  erred  all  my  days,  I  cannot  err  here. 
I  am  sure  that  whatever  God  may  despise,  (and  I 
fear  that  there  is  much  which  passes  under  the  notion 
of  religious  experience  that  will  not  stand  very  high 
in  His  estimation),  He  will  not  despise  the  broken 
and  contrite  heart.  I  love  the  picture  of  the  hea- 
venly hosts,  both  saints  and  angels :  all  of  them  are 


096  CHARACTER    OT? 

upon  tlieir  faces  before  tlie  throne.  I  love  the  Cheru- 
bhn  with  their  wings  before  their  faces  and  their  feet. 
I  think  we  hardly  set  forth  this  in  our  sermons  as  we 
ousht  to  do.  At  all  events,  for  me,  I  feel  that  this  is 
the  proper  posture  now,  and  will  be  to  all  eternity. 

"  But  I  am  running  on  farther  than  I  like  to  do 
on  such  interior  subjects  ;  and  am  giving  you,  ere  I 
am  aware  of  it,  my  parting,  dying  testimony.  Excuse 
this  office  of  more  than  brotherly  love. 

"K  the  Lord  will,  I  meet  you  on  Monday  at 
Walthamstow,  and  go  home  with  you.  Do  not  wait 
a  minute  for  me.  A  piece  of  cold  meat  will  suffice 
for  me.  It  will  be  nearly  four  before  the  coach  will 
reach  you. 

"  This  was  all  that  I  intended  to  say ;  but  my 
feelings  have  run  away  with  your  tenderly  affectionate 
Triend  and  Brother,  "  C.  Simeon." 


To  the  Kev.  John  Sargent,  on  the  Character  of 

Mr.  Thomason. 

«  Isle  of  Wight,  July  19,  1832. 

"  My  beloved  Brother, 

"  The  task  you  have  imposed  upon  me 
ought  to  be  the  most  easy  and  most  delightful  in 
the  world ;  for  who  can  know  so  much  of  ]\Ir.  Tho- 
mason, as  one  who  lived,  for  the  space  of  nearly  ten 
years,  a  part  of  every  week  in  the  same  house  with 
him  ?  or,  who  can  find  such  delight  in  declaring  what 
he  knows,  as  one  who  was  united  \\4th  him  in  the 
bonds  of  friendship  far  beyond  what  is  commonly 
known  even  in  the  religious  world  ?  But  in  order  to 
write,  one  must  have  a  pen,  which  alas  I  have  not. 
Besides,  in  Mr.  Thomason,  though  there  was  every 
imaginable  excellence,  there  Avas  nothing  prominent. 


MR.    TIIOMASON.  G97 

Were  I  to  compare  him  with  anything,  it  would  be 
with  the  hght,  in  which  a  great  diversity  of  rays 
are  joined,  but  no  one  more  conspicuous  than  another. 
Towards  God,  he  was  distinguished  by  a  simphcity 
of  mind  and  purpose  ;  and  towards  man,  by  a  placidity 
of  manner  and  deportment.  I  never  saAV  anything 
of  self  blended  with  his  actions.  He  seemed  to  have 
one  end  and  aim  in  all  that  he  did  :  and  what  he 
did  was  never  by  an  effort,  so  much  as  by  a  habit. 
In  fact,  every  day  with  him,  from  morning  to  even- 
ing, was  a  kind  of  equable  course,  somewhat  like 
that  of  the  sun  in  a  Cambridge  atmosphere.  He  gave 
a  tempered  light,  never  blazing  forth  with  unusual 
splendour,  but  diffusing  to  all  around  him  a  chastened 
influence.  Everything  was  done  by  him  in  its  season; 
but  in  so  quiet  a  way  as  not  to  attract  any  particular 
attention.  There  was  nothing  of  elevation,  nothing  of 
depression.  In  this  respect  there  was  an  extraordi- 
nary resemblance  between  him  and  Mrs,  Thomason 
Each  executed  a  great  deal  in  every  day ;  but  tlu^ough- 
out  the  whole  day,  though  there  was  much  business, 
there  was  no  bustle,  no  parade.  Each  lived  only  for 
the  Lord,  and  to  glorify  Him  seemed  to  be  the  one 
business  of  their  lives.  There  was  not  a  work  of 
benevolence  Avithin  their  reach,  but  they  engaged  in  it 
just  as  if  it  had  been  a  domestic  duty.  The  parishes 
in  which  they  were  able  to  exert  their  influence 
seemed  as  their  own  family  :  schools  of  industry,  as 
well  as  other  schools,  were  established  by  them ;  the 
poor  and  the  sick  were  visited  and  relieved ;  and  all 
that  Christian  love  could  devise  was  planned,  and 
executed  with  the  tenderest  assiduity,  and  most  un- 
wearied constancy.  If  I  were  to  fix  on  one  thing 
more  than    another   wherein    Mr.  Thomason   was  at 


698  .CHARACTER   OF 

home,  it  was  in  his  Sunday  evening  and  Tuesday 
evening  Lectures  in  his  school-room.  There  the  poor 
were  permitted  to  come,  and  he  was  as  a  father 
amongst  his  children,  or  a  pastor  amongst  his  flock. 
In  his  addresses  there  was  an  unrivalled  simplicity, 
and  a  divine  unction,  which  left  a  savour  that  is  not 
forgotten  to  this  hour.  The  name  of  Thomason  in 
Shelford  and  Stapleford  is  remembered  like  that  of 
Schwartz  in  Tanjore  and  Trichinopoly :  and  I  doubt 
not  but  that  to  all  eternity  many  will  have  reason  to 
bless  God  for  his  afiectionate  administrations.  One 
thing  I  may  mention  to  the  honour  of  both  ]\Ir.  and 
Mrs.  Thomason,  that  in  all  the  ten  years  that  I  lived 
under  their  roof,  I  never  on  any  occasion  heard  an 
angry  word  from  either  of  them,  nor  ever  saw  a 
different  countenance  in  either  of  them  towards  the 
other,  or  in  either  of  them  towards  me. 

"  Indeed,  I  should  not  omit  to  mention  his  libe- 
ralitv.  He  did  good  to  the  utmost  extent  of  his 
abilitv :  so  that  when  he  went  out  to  India  he  had 
not  where Avitli  to  carry  him  thither  without  the  aid 
of  friends  ;  and  when,  after  eighteen  years'  continu- 
ance in  India,  he  came  home  from  thence,  he  had  not 
wherewith  to  bring  him  home,  without  the  aid  derived 
to  Mrs.  Thomason  from  taking  the  charge  of  several 
young  females  during  their  voyage.  Had  it  pleased 
him,  he  might  have  amassed  money  both  in  England 
and  in  India ;  for  in  England  he  had  twelve  pupils, 
and  in  India  he  was  in  the  receipt  of  a  large  income ; 
but  he  was  as  superior  to  the  love  of  money  as  any 
person,  either  with  or  without  a  family,  can  be  sup- 
posed to  be. 

•'  But  I  cannot  do  justice  to  his  character ;  that 
will  appear  fully,  though  undesignedly,  drawn  in  his 


MR.    THOMASON.  699 

letters  both  to  his  Mother  and  to  myself.  It  is  only 
in  compliance  with  yom-  wishes  and  commands  that 
I  send  you  this  sketch,  wdiich  I  would  infinitely  rather 
commit  to  the  flames. 

"  With  most  kind  regards  to  Mrs.  S.,  I  remain,  my 
dear  Brother,  most  affectionately  yours,       "  C.  S." 


Mr.  Thomason  entered  into  rest  Jan.  21,  1829, 
twelve  days  after  he  had  landed  at  the  Mauritius, 
wdiither  he  had  sailed  from  Calcutta  in  the  hope  of 
recruiting  his  health. 

"  He  left  an  affectionate  farewell  to  those  most  dear 
to  him,  in  the  following  words: — '  To  my  dearest  Mother, 
give  my  most  affectionate  love,  and  may  her  last  days  be 
her  best  days.  To  my  very  dear  Mr.  Simeon  say,  I  feel 
imworthy  of  the  great  love  he  has  at  all  times  honoured 
me  with.  Oh,  may  his  bow  abide  in  strength,  and  may  he 
be,  if  possible,  still  more  useful  in  his  age.'  " 

Sargent's  Life  of  Tliomason,  p.  334. 

A  Monument  has  been  erected  to  him  in  Trinity 

Church,  adjacent  to  that  of  Henry  jMartyn. 


To  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Michell,  on  the  printing  of  his 
entire  Works. 

"  My  very  dear  friend  and  Brother,  "  1832. 

"  It  is  not  surely  true  that  we  have  passed 
the  affe  of  men.  I  know^  not  hoAv  to  believe  it.  It 
appears  a  perfect  dream.  I  w^ould  almost  fancy  that 
the  Almanac-makers  have  entered  into  a  conspiracy 
against  us,  agreeing  to  call  this  1832  instead  of  1812. 
True,  there  are  sometimes  intimations  that  they  are 
correct,  especially  wdien  I  attempt  to  w^alk  a  few 
miles.  But  if  I  sit  still,  I  feel  as  young,  healtliy, 
and  lively,  as  almost  at  any  period  of  my  life.  In- 
deed no  little  vigour  is  needful  for  me  now  ;  for  I  am 


700  ON    PRINTING    HIS 

printing  and  stereotyping  my  whole  Works  in  21  vols., 
at  tlie  rate  of  one  volume  every  three  weeks.  Every 
day  at  a  httle  past  five  I  have  from  two  sheets 
at  least,  and  two  and  a  half  often,  to  revise  and 
to  retm'n  that  evening  by  the  mail.  I  have  this 
even  on  my  lecture  evenings  and  on  my  Friday 
(public)  evenings.  I  am  forced  to  have  eagles'  eyes  and  a 
heart  all  alive ;  and  God  gives  me  both  the  one  and 
the  other,  so  that  on  the  taking  up  my  Work,  I  am 
like  a  fox-hound  coming  upon  the  scent  of  his  prey ; 
and  so  I  continue  till  I  have  brought  him  down. 
In  the  next  month,  if  nothing  occur  to  prevent  it,  I 
shall  have  my  first  five  volumes  ready  for  the  sub- 
scribers. What  a  mercy  is  this !  never  can  I  be 
suificiently  thankfid  to  God  for  so  rich  a  blessing  as 
health  and  energy  for  such  a  work,  and  more  especially 
for  enabling  me  to  prosecute  it  with  unintermitted 
care  to  the  present  hour.  If  you  had  asked  me  tlie 
name  of  a  person  that  never  looidd,  and  never  could, 
have  performed  it,  I  would  have  given  you  the  name 
with  as  much  confidence  as  if  he  had  been  an  idiot 
from  the  womb.  But,  if  there  is  a  man  upon 
earth  that  understands,  and  is  ready  to  set  his  seal 
to,  1  Cor.  1st  Chap.,  I  am  he;  especially  I  refer  to 
verses  27—29. 

"  I  well  remember  the  former  part  of  what  you 
refer  to  about  the  first  fast -day  (I  think)  in  the  Ame- 
rican war,  in  1776.  O,  if  I  had  had  one  tlien  to 
countenance  me,  and  take  me  by  the  hand,  how  much 
evil,  in  all  probability,  had  I  escaped  !  But  omt,  oval 
vyuv^  viroKpnai  utterly  overthrew  me.  On  the  third 
day,  however,  of  my  residence  in  the  Old  Court 
I  obtained  grace  to  be  faithful :  and  from  that  day 
have,  though  with  imnimerable  backslidings  and  many 


ENTIRE    WORKS.  701 

grievous  sins,  been  enabled  to  liold  on  my  way.  If  you 
want  to  know  the  name  of  him  who  will  be  the  most 
signal  monument  of  grace  in  heaven,  I  have  no  doubt 
I  can  tell  you 

"  There  is  little  ground,  I  fear,  to  expect  you  at 
any  of  the  Meetings  in  May,  I  think,  if  the  Lord 
mil,  to  attend  them  myself;  for  though  they  are  by 
no  means  what  I  affect,  I  think  it  my  duty  to  give 
them  my  countenance  (my  visage),  especially  in  this 
day  of  heresy  and  schism. 

"  Give  my  kind  regards  to  Mrs.  M.,  and  believe 
me,  my  dear  Friend,  most  affectionately  yours, 

"  C.  Simeon. 

"  Who  would  have  thought  that  Thomas  Lloyd's 
successor  should  have  got  his  death  while  hunting  ? 
How  much  better  by  attending  the  cnolera  in  a 
cottage  ! 

"  The  appointment  of  Daniel  AVilson  to  Calcutta  ! 
What  a  blessing  to  India  !  His  loss  however  will  be 
sincerely  felt  in  Britain.  But  God  has  yet  the  residue 
of  the  Spirit.  You,  my  Brother,  are  cut  off  from 
active  usefulness  ;  but  God  is  no  less  glorified  by 
passive,  than  by  active  virtues." 


Extracts  from  various  letters  to  his  Publisher 
(Mr.  Holdsworth),  and  others,  on  carrying  his  Works 
through  the  Press.  , 

.  ..."  I  get  forward  with  my  ministerial  work, 
that  I  may  not  be  prevented  even  for  an  hour  attend- 
ing to  that  which  you  send  me.  I  devote  an  hour  to 
every  sheet.  Satm'day's  work  cost  me  four  hours. 
But  I  grudge  not  any  trouble.  If  God  only  preserve 
my  health,  I  am  with  you  with  all  my  heart  and  spuL 


702  ON    PRINTING   HIS 

You  will  see  by  my  commiiLiications  that  I  am  not 

sleeping  at  my  post." 

..  ."You  run  well ;  but  you  shall  not  beat  me  yet — 

Here  are  all  your  proofs — 

Here  is  also  a  Sermon  improved — 

Here  is  further  an  entirely  new  Sermon  in  the  place 
of  Matt.  iv.  1 . ;  which  is  an  important  subject,  and 
has  not  been  done  to  my  mind.  The  alterations  I  sent 
you  were  made  before  I  determined  to  write  a  new 
one.  But  though  sent  by  mistake,  they  show  the  zeal 
with  which  I  prosecute  the  work.  I  have  exquisite 
delight  in  doing  all  I  can  to  make  it  of  permanent 
benefit  to  the  present  owner,  and  to  the  world." 

.  .  .  .  "  My  heart  is  full  of  joy,  1.  On  account  of 
the  progress;  2.  On  account  of  the  care,  and  vigi- 
lance, and  judgment  of  the  Printer  [Mr.  Clay].  It 
must  not  be  wondered  at  if  I,  on  a  Thursday  or  a 
Friday,  be  heavy.  I  would  have  eagles'  eyes.  But 
alas  !  an  eagle  is  not  always  on  the  wing,  or  looking 
at  the  sun." 

....  "I  have  examined  the  historical  parts  which 
had  been  proposed  for  evangelical  improvement.  But 
I  think  them  best  as  they  are.  Even  good  things, 
when  misjilaced,  are,  in  my  mind,  a  deformity  rather 
than  a   beauty.     The   more   I   have   considered  the 

passage,  which  at  ]\Ir. 's  request  I  altered,  the 

more  I  am  convinced  that  the  spirit,  the  life,  the  beauty 
of  it  is  destroyed  by  any  alteration.  .  .  .  Pray  expunge 
my  alterations — say  nothing — but  do  the  thing — 
expunge  them  ....  There  are  a  few  errata  corrected ; 
and  one  single  correction  of  a  colon  for  a  semicolon  is 
in  my  judgment  worth  a  guinea,  yea,  many  guineas." 
•  .  ,  .  .  "  What  he  accounts  a  defect,  I  account  the 
chief  excellency  of  my  work.    Jt  gives  Results — the 


ENTIRE    WORKS.  703 

result  of  mucli  and  deep  study,  so  that  the  critical 
student  will  find  little  to  add,  and  nothing  to  alter.  If 
I  added  critical  notes,  they  must  either  be  superficial 
or  long.  The  superficial  would  be  good  for  nothing  ; 
the  long  would  alter  the  very  character  of  the  work. 
My  endeavour  is  to  give  results — multuni  in  parvo — 
....  "The  critical  ^Xvi&Qwi  must  go  to  critical  works ; 
the  Biblical  student,  who  wants  to  understand  and 
to  unfold  the  Bible,  may  go  to  my  work.  My  endea- 
vour is  to  bring  out  of  Scrijjture  lohat  is  there,  and  not 
to  thrust  in  what  I  think  might  be  there.  I  have  a 
great  jealousy  on  this  head ;  never  to  speak  more  or 
less  than  I  believe  to  be  the  mind  of  the  Spirit  in  the 
passage  I  am  expounding. 

.  .  .  .  "  My  deed  of  gift  goes  up  to  London  by  this 
post.  By  it  my  twenty  copies,  with  200  guineas  for  the 
binding,  will  instantly  become  the  property  of  the 
King,  the  two  Archbishops,  and  all  the  chief  hbraries 
in  Em-ope  and  America ;  and  the  last  [sum]  that  I  am 
to  have  from  you  Avill  be  the  actual  property  of  three 
Societies  ;  the  other  [sum]  is  disposing  of  very  rapidly. 
If  God  be  honoured,  and  my  fellow-creatures  benefited, 
it  is  all  I  want." 

.  .  .  .  "  Tell  me  any  thing  that  I  can  do  to  advance 
your  wishes,  and  you  will  find  that  though  I  have  the 
gout  in  my  feet,  it  is  neither  in  my  head  nor  heart." 

"  My  dehght  is  exquisite  ;  but  if  there  be 

the  slightest  danger  of  my  disappointing  you,  my  pain 
will  be  great.  No  man  ever  loaited  a  minute  for  me^ 
icifhout  some  unforeseen  hindrance. 

.  ..."  I  have  now  nearly  completed  my  tenth 
volume — two  and  thirty  people  kept  at  work  for  this 
last  half-year,  and  for  a  year  to  come  !  Oh  what  a 
mercy  that  my  vigour  both  of  body  and  mind  is  pre- 


704  HIS    JUBILEE. 

served  !  I  long,  if  it  may  please  Almiglity  God,  to 
complete  this  work.  I  confess  tliat  in  my  progress 
through  it  my  thankfulness  to  God  for  ever  enabling 
me  to  effect  it,  and  my  hope  of  its  real  usefulness  to 
the  Church,  have  increased.  And  I  write  this  to  ask 
the  immediate  communication  of  the  hint  relative  to 
the  last  volume.  I  long  and  pant  for  every  hint  that 
can  by  any  possibility  improve  it.  1  am  doing  every 
tiling  day  by  day  to  improve  it.  I  beg  therefore  that 
you  will  not  only  communicate  to  me  your  hint  without 
delay,  but  continue  to  do  so  Avhilst  a  possibility  of 
improving  it  remains.  Useful  hints  may  occur  to  you 
and  to  others,  and  I  shall  be  most  tltanhfid for  them.  .  .  . 

....  "  God  has  mercifidly  preserved  us  from  the 
cholera  hitherto.  I  am  expecting  forty  friends  to  spend 
a  few  days  with  me  on  the  1st  of  October :  but  I  do 
not  send  them  my  final  summons  till  I  see  whether 
the  cholera  come.  That  would  prevent  my  summoning 
them ;  and  I  think  yon  should  not  be  prodigal  where 
you  cannot  do  real  good. 

"  Fifty  years  jMinister  of  my  Chiu'ch  !  Is  not  here 
a  call  for  a  jubilee  ?" 


Memorandum  about  his  approaching  Jubilee. 

"  Aug.  22,  1832. 

"  I  have  always  hated  everything  in  the  shape  of 
Diaries  :  but  now  that  my  Jubilee  is  approaching,  and 
is  to  be  held  Oct.  1 — 4,  I  think  it  right  to  record  a 
little  respecting  it.  The  proper  day,  strictly  speaking, 
would  be  Nov.  9th,  when  I  was  presented  to  my 
Living.  But  as  in  that  month  the  University  would 
be  full,  I  think  it  better  to  antedate  the  time  one 
month,  when  the  University  will  be  empty. 


MR.    WILBERFORCE.  705 

"  I  shall  then  have  a  still  further  cause  for  a 
Jubilee,  because  I  shall  have  printed,  I  hope,  eleven 
volumes  out  of  twenty- one  of  my  AVork.  Could  I  pm-- 
chase,  so  to  speak,  a  continuance  of  life  to  see  that 
work  finally  before  the  public,  most  gladly  would 
I  pay  my  life  then  as  the  price.  But  God  has,  beyond 
all  reasonable  expectation,  given  me  to  see  it  thus  far, 
and  to  correct  it  with  an  eagle's  eye,  and  an  author's, 
(I  hope  I  may  add,  a  Christian's)  heart.  If  I  live,  and 
have  my  health  of  body  and  mind,  till  Midsummer 
next,  it  will  be  done,  and  the  ship  be  launched.  What 
thanks  shall  I  then  render  to  the  Lord  !" 


"  W.  WiLBERFORCE,  Esq.  to  Mr.  Simeon,  on  com- 
pleting the  fiftieth  year  of  his  Ministry. 

"  My  dear  Friend,  "  Bath,  Sept.  26,  1832. 

"  How  Httle  you  have  any  conception  of 
the  degree  in  which  you  have  exercised  my  thoughts, 
and  still  more  ray  affections,  since  my  receipt  of  your 
last  truly  kind  and  deeply  interesting  letter,  or  rather 
since  my  reply  to  it.  The  fact  is,  that  though  now 
and  always  I  have  but  too  good  cause  for  sparing  my 
own  eyes  in  maintaining  my  epistolary  intercom-se, 
yet  I  had  scarcely  sent  off  my  dictated  letter  to  you, 
when  my  conscience  began  reproaching  me  with  not 
having,  at  any  cost  of  eyesight,  used  my  omw  organs 
in  my  reply,  instead  of  employing  my  amanuensis, 
through  whom  I  could  not  pour  forth  the  interior 
workings  of  my  soul  in  exchange  for  your  affecting 
exhibition  of  W\q  peiietralia  of  yours.  You  may  have 
forgotten,  my  dear  friend,  that  after  expressing  your 
kind  sympathy  with  us  on  the  translation  (for  such 
I  humbly  trust  it  was)  of  our  dear  daughter,  and 
congratulating  me  on  some  drops  of  balm,  which 
a  gracious  Providence  had  poured  into  my  cup  soon 
L.  s.  z  z 


700  MR.    WILBERFORCE    ON 

after  the  loss, — after  thus  touching  on  my  allotments, 
you  expressed  your  gratitude  for  the  fulness  of  your 
own  cup  of  mercies ;    and  specified  in  particular  the 
rare  degree  in  which  you  had  been  allowed  to   see 
the  rich  harvest  you  were  permitted  to  gather  in,  and 
to  store  up  for  the  benefit  of  succeeding  generations ; 
(really,  the  stereotyping  of  your  Works  is  the  most 
surprising  event  of  the  kind  I  ever  heard  of;)  and  told 
me  of  yom*  intention  to  call  a  wide  cii'cle    of  your 
friends   around  you   to   celebrate    a  Jubilee   on   the 
fiftieth  anniversary  of  your  occupation  of  your  Trinity 
Chm'cli   pulpit.     Do  you   know   that  I   had  serious 
thoughts  of  requesting  you  to  suffer  me  to  be  one 
of  the  number,  and  the  intention  was  only  overborne 
by  the  attention  which  it  became  my  duty  to  pay  to 
my  bodily  health.     But  though  unable  to  attend  the 
solemnity  in  person,  even  you  cannot  withhold  from 
me  the  privilege  of  joining  with  you  in  spirit ;  and 
most  assuredly  I  will  endeavour  to  bear  my  part  in 
your  song  of  praises  to  God  and  the  Lamb,  which 
though  begun  on  earth  will,  I  humbly  trust,  be  re- 
sumed by  the  same  blessed  company  in  the  heavenly 
world.    It  must,  and  indeed  may  justly,  be  a  cause  for 
your  special  thankfulness,  that  several  of  the  friends  by 
whom  you  will  be  encircled,  will  be  of  the  number  of 
those  whom  the  Almighty  has  rendered  you  the  blessed 
instrument  of  calling  '  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from 
the  power  of  Satan  unto  God.' 

"  And  now,  my  dear  friend,  farewell ;  I  really  know 
not  what  more  to  wish  or  to  pray  for  for  you,  than 
what  the  Giver  of  all  good  has  already  granted  you. 
And  yet,  my  dear  friend,  I  cannot  but  hope  that  it  may 
please  God  (though,  in  your  instance,  I  should  suppli- 
cate any  particular  blessing  with  more  than  common 
diffidence)    to   suffer   you,   during  a  long  protracted 


HIS    JUBILEE.  707 

autumii,  to  enjoy  in  tlie  University,  where  sucli  an  ex- 
hibition has  rarely  been  vouchsafed,  a  sort  of  earthly 
harvest-home  ;  while,  blessed  in  your  own  person  with 
a  large  measure  of  peace  and  joy  in  believing,  you  may 
be  permitted  to  go  on  through  successive  generations 
of  Collegians,  bearing  testimony  to  the  goodness  and 
mercy  of  the  Blessed  Master  whom  you  have  served, 
and  inviting  and  encouraging  others  to  enter  into  that 
service,  which  from  your  own  experience  you  will 
assure  them  is  perfect  freedom,  and  in  which  also  they 
will  learn  from  you  to  expect  the  wages  of  present 
peace,  and  the  fulness  of  joy  and  pleasures  for  ever- 
more in  the  better  world  of  unsullied  holiness  and 
of  glory  and  happiness.  Mrs.  W.  joins  in  all  that 
cordial  affection  can  suggest  to  us  to  wish  or  pray  for 
you.  Give  us  your  prayers  in  return,  and  believe  us 
"  Ever  sincerely  and  affectionately  yours, 

"  W.  WlLBERFORCE. 

"  I  have  been  forced  to  scribble  so  fast,  that  I  am 
ashamed  to  send  my  letter.  But  forgive  the  sloven- 
liness of  a  friend." 


Extracts  from  his  Diart  on  the  occasion. 

"  3  o'clock,  Oct.  1,  1832. 

"  Now  let  me  record  the  goodness  of  my  God.  At 
11  o'clock  this  morning,  Mr.  L.,  sen.,  Mr.  L.,  jun.,  and 
Mr.  S.  and  three  other  Gentlemen,  came  as  a  deputation  to 
present  me  with  a  valuable  epergne.  Their  address  was 
most  kind  and  flattering.  Such  a  testimony  of  love  from 
my  hearers  quite  overcame  me.  I  returned  them  thanks 
as  God  enabled  me,  and  with  a  prayer  of  thanksgiving  I 
closed  the  interview. 

"  At  one  o'clock  I  went  to  the  dinner,  which  I  gave 
to  250  of  my  poor  parishioners,  in  the  National  School-room 
in  King's  Street  [Trinity  Parish].  They  were  all  seated  at 
three  tables.  There  could  not  have  been  more  order  at  a 
dinner  in  my  own  room.  The  room  was  decorated  with 
boughs  and  flowers.     I  implored  a  blessing  on  the  food  and 

z  z  2 


708  ACCOUNT    OF 

on  the  company  assembled.  Mr.  C.  sat  at  the  head  of  the 
table  on  my  right,  Mr.  H.  on  my  left.  All  the  heads  of 
my  parish  sat  at  intervals  to  carve  the  dinner.  All  went 
off  well.  Before  it  was  over  I  went  round  the  middle 
table,  expressing  love  to  those  on  either  side.  When  din- 
ner was  over  I  returned  thanks.  Then  the  heads  of  the 
parish  brought  me  a  salver.  .  .  .  (Both  the  salver  and  the 
epergne  are  far  too  elegant  for  me ;  but  as  expressions  of 
respect  and  love  from  my  hearers  they  are  of  incalculable 
value).  Having  presented  it  to  me  in  somewhat  of  a  set 
speech,  I  returned  thanks,  as  the  Lord  enabled  me,  with 
tears  of  gratitude  and  love ;  especially  with  gratitude  to 
God,  who  had  spared  me  to  this  day  to  behold  such  har- 
mony and  love  in  my  parish,  where  for  thirty  years  there 
was  little  but  enmity  and  opposition.  On  the  whole,  it 
was  a  sight  which  has  rarely  ever  been  equalled :  the  room 
so  noble,  and  so  beautifully  arranged ;  the  people  so  hapjjy ; 
the  parish  so  unanimous,  the  spectators  so  delighted :  and 
above  all,  God  so  present  with  us.  I  am  now  come  home 
somewhat  fatigued,  that  I  may  be  still  and  quiet  before  the 
Evening  Service. 

[Mr.  Simeon  preached  from  2  Pet.  i.  12 — 15. 
'  Wherefore  I  will  not  be  negligent  to  put  you  always 
in  remembrance  of  these  things,  though  ye  know 
them,  and  be  established  in  the  present  truth.  Yea, 
I  think  it  meet,  as  long  as  I  am  in  this  tabernacle,  to 
stir  you  up  by  putting  you  in  remembrance ;  knowing 
that  shortly  I  must  put  off  this  my  tabernacle,  even  as 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  hath  shewed  me.  Moreover  I 
will  endeavour  that  ye  may  be  able  after  my  decease 
to  have  these  things  always  in  remembrance.' 

The  deep  solemnity  of  that  Service,  and  the  devout 
appearance  of  the  thronged  and  mingled  audience,  will 
never  be  forgotten  by  those  who  were  at  Trinity  Church 
that  evening.] 

"  On  Tuesday,  at  half-past  10,  about  thirty-two 
assembled.  I  opened  the  meeting  with  observations  (as 
on  a  similar  occasion  before)  founded  on  the  fact  that  the 


HIS    JUBILEE.  709 

Jubilee  was  always  at  the  close  of  the  day  of  atonement ; 
the  Services  of  which  day  prepai-ed  those  who  had  }'eceived 
deliverance  from  spiritual  judgments,  to  set  others  at  liberty 
and  restore  their  inheritances,  and  those  who  were  now 
liberated  and  restored,  to  appreciate  and  improve  their 
mercies  aright.  Thus  our  Jubilee  arose  out  of,  and  was  a 
continuation  of  our  previous  humiliation,  which  I  desired 
to  pervade  all  our  services,  and  all  our  enjoyments.  I 
prayed  with  tears.  Mr.  Sargent  followed  in  a  way  of 
humiliation.  Mr.  Bickersteth  followed  admirably  in  behalf 
of  Missions.  We  then  retired  for  the  luncheon ;  and  met 
again  at  2,  till  4  ;  which  time  was  occupied  in  a  similar 
way  by  Mr.  Hankinson  and  other  brethren. 

Then  twelve  of  the  residents  went  home  to  dinner,  and 
I  entertained  twenty.  About  six  of  the  others  came  back 
to  tea ;  and  we  spent  the  evening  till  past  9  in  discussion. 

Wednesday  was  wholly  occupied  in  most  profitable 
discussions  and  prayer  from  11  to  1  :  and  from  2  to  4. 
Lunch  and  dinner  as  before,  and  evening  as  before.  Mr. 
Jowett's  closing  prayer  will  not  soon  be  forgotten.  Mr. 
Marsh  gave  his  views  of  the  reign  of  Christ,  greatly  mo- 
derated and  softened.  There  would  be  no  controversy  if 
the  prophetical  people  were  all  like  him. 

Thursday  was  spent  till  dinner-time  as  Tuesday  had 
been,  in  the  word  and  prayer  only. 

But  behold,  to  my  utter  surprise  my  dear  (Clerical) 
brethren  presented  me  with  an  elegant  inkstand.  This 
quite  overcame  me.  I  could  speak  only  by  silence  and 
tears,  from  a  sense  of  God's  unmerited  and  unbounded  love 
towards  me.  As  there  was  to  be  Church-service  at  half- 
past  6,  all  except  a  few  dined  with  me ;  Mr.  Cunningham 
preached  on  the  very  same  text  that  I  myself  had  taken  on 
Monday.  We  then  separated,  after  a  season  such  as  no 
one  of  us  had  ever  seen  before. 

Friday,  Mr.  Sargent  staid  the  day  with  me;  and  I 
read  what  he  had  printed  of  Mr.  Thomason's  Life.  It  is 
beautiful,  and  very  interesting. 

On  Saturday  I  redeemed  the  time  that  had  been  alien- 
ated from  my  work  for  the  press,  and  got  up  even  with  my 
printer. 

Monday,  Oct.  8.     I  have  been  to  visit  some  of  the 


710  HIS    FEELINGS    ON 

chief  of  my  friends,  who  have  been  so  active.  It  Is 
delightful  to  see  in  what  a  spirit  they  all  are.  Truly  I 
could  never  have  conceived  it  probable,  if  possible,  that 
such  love  should  abound  towards  me  for  the  Lord's  sake. 

Oct.  9.  I  go  to  Town  to-morrow,  I  shall  be  two  hours 
there  to  do  my  work,  and  hope  to  return  in  the  evening. 

I  returned  unconscious  that  I  had  gone  100  yards, 
except  from  recollection  ;  so  wonderfully  has  God  been 
pleased  to  strengthen  me." 


To  the  Eev.  J.  H.  Michell. 

"  My  dear  Brother,  "  K.  C,  Oct.  8,  1832. 

"  AATio  would  have  ever  thought  that  I 
should  have  to  behold  such  a  day  as  this  ?     i\Iy  parish 
sweetly  harmonious !     My  whole  works  stereotyping 
in  21  volimies  !  and  my  ^Ministry  not  altogether  ineffi- 
cient at  the  age  of  73  !    Where  are  all  our  companions  ? 
Cole,  Hayes,  Luxmoore,   Emly,    Dampier,   Tsorbury, 
Butler,  Anstey,  Bernard,  Hayes,  Smith,  Askew,  Moore, 
Sumpter,   Barrow,    Cropley,    &c.  ?     I   saw  a   fire    at 
Cottenham,  which  had  most  unaccountably  jumped 
over  two  or  three  houses  that  were  in  the  very  line  for 
consumption.     So  you  and  Goodall  and  I  have  been 
spared,  whilst  so  many  on  either  side  of  us  have  been 
taken.    I  thought  that  to  acknowledge  the  goodness  of 
God,  in  preserving  me  to  minister  for  half  a  centuiy  in 
Trinity  Church,  did  indeed  become  me ;  and  our  meet- 
ing of  friends  has  been  pre-eminently  blest  and  sancti- 
fied to  us  all.    The  Sermon  I  preached  on  the  occasion 
shall  be  sent  you.     It  is  a  plain,  simple  tale  :  but  will 
serve  as  a  memorial  of  the  doctrines  I  once  delivered, 
when  I  shall  be  no  longer  able  to  give  my  livhig  testi- 
mony respecting  them.    To  have  had  you  with  us  would 
have  been  liigldy  gratifying  to  us  all.     But  a  w^ant  of 
room  to  entertain  my  friends  compelled  me  to  pass  over 
many  whom  I  should  have  been  most  rejoiced  to  see. 


THE    OCCASION.  711 

"  Your  question  about  renatiis,  I  can  only  answer 
by  saying,  tlmt,  under  God,  I  owe  everything  to 
Provost  Cooke.  I  see  you  full  of  utter  amazement : 
'  Pray  explain  yourself,'  I  hear  you  say.  I  will  in  few 
words.  On  the  29th  of  January,  '79,  I  came  to  Col- 
lege. On  February  2nd  I  understood  that,  at  division 
of  Term,  I  MUST  attend  the  Lord's  Supper.  The 
Provost  ahsolutely  required  it.  Conscience  told  me, 
that  Satan  was  as  fit  to  go  there,  as  I ;  and  that  if  I 
MUST  go,  I  MUST  repent,  and  turn  to  God,  unless  I  chose 
to  eat  and  drink  my  own  damnation.  From  that  day  I 
never  ceased  to  mourn  and  pray,  till  I  obtained  progres- 
sive manifestations  of  God's  mercy  in  Christ  in  Passion 
Week,  and  perfect  peace  on  Easter  Day,  April  4th. 

"  Thus  you  see,  that  under  God  I  owe  all  to 
Dr.  Cooke.  Howbeit  he  meant  not  so",  neither  did  his 
heart  think  so.  But  to  specify  the  day  that  I  was 
renatus,  is  beyond  my  power.  You  have  the  season. 
In  my  o^vn  mind  I  should  judge,  that  deep  penitence, 
Avith  but  a  glimpse  of  the  brasen  serpent,  would  not 
be  despised  by  our  God  and  Father ;  and  that  He  may 
put  away  our  sins,  before  He  shews  us  that  He  has 
done  so.  If  you  ask  me  what  is  my  posture  noiv  ?  I 
must  answer,  that  it  is,  and  ever  has  been,  nearly  the 
same  that  it  was  then.  I  love  to  sow  in  tears,  and  I  am 
content  to  reap  my  harvest  in  heaven ;  not  but  that  I 
have  the  grapes  of  Eshcol  here,  and  in  far  greater  quan- 
tities than  I  am  in  any  point  of  view  entitled  to  expect : 
but  I  love  the  valley  of  humiliation.  I  there  feel  that 
I  am  in  my  proper  place.  There  you  also,  my  dear 
brother,  delight  to  walk  :  and  oiu*  meeting  on  the 
heavenly  hills  will,  I  trust,  be  most  blessed  to  us  both. 

"  Believe  me,  my  ever  dear  Friend,  most  affection- 
ately yours,  "  C.  Simeon." 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

LETTERS TO    REV.    J.   VENN,    ON    PRESENTING   HIM    TO  A   LIVING TO 

THE  SAJIF,  ON  THE  PROPER  DISCHARGE  OF  THE  MINISTRY — TO 
LADY  OLIVIA  B.  SPARROW,  OX  RECOVERY  FROM  ILLNESS — MEMO- 
RANDUJI  ON  THE  COMPLETION  OF  HIS  TVORKS — STATEMENT  OF 
HIS  VIEWS  ABOUT  THEM  — TO  THE  BISHOP  OF  CALCUTTA,  ON  PRE- 
SENTING    THEM     TO     THE     KING REV.    W.    MARSH's     REMARKS    ON 

THE    OCCASION TO     REV.    E.    B.    ELLIOTT,    ON    THE     LOSS     OF     HIS 

WIFE  — TO  A  CLERGYMAN,  RESPECTING  HIS  PREACHING  AND  CON- 
DUCT-EXTRACTS FROM  HIS  DIAEY,  ENUMERATING  HIS  MERCIES 
' — TO  TUE  BISHOP  OF  CALCUTTA HIS  THOUGHTS  ON  THE  PRO- 
SPECT    OF     DEATH  —  TO    A    FRIEND     UNDER     DEPRESSION TO    MISS 

MARY    ELLIOTT,    ON     HIS     SECRET    EXPERIENCE TO    THE    SAME,    ON 

THE    RIGHT    STANDARD    OF    CHRISTIAN   EXCrf.LENCE TO   REV.  J.  B. 

CARTWRIGHT,  ON  THE  EFFECTS  OF  RELIGION  IN  ITS  RISE  AND 
PROGRESS. 


1833—1834. 

CORRESPONDENCE,  ETC. 

To  the  Rev.  J.  Venn,  on  presenting  him  to  a 
Living. 

"  My  dear  Friend,  «  April  15,  1833. 

"  I  A-\Tote  you  yesterday.  My  soul  is 
filled  with  deep  concern.  I  long  that  with  the  wisdom 
of  your  honoured  father  you  should  combine  the  zeal 
and  love  of  your  grandfather.  He  knew  at  Corinth 
nothing  but  Christ  and  Him  crucified.  And  what  is 
there  else  for  you  to  know  at  Hereford  ?  Speak  all 
that  the  Scripture  speaks,  and  as  the  Scriptm-e  speaks 
it :  and  leave  all  nice  distinctions  alone.  You  are  a 
physician  going  to  thousands  dying  of  the  cholera,  and 
have  a  sovereign  remedy  for  them.     Think  of  nothing 


ON    THE    MINISTRY.  713 

else  but  the  remedy.  Get  into  the  spirit  of  the  Apostle 
Paul.  Think  what  he  would  say  and  do  in  your 
circumstances.  Souls  are  perishing  for  lack  of  know- 
ledge. I  wish  you  had  known  your  honom^ed  grand- 
father. The  only  end  for  which  he  lived  was  to  make 
all  men  see  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

"  My  dear  Friend,  let  that  be  your  one  labom*  ?^/7V/* 
all,  and  every  day  and  every  hour.  I  shall  die  a  hap- 
pier man,  if  I  see  you  rising  superior  to  all  minor 
points,  and  wholly  engrossed  with  this. 

"  With  earnest  prayer  to  God  for  you,  I  remain, 
my  dear  friend,  your  most  anxious  and  affectionate 
Brother,  "  C.  Simeon." 


To  the  SAME,  on  the  proper  discharge  of  the 
Ministr)\ 

"  My  dear  Brother,  "  K  C,  April  25,  1833. 

"  You   say,    *  If  it   were   new   ground, 
you   would  feel  no  doubt  about  occupying  it;    but, 

"  Whence  do  these  Sfcs^  spring  ?  I  know  full 
well  to  what  our  deceitful  hearts  would  ascribe  them ; 
but  carry  them  to  God,  and  see  whether  He  will 
approve  them  ? 

"  What  would  love  to  God's  Chm-ch  and  people 
say? 

"  What  should  we  ourselves  say,  if  we  could  forget 
self  ?  Is  it  when  we  are  strong  in  our  own  conceit, 
that  we  are  really  strong  ?  Get  comprehensive  views 
and  an  abiding  sense  of  the  height,  and  depth,  and 
length,  and  breadth,  of  the  love  of  Christ,  and  what 
will  your  ^c.s  come  to  ? 

"  You  are  an  Ambassador  of  the  Most  High  God, 


714  ON    THE    MINISTRY. 

sent  to  intreat  sinners,  witli  floods  of  tears,  to  be' 
reconciled  to  Him.  Think  of  this,  and  say,  what  your 
8fc.^  come  to  ?  Ask  yourself  what  would  be  the 
views  and  feelings  of  the  Apostle  Paul,  or  of  his  son 
Timothy,  in  your  circumstances,  or  what  the  feelings 
of  your  most  honoured,  most  loved,  most  revered 
grandfather  ?  and  blush  at  all  that  has  arisen  in  your 
mind  to  discourage  your  acceptance  of  the  post. 

"  Let  me  not  grieve  you  by  this  fidelity.  I  have 
made  myself  responsible  to  Almighty  God  for  4000 
souls  ;  and  I  long  that  the  love  of  Christ  should  '  con- 
strain you,'  (carry  you  away  as  a  mighty  torrent,)  to 
make  known  to  them  the  glorious  Gospel  of  the  blessed 
God,  in  all  its  unsearchable  riches,  and  excellency,  and 
glory.  Away  with  every  minor  consideration,  and  with 
every  (falsely  supposed)  humble  thought.  Be  a  voice 
crying  in  the  wilderness  :  be  a  child :  be  a  fool,  in 
your  own  estimation  at  least,  and  then  you  will  be 
content  to  be  esteemed  so  by  others.  Discard  utterly 
from  your  mind  all  wherein  they  may  differ  from  you. 
There  is  the  whole  field  of  the  Gospel  before  you  :  be 
to  them  the  Angel  spoken  of  Rev.  xiv.  6,  7  :  and  teach 
them  all  to  commence  the  song  which  they  are  singing. 
Rev.  V.  6,  10  :  and  then  I  shall  hope  one  day  to  join 
with  you  singing  it,  accompanied  with  a  goodly  num- 
ber from  Hereford. 

"  Tell  me  that  I  have  not  grieved  you,  or  at  least 
that  you  forgive  me  ;  and  believe  me  yom'  most  truly 
affectionate  friend  and  Brother, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


HIS    ILLNESS.  715 

To  Lady  Olivia  B.  Sparrow,  on  his  recovery 
from  illness.  "  K.  C,  April  13,  1833. 

"  My  dear  Lady  Olivia, 

"  For  fifteen  months  I  went  on  with 
my  Work,  with  all  the  energy  and  activity  of  youth, 
revising  and  correcting  one  of  my  ponderous  Volumes 
every  tliree  weeks.  But  I  had  no  sooner  completed 
the  twentieth  Volume,  than  the  gout  came,  and  threw 
me  down,  and  compelled  me  to  transfer  my  editorial 
work  to  others.  But  in  fact,  all  that  I  was  in  the 
least  anxious  about  was  completed.  I  am  carried  up 
and  down  stairs  on  men's  shoulders,  and  put  into 
and  taken  out  of  my  carriage  hke  a  log  of  wood. 
But  I  can  now  walk  two  or  three  yards  alone ;  and 
hope,  if  it  be  possible,  to  be  helped  up  to  my  pulpit 
to-morrow.  I  do  indeed  doubt  whether  it  be  pos- 
sible :  of  that  I  shall  judge  better  when  I  get  to 
church.  But  my  judgment  scarcely  approves  of  the 
dictates  of  my  heart. 

"  This  will  be  but  too  just  an  apology  for  my 
declining  your  kind  invitation  for  the  present.  I 
doubt  much  the  possibility  of  my  going  up  to  Town 
a  fortnight  hence  to  the  Jews'  Meeting :  (the  other 
Meetings  it  will  be  quite  impossible  for  me  to  attend)  ; 
but  what  my  friend  Mr.  Way  so  nobly  upheld,  and 
what  I  know  from  Scripture  to  be  so  near  to  the 
heart  of  my  Lord  and  Saviour,  (Jer.  xxxii.  41,)  I 
must  strain  every  nerve  to  support. 

"  It  would  greatly  rejoice  me  to  see  Lady  Gos- 
ford :  but,  except  at  Cambridge,  I  cannot  hope  for 
that  pleasure  at  present.  I  am  but  just  out  of  my 
physician's  hands ;  and  though  convalescent,  must 
have  some  time  to  recover  the  energies  either  of 
my  mind  or  body. 


716  MEMORANDUM 

"  I  am  sorry  to  hear  that  yoiu-  eyes  are  weak  ; 
and  I  earnestly  hope  that  the  relaxation  of  their 
wonted  labours  for  the  body  will  be  improved  by 
turning  them  in  more  steadily  upon  the  inward  man, 
and  fixing  them  more  intensely  on  Him  who  died 
for  us  upon  the  cross,  and  ever  lives  to  make  inter- 
cession for  us  at  the  right  hand  of  God.  Standing  as 
I  do  on  the  very  brink  and  precipice  of  the  eternal 
world,  I  desire  nothing  so  much  as  a  broken  and 
contrite  spirit.  I  would  (I  had  almost  said)  rather 
have  that,  than  pardon  itself;  because  that  honours 
God,  whilst  pardon  only  benefits  me.  I  hang  upon 
the  Saviour,  as  actually  perishing  without  his  un- 
bounded mercy  and  unintermitted  care.  I  look  to 
Him  as  the  very  chief  of  sinners ;  and  in  this  frame 
of  mind  I  find  perfect  peace. 

"  May  grace,  mercy,  and  peace,  be  ever  multiplied 
to  you,  my  very  dear  Friend,  through  the  knowledge 
of  that  adorable  Saviom' !  This  is  the  most  earnest 
prayer  of,  my  dear  Lady  Olivia,  your  most  afiectionate 
Friend,  "  C.  Simeon." 


Memorandum  on  the  completion  of  his  Work. 

«  May  24,  1833. 

"  This  day  God  has  vouchsafed  to  me  the  two 
richest  blessings  (next  to  the  enjoyment  of  himself) 
that  my  soul  could  desire  : 

1.  1  have  this  day  received  from  the  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury  his  permission  to  dedicate  my  Work 
to  him : 

2.  I  have  this  day  received  the  last  five  Volumes, 
and  see  the  Work  complete — the  ship  launched. 
This  last  was  the  only  thing  for  which  I  wished  to 
live,  so  to  speak,  and  I  now  sing  my  Nunc  dimittis." 


ABOUT    HIS    WORKS.  717 

The  following  statement,  respecting  the  nature  and 
object  of  his  Works,  was  drawn  up  by  Mr.  Simeon 
when  first  contemplating  the  publication  of  them 
entke  in  a  stereotyped  edition. 

"  Havhig  attained  the  age  of  man,  and  consequently 
looking  for  speedy  dissolution,  I  think  it  not  inexpedient 
to  leave  behind  me  a  statement  of  what  has  been  my  object 
in  the  Works  which  I  have  published,  and  which,  either 
before  I  die  or  soon  aftei-,  will  probably  be  pi'inted  in 
20  Volumes,  leaving  my  improvement  of  Claudes  Essay  as 
a  separate  publication. 

I  am  far  from  saying  that  I  have  attained  my  object ; 
but  It  will  be  well  that  my  views  and  endeavours  be  dis- 
tinctly stated. 

/  have  aimed  at 

1.  JJnity. — So  that  there  should  be  but  one  subject  in 
every  Discourse ;  and  that  subject  be  the  very  '  mind 
of  the  Spirit,'  in  every  text  throughout  the  whole 
Work.  I  think  that  every  Sermon  should  have,  like 
a  telescope,  but  one  object  in  the  field. 

2.  Continuity . — They  appear,  on  account  of  the  divi- 
sions, artificial;  but  I  have  endeavoured  that  they 
should  be  simplicity  itself:  and  it  will  be  found  that 
they  will  read  as  well  without  divisions  (1.  2.  3.)  as 
with  them :  but,  in  my  judgment,  the  divisions  help 
the  audience  to  understand  and  remember  the  Dis- 
courses much  better  than  they  would  do,  if  such  aids 
were  not  afforded  them. 

3.  Pertinency. — So  that  no  other  text  in  the  Bible 
will  suit  the  Discourse.  This  enables  the  audience 
to  enter  more  fully  into  the  meaning  of  God's  Word, 
when  they  read  it  at  home. 

The  ancients  used  to  say,  that  in  every  stone  there 
was  a  man;  and  that  if  only  you  chipped  off  the 
block,  out  would  come  the  man.  So  say  I  of  every 
text.  Every  text  has  its  proper  subject,  Avhich  should 
be  brought  forth,  without  mutilation  or  addition  of 
any  kind.    The  man,  whatever  liis  position  be,  has  an 


718  REMARKS    UPON 

identity  that  distinguishes  him  from  all  others.  And 
so  it  should  be  in  every  Sermon  on  every  text ;  the 
whole  matter  should  be  brought  out  of  the  text,  as 
the  whole  man,  without  the  addition  of  a  finger  or  a 
toe,  is  formed  in  the  stone. 

4.  Diversity. — They  comprehend  all  Claude's  modes 
of  composition — by  Explication — by  Observation — 
by  Propositions  —  and  by  Perpetual  Application. 
Even  the  mode  of  taking  a  text  for  a  motto,  which 
Claude  does  not  mention,  and  which  as  a  general 
mode  I  greatly  disapprove,  is  used  in  all  my  Uni- 
versity Sets ;  because  then  I  had  one  subject  for  four 
or  five  Sermons. 

5.  Fifhiess. — I  have  endeavoured  that  full  Scripture 
light  should  be  thrown  on  every  text  and  every 
subject. 

6.  Number. — There  are  so  many,  that  if  one  Discourse 
be  read  every  day  without  intermission,  they  will 
occupy  the  reader  seven  years.  And,  if  this  appear 
too  numerous,  the  advantages  of  it  are,  that  a  Alinister 
will  find  a  Discourse  on  every  text  he  would  wish  to 
treat,  and  Families  will  find  my  book  a  Comment  on 
the  whole  Bible. 

7.  Conciseness. — Allowing  twenty-five  Discourses  as 
the  average  number  for  a  common  volume  of  ser- 
mons, there  will  be  found  in  my  twenty  Volumes 
what,  in  the  ordinary  way  of  publishing,  would  fill 
one  hundred  volumes ! 

8.  Perspicuity. — The  common  fault  of  brevity  is  ob- 
scurity. These,  by  the  mode  of  printing  the  leading 
thoughts  in  larger  characters,  will  be  seen  and  com- 
prehended by  a  single  glance  of  the  eye,  and  will 
convey  to  the  reader  in  one  moment  the  whole 
subject  from  beginning  to  end. 

9.  Cheapness. — For  ten  guineas,  the  purchaser  has  what 
in  the  ordinary  mode  of  printing  Avould  cost  \\m\  fifty. 
I  will  further  mention  what  I  hope  will  be  found,  their 

10.    Use. — To  facilitate  the  composition  of  Sermons. 


HIS    WORKS.  719 

11.  Tendency. 

1.  To  raise  the  tone  of  preaching  throughout  the 
land. 

2.  To  promote  a  candid,  liberal,  and  consistent  mode 
of  explaining  the  Scriptures, 

3.  To  weaken  at  least,  if  not  eradicate,  the  disputes 
about  Calvinism  and  Ai^nmiianism ;  and  thus  to 
recommend,  to  the  utmost  of  my  power,  the  unham- 
pered liheralitij  of  the  Church  of  England. 

12.  Effect. 

1.  To  impart  to  young  Ministers  a  clear  view  of  tlie 
Gospel. 

2.  To  help  them  to  an  inward  experience  of  it  in 
their  own  souls. 

Of  course,  it  cannot  be  expected  that  I  should  have 
attained  the  same  measure  of  success  in  all.  But  I  have 
laboured  to  attain  it  in  all :  and  those  which  appear  the 
most  simple  have  in  many  cases  cost  me  most  labour. 
My  endeavour  has  been  so  to  simplify  everything,  quod 
sibi  quivis  speret  idem ;  and  perhaps  I  may  add,  sudet  mtdtmn, 
frustraque  laboret.  There  are  very  few  which  I  have  not 
formed  in  a  variety  of  different  ways,  before  I  fixed  upon 
the  plan  which  I  have  finally  adopted.  I  would  recom- 
mend no  person  to  use  them  servilely.  A  mere  tyro  may 
study  one  Discourse  first,  and  then  write  for  himself  in  his 
own  language  the  substance  of  it.  But,  after  a  few 
months,  he  will  do  better  to  form  his  own  plan  first,  and 
then  consult  what  is  here  written.  He  will  then  acquire 
originality  both  of  thought  and  method,  and  soon  become 
a  '  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed.'  Yet,  to 
the  end  of  his  days,  I  Avould  entreat  him  to  retain  in  his 
compositions 

Unit]/  in  his  subject, 

Perspicuity  in  his  arrangement,  and 

Simplicity  in  his  diction  ; 
for   without   these    the  great  mass  of  his  audience    will 
derive  no  profit  from  his  labours. 

«  C.  S." 


720  PRESENTATION 

To  the  Bishop  of  Calcutta,  on  presentmg  his 
Works  to  the  King. 

"  King's  College,  Cambridge,  July  3,  1833. 

"  My  beloved   and  most   honoured   Friend  and 
Brother, 

.  .  .  .  "  For  fifteen  months  I  continued,  with 
the  intei-vention  only  of  one  single  day,  to  revise  and 
correct  the  press,  and  in  that  time  finished  twenty 
volumes.  Then  came  a  fit  of  the  gout  which  neces- 
sitated me  to  devolve  that  labour  for  the  last  volume 
on  others.  But  that  volume  had  been  so  thoroughly 
prepared  by  me,  that  I  could  not,  so  far  as  I  am 
aware,  have  altered  a  single  word.  It  was  all  finished 
in  sixteen  months — twenty-one  thick  volumes  in  six- 
teen months — (an  expedition  never  known  or  heard 
of  in  the  ^nitings  of  a  private  man).  I  wrote  to  the 
Archbishop  of  Canterbmy,  who  readily  permitted  me 
to  dedicate  it  to  him :  by  means  of  which  it  will  abate 
prejudice  at  home,  and  facilitate  the  reception  of  it 
abroad  amongst  all  the  foreign  Com-ts  to  which  I 
send  it.  A  fortnight  ago  this  day  I  had  the  honour 
of  presenting  the  Work  to  his  Majesty  before  the 
Levee,  at  a  private  audience.  The  King  received  me 
very  courteously,  and  told  me  he  should  convey  them 
with  him  to  Windsor,  meaning  that  he  should  have 
more  time  to  look  at  them  there  than  in  London.  To 
both  the  Ai-chbishops  I  presented  them.  With  his 
Grace  of  Canterbury  I  had  a  long  and  deep  and 
interesting  conversation,  upon  the  true  character  of 
religion,  as  suited  both  to  the  necessities  and  capa- 
cities of  men.  He  entered  fully  into  my  statements, 
and  cordially  concurred  with  me  in  them.  The  Arch- 
bishop of  York  was  a  Fellow  of  All  Souls'  together 
with  my  brother.  Sir  J.  S.     And  a  curious  cii'cum- 


OF    HIS    WORKS.  721 

stance  occurred.  I  had  presented  my  books  to  him 
the  day  before  I  presented  them  to  the  King :  and 
whilst  I  was  with  his  ]\Iajesty,  his  name  was  an- 
nounced. On  leaving  the  King,  I  met  him  in  the 
ante-room,  and  he  shook  me  cordially  by  the  hand, 
and  told  me  he  had  been  reading  my  book  with 
pleasm-e.  And  in  two  minutes  afterwards  he  was 
with  the  King,  with  the  books  before  him,  so  that 
doubtless  he  would  impress  his  Majesty's  mind  favour- 
ably respecting  them.  Who  can  tell  what  good  may 
result  from  this?  The  Queen  at  least,  I  hope,  may 
reap  some  good  from  them. 

"  All  the  foreign  Ambassadors  have  undertaken  to 
transmit  them  to  their  respective  Courts.  Prince  Tal- 
leyrand has  already  sent  his  to  Paris.  At  Cambridge 
an  extraordinary  effect  has  been  wrought.  And 
St.  John's  College  has  written  me  the  following  letter, 
which  is  incomparably  the  most  grateful  to  me  of 
any  that  I  have  yet  received. 

*  I  am  desired  by  the  Master  and  Seniors  to  return  to 
you  their  heartfelt  thanks  for  your  very  valuable  present 
to  the  Library  of  St.  John's  College;  viz.,  *A  Copy  of 
your  entire  Works.' 

I  am  sure  you  will  readily  believe,  that  the  Master 
and  Fellows  most  cordially  join  in  the  wish  and  prayer, 
you  have  been  so  kind  to  prefix  in  your  own  hand-writing 
to  the  Copy  sent*. 

They  also  sincerely  hope  that  you  may  be  yet  a  long 
time  spared  to  labour  in  the  service  of  our  Divine  Master.' 

*  "A  Present  from,  the  Author, 

in  the  humble  hope, 

and   with  earnest  prayer  to   God, 

that  his  efforts  to  diffuse 

the  knowledge  of  Christ 

with   all  the  wonders    of 

Redeeming  Love 

may  not  be  in  vain." 

L.  S.  3  A 


72.2  PRESENTATION 

"  Now  if  tills  change  alone  were  wrought  in  a 
College  so  extensively  influential,  it  were  worth  all  the 
labour  and  expense  I  have  bestowed  on  my  plan  of 

presentations The   next  circumstance  is,  the 

Vice-Chancellor  himself  called  upon  me,  to  desire  me 
to  let  him  nominate  me  as  one  of  the  Select  Preachers 
for  next  year.  Now  when  I  preached  the  Sermons  on 
the  Gospel,  and  gave  notice  in  them  that  I  considered 
a  set  of  Sermons  on  the  Holy  Spirit  necessary  to 
complete  my  plan,  it  was  seven  years  before  another 
turn  was  offered  me,  and  then  onlv  when  the  Vice- 

Chancellor  and  one  of  the  Proctors  were  of  mv  own 

•J 

College,  and  the  other  Proctor  my  friend.  I  declined 
accepting  his  offer,  because  I  judged  it  wiser  and 
better  in  every  view  to  antedate  old  age,  than  to  run 
any  risk  of  exposing  myself  and  paining  others,  by  any 
unconscious  display  of  my  augmented  senile  infirmities. 
But  the  offer  itself  is  a  token  of  God's  merciful  accept- 
ance of  my  efforts  to  serve  Him,  and  a  strong  incentive 
to  me  to  devote  myself  to  Him,  as  long  as  any  power 
shall  be  vouchsafed  to  me,  even  to  my  djing  hour. 
I  do  not  however,  as  you  see,  forget  the  lesson  I 
inculcate,  'Pnidence.' 

"  We  have  had  a  large  assembly  of  philosophers 
here,  both  British  and  Foreign  :  and  their  exhibitions 
have  gone  off  well.  But  one  atom  of  heavenly  science 
is  in  my  estimation  preferable  to  all  that  they  brought 
forth.  And  so  St.  Paul  thought,  when  he  counted  all 
but  dross  and  dung  for  the  excellency  of  the  know- 
ledge of  Christ*. 


*  Mr.  Simeon  however  was  by  no  means  indifferent  to  the 
advancement  of  science,  and  had  great  pleasure  in  attending  these 
Meetings  of  the  British  Association.  In  his  occasional  seasons  of 
leisure  he  had  peculiar  pleasure  in  reading  works  of  a  philosophical 


OF  HIS  woEKs.  723 

"  You  will  hear  with  grief  what  loss  the  Church 
aud  the  world  have  sustained  by  the  death  of  Mr. 
Sargent.  He  lived  just  to  finish  Mr.  Thomason's 
INIemoir,  and  then  passed  into  the  heavens,  after  an 
illness  of  only  six  days.  I  went  instantly  to  join  my 
tears  with  those  of  his  afflicted  widow,  and  found  her  as 
near  a  counterpart  of  Job  as  has  existed  since  the 
Apostles'  days.  Her  only  surviving  son  has  been  re- 
peatedly near  death  both  before  and  since ;  and  all  that 
the  fond  mother  desires  is,  to  see  him  fully  prepared 
to  join  her  departed  husband  in  his  songs  of  joy." 


From  the  Rev.  AV.  IMarsu  to  j\rr.  Simeon,  on  his 
presentation  to  the  King. 

"  My  beloved  Brother,  "  July  5,  1833. 

"  '  Seest  thou  a  man  dilio;ent  in  his  busi- 
ness?  he  shall  stand  before  kings'  (Prov.  xxii.  29): 
e.g.  Mr,  Simeon  at  Court.  So  the  Courier  informs 
me,  and  I  believe  it ;  and  therefore  thank  God.  You 
have  never  preached  on  this  text ;  and  now  you  will 
be  afraid  to  do  it.  Not  because  you  have  not  expe- 
rienced its  truth,  but  because  you  have." 


To  the  Rev.  E.  B.  Elliott,  on  the  death  of  his  Wife. 

"  K.  C,  June  8,  1833. 
"  My  dear  friend  and  Brother, 

"  I  weep  over  the  sad  dispensation  with 
which,  as  beloved  Mary  informs  me,  you  are  visited. 
It  was  but  the  other  day,  that  I  was  called  to  blend 


character ;  and  when  recovering  from  a  severe  illness,  a  year  after 
this,  the  volume  which  he  most  enjoyed,  next  after  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  was  the  Bridgewater  Treatise  by  Dr.  Whewell,  on 
Astronomy  and  General  Physics ;  which  was  read  over  to  him 
more  than  once,  as  he  was  able  at  intervals  to  hear  it. 

Ba  2 


724  AFFECTIONATE 

my  tears  with  those  of  my  dearest  friend  Mrs.  Sargent, 
and  now  they  are  called  for  in  yom'  behalf.     Truly  it 
is  a  vale  of  tears  that  we  are  passing  through ;  and  it 
is  not  till  we  reach  a  better  world,  that  they  will  be 
finally  wiped  away  from  our  eyes.      But  in  one  thing 
I  cannot  enter  into  the  general  feeling.     It  is  gene- 
rally adduced  as  a  ground  of  additional  commiseration, 
that  there  are  fom'  motherless   children  left   to  the 
care  of  the  bereaved  father.     I  might  admit  this  idea, 
though  even   then  with    diflicidty,   if    the    surviving 
parent  had  no  means  for  their  support :  but  where 
such  pressure  did  not  exist,  I  should  rather  think,  that 
every  pledge  of    love  which  the   survivor  possessed 
would  be  a  sweet  memorial  of  the  deceased  :  and  that 
in  the  exercise  of  love  towards  them,  there  was  one 
continued  exercise  of  love  towards  that  object,  which 
though  corporeally  beyond  my  reach,  was  mentaUy  in 
my  very  arms  and  in  my  heart.     I  quite  found  it  so 
when  I  was  at  Mrs.  Sargent's.     The   dearest  friend 
I  had  on  earth  was  gone,  but  in  my  exercise  of  love 
towards  his  bereaved  widow  and  children,  I  felt  that 
I  had  him  with  me ;  and  I  poured  my  soul,  as  it  were, 
into  his  bosom  as  I  had  been  wont  to  do,  only  of 
course  with  that  diversity  of  feeling  which  the  occa- 
sion called  for.     I  grant  that  the  cases  are  widely,  I 
might  say  infinitely,  different ;  yet  I  do  know,  from 
daily  experience,  that  relics  how  worthless  soever  in 
themselves  are   capable  of  bringing  to  the  mind  a 
feeling  of   love  towards  distant  and  even  departed 
objects,  and  of  softening,  even  whilst  they  renew,  the 
anguish  of  bereavement.      More  especially  where  the 
mind  is  assm-ed  of  the   happiness  of  the   departed 
object,  I  conceive  that  there  is  a  legitimate  scope  for 
such  feelings  as  these.     Still,  however,  as  I  have  never 


SYMPATHY.  725 

been  placed  in  your  circumstances,  I  am  not  sure 
that  this  letter  does  not  call  for  an  apology  on  my 
part.  If  it  strike  you  so,  I  pray  you  to  forgive  me. 
]  do  not  mean  to  sing  songs  to  a  heavy  heart,  but  to 
bind  up,  as  God  may  enable  me,  and  to  heal  a  broken 
spirit :  and  if  I  have  erred,  impute  it  to  nothing  but 
misdirected  love. 

"  Beloved  Mary  has  desired  me  to  write  to  you, 
but  I  feel  my  utter  incompetency  to  do  so.  To  enter 
on  the  common  topics  of  consolation  would  be  unne- 
cessary, and  almost  impertinent  in  the  present  case. 
If  these  few  lines  only  express  my  sympathy  with  you, 
and  shew  you  what  balm  I  would  pour  into  your 
wounded  spirit,  if  it  were  in  my  power,  they  will  so 
far  fulfil  the  desire  of,  my  dear  friend, 

"  Your  most  aflPectionate  brother  in  the  Lord, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


To  a  Clergyman,  on  his  preaching  and  conduct. 

''  My  dear  Friend,  "  K.  C,  July  2,  1833. 

"  I  am  most  thankful  to  you  for  your 
kind  letter,  and  for  the  information  respecting  things 
around  you.  My  answers  to  you  shall  be  at  all  times 
with  the  most  entire  and  most  affectionate  freedom, 
yet  at  the  same  time  confidential ;  because  I  should  not 
wish  to  be  quoted,  as  taking  views  of  things  directly 
opposite  to  any  of  my  brethren,  unless  I  were  present 
to  state  my  sentiments  with  precision,  and  to  shew 
that  I  was  actuated  only  by  truth  and  love. 

"  In  your  letter  you  refer  to  two  things  as  disap- 
proved by  some.  And  first,  yoiu'  preaching. — Now 
I  certainly  think  that  religious  people  are  too  much 
addicted  to  human  systems.  Scarcely  any  one  is  aware 
that  Calvinism  and  Arminianism  are  equally  true,  if 


7:2G  ADVICE  TO 

rightly  applied,  and  equally  false,  if  pressed  to  extremes. 
Each  party  is  apt  to  dogmatize,  and  to  manifest  a 
degree  of  intolerance  in  relation  to  the  other. 

"  Your  part  with  respect  to  all  of  them  is  to  please 
them  if  you  can ;  but  only  so  far  as  is  for  their  good, 
and  to  their  real  edification.  I  would  run  after 
nothing,  and  shun  nothing.  Be  not  afraid  of  speaking 
all  that  God  has  spoken  in  His  word,  or  of  giving  to 
every  word  of  His  the  measure  of  w^eight  and  em- 
phasis and  preponderance,  that  it  has  in  the  inspii'ed 
Writino;s.  The  instant  that  vou  are  afraid  or  averse 
to  do  this,  you  stand  self-condemned,  as  sitting  in 
judgment  upon  Him,  from  whom  every  word  has  been 
inspired  for  the  good  of  the  Church.  I  have  always 
regretted  that  a  friend  of  yours  and  mine  could  not 

see  his  way  more  clear  in  this  respect And  I 

hope  you  will  be  enabled  to  '  preach  the  word'  freely 
and  fullg,  without  any  fear  of  man,  or  partiality  for 
human  systems. 

"  But  I  highly  approve  of  the  difference  you  make 
on  different  occasions.  I  think  I  mentioned  in  a 
former  letter  1  Cor.  iii.  2,  to  which  I  may  add  Heb.  v, 
12,  14,  and  vi.  1 — 3.  Do  not  these  passages  shew 
that  we  arc  to  consider  the  capacity  of  our  hearers  to 
receive  instruction  ?  There  is  even  among  good  people 
a  sad  Avant  of  love  to  those  who  are  less  instructed 
than  themselves.  You  Avill  not  find  one  in  twenty 
that  would  '  love'  such  a  character  as  the  rich  youth, 
who  thought  he  had  kept  all  the  Commandments,  and 
at  last  forsook  om*  Lord  rather  than  surrender  up  his 
riches.  I  would  not  have  you  withhold  the  strongest 
meat  from  those  who  are  able  to  digest  it,  but  I  would 
select  proper  seasons  for  administering  it,  and  if 
administered   at    a   time    when    there   were    persons 


A   CLERGYMAN.  727 

present  who  were  likely  to  be  choked  by  it,  I  would 
administer  it  witli  that  measure  of  tenderness  towards 
the  weak,  that  should  at  least  convince  them  that  I 
was  anxious  for  their  welfare.  In  relation  to  all  these 
matters,  take  counsel  not  of  fear  but  of  love.  Wliat- 
ever  be  the  number  or  quality  of  your  counsellors, 
always  put  love  in  the  chair,  and  give  him  a  casting 
vote. 

"  Now  for,  secondly,  your  conduct. — Here  again 
I  quite  agi'ce  with  you.  There  is  among  religious 
people  a  kind  of  Popish  infallibility.  Every  one  thinks 
his  own  line  straight,  and  that  of  all  who  differ  from 
him  crooked.  A  man  that  has  scarcely  ever  stirred 
out  of  a  retued  village,  fancies  himself  able  to  judge 
all  other  Christians  in  whatever  line  they  move.  In 
fact,  there  is  among  them  a  strong  propensity  to  un- 
charitable judging,  and  a  disposition  to  say  to  others, 
*  Stand  off,  I  am  holier  than  thou.'  I  would  not  have 
you  brought  into  bondage  by  them,  I  would  have  you 
so  to  move,  as  to  conciliate  the  feelings  at  least,  if  not 
the  regards,  of  adversaries.  I  think  in  a  former  letter 
I  touched  on  this  also.  Had  our  blessed  Lord  acted 
like  the  Pharisees,  who  kept  all  others  at  a  distance, 
he  would  never  have  been  called  the  friend  of  pub- 
licans and  sinners.  The  point  for  you  to  judge  of  is 
this :  What  is  wj/  motive  in  this  or  that  concession  ? 
If  it  be  to  remove  prejudice,  for  t/ie  (jood  of  others^  it 
will  bring  no  evil  consequence  along  with  it.  If  you 
act  under  the  influence  of  self-denying  love,  you  will 
sustain  no  injury  :  but  the  very  instant  you  find  plea- 
sure in  worldly  company  you  are  got  off  from  Christian 
ground.  The  affecting  of  friendship  with  the  world 
is  virtual  enmity  against  God  :  and  the  love  of  the 
world  is  a  decisive  evidence  that  the  love  of  God  is  not 


728  ENUMERATION 

in  US.  But  are  we  therefore  to  act  as  if  we  hated  all 
who  are  not  of  our  party  ?  If  a  blackamoor  fall  into 
the  water,  shall  we  make  no  effort  to  save  him,  because 
he  is  not  a  white  man  like  om'selves  ?  I  should  rather 
say,  the  circumstance  of  another  person  differing  from 
me  both  in  faith  and  practice,  ought  to  make  me 
earnest,  by  all  possible  condescension  and  love,  to 
avail  myself  of  any  opportunity  to  set  him  right.  Yet 
I  would  not  carry  this  so  far  as  to  make  it  doubtfid  on 
whose  side  I  am.  I  would  be  the  Christian  every- 
where :  and  though  I  would  not  lug  in  religion  neck 
and  shoulders,  I  would  never  leave  any  one  to  doubt 
a  moment  whose  I  am,  and  whom  alone  I  serve. 

"  Thus  I  have  addressed  myself,  as  briefly  and  as 
clearly  as  I  could,  to  the  questions  you  have  been 
kind  enough  to  submit  to  me,  and  most  thankful  shall 
I  be  to  hear  and  know  all  that  you  can  from  time 
to  time  communicate,  that  I  may  have  further  oppor- 
tunities of  expressing  my  sentiments  to  you  without 
reserve. 

"  Tell  me  in  yom'  next  whom  you  have  with  you. 
If  yom-  aunt  and  sister  are  with  you,  present  to  them 
my  very  kind  regards,  and  believe  me,  my  dear  friend, 

"  Your  very  affectionate  brother  in  the  Lord, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


Extracts  from  his  Diary  enumerating  his  mercies. 

«  Nov.  4,  1833. 
"What  wonderful  things  have  I  been  spared  to  behold- 

1.  Union  and  harmony  and  love  throughout  my  whole 
parish,  together  with  an  increased  attention  to  re- 
ligion. 

2.  INIy  Jubilee  completed,  and  kept  with  such  devout 
affection. 


OF    MERCIES.  729 

3.  My  entire  AVork  out,  presented,  and,  as  far  as  I 
know,  approved. 

4.  My  Church  enlarging  so  as  to  hold  1100  persons, 
and  so  beautified  as  to  be  the  ornament,  instead  of 
the  disgrace  of  the  town. 

5.  My  School-room  built  for  God's  service,  and  now 
licensed  for  it.  I  preached  there  yesterday,  not 
without  many  tears,  on  1  Cor.  ix.  16. 

6.  St.  Mary's  given  to  the  entire  management  of  Mr. 
C,  and  at  least  1200  hearers:  I  preached  there  on 
Sunday  Evening,  20th,  to  that  number,  on  Rom.  xv.  29, 

7.  Barnwell  (Church)  open  to  me.  I  preached  there  on 
Sunday  Morning  27th,  on  Lev.  ii.  14 — 16. 

8.  St.  Mary's  now  statedly  open  to  me  in  the  mornings. 
Mr.  C.  is  to  read  the  prayers  early  in  the  morning  on 
Sundays;  and  at  12  to  read  the  Litany,  and  [Com- 
munion Service,  when]  I  am  to  preach.  It  will  com- 
mence on  Nov.  10.  I  intend  to  preach  on  Luke  x.  23, 
24.  This  will  continue  till  my  Church  is  open,  when 
I  hope  to  preach  at  Trinity  every  Sunday  morning, 
and  at  St.  Mary's  in  the  Evening.  Never  did  I  long 
more  to  spend  and  be  spent  for  the  Lord  than  at  this 
moment.     Blessed  be  God  ! 

Nov.  14.  This  day  has  Mr.  H consented  to  let 

me  preach  at  St.  Botolph's  every  Thursday.    How  incredible 
is  all  t/iis !" 

After  one  brief  remark  made  Dec.  18, 1833,  there 
are  no  more  entries  till  Sept.  22,  1834,  when  the  fol- 
lowing occurs : 

"  Sept.  22,  1834.  This  interval  shews  m?/  taste  for 
Diaries.  But  if  I  could  put  down  on  paper  a  just  account 
of  God's  mercies  to  me,  this  book  would  not  suffice  to  relate 
one  hundredth  part  of  them.  The  last  day  of  April,  after 
three  months'  illness,  I  was  all  but  gone.  ...  At  St.  Mary's 
and  St.  Botolph's,  I  have  resumed  my  Ministry  with  almost 
my  former  energy ;  and  have  large  congregations  at  both. 
And  if  I  live  to  Oct.  12,  I  shall  re-o]>en  Trinity  Church. 
In  what  terms  could  I  adequately  describe  these  things  ? 
But  I  do  bless  God  for  them  from  my  inmost  soul." 


730  THOUGHTS    ON    THE 

To  the  Bisliop  of  Calcutta,  on  the  prospect  of  death. 

"  Cambrld^^e,  May  21,  1834. 
"  My  beloved  and  honoured  Brother, 

"  About  six  weeks  ago  I  sent  to  your  son, 
to  intreat  that  he  would  write  to  inform  you,  why  you 
had  not  heard  from  me  in  answer  to  your  letter  re- 
ceived about  the  beginning  of  February.  At  that  time 
I  was  taken  with  the  gout,  and  having  preached  twice 
at  St.  Mary's  on  February  15,  the  disorder  came  on 
so  violently,  that  for  the  space  of  about  twelve  weeks 
I  was  as  incapable  of  doing  anything  for  myself,  even 
the  moving  an  inch  on  one  side  or  the  other  on  my 
bed,  as  an  infant.  My  pains  after  about  the  first  three 
weeks,  were,  through  the  tender  mercy  of  God,  scarcely 
worthy  of  a  thought ;  but  my  whole  frame  Avas  reduced 
to  a  perfect  skeleton  :  and  repeatedly  was  I  considered 
as  at  the  point  of  death.  On  this  day  three  weeks,  I 
was  reported,  and  not  without  reason,  as  dead.  But 
on  May  1st  (this  is  21st)  there  seemed  as  if  a  new 
turn  was  given  to  my  disorder.  From  that  time  I 
have  been  recovering ;  and  from  not  being  able  at  one 
time  even  to  write  my  name,  am  now  engaged  in  the 
sweet  employ  of  writing  to  my  beloved  friends.  You 
will  ask  me,  perhaps,  what  was  my  frame  of  mind 
during  this  state  of  nearness  to  the  eternal  world  ? 
And  I  am  happy  to  say,  that  I  found  my  principles 
quite  able  to  sustain  me.  I  have  taught  others,  that 
there  is  not  so  nmch  as  a  sparrow  that  falls  to  the 
ground  without  our  heavenly  Father's  special  appoint- 
ment, nor  any  one  thing  which  shall  not  work  for  the 
good  of  His  chosen  people  :  and  these  things  I  was  so 
enabled  to  realize,  as  to  have  my  soul  kept  in  perfect 
})eace.  Throughout  the  Avhole  time,  I  was  strength- 
ened to  rest  on  God  as  my  Covenant  God  and  Father, 


I'ROSrECT    OF    D-KATIT.  731 

and  to  believe  tliat  His  covenant  was  '  ordered  in  all 
things  and  sure.'  The  time,  the  measure,  the  dura- 
tion, the  issue  of  my  illness  were  all  in  His  hands ; 
and  I  was  content,  yea  thankful,  yea  joyful,  to  leave 
them  there,  and  to  wait  His  will  whatever  it  might  be. 
As  for  joyful  anticipations  of  the  blessedness  of  heaven, 
neither  the  habit  of  my  mind  nor  the  state  of  my  body, 
nor  indeed  the  character  of  my  religion  (the  religion  of 
a  sinner  at  the  foot  of  the  cross)  led  to  them  :  to  be 
'  kept  in  perfect  peace'  was  more  in  accordance  with 
my  wishes,  and  that  mercy  God  richly  vouchsafed 
unto  me  :  and  I  hope  that,  if  restored  to  any  measure 
of  health  and  strength,  I  shall  be  enabled  more  than 
ever  to  live  for  God,  and  to  tlic  glory  of  his  great  name. 
"  I  am  not  fond  of  talking  of  self ;  but  I  have 
thought  that  to  say  thus  much  was  due  to  you.  This, 
however,  I  Avill  say  in  confirmation  of  my  views,  that 
God  confirmed  His  word  with  an  oath,  on  purpose 
that  those  who  flee  to  Christ  for  refuge  might  have 
strong  consolation  ;  and  in  commendation  of  my  views, 
(namely,  of  God  as  a  Covenant  God  who  would  have 
us  regard  Him  especially  in  that  view)  that  in  Lev.  ii. 
13,  He  particularly  and  strongly  enjoins  us,  even  in 
our  most  common  approaches  to  Him,  to  come  to  Him 
under  that  very  character  :  '  thou  shalt  not  suffer  the 
salt  of  the  covenant  of  thy  God  to  be  lacking  in  thy 
meat-offering.'  Now  if  the  Jews  were  to  bear  in  mind 
continually  God's  covenant  with  Abraham,  and  their 
redemption  in  Egypt,  a  fortiori  are  Ave,  after  what  has 
been  done  for  us  in  Christ  Jesus ;  this  being  the  one 
source  of  all  the  benefits  we  enjoy,  and  the  sure 
ground  on  Avliich  we  may  hope  for  their  continuance. 
In  a  word,  I  felt  and  do  feel,  that  in  God,  and  in  God 
alone,  I  have  all  that  I  can  need  -.  and  therefore  my 


732  ON    RELIGIOUS 

eyes  are  turned  to  Him  always — Him  exclusively — ■ 
Him  without  a  shadow  of  a  doubt.  Were  I  to  look 
at  Him  through  the  medium  of  my  own  experience,  it 
would  be  like  looking  at  the  sun  through  the  medium 
of  the  waters :  the  sun  in  that  case  would  appear  to 
move  as  the  w^ater  imdulates ;  whereas  when  viewed 
in  Himself  alone,  He  is  uniformly  and  steadily  the 
same,  without  any  variableness  or  shadow  of  turning." 


To  a  Friend  under  religious  depression. 

"  My  dear  IMadam, 

"  I  think  I  may  say  with  truth  that  this 
is,  properly  speaking,  the  first  leisure  hour  I  have  had 
since  your  letter  w^as  put  into  my  hands  at  Mr.  Bick- 
ersteth's,  and  it  is  with  much  pleasure  I  embrace  the 
opportunity  to  reply  to  it.  But  could  I  have  enjoyed 
half-an-hour's  conversation  with  you,  I  could  have 
replied  far  better  than  in  a  thousand  letters.  Words 
on  paper  are  as  a  painted  sun  in  comparison  of  words 
uttered  from  the  inmost  soul,  and  breathed  out  with  a 
divine  nnction  :  they  carry  with  them  none  of  that 
heavenly  warmth  and  that  sympathetic  tenderness, 
with  which  I  would  gladly  have  poured  them  into 
vour  bosom.  Besides,  there  are  turns  in  conversation 
which  flash  conviction  npon  the  mind,  and  carry  con- 
solation to  the  soul,  that  no  dissertation  can  do.  Your 
case  is  a  common  case  :  but  everv  case  has  some 
peculiarities  which  call  for  some  ingredient  to  be 
blended  with  the  general  prescription,  and  which  are 
only  elicited  in  conversation.  I  suppose  there  is  not 
a  physician  in  the  universe,  that  would  not  prefer  half- 
an-hour's  conversation  with  a  patient,  before  the  most 
elaborate  statement  that  could  be  drawn  up.     Much 


DEPRESSION.  733 

more  should  I  prefer  it,  because  the  very  same  words 
convey  a  different  and  ahnost   opposite  idea  to  my 
mind,  according  to  the   manner  in  Avhich   they  are 
spoken.     Shall  I  say,  words  are  spoken  as  also  they 
are  written  in  cold  blood  F     Could  I  ascend  with  you 
into  our  Father's  presence,  and  fetch  fire  from  the  altar 
before  the  throne, — or,  to  change  the  metaphor,  could 
om'  souls  be  tuned  by  the  same  divine  hand, — I  should 
nnderstand  and  feel  every  note  you  strike.    But  I  feel 
I  understand  nothing  of  your  case,  except  as  far  as 
words  ill  comprehended  can   convey  it  to  my  mind. 
Your  case  in  few  words  is  this  :  '  I  was  once  in  earnest 
about  my  soul :  I  have  since  declined  :  I  feel  but  cold 
at   this  moment  and   unhumbled,   whilst   confessing 
what  ought  to  humble  me  in  the  dust.     What  must  I 
do  to   get  myseK  quickened  in  the  divine  life,  and 
stimulated  to  run  the  race  set  before  me  ?'       The 
general  answer  to  this  would  be,  '  Be  much  in  reading 
the  Holy  Scriptures  and  in  heavenly  meditations  :  be 
much  in  prayer  to   God  through  Christ ;    read   the 
promises  and  rely  upon  them,  and  cast  yourself  en- 
tirely on  Christ  as  able  and  willing  to  save  you  to  the 
uttermost.'     To  that  purpose  I  might  speak  at  large  ; 
but  yet  I  should  say  nothing  which  you  do  not  already 
know  as  well  as  I  can  tell  you.     I  will  therefore  waive 
all  which  I  suppose  you  already  to  be  well  acquainted 
with,  and  which  by  far  is  the  most  important,  and  will 
touch  only  on  what  may  not  have  presented  itself  to 
your  notice.     There  are  two  errors  which  are  common 
to  persons  in  your  state  ;  1st,  The  using  of  means,  as 
though  by  the  use  of  them  they  could  prevail ;  and 
2ndly,  The  not  using  them,  because  they  have  so  long 
been  used  in  vain.     The  error  consists  in  putting  the 
means  too  much  in  the  place  of  Christ,  and  in  expect- 


734  ON    AFFIANCE. 

ing  from  exertioji  what  is  only  gained  by  affiance. 
There  is  a  passive  state  of  mind — a  lying  like  clay  in 
the  hands  of  the  potter, — and  a  casting  yourself  on 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  content  to  sink  if  He  will  let 
you  sink,  and  to  be  marred,  if  He  choose  to  mar  you. 
This  willingness  to  be  saved  by  Him  altogether  from 
first  to  last,  and  in  His  own  time  and  way,  and  this 
determination  to  trust  in  Him  though  He  slay  you, 
and  to  praise  Him  though  He  condemn  you,  is  what 
you  particularly  want.  You  would  fain  have  the  knoiv- 
ledge  of  yom-  acceptance  of  Him,  when  you  should 
rather  be  concerned  to  insure  that  acceptance.  I  know 
not  whether  this  will  convey  any  idea  to  your  mind, 
but  if  it  do,  it  Avill  prove  of  some  service  to  you. 

"  There  is  another  thing  which  I  would  suggest, 
which  is  intimately  connected  with  that,  namely,  that 
you  are  too  much  occupied  in  looking  at  yourself,  and 
too  little  in  beholding  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  It  is  by 
the  former  you  are  to  be  liumhled ;  but  it  is  by  the 
latter  that  you  are  to  be  '  changed  into  the  divine 
image!  (2  Cor.  iii.  18.)  You  want  a  greater  measure 
of  holiness  to  warrant  your  confidence  in  the  divine 
promises ;  when  it  is  only  by  apprehending  those 
promises  that  you  can  attain  the  holiness  you  are 
seeking  after.  (2  Cor.  vu.  1.)  You  must  learn  to  '  glory 
in  your  infirmities  (so  to  speak),  that  the  power  of 
Christ  may  rest  upon  you.'  You  are  nothing,  and  it 
discourao-es  vou  :  but  vou  must  be  content  to  be  no- 
thing,  that  Christ  may  be  '  all  in  all.'  I  grieve,  my  dear 
INIadam,  that  I  am  not  able  to  counsel  you  as  I  could 
wish  ;  and  with  earnest  prayer  to  God  that  my  weak 
suggestions  may  not  be  in  vain,  I  remain 

"  Your  very  affectionate  and  sympathizing  Friend, 

"C.  S." 


ON    ADORATION.  735 

To  Miss  Mary  Elliott,  on  his  secret  Experience. 

"  My  beloved  Mary,  "  K.  C,  May  21,  1834. 

"  I  could  not  but  weep  over  your  kind 
and  affectionate  letter,  insomucli  that  my  constant 
attendant  said  to  me,  '  Sir,  I  fear  you  have  some  bad 
news  to-day.'  I  thank  you  most  tenderly  for  all  the 
expressions  of  your  love,  of  which,  alas  !  I  feel  myself 
most  unworthy.  You  evidently  do  not  know  my  state. 
It  is  that  of  a  poor  sinner  before  God — it  is  that  which 
I  ever  expected  it  to  be — and  in  fact  ever  wished  it  to 
be.  Any  other  would  be  utterly  unsuited  to  my  whole 
life.  I  am,  I  feel  I  am,  a  brand  plucked  out  of  the 
burning.  But  oh  !  what  dreadful  marks  of  the  fire 
upon  me  to  this  hour  !  None  but  infinite  power  could 
ever  fit  it  for  a  place  in  His  temple.  I  do  believe 
God's  power  sufficient ;  and  I  believe  the  whole  plan, 
which  Infinite  Wisdom  has  devised  for  the  accomplish' 
ment  of  this  great  object,  is  sufiicient  for  tlic  attain- 
ment of  it.  But  I  cannot  forget  what  I  am — I  do  not 
desire  to  forget  what  I  am — I  am  even,  so  to  speak, 
satisfied  vrith  being  what  I  am,  that  God  may  be  the 
more  glorified.  Of  course,  you  will  not  understand 
me  as  saying,  that  I  do  not  wish  to  be  more  holy  and 
heavenly,  but  simply  that,  seeing  that  I  am  what  I  am, 
I  am  willing,  yea,  desirous  that  God  should  be  glorified 
in  the  salvation  of  the  very  chief  of  sinners.  I  remem- 
ber to  have  shewn  you  a  little  paper  expressing  the 
different  parts  of  religion,  1st,  as  revealed  in  the  Bible; 
2nd,  as  experienced  in  the  soul ;  3rd,  as  operating 
towards  man ;  4th,  as  operating  towards  God ;  eac/t 
in  one  icord ;  the  word  for  the  last  was  Adoration; 
for  then  God  is  iti  His  jy/«c^,  and  the  sinner  in  his. 
This  is  my  posture,  and  I  would  have  it  as  deep  as 
possible.     If  Job,  after  seeing  God  as  it  were  with  his 


736  ADORATION 

eyes,  abhorred  himself  and  repented  in  dust  and  ashes, 
what  frame  can  be  so  fit  for  me?  Young  persons, 
to  whom  reconcihation  with  God  is  quite  a  novelty, 
may  have  great  ebullitions  of  joy ;  and  others,  who 
have  a  vivid  imagination,  may  go  up  to  heaven  and 
behold  all  the  glory  of  it,  and  join  with  the  heavenly 
choir  in  their  songs  of  praise.  7  have  no  imagination, 
— I  never  had :  plain,  simple  truth  has  been  more  in 
accordance  with  the  natural  construction  of  my  mind, 
and  more  suited  to  my  taste ;  and  I  am  inclined  to 
think  that  God  deals  with  men  in  a  way  suited  to  their 
constitutional  feelings  or  acquired  habits.  I  do  not 
therefore  regret  my  want  of  devout  and  joyful  antici- 
pations ;  for  I  had  peace  mthout  a  moment's  inter- 
ruption, even  the  peace  that  passeth  all  understanding. 
But  this  I  bitterly  regret ;  viz.  a  want  of  divine  savour 
on  my  soul,  a  want  of  tenderness  of  spirit,  a  want  of 
devout  admiration  and  gratitude.  These  have  solely 
a  respect  to  God  as  a  part  of  adoration;  but  the 
anticipations  of  glory  have  more  respect  to  ourselves, 
and  the  blessedness  that  awaits  us.  Therefore,  as  having 
less  to  do  with  the  imagination  and  with  self,  I  prefer 
the  shame  and  confusion  of  face,  which  I  am  conscious 
my  whole  life  calls  for,  and  which  is  less  open  to  de- 
lusion of  any  hind.  Yet  I  do  not  condemn  or  despise 
the  things  which  I  lack :  I  can  easily  conceive  them 
to  be  high  manifestations  of  a  meetness  for  heaven : 
but  I  am  not  grieved  that  they  do  not  enter  into,  and 
much  less  characterize,  my  experience.  I  have  often 
wished  that  there  were  more  of  holy  reverence  in 
religious  people  when  speaking  of  God,  and  of  the 
things  which  He  has  wrought  for  their  salvation.  I  see 
not  an  instance  of  any  remarkable  manifestation  of 
God  to  man,  which  did  not  instantly  generate  in  his 


IN    RELIGION.  737 

heart,  and  produce  in  his  act,  a  lowly  reverence  and 
self-abasement ;  and  I  cannot  but  think  that  the  nearer 
we  approach  to  the  eternal  world,  the  more  that  feel- 
ing should  be  wrought  wdthin  us.  If  I  recollect  aright, 
I  shewed  you  and  your  Mama  a  paper  which  I  drew 

up  for  the  satisfaction  of  poor  Mr. ,  who  thought 

that  my  frequent  sighs  and  groans  were  indications 
of  something  habitually  and  essentially  wrong  in  my 
conduct*.  Nothing  but  the  satisfying  of  a  brother 
w^ould  have  induced  me  to  put  to  paper  the  inward 
experience  of  my  soul.  To  such  accusers  we  are 
indebted  for  almost  all  that  we  know  of  Paul's  expe- 
rience. Having  written  it,  I  judged  it  on  the  whole 
right  not  to  destroy  it,  because  after  my  death  it  may 
be  of  some  little  use  to  the  Chm'cli  of  God.  But  iliat 
is  a  fac  simile  of  this  letter,  only  that  it  opens  dis- 
tinctly the  reasons  of  my  experience,  and  the  frame  of 
mind  which  I  expect  on  my  admission  into  heaven, 
if  ever  I  be  admitted  there ;  and  if  you  can  call  any- 
thing of  it  to  remembrance,  you  will  see  that  my  last 
end  is  in  perfect  accordance  with  it."  .  .  .  . 

To  the  SAME,  on  the  right  standard  of  Christian 
excellence. 

"  K.  C,  Camb.,  Nov.  21,  1834. 

"  My  beloved  Mary, 
•  "I  had  been  thinking  of  writing  to  you 

or  to  yom-  Mama;  for  I  thought  your  long  silence, 
and  the  silence  of  every  one  respecting  you,  were  an 
unfavourable  sign.  I  have  been  often  with  you  in 
yom-  pains,  and  have  wished  that  I  could  by  any  means 
pour  a  little  balm  into  your  wounds.  But  the  habitual 
consolations  of  my  own  mind  have  been  constantly 


*  See  this  Paper,  p.  518. 
L.   S.  3  B 


738  ON    CHRISTIAN 

prevalent  in  relation  to  you.  I  have  very  little  to  do" 
with  second  causes,  except  in  a  way  of  prudential  care. 
Why  should  we  not  see,  what  we  actually  htoiv,  that 
not  a  hair  of  our  head  falls  without  our  heavenly 
Father's  express  direction  ?  This  sight — this  full  con- 
viction— I  have  sought  on  your  behalf,  as  well  as  on 
my  own ;  though  I  have  felt  how  different  this  con- 
viction is  to  1/ou  in  a  state  of  anguish,  from  what  / 
have  found  it  in  a  state  of  mere  inanity.  The  exercise 
of  judgment,  so  to  speak,  has  sufficed  for  me ;  whilst 
for  you  a  more  special  and  abundant  communication 
of  grace  was  necessary.  Yet  there  was  the  same  suf- 
ficiency in  our  Father's  hand  and  bosom  for  both  of 
us ;  and  the  same  fidelity  to  all  His  promises. 

"  As  to  the  particular  exercises  of  our  mind, 
whether  more  or  less  joyful  at  such  seasons,  I  am 
not  anxious.  I  have  again  and  agahi  opened  to  my 
beloved  Mary  my  sentiments  and  feelings  on  this 
subject :  and  I  will  do  it  yet  again,  because  of  their 
extreme  importance  in  my  mind,  and  because  I  do 
not  recollect  to  have  seen  or  heard  them  dilated 
upon  with  tlie  fulness  and  acciu'acy  which  they  de- 
serve. There  are  certain  truths,  of  which  I  never 
w^oidd  be  unconscious  at  any  moment :  1  st,  I  am  a 
creature — a  mere  worm :  2d,  I  am  a  sinner,  whose 
guilt  exceeds  all  that  can  be  expressed  or  conceived  : 
3d,  I  am  redeemed  by  the  blood  of  God's  only  dear 
Son,  and  completely  reconciled  to  my  God  and  Fa- 
ther. Now  then,  I  wish  ever  to  have  a  creature-like 
spirit ;  a  sinner-like  spirit ;  and  a  saint-like  spirit : 
no  one  of  these  would  I  lose  for  a  moment :  nor 
would  I  suffer  any  one  of  them  to  swallow  up  the 
rest.  I  admire  not  that  self-annihilation,  which  is 
the  essence  of  mysticism,  and  which  takes  off  the 


EXPERIENCE.  739 

mind  from  its  real  state  before  God  :  nor  do  I  admire 
that  depression,  wliicli  sinks  a  person  into  the  depths 
of  despondency :  nor  yet  do  I  covet  that  indecent 
famiharity  with  God,  which  exalts  one  almost  into  a 
state  of  equaUty  with  Him,  and  makes  me  half  for- 
getful of  what  I  am  as  a  creatm-e  and  a  sinner. 
I  would  have  the  whole  of  my  experience  one  con- 
tinued sense — 1st,  of  my  nothingness,  and  depend- 
ence on  God  :  2d,  of  my  guiltiness,  and  desert  before 
Him :  3d,  of  my  obligations  to  Redeeming  love, 
as  utterly  overwhelming  me  with  its  incomprehen- 
sible extent  and  grandeur.  Now  I  do  not  see  why 
any  one  of  these  should  SAvallow  up  another  :  nay, 
I  am  extremely  jealous  of  that  experience  which 
divests  us  of  any  one  of  them.  That  they  are  sepa- 
rable in  imagination,  like  the  rays  of  light,  I  well 
know  :  but  that  they  should  be  combined  in  action, 
I  am  well  convinced  :  and  I  the  rather  say  this, 
because  I  would  have  my  beloved  ]\Iary  established 
upon  somewhat  of  the  same  basis.  I  do  think  that 
Christian  experience  is  not  generally  understood  by 
the  Christian  world,  and  that  much  is  looked  for 
in  a  dying  hour,  which  is,  to  say  the  least,  not  neces- 
sary, and  perhaps  not  desirable.  Yet  I  give  this  my 
judgment  Avith  great  deference ,  for,  after  all,  it  may 
be  only  the  result  of  the  low  state  of  my  own  soul. 
Yet,  where  to  look  for  an  earthly  instructor  I  know 
not.  Your  dear  honoured  grandfather  would  have 
been  a  great  comfort  to  me  in  relation  to  this  matter. 
But  whether  I  am  right  or  not,  according  to  the 
highest  standard  of  Christian  excellence,  of  this  I  am 
sure,  that  my  sentiments  are  safe,  and  that  they  are 
capable  of  supporting  me  in  a  dying  hour. 

"  I  have  been  laid  aside  again  both  with  a  cold 

3  B  2 


740  RISE    AND    PROGRESS 

and  the  gout;  but,  beyond  all  expectation,  am  so 
recovered,  that  I  hope  to  be  found  in  my  place  on 
Sunday  morning  next.  My  beloved  Mary,  you,  in  the 
absence  of  your  honoured  grandfather,  may  help  me 
to  form  my  mind  and  judgment.  In  two  words,  my 
desire  is,  1st,  never  to  forget  for  a  moment  what  / 
am :  and  2dly,  never  to  forget  for  a  moment  what 
God  is.  Tell  me  yoiu*  mind,  and  believe  me  very 
affectionately  yours,  "  C.  S." 


To  the  Rev.  J.  B.  Cartwright,  on  the  effects  of 
Religion  in  its  rise  and  progress. 

"  My  dear  Friend,  "  K.  C,  Oct.  29,  1834. 

"  In  compliance  with  the  request  which 
you  made  me  yesterday,  respecting  the  observations 
which  I  had  offered  on  the  preceding  evening  to  a 
large  number  of  Undergraduates,  that  were  assembled 
to  hear  from  yourself  and  Mr.  Bickersteth  an  account 
of  the  work  going  forward  through  the  instrumentality 
of  the  London  Society  for  promoting  Christianity 
amongst  the  Jews,  I  take  up  my  pen  to  give  you  in 
few  words  the  substance  of  my  address. 

"  I  had  expressed  my  gratitude  to  Almighty  God 
for  the  great  increase  of  attention  which  was  visibly 
paid  by  ihem  to  this  generally  neglected  subject  :  and 
1  traced  it  to  what  I  conceived  to  be  its  true  cause,  an 
increase  of  Scriptural  knowledge,  and  of  vital  godli- 
ness among  them. 

"  Religion,  I  observed,  in  its  first  rise  in  the  heart, 
is  a  personal  matter  between  God  and  a  man's  own 
soul.  A  man,  desirous  of  obtaining  mercy  from  God, 
and  peace  in  his  own  conscience,  reads  the  Scriptm-es 
in  order  to  find  out  the  way  of  salvation,  and  marks 
with  special  care  those  passages  which  assure  him  of 


OF    RELIGION.  741 

acceptance  witli  God  throngli  tlie  merits  and  mediation 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  For  a  considerable  time,  it 
is  his  own  eternal  welfare  which  engrosses  all  his 
attention,  and  almost  exclusively  occupies  his  mind  : 
and  even  the  salvation  of  the  whole  world  is  of  chief 
interest  to  him,  as  warranting  a  hope,  that  he  himself 
may  be  a  partaker  of  the  blessings  so  freely  offered, 
and  so  extensively  diffused. 

"  But,  when  he  has  obtained  peace  with  God, 
then  he  searches  the  Scriptures,  to  find  how  he  may 
adorn  his  holy  profession,  and  render  to  the  Lord 
according  to  the  stupendous  benefits  that  have  been 
conferred  upon  him.  Lie  sees  that  love  in  all  its 
branches  is  his  bounden  duty,  and  his  highest  pri- 
vilege; and  he  accordingly  determines,  with  God's 
help,  to  five  in  the  most  enlarged  exercise  of  that 
heavenly  grace.  Benevolence,  in  all  its  offices,  both 
towards  the  bodies  and  souls  of  men,  is  now  cultivated 
by  him  with  holy  ardour;  and  every  Society  that 
is  engaged  in  imparting  good  to  man,  is  gladly 
encom'aged  by  him.  Not  only  are  schools  for  the 
education  of  the  poor,  and  hospitals  for  the  relief  of 
the  sick,  become  objects  of  his  regard,  but  he  extends 
his  compassion  to  the  perishing  heathen,  and  gladly 
unites  with  Bible  Societies  and  Mission  Societies  in 
their  efforts  to  spread  Divine  knowledge  throughout 
the  world,  by  the  dispersion  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  in 
all  the  vernacular  languages  of  the  earth,  and  by  the 
labom-s  of  pious  ministers. 

"  As  religion  advances  in  his  soul,  he  takes  deeper 
views  of  divine  truth,  and  enters  into  considerations 
which,  in  the  earlier  stages  of  his  career,  found 
scarcely  any  place  in  his  mind.  He  now  enters  into 
the  character  of  Jehovah  as  displayed  in  the  Sacred 


742  RISE    AND    PROGRESS 

Volume,  and  his  dispensations,  both  of  providence 
and  grace,  as  there  revealed.  He  traces  up  the  great 
work  of  redemption  to  the  eternal  counsels  of  Jehovah, 
and  regards  all  its  benefits,  whether  as  conferred  on 
himself  or  others,  as  the  fruits  of  God's  love,  mani- 
fested in  Christ  Jesus  and  ratified  with  the  blood  of 
the  everlasting  covenant.  He  sees  that  'covenant 
ordered  in  all  things  and  sure;'  and  looks  unto  God. 
to  fulfil  towards  him  all  the  engagements  which  from 
eternity  He  entered  into  with  His  only  dear  Son,  and 
fomids  his  hopes  of  ultimate  felicity,  not  only  on  the. 
mercy,  but  on  the  truth  and  fidelity  of  God.  He. 
now  begins  to  view  with  wonder  the  dealings  of  God 
with  His  ancient  people,  who  from  the  days  of  Abraham 
to  the  present  moment  have  been  such  remarkable 
objects  of  His  care.  He  sees  their  separation  from  all 
the  rest  of  mankind,  and  their  wonderful  preservation 
as  a  peculiar  people  in  all  ages  :  he  sees  their  miracu- 
lous redemption  from  Egypt,  their  establishment  in 
the  promised  land,  and  their  final  expulsion  from  that 
land  for  their  manifold  transgressions,  and  especially 
for  their  murder  of  the  ]\Iessiah.  '\Vliilst  he  beholds 
them  dispersed  through  the  world  as  objects  of 
universal  hatred  and  contempt,  he  contemplates  God's 
desio-n  to  restore  them  in  due  season  to  their  former 
inheritance,  and  to  a  state  of  piety  and  blessedness 
far  exceeding  anything,  which,  in  their  national 
capacity,  they  ever  possessed.  He  sees  further,  the 
connexion  which  subsists  between  the  restoration  of 
that  people,  and  the  salvation  of  the  whole  Gentile 
world  ;  the  latter  being,  in  the  Divine  purpose,  the 
efi'ect  and  consequence  of  the  former.  Here,  then, 
his  mind  becomes  expanded,  and  his  heart  enlarged ; 
and  a  fresh  unthought-of  line  of  duty  opens  itself  to 


or   RELIGION.  743 

his  view.  Now  he  desires  to  co-operate  Avith  God,  so 
far  as  liis  feeble  influence  can  extend,  in  the  pro- 
duction of  tliis  great  event ;  and  he  thankfully  avails 
himself  of  any  opportunity  that  is  afforded  Him,  to 
promote  the  eternal  welfare  of  the  Jews.  His  very 
love  to  the  Gentile  world  strengthens  this  desire,  and 
encourages  him  in  the  discharge  of  this  grievously- 
neglected  duty.  He  longs  to  see  God's  glory 
advanced,  and  His  purposes  accomplished  :  and  in 
his  prayers,  as  well  as  in  his  efforts,  he  labours  to 
hasten  forward  this  glorious  consummation  ;  yea,  he 
determines  to  '  give  God  no  rest,  till  he  arise,  and 
make  Jerusalem  a  praise  in  the  earth.'  Formerly,  he 
thought  but  little  of  conferring:  Ijenefits  on  this  de- 
spised  people  ;  but  now,  seeing  how  nearly  the  honom' 
of  God  and  the  salvation  of  the  whole  world  are  con- 
nected with  their  destinies,  he  accounts  it  his  boundeu 
duty  to  promote,  by  every  means  within  his  power, 
their  restoration  to  the  Divine  favour.  He  is  even 
astonished  at  himself,  yes,  and  humbled  too,  that  he 
has  had  such  narrow  and  contracted  views  of  his 
religious  duties,  in  that  he  has  passed  over,  as  scarcely 
worthy  of  a  thought,  that  mysterious  dispensation, 
which  St.  Paid  has  so  clearly  and  fully  developed  in 
the  eleventh  chapter  of  his  Epistle  to  the  Romans,  and 
in  the  contemplation  of  which  he  exclaimed,  '  O  the 
depth  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom  and  knowledge 
of  God  !  How  unsearchable  are  his  judgments,  and 
his  ways  past  finding  out  1 '  I  say,  he  wonders  at  his 
own  blindness  and  stupidity  in  having  so  overlooked 
that  mystery,  which  St.  Paul  cautioned  us  'on  no 
account  to  remain  ignorant  of,'  and  at  his  own  in- 
difference about  that  people,  for  whom  St.  Paul  felt 
such  '  continual  heaviness  and  sorrow  in  his  heart,' 


744  KISE    AND    PROGRESS 

that  lie  was  Avilling  even  to  lay  down  his  life  for  their 
welfare.  And  now  he  determines  henceforth  to  re- 
deem the  time  for  the  discharge  of  his  duty  towards 
them,  that  he  may  no  longer  subject  himself  to  that 
anathema,  which  was  denounced  against  the  Ammo- 
nites and  Moabites  for  not  administering  to  the 
necessities  of  that  people,  who  were  the  special  objects 
of  God's  peculiar  care  and  favour. 

"  Thus,  as  it  appears  to  me,  the  reason  of  this 
sacred  cause  having  hitherto  made  but  small  progress 
in  the  land,  in  comparison  of  some  other  Societies,  is 
made  clear.  Religion,  in  its  rise,  interests  us  almost 
exclusively  about  ourselves:  in  its  progress,  it  engages 
us  about  the  welfare  of  our  fellow-creatures :  in  its 
more  advanced  stages,  it  animates  us  to  consult  in  all 
things,  and  to  exalt  to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  the 
honour  of  our  God. 

"  Having  now  om^  eyes  opened  to  see,  what  is  so 
clearly  revealed  in  the  Scriptures  of  truth,  that  the 
restoration  of  God's  ancient  people  to  His  favom'  will 
be  an  occasion  '  of  joy,  (so  to  speak,)  and  of  honour  to 
God  himself,'  (Jer.  xxxiii.  9,)  and  the  means  of  happi- 
ness and  salvation  to  the  whole  world ;  (compare 
Rom.  xi.  12,  15,  with  Jer.  xxxiii.  7 — 9,  and  Psalm 
cii.  13 — 15  :  '  SO  the  heathen  shall  fear  thy  name') ; 
and,  above  all,  that  God's  glory  will  be  displayed  by 
means  of  it  with  such  brightness  as  shall  perfectly 
eclipse  all  former  manifestations  of  it,  (Psalm  cii.  16, 
with  Isai.  Ixv.  17,  18,  and  Jer.  iii.  16,  17,) — we  can- 
not but  feel  ourselves  bound  to  promote  this  great 
object  to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  and  for  that  end  to 
aid  the  efforts  of  the  only  Society  in  Britain  that  has 
that  object  in  view,  The  London  Society  eor  pro- 
moting OF  Christianity  amongst  the  Jews. 


OE    RELIGION.  745 

"  The  effect  of  the  lower  degrees  of  knowledge 
and  piety  is  already  seen  in  the  land  to  a  con- 
siderable extent  in  the  ways  I  have  before  described 
it :  and  I  cannot  but  hope,  that,  in  proportion  as 
religion  shall  be  deepened  in  the  hearts  of  our  coun- 
trymen, this  all-important  cause  will  be  espoused  and 
cherished  by  all  ranks  and  orders  of  the  community. 
"  I  am,  my  dear  friend,  most  aifectionately  yours, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 


t'. 


LETTERS TO    A    TRUSTEE    ON     HIS     DUTY    AS     PATRON MR.    SIMEON  3 

CHARGE    TO    HIS    TRUSTEES LETTER     TO    A    FRIEND    ON    THE    SAME 

SUBJECT  — TO     THE     BISHOP    OF     SALISBURY    ON     RESIGNATION TO 

THE    SAME    ON    CHRISTIAN    JOY TO    MISS    E.    ELLIOTT    ON    HUMILI- 

ATKTN ^TO     THE     BISHOP     OF     GLOUCESTER     FOR     A     COPY     OF     HIS 

'  COMMENCEMENT  '      SERMON TO      THE     BISHOP     OF     CALCUTTA     ON 

THE    ABOLITION    OF    CASTE TO    THE     SAME    ON    PRUDENTIAL    CARE 

OF    HEALTH TO    J.  J.  GURNEY,  ESQ.  ON    THE    LOSS  OF    HIS  WIFE 

TO     REV.    J.     T.    NOTTIDGE     ON     THE     DIVINE     DISPENSATIONS TO 

MISS    MARY  ELLIOTT  ON  THE    INDULGENCE    OF    AFFECTION — TO    THE 
SAME    ON    THE    MIXED    NATURE    OF    CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 


1835. 


CORRESPONDENCE,    ETC. 

To  a  Trustee,  on  his  duty  as  Patron  of  a  Benefice. 

"  My  dear  Priend,  "  K.  C,  Jan.  5,  1835. 

"  Wherever  there  is  a  good  Minister, 
there  will  be,  if  any,  a  good  Curate:  consequently 
the  Curate  will  ingratiate  himself  with  the  parishioners; 
and  consequently  in  their  vieto  he  will  be  the  fittest 
person  to  present :  and  therefore  petitions  ^vA\  be 
made  in  his  favour.  Prom  every  place  I  have  had 
petitions  upon  petitions  ;  and  for  fit  persons  too.  But 
Avhere  then  is  my  knowledge  of  persons,  my  judgment, 
and  my  right  of  patronage,  and  my  conscience,  if  I 
too  readily  and  without  extreme  vigilance  comply 
with  them  ?  I  must  not  only  do  icell,  but  the  best  that 


DUTY    OF    PATRONS.  747 

I  can  ]j08sihly  do ;  and  I  must  spare  no  pains  to  eflfect 
this.  It  is  on  tliis  account,  that  in  my  dying  charge  to 
my  Trustees  I  have  particularly  guarded  them  against 
being  influenced  by  petitions  for  Curates.  But  you 
will  say,  or  rather  do  say,  that  you  fear  for  the  interests 
of  the  Chm'ch.  To  this  I  answer,  I  will  approve 
myself  to  God  in  doing  the  best  I  possibly  can  for  His 
Church  and  people;  and  though  some,  through  per- 
sonal attachment,  may  be  pained  at  the  first,  they,  if 
they  have  a  spark  of  piety  towards  God  or  of  gratitude 
to  me,  will  soon  find  reason  to  acknowledge,  that  I 
have  approved  myself  faithful  both  to  God  and  them. 
How  did  they  all  bless  me  for  not  attending  to  their 
petitions  (one  signed  by  400,  and  the  other  by  700), 

when  I  appointed  ]\Ir. !     Forty  of  the  heads  of 

both  parties  sent  me  an  united  letter  of  thanks,  for 
doing  for  them  infinitely  better  than  they  would  have 
done  for  themselves.  And  a  similar  letter  will  in  all 
probability  be  sent  me  on  the  present  occasion  within 
six  months.  In  these  matters  I  knoio  none  bitt  God. 
I  would  not  know  my  own  father,  or  my  son ;  and 
that  is  the  spirit,  which  I  trust  you  and  all  my  trustees 
will  exercise,  when  I  am  gone  to  a  better  world  *. 


*  The  following  is  the  solemn  charge  of  Mr.  Simeon  to  his 
Trustees. 

"In  the  Name  and  in  the  Presence  of  ALMIGHTY  GOD, 
I  give  the  following  Charge  to  all  my  Trustees,  and  to  all  who 
shall  succeed  them  in  the  Trust  to  the  remotest  ages.  I  implore 
them  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  and  I  charge  them  also 
before  that  adorable  Saviour,  who  will  call  them  into  judgment 
for  their  execution  of  this  Trust, 

"  1st,  That  they  be  very  careful,  whenever  they  shall  be  called 
upon  to  fill  up  a  vacancy  in  this  Trust,  which  they  must  invariably 
do  within  three  months  of  a  vacancy  occurring,  that  they  elect  no 
one  who  is  not  a  truly  pious  and  devoted  man,  a  man  of  God  in 


74S  THE    DUTY 

^Y\mt  a  land  would  this  be,  if  tlie  Lord  Chancellor  and 
all  other  Patrons  would  act  to  God  in  this  way. 

"  I  would  not  have  troubled  you  with  this,  because 
the  presentation  is  on  the  road  to  you,  but  to  give 
you  an  expose  of  my  mind.  If  I  were  to  send  them 
an  ignoramus  for  his  oton  sake,  I  mi(/Jtt  fear  for  the 
Church,  &c.,  but  when  I  send  them  the  most  blessed 
man  that  can  be  found,  and  that  solely  for  their  sahes, 
I  have  no  fear  but  that  God  will  bless  my  endeavours, 
and  the  people  will  soon  be  brought  to  a  right  mind. 
In  such  a  case  as  that,  a  dissatisfied  man  says  in  fact, 
'  I  will  take  the  Patronage  into  my  own  hands  ;  and 
neither  God  nor  the  proper  Patron  shall  have  anything 
to  do  with  it ;  or  if  the  Patron  presume  to  think  and 
act  for  himself,  I  will  quarrel  with  him  on  account  of 
it.'  Such  a  person  as  this  is  not  the  proper  person  to 
consult  or  to  follow.     I  would  please  aU  men,  but  it 


deed  and  in  truth,  who,  Avith  his  piety,  combines  a  solid  judgment 
and  a  perfectly  independent  mind.  And  I  place  this  first,  because 
a  failure  in  this  one  particular  would  utterly  defeat,  and  that  in 
perpetuity  too,  all  that  I  have  sought  to  do  for  God  and  for  im- 
mortal souls. 

"  2ndly,  That,  when  they  shall  be  called  upon  to  appoint  to  a 
Living,  they  consult  nothing  but  the  welfare  of  the  people,  for 
whom  they  are  to  provide,  and  whose  eternal  interests  have  been 
confided  to  them.  They  must  on  no  account  be  influenced  by  any 
solicitation  of  the  great  and  powerful,  or  by  any  partiality  towards 
a  particular  individual,  or  by  compassion  towards  any  one  on  ac- 
count of  the  largeness  of  his  family  or  the  smallness  of  his  income. 
They  must  be  particularly  on  their  guard  against  petitions  from 
the  parishes  to  be  provided  for,  whether  on  behalf  of  a  Curate  that 
has  laboured  among  them,  or  of  any  other  individual.  They  must 
examine  carefully,  and  judge  as  before  God,  how  far  any  person 
possesses  the  qualifications  suited  to  the  particular  parish,  and 
by  that  consideration  alone  must  they  be  determined  in  their 
appointment  of  him." 


OF    PATRONS.  749 

should  be /or  their  (/ood  io  edification;  and  how  to  do 
that,  I  must  judge  for  myself. 

"  Beheve  me,  my  dear  friend, 

"Very  affectionately  yours,         "  C.  Simeon." 


To  a  Friend ;  on  the  same  subject. 

"  My  dear  Brother, 

"  At  Mr.  M I  do  not  wonder  ;  love 

with  him  swallows  up  all  considerations,  I  had  almost 
said,  of  wisdom  and  prudence.  At  t/ou  I  rather  do 
wonder.  I  thought  that  you  would  have  known  that 
I  discard  love  and  pity,  and  everj'thing  else,  in  com- 
parison of  love  to  God  and  to  immortal  souls.  Why 
have  I  bought  those  Livings  ?  Not  to  present  a  good 
man  to  each,  but  to  fill  them  with  men  who  shall 
prove  great  and  leading  characters  in  the  Chm'ch  of 

God.      Mr. ,  I  doubt  not,  is  a  good  man.      But 

what  great  stir  was  there    amongst   immortal   souls 

under  his  jMinistry  whilst  he  officiated  in ?    What 

lamentations  were  there  when  he  left  it  ?  Wliat  great 
efforts  were  made  to  retain  him?  Is  this  then  the 
man  to  place  there  ?  He  has  shewn  what  he  could  do  : 
and  if  I  cannot  find  in  Britain  one,  who  may  with 
God's  blessing  do  more,  I  will  appoint  him  ;  but  I  will 
search  the  whole  kingdom,  before  I  will  despair  of 
finding  a  fitter  man. 

"  I  trust  you  will  understand  me  aright ;  I  am  not 
displeased  in  the  shghtest  degree  with  your  letter; 
but  I  wish  you  to  know,  that  I  am  in  a  few  days  to 
give  up  my  account  to  God,  and  to  answer  for  all  the 
souls  for  whom  I  have  engaged  to  provide,  and  I  will 
do  that,  and  that  only,  which  God  Avill  approve  when 
I  stand  before  Him. 

"  They  have  sent  a  petition  signed  by  eighty-eight 


750  DISCHARGE    OF    TRUSTS. 

persons.  When  I  presented  to I  had  two  peti- 
tions, one  signed  by  400,  and  the  other  by  700  :    I 

compUed  with  neither,  but  sent  them  j\Ir. ,  and 

within  six  months  I  received  a  letter  of  thanks,  signed 
by  forty  of  the  head^of  both  parties,  saying  that  I  had 
provided  infinitely  better  for  them  than  they  would 
have  provided  for  themselves.  In  another  Living  I 
had,  under  far  more  pressing  circumstances,  a  similar 
acknowledgement. 

"  Let  all,  instead  of  petitioning  me,  petition  Al- 
mighty God  for  me ;  and  they  wall  render  more  ser- 
vice to  the  souls  of  ,  and  to  the  Church  of  God 

at .     Let  personal  regards  be  banished.     Let  us 

know  no  man  after  the  flesh.     Let  the  good  of  immor- 
tal souls  swallow  up  every  other  consideration.     This 
at  all  events,  God  helping  me,  shall  alone  influence 
"  Your  very  aflectionate  Brother, 

"  C.  Simeon. 

"  P.  S.  Without  the  intervention  of  five  minutes 
after  the  receipt  of  your  letter." 


To  the  Bishop  of  Salisbury  (Dr.  Burgess). 

"  My  Lord,  "  K.  C,  Camb.,  March  19,  1835. 

"  I  feel  extremely  indebted  to  your  Lord- 
ship for  your  little  poetical  present,  to  every  w^ord  of 
which  my  heart  responds.  I  am  myself  dying  daily : 
and  I  find  that  to  be  the  best  and  happiest  mode  of 
living.  Why  should  we  not  be  taking  Pisgah  views  of 
the  promised  land,  and  tuning  our  harps  that  we  may 
be  ready  at  any  moment  to  join  the  heavenly  choir  in 
their  songs  of  praise  to  '  Him,  wdio  hath  loved  us,  and 
washed  us  from  our  sins  in  His  own  blood,'  or  rather 
I  woidd  say,  to  him  who  loveth  and  w^asheth  us  from 
our  sins  ?     The  Psalmist  has  strongly  suggested  this 


ON    RESIGNATION.  751 

distinction,  in  calling  upon  all  that  is  within  him  to 
adore  and  magnify  his  God  hr present  and  existing 
blessings;  ^ forgiveth,  healeth,  redeenieth,  croivnetli, 
satisjieth'  And  if  we  be  in  a  right  frame  of  mind,  we 
shall  receive  all  God's  dispensations,  however  painful, 
in  the  same  way,  tasting  nothing  but  love  even  in  his 
severest  chastisements. 

"  The  words  your  Lordship  quotes  from  Mrs. 
Hannah  More's  Memoirs,  as  having  been  used  by  her 
sister  Martha  in  her  last  illness — '  I  love  whatever 
comes  from  God;  I  love  my  sufferings,'  strack  me 
also.  Is  not  this,  indeed,  the  proper  disposition  to  be 
exercised  in  the  hour  of  trial?  St.  Paul  (what?  was 
resigned?  no  ;)  took  j^leasure  {evSoKoo)  in  trials  of  every 
description :  he  had  scarcely  the  word  resignation  in 
his  vocabulary ;  and  we  also,  according  to  the  grace 
given  to  us,  should  almost  banish  that  word,  except  in 
very  grievous  trials  indeed,  and  should  substitute  for 
it  the  Apostle's  6v8ok(o. 

"  It  is  a  joy  to  me,  my  Lord,  to  see  that  this  is  the 
happy  frame  of  mind  which  you  enjoy  under  the  in- 
firmities of  age,  when  the  grasshopper  may  be  a  bur- 
then to  the  body,  but  tribulation  itself  is  the  occasion 
of  nothing  but  joy  to  the  soul.  If  only  we  believe  that 
our  very  hairs  are  all  numbered,  and  the  minutest 
occurrences  are  ordered  by  infinite  Wisdom  for  our 
good,  we  neither  have,  nor  can  have,  anything  but 
what  should  be  to  us  a  source  of  joy. 

"  At  this  time  last  year,  this  was  my  blessed  ex- 
perience, on  what  was  thought  by  all  to  be  the  bed  of 
death ;  and  I  am  anxious  so  to  improve  my  few  re- 
maining hours,  that,  when  the  closing  scene  shall 
actually  arrive,  I  may  be  thus  highly  favoured  again, 
and  have  an  abundant  entrance  ministered  unto  me 


752  EEGARD  FOR  THE  JEWS. 

into   the   kingdom   of  our   Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ. 

"  Since  my  restoration  to  health,  circumstances  of 
more  than  ordinary  importance  have  engaged  my 
attention.  I  have  been  called  to  dispose  of  no  less 
than  six  Livings,  in  all  of  which  I  have  placed  Minis- 
ters, without  reference  to  anything  but  their  peculiar 
fitness  for  the  place  they  are  sent  to  occupy.  This  is 
the  great  reform  wanted  in  our  Church  ;  and  if  gene- 
rally carried  into  effect  by  all  who  have  patronage  in 
the  Church,  it  would  supersede  all  occasion  for  any 
further  reform.  If  it  did  not  stop  the  mouths  of 
Dissenters,  it  would  diminish  their  numbers,  and 
effectually  prevent  their  increase. 

"  At  our  last  Jews'  Auxiliary  Society,  of  which 
your  Lordship  is  the  President,  I  dropped  a  few  hints 
which  produced  a  great  effect  amongst  Ministers,  as 
well  as  the  Undergraduates  ;  and  as  my  views  are  both 
peculiar  and  important,  I  take  the  liberty  of  trans- 
mitting a  paper  to  you  containing  them.  Religion  is 
understood  by  many  in  its  rise  and  progress  in  the 
soul,  but  by  very  few  in  its  more  perfect  state.  Even 
the  Apostles  themselves,  for  six  years  after  the  day  of 
Pentecost,  did  not  see  their  duty  towards  the  Gentiles  ; 
and  so  it  is  even  with  good  and  pious  Ministers  at  this 
day  in  reference  to  the  Jews  :  and  if  the  contents  of 
my  paper  be  duly  considered,  I  cannot  but  hope  that 
many  of  our  brethren,  and  even  fathers  in  the  Ministry 
will  exclaim,  '  Then  hath  God  appointed  me  to  seek 
the  salvation  of  the  Jews ;  and  I  am  shamefully 
remiss,  if  I  do  not  exert  all  my  talents  and  all  my 
energies  for  the  promotion  of  it.' 

"  I  am,  my  Lord,  your  Lordship's  most  obhged 
and  obedient  Servant,  ''  C.  Simeon." 


CHRISTIAN    JOY.  753 

To  the  SAME. 

«  K.  C,  Cambridge,  April  4,  1835. 

"  My  Lord,  my  dear  Lord, 

"  I  am  this  moment  retiu'iied  from  the 
table  of  the  Lord,  and  think   I  am   performing  an 
acceptable  service  to  my  Divine  Master  in  returning 
a  few  lines  to  your  Lordship,  in  answer  to  the  letter 
which  I  received  from  you  this  morning.     You  notice 
my  observation  relative   to   the  word    '  resignation.' 
I  love  the  high  tone  of   Christian   morals,  '  Rejoice 
evermore:  in  every  thing  y/y*?  thanJcs  :  for  this  is  the 
will  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  concerning  you.*     I  see  no 
exception  here;  nor  would  I  make  any  in  my  own 
experience.     I  read  that  '  all  the  ways  of  the  Lord  are 
mercy  and  truth  unto  such  as  keep  His  covenant  and 
His  testimonies.'     But  what  is  truth?     Is  it  not  an 
accomplishment  of  a  promise?    shall  I  be  resigned 
then  to  a  merci/  coming  in   this  loay?     I  pray  daily, 
'  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  done  in  heaven.' 
And  if  actively,  why  uoi  j^assively  also  ?  I  do  not  read 
of  the  Apostles  being  resigned  to  their  imprisonment 
and  beating  ;  or  of  Paul  and  Silas  being  resigned  to 
their  stripes,  and  feet   in   the    stocks.     The  former 
'  rejoiced  that  they  were  counted  worthy  to   suffer ;' 
and  the  latter  '  sang  praises  to  God  at  midnight.'    I 
grant  that  the  occasion  of  their   sufferings  gave  an 
elevation  to  their  minds;  but  sufferings  of  whatever 
kind  are,  in  fact,  sent  and  apportioned  by  God  Himself, 
without  whom  not  a  sparrow  falls  to  the  groiuid :  and 
om-  privilege  under  them  is  to  say,  '  The  cup  which 
wy  Father  hath  given  me,  shall  I  not  drink  it  ?  '    Shall 
I  not  then  be  thankful  for  it,  under  a  full  assurance 
that  it  is  amongst  the  '  all  things  that  are  to  work 
together  for  my  good?'  The  great  secret  is,  to  have  it 

L.  s.  3  0 


754  VIEW    OF    MERCIES. 

well  settled  in  our  minds  wliat  our  desert  is — nothing 
will  appear  lieavy  then :  on  the  contrary,  everything 
which  is  sent  to  keep  us  from  our  desert,  wall  be 
welcomed  as  a  blessing  in  disguise. 

"  But  even  this  is  loio  ground.  It  is  our  privi- 
lege to  soar  far  above  all  this.  I  have  been  preaching 
on  these  words  (Isai.  xliii.  4),  '  Since  thou  wast  pre- 
cious in  my  sight,  thou  art  honourable,  and  I  have 
loved  thee  :'  and  I  ask,  Were  the  Jews  '  precious,  and 
honourable,  and  loved,'  above  all  the  people  upon 
earth,  and  are  Christians  less  so  ?  If  they  were  so 
blessed  as  having  been  redeemed  from  temporal  bond- 
age, am  not  I  as  redeemed  by  the  blood  of  God's  only 
dear  Son  ?  am  I  then  precious  in  His  sight,  and  shall 
not  He  be  so  in  mine  ?  am  I  '  honourable  and  beloved ' 
in  His  estimation  ?  What  then  shall  I  quarrel  with,  or 
complain  of,  that  comes  from  Him  ?  If  you  want  to 
see  my  desert,  see  the  two  last  verses  of  the  forty- 
second  chapter ;  and  if  you  want  to  see  the  extent  of 
God's  mercy,  see  the  first  three  verses  of  the  forty- 
third  chapter;  and  then  if  you  want  to  see  what 
kind  of  RESIGNATION  befits  us,  see  my  text ;  and  then 
be  as  querulous  under  any  trials,  or,  if  you  please,  as 
resigned,  as  the  remembrance  of  such  mercies  will 
admit  of. 

"  Now,  my  Lord,  you  will  forgive  the  fulness  of 
my  heart,  and  pardon  the  expression  of  it.  It  is  your 
own  kindness  and  condescension  that  embolden  me 
thus  to  divulge  the  secrets  of  my  heart ;  and  the 
rather,  because  I  feel  assm"ed  that  there  is  a  responsive 
chord  in  your  heart,  that  will  vibrate  to  the  touch. 
Your  own  expression,  that  '  we  are  bought  with  a 
price,'  shews  that  we  should  be  equally  ready  to 
glorify  our  God  either  by  life  or  death,  both  the  one 


ON    CONSCIENCE.  755 

and  the  otlier  of  wliicli  are  to  be  numbered  amongst 
OUT  treasures.  '  All  things  are  yoiu's,  Avhether  life  or 
death,  if  ye  be  Christ's.'  This,  my  Lord,  it  is  our 
privilege  to  feel ;  and  I  hope  that  every  day  which 
shall  be  added  to  your  Lordship's  life  will  bring  you 
to  a  richer  enjoyment  of  it. 

"  And  now  let  me  thank  your  Lordship  for  the 
kind  present  which  you  did  me  the  honour  to  send  me 
about  a  week  ago,  and  to  which  you  have  added  the 
last  page  by  this  day's  post.  I  am  quite  of  your  Lord- 
ship's opinion,  that  '  the  Gentiles  being  a  law  unto 
themselves,'  is  only  as  distinguishing  them  from  those 
who  had  a  law  revealed  to  them  ;  and  whilst  I  do  not 
enter  much  into  the  vexata  question  of  innate  ideas, 
I  feel  assured  that  every  one  has  a  sense  of  right  and 
wrong  operating  in  accordance  with  the  light  that  has 
been  vouchsafed  to  him,  and  that  every  one  is  bound 
to  get  his  mind  enlightened,  in  order  that  that  con- 
sciousness may  aid  him  in  fleeing  from  evil  and  in  doing 
good.  To  us  who  enjoy  the  fidl  light  of  the  Gospel, 
this  divine  principle  is  a  source  of  the  deepest  humi- 
liation and  of  the  sublimest  joy.  I  have  a  conscious- 
ness that  I  ought  to  lie  at  the  foot  of  the  Cross,  and  I 
have  a  consciousness  that  I  do  so.  I  have  a  conscious- 
ness that  I  perform  no  duty  aright ;  but  I  have  a 
consciousness  that  God  hears  my  sighs,  and  treasures 
up  my  tears ;  and  taking  this  consciousness  in  con- 
nexion with  God's  promises,  I  rejoice  in  hope  of  the 
glory  of  God. 

"  With  many  thanks  to  your  Lordship  for  your 
condescending  kindness  towards  me, 

"  I  remain,  my  dear  Lord, 

"  Most  truly  yours,  "  C.  Simeon." 

3  c  2 


756  UNION    OF    JOY 

To  Miss  Ellen  Elliott. 

"  My  dear  Ellen,  «  K.  C.  April  3,  1835. 

"  You  and  your  sister  Charlotte  desired 
me  to  send  you  my  thoughts  on  humiliation  and  con- 
trition, as  primary  constituents  of  the  Christian's 
happiness,  and  absolutely  essential  to  it.  But  I  have 
written  so  much  upon  this  topic,  that  I  despaired  of 
adding  anything  to  what  I  have  already  spoken.  The 
most  important  view  which  I  have  given  of  it,  is  that 
wherein  I  have  drawn  the  difference  between  a  wife 
who  has  all  her  days  acted  up  to  the  duties  of  her 
station,  and  the  wife  who  after  having  been  taken  from 
the  lowest  state,  has  dishonoured  both  herself  and  the 
kindest  and  best  of  husbands,  and  been  sought  out  by 
him  again,  and  reclaimed,  and  forgiven.  Her  recol- 
lections of  the  past,  and  her  admiration  of  the  trans- 
scendant  love  exercised  towards  her,  would  generate 
in  her  mind  feelings,  of  which  the  former  woman  was 
incapable,  and  would  give  a  tone  to  her  conduct  more 
precisely  in  accordance  with  our  state  before  God. 
This  will  explain  to  you  what  I  meant  in  my  last 
by  *  going  on  my  way  weeping,'  and  by  my  saying, 
that  the  more  gracious  and  merciful  God  was  to  me, 
the  more  would  I  loathe  and  abhor  myself,  and  have 
my  happiness  so  interwoven  with  humiliation,  as  not 
for  a  moment  to  have  them  separate.  On  all  of  this 
I  could  speak  all  the  day  long :  it  is  so  deeply  in- 
wrought in  my  heart  as  a  principle,  and  so  constantly 
cherished  by  me,  as  the  chief  object  of  my  desire. 

But  whilst  thinking  of  you  in  my  carriage  to- 
day, a  view  of  this  subject  occurred  to  my  mind, 
which  though  not  overlooked  in  my  Work,  I  have 
never  treated  in  a  separate  form  :  It  is  this — That  this 
very  humiliation  will  give  to  our  happiness  in  heaven 


WITH    HUMILIATION.  757 

a  tone  that  will  elevate  us  above  the  highest  arch- 
angel there.  The  angels  can  sing  the  air  ;  but  cannot 
from  their  own  experience  send  forth  the  deep  notes 
which  will  soften,  and  enlarge,  and  complete  our 
songs.  I  need  not  say  to  you  that  a  chorus  of  Handel's 
far  exceeds  any  mere  melody.  There  is  in  the  chorus 
a  richness  and  fulness  that  a  simple  melody  neither 
does,  nor  can  contain.  So  I  should  say  of  the  holy 
angels ;  their  melody  is  exquisite ;  but  our  deep 
notes  they  want.  They  have  all  the  felicity  that  the 
contemplation  of  a  Creator  and  Benefactor  can  impart ; 
but  they  cannot  look  back  to  a  state  of  guilt  and 
misery  from  which  they  have  been  redeemed  ;  nor  can 
they  look  upon  the  Redeemer  with  our  eyes ;  nor 
-Can  they  see  every  atom  of  their  bliss  bought  with 
blood.  These  are  considerations  which  will  enhance 
x)m'  bliss  infinitely  beyond  any  that  they  can  feel,  and 
will  give  a  character  to  our  happiness,  of  which  they 
can  have  no  consciousness  or  conception.  In  fact, 
they  can  only  add  an  Amen  to  the  song  Avhicli  we 
sing ;  and  acknowledge  that  our  blessedness  is  what 
they  can  admire  indeed,  but  not  participate.  You  see 
I  do  not  touch  here  on  their  being  made  wiser  by  the 
Church,  and  their  having  only  a  creatiu-e's  righteous- 
ness, whilst  we  have  that  of  our  Creator ;  or  their 
forming  an  exterior  circle  round  the  Throne,  Avhilst 
we  form  the  interior  (of  these  things  I  have  spoken 
occasionally  in  my  Works) ;  I  confine  myself  to  the 
subject  on  which  you  wished  me  to  write, — The  union 
of  humiliation  with  our  joy;  and  the  aspect  of  the  one 
on  the  other.  I  have  merely  scribbled  in  great  haste 
what  has  occurred  to  me,  but  without  any  order  or 
precision.  I  thought  I  had  not  done  well  in  declining 
to  enter  on  the   subject;    and  I  am   not  sure   that 


758  THE    STUDY    OF 

if  I  delay  till  to-morrow,  I  shall  not  throw  it  into  the 
fire,  as  being  crude,  hasty,  ill-written,  and  ill-digested. 
But  it  shews  my  love  to  all  who  have  any  blood  of  the 
Venns  in  their  veins,  and  that  I  am, 

"  With  very  affectionate  regard,  Charlotte's  and 
Ellen's  and  Mary's  friend, — not  to  mention  your 
honoiu-ed  Mother's  also,  "  C.  Simeon. 

"  Query. — If  I  were  offered  to  change  place  with 
an  angel,  would  I  do  it  ?    On  my  principles  I  say,  No." 


To  the  Bishop  of  Gloucester. 

"  My  Lord,  «  Aug.  4,  1835. 

"  I  have  just  received,  and  with  much 
pleasure  read,  your  Lordship's  Commencement  Ser- 
mon ;  which,  whilst  it  honours  me  greatly  as  a  gift 
from  the  author,  is  peculiarly  dear  to  me  as  recom- 
mending the  study  of  theology  to  be  made  a  more 
integral  and  conspicuous  part  of  our  Academic  course. 
The  times  call  for  this  :  religion  itself  calls  for  this ; 
and  your  Lordship's  text  very  strongly  inculcates  the 
necessity  of  it ;  since  whatever  aid  philosophy  may 
afford  us,  it  is  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  and  of  that 
alone,  that  can  render  us  '  complete,'  either  as  instruct- 
ors of  others,  or  in  a  meetness  for  a  better  life.  If, 
as  your  Lordship  has  justly  observed,  '  the  very  essence 
of  Christianity  consists  in  the  atonement  made  upon 
the  Cross  for  the  sins  of  mankind,'  every  person,  what- 
ever office  he  may  sustain  in  life,  whether  ecclesiastical 
or  civil,  ougktio)  be  instructed  in  it :  nor  can  we  doubt 
but  that  a  more  enlarged  knowledge  of  this,  if  added 
to  their  other  acquisitions,  would  tend  to  qualify  each 
succeeding  generation  of  students  for  more  efiiciency 
in  every  department  of  the  State,  and  in  a  very  short 


THEOLOGY.  759 

time  to  place  tlie  Chiu'ch  of  England  itself,  and  all  tlie 
institutions  connected  with  it,  on  the  firmest  basis. 

"  Earnestly  hoping  that  your  Lordship's  rejjeafed 
suggestions  may  be  speedily  carried  into  effect,  I  re- 
main, my  Lord, 

"  Your  most  obliged  and  obedient  Servant, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


To  the  Bishop  of  Calcutta. 

"  K.  C,  March  16,  1835. 

"  My  most  beloved  and  honoured  Friend, 

"  Respecting  the  abolition  of  Caste,  I 
think  nothing  can  be  said  against  it  as  a  measure  ; 
but  possibly  the  time,  the  manner,  the  means  may 
admit  of  a  diversity  of  opinion.  I  do  not  know  that 
I  should  differ  an  hair's  breadth  from  you ;  I  am 
wholly  uninformed  and  incompetent  to  judge  :  but 
I  know,  that  for  forty  years  the  Apostles  bore  with 
much  Avhicli  had  in  reality  passed  away  ;  and  that  St. 
Paul,  knowing  that  it  had  passed  away,  himself  con- 
formed to  it  by  the  advice  of  all  at  Jerusalem.  I  say 
not  that  the  cases  are  altogether  parallel :  but  I  think 
that  the  spirit  exercised  in  the  one  case,  may  throw 
some  light  upon  the  spirit  to  be  exercised  in  the 
other.  I  feel  myself,  that  I  should  rather  undermine 
that  horrid  structure,  than  have  butted  it  down  at  once. 
You  know  pretty  well  that  /am  not  a  coward,  nor 
over  careful  in  a  doubtful  matter ;  but,  as  Paul  in  his 
visit  to  Jerusalem  acted  very  warily,  lest  he  should 
counteract  the  good  which  he  had  laboured  to  effect , 
so  would  I ;  not  considerino-  merely  what  I  know  to 
be  right,  but  how  to  diffuse  that  knowledge,  and 
secm'e  my  end,  in  the  easiest  and  best  way.  Still, 
a  thing  done  requires  great  care  as  to  any  subsequent 


7  GO  ABOLITION 

modification  of  it ;  though  I  hope  no  modification  of 
it  will  be  found  necessary.  A  thing  may  be  done 
inoffensively  in  a  way  of  affectionate  recommendation, 
which  creates  resistance  if  done  in  a  way  of  authori- 
tative mandate."  ..... 


To  the  SAME  : — 

"  K.  C,  Aug.  19,  1835. 

"  My  beloved  and  honoured  Brother, 

"  I  have  received,  and  read  with  exquisite 
delight,  yoiu'  two  Charges  ;  of  which  I  will  only  say  at 
jjresent,  that  you  have  completely  carried  into  effect 
that  well-known  rule,  Qidcquid ^^recijnes,  esto  hrevis. 

"  I  take  up  my  pen  now,  having  but  a  few  minutes 
to  spare,  to  state  one  or  two  things  lest  I  forget  them. 
In  your  last,  you  intimate,  that  you  had  heard  I 
did  not  go  along  with  you  in  the  line  you  have  taken 
about  Caste.  Whoever  suggested  to  you  that,  has 
made  a  great  mistake.  I  am  a  friend  to  latitude, 
where  it  can  be  allowed  consistently  with  the  inte- 
grity of  Christianity:  e.g.  I  approve  of  what  Paul 
did,  by  the  advice  of  all  the  elders  at  Jerusalem,  in 
making  himself  a  Nazarite,  in  order  that  he  might 
counteract  the  false  reports  respecting  him  as  being 
adverse  to  the  observance  of  Mosaic  rites  amongst 
Jev/s,  or  even  amongst  converts  from  Judaism,  pro- 
vided those  rites  were  not  observed  with  any  view  to 
justijication,  but  only  from  a  sense  of  duty  to  God, 
loho  had  enjoined  the  observance  of  them,  and  not 
tot  idem  verbis  repealed  them.  For  N.B.  these  Juda- 
izing  Christians  had  respect  to  the  authority  of  Jeho- 
vah, whom  as  Christians  they  were  still  bound  to 
obey.  But  Hindoos,  in  iDccoming  Christians,  re- 
nounced their  former  gods,  and  therefore  were  no  longer 


OF    CASTE.  701 

bound  in  any  respect  to  obey  tliem,  or  to  observe  any 
rites  enjoined  by  them  :  and  in  becoming  Christians, 
they  are  bound  to  obey  only  what  Christ  himself  has 
enjoined.  Now  Christ  regards  the  very  least  and 
meanest  of  His  people  as  members  of  His  body  :  and 
consequently,  the  separations  occasioned  by  Caste  are 
contrary  to  the  very  spirit  of  His  religion,  which  makes 
all  His  people  to  be  one.  Therefore  the  distinctions 
of  Caste  are  inadmissiljle  in  a  Cliristian  community. 
If  you  had  said,  Hindoos,  whilst  they  continue  Hin- 
doos, shall  not  observe  Caste,  you  would  in  my  judg- 
ment have  done  wrong :  but  if  you  say,  Christians 
must  in  all  respects  be  Christians,  you  require  no  more 
than  what  you  are  bound  to  require.  Naaman's  case 
does  not  apply  to  this :  though  I  think  that  it  did  to 
the  officers  at  Malta,  who  might  have  said  to  their 
superior  officer,  '  I  fire,  because  you  order  me  :  and 
not  to  do  honour  to  the  Host :  in  so  far  as  it  is,  or 
may  be  thought  an  idolatrous  act,  you  alone  must  be 
responsible  for  it  both  to  God  and  man,'  If  this  was 
not  a  right  line,  every  drummer  and  fifer  might  reply, 
'  I  will  not  beat  my  drum,  or  sound  my  fife,  till  I  am 
assured  that  your  motives  in  ordering  me  to  jilay  it 
are  right,' 

"  N.B.  In  the  one  case,  conformity  is  enjoined  by 
the  person  himself:  in  the  other  case,  it  is  only  sub- 
mitted to  by  a  person  in  order  to  the  prevention  of  a 
greater  evil.  If  a  Pariah  were  to  submit  to  it  rather 
than  be  deprived  of  the  Lord's  supper,  I  should  say 
he  did  right ;  but  if  one  of  a  higher  Caste  imposes  it, 
he  does  wrong,  and  is  to  be  withstood. 

"It  is  probable  that  the  person  who  has  misrepre- 
sented my  sentiments  to  you,  has  inferred  my  senti- 
ments about  Caste  from  my  sentiments  about  Paul, 


762  PRUDENTIAL 

and  about  the  officers  at  Malta.  But  there  is  a  great 
difference  between  insisting  on  a  thing,  and  submit- 
ting to  a  thing,  in  order  to  avoid  a  greater  evil.  A 
thing  which  is  evil  per  se  must  neither  be  insisted  on, 
nor  submitted  to :  but  the  distinctions  I  have  before 
made  will  serve  to  draw  the  line  between  undue 
laxity,  and  an  undiscriminating  and  unbending  rigidity. 
Those  who  ate,  and  those  who  forbore  to  eat  meats 
offered  to  idols,  equally  pleased  God  in  acting  accord- 
ing to  the  dictates  of  their  own  consciences,  but  equally 
displeased  Him  in  condemning  each  other.  But  one 
was  more  in  accordance  with  Christian  liberty  than  the 
other.  This,  however,  in  no  respect  applies  to  the 
subject  of  Caste,  which  except  in  such  an  instance  as 
I  have  specified,  is  equally  distant  from  and  repugnant 
to  Christian  liberty  and  Christian  duty. 

"  My  few  minutes  are  gone  twice  over,  and  I  have 
run  to  a  sad  length  about  what  I  had  intended  to  say 
in  half  a  dozen  words.  So  that,  in  spite  of  my  love  of 
brevity,  I  must  send  you  a  double  letter.  Pray  mind 
and  repay  me  in  my  own  coin. 

"The  next  thing  about  which  I  intended  to  say  a 
few  words  was  the  joy  I  feel,  and  the  gratitude  I  feel 
to  Almighty  God,  on  account  of  your  prudence,  in  not 
setting  climate  at  defiance,  but  acting  so  as,  with  God's 
blessing,  to  preserve  your  health  for  future  services. 
It  is  with  me  a  fixed  principle,  that  it  requires  more 
deeply-rooted  zeal  for  God  to  keep  within  our  strength 
for  His  sake,  than  to  exceed  it.  Look  at  all  the  young 
]\Iinisters  :  they  run  themselves  out  of  breath  in  a 
year  or  two,  and  in  many  instances  never  recover  it. 
Is  this  wise  ?  I  could  easily  break  myself  down  in 
two  or  three  days,  and  incapacitate  myself  for  any 
future  work.     But  would  this  be  wise  ?     Health  and 


CARE    OF    HEALTH.  763 

life  are  but  of  little  importance  to  me  so  far  as  self  is 
concerned :  but  they  are  of  great  importance  as  far  as 
the  service  of  God  is  interested :  and  it  requires  in- 
comparably greater  self-denial  to  restrain  myself  for 
Him,  than  it  would  do  to  expend  my  strength  by 
imprudent  exertions.  Probably  many  say,  *  See,  how 
strong  he  is  !  he  might  surely  do  more!  My  answer 
is,  '  I  am  strong,  because  I  do  not  do  more.  If  I  did 
more,  I  should  soon  do  nothing!  This,  as  it  respects 
you,  is  still  more  important.  One  year  will  do  more 
service  to  the  cause  of  God  in  India  ten  years  hence, 
than  two  or  three  years  now.  You  have  at  least  a 
four  mile  heat  to  run  (I  hope  many)  ;  will  you  run  the 
first  mile  as  if  that  was  to  terminate  your  course? 
Let  me  say  again,  I  bless  God  who  has  given  you  wis- 
dom and  firmness  to  act  as  you  wdll  wish  you  had 
acted  a  dozen  years  hence.  And  I  the  rather  say  this, 
because  I  am  a  living  witness  to  the  things  I  utter. 
It  is  unwise  to  exceed  our  strength  (I  was  laid  by 
thirteen  years).  It  is  Avise  not  to  exceed  it  (I  am  now, 
through  constant  care,  preaching  at  seventy-six  with 
all  the  energy  of  youth). 

"  How  lamentable  the  case  of  Mr.  R. !  I  had 
thought  of  waiting  to  him ;  (being  such  an  one  as 
Paul  the  aged;)  but  he  would  naturally  say,  'What 
knows  he  of  this  matter  ?  He  can  know  nothing  except 
from  the  Church  Missionary  Society :  and  I  have 
already  set  at  nought  all  that  they  can  say  or  do.'  And 
now  that  it  has  come  under  your  cognizance,  any 
effort  of  mine  can  be  of  no  use,  because  you  can  point 
out  what  St.  Paul  would  have  done  under  his  circum- 
stances, not  only  as  w^ell  but  much  better  than  myself  : 
and  you  know  all,  which  I  do  not ;  and  can  speak 
with  authority  as  well  as  love,  which  I  cannot.     But 


764  TENDERNESS 

to  break  his  own  Churcli  to  pieces,  as  he  has  done, 
and  in  so  many  instances  it  is  to  be  feared  to  destroy 
those  for  whom  Christ  died,  is  a  measm-e  of  folly  and 
wickedness  far  greater  than  we  should  have  conceived 
so  good  a  man  could  ever  be  induced  to  commit. 
Would  not  the  idea  of  destroying  those  for  whom 
Christ  died,  lead  him  to  pause,  if  not  to  retrace  his 
steps  ?  John  Mark  was  Barnabas's  nephew,  and  Lu- 
theranism  was  R.'s  Church.  The  whole  Church  com- 
mended Paul  to  the  grace  of  God,  whilst  they  let 
Barnabas  go  his  way  without  any  such  expression  of 

i-egard.    And  do  not  all  the  Church  at  T (the 

more  pious  and  consistent  part  of  them)  bewail  the 
conduct  of  Mr.  R.  ?  These  two  circumstances  tell  in 
favour  of  Paul  and  against  Mr.  R.  But  the  true  spirit 
of  Christianity,  if  felt,  would  supersede  argument. 

"  Your  Charges  are  the  result  of  much,  very  much 
thought.  They  quite  siu'prise  as  well  as  delight  me. 
There  is  everything  suited  to  meet  the  feelings  of 
those  at  home,  as  well  as  those  abroad.  But  how 
beautifully  do  you  put  the  duty  of  preaching  the 
Gospel,  Avithout  an  undue  respect  to  minor  points. 
TJud  at  all  events  is  approved  in  heaven.  What 
you  say  also  about  discipline  is  good 

"  My  whole  soul  is  delighted  with  your  diversified 
addresses.  Think  how  important  your  life  may  be,  if 
you  live  to  see  them  all  carried  into  effect !  I  say  then 
be  wise  and  temperate  as  well  as  active,  and  may  God 
be  ever  with  you !" 

To  the  SAME.  «  Sept.  26,  1835. 

"  My  beloved  and  honoured  Brother, 

"  I  have  always  thought  that  the  highly 
applauded  account  of  the  primitive  Churches  uttering 


IN    PRAYER.  765 

their  Amens  like  tliiinder  was  an  exceedingly  bad 
symptom.  Who  that  felt  as  he  ought  would  utter 
such  an  Amen  at  the  close  of  the  publican's  prayer? 
My  distinction  is  this.  What  is  offered  in  prayer  for 
our  own  soids  should  be  deep  and  tender;  wdiat  is 
offered  for  the  w^orld  at  large,  may  be  loud  and 
ardent ;  as  may  the  Amens  which  commend  God  to 
men.  I  was  once  in  a  Church  where  there  were 
several  persons  who  quite  disgusted  me  with  their 
clamorous,  bold,  and  sharply  accented  Amens.  Such 
"were  not  the  Prophet  Jeremiah's,  when  God  heard 
*  his  breathing  and  his  cry.' 

"  I  have  been  working  double  tides  at  Cambridge 
for  seven  weeks,  and  at  Brighton  one.  Through 
mercy,  I  am,  for  jMinisterial  service,  stronger  than  I 
have  been  at  any  time  these  thirty  years.  But  I  am 
looking  for  my  dismission  daily,  at  the  appointed 
hom\  Till  then,  I  hope  to  work  according  to  my 
ability  w^ith  zeal  and  love.     My  Church  is  made  one 

of  the  most  beautiful  in  the  Diocese It  holds 

300  more  than  it  did ;   and  the  poor  have  the  best 
accommodation  throughout. 

"  Prudence  to  a  person  of  warm  temperament  is 
an  act  of  great  self-denial,  and  the  rather,  because 
conscience  takes  part  with  our  great  adversary,  and 
says,  '  You  might  do  more.'  But  here  is  my  line  of 
distinction :  what  is  done  for  fear  of  injuring  self  is 
wrong;  what  is  done  for  the  better  serving  of  God 
and  for  immortal  souls  is  good.  Over-exertion  is 
repaid  to  us  by  self-gratidation  :  prudential  care  is,  in 
an  energetic  mind,  accompanied  with  an  erroneous 
kind  of  self-condemnation.  But  if  conscience  tells  us 
that  we  consult  the  benefit  of  immortal  souls  and  the 
best  service  of  God,  we  shall  doubtless  be  approved 


766  MEKCY    IN 

by  God  as  much  for  not  going  to  figlit  with  beasts  at 
Ephesus,  as  for  running  into  their  jaws.  This  opinion 
of  mine,  I  think  is  sound  in  our  own  country,  and 
I  am  sure  it  is  sound  in  India."  .... 


To  J.  J.  Gurnet,  Esq.  on  the  loss  of  his  Wife. 

"  K.  C,  Camb.,  Oct.  5,  1835. 

"  My  very  dear  Friend, 

"  The  sad  tidings  which  yesterday's  post 
brought  me  afflicted  me  deeply ;  and  though  my  public 
engagements  prevented  me  from  dwelling  upon  the 
event  as  I  could  have  wished,  it  forced  upon  my  mind 
some  reflections  suited  to  the  occasion,  both  in  refer- 
ence to  yourself  and  to  the  dear  deceased.  Respecting 
yourself,  particularly  as  now  a  second  time  visited 
with  this  heavy  affliction,  I  consider  it  as  evincing 
the  truth  of  those  words,  '  Whom  the  Lord  loveth 
he  chasteneth  :'  and,  '  If  any  branch  beareth  fruit,  he 
purgeth  it  that  it  may  bring  forth  more  fruit.'  God 
has  taught  you  to  realize  the  thought  of  his  super- 
intending Providence,  and  to  be  assured  that,  if  you 
could  see  all  that  He  sees,  there  is  no  dispensation, 
hov/ever  afflictive,  which  is  not  both  '  mercy  and 
truth ;'  '  mercy,'  as  being  what  your  necessities  re- 
quired ;  and  '  truth,'  as  engaged  for  you,  and  promised 
to  you,  in  His  everlasting  Covenant ;  and  conse- 
quently as  a  blessing,  which  if  you  saw  as  He  sees, 
you  would  rather  have  desired  than  deprecated.  This 
was  the  view  with  which  my  soul  was  comforted 
in  what  I  thought  my  dying  hour,  and  which,  whilst 
it  leaves  ample  scope  for  the  sorrows  of  natural 
affection,  will  compose  the  mind  upon  the  whole, 
and  enable  you  to  say,  as  the  bereaved  Shunam- 
mite,    '  It  is  well.'     Apathy  is  no   part  of  religion. 


CHASTISEMENT.  767 

We  are  permitted  to  sorrow,  only  not  as  tliose  that 
are  without  hope.  There  is  a  medium  between 
'  despising'  the  chastening  of  the  Lord  (or  being 
unfeehng  under  it),  and  '  fainting'  when  we  are  re- 
buked of  Him.  That  medium,  I  conceive,  is  expressed 
in  those  words,  '  Not  my  will,  but  thine  be  done.' 
And  my  prayer  to  God  for  you  is,  that  you  may 
altogether  be  conformed  to  your  blessed  Lord  and 
Saviour,  saying,  *  The  cup  which  my  Father  hath  given 
me,  shall  I  not  drink  it  ? '  .... 

"  Still,  however,  such  a  bereavement  must  of 
necessity  be  painful;  and  I  greatly  admire  the  con- 
descension of  God  in  acknowledging  that  it  cannot 
at  the  present  be  joyous,  but  grievous  :  but  afterwards 
its  fruits  shall  be  both  profitable  and  peacefid,  which 
it  shall  assm-edly  be,  if  it  lead  you,  as  I  trust  it  will, 
into  nearer  communion  with  your  God.  Let  it  not 
then  discourage  you,  if  you  feel  it  '  grievous.'  Reli- 
gion is  not  to  divest  us  of  our  natural  feelings,  but  to 
regulate  them,  and  give  them  a  sanctifying  issue  :  and 
I  trust  the  day  is  not  far  distant,  when  you  shall  add 
your  testimony  to  that  of  David,  '  It  is  good  for  me 
that  I  have  been  afflicted.' 

"  Present  my  very  kind  regards  to  your  Sister, 
and  believe  me  your  most  affectionate  friend  and 
Brother,  "  C.  Simeon." 


To  the  Rev.  J.  T.  Nottidge,  Ipswich. 

«  K  C,  Camb.,  Oct.  29,  1835. 
"  My  most  beloved  Brother, 

"  I  have  for  some  time  past  been  reproach- 
ing myself  for  not  answering  your  last  letter  ;  but  as 
it  did  not  call  for  any  answer,  I  have  delayed  to  write, 
till  I  should  have  somewhat  to  say  and  to  communi- 


768  ON    THE    DIVINE 

cate.  I  am  grieved  that  you  slioiild  be  so  low  in  your 
mind.  But  I  will  tell  you  how  I  habitually  view  the 
diversified  dispensations  of  our  heavenly  Father  towards 
His  children.  I  see  a  man  of  great  intelligence  and 
skill  take  a  great  number  of  stones,  and  I  ask  him, 
'  What  are  you  going  to  do  with  those  stones  ?'  The 
answer  given  me  is,  '  Wait  and  see.'  I  then  behold 
him  making  a  furnace  as  hot  as  ever  Nebuchadnezzar's 
was,  both  under  the  stones  and  above  them,  and  I  ask, 
'  What  is  that  for?'  The  answer  as  before  is,  'Wait 
and  see.'  By-and-by  I  see  a  caldron  filled  with  liquid 
extracted  from  these  stones  ;  and  I  ask,  '  What  in  all 
the  world  have  you  got  here?*  The  same  answer  is 
made  me  again.  In  my  cogitations,  I  am  almost  ready 
to  impute  folly  to  him,  for  taking  so  much  pains 
about  nothing  at  all. 

"  But  on  being  again  admitted  to  his  presence,  I 
see  him  put  into  the  caldron  a  tube,  and  take  a  little 
of  the  melted  product  out  of  it,  and  blow  it ;  and  then 
I  see  him  put  that  little  blown  portion  into  a  furnace, 
made  on  pm-pose  for  it,  and  blow  it  again,  and  repeat 
that  process  five  or  six  times  afterwards,  and  reduce 
this  little  portion  of  melted  stuff  to  a  vast  globe  :  and 
then  I  see  him  whirl  that  globe  round  with  such  velo- 
city as  was  calculated,  in  my  judgment,  i  o  scatter  it  in 
ten  thousand  pieces  far  and  wide  :  but  behold,  he  only 
brings  it  to  a  plane ;  and  then,  with  a  gentle  stroke, 
he  separates  it  from  the  tube,  and  leaves  it  to  become 
cool  gradually :  and  at  last  I  see  my  own  Church 
adorned  with  it,  and  all  my  audience  protected  from 
weather,  and  the  service  of  God  advanced,  and  God 
glorified  :  and  beholding  all  this,  I  say.  That  man 
knew  what  he  was  about  from  the  beginning ;  and  his 
final  object  w^as  in  his  mind  all  the  time ;  and  I  Avill 


DISPENSATIONS.  769 

neither  doubt  his  wisdom  in  future,  nor  be  impatient 
to  unravel  all  his  counsels,  but  expect  assuredly  that 
whether  I  understand  the  process  or  not,  I  shall,  in  a 
very  short  time,  not  only  approve,  but  admire  every 
one  of  his  proceedings  :  and  then,  as  the  improvement 
of  it  all  I  say,  '  If  man's  ways  be  so  wise,  what  must 
God's  be?'  Now  then  if  I  take  a  trip  to  Ipswich, 
and  ascend  a  certain  hill,  and  see  a  certain  friend,  I 
will  invite  him  to  come  to  this  glass-house ;  and  if  he 
ask,  ^AHiiat  can  I  learn  there  ?  I  will  say  to  him,  '  Come 
and  see.' 

"  Now  for  the  size  of  your  sphere.  I  see  you  in 
such  a  little  sphere  as  Yelling,  and  I  ask  myself.  When 
will  be  the  time  that  my  friend  and  brother  w'ill  say, 
I  have  completely  filled  this  sphere  ?  Will  it  be  next 
month,  or  next  year,  or  the  year  after  ?  I  am  afraid  that, 
if  his  sphere  be  ever  so  small,  there  wall  be  the  same 
complaint  as  at  Ipswich,  with  this  additional  grievance, 
that,  as  there  was  a  physical  impossibility  for  you  to 
fill  the  one,  and  in  appearance  a  possibility  of  filling 
the  other,  your  self-reproach  at  the  smaller  sphere  wall 
be  the  more  bitter.  Did  you  never  hear  of  its  being 
once  said  of  a  woman,  '  She  hath  done  what  she  could  ?' 
Let  that  same  testimony,  even  with  considerable  abate- 
ment, comfort  us  in  the  midst  of  all  our  short  comings 
and  defects.     Ever,  ever  yom-s,  "  C.  Simeon." 


"  To  Miss  Mary  Elliott. 

"  My  beloved  Mary,  "  Nov.  27,  1835. 

"  In  your  letter  of  this  morning  you  ex- 
press a  fear  that  you  may  love  your  dear  Mother  or  a 
friend  too  much ;  and  I  am  anxious  to  correct  that 
idea  without  loss  of  time ;  first,  because  it  is  a  source 
L.  s.  3d 


770  THE    INDULGENCE 

of  disquiet  to  the  conscience,  and  next,  because  it  is 
an   error  wliich   almost   universally   prevails   in   the 
Chm-ch  of  God.     That  we  may  show  om^   love  im- 
properly, I  readily  grant ;    but  that  we  can  love  one 
another  too  much,  I  utterly  deny,  provided  only  it  be 
in  subserviency  to  the  love  of  God.     I  think  I  have 
explained  to  you  that  word /erre;^^/^  ('  see  that  ye  love 
one  another  with  a  pm^e  heait  ferve)itl?/'j  :   its  precise 
meaning  is  intensehj.     No  two  words  in  any  two  lan- 
guages more  exactly  agree  than  '  intensely'  does  with 
the  original.     If  then  our  love  be  with  a  pure  heart, 
this  alone  were  sufficient  to  estabhsh  the  point.     But 
I  am  anxious  to  convey  to  you  more  fully  my  views  of 
this  matter,  because  as  God  himself  is  love,  I  think 
that  the  more  intensely  I  love  those  who  are  beloved 
of  Him,  the  more  I  think  I  resemble  Him.    The  proper 
model  for  our  love  to  each  other  is  Christ's  love  to  us. 
If  you  ^Aill  not  fall  short  of  that,  I  have  no  fear  of  your 
exceeding  it.     We  are  required  to  lay  down  oiu-  lives 
for  the  brethren.      We  shall  not  readily  exceed  that. 
The  union  that  should  subsist  between  the  saints  should 
resemble,  as  far  as  possible,  the  love  that  subsists  be- 
tween God  the  Father  and  His  Son  Jesus  Christ.    How 
then  can  we  fear  excess  ?    But  see  it  in  operation.    We 
read  of  those  who  would  have  '  plucked  out  their  own 
eyes,'  and  given  them  to  the  Apostle  ;  yea,  and  who 
even  'laid  down  their  own  necks'  for  the  Apostle. 
Did  Priscilla  or  Aquila  err  in  this  ?  or  was  Epaphro- 
ditus  carried  to  excess,  when  he  '  disregarded  his  own 
life'  to  supply  the  lack  of  the  service  of  others  towards 
the  Apostle  ?     What  shall  we  say  then  of  the  Apostle 
himself,  who  counted  the  pouring  out  of  his  heart's 
blood,  like  a  libation  upon  the  sacrifice  of  his  people's 
faith,  a  ground  of  joy  and  a  subject  for  congratulation  ? 


OF    AFrECTION.  771 

But  here  an  Apostle  was  in  one  case  tlie  object,  and 
in  the  other  case  the  subject,  of  this  love ;  and  there- 
fore we  can  scarcely  hope  for  such  attainments  as 
theirs.  Then  let  us  come  to  one  more  like  ourselves, 
Jonathan,  of  whom  David  says,  '  Thy  love  to  me  was 
wonderful,  passing  the  love  of  women.'  Now  whether 
w^e  understand  this  of  woman's  love  to  man,  or,  as  I 
understand  it,  of  man's  love  to  woman,  (for  I  have 
no  conception  of  woman's  love  surpassing,  or  even 
equalling,  man's  to  woman),  it  is  spoken  not  with 
blame  but  with  commendation ;  and  I  would  not  that 
I,  or  any  one  whom  I  love,  should  fall  short  of  that. 
'  He  loved  David,'  we  are  told,  '  as  he  loved  his  own 
soul ;'  and  we  cannot  easily  go  beyond  that ;  yet  is 
t/iat  the  proper  measm^e  for  o,  friend. 

"  Perhaps  you  will  say,  My  grief  is,  that  my  love 
generates  disquietude  when  those  who  are  dear  to 
me  are  ill ;  and  this  is  an  evidence  that  my  love  is 
idolatrous,  and  not  truly  Christian.  Then  what  will 
you  say  to  Paul,  who  confesses,  *  he  had  no  rest  in 
his  Spirit  because  he  found  not  Titus  his  brother  ?' 
Christianity  does  not  encourage  apathy  :  it  is  to 
regulate,  not  to  eradicate,  our  affections.  It  admits 
of  their  fidl  operation,  but  tempers  them  as  to  their 
measure,  and  sanctifies  them  to  the  Lord.  I  have 
often  been  comforted  by  knowing,  that  Lazarus  and 
his  sisters  were  peculiarly  beloved  of  their  Lord,  and 
that  John  was  an  object  of  His  more  than  ordinary 
attachment :  and  from  hence  you  will  see,  that  if 
I  have  written  this  for  yom-  instruction,  I  have  had  an 
eye  also  to  my  own  vindication,  if  I  should  appear  to 
err  in  the  discharge  of  the  most  delightful  of  all 
duties 

"  But  I  will  not  delay  this,  that  I  may  shew  at 

3  D  2 


772  THE    INDULGENCE 

least,  that  if  love  be  a  crime,  there  are  few  more  guilty 
than  yom^  Friend,  "  C.  Simeon." 

"  Let  me  hear  soon  how  your  dear  Mama  is  ; 
and  be  sure  you  do  not  love  her  too  well :  and  tell 
her  that  I  thus  put  yon  on  your  guard." 

To  the  SAME. 

"  My  beloved  Mary,  «  K.  C,  Dec.  7,  1835. 

"Let  me  touch  again  upon  the  subject 
of  my  last  letter.  You  do  not  sufficiently  consider, 
that  all  our  experience  here  is  of  a  mixed  kind. 
We  are  to  'rejoice  with  trembling.'  Now  if  you 
"  rejoiced,'  you  would  say  I  do  not  '  tremble '  as 
I  ought :  and  if  you  '  trembled,'  you  would  say,  I  do 
not  '  rejoice '  as  I  ought.  But  it  is  in  the  eternal 
world  alone  that  the  two  are,  or  ought  to  be,  quite 
separate.  Paul  was  '  sorrowful,  yet  always  rejoicing ;' 
and  devout  men  made  great  lamentation  over  Stephen. 
Now  I  am  afraid  Paul  was  either  Legal  or  Anti- 
nomian,  but  which  I  do  not  know.  Be  sure  he  do 
not  lead  you  to  combine  the  two  feelings ;  and  be 
sure  you  never  love  anybody,  no,  not  your  dear 
INIother  (and  tell  her  I  say  it),  so  as  to  make  any  great 
lamentation  about  her  when  she  is  taken  from  you. 
I  had  a  friend  who  was  kicked  by  a  horse,  and  had 
his  leg  nearly  broken  :  and  he  was  sm'e  he  was  not  in 
a  proper  state  before  God;  1st,  because  he  felt  it; 
and  2dly,  because  he  could  not  run  as  expeditiously 
upon  the  Lord's  errands  as  he  was  wont.  Don't  you 
think  he  was  right  ?  He  ought  not  to  have  had 
human  feelings  in  exercise,  or  to  have  suffered  even  a 
broken  leg  to  impede  him  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duty.     If  you   should   ever  meet  with  a  person  so 


OF    AFFECTION.  773 

circumstanced,  pray  deliver  to  liim  my  judgment; 
and  be  sure  to  tell  liim  at  the  same  time,  that  you 
know  a  lady  who  quite  concurs  in  it. 

"  But  why  do  I  thus  dwell  on  this  point  ?  I  do 
it  not  to  lessen  your  watchfulness  or  diminish  in  any 
respect  your  humihation  before  God,  (for  it  is  not 
possible  to  exceed,  either  in  watchfidness  or  humili- 
ation,) but  to  bring  your  mind  to  that  holy  liberty, 
into  which  it  is  the  wi\\  of  God  that  all  his  children 
should  be  brought  (and  a  'glorious  hberty'  it  is), 
and  that  '  the  peace  of  God  which  passeth  all  under- 
standing may  keep  (keep  as  in  a  garrison)  both  yom- 
heart  and  mind  :'  your  understanding  and  your  affec- 
tions, or  your  feelings,  being  in  perfect  harmony  on 
this  all-important  subject.  This  is  what  our  blessed 
Lord  calls  '  m?/  peace ;'  and  he  woidd  give  it,  not  in 
a  niggardly  way  as  the  world  giveth,  but  mth  all  the 
profusion  of  unbounded  love.  And  if  any  light, 
which  God  may  enable  me  to  throw  upon  the  subject, 
be  the  means  of  clearing  away  your  mists,  and  of 
bringing  you  to  '  the  perfect  day,'  need  I  say  what 
joy  it  will  afford  me  ?  or  with  what  gratitude  I  shall 
return  thanks  to  Almighty  God  for  such  an  honour 
conferred  on  myself,  and  such  a  blessing  conferred  on 
you?  My  beloved  Mary,  276  souls  were  given  to 
Paul,  and  not  a  hair  of  the  head  of  any  one  of  them 
was  suffered  to  perish.  Is  not  this  an  encouragement 
to  us,  to  remember  each  other  before  the  Lord  ?  It 
is  a  blessed  privilege  to  be  permitted  to  bring  each 
other  into  His  presence,  and  to  make  our  requests 
known  to  Him  in  behalf  of  each  other.  Let  us 
abound  in  this  holy  exercise,  yea,  abound  in  it  more 
and  more.  Did  you  never  find  that  you  could  pray 
for  another,   when  you  could  not  pray  for  yourself; 


774  ON    AFFECTION. 

and  that  your  coming  for  another  has  led  to,  and 
facilitated,  an  access  for  yourself?  I  could  tell  you, 
that  a  door  opened  for  you  has  often,  and  I  hope  will 
yet  often  open  it  for  your  most  loving  Friend, 

"  C.  Simeon. 

"  Your  letter  arrived  yesterday,  Dec.  6. 

"  P.S.  I  get  this  franked,  merely  that  you  may 
not  be  frightened  at  my  handwriting.  But  do  not 
you  follow  my  example  in  this  respect,  till  I  give 
you  some  reason  to  think  that  your  autograph  is  un- 
welcome. Kindest  love  to  yom-  dear  Mama,  and  to 
your  Sisters." 


CHAPTER  XXXIIl. 


LETTERS — TO   DR.    RING     ON     ENDURING    AFFLICTION TO    REV.    J.    H. 

GURNEY    ON    THE    PURCHASE    OF    ADVOWSONS  —TO    REV.   MR.  I 

ON    THE    SAME    SUBJECT TO    A   LADY  ATTENDING    HER   MOTHER  IN 

HER     LAST     ILLNESS EXTRACTS      FROM     LETTERS     TO      A      FRIEND 

RECOUNTING     THE      INCIDENTS      OF     HIS     TOUR — TO      ARCHDEACON 
HODSON    ON    RETURNING    FROM    HIS    TOUR — TO    DR.    RING     ON    THE 

SAME    SUBJECT TO    REV.  J.  VENN    ON    CONVERSION  —TO    A    PERSON 

UNDER  DEEP    3IENTAL    DISTRESS TO   THE    BISHOP  OF  CALCUTTA    ON 

THE    INDIAN    EPISCOPATE — TO  A    FRIEND    ON    BUILDING   A    CHURCH 
AT   JERUSALEM. 


1836. 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

To  Dr.  Ring,  on  enduring  affliction. 

"  My  dear  Friend,  "  K.  C,  Feb.  16,  1836. 

"  I  thank  God  who  in  His  tender  mercy 
has  restored  you  to  health,  both  of  body  and  mind. 
In  all  cases  of  affliction  it  is  my  habit  to  ask,  '  Whence 
come  you  ?  and  whither  go  you  ?'  And  the  answer 
I  invariably  receive,  speedily  and  effectually  composes 
my  mind  :  '  I  come  from  your  Father,  to  bring  you 
into  closer  communion  with  Him,  and  richer  know- 
ledge of  Him,  and  more  entire  conformity  to  His 
image.'  I  apprehend  this  had  been  Paul's  habit,  when 
in  the  midst  of  such  afflictions,  as  no  other  man  ever 
sustained  for  so  long  a  time,  he  cried  in  reference  to 
them  all,  evSoKw,  evBoKoo,  2  Cor.  xii.  10;  see  James  i.  2. 
I  do  not  act  thus  in  reference  to  the  afflictions  of  my 
friends.  There  I  would  '  weep  "with  those  that  weep.' 
But  my  sympathy  relates  to  the  present  only ;  whilst 


776  ON    PURCHASIiNG 

faith  and  hope  carry  me  on  to  the  future,  and  enable 
me  with  a  degree  of  comfort  to  anticipate  '  the  eud,' 
James  v.  1  ] .  It  has  been  thus  as  it  respects  you. 
Fii'st  I  have  said,  M'here  there  is  so  much  physical 
excitement,  I  do  not  wonder  that  there  should  be  some 
physical  depression.  Perhaps  too,  God  may  have  sent 
the  latter  to  reprove  and  correct  the  former.  And 
I  doubt  not  but  that  the  effect  will  be,  to  make  the 
futiu-e  elevation  of  your  mind  more  pure  and  spiritual. 
Yom-  religion  has  always  been  characterized  by  life. 
It  may  henceforth  be  of  a  deeper  and  more  sombre 
character,  like  that  in  heaven,  where  they  all  prostrate 
themselves  with  deepest  self-abasement,  even  whilst 
they  sing  their  loudest  songs.  The  finest  melodies 
that  were  ever  made  have  not  only  admitted  of  touches 
of  the  bass,  or  double  bass,  but  have  by  means  of  them 
been  rendered  incomparably  more  sublime.  And  I  trust 
yoiu"  melodies  will,  by  means  of  your  late  afflictions, 
become  more  attuned  to  the  melodies  of  heaven. 

"  It  is  indeed  most  delightful  to  me  to  hear  of  the 
progress  of  the  Gospel  in  Reading  ;  and  the  offer  of 
a  pulpit  there  to  advocate  the  Jewish  cause  made  me 
almost  leap  half-way  to  accept  it.  But  with  all  foreign 
service  I  have  done.  I  am  now  only  a  poor  pensioner- 
soldier,  wearing  the  King's  uniform,  and  just  twdce 
a-week  attending  the  parade,  and  discharging  the 
domestic  exercise  that  has  been  assigned  me. 

"  Most  truly  yom's,  "  C.  Simeon." 

To  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Gurnet,  on  the  pmchase  of 
Advowsous. 

"  My  dear  Sir,  "  March  31,  1836. 

"  It  is  a  duty  which  I  oavc  to  you,  and  to 
Almighty  God,  to  inform  you  that  the  measure  which 


ADVOWSONS.  777 

yoii  have  adopted  has  greatly  interested  many  persons 
and  brought  me   considerable  aid ;  insomuch  that  I 
revoke  the  paragraph  in  my  letter, — '  I  must  take  care 
that  I  do  not  go  to  gaol.'    I  feel  that  I  must  of  necessity 
have  many  irons  in  the  fire  at  once,  and  many  engage- 
ments on  hand  at  once ;  but  the  aid  your  letter  has 
gained  me,  (and  I  expect  will  gain  me,)  says  to  me  as 
from  God  Himself,  'Go  on;'  and  Go  on  (d.v.)  I  will. 
"  I  am  glad  you  did  not  ask  my  leave  to  print  my 
letter  ;  for  I  could  not  have  consented  to  it.     Ostenta- 
tion I  utterly  abhor ;  nor  could  I  expect  the  blessing 
of  God  upon  me,  if  I  were  guilty  of  it.     But  your 
unauthorized  expose  of  my  plans  has  called  forth  the 
liberality  of  so  many,  and  the  goodwill  of  so  many, 
that  I  shall  have  no  fear  of  the  religious  public  suffer- 
ing me  to  go  to  gaol  in  such  a  cause  as  this.      You 
have  made  me  as  it  were  a  centre  of  union  in  this 
glorious  cause ;  and  have  thus  shewn  me  that  if  only 
I  act  with  simplicity  to  God,  and  in  humble  dependence 
upon  Him,  I  may  yet  in  a  prudent  way  and  with 
moderation  advance,   and  extend  my  efforts  in  full 
(not  stinted)  proportion,  as  my  means  of  advancement 
are  increased.     The  way  in  which  I  had  argued  is 
this :  If  I  exceed  my  means,  and  need  to  be  rescued 
from  difficidty,  rehgious  persons  will  say,  '  What  busi- 
ness had  he  to  exceed  his  means  ?  we  may  be  called 
upon  for  all  manner  of  follies    and   extravagancies, 
if  we  interpose  in  this  case : — he  must  get  out  of  his 
difficidties  as  he  can.'     And  this  I  judged  to  be  dis- 
honourable  to   God   in    every  view.     But  after   the 
encouragement  I  have  received  through  your  instru- 
mentality, I  feel  that  the  religious  friends,  whether 
they    approve    of   my  prudential  fears   or   not,   will 
■  approve  of  a  holy  and  icell-tewjjered  zeal,  when  a  call 


778  ON    PURCHASING 

to  the  exercise  of  it  is  so  clear.  .  .  '  Let  not  your  good 
be  evil  spoken  of,'  seems  quite  in  point  as  it  respects 
me.  My  communications  have  been  private ;  and  it 
is  with  reluctance  that  even  in  private  I  mention  what 
has  a  tendency  to  exalt  myself.  But  fads  must  be 
sometimes  declared  as  grounds  for  the  procedure  of 
others'' 


To  the  Rev.  Mr.  I ,  on  the  same  subject. 

"  My  dear  Sir,  "K.  C,  Camb.,  Aug.  8,  1836. 

"  You  may  well  inquire  why  I  never  an- 
swered your  kind  letter  :  I  will  tell  you.  The  same 
post  brought  me  the  paper  in  which  your  advertise- 
ment was  contained ;  so  that  the  die  was  cast,  and 
I  had  no  power,  except  in  a  way  of  direct  prohibition, 
to  alter  it.  "V\^ien  my  letter  to  a  friend  in  England 
was  printed,  it  was  done  without  my  concurrence. 
Had  I  been  consulted,  I  would  have  forbidden  the 
printing  of  it :  but  God  overruled  it  for  wonderfid 
good. 

"  To  this  hour  I  have  rather  been  passive  than 
active  in  the  whole  matter.  At  the  commencement 
I  made  two  applications  for  help,  and  failed  in  both ; 
and  then  I  determined  to  content  myself  with  exerting 
my  own  very  limited  and  slender  powers,  so  far  as 
they  might  be  available,  for  this  great  work.  I  have 
not  to  learn  at  this  day  the  danger  of  5(?^  becoming 
an  active  principle,  where  love  to  God  and  man  is 
thought  even  by  ourselves  to  be  our  only  motive ; 
but  this  cannot  operate  when  we  stand  still  and  see 
the  salvation  of  the  Lord ;  and  the  more  ardent  our 
wishes  are,  the  more  this  line  of  conduct  approves 
itself  to  my  mind.  Had  I  written  to  you,  I  should 
have  felt  as  if  I  were  touching  the  ark.     I  therefore 


ADVOWSONS.  779 

waited  in  silence  to  see  what  should  be  the  issue  of 
the  steps  you  had  taken,  that  so  the  hand  of  God  in 
it  might  the  more  clearly  a])pear;  not  the  smallest 
particle  of  your  success  being  by  any  possibility  to  be 
ascribed  to  anything  written  to  you  by  me.     This  was 
my  main  inducement  to  keep  silence  :   but  another 
motive  was  to  guard  against  any  recurrence  of  what 
had  recently  taken  place  in  England.     To  persons  who 
had  kindly  and  liberally  aided  me  with  their  contribu- 
tions, I  had  written  letters  of  a  confidential  nature 
relative  to  my  hopes  and  prospects  ;  and  behold,  the 
editor  of  some  paper   or   periodical  publication   got 
access  to  some  of  my  letters  {Jioiv  I  know  not ;  but  it 
was  a  grievous  act  of  treachery  in  those  who  delivered 
them  up  to  him) ;  and  then  put  together  a  number  of 
extracts  from  them,  and  published  them  as  one  con- 
tinuous letter  from  me — to  the  grief  of  all  my  friends, 
who  knew  not  how  to  account  for  such  a  medley  of 
injudicious  matter  being   sent  forth   into  the  world 
under  my  name.     I  believe  neither  the  editor  nor  my 
treacherous  correspondents  designed  to  do  me  any  ill ; 
but  they  took  the  best  method  imaginable  to  defeat 
my  plans ;  and  from  that  time  I  have  been  careful  to 
restrain  my  pen  from  writing  anything  more  than  a 
plain  letter  of  thanks,  except  to  those  whom  I  knew 
and  could  fully  trust.     Had  I  written  to  you,  I  must 
either  have  spoken  in  a  strain  of  cold  indifference,  or 
have  opened  my  heart  with  my  wonted  ardour.     The 
former  would  have  been  quite  foreign  to  my  feelings, 
and  the  latter  was,  under  existing  circumstances,  con- 
trary to  my  judgment ;  therefore  I  adopted  the  painful 
alternative  of  waiting,  till  I  should  have  some  further 
communication  from  you.   But  now  I  feel  no  restraint ; 
and  if  what  I  write  be  made  known  ever  so  far,  I 


780  ON    PURCHASING 

shall  at  least  have  the  pleasure  of  counteracting  the 
evil  impression  made  on  the  public  by  the  conduct  of 
my  treacherous  friends,  and  of  the  injudicious — not  to 
say  unrighteous — editor.  The  printed  letter  that  has 
been  circulated  far  and  wide  (a  copy  of  which  I  now 
send  you),  fully  makes  known  my  general  object.  And 
through  the  goodness  of  God,  it  has  brought  me  aid 
to  a  ver}'  great  extent.  By  recent  donations  I  am 
enabled  to  make  some  further  efforts  ;  and  the  blessed 
tidings  which  yom*  letter  conveys  of  aid  from  Dubhn, 
determines  me  to  advance  to  the  uttermost  extent  that 
common  prudence  will  admit.  The  object  is  of  in- 
calculable importance.  The  securing  of  a  faithfid 
INIinistry  in  influential  places  would  justify  any  outlay 
of  money  that  could  be  expended  on  it ;  and  if  I  were 
able  to  effect  it  by  any  funds  of  my  own,  they  would 
be  most  gladly  supplied  for  the  attainment  of  so  great 
an  end.  If  our  blessed  Lord  came  down  from  heaven, 
and  died  upon  the  Cross  for  the  salvation  of  immortal 
souls — sure  I  am,  that  nothing  which  we  can  do  for 
the  promotion  of  His  glory  and  of  man's  salvation  can 
be  justly  deemed  superfluous  or  inexpedient.  Who 
that  sees  what  God  has  enabled  me  to  accomplish,  in 
adding  these  four  places  to  what  I  had  already  attained, 
will  say  that  my  efforts  have  been  in  vain  ?  Some 
have  thought  that  the  expenditure  for  two  or  three  of 
the  places  has  been  excessive ;  but  I  have  jyroo/"  that 
it  has  been  very  little  beyond  what  was  tendered  by 
others.  And  there  is  this  difference  between  myself 
and  others  :  they  pm"chase  income — I  purchase  spheres, 
wherein  the  prosperity  of  the  Established  Church,  and 
the  kingdom  of  our  blessed  Lord,  may  be  advanced ; 
and  not  for  a  season  only,  but  if  it  please  God,  in 
perpetuity  also.     It  has  been  suggested  to  me,  that  it 


ADVOWSONS.  781 

would  be  better  for  me  to  make  a  separate  trust  for 
these ;  but  this  proposal  arises  from  an  apprehension 
that  some  one  of  my  trustees  may  prove  unfaithful  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duty.  But  if  one  unfaithful  man 
be  found  amongst  five,  what  shall  I  do  in  doubling  my 
trust,  but  double  my  risk  also?  The  greatness  of 
their  trust,  whilst  it  augments  their  responsibility,  will, 
I  hope,  augment  also  their  vigilance,  that  then*  con- 
scientious fidelity  may  approve  itself  to  all.  You  are 
at  liberty  to  use  this  letter  as  yoiu'  own  judgment  shall 
dictate ;  and  pray  return  my  most  cordial  thanks  to 
all  the  contributors.     I  am,  my  dear  Sir, 

"  Yom*    most    affectionate    and    much    indebted 
Brother  in  the  Lord,  "  Chas.  Simeon." 


To  a  Lady,  on  attending  her  Mother  in  her  last 
illness. 

"  My  dear  Madam,  "  K.  C,  June  13,  1836.' 

"  It  is  with  no  little  affection  that  I  bear 

in  my  remembrance ;  and  I  should  delight  to 

open  and  unfold  to  her  in  her  present  affliction  all 
those  sources  of  consolation,  which  I  myself  two  years 
ago  found  so  effectual  for  my  own  support.  But  in 
the  present  state  of  my  mind  I  am  scarcely  equal  to 
it.  1  am  just  setting  off  upon  a  long,  long  journey  of 
about  500  miles  to  visit  some  of  my  Churches,  and 
am  quite  oppressed  as  it  were  Avith  a  variety  of  matters. 
In  less  than  an  hour  I  set  off;  and  on  such  a  sacred 
subject  as  that  of  heavenly  consolation  I  need  a  coUect- 
edness  and  a  tenderness  of  mind.  I  cannot  bear  to 
utter  truths  without  feeling  them  deeply  in  my  own 
soul.  They  reproach  me  as  I  utter  them,  and  I  cannot 
expect  the  blessing  of  God  upon  them.  But  one  thing 
I  can  say  without  much  self-reproach ;  viz.  that  we  are 
in  the  hands  of  a  Father,  who  is  at  tins  moment  doing 


782  VIEWS    ON    DEATH. 

for  us  precisely  the  thing  Avhich  we  ourselves  should 
ask  at  His  hands,  if  we  knew,  as  He  does,  what  is  best 
for  us.  Hence,  though  permitted  to  ask  of  Him  the 
things  which  are  accounted  good,  we  have  no  solicitude 
about  events,  because  we  are  sure  that  if  we  have  not 
the  very  thing  we  asked,  we  shall  have  that  which  will 
eventually  be  better  for  us.  I  can  scarcely  tell  you 
what  peace  and  tranquillity  have  issued  from  this 
thought,  at  the  time  when  it  was  supposed  by  every 
one  around  me  that  I  was  dvino- ;  and  I  commend  it 

to  dear ,  as  that  which  her  situation  peculiarly 

requires.  All  the  wonders  of  redeeming  love  have 
long  been  her  meditation  day  and  night.  The  con- 
templation of  these  is  equally  delightful  whether  in 
health  or  sickness,  life  or  death  ;  but  the  thought  I 
have  suggested  is  called  for  on  this  particular  occasion, 
both  as  a  personal  and  domestic  solace,  when  a  dark- 
ness as  it  were  is  encompassing  us,  and  a  paiufid  un- 
certaintv  is  hano;ino-  over  us  in  relation  to  comino; 
events.  My  friend  ]Mr.  Thomason  in  his  dying  horn- 
said,  '  There  is  a  dark  long  vista,  but  there  is  hght  at 
the  end.'  His  ]\Iother  being  reminded  of  that  in  her 
last  hoiu'  replied,  '  No,  it  is  light  to  me  all  the  way.' 

This  is  what  I  wish  for  my  dear  friend at  this 

time  :  though  in  my  mind  all  the  concerns  of  the 
present  moment  are  swallowed  up  in  eternity.  I  stamp 
on  the  Rock  of  my  salvation,  and  never  find  it  shake 
under  me ;  and  whilst  this  is  the  case,  I  never  feel 
anxious  about  any  httle  blast  that  may  blow  around  me. 

"  Pray  present  my  truly  Chi'istian  regards  to , 

whom  I  hope  to  bear  in  special  remembrance  at  the 
throue  of  grace ;  and  believe  me,  my  dear  Madam, 

"  Your  most  affectionate  and  sjiupathizing  Friend, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


HIS    LAST    TOUR.  7S3 

Extracts  from  various  Letters  to  a  Fjiend,  recount- 
ing the  incidents  of  his  last  tour. 

«  Cheltenham,  July  1,  183C. 

"  My  dear , 

"  Wonderful  is  the  goodness  of  God  to- 
wards me.  The  gout  which  menaced  me,  and  which 
humanly  speaking  could  not  fail  of  confining  me  for 
weeks,  has  left  me,  and  I  am  now  as  strong  as  usual. 
My  efforts  indeed  are  rather  beyond  my  strength  ;  but 
I  am  cautious,  and  have  been  sitting  alone  all  the 
morning,  and  am  now  prepared  for  renewed  inter- 
com-se  with  friends,  who  are  shewing  me  all  imagin- 
able love."  .  .  . 

"  Saturday  Morning.  Notwithstanding  my  exer- 
tions last  night,  I  am  ciuite  well  this  morning,  and 
preparing  for  my  work  at  Trinity  Church  to-morrow. 
This  is  the  Church  in  which  Mr.  Thomason  laboured ; 
and  it  will  be  dehghtfid  to  me  to   stand  up  in  his 

place Here  at  Cheltenham  I  have  almost  had 

a  heaven  upon  earth.  The  Churches  so  capacious,  and 
so  filled ;  the  Schools  so  large,  so  numerous,  so  bene- 
ficial ;  the  people  so  fidl  of  love  ;  the  Ministers  such 
laborious  and  energetic  men  ;  and  God  himself  so  gra- 
ciously with  me  in  my  exertions :  in  truth,  I  can 
scarcely  conceive  any  higher  happiness  on  earth  than  I 
am  now  privileged  to  enjoy."  .... 

"  Thm'sday  Evening.  Hereford !  Hereford  !  Here- 
ford !  I  am  now  at  j\Ir.  Venn's  avaihng  myself  of  his 
absence  on  some  ministerial  employment  to  write  to 
my  dear  friend,  who  is  so  kindly  interesting  herself 
for  me.  It  is  indeed  a  pleasm-e  to  me  to  express  my 
obligations  to  you,  and  to  your  Mother  who  so  kindly 
unites  with  you  in  this  labour  of  love.    I  have  desired 


784  INCIDENTS    OF 

not  to  see  friends  before  Sunday,  that  I  may  have  all 
my  strength  for  labour,  so  far  as  shall  consist  with 
prudence.  At  Cheltenham  it  was  almost  impossible 
for  me  to  be  so  silent  as  I  could  wish  ;  but  here  I  shall 
feel  more  retired,  and  more  at  Hberty  to  act  in  exact 
accordance  with  my  judgment."  .... 

"  Truly  at  Cheltenham  I  had  almost  a 

heaven  upon  earth.  Here  also  1  am  most  happy ;  and 
71010  quite  recovered  from  my  fatigue ;  and  so  strong, 
that  by  preference  I  walk  upon  the  lawn  without  a 
stick.  I  hear  from  I\Ir.  C.  that  I  am  appointed  to 
preach  (before  the  University)  in  November.  I  was 
quite  indifferent  about  it,  having  prepared  my  Sermons 
for  posterity  after  that  I  am  removed  from  the  earth. 
At  Cambridge  they  will  be  heard  only  by  a  thousand ; 
but  I  hope,  when  I  am  gone  they  will  be  read  by 
many  thousands,  and  prove  of  lasting  benefit  to  the 
Church.  To  have  such  a  hope  as  this,  is  the  highest 
honour  and  the  sublimest  happiness,  that  a  fallen 
creature  can  enjoy."  .... 

"  I  am  engaged  this  evening  to  meet  nearly  twenty 
Clergymen ;  and  I  hope  God  will  enable  me  to  speak 
something  for  then*  good.  It  is  a  blessed  opportunity 
for  advancing  the  honour  of  my  Lord,  and  the  welfare 
of  immortal  souls."  .... 

"  Saturday.  There  were  thirty  in  all  at  tea  ;  and 
at  the  exposition  and  prayer  about  twenty -five  others ; 
and  God  graciously  helped  me :  and  though  my  exer- 
tion was  great,  I  trust  I  shall  be  able  to  preach  to- 
morrow with  unabated  strength.  Truly  I  can  never  be 
thankful  enough  to  God  for  bringing  me  hither."  .... 

"  I  am,  notwithstanding  I  have  had  almost  a 
heaven  upon  earth,  beginning  to  pant  for  home  again. 
My  o^vn   abode,  and  my  oa^ti  people,  are   after   all 


HIS    LAST    TOUR.  785 

dearer  to  me  than  all  others ;  and  I  look  for  restora- 
tion to  them  with  joy." 

«  Birmingham,  July  14,  1836. 

"I  had  yesterday  morning  the  most 

profitable  season  that  I  ever  had  for  about  three  hours, 
with  three  of  the  most  influential  Clergymen  in  Bir- 
mingham, so  far  as  I  could  render  it  profitable.  I 
was  mercifully  assisted  both  in  body  and  mind  ;  and 
I  hope  that  Mr.  Marsh's  hands  were  considerably 
strengthened.  With  this  exception,  I  do  not  find 
Birmingham  at  all  equal  to  Cheltenham  or  Hereford 
m  respect  of  comfort  or  usefulness.  As  for  Darlaston, 
I  expect  but  little  there,  where  I  shall  be  choked  with 
smoke.     Yet  I  tJiink  I  shall  stay  over  Sunday  there,  if 

by  any  means  I  may  confirm  Mr. 's  testimony  to 

the  Gospel  of  our  Lord.  At  Lichfield  I  expect  much 
comfort.  I  feel  that  I  am  too  much  influenced  by 
human  afiections ;  and  that  I  can  more  freely  and 
fully  exercise  holy  affections,  when  natural  affections 
open  a  free  scope  for  them.  I  wish  it  were  not  so, 
but  that  I  could  put  forth  all  my  powers  most  when 
they  are  most  needed." 

"  Darley,  July  29,  1836. 

"  Yesterday  I  packed  off*  ten  letters,  and 
now  find  myself  at  liberty  to  write  a  few  lines  to  the 
kind  friend  that  is  taking  so  much  trouble  for  me. 
This  day  week,  and  I  shall,  I  hope,  be  getting  every 
hour  nearer  and  nearer  to  my  dear  people,  and  my 
blessed  home.  I  am  almost  counting  the  hours  till  I 
shaU  reach  my  sweet  abode.  But  from  the  first  day 
I  set  off"  to  the  present  hour  I  have  been  as  highly 
favoured  as  a  mortal  and  sinfid  being  can  well  be.  I 
have  no  conception  of  greater  happiness  on  earth,  than 
mine  has  been  without  intermission,  except  by  more 
L.  s.  3  E 


78(3  HIS    LAST    TOUE. 

iutimate  communion  with  God.  With  that  single 
exception,  I  doubt  if  there  have  been  on  the  face  of 
the  whole  earth  a  happier  being  than  myself.  My 
intercom:'se  from  the  moment  of  my  arrival  at  Chel- 
tenham has  been  with  the  excellent  of  the  earth,  and 
every  one  of  them  striving  to  the  utmost  of  their 
power  to  shew  me  kindness  for  the  Lord's  sake.  Had 
yoii  seen  my  meetings  any  where,  and  m.y  partings  at 
Hereford  or  Lichfield,  you  would  have  knowTi  a  little 
what  love  is,  and  what  a  savour  Christian  communion 
leaves  behind  it.    Besides,  when  I  have  seen  what  a 

change  has  been  wrought  in  the  people  of  D , 

and  what  gratitude  they  now  express  towards  me  for 
withstanding  their  solicitations  ;  and  what  a  glorious 
place  of  worship  Mr.  Venn  has  made  by  the  altera- 
tions of  his  Church ;  and  what  a  noble  (wonderfully 
noble,  and  beautiful,  and  commodious)  Chapel  Mr. 

's  is  at  N :    with  the  sight  of  such  places 

secured  in  perpetuity  for  the  Lord,  I  must  be  the 
most  brutish  of  mankind,  if  I  did  not  feel  the  most 
lively  gratitude  to  my  heavenly  Benefactor. 

.  .  .  .  "  I  know  that  this  will  comfort  you  and  your 
dear  ^Mother,  and  therefore  I  avail  myself  of  a  leisure 
half-hour  to  communicate  it  to  you.  I  should  account 
myself  basely  ungrateful,  if  I  did  not  find  pleasure 
in  thus  expressing  my  regard  for  all  your  services, 

and  all  your  kindness I  am  summoned  by  the 

carriage  at  the  door,  and  the  ladies  that  accompany 
me ;  and  with  joy  I  subscribe  myself,  your  very  aflec- 
tionate  and  much-indebted  Friend,      "  C.  Simeon." 


THOUGHTS    ON    IT.  787 

To  the  Ven.  Archdeacon  Hodson. 

"  My  beloved  Friend,  "  August  8,  1836. 

"  Yon  desired  me  to  write  to  you  when 
I  should  be  restored  in  safety  to  my  beloved  home. 
But  how  shall  I  declare  all  the  kindness  I  experienced 
in  every  place,  or  the  comfort  I  enjoyed  in  communion 
with  the  Lord's  people  !  The  prosperity  of  Zion  espe- 
cially in  all  the  different  places  far  exceeded  my  most 
sanguine  expectation  :  and  the  thought  of  my  having 
been  the  rod  in  the  hand  of  God,  by  whom  all  these 
Avonders  have  been  wrought,  completed  my  joy.  To 
all  this  I  may  add,  the  hope  I  entertained  of  being 
yet  further  accessary  to  the  production  of  similar  good 
in  other  places,  gave  to  the  whole  a  richness  and  sweet- 
ness which  no  words  can  adequately  express. 

"  But  has  all  this  excited  any  measure  of  self- 
complacency  in  my  bosom  ?  I  hope  not  more  than 
w^as  felt  by  the  rod  of  Moses  :  but  of  self-loathing  and 
self-abasement,  blended  wdth  an  admiration  of  the 
divine  goodness,  I  hope  it  was  productive  in  a  con- 
siderable degree ;  and  this  variety  of  feeling,  re- 
sembhng  the  different  rays  of  the  sun,  formed  in  my 
soul  a  concentration  of  that  joy  which  forms  the 
blessedness  of  heaven.  In  adoration,  you  know,  the 
sinner  is  in  his  place,  and  God  in  his  :  and  this  is  the 
posture  in  which  I  contemplate  the  whole  of  my 
journey  for  nearly  eight  weeks,  during  which  time  not 
even  the  slightest  incident  occurred  to  damp  my  joy. 

"  Yesterday  I  preached  to  a  Church  as  full  as  it 
could  hold,  and  partook  of  the  Lord's  supper  in  con- 
cert with  a  larger  number  than  has  been  convened 
together,  on  such  an  occasion,  in  any  Church  in  Cam- 
bridge since  the  place  existed  upon  earth.  Before  I 
came  to  the  Living,  I  attended  once  at  Trinity  Church 

3  E  2 


788  FEELINGS    ON 

to  hear  on  some  occasion  a  very  popular  preacher ; 
and,  as  I  then  never  tm-ned  my  back  upon  the  Lord's 
supper,  I  staid  during  the  administration  of  it,  and 
was  myself  one  of  three,  who,  besides  the  Parson  and 
Clerk,  formed  the  whole  number  of  the  Communicants. 
So  greatly  has  the  Church  of  England  been  injm-ed  by 
myself  and  my  associates. 

"  Most  affectionately  yoiu-s,  "  C.  S." 


To  Dr.  Ring, 

"  My  dear  Brother,  «  K.  C,  Aug.  6,  1836. 

"  I  shall  begin  to  fancy  myself  young 
again,  when  I  receive  by  the  same  post  two  letters, 
one  desiring  me  to  open  a  Clnu'ch  at  Reading,  and 
the  other  to  re-open  one  at  Bradford  in  Yorkshire. 
But  I  happen  to  know  the  difference  between  37  and 
77  ;  and  I  am  content  to  discharge,  as  God  shall 
enable  me,  the  offices  pertaining  to  the  latter  age. 
It  would  give  me  exquisite  pleasure  to  obey  your 

summons I  bless   God  for  His  mercy  to   my 

native  town,  or,  as  the  Scotch  call  it,  my  '  Calve- 
Kintry.'  It  is  a  real  joy  to  me  also  to  see  that  Chm-ch, 
to  which  I  am  very  deeply  attached,  prospering  by 
the  return  of  some  of  her  best  friends  to  her  Com- 
munion  My  progress  infinitely  exceeds  my  ex- 
pectations.    The  bounty  of  pious  friends  encourages 

me  to  proceed And  I  trust  that  God,  who  has 

already  carried  me  on  so  far,  will  finally,  bring  me 
through.  The  occasion  demands  it ; — immortal  souls 
demand  it ; — the  Estabhshed  Church  demands  it ; — 
and  my  Lord  and  Sa\dour  demands  it  at  my  hands. 
And  their  united  calls  I  will  endeavour  to  obey. 

'*  I  am,  my  dear  Eriend,   with  most  unfeigned 
gratitude  and  love,  ever  yours,  "  C.  Simeon." 


HIS    RETURN.  789 

To  the  SAME. 

"  My  dear  friend,  «  K.  C,  Aug.  13,  1836. 

"  Truly  you  ask  a  willing  servant.  If  I 
dared,  I  should  be  off  in  a  trice ;  and  put  yes,  yes, 
yes,  to  the  bottom  of  the  page.  JBut  (that  is  a  hateful 
word), 

"  1.  I  have  left  off  all  foreign  services. 

"2.  I  have,  in  despite  of  the  above  statement,  en- 
gaged in  three  or  four  weeks  to  open  a  Church,  built 
by  my  friend  Mr.  Nottidge  at  Ipswich  at  his  own  sole 
expense.  (N.  B.  As  a  palliation  of  my  inconsistency, 
let  me  say,  that  he  is  the  only  man  upon  the  face  of 
the  earth  for  whom  I  would  have  done  it). 

"3.  Supposing  I  could  reconcile  the  two,  (which 
at  this  distance  of  time  I  might)  I  have  an  office  to 
discharge  in  November,  for  which  I  mi^/it  unfit  my- 
self, but  for  which  I  would  not  by  imprudence  unfit 
myself  for  a  very  large  sum  of  money — the  preaching 
of  a  set  of  Sermons  before  the  University.  And  what 
does  all  this  amount  to  ?  It  is  all  contained  in  a  short 
word  which  it  is  not  easy  for  me  to  utter  to  one  whom 
I  love  ;  but  which  I  am  sometimes  forced  to  utter ; 
and  which,  when  written  to  express  my  mind  on  this 

occasion  is,  N o. 

"  Your  very  afiectionate  Brother  in  the  Lord, 

"  C.  Simeon. 

"P.  S.  I  am  just  returned  from  a  long  journey  of 
eight  weeks,  during  the  whole  of  which  time  the 
physical  thermometer  has  been  almost  as  low  as  the 
autumnal  standard,  but  my  moral  and  mental  ther- 
mometer never  lower  than  summer  heat.  I  suppose, 
that  scarcely  any  man  living  has  had  the  same  amount 
of  happiness  for  the  same  time,  except  in  greater 
nearness  to  the  Fountain  of  all  blessedness." 


790  CONVERSION 

To  the  Rev.  John  Venn,  on  Conversion. 

"  July,  1836. 
"  In  compliance  with  your  request,  I  send 
you  the  substance  of  some  observations,  which  I  made 
to  a  party  who  had  been  invited  to  meet  us.  Many 
of  them  being  young,  I  thought  it  of  importance  to 
communicate  to  them  what  I  conceive  to  be  a  just 
and  accm-ate  view  of  the  subject  of  conversion. 

"  In  Rom.  viii.  6,  it  is  stated,  after  the  Apostle's 
manner,  in  broad  and  general  terms  :  '  They  that  are 
after  the  flesh  do  mind  the  things  of  the  flesh ;  and  they 
that  are  after  the  Spirit  the  things  of  the  Spirit.'  This 
passage  of  Scripture,  properly  explained,  contains  the 
whole  matter.  But  it  is  not  always  correctly  under- 
stood ;  or  rather  I  should  say,  it  is  very  generally 
carried  too  far,  and  for  want  of  being  duly  qualified, 
it  is  made  a  stumblingblock  both  to  the  unconverted 
world,  and  to  many  who  are  truly  converted  to  God. 
The  unconverted  are  justly  offended  when  we  repre- 
sent the  natm-al  man  as  destitute  of  any  hind  of  good  ; 
and  the  godly  are  discouraged  when  we  represent 
them  as  having  in  them  no  renmant  of  evil.  We 
may  in  a  general  way  represent  both  of  them  as  re- 
sembling a  river  where  the  tide  flows :  the  natural 
man  as  descending  from  the  fountain-head  to  the 
ocean  ;  and  the  spiritual  man  as  returning  with  equal 
force  to  the  fountain-head.  But,  wliilst  this  -w^  serve 
to  give  a  general  \dew  of  them,  it  requires  to  be  mo- 
dified by  certain  limitations  and  exceptions.  In  any 
large  river  there  are  obstacles  of  one  kind  or  other, 
which  obstruct  in  some  places  the  continuous  flow  of 
the  stream,  and  occasion  what  I  may  call  a  back 
stream ;  and  this  is  found  no  less  in  the  return  of  the 
river  to  the  fountain-head,  than  in  its  descent  to  the 


ILLUSTRATED.  791 

sea :  and  if  this  be  borne  in  mind,  tlie  general  image 
will  become  incomparably  more  clear  and  accurate. 
The  departm'e  of  the  soul  from  God  is  not  so  entire, 
but  that  there  remain  in  many  persons  towards  man 
some  good  dispositions.  Towards  God,  I  grant,  our 
fallen  nature  retains  not  even  the  smallest  measure 
of  that  love,  which  at  our  first  creation  filled  our 
souls.  In  this  respect  our  statements  cannot  be  too 
strong.  St.  Paul  says,  that  *  the  carnal  mind  is 
enmity  against  God,'  and  neither  does,  nor  can,  yield 
subjection  to  His  holy  law.  But  all  good  is  not  so 
obliterated,  but  there  may  be  found  in  many  uncon- 
verted men  as  fixed  a  principle  of  truth  and  benevo- 
lence, and  honour  and  integrity,  as  in  the  generality 
of  true  Christians ;  and  if  we  so  state  our  views  of 
the  fall  as  to  rob  the  whole  mass  of  mankind  of  this 
honour,  we  cast  a  stumblingblock  in  theu*  way,  and 
excite  a  very  bitter  prejudice  against  the  Gospel.  On 
the  other  hand,  if  we  represent  a  work  of  grace  as  so 
entire,  that  there  remains  no  corruption  in  the  persons 
who  experience  it,  we  reduce  even  the  most  eminent 
Christians  to  despair.  There  is  yet  in  the  best  of 
men  a  remnant  of  the  flesh  lusting  against  the  Spirit, 
and  incapacitating  him  from  serving  God  so  entirely 
and  so  perfectly  as  he  would.  St.  Paul  himself  com- 
plained of  a  '  law  in  his  members  warring  against  the 
law  of  his  mind,  and  bringing  him  into  captivity  to 
the  law  of  sin  which  was  in  his  members,'  This 
however  is  to  be  remembered,  that  the  back  stream 
does  not  prevail  in  either  of  the  characters  so  far,  as 
to  keep  the  water  from  its  ultimate  destination :  the 
unconverted  man,  notwithstanding  the  good  that  is 
in  him,  arrives  assuredly  at  the  ocean  at  last ;  and  the 
converted  man,    notwithstanding   his    remaining  in- 


79.2  CONVERSION 

firmities,  does  at  last  attain  tlie  elevation  and  blessed- 
ness after  wliicli  lie  aspires  ;  and  he  grows  in  grace 
even  to  liis  dying  hour,  having  every  corruption  more 
and  more  mortified,  and  his  transformation  into  God's 
perfect  image  more  entire.  From  beholding  with 
ever-increasing  clearness  the  glory  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
he  is  progressively  '  changed  into  His  image  from 
glory  to  glory  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord.' 

"If  it  be  asked,  how  is  this  change  effected?  the 
same  image  will  give  us  the  most  clear  and  useful 
information.  It  is  generally  acknowledged  that  the 
tide  is  effected  by  the  moon.  This  to  a  person  unin- 
formed upon  the  subject  would  appear  a  downright 
absm'dity  :  for,  as  he  knows  not  the  powers  of  attrac- 
tion, he  cannot  conceive  how  it  should  be  possible  for 
the  moon  to  possess  an  influence  which  not  all  the 
human  race  combined  would  be  able  to  exert.  But 
experience  shews  that,  whether  we  can  comprehend  it 
or  not,  the  ocean  does  obey  the  influence  of  the  moon. 
In  like  manner  the  change  wrought  in  the  heart  of 
man  depends  altogether  on  the  influence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit ;  and  however  incapable  we  may  be  of  com- 
prehending the  Spirit's  operations,  we  must  refer  to 
Him  the  entii-e  change  which  is  wrought  in  us  in  the 
conversion  of  our  souls  to  God. 

"  But  amidst  all  this  agreement  there  is  a  very 
essential  point  of  difference  between  them.  In  the 
river,  whichever  way  it  flows,  there  is  neither  volition 
nor  consciousness  ;  but  in  man  there  is  both,  whether 
he  depart  from  God,  or  return  to  Him.  No  man  acts 
from  mere  necessity,  as  a  spark  ascends  or  a  stone 
descends  to  the  earth.  The  ungodly  are  voluntary 
agents  in  all  that  they  do,  and  the  godly  are  also  per- 
fectly voluntary  in  all  their  motions.     True,  the  godly 


ILLUSTRATED.  703 

have  not  originally,  and  of  themselves,  either  the  will 
or  power  to  do  anything  spuitually  good  :  but  God 
makes  them  *  willing  in  the  day  of  his  power ; '  and 
they  '  work  out  their  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling, 
because  God  has  given  them  both  to  will  and  to  do  of 
His  good  pleasure.'  He  draws  them  not  as  mere 
machines,  but  '  with  the  cords  of  a  man  and  with  the 
bands  of  love.'  Hence,  whdst  to  the  ungodly  belongs 
nothing  but  guilt  and  shame,  to  God  alone  belongs 
all  the  glory  of  whatsoever  change  is  wrought  in 
those  who  turn  fi'om  theu'  evU  ways  to  serve  and 
glorify  Him." 


"  To  a  person  under  deep  mental  distress. 

"  Dear  Sir,  «  K.  C,  Aug.  9,  1836. 

"  You  judge  well :  there  is  the  same 
God  now,  as  formerly  delivered  Peter  from  prison  in 
answer  to  the  prayers  of  His  people  :  and  He  is  still 
a  God  that  heareth  prayer.  I  can  in  some  small 
measure  sympathize  with  you.  I  have  known  what  it 
was  to  envy  the  dogs  their  mortality,  and  almost  to 
wish  them  cursed  with  my  immortality  in  my  stead. 
But  I  found  God  to  be  abundant  both  in  mercy  and 
truth ;  and  so  will  you  find  Him,  if  in  the  name  of 
His  dear  Son  you  wait  patiently  upon  Him.  With 
the  desponding  soul  God  justly  expostulates  (Isai. 
xl.  27),  and  exposing  the  folly  of  such  a  state  (v.  28) 
gives  us  a  clear  du-ection  for  our  deliverance,  and  a 
promise  that  shall  assuredly  be  fidfilled  to  us  in  its 
season  (v.  29 — 31).  I  would  have  you  expostulate 
therefore  with  yoiu-  own  soul,  as  David  did,  (Ps.  xlii. 
11  and  xliii.  5).  That  there  is  ground  for  humiliation 
in  the  best  of  men  there  is  no  doubt;  holy  Job  ex- 
claimed, '  Behold  I  am  vile ;'  but  to  the  vilest  of  men 


794  ON    DESPONDENCY. 

there  is  no  ground  for  despondency,  wlien  we  recollect 
tliat  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  from  all  sin/ 
and  that  He  has  said,  '  He  would  cast  out  none  who 
come  unto  Him.'  The  Psalmist  himself  was  in  your 
state,  and  justly  ascribed  his  despondency  to  his  own 
weakness.  He  saw  how  erroneous  had  been  all  his 
conceptions  of  the  Deity,  and  learned  to  look  from 
himself  to  the  Holy  Scriptures  in  order  to  form  a 
right  judgment  of  His  power  of  grace  (Ps.  Ixxvii. 
1 — 11).  Follow  him  in  this  respect,  and  you  shall 
ere  long  follow  him  also  in  his  testimony  in  behalf 
of  God,  as  an  Almighty  and  All-merciful  Benefactor 
(Ps.  xl.  1—3). 

"  I  have  no  ^'vash  to  know  your  name.  It  is  suffi- 
cient for  me  that  you  are  a  fellow-sinner  in  distress. 
The  Lord,  even  our  Great  High  Priest,  has  your  name 
written  on  His  breastplate ;  and  that  is  my  consola- 
tion when  I  am  constrained,  through  forgetfulness,  to 
express  my  intercessions  generally;  when,  if  I  were 
able  to  spread  before  my  God  the  names  and  states 
of  all  for  whom  I  have  been  desu-ed  to  pray,  I  would 
gladly  do  it.  I  hope,  with  tender  sympathy,  to 
spread  your  case  before  Him :  and  I  intreat  the 
favour  of  you  to  remember  at  the  throne  of  grace 
one,  who,  if  he  be  not  distressed  like  you,  needs  quite 
as  much  the  prayers  and  intercessions  of  others  in  his 
behalf,  even 

"  Your  faithful  Servant,  "  C.  Simeon." 


To  the  Bishop  of  Calcutta,  on  the  Indian  Epis- 
copate. "K  C,  Camb.,  Sept.  29,  1836. 

"  Your  most  Avelcome  letter  has  just 
arrived,  and  though  incapable  of  writing  a  syllable 
myself  I   lose  not    a  minute   in  answering  it.     Till 


VISIT    TO    ELY.  795 

witliin  this  week,  I  have  been  favoured  with  an 
energy  both  of  body  and  mind  far  beyond  what  I 
could  have  reasonably  looked  forward  to ;  and  to  give 
you  some  account  of  my  visitation,  for  I  am  too  proud 
to  call  it  visit,  I  begin  with  that.  To  Cheltenham, 
Hereford,  Darlaston,  Newcastle  -  under  -  Lyne,  and 
Derby — I  have  been  on  a  visit  to  the  different  Mi- 
nisters appointed  there  by  me ;  and  such  a  continua- 
tion of  love,  dm^ing  the  whole  eight  weeks  of  my  visit, 
has  really  far  exceeded  what  I  had  supposed  possible 
in  this  fallen  world.  My  efforts  in  every  place  both 
in  public  and  private  were  great;  and  the  sight  of. 
God's  work  prospering  in  all  the  places  was  enough 
to  have  melted  a  heart  of  stone ;  and  the  thought 
that  God  in  His  mercy  had  made  me  an  instrument 
of  promoting  His  cause  to  that  vast  extent  has 
humbled  me  in  the  very  dust,  and  made  me  only 
regret  that  my  powers  of  service  have  not  been  more 
commensurate  with  my  obligations  to  our  common 
God  and  Father. 

"My  strength  has  continued  unimpaired  till  this 
last  week  ;  but  having  been  to  visit  our  new  Diocesan 
(Dr.  Allen,  late  Bishop  of  Bristol),  and  having  re- 
ceived all  imaginable  kindness  from  him,  who  showed 
me  over  the  whole  Cathedral,  though,  alas,  only 
habited  for  the  parlour,  I  have  caught  a  violent  cold 
which  has  brought  on  the  gout,  and  reduced  me  to  a 
state  of  utter  incapacity  for  exertion  of  any  kind. 
This  is  the  secret  of  my  writing  to  you  now  by  the 
hand  of  an  amanuensis. 

"  And  now  will  I  come  to  answer  your  most  in- 
teresting letter.  I  view  the  sphere  of  India  as  im- 
mense, the  load  too  heavy  to  be  laid  on  any  human 
mind,  the  diversities  of  calls  distracting,  and  the  almost 


79G  COMFORT    UNDER 

litter  impossibility  of  concentrating  them  so  as  to  see 
them  all  brought  out  into  united  and  harmonious  ope- 
ration— but  I  had  almost  forgotten  what  an  Almighty 
power  presides,  and  what  energies  He  can  supply  for 
the  accomplishment  of  His  own  gracious  purposes. 
If  I  forget  Him,  I  sink ;  if  T  remember  Him,  not  all 
the  inconceivable  load  of  India  can  overwhelm  me.  My 
comfort  has  been  all  my  days,  I  have  but  0/w  to 
please ;  and  He  is  easily  pleased,  even  in  the  midst 
of  all  our  infirmities,  where  he  sees  only  a  desire  to 
please  Him.  The  simplicity  of  our  work  is  very 
encouraging — in  every  place  I  see  the  reign  of  sin 
and  Satan ;  and  in  every  place  I  want  to  introduce 
the  reign  of  Christ  and  wisdom  and  true  holiness. 
Be  not  discouraged,  if  you  should  not  be  able  to 
accomplish  all  you  wish ;  you  have  in  that  respect  the 
portion  of  Prophets  and  Apostles,  and  of  our  blessed 
Lord  Himself.  You  must  look  to  the  end,  and  see 
the  end  of  the  Lord,  that  He  is  very  pitiful  and  of 
tender  mercy.'  He  will  prevail  at  last,  prevail  too  by 
the  very  means  which  His  enemies  have  recourse  to 
for  the  counteracting  of  His  designs.  With  Him  at 
your  right  hand,  you  have  none  to  fear ;  obstacles  of 
every  kind  you  must  expect,  and  they  will  bring  out 
to  your  view  the  secret  Majesty  of  the  Most  High,  and 
enable  you  to  realize  to  an  inconceivable  extent  His 
unbounded  power,  His  unerring  wisdom,  His  incom- 
prehensible love.  I  speak  of  these  things  as  one  who 
knows  them  by  experience ;  I  have  had  aU  the  powers 
of  earth  and  hell  against  me,  but  have  lived  to  see 
that  there  '  are  more  with  me  than  against  me.'  That 
he  can  and  does  work  by  the  meanest  instruments, 
I  am  a  living  witness ;  but  my  sphere  has  been  small, 
a  mere  nothing  in  comparison  of  others.     Yet  have  I 


DIFFICULTIES.  797 

lived  to  see  the  triumph  of  my  own  principles  through- 
out the  land ;  peradveiiture  you  also  may  Hve  to  see 
the  same  in  yom-  sphere.  I  have  a  perfect  assurance 
that  He  who  ordereth  all  things  both  in  heaven  and 
earth,  will  prevail  at  last.  Hence  then  I  say,  look  not 
at  minute  points  or  difficulties,  but  to  the  Lord  Him- 
self, who  will  keep  your  mind  in  perfect  peace,  and 
accomplish  his  own  pleasure  through  your  imperfect 
instrumentality. 

"That  you  want  a  Grant  and  Udny  I  greatly 
regret ;  but  their  God  you  have,  and  more  you  cannot 
have.  In  truth,  I  love  to  see  the  creature  annihilated 
in  the  apprehension,  and  swallowed  up  in  God ;  I  am 
then  safe,  happy,  triumphant.  And  I  recommend  to 
you  to  enter  into  the  chambers  of  all  His  glorious 
perfections,  and  to  shut  the  doors  about  you,  and  there 
abide  till  He  shall  have  accomplished  all  the  good 
purposes  of  His  goodness  both  in  you  and  by  you. 
Nothing  less  than  a  mutual  indwelling  of  God  in  us, 
and  of  us  in  God,  will  suffice— beyond  that,  we  want 
nothing.  To  tell  you  of  my  own  Sermons  before  the 
University  must  engage  a  part  of  another  letter ;  in 
this  I  close  with  imploring  all  hnaginable  blessings  on 
your  soul." 


To  a  Friend,  on  building  a  Church  at  Jerusalem. 

"  My  dear ,  "  Oct.  6,  1836. 

"  I  write  by  an  amanuensis,  not  being 
able  to  write  myself.  I  have  been  seized  both  with 
cold  and  gout.  But  this  day,  tlu'ough  the  goodness 
of  God,  pronounce  myself  convalescent.  I  have  cor- 
responded with  ]\Ir.  Cart^Tight,  and  expect  at  the 
close  of  this  month  to  converse  with  him  face  to  face. 

"  My  own  view  of  Divine  duty  is  this. 


79S  WAITING    ON    GOD. 

"  See  and  follow  the  pillar  and  cloud.  Moses 
mistook  wlien  with  pious  zeal  he  hoped  to  deliver 
the  Jews  forty  years  before  the  time  appointed  in 
the  Di\dne  counsels :  when  the  time  was  come,  God 
made  it  plain.  So  afterwards  in  the  manifestation  of 
the  truth  to  the  Gentiles,  notwithstanding  the  com- 
mands given  were  so  clear,  Peter  and  the  rest  of 
the  Apostles  waited  at  least  six  years  before  they 
carried  the  Gospel  to  Cornelius.  So  afterwards  Paul 
would  go  into  Asia,  and  then  to  Bithynia,  both  of 
Avhich  no  doubt  needed  his  labours  very  much,  but 
respecting  each  God  said.  No  :  then  came  the  call 
to  Macedonia,  and  all  imaginable  blessings  flowed 
from  it.  Thus  I  would  not  be  precipitate  with  jMoses — 
nor  tardy  with  the  Apostles — nor  self-willed  (acting 
on  my  own  will)  with  Paul ; — but  I  would  wait  for  the 
clear  indications  of  the  Divine  will ;  and,  having  seen 
them,  would  proceed  with  zeal  and  vigour.  Human 
zeal  would  applaud  Moses — condemn  the  Apostles — 
call  in  question  Paul — with  human  zeal  I  have  nothing 
to  do ;  the  times  and  seasons  are  altogether  in  God's 
hands,  and  I  am  His  servant  to  go,  or  stay,  according 
to  His  will.  I  love  your  zeal ;  I  join  heartily  in  it ; 
but  my  mind  is  passive.  I  am  never  in  danger,  but  in 
action ;  all  goes  well  with  me,  wlien  in  a  passive 
state — I  am  then  saying,  '  Lord,  what  ^\ilt  thou  have 
me  to  do  ?' 

■  "  Now  this  is  the  state  of  mind  which  I  recom- 
mend to  you.  In  acting  there  is  pleasure  ;  in  wait- 
ing there  is  self-denial; — ^but  in  assuring  ourselves 
that  God  in  due  season  vdW  make  our  way  clear  there 
is  exquisite  delight. 

"  I  am,  my  very  dear  friend,  your  most  affectionate 
Pellow-labourer  in  the  Gospel  of  Christ, 

"  C.  Simeon." 


PAET  III. 


NARRATIVE, 


NARRATIVE 


OF 


HIS  LAST  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH. 


We  are  now  brought  to  the  closing  scene  of  the  hfe 
of  this  devoted  servant  of  God.  His  vigour  and  zeal 
were  perhaps  never  greater  than  immediately  pre- 
vious to  his  last  illness.  He  had  preached  on  Thurs- 
day evening,  (September  15,)  with  his  usual  animation 
and  energy,  from  John  xv.  8,  '  Herein  is  my  Father 
glorified,  that  ye  bear  much  fruit ;  so  shall  ye  be 
my  disciples :'  and  again  on  the  Sunday  morning 
after,  from  2  Kings  x.  16,  'Come  with  me,  and  see 
my  zeal  for  the  Lord;' — this  was  the  last  Sermon 
he  delivered.  On  the  Tuesday  following  he  was  in 
high  health  and  spirits,  and  talked  of  the  journey 
he  proposed  to  make  the  next  day  to  Ely  with  no 
ordinary  delight.  In  conversation  however  at  this 
time  with  the  kind  friend,  who  now  became  his  con- 
stant attendant,  he  made  the  following  remarks  about 
his  nearness  to  the  eternal  world.  "  Well,  though  I 
am  talking  of  putting  things  by  for  my  journey  to 
Bath  next  June,  the  Lord  knows  that  I  am  thinking, 
and  longing  to  a  certain  degree,  for  a  far  better  joif.rneg, 
which  in  a  few  days  I  shall  take ;  but  I  find  it  difficult 
to  realize  the  thought  that  I  am  so  near  the  eternal 
world ;  I  cannot  imagine  what  a  spirit  is,  I  have  no 
conception  of  it.  But  I  rejoice  in  the  thought,  that 
my  coffin  is  already  cut  down,  and  in  the  town  at  this 
very  time  ;  of  this  I  have  no  doubt ; — and  my  shroud 
L.  s.  3  F 


802  NARRATIVE    OF 

is  also  ready ;  and  in  a  few  days  I  shall  join  the  com- 
pany of  the  redeemed  above."  His  friend  replied, 
"  Why,  dear  Sir,  should  you  talk  so  ?  you  are  in  good 
health  and  strength ;  and  November  is  so  near,  I 
think  you  will  be  permitted  to  preach  your  Sermons, 
and  also  to  prepare  the  other  set  you  are  thinking  of ; 
and  perhaps  you  may  preach  them  too."  He  said, 
"  That  will  be  as  the  Lord  pleases ;  but  I  do  often 
wonder  at  the  degree  of  strength  and  spirits  which  of 
late  the  Lord  has  blessed  me  with.  I  never  remember 
to  have  had  greater  energy  for  work  than  at  this  time  ; 
and  I  do  seem  to  think  that  it  is  now  the  Lord's  will 
to  spare  me  through  November :  but  you  know  it  is 
quite  immaterial  to  me ;  the  Sermons  are  finished, 
that  is  all  I  care  about ;  I  would  not  have  to  write 
them  noio  for  a  thousand  pounds.  But  if  I  should  be 
permitted  to  preach  them,  I  expect  it  will  bring  me 
down ;  indeed,  I  give  you  all  leave  to  break  all  my 
bones  in  December.  Still,  I  am  fully  determined,  if 
I  have  any  degree  of  strength  left,  instantly  to  begin 
a  set  of  Sermons,  on  that  grand  subject  out  of 
Ephesians,  3d  Chapter,  18th  and  19th  verses.  I 
don't  expect  or  desire  to  preach  them ;  but  if  my  life 
be  spared,  write  them  I  will." 

The  next  day  (Wednesday,  September  21,)  he  went 
over  to  Ely  to  pay  his  respects  to  the  Bishop.  He 
had  been  very  anxious  about  this  visit :  for,  as  he  was 
one  of  the  oldest  of  the  Clergy,  it  was  his  wish,  he 
said,  to  be  among  the  very  first  to  shew  all  respect  to 
his  Diocesan.  The  day  was  damp  and  chilly,  and  he 
needed  more  than  usual  care  to  prevent  any  injurious 
effects  from  the  journey;  but  he  felt  so  strong  and 
vigorous,  that  he  imprudently  dispensed  with  his 
ordinary  outer  dress.     The  Bishop  received  him  with 


HIS    LAST    ILLNESS.  803 

marked  kindness  and  attention ;  and  proposed  that 
they  should  go  together  to  see  the  Cathedral.  Here 
they  lingered  too  long ;  the  coldness  of  the  building, 
increased  by  the  rawness  of  the  day,  soon  began  sen- 
sibly to  affect  Mr.  Simeon,  and  was  the  direct  cause 
of  the  severe  illness,  from  which  he  never  recovered. 
The  next  morning  early  he  w^as  seized  with  a  violent 
rheumatic  attack,  and,  during  the  day,  became  so 
seriously  indisposed  as  to  be  unable  to  leave  his  room 
for  the  Evening  Lecture.  The  Sermon  he  had  intended 
to  preach  was  upon  Luke  xi.  1,  'Lord,  teach  us  to 
pray  ;' — and  this  was  the  last  subject  he  ever  prepared 
for  the  pulpit.  Dming  the  whole  of  the  next  day  he 
continued  very  feeble,  though  he  cherished  a  hope  of 
being  able  to  go  in  his  carriage  on  the  following 
Monday  to  Ipswich ;  and  wrote  to  his  beloved  friend 
Mr.  Nottidge,  to  say  that  he  should  preach  for  him, 
according  to  promise,  on  the  opening  of  his  new 
Church. 

Satm'day,  (September  24,)  was  his  birth-day,  when 
he  entered  his  seventy-eighth  year.  Though  he  had 
passed  but  an  indifferent  night,  he  rose  early  this 
morning ;  and  when  his  attendant  came  to  him,  he  was 
sitting  in  a  favom-ite  spot  before  the  window  to  enjoy 
the  first  beams  of  the  sun,  and  employed  in  writing 
another  letter  to  Mr.  Nottidge,  in  which  he  observed, 
"  Of  course  my  University  Sermons  are  laid  aside ;  if 
not  life  itself."  On  repeating  this  to  his  attendant,  he 
added,  "  What  can  I  expect  ?  I  enter  my  seventy- 
eighth  year  to-day.  I  never  expected  to  hve  so  long  : 
I  can  scarcely  believe  I  am  so  old  :  I  have  as  yet  knowqi 
nothing  of  the  infirmities  of  age,  though  I  have  seen 
a  good  old  age.  I  know  however  it  will  all  be  ordered 
well."     Soon  after,   when  referring  to  his  journey  to 

3  F  2  ' 


804  NARRATIVE    OF 

Ely,  lie  remarked,  "  If  this  is  to  be  the  closing  scene, 
I  shall  not  at  all  regret  my  journey  to  the  Bishop ;  it 
was  of  vast  importance  to  you  all ;  and  I  shall  rejoice 
to  close  my  life  from  such  a  circumstance." 

For  some  days  he  remained  much  in  the  same  state ; 
but  subsequently  so  far  recovered,  as  to  make  it  pro- 
bable that  the  malady  might  eventually  be  subdued. 
So  far  indeed  was  he  restored,  that  occasionally  he 
could  take  a  drive  in  his  carriage ;  and  we  began  to 
indulge  a  hope  of  his  ultimate  recovery.  On  October 
6,  he  dictated  the  letter  at  the  conclusion  of  the  pre- 
ceding chapter,  which  exhibits  all  his  usual  precision 
on  subjects  which  deeply  interested  him. 

The  good  hope  we  had  ventured  to  entertain  of  his 
recovery  was  soon  at  an  end.  On  another  damp  and 
chilly  day,  he  went  out  once  more  in  his  carriage, 
though  earnestly  entreated  not  to  run  the  hazard  of  a 
relapse.  This  short  drive  was  too  much  for  his 
reduced  frame  ;  all  the  former  pain  and  fever  returned 
with  increased  violence,  and  he  was  obliged  immedi- 
ately to  take  to  his  bed.  He  was  now  fully  aware 
that  the  hand  of  death  was  upon  him ;  and  having 
lately  contemplated  some  changes  in  the  disposition  of 
his  property,  he  was  anxious,  vvithout  delay,  to  make 
the  necessary  alterations  in  his  Will.  He  had  already 
indeed  disposed  of  the  greater  part  of  his  fortune  in 
promoting  a  variety  of  religious  and  charitable  designs  ; 
but  during  his  late  journey,  he  had  been  so  much 
impressed  with  the  importance  of  the  work  in  which 
he  had  been  so  generously  assisted,  that  he  determined 
to  devote  the  small  remainder  of  his  property  (with 
the  exception  of  a  few  legacies  to  his  relatives)  to  the 
furtherance  of  the  great  object  which  had  so  long 
engaged  his  regards.      When  his  desire  on  this  point 


HIS    LAST    ILLNESS.  805 

was  accomplished,  his  mind  seemed  reUeved  from 
every  care,  and  he  prepared  himself  with  joy  for  his 
departm^e. 

Dm*ing  the  second  week  of  October,  when  one  of 
his  particular  friends  had  called  at  his  rooms  to  inquire 
after  his  health,  Mr.  Simeon  immediately  begged  to 
see  him,  and  in  a  feeble  whisper  requested  him  to 
pray  by  his  bedside.  After  the  prayer,  his  friend 
expressed  a  hope  that  he  was  now  supported  by 
divine  consolations :  Mr.  Simeon  then  replied  to  this 
effect :  "I  never  felt  so  ill  before — I  conceive  my 
present  state  cannot  last  long — this  exhaustion  must 
be  a  precm'sor  of  death ;  but  I  lie  here  waiting  for  the 
issue  without  a  fear — without  a  doubt — and  without  a 
wish."  To  another  afterwards  who  remarked,  "  Many 
hearts  are  engaged  in  prayer  for  you;"  he  rejoined, 
"  In  prayer  ?  aye,  and  I  trust  in  praise  too — praise 
for  countless,  endless  mercies." 

On  Friday,  (Oct.  21,)  all  hopes  of  his  recovery 
were  taken  away :  the  gout  had  at  length  attacked 
him  internally,  and  the  means  used  for  his  relief  were 
evidently  in  vain ;  of  this  he  was  perfectly  aware,  and 
in  consequence  seemed  more  than  usually  calm  and 
happy.  The  writer  was  sitting  by  his  bedside,  and  on 
making  some  inquiry  as  to  what  had  been  lately 
passing  in  his  mind,  and  of  what  at  that  time  more 
particularly  he  was  thinking,  he  immediately  replied 
with  great  animation,  "  I  don't  thinh  now — I  am 
enjoying!'  He  then  expressed  his  entire  surrender  of 
himself  to  the  will  of  God,  and  spoke  of  his  extreme 
joy  in  having  his  own  will  so  completely  in  unison 
with  that  of  God,  adding  with  remarkable  emphasis, 
"  He  cannot  do  anything  against  my  will."  After  a 
short  pause,  he  looked  round  with  one  of  his  very 


806  NARRATIVE    OF 

bright  and  signiticant  smiles  and  asked,  "  What  do  von 
think  especially  gives  me  comfort  at  this  time  ? — The 
Creation  ! — the  view  of  God  in  His  work  of  Creation  ! 
Did  Jehovah  create  the  world,  or  did  I  ? — I  think  He 
did ;  now  if  He  made  the  vjorld,  he  can  sufficiently 
take  care  of  me''  His  restlessness  from  excessive 
pain  was  now  so  great,  that  he  was  continually  re- 
questing his  position  to  be  changed ;  but  w^heu  it  was 
suggested  that  it  would  be  better  to  attempt  to  lie 
quietly,  he  said  most  calmly,  "  I  will  do  just  what  you 
like — I  will  be  guided  entirely  by  what  you  think 
best."  Shortly  after,  by  way  of  turning  his  thoughts 
to  a  subject  which  seemed  likely  to  interest  him, 
I  said,  "  How  blessed  a  prospect  is  opening  before 
you ;  to  be  so  soon  with  the  innumerable  company  of 
angels,  and  the  general  assembly  and  church  of  the 
firstborn,  and  M^th  Jesus  the  mediator  of  the  new 
covenant."  Upon  this  his  countenance  became  pecu- 
liarly solemn  and  grave ;  and  he  said  nothing,  but 
only  looked  up  most  humbly  and  devoutly.  I  then 
alluded  to  another  subject,  which  I  knew  would  be 
agreeable  to  him :  and  made  a  remark  about  veiling 
our  faces  as  the  Cherubim  did  in  the  presence  of  God : 
to  this  he  immediately  gave  a  sign  of  assent  and  plea- 
sure. About  midnight  he  was  raised  up  in  his  bed, 
and  having  sent  for  me  to  his  side,  he  began  to  speak, 
in  a  very  slow  and  impressive  manner,  what  seemed  to 
us  all  to  be  his  dying  remarks.  "  I  am  a  poor  fallen 
creature,  and  our  nature  is  a  poor  fallen  thing ;  there 
is  no  denying  that,  is  there  ?  It  cannot  be  repaired  : 
there  is  nothing  that  I  can  do  to  repair  it — Well  then, 
that  is  true.  Now  what  would  you  advise  in  such  a 
case  ?  "  As  he  made  rather  a  long  pause,  apparently 
waiting  for  an  answer,  I  replied,  "  Surely,  Sir,  to  go, 


HIS    LAST    ILLNESS.  807 

as  you  always  liave  done,  as  a  poor  fallen  creatui'e  to 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  confessing  your  sins,  and 
imploring  and  expecting  pardon  and  peace."  He 
answered  in  a  very  determined  and  joyfid  manner, 
"That  is  just  what  I  am  doing,  and  will  do."  I 
added,  "  And  you  find  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  be 
very  present,  and  giving  you  peace?"  He  instantly 
replied,  looking  up  to  heaven  with  the  most  remark- 
able expression  of  happiness  on  his  countenance,  "  Oh! 
yes;  that  I  do."  "And  He  does  not  forsake  you 
now?"  "  No  indeed!  that  never  can  be!"  I  ob- 
served, "  He  has  said,  I  wdll  never  leave  thee,  nor 
forsake  thee."  He  answered  by  a  smile  and  gentle 
inclination  of  the  head.  Being  afraid  of  wearying 
him,  I  then  left  him  for  the  night. 

The  day  foUowang  (Saturday,  Oct.  22),  about  noon 
he  appeared,  if  anything,  to  rally  a  little ;  and  when 
he  opened  his  eyes  upon  us,  and  saw  us  standing 
near  him,  he  began  to  address  us  again  in  the  same 
calm  and  deliberate  manner  as  before.  [To  conceive 
aright  of  his  mode  of  speaking  on  these  occasions,  he 
should  be  considered  as  uttering  his  words  very  slowdy 
— generally  after  long  pauses,  and  at  times  in  a  low 
but  articulate  whisper.]  "  Infinite  loisdom  has  devised 
the  whole  with  infinite  love;  and  infinite  power  enables 

me (pausing) to  rest  upon  that  power;   and 

all  is  infinitely  good  and  gracious."  I  observed, 
"  How  gracious  it  is  that  you  shoidd  have  now  so 
little  suffering."  "  "Whether  I  am  to  have  a  little  less 
suffering  or  a  little  more,  it  matters  not  one  farthing. 
All  is  right — and  well — and  just  as  it  should  be ;  I  am 
in  a  dear  Father's  hands — all  is  secure.  Wlien  I  look 
to  Him  (here  he  spoke  with  singular  solemnity)  I  see 
nothing  hv\i faithfulness — and  immutability/ — and  truth; 


808  NARRATIVE    OF 

and  I  have  not  a  doubt  or  a  fear,  but  the  sweetest 
peace — I  cannot  have  more  peace.  But  if  I  look 
another  way — to  the  poor  creature — O  !  then  there 
is  nothing — nothing — notldng  (pausing)  but  what  is  to 
be  abhorred  and  mourned  over.  Yes,  I  t^ay  that ;  and 
it  is  true."  Soon  after  this  he  fell  into  a  state  of  great 
stupor,  which  continued  till  after  ten  o'clock  at  night ; 
when  suddenly  recovering,  and  being  raised  up  in  his 
bed,  he  again  began :  "  What  is  before  me  I  know 
not;  whether  I  shall  live  or  die.  But  this  I  know, 
that  all  things  are  ordered  and  sure.  Everything  is 
ordered  with  unerring  wisdom  and  unbounded  love. 
He  shall  perfect  everything ;  though  at  present  I  know 
not  what  he  is  about  to  do  with  me.  But  about  this 
I  am  not  in  the  least  degree  anxious."  He  then  made 
some  remark,  which  was  not  exactly  heard  by  us ;  but 
his  attendant  supposing  she  had  caught  the  expres- 
sion,  and  observing,  "  He  says,  he  does  not  despair;" 
he  overheard  her,  and  instantly  said,  "  WhatT  (and 
turning  round  with  surprizing  energy  added)  despair? 
desjjair  ?  who  dares  to  advocate  such  a  sentiment  as 
that  here  ?  Despair !  O  !  what  sweet  peace  and  joy 
and  affiance  do  I  possess  !"  On  seeing  Dr.  Haviland 
standing  by  his  side,  he  looked  at  him  most  affec- 
tionately and  said,  "  Ah  !  w^hat  is  that  you  ?  how  glad 
I  am  to  see  you ;  I  have  greatly  wished  to  see  you — ■ 
my  soul  has  longed  for  you,  that  you  might  see  the 
difi'erence  in  the  end  between  (here  we  lost  his 
words)  ....  that  you  might  see  the  power  of  these 
principles,  and  what  it  is  to  go  to  God  in  contrition 
and  faith."  He  then  proceeded  in  the  most  earnest 
and  affectionate  manner  to  thank  Dr.  H.  for  all  his 
kinchiess,  and  to  express  his  earnest  wishes  for  his 
best  interests  in   time  and  eternity.     After  this,  he 


HIS    LAST    ILLNESS.  809 

meiitioiied  how  anxious  he  had  always  been  that  his 
faculties  might  be  preserved  to  the  last,  that  he  might 
be  enabled  to  prove  to  all  the  power  of  those  princi- 
ples, which  he  had  professed  and  preached  tlu'ough 
life,  now  to  sustain  him  in  death.     He  then  looked 
round  very  seriously  upon  us  and  said,  ''You  seem  all 
to  be  anticipating  what  will  not  yet  take  place — I  am 
not  yet  about  to  die — I  know  I  am  not ;  I  feel  that  I 
am  not  yet  ready!'     "  Dear  Sir,"  I  said,  "  and  what 
is  wanting?"  he  replied  in  a  very  slow  and  serious 
manner,  "  Greater  humiliation — more  simple  affiance 
— and  more  entu'e  surrender."     I  ventured  to  say, 
"  WeU,  Su%  He  will  make  all  perfect."     "Yes,"  he 
rephed,  "  that  He  will."     After  a  short  pause  he  pro- 
ceeded, "  And  my  body  is  not  yet  sufficiently  reduced 
to  allow  my  soul  to  depart.     I  know  assuredly  that  I 
shall  not  die  just  yet ;  you  are  all  disappointing  your- 
selves if  you  expect  that  noiv,  (and  then  stretching  out 
his  limbs,  he  added)  my  bodily  vigour  is  very  great ; 
and  I  feel  that  there  is  yet  much  to  be  done  before  my 
soul  can  depart."    Nothing  could  exceed  the  calmness 
and  dignity  both  of  his  spirit  and  manner.     As  we 
were  afraid  of  exhausting  him,  we  all  left  the  room. 
There  had  been  present  a  larger  number  of  persons 
than  usual,  arising  from  a  circumstance  which  it  is 
only  proper  to  explain.     His  nm'se,  apprehending  that 
he  was  on  the  very  point  of  death,  had  suddenly  called 
me  in  from  the  next  room  ;    and  upon  my  hastening 
to  his  side,  I  was  followed  by  his  physician  and  Curate, 
(who  had  just  arrived,)  and  his  three  servants.    These 
were  all  who  were  present.     But  not  exactly  perceiv- 
ing who  were  in  the  room,  and  not  knowing  that  they 
were  there  merely  by  accident,  he  soon  after  sent  for 
me,  and  in  a  very  serious  and  affecting  manner  ex- 


810  NARRATIVE    OF 

pressed  his  disapprobation  of  what  he  had  observed ; 
"  You  are  all  on  a  wrong  scent,  and  are  all  in  a  wrong 
spirit ;  you  want  to  see  what  is  called  a  dying  scene. 
That  I  abhor  from  my  inmost  soul.  I  wish  to  be 
alone,  with  my  God,  and  to  lie  before  Him  as  a  poor, 
wretched,  hell-deserving  sinner — ^yes,  as  a  poor,  hell- 
deserving  sinner ;  .  .  .  .  (then  very  slowly  and  calmly) 
but  I  would  also  look  to  liim  as  my  all-forgiving  God 
— and  as  my  all-sufficient  God — and  as  my  all-atoning 
God — and  as  my  covenant-keeping  God.  There  I 
would  lie  before  Him  as  the  vilest  of  the  vile,  and  the 
lowest  of  the  low^,  and  the  poorest  of  the  poor.  Now 
this  is  what  I  have  to  say — I  wish  to  be  alone — don't 
let  people  come  round  to  get  up  a  scene." 

He  was  evidently  much  hurt  at  the  thought  of 
even  his  nearest  friends  coming  round  to  disturb  the 
privacy,  which  he  had  always  Avished  for  in  his  dying 
hour.  He  had  repeatedly  charged  me  to  keep  every 
one  away  from  him,  when  that  solemn  season  should 
arrive,  and  remain  with  him  myself  alone.  That  no 
one  might  again  enter  without  my  knowledge  I  re- 
mained with  him  the  whole  niorht :  the  next  mornins: 
(Sunday,  Oct.  23),  as  soon  as  he  awoke,  he  referred  to 
Avhat  had  happened  the  previous  night.  "  Now  I  was 
much  hurt  at  the  scene  last  night :  a  scene  ! — a  death- 
bed scene  I  abhor  from  my  inmost  soul. — No!"  he 
continued,  smiting  tlu'ee  times  slowly  on  his  breast, 
"  No  !  I  am,  I  know,  the  chief  of  sinners ;  and  I  hope 
for  nothing  but  the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  to 
life  eternal ;  and  I  shall  be,  if  not  the  greatest  monu- 
ment of  God's  mercy  in  heaven,  yet  the  very  next  to 
it ;  for  I  know  of  none  greater."  Then  after  a  short 
pause  he  added,  "  And  if  we  are  to  bring  the  matter 
to  a  point,   it  lies  in  a  nutshell ;    and  it  is  here — 


HIS    LAST    ILLNESS.  811 

I  look,  as  the  chief  of  sinners,  for  the  mercy  of  God  in 
Christ  Jesus  to  life  eternal ;  (then  very  deliberately) 
and  I  lie  adoring  the  sovereignty  of  God  in  choosing 
such  an  one — and  the  mercy  of  God  in  pardoning  such 
an  one — and  the  patience  of  God  in  bearing  with  such 
an  one — and  the  faithfulness  of  God  in  perfecting  his 
work  and  performing  all  his  promises  to  such  an  one." 

\Vlien  Dr.  Havilaud  called  in  the  evening,  Mr. 
Simeon  addressed  him  in  the  most  striking  manner 
upon  the  subject  of  religion ;  speaking  with  a  clear- 
ness, and  power,  and  dignity,  which  perfectly  surprised 
Dr.  II.,  though  so  accustomed  to  the  peculiar  energy 
and  characteristic  precision  of  Mr.  Simeon's  observa- 
tions on  such  subjects.  He  said  he  had  never  heard 
anything  before  from  him  comparable  to  this,  for  the 
propriety  of  the  language  as  well  as  the  importance  of 
the  matter. 

Early  the  next  morning  (Monday,  Oct.  24)  when 
I  arrived,  I  found  him  just  raised  up,  after  passing 
a  quiet  night ;  I  told  him  I  had,  as  usual,  on  the  pre- 
vious evening  addressed  a  large  number  of  Under- 
graduates, and  had  ventm'ed  to  repeat  to  them  some 
of  his  remarks,  that  they  might  know  the  power  of 
those  great  leading  principles  he  had  preached  to 
sustain  and  gladden  the  soul  in  the  last  hom's  of 
weakness.  "  Yes,"  said  he,  "it  is  to  the  princijjies  I 
look.  It  is  upon  the  bi'oad  grand  'principles  of  the 
Gospel  that  I  repose — it  is  not  upon  any  particular 
promise  here  or  there — any  little  portions  of  the  word, 
which  some  people  seem  to  take  comfort  from ;  but  I 
wish  to  look  at  the  grand  icliole — at  the  vast  scheme 

of  redemption    as    from    eternity  to   eternity 

Indeed  to   say  the  truth,   what   may  be   called   my 
spiritual  exercises  have  lately  been  at  rather  a  low  ebb; 


812 


NARRATIVE    OF 


and  I  may  make  another  confession  to  you  (smiling), 
my  bodily  exercises  also  of  late  have  been  at  a  low 
ebb."  I  observed,  "  Very  probably  the  one  may  have 
been  partly  the  cause  of  the  other."  "  Yes  !"  he  con- 
tinued ;  "  but  however  that  may  be,  T  wish  to  point 
out  this  distinction  in  my  case — that  I  am  not-  solicit- 
ous so  much  about  this  feeling  or  that,  or  this  state  or 
that,  as  upon  keeping  before  me  the  grand  pm-poses 
of  Jehovah  from  eternity  to  eternity.  Now  I  might 
wish  to  be  able  to  go  out  to  take  a  good  walk — so  also 
in  my  soul,  I  might  wish  to  be  able  to  go  forth  and 
survey  all  the  glories  of  heaven  and  the  blessedness  of 
that  place ; — there  might  however  be  something  in  all 
that  to  be  suspected.  But  in  taking  the  gi-eat  revela- 
tion of  Himself  which  God  has  given  us,  there  I  rest 
upon  Him,  and  not  upon  myself.  I  do  not  depend 
upon  feelings  and  thoughts,  which  are  changing  and 
uncertain,  but  I  am  kept  by  Him  who  changes  not, 
and  so  I  remain."  ....  (I  quoted  the  passage,  "  I  am 
the  Lord,  I  change  not,  therefore  ye  sons  of  Jacob  are 
not  consumed.")  "  Yes  !  that  is  the  true  view  of  the 
matter  as  it  appears  to  me.  For  after  all  what  are  a 
man's  thoughts  before  Him  ?  It  cannot  depend  upon 
a  few  poor,  broken,  puling  words ;  nor  do  I  depend 
upon  these.  But  again  I  say,  I  take  the  glorious  and 
majestic  discoveries  which  God  has  made  to  me  of 
Himself,  and  there  I  rest."  He  then  added,  smiling 
as  he  used  to  do,  when  making  some  strong  statement 
upon  any  point,  about  which  he  himself  had  not  the 
slightest  doubt ;  "  I  may  be  wrong  in  my  view — 
though  I  think  I  am  not  " — then  very  solemnly  and 
slowly,  "  But,  however,  this  I  know,  that  I  am  a  poor 
lost  and  vile  sinner ;  yea  !  the  chief  of  sinners,  and  the 
greatest  monument  of  God's  mercy ;  and  I  know,  / 


HIS    LAST    ILLNESS.  813 

cannot  he  wrong  here!'  The  following  day  he  revived 
considerably,  and  actually  occupied  himself  in  making 
arrangements  respecting  the  Sermons  to  be  preached 
in  November  at  St.  Mary's.  On  Wednesday,  however, 
he  was  so  decidedly  throAvn  back,  that  all  thoughts 
about  further  exertions  for  the  public  were  at  once 
laid  aside.  When  he  had  determined  no  longer  to 
use  any  of  the  means,  which  had  been  resorted  to  in 
the  hope  of  prolonging  his  life  (feeling  they  v/ere  now 
profitless),  he  said  to  his  nurse,  "  You  cannot  but  say 
that  up  to  this  time  I  have  submitted  patiently,  will- 
ingly, cheerfully,  to  every  wish  and  order  of  Dr. 
Haviland ;  I  have  not  made  one  objection,  have  I  ?" 
he  then  added,  "  I  did  it  all  for  the  Lord's  sake  ;  be- 
cause, if  it  had  been  His  wih  to  prolong  my  life,  I  was 
willing  to  use  any  means ;  but  now  I  feel  (and  this  he 
said  with  great  emphasis)  that  the  decree  is  gone 
forth  ;  from  this  hour  I  am  a  dying  man  ;  death  is  far 
sweeter  than  life  under  such  circumstances.  I  will 
now  w^ait  patiently  for  my  dismission.  All  that  could 
possibly  be  done  for  me,  has  been  done ;  of  that  I 
am  fully  persuaded  and  satisfied — tell  Dr.  Haviland 
so. 

During  the  greater  part  of  Thursday  (Oct.  27,)  his 
whole  mind  seemed  absorbed  in  perfecting  a  scheme 
for  four  Sermons  upon  his  favourite  passage  in 
Eph.  iii.  18,  19,  "That  you  may  be  able  to  compre- 
hend with  all  saints,  what  is  the  breadth,  and  length, 
and  depth,  and  height;  and  to  know  the  love  of  Christ 
which  passeth  knowledge,  that  ye  may  be  fiUed  with 
all  the  fulness  of  God."  His  thouojhts  had  earlvbeen 
employed  upon  the  subject,  and  before  I  arrived  he 
had  dictated  the  outlines  of  the  four  Sermons  under 
the  following  heads : 


814  NARRATIVE    OF 

"  First.     What  it  is  to  kuow  Christ  in  all  the  immea- 
surable dimensions  of  his  love  : 

Secondly.     The  effect  of  this  in  filling  us  with  all  the 
fulness  of  God : 

(Here  under  two  distinct  and  separate  heads  must  be 
contained : 

(1)  What  is  that  fulness  in  God  of  which  there  must 
be  a  corresponding  fulness  in  us  ;  and 

(2)  How  the  comprehending  of  the  love  of  Christ  will 
of  necessity  operate  to  the  production  of  it  in  us. 

These  two  must  form  two  distinct  Sermons.) 

Thirdlij.     The   immense  importance  of  making    this 
subject  one  of  most  earnest  and  incessant  prayer." 

Immediately  on  my  arrival  he  begged  the  paper 
containing  these  outlines  to  be  put  into  my  hands : 
and  then  requested  me  to  take  down  the  di\dsions 
which  he  had  prepared  dming  the  night  for  the  last 
of  these  discourses. 

In  dictating  these  outlines  he  manifested  his  usual 
clearness  and  precision  of  mind ;  correcting  and  im- 
proving the  divisions  as  more  appropriate  words  sug- 
gested themselves.  These  minor  details  are  noticed 
here  as  illustrating  the  cast  of  his  mind  to  the  very  last, 
and  as  shewing  how  that,  which  had  been  the  principal 
and  successful  study  of  his  life,  had  become  a  habit, 
which  brought  unspeakable  delight  to  him  and  was 
literally  his  occupation  in  death.  So  intensely  were  his 
thoughts  fixed  on  the  distribution  and  illustration  of 
this  glorious  theme,  that  he  declared  he  thought  no 
higher  honour  could  be  conferred  on  him,  than  to  be 
permitted  to  prepare  a  set  of  discourses  upon  it ;  and 
added,  "  This  is  the  grandest  subject  I  can  conceive 
of  for  a  course  of  Sermons ; — I  should  think  a  life 
well  spent,  even  out  of  heaven,  to  write  and  deliver 
four  Sermons  upon  it  in  a  manner  worthy  of  it." 


HIS    LAST    ILLNESS.  815 

His  niglits   about  this  time  were  generally  very 
restless,  and  he  would  employ  himself  in  meditating  on 
such  portions  of  Scripture  as  particularly  displayed  the 
love  and  immutability  and  sovereignty  of  God,  or  else 
tended  to  deepen  his  sense  of  sin  and  promote  con- 
trition of  heart.     But  as  the  time  approached  for  the 
Meetings  in  behalf  of  the  Society  for  the  Conversion 
of  the  Jews,  and  for  the  Anniversary  Sermons  at  his 
Chm-ch;  his  thoughts  soon  became  engrossed  with 
this  great  subject,  to  which  he  had  so  long  devoted 
his  warmest  regards.     He  wished  to  deliver,  he  said, 
his  dying  testimony  to  '  its  immense  importance,'  and 
prepared  to  compose  an  address  to  be  read  to  the 
Undergraduates  at   their   Meeting   on  the  folloAving 
Monday.     Being  afraid  he  might  not  remember  the 
texts,  which  he  \^ashed  to  refer  to  when  he  came  to 
dictate  the  addi^ess,  he  ordered  his  attendant  to  get 
his  small  Bible,  and  directing  her  where  to  find  them, 
he  desired  her  to  read  them  out,  and  then  mark  them 
down ;  saying  with  great  emphasis,    "  Talie  care  of 
those  texts;  they  are  gold,  every  one  of  them!''     He 
then  dictated  the  following  : 

"  I  wish  to  shew  you  what  grounds  we  have  for  humi- 
liation, in  that  we  have  been  so  unlike  to  God  in  our  regards 
towards  his  fallen  people.  See  Jer.  xii.  7  :  '  I  have  given 
the  dearhj  beloved  of  mi/  soid  into  the  hand  of  her  enemies;' 
and  again  Rom.  xi.  28  ;  '  as  touching  the  election,  they  are 
beloved  for  the  fathers'  sakes.' — And  to  bring  you  into  a  con- 
formity to  God  in  relation  towards  them,  so  far  as  it  respects 
your  efforts  for  their  welfare,  and  your  joy  in  their  prosr 
perity,  see  Ezek.  xxxvi.  22 — 24.  '  Therefore  say  unto  the 
Iiouse  of  Israel,  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God ;  I  do  not  tliis 
for  your  sakes,  O  house  of  Israel,  but  for  mine  holy  name's 
sake,  which  ye  have  profaned  among  tlie  heathen,  whitlier  ye 
went.     And  I  will  sanctify  my  great  name,  which  was  pro- 


816  NARRATIVE    OF 

faned  among  the  heathen,  which  ye  have  profaned  in  the 
midst  of  them ;  and  the  heathen  shall  know  that  I  am  the 
Lord,  saith  the  Lord  God,  when  I  shall  be  sanctified  in  you 
before  their  eyes.  For  I  will  take  you  from  among  the 
heathen,  and  gather  you  out  of  all  countries,  and  will  bring 
you  into  your  own  land.'  And  again  Jer.  xxxii.  41,  '  Yea, 
I  will  rejoice  over  them  to  do  them  good,  and  I  will  plant 
them  in  this  land  assuredly  icith  my  u'hole  heart,  andicith  my 
whole  soul.''  And  lastly,  see  Zeph.  iii.  1 7,  '  The  Lord  thy 
God  in  the  midst  of  thee  is  mighty  ;  He  will  save.  He  will 
rejoice  over  thee  with  joy ;  He  will  rest  in  his  love  ;  He  will 
joy  over  thee  with  singing.  I  will  gather  them  that  are 
sorrowful  for  the  solemn  assembly,  who  are  of  thee,  to  whom 
the  reproach  of  it  was  a  burden.  Behold  at  that  time  1  will 
undo  all  that  afHict  thee  ;  and  I  will  save  her  that  halteth, 
and  gather  her  that  was  driven  out ;  and  I  will  get  them 
praise  and  fame  in  every  land  where  they  have  been  put  to 
shame.  At  that  time  will  I  bring  you  again,  even  in  the 
time  that  I  gather  you :  for  I  will  make  you  a  name  and  a 
praise  among  all  people  of  the  earth  when  I  turn  back  your 
captivity  before  your  eyes,  saith  the  Lord.' " 

In  the  afternoon  of  October  29,  be  observed  to 
his  attendant,  as  she  was  sitting  by  his  bed-side, 
"  It  would  be  poor  work  to  have  to  seek  heaven  now." 
She  replied,  "  Yes,  dear  Sir,  your  work  is  now  quite 
done ;  and  what  a  privilege  it  is  to  see  the  peace 
you  enjoy ;  and  how  you  are  enabled  to  bear  with 
such  patience  and  submission  all  your  afflictions." 
She  had  scarcely  ended  the  remark,  before  he  rebuked 
her  in  a  tone  and  language  of  severity  quite  unusual 
with  him.  She  made  no  reply,  intending  to  explain 
her  words  to  him  at  some  future  time.  In  about 
ten  minutes  however,  in  reference  to  what  had  just 
transpired,  he  said,  "Now,  bring  some  paper,  and 
write  something  down  for  me  directly."  Then,  in 
a  very  serious  and  deliberate  manner,  he  dictated  the 
following :  "  If  anything  laudatory  be  mentioned  be- 


HIS    LAST    ILLNESS.  8]  7 

fore  the  University  Ijy  Dr.  Dealtry*  about  me,  or 
about  my  Sermons,  1  entreat  from  my  inmost  soul 
that  1  may  not  have  it  repeated  to  me :  let  me  go  to 
heaven  as  the  vilest  sinner  in  the  universe.  So  far 
as  respects  myself,  let  me  not  know  there  is  such  a 
person  existing  as  Charles  Simeon ;  on  no  account, 
if  any  remarks  are  made,  let  them  be  uttered  before 
me.  Satan  himself  could  not  be  a  greater  curse  to  me, 
than  the  person  who  would  dare  to  breathe  a  word 
upon  that  subject  commendatory  of  me,  or  anything 
I  have  ever  done.  They  would  be  a  curse  to  me 
whoever  they  are.  Persons  so  acting  are  doing  the 
devil's  work,  and  it  is  frightful  to  me.  I  feel,  if 
I  could  be  pleased  with  it,  it  would  be  damnation  to 
me."  The  manner  in  which  he  delivered  this  charge, 
especially  the  latter  part  of  it,  was  most  solemn 
and  authoritative.  He  then  ordered  it  to  be  copied 
and  given  to  me  ;  and  desired  that  his  servants  as 
well  as  Dr.  Havilandf  should  be  apprized  of  his 
wishes  on  this' point.  When  his  attendant  had 
made  the  copy,  and  read  it  over  to  him,  he  said, 
."  There  !  keep  that  for  yourself,  and  you  will  be  able 
to  understand  it  twenty  years  to  come  ;  it  may  be  of 
use  to  you  then.  Now  you  understand  me,  don't 
you?"  She  replied,  "Yes,  dear  Sir,  I  think  those 
who  know  the  deceitfulness  of  their  own  hearts,  and 
the  temptations  of  Satan,  vnW  quite  understand  you." 


■•*  Dr.  Dealtry  had  been  requested  by  Mr.  Simeon  (with  the 
leave  of  the  Vice-Chancellor)  to  be  his  representative  as  the  Select 
Preacher  at  St.  Mary's  in  November  :  he  was  however  accidentally 
prevented  from  discharging  this  duty. 

+  The  only  other  persons,  who  were  now  in  attendance  upon 
him,  were,  his  nephew  Sir  Richard  Simeon,  and  his  niece  Lady 
Baker. 

L.  S.  8  n 


818  NARRATIVE    OF 

She  then  told  him,  that  when  speaking  about  his 
'  patience  and  submission/  she  merely  meant  to  say, 
how  the  grace  of  God  was  seen  enabling  him  to  be 
so  patient,  (referring  to  Col.  i.  H).  Upon  this  he 
immediately  replied,  in  the  gentlest  and  kindest 
manner,  "  Aye,  there  you  are  right  enough — speak  of 
the  Lord's  goodness  as  much  as  you  will ;  but  don't 
speak  of  me — mind  that."  His  wishes  in  this  respect, 
it  is  perhaps  needless  to  add,  were  most  strictly  at- 
tended to. 

On  Sunday  morning,  (October  30,)  when  I  came 
to  him,  after  hearing  the  Sermon  on  behalf  of  the 
Jews,  and  began  to  speak  to  him  of  the  manner  in 
which  the  matter  had  been  discussed  and  enforced, 
he  immediately  rejoined  by  a  comment  on  our  igno- 
rance, as  AA^ell  as  want  of  feeling,  on  the  whole 
subject ;  and  then,  alluding  to  the  texts  before  se- 
lected, he  begged  me  to  observe  the  strong  expres- 
sions wdiich  God  had  been  pleased  to  use  when 
describing  His  intense  and  unalterable  regard  for  his 
ancient  people.  "  See,"  said  he,  "  how  wonderfully 
He  speaks;  He  calls  them,  1.  The  dearly  beloved  of 
my  soul : — and  then  He  says,  2,  I  will  plant  them 
in  their  own  land  assuredly  with  my  whole  heart,  and 
with  my  whole  soul; — and  then  again,  3.  He  will 
rejoice  over  them  with  joy  ;  He  will  rest  in  his  love ; 
He  will  joy  over  thee  with  singing : — nay,  more, 
4.  They  shall  be  a  name  and  a  praise  among  all 
people  of  the  earth."  His  thoughts  on  this  and  the 
following  days,  as  might  be  anticipated,  were  chiefly 
given  to  the  subject  of  the  Jews  :  and  he  then  dictated 
his  Address  to  the  Undergraduates*. 


*  See  Jewish  Intelligence,  183G. 


HIS    LAST    ILLNESS.  819 

But  he  was  not  so  intent  upon  his  favourite 
theme  respecting  God's  ancient  people  as  to  be  un- 
mindful of  the  spmtual  welfare  of  his  own  peculiar 
charge  in  Cambridge.  Being  fully  convinced  that  his 
days  were  rapidly  coming  to  a  close,  he  began  to  con- 
sider in  what  Avay  he  might  be  permitted  to  benefit 
his  people  after  his  removal.  The  appointment  of  his 
successor  in  the  Ministry  of  Trinity  Church  now 
much  occupied  his  thoughts.  He  felt  that  under  the 
peculiar  circumstances  of  the  case  he  might  without 
impropriety  express  his  feelings  on  the  subject  to  his 
Diocesan,  who  was  the  Patron  of  the  Livino;.  Durinor 
the  night  indeed  he  made  some  touching  allusions  to 
the  fact  of  his  illness  having  had  its  origin  in  his  late 
visit  to  the  Bishop ;  and  the  next  morning  he  dictated 
a  letter  to  him,  describing  his  reduced  state,  and  the 
impossibility  of  his  ever  resuming  ministerial  duty. 
He  then  requested  to  be  henceforth  considered  a 
miles  emeritus ;  and  be  allowed  to  resign  his  Living 
into  the  hands  of  the  Bishop ;  expressing  in  con- 
clusion a  ■\vish,  that  the  friend  whom  the  parishioners 
a  few  years  before  had  chosen  for  their  Lectm-er, 
might  be  appointed  as  his  successor  to  the  Living. 
This  seemed  to  be  the  last  desire  which  had  now 
to  be  gratified ;  for  in  the  afternoon  he  said  to  liis 
attendant,  "  How  easily  eveiything  comes  in  its  place; 
first,  my  Will  is  made;  then  the  Adcbess  to  the 
young  men ;  and  now  nothing  but  this  remained." 
After  the  letter  had  been  sent  to  the  Bishop,  he  fre- 
quently expressed  his  anxiety  to  live  to  hear  the  reply  ; 
and  once  even  during  the  night  he  enquired  whether 
an  answer  had  been  received.  On  being  reminded 
that  it  could  not  arrive  before  the  morning,  and  that 
probably  the  next  post  would  bring  the  letter,  he  said, 

3  g2 


S20  NARRATIVE    OF 

"Yes,  I  believe  it  will;  and  that  my  wish  will  be 
granted  :  and  if  it  should  come  whilst  I  am  alive,  you 
may  expect  noiliing  less  ihan  to  see  me  dancing  on  that 
caiyet."  In  the  morning,  (November  3,)  Sir  Richard 
Simeon  entered  the  room  with  the  desired  letter  in 
his  hand.  The  Bishop,  in  the  kindest  manner,  not 
only  granted  him  his  request,  but  further  intimated, 
that  it  had  previously  been  his  intention  to  make  the 
appointment  Mr,  Simeon  had  suggested. 

On  the  evening  of  this  day  we  thought  he  was 
beginning  to  lose  his  consciousness  of  what  was 
passing,  as  he  no  longer  took  notice  of  anything,  and 
his  eyes  had  been  closed  for  many  horn's  ;  suddenly, 
however,  he  remarked,  "  If  you  want  to  know  what 
I  am  doing,  go,  and  look  in  the  first  chapter  of  the 
Ephesians  from  the  thii'd  to  the  fourteenth  verse ; 
there  you  will  see  what  I  am  enjoying  now."  This 
was  the  last  chapter  which  he  requested  to  have  read 
to  him ;  but  such  w^as  his  weakness,  that  it  was  only 
when  read  in  a  whisper  that  he  could  bear  to  hear  it. 
Another  kindred  passage  of  Scripture — the  last  verse 
of  the  eleventh  of  Romans — was  one  on  which  he 
would  dwell  for  hours  together,  repeating  the  words, 
"  For  of  Him — and  through  Him — and  to  Him  are  all 
things  ;  to  whom  be  glory  for  ever.     Amen." 

The  next  day,  Friday,  (November  4,)  when  I  went 
to  him  in  the  evening,  he  was  on  the  point  of  taking 
a  little  wine,  which  had  just  been  prescribed  for  him. 
It  so  happened  that  having  had  a  present  of  a  small 
quantity  of  Lacryma  Christi,  which  he  much  valued 
as  a  token  of  the  donor's  regard,  some  of  this  had 
been  brought  out  for  him  on  the  present  occasion. 
Never  shall  we  forget  his  countenance  and  manner,  as 
we  offered  him  a  little  of  this  wine  in  a  glass,  after 


HIS    LAST    ILLNESS.  821 

we  had  raised  him  up  and  supported  his  back  with 
the  pillows.  Stretching  forth  his  feeble  and  withered 
hands  in  the  attitude  of  reverential  and  earnest  prayer, 
he  began  in  the  most  affecting  manner  to  invoke  a 
blessing  on  all  present — "  May  all  the  blessings  which 
my  adorable  Saviour  pm'chased  for  me  with  His  tears 
— ^yea,  even  His  own  precious  life-blood — be  now 
given  to  me  to  enjoy— and  to  my  two  dearest  friends, 

Sir  Richard  and  Mr.  C ,  and  my  two  dear  nurses 

— and  to  that  dear  friend  who  gave  me  this  wine — 
that  they  may  enjoy  the  same  in  time  and  eternity." 
He  then  just  tasted  the  wine ;  and  turning  to  me 
most  affectionately  said,  "  And  you  take  some — and 
you  also,"  looking  to  his  nephew.  He  seemed  rather 
exhausted  Avith  the  eff'ort;  but  when  we  had  gently 
laid  him  down  again,  he  began  to  speak  of  the 
pleasure  he  had  felt,  in  the  circumstance  of  this  wine 
in  particular  having  been  brought  to  him  on  such  an 
occasion.  He  then  desired  the  remainder  of  it  to  be 
sent  immediately  to  the  friend  from  whom  he  had 
received  it,  with  a  label  bearing  this  inscription — "To 
G.  C.  H.  Esq.,  with  kindest  and  devoutest  wishes  for 
his  happiness  in  time  and  eternity."  Afterwards, 
referring  to  what  had  passed,  he  observed,  "  There  ! 
I  shall  drink  no  more  of  that  wine,  until  I  drink  it 
new  (this  word  he  uttered  in  a  peculiarly  significant 
tone)  with  my  Redeemer  in  His  kingdom." 

Many  other  observations  and  occurrences  during 
this  protracted  illness  were  occasionally  recorded. 
As  illustrative  of  his  character  and  interesting  in 
themselves,  a  few  are  here  introduced,  in  the  man- 
ner they  were  noted  down  at  the  time  by  his  kind 
attendant,  and  as  nearly  as  possible  in  Mr.  Simeon's 
own  words. 


822  NARRATIVE    OF 

"  One  morning,  while  the  window  was  open,  St  Mary's 
bells  began  to  ring,  as  if  preparing  for  a  peal :  he  asked 
me  to  shut  the  window,  as  the  noise  of  the  bells  would 
disturb  him.  I  told  him,  I  thought  they  would  not  dis- 
turb him  long,  for  that  a  few  days  back,  when  they  were 
beginning  to  ring  them,  the  Churchwarden  had  kindly  re- 
quested the  ringers  to  desist,  for  fear  of  annoying  him  ;  and 
I  believed  in  a  few  minutes  they  would  cease  ringing,  which 
proved  to  be  the  case.  At  this  circumstance  he  was  much 
affected,  and  said,  '  This  is  amazingly  kind — it  is  wonder- 
ful ;  Avhether  you  look  at  it  on  the  part  of  the  ringers,  or 
of  those  who  wished  to  have  them  ring,  or  of  those  v.'ho 
have  so  kindly  prevented  them.'  Then  with  much  anima- 
tion he  asked,  *  Who  orders  all  this  ?  Who  orders  all  this  ? 
— tell  me  ! — tell  me  !' 

"  Some  time  after  he  observed,  '  If  this  be  the  closing 
scene,  it  will  be  just  what  I  have  always  desired ;  I  shall 
die,  as  I  wished,  in  harness ;  for  I  preached  the  last  time 
with  as  much  energy  as  ever  I  did  in  my  life,  and  with 
as  much  comfort  to  myself.  I  have  always  hoped  I  should 
not  be  like  dear  Mr. in  his  last  days.' 

"  At  an  early  period  of  his  illness,  when  we  asked  him 
if  he  would  like  to  take  medicine  or  wait,  he  used  to  say, 
'  Why  do  you  ask  me  what  IliJce?  I  am  the  Lord's  patient, 
I  cannot  but  like  everything  ;  don't  say,  *  Will  you  do  this, 
or  that  ?'  but  say,  '  Here  is  this — you  must  take  that — or, 
you  are  to  do  so :  /  like  everything.''  When  we  expressed  our 
sorrow  once  that  he  had  passed  a  wakeful  night  (and  from 
the  beginning  of  his  illness  he  scarcely  had  a  good  night),  he 
replied  with  a  remarkable  expression  of  contentment  on  his 
venerable  countenance, '  Never  mind ;  He  giveth  his  beloved 
sleep.'  At  another  time  he  said, '  I  shall  never  sleep,  until 
I  fall  asleep  in  the  arms  of  Jesus  Christ.'  He  often  appeared 
grieved  to  give  us  the  least  trouble,  particularly  when  sitting 
up  with  him  at  night;  he  would  say  'What  a  grievous  thing 
it  is  that  I  should  cause  so  much  trouble  for  this  poor  body !' 
On  one  occasion  when  I  had  bathed  his  eyes,  and  asked  him 
if  they  were  relieved,  he  said,  oj^ening  them  and  looking  up 
to  heaven, '  Soon  they  will  tjchold  all  the  glorified  saints  and 
angels  around  the  throne  of  my  God  and  Saviour,  who  has 


HIS    LAST    ILLNESS.  823 

loved  me  unto  death,  and  given  Himself  for  me;  then  I  shall 
see  Him,  whom  having  not  seen  I  love ;  in  whom,  though 
now  I  see  him  not,  yet  believing  /  rejoice  with  jot/  unspeakable 
and  full  of  glory;'  and  turning  his  eyes  towards  me,  he 
added,  '  Of  the  reality  of  tliis  I  am  as  sure  as  if  I  were* 
there  this  moment.' 

"  One  day  while  his  servants  were  at  dinner,  he  wanted 
them  to  come  and  move  him.  I  was  going  to  call  them ; 
but  when  he  remembered  they  were  at  dinner,  he  said 
in  the  kindest  way,  '  Never  mind,  it  does  not  signify  noic ; 
let  them  be — and  don't  disturb  them — I  like  to  wait  for  my 
servants — let  me  be  served  last — that  is  what  I  like  best.' 
On  asking  him  if  I  could  do  anything  for  him,  or  if  he 
wanted  anything,  he  said  very  slow  and  distinctly.  '  Not 
anything — I  want  nothing ; — are  you  not  surprised  to  hear 
with  what  composure  I  can  say  that? — I  seem  to  have  no- 
thing to  do  but  to  Avait— there  is  now  nothing  hut  peace  — 
the  siceetest  peace.'' 

"  When  his  servant  Mrs.  C.  came  into  the  room  on  one 
occasion  to  clean  and  arrange  the  fireplace,  he  said,  '  When 
C.  is  going  out,  tell  her  to  come  to  my  bedside,  and  let  me 
give  her  a  last  look  ;  she  must  not  speak,  nor  can  I — for  I 
am  not  equal  to  it. '  When  she  came  to  his  side,  he  looked 
at  her  most  affectionately  and  said, '  God  Almighty  bless  you, 
my  dear  C. — now  go.'  Both  his  servants  left  the  room  over- 
whelmed at  this  sight  of  their  dear  dying  master,  from  whom 
they  had  received  so  many  kindnesses.  He  then  turned  his 
eyes  towards  me  as  they  were  going  out  (he  was  himself 
much  affected),  and  said,  '  Dear  faithful  servants !  no  one 
ever  had  more  faithful  and  kind  servants  than  I  have  had ; 
and  to  have  such  dear  creatures  to  attend  me,  when  I  am 
such  a  poor  wretch,  and  deserve  nothing  but  perdition.' 
The  tears  trickled  down  his  aged  face  the  whole  time  he  Avas 
uttering  the  above,  and  he  appeared  quite  overwhelmed  at 
a  sense  of  the  Lord's  mercies  to  him." 

There  was  a  remarkable  and  rapid  maturing  of 
all  the  finer  parts  of  his  character  from  the  very 
commencement  of  this  illness,  and  a  corresponding 
diminution,  and  ultimately  a  disappearance  of  those 


824  ^'ARRATIVE    OF 

symptoms  of  haste  and  irritability,  which  sometimes 
were  visible  in  his  days  of  health  and  vio-our.  He 
seemed  now  to  breathe  entirely  an  atmosphere  of 
peace  and  love  ;  and  enjoying  such  a  sense  of  God's 
pardoning  love  himself,  he  longed  to  manifest  an 
affectionate  and  forgiving  spirit  to  all  aromid.  A 
striking  instance  of  this  occm-red  with  reference  to 
one  of  the  Fellows  of  his  College,  who  had  grieved 
him  by  frequent  acts  of  discourtesy,  and  was  now 
lying  on  his  death-bed  in  acute  suffering,  and  altogether 
in  a  state  so  wretched  and  distressing  as  to  deter  his 
friends  from  visiting  him.  Daily  did  Mr.  Simeon 
send  to  make  inquiries  after  him,  conveying  at  the 
same  time  some  kind  expression  of  his  sympathy ; 
this  at  length  so  wrought  upon  him,  that  he  could  not 
forbear  observing,  'Well!  /Simeon  does  not  forget  me — 
but  sends  every  day  to  inquire  after  me — ill  as  he  is  !' 
During  the  last  few  days  of  his  life  his  bodily 
sufferings  were  often  excruciating,  and  his  strength  so 
impaired  that  his  voice  w^as  scarcely  audible.  He  then 
observed  to  his  attendant,  "  Jesus  Christ  is  my  '  all  in 
all '  for  my  soul ;  and  now  you  must  be  my  all  for  my 
bocl^ ;  I  cannot  tell  you  any  longer  w^hat  I  want,  or 
ask  for  anything.  I  give  my  body  into  your  charge  ; 
you  must  give  me  what  you  think  necessary."  After- 
wards, when  he  had  revived  a  little,  he  remarked  ;  "It 
is  said,  O  death,  wdiere  is  thy  sting  ?"  then  looking  at 
us,  as  we  stood  around  his  bed,  he  asked  in  his  own 
peculiarly-expressive  manner ;  "  Do  you  see  any  stitip 
here?"  we  answered;  "No,  indeed,  it  is  all  taken 
aw^ay."  He  then  said  ;  "  Does  not  this  joroye,  that  ray 
principles  were  not  founded  on  fancies  or  enthusiasm ; 
but  that  there  is  a  reality  in  them,  and  I  find  them 
sujicient  to  snjjport  me  in  death  /" 


HIS    DEATH.  823 

Oil  Friday  afternoon  (Nov.  11)  as  we  were  standing 
by  his  side,  lamenting  his  long  protracted  snfferings, 
(which  from  Wednesday  had  been  at  times  exceedingly 
severe)  he  at  length  made  an  effort  to  lift  his  hands 
from  the  bed ;  on  our  assisting  him  to  raise  them,  he 
extended  them  to  us,  one  on  each  side,  (he  was  at  this 
time  unable  to  speak)  and  then  for  the  last  time  placed 
them  together  in  the  attitude  of  devout  prayer ;  after 
this  he  stretched  them  out  to  us  once  more,  and  so 
took,  as  it  seemed  to  us,  his  final  leave.  His  life  was 
now  fast  ebbing  away ;  he  lay  partially  raised,  his 
head  drooping  on  one  side,  but  supported  by  pillows, 
his  eyes  closed,  and  his  hands  stretched  out  motionless 
on  the  bed ;  nothing  could  be  more  solemn  and  vene- 
rable than  his  whole  appearance.  As  we  were  now 
afraid  of  disturbing  him,  we  refrained  from  any  further 
observations. 

The  last  words  I  addressed  to  him  were  on  this 
night,  when  I  gently  took  his  withered  hand,  and 
slowly  pronounced  the  Benediction  ;  "  The  Lord  bless 
thee  and  keep  thee  ;  the  Lord  make  His  face  to  shine 
upon  thee,  and  be  gracious  unto  thee ;  the  Lord  lift 
up  His  countenance  upon  thee,  and  give  ihee peace ;" 
he  faintly  answered.  Amen  ; — after  which  I  heard  him 
speak  no  more.  Dming  the  night  he  was  scarcely 
conscious  of  anything  around,  and  on  being  raised  in 
the  morning  into  the  same  position  as  before,  he 
remained  thus  during  the  whole  of  Satm-day,  and 
continued  apparently  insensible  to  the  last.  About 
two  o'clock  on  Sunday  afternoon,  (Nov.  13,)  at  the 
veiy  time  the  bell  of  St.  Mary's  was  tolling  for  the 
University  Sermon,  which  he  was  himself  to  have 
preached — after  a  momentary  struggle,  he  entered 
into  his  eternal  rest. 


820  NARRATIVE    OF 

Thus  graciously  did  God  grant  unto  him  his  heart's 
desire— the  most  perfect  peace,  and  a  'full  assurance 
of  hope  unto  the  end.'  And  without  weakness  or 
wandering  of  mind  during  his  severe  sufferings,  in 
which  patience  had  indeed  its  'perfect  work' — abound- 
ing in  love  and  thanksgiving,  he  was  enabled  to  testify 
to  the  last  of  the  mercy  and  faithfidness  of  his  God : 
and  so  '  having  fought  a  good  fight,  and  kept  the  faith, 
he  finished  his  course  with  joy.' 

The  time  of  his  decease  was  remarkable.  There 
had  been  an  unusual  degree  of  interest  excited  about 
the  Sermons,  which  he  was  to  have  delivered  before 
the  University  this  very  month ;  the  subject  he  had 
chosen  (Col.  ii.  17.  '  Which  are  a  shadow  of  things  to 
come ;  but  the  hody  is  of  Chris f)  was  regarded  by  him 
as  peculiarly  important,  and  he  had  prepared  the 
course  nearly  a  year  before  with  more  than  usual 
care;  whilst  frequently  during  the  interval  he  had 
been  thinking  and  speaking  of  then'  delivery  with  an 
anxiety  more  than  ordinary.  His  removal  therefore 
during  this  very  month,  and  on  the  Lord's  day,  at  the 
very  hour  when  it  had  been  hoped  he  would  be 
standing  before  the  University  as  their  Select  Preacher, 
greatly  tended  to  deepen  the  feelings  which  universally 
prevailed. 

On  opening  his  Will  an  intimation  was  found  of  his 
desire  respecting  the  place  of  his  interment.  "  If  I  die 
out  of  College,  I  am  not  careful  where  my  body  shall 
be  buried ;  but  if  I  die  in  Cambridge,  I  should  wish  to 
be  buried  in  my  College  Chapel."  Accordingly  pre- 
paration was  made  for  laying  his  remains  in  the 
Pellows'  vault.  Many  of  his  clerical  friends  had  ex- 
pressed a  strong  desire  to  be  present  on  the  occasion, 
to  offer  this  last  tribute  of  their  affection  and  respect. 


HIS    FUNERAL.  827 

These  therefore  were  informed  of  the  day  of  the 
funeral,  but  no  other  persons  were  invited.  It  was 
our  desire,  in  conformity  with  Mr.  Simeon's  wish,  to 
conduct  everything  with  as  little  show  as  possible. 
Permission  indeed  had  been  kindly  given  by  the  Pro- 
vost of  King's  for  the  congregation  of  Trinity  Church 
to  witness  the  interment  of  their  beloved  ]\Iinister  ; 
and  these  were  admitted  privately  into  the  Ante- 
chapel.  So  general  however  was  the  desire  of  the 
members  of  the  University  to  be  present  on  the  occa- 
sion, that  the  funeral  unavoidably  became  one  alto- 
gether of  a  public  character.  These  circumstances  are 
mentioned,,  to  shew  how  spontaneous  was  that  re- 
markable gathering  of  ])ersons — Heads  of  Colleges 
and  Professors,  and  men  of  all  ages  and  stations  and 
opinions,  from  every  College  in  the  University,  who 
came  to  do  honour  to  this  man  of  God  in  his  end. 

On  the  day  of  the  funeral  (Saturday)  all  the  shops 
in  the  principal  part  of  the  town  were  closed,  though 
it  was  the  market-day;  and,  what  was  an  unusual 
mark  of  respect  in  the  University,  in  almost  every 
College  the  Lectures  were  suspended.  The  morning 
was  damp  and  cheerless,  and  the  gloom  around  was 
suited  to  the  feelings  of  sadness  which  pervaded  that 
large  assembly  of  momiiers.  At  the  appointed  hour 
the  funeral  procession  began  to  move  from  the  College- 
hall,  preceded  by  the  Choristers,  Scholars  and  Fellows, 
the  Provost  walking  immediately  before  the  bier,  and 
the  pall  being  borne  by  the  eight  Senior  Pellows. 
But  the  folloAving  letter,  from  one  of  the  many  dis- 
tinguished persons  present  on  the  occasion,  will  best 
describe  the  scene. 

f  You  know  King's  great  Court  and  the  noble  Chapel. 
The  procession  round  the  quadrangle,  usual  on  the  burial 


828  THE    FUNERAL. 

Within  the  precincts  of  a  College  resident,  was  very  striking. 
The  persons  who  made  up  the  procession,  walking  three  or 
four  abreast,  nearly  extended  round  the  four  sides  of  the 
quadrangle.  On  entering  the  west  door  of  the  Chapel  I  was 
struck  by  the  multitude  of  persons  who  filled  the  nave.  Men, 
women,  and  children,  all,  so  far  as  I  observed,  in  mourning, 
and  very  many  giving  proof  that  they  were  real  mourners  by 
their  sighs  and  their  tears.  These  I  understood  to  be  the 
hearers  and  parishioners  of  Mr.  Simeon,  who  had  been  per- 
mitted to  attend;  and  through  this  sorrowing  crowd  the  pro- 
cession moved  on  into  the  choir.  The  stall  which  I  occupied 
allowed  me  a  full  view  of  the  interior,  and  it  was  indeed  a 
solemn  sight :  nor  was  it  the  least  interesting  circumstance, 
on  an  occasion  where  all  was  interesting,  to  see  the  young 
men  of  the  University,  as  they  stood  during  the  service  be- 
tween the  coffin  and  the  Communion  rails,  all  in  mourning ; 
and  all,  in  appearance  at  least,  feeling  deeply  the  loss  which 
had  brought  us  together  and  the  solemnity  of  the  service. 
The  vault,  in  which  the  body  was  deposited.  Is  near  the  west 
door  of  the  building.  Here  of  course  the  service  concluded. 
The  Provost  read  most  impressively;  and,  taking  under 
review  all  the  circumstances  and  accompaniments  of  the 
funeral — the  affectionate  respect  for  the  departed,  himself 
the  Luther  of  Cambridge — the  sorrowing  multitudes,  in- 
cluding several  hundreds  of  University  men — the  tones  of 
the  orjjan,  more  solemn  than  ever  I  heard  them — the  maof- 
nificence  of  the  building — I  should  tliink  that  no  person 
who  was  present  would  ever  fail,  so  long  as  he  remembers 
anything,  to  carry  with  him  a  powerful  remembrance  of  that 
day.  .  .  .  Turning  to  my  old  recollections,  I  could  scarcely 
have  believed  it  possible  that  Mr.  Simeon  could  thus  be 
honoured  at  his  death !  His  very  enemies,  if  any  of  them 
lived  so  long,  seemed  now  to  be  at  peace  with  him." 

The  funeral  Sermon  at  Trinity  Church  on  the 
Sunday  Morning  was  preached  by  Dr.  Dealtry,  the 
Chancellor  of  Winchester  *,  from  a  text  which  had 
received  a  remarkable  illustration  in  the  events  of  the 


*  Now  Archdeacon  of  Surrey. 


THE    SERMONS.  829 

preceding  day,  '  Them  that  honour  me,  I  loill  honour! 
1  Sam.  ii.  30.  In  the  Evening  the  Archdeacon  of 
Stafford,  the  Yen.  G.  Hodson,  preached  in  the  same 
Church  on  a  subject  no  less  appropriate  to  the  occa- 
sion— '  Ehsha  at  the  waters  of  Jordan.'  2  Kings  ii. 
9 — 14.  On  the  same  day  other  marked  testimonies 
of  affectionate  respect  were  deUvered  from  various  pul- 
pits in  Cambridge  ;  and  more  particularly  from  that  of 
St.  Mary's  by  two  distinguished  members  of  the  Uni- 
versity, who  had  formerly  been  associated  with  Mr. 
Simeon  in  the  Ministry  at  Trinity  Church.  The  Sermon 
in  the  Morning  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  W.  Mandell, 
Eellow  of  Queens'  College,  from  Heb.  vi.  12  :  and  that 
in  the  Afternoon,  from  2  Kings  ii.  9 — 12,  entitled, 
*  A  zealous  Ministry  the  safeguard  of  a  nation,'  was  most 
impressively  delivered  to  a  crowded  and  deeply-atten- 
tive audience  by  the  select  preacher  for  the  month,  the 
Rev.  J.  Scholefield,  Regius  Professor  of  Greek. 

The  Recollections  of  the  Bishop  of  Calcutta 
subjoined  to  this  Narrative,  render  any  observations 
here  on  the  life  and  character  of  Mr.  Simeon  entirely 
superfluous.  We  cannot  however  refrain  from  insert- 
ino-  the  following  weighty  and  instructive  remarks 
from  the  Sermon  of  Dr.  Dealtry.  After  adverting  to 
the  manner  in  which  Mr.  Simeon  honoured  God,  he 
observes  : — 

"  We  would  utterly  disclaim  all  intention  or  desire  to 
exalt  the  creature.  Whatever  there  was  of  good  in  him, 
we  ascribe  to  that  power,  which  St.  Paul  himself,  when 
declarino-  that  he  had  laboured  more  abundantly  than  all 
the  Apostles,  mentions,  as  the  great  and  all-mighty  agent — 
not  /,  hut  the  grace  of  God  which  was  icith  me.  Hence  that 
faith  which  shone  forth  so  brightly  in  the  entire  course  of 
[Mr.  Simeon],  and  which  enabled  him  to  overcome  the  world: 
hence  that  love  which  was  the  grand  constraining  principle 


830  DR.  DEALTRY  S 

in  his  mind ;  hence  that  icork  of  faith  and  labour  of  love, 
in  which  he  was  habitually  employed,  and  which  ceased  only 
with  the  pulse  of  life.     Our  motive  in  dwelling  on  such  sub- 
jects is  not  to  exalt  the  man,  but  that  we  may  learn  wnsdom 
by  the  lessons  which  they  teach.     In  thus  placing  before 
our  eyes  the  characters  of  those  who  were  renowned  in 
their  o-eneration  as  the  servants  of  Christ,  we  have  visible 
evidence  of  the  reality  and  power  of  religion;  we  see  what  a 
treasure  may  be  contained  in  these  earthen  vessels,  and  are 
disposed  to  thank  God  for  this  manifestation  of  His  goodness, 
and  are  encouraged  to  repau-  to  the  fountain  of  grace,  that 
we  may  ourselves  be  enabled  to  follow  their  good  example. 
"  To  detach  from  their  names  while  living  the  respect 
to  which  they  are  so  eminently  entitled,  or  to  withhold  from 
their  memories  the  feelings  of  affectionate  veneration,  would 
be  a  thino-  neither  desirable  in  itself,  nor  practicable  if  at- 
tempted.     We  are  bound  to  esteem  them  very  highly  in  love 
for  their  works  sake  ;  and  bearing  in  mind  that  it  was  God 
who  wrought  in  them  both  to  icill  and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure, 
our   contemplations  will  lead  us  with  increased  devotion 
and  confidence  to  Him,  who  is  the  author  of  every  good  and 
perfect  gift.      We  glorify  God  in  them.'' 

After  enumerating  various  instances  in  which  God 
was  pleased  to  put  remarkable  honour  on  ]\Ir.  Simeon, 
Dr.  Dealtry  proceeds : — 

"  His  known  piety  and  most  disinterested  and  generous 
disposition  led  others  to  join  with  him  in  good  works, 
which  the  zeal  of  an  individual  could  never  have  accom- 
plished :  God  gave  to  him  remarkably  the  hearts  of  those 
who  had  the  means  of  beneficence — and  the  provision  wdiich 
he  was  thus  enabled  to  make  for  the  propagation  of  religion^ 
both  in  this  country  and  in  the  farthest  regions  of  the  globe, 
may  justly  be  held  out  as  a  signal  fulfilment  of  the  declara- 
tion. Them  that  honour  me  I  will  honour. 

"His  old  age  was  greatly  honoured:  his  hoary  head 
was  in  every  respect  a  croxcn  of  glory.  The  sort  of  hostility 
which  met  him  in  his  earlier  years  had  gradually  subsided 
and  died  away  ;  his  great  labours,  his  valuable  pul)lications. 


SERMON.  831 

and  Ills  known  benevolence,  converted  the  adversary  him- 
self into  a  friend ;  so  admirably  was  fulfilled  to  him  the 
statement  of  Solomon,  *  When  a  mans  waijs please  the  Lord, 
he  maketh  eten  his  enemies  to  he  at  peace  icilh  him.''  Viewing 
him  in  the  latter  period  of  his  life,  when  his  'praise  ivas  in 
all  the  churches,^  when  he  was  respected,  and  honoured,  and 
beloved,  in  a  degree  rarely  equalled  ;  recollecting  also  the 
respect  shewn  to  him  by  the  highest  authorities  in  the 
University,  in  appointing  him,  notwithstanding  his  great 
age,  to  testify  to  them  from  their  own  pulpit,  as  on  many 
former  occasions  so  during  this  very  month,  and  on  this 
very  day,  the  *  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  Godf — how  little,  even 
at  the  commencement  of  the  present  century,  could  we 
have  anticipated  such  tokens  of  regard  I  Whence  then 
this  astonishing  change,  as  compared  with  the  history  af 
his  early  days  ?  He  honoured  God ;  and  therefore  God 
honoured  him ;  honoured  him  before  men — honoured  him 
in  the  very  scene  of  his  arduous  labours — honoured  him 
by  the  public  testimony  of  those,  whose  testimony  is 
above  all  impeachment. 

"  In  adverting  finally  to  that  event,  which  especially 
brings  to  the  test  the  strength  and  purity  of  Christian  prin* 
ciple,  when  the  flesh  and  the  heart  are  failing,  here  also  was 
he  eminently  honoured,  being  able  to  shew  that  God  was 
now  the  strength  of  his  heart,  and  to  look  forward  in  the 
certain  hope  that  he  would  be  his  portion  for  ever.  The 
narrative  of  his  last  illness  exhibits  the  same  deep  humility, 
the  same  strong  faith,  the  same  gentleness  and  patience  and 
entire  devotedness  to  the  will  of  God,  the  same  slmj^llclty 
of  relisflous  character,  and  the  same  love  for  others,  which 
were  all  so  conspicuous  in  his  previous  life.  We  observe 
here  not  only  the  death-bed  of  a  Christian,  but  of  this  indi- 
vidual Christian ;  the  setting  of  that  great  light  with  whose 
beams  we  have  been  so  long  and  so  well  acquainted." 


We  must   now  brino;  our   narrative   to  a   close. 
For  many  years  previous  to  this  period*,  Mr.  Simeon 


*  See  page  327. 


832  EPITAPH. 

had  been  desirous  of  leaving  to  his  parishioners  some 
token  of  his  regard,  which  might  '  benefit  them  after 
his  death.'  A  JMemorandum  to  the  following  effect 
was  found  in  his  Will : — 

"  It  is  my  desire  that  an  edition  of  the  Sermon  which 
I  preached  before  the  University,  on  that  text,  1  Cor.  ii.  2, 
be  printed ;  and  that  a  copy  of  it  be  presented  to  every 
family  in  Trinity  Parish,  as  a  memorial  of  my  pastoral  re- 
gards, and  as  the  means  of  Impressing  their  minds  with  the 
importance  of  the  doctrine  which  I  preached  to  them 
during  the  whole  course  of  my  Ministry." 

This  last  wish  of  Mr.  Simeon  was  immediately 
carried  into  execution  ;  and  in  the  chancel  of  Trinity 
Church,  directly  opposite  to  the  tablets  of  his  beloved 
Martyn  and  Tliomason,  his  monument  was  shortly  after 
erected  by  the  congregation.  It  bears  this  short  but 
expressive  inscription,  suggested  by  himself. 

IN    MEMORY    OF 

THE  REV.  CHARLES  SIMEON,  M.A., 

SENIOR    FELLOW    OF    KINg's    COLLEGE, 
AND    FIFTY-FOTTR   TEARS    VICAR    OF    THIS    PARISH  ] 

WHO, 

WHETHER    AS    THE    GROUND    OF    HIS    OWN    HOPES, 

OR    AS    THE    SUBJECT    OF    ALL    HIS    MINISTRATIONS, 

DETERMINED 

TO    KNOW   NOTHING    BUT 

'JESUS  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.' 

1    COR.    II.    2. 
BORN    SEPT.    24,    1759.       DIED    NOV.    13,    1836. 


RECOLLECTIONS 


OF    THE 


EEY.    OHAELES    SIMEON, 

BY  THE  RIGHT  REV.  DANIEL  WILSON,  D.D., 
LORD  BISHOP  OF  CALCUTTA. 


"Calcutta,  1837. 

"  There  Is  no  name  that  Avill  continue  more  deeply- 
infixed  on  the  memory  and  heart  of  the  writer  of  the 
following  lines  till  the  last  moment  of  life,  than  that  of 
Charles  Simeon. 

Amongst  the  many  holy  and  distinguished  Ministers  of 
the  Gospel  of  Christ  whom  he  has  known,  and  for  whose 
advice  and  example  he  will  have  to  give  account  at  the  last 
great  day,  Mr.  Simeon  was  in  many  respects  the  most 
remarkable.  A  more  entirely  devoted  seiwant  of  Christ 
has  not  often  appeared  in  the  Church,  nor  one  whose 
course  of  service  was  more  extended  in  point  of  time,  more 
important,  more  consistent,  more  energetic,  more  oppor- 
tune for  the  circumstances  of  the  Church,  and  by  the 
Divine  Blessing  more  useful." 

After  a  rapid  sketch  of  his  Life  and  Works,  the 
Bishop  proceeds : — 

"  Surely  this  outline  of  his  history  gives  at  once  the 
impression  of  a  most  devoted  and  disinterested  Minister.  Here 
is  a  man  who  labours  for  nothing — for  absolutely  no  emolu- 
ment whatever,  for  more  than  half  a  century.  Here  is  a 
man  who  passes  by  and  refuses  all  the  Livings  in  his  College 
which  in  succession  were  offered  to  his  choice,  and  some  one 
of  which  every  other  person  almost  that  could  be  named 
would  have  accepted  as  a  matter  of  course.  Here  is  a 
man  who,  in  order  to  retain  his  Fellowship  and  his  money- 
less station  at  Trinity  Church,  persuades  his  elder  brother 
not  to  leave  him  the  property  which  would  compel  him  to 
L.  S.  3  H 


834  RECOLLECTIONS    BY 

vacate  it.  The  same  man  remains  unmarried  during  life. 
Nor  does  he  employ  the  large  profit  ai-ising  from  the  sale 
of  his  writings  to  any  other  purpose.  It  must  be  admitted, 
even  by  the  enemies  of  his  principles,  that  he  was  a  person 
of  exalted  disinterestedness  *. 

What  those  j^rinciples  were  is  the  next  thing  to  be 
carefully  noticed.  They  were  no  other  than  the  broad, 
tangible,  undoubted  doctrines  of  the  New  Testament,  as 
held  by  the  Church  of  England,  and  exhibited  in  the  writ- 
ings of  her  Reformers,  and  the  Articles,  Homilies,  and 
Liturgy  which  they  authoritatively  composed.  The  differ- 
ence between  his  sentiments  and  those  of  others,  whether 
ministers  or  people,  in  tlie  same  communion,  lay  in  the 


*  Dr.  Dealtry  in  his  Funeral  Sermon  records  the  follo\Ying 
remarkable  instance  of  his  disinterestedness  : — 

"  In  speaking  particularly  of  the  dedication  of  his  property  to 
the  glory  of  God,  we  are  abundantly  borne  out  by  facts,  with  which 
you  are  all  acquainted.  But  it  is  not  so  generally  known  that  this 
was  a  principle  all-powerful  in  his  mind  from  an  early  period, 
probably  from  the  time  when  he  first  cordially  gave  himself  to  the 
work  of  an  Evangelist.  In  proof  of  this  assertion,  I  would  mention 
a  circumstance  which  occurred  between  forty  and  fifty  years  ago. 
At  that  time  a  Living  of  great  importance  became  vacant,  which 
by  the  appointment  of  the  Patron,  as  expressed  in  his  Will,  was 
to  be  offered  to  two  particular  Clergymen  in  succession,  both  of 
them  personal  friends  of  your  late  Minister.  Conceiving  that  the 
Clergyman  who  was  to  have  the  second  offer  was  pre-eminently 
qualified  for  the  situation,  whilst  the  other  was  better  fitted  for  a 
different  sphere,  he  wrote  to  the  latter,  stating  his  opinion,  and 
solemnly  putting  it  to  his  conscience,  whether  the  cause  of  Christ 
would  not  be  best  promoted  by  his  declining  the  Living  ;  adding  at 
the  same  time,  that  since  the- sacrifice  would  be  great  in  regard  to 
temporal  prospects,  he  would  himself  engage  to  compensate  him 
from  his  own  private  fortune.  It  is  right  to  add,  that  the  indi- 
vidual thus  addressed  responded  nobly  to  the  letter  by  stating  his 
intention  to  refuse  the  Living,  but  absolutely  declining  at  the  same 
time  all  compensation :  neither  ought  it  to  be  omitted,  that  the 
Clergyman,  for  whom  the  Living  was  thus  obtained,  although  he 
survived  his  appointment  for  twenty  years,  was  never  apprized  of 
the  circumstance,  nor  was  it  divulged  till  some  time  after  his  death." 


THE    BISHOP    OF    CALCUTTA.  835 

strength  with  which  he  held  them,  the  prominence  he  gave  to 
them,  and  the  holy  spii'itual  use  to  which  they  were  applied. 
A  Clergyman  may,  and  in  fact  does,  and  must  hold  the 
same  doctrines  of  the  Fall  and  Recovery  of  Man — of  the 
Atonement  of  Christ,  and  the  ojierations  of  the  Spirit — of 
justification  by  faith,  and  regeneration  and  progressive  sanc- 
tification  by  grace — of  holy  love  to  God  and  man,  and  of  all 
good  works  as  the  fruit  of  faith,  and  following  after  justi- 
fication. The  difference  between  one  Minister  and  another, 
lies  in  the  manner  in  which  he  holds  these  truths — whether 
they  reach  and  change  the  heart;  whether  they  sink  into 
the  habits  and  inmost^  soul ;  whether  they  are  accompanied 
with  internal  penitence,  contrition,  prayer,  devotion ;  whe- 
ther they  express  themselves  and  prove  their  genuineness  by 
those  affections  and  that  conduct  with  which  they  are  ever 
attended  when  spiritual  life  is  really  implanted;  and  without 
which  they  constitute  only  a  '  name  to  live,'  only  a  *  form 
of  godliness,'  a  creed,  a  notion,  a  scheme  theoretic  and 
inoperative. 

The  case  is  the  same  as  to  the  prominence  given  to  these 
doctrines  in  our  INIinistry.  If  they  are  only  occasionally 
referred  to — if  they  are  indistinctly  stated — feebly  developed 
— insufficiently  applied  to  the  conscience,  they  lose  all  their 
virtue,  and  all  the  Divine  blessing  wdiich  would  otherwise 
rest  upon  them.  We  must  'know'  and  make  known, 
'nothing  but  Jesus  Christ,  and  Him  crucified.' 

Nor  is  it  different  if  we  advert  to  the  holy,  spiritual  use 
to  which  these  divine  truths  are  to  be  applied— to  the 
awakening  the  souls  of  men — to  the  convincing  them  of 
sin — to  the  bringing  them  to  a  divine  and  heavenly  life — 
to  the  mortifying  in  them,  by  the  grace  of  God's  blessed 
Spu'it,  the  love  of  the  world  and  all  its  vanities ;  to  the 
leading  them,  in  short,  to  '  put  off  concerning  their  former 
conversation  the  old  man,  which  is  corrupt  according  to  the 
deceitful  lusts,  and  to  put  on  the  new  man,  which,  after 
God,  is  created  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness.' 

These  then  were  Mr.  Simeon's  principles — not  narrowly 
and  minutely  cramped  by  too  systematic  an  arrangement — 
not  harslily  and  stiffly  inculcated  as  parts  of  a  mere  body  of 
theology — not  tamely  and  coldly  assented  to  whilst  the  mass 

3h2 


836  RECOLLECTIONS    BY 

of  the  instruction  was  given  to  secondary  matters — but 
strongly  and  deeply  imbibed,  penetrating  his  whole  soul — 
the  effect  and  expression  of  a  divine  teaching,  of  a  divine 
life,  of  a  divine  experience;  and  therefore  prominently  in- 
culcated, in  order  to  be  the  seed  of  eternal  life  in  others — 
and  entirely  directed  to  the  production  and  nourishment  of 
that  spiritual,  and  retired,  and  contrite,  and  humble,  and 
benevolent  conduct  which  distino-uishes  the  genuine  fruit 
of  the  Gospel. 

With  these  principles  he  united  p-eat  practical  idsdom. 
The  ardom'  indeed  of  his  mind  was  remarkable.  He  con- 
ceived everything  strongly,  and  expressed  himself  in  a  most 
energetic  manner.  He  would  have  been  liable  therefore,  as 
to  natural  tendency,  to  the  danger  of  excessive  and  even 
enthusiastical  statements.  But  what  was  the  fact  ?  He 
was  full  of  moderation  on  doubtful  and  abstruse  questions 
connected  with  the  commanding  truths  just  adverted  to. 
He  Avas  as  wise  as  he  was  fervent.  This  was  a  distinguish- 
ing  feature  in  his  character.  Had  he  been  ardent  merely, 
he  never  could  have  acquired  the  influence  he  gradually 
gained,  nor  have  left  the  impression  he  has  done  upon  his 
age.  His  fervour  was  always  checked  by  a  close  and 
adequate  study  of  the  Scriptures — by  much  communion 
with  his  own  heart — by  importunate  prayer  to  Almighty 
God — by  friendly  intercourse  with  his  brethren  in  the 
INIinistry — by  observation  on  the  histoiy  of  the  Church  in 
all  ages — and  by  tracing  the  mischievous  effects  of  the 
least  deflections  from  the  simplicity  of  the  faith  in  the 
course  of  his  own  long  experience. 

The  principles  of  this  eminent  person — the  great,  com- 
manding truths  of  the  Gospel — were  thus  continually  accom- 
panied with  good  sense,  and  a  wise  and  scriptural  discretion. 

That  those  principles  were  misrepresented  and  opposed 
during  a  considerable  portion  of  his  life,  will  be  no  matter 
of  surprise  to  those  who  know  their  own  heart,  and  the 
fallen  state  of  man.  The  more  prominent  the  station,  an  d 
the  more  energetic  the  character  of  any  Christian,  the  more 
vivid  will  be  the  opposition  excited  to  the  truth  of  the 
Gospel.  Man  in  his  fallen  state  loves  sin,  hates  the  light, 
shuns  conviction,  chooses  teachers  after  his  own  lusts.    To 


THE    BISHOP    OF    CALCUTTA,  837 

reconcile  a  life  of  worldliness  with  the  hopes  of  Christianity, 
is  the  object  of  the  natural  man.  He  resists  disturbance — 
he  argues  —he  calumniates — he  persecutes  if  he  can,  or  de- 
spises if  he  cannot,  the  faithful  Minister.  This  has  ever 
been  the  case.  ^ATien  Christianity  first  burst  upon  a  hea- 
then and  Jewish  world,  it  was  received  with  a  resistance 
which  it  took  centuries  to  overcome.  And  in  proportion 
to  the  errors  prevalent  in  every  age,  however  nominally 
Christian  that  period  may  be,  will  be  the  opposition  to  the 
slmjole  doctrines  of  the  Gospel.  The  principles  of  that 
Gospel  are,  indeed,  so  adapted  to  the  state  and  wants  of 
man,  that  they  fall  not  at  length  to  assert  their  divine 
origin :  but  the  time  for  accomplishing  this  is  often  long. 
Nor  can  a  Protestant  Church,  nor  Articles  Evangelical  as 
ours  confessedly  are,  nor  a  Liturgy  and  Book  of  Homilies 
which  allow  of  no  subterfuge,  succeed  of  themselves  in 
changing  man.  He  evades  still,  explains  away,  admits 
such  parts  of  them  as  he  happens  to  approve,  and  dismisses 
the  rest  to  neglect  and  indifference.  All  this  has  been  in 
every  age  seen  in  the  Christian  Church.  It  is  by  numbers, 
by  clamour,  by  a  fashionable  standard  of  doctrine,  by  a  con- 
ventional interpretation  of  authorized  formidaries,  and  by 
charges  of  a  party  spirit,  of  fanaticism,  and  weakness  of 
judgment,  alleged  against  the  most  devoted,  and  fervent, 
and  laborious  INlinlsters,  that  the  body  of  men  in  the  visible 
Protestant  Churches  keep  themselves  in  countenance  against 
the  obvious  import  of  the  New  Testament  Revelation.  All 
that  can  be  hoped  for,  then,  is  that  by  a  patient  continu- 
ance in  well-doing,  truth  may  at  length  be  recognized  and 
honoiu'cd.  The  time  for  accomplishing  this  varies  with 
a  thousand  varying  circumstances.  It  was  Mr.  Simeon's 
peculiar  happiness  to  live  long  enough  to  see  the  prejudices 
which  assailed  him  in  his  earlier  Ministry,  changed 
throughout  almost  the  whole  University  to  respect  and 
veneration. 

Contrast  the  commencement  and  the  close  of  his  course. 
He  stood  for  many  years  alone — he  was  long  opposed, 
ridiculed,  shunned — his  doctrines  were  mlsrepi-esentetl — his 
little  peculiarities  of  voice  and  manner  were  satirized  — 
disturbances  were  frequently  raised  In  his  Church — he  was 


838  RECOLLECTIONS    BY 

a  person  not  taken  into  account,  nor  considered  in  tlie  light 
of  a  regular  Clergyman  of  the  Church.  Such  was  the 
beginning  of  things.  But  mark  the  close.  For  the  last 
portion  of  his  Ministry  all  was  rapidly  changing.  He  was 
invited  re^Jeatedly  to  take  courses  of  Sermons  before  the 
University.  The  same  great  principles  that  he  preached 
were  avoAved  from  almost  every  pulpit  in  Cambridge.  His 
Church  was  crowded  with  young  Students.  When  the  new 
Chancellor  of  the  University  placed  a  Chaplainship  at  the 
disposal  of  the  Vice-Chancellor  in  1833,  Mr.  Simeon  was 
the  person  applied  to  to  make  the  nomination.  In  1835, 
the  University  went  up  to  present  an  Address  to  the  King. 
The  Vice-Chancellor  wished  him  to  attend  :  and  when  the 
Members  of  the  Senate  were  assembled,  made  a  public 
inquiry  whether  Mr.  Simeon  was  present,  that  he  might 
be  presented  to  his  Majesty,  as  one  of  the  Deputation — 
and  expressed  much  regret  when  it  was  found  he  had 
been  incapacitated  by  illness  from  attending.  The  writer 
of  these  lines  can  never  forget  the  impression  made  on  his 
mind  by  the  appearance  of  the  Church,  when  Mr.  Simeon 
delivered  one  of  his  Sermons  on  the  Holy  Spirit  before  that 
learned  University  about  six  vears  since  *.  The  vast  edifice 
was  literally  crowded  in  every  part.  The  Heads  of  Houses, 
the  Doctors,  the  Master  of  Arts,  the  Bachelors,  the  Under- 
graduates, the  Congregation  from  the  Town,  seemed  to  vie 
Avith  each  other  in  eao-erness  to  hear  the  aged  and  venerable 
man.  His  figure  is  now  before  me.  His  fixed  countenance, 
his  bold  and  yet  respectful  manner  of  address,  his  admirable 
delivery  of  a  well-prepared  discourse,  his  pointed  appeal 
to  the  different  classes  of  his  auditory,  the  mute  attention 
with  Avhich  they  hung  upon  his  lips,  all  composed  the  most 
solemn  scene  he  had  ever  witnessed.  And  at  his  death 
Avhen  did  either  of  our  Universities  pay  such  a  marked 
honour  to  a  private  individual  ? 

It  will  not  be  unprofitable  to  inquire  what  may  have 
been  the  causes,  under  the  Divine  blessing,  of  this  remark- 
able change — what  produced  the  striking  difiference  between 
the  first  years  and  the  last  of  his  JNIinistry. 


Nov.  13,  1831. 


THE    BISHOP    OF    CALCUTTA.  839 

Circumstances,  over  whicli  he  had  little  or  no  control, 
contributed  no  doubt  to  the  great  result— family,  station 
in  society,  liberal  fortune,  manners,  vigour  of  health. 
These  we  may  put  out  of  the  present  question — they  were 
simply  providential  gifts. 

1.  The  first  cause  that  may  pei'haps  be  assigned  is. 
His  occupying  diligenthf  icith  his  appropriate  talents.  He 
seems  to  have  applied  himself  from  the  first  to  make  the 
most  of  the  particular  opportunities  aflbrded  him.  He  wished 
for  no  change  of  station  :  he  was  deterred  by  no  difficulties  : 
he  was  seduced  by  no  offers  of  a  more  easy  or  more 
congenial  post.  But  where  he  was  placed  by  a  good 
Providence,  there  he  resolved,  if  possible,  to  labour  for  his 
Master's  glory.  After  he  discovered  the  immense  capa- 
bilities of  his  position  in  the  University,  he  strove  to 
acquire  the  knowledge  and  experience  necessary  for  the  best 
discharge  of  his  duties.  With  this  principle  he  began;  and 
fifty-four  years  only  added  more  and  more  to  his  faculties 
of  usefulness.  His  talents  multiplied  beyond  his  own 
expectations,  or  those  of  his  friends.  A  steady  Ministry  is 
likely  to  be  a  successful  one.     Changes  rarely  answer. 

2.  Consistency  and  decision  of  character  as  a  Minister 
of  Christ  may  next  be  mentioned.  Confidence  is  generated 
by  degrees.  When  once  a  character  for  sincerity,  spiritu- 
ality, consistency,  boldness  in  the  Gospel,  is  established, 
influence  is  rajDidly  acquired.  Petty  errors  are  overlooked — 
peculiarities,  failures  of  temper,  defects  in  judgment — all 
are  lost,  after  a  number  of  years,  in  the  general  and  well- 
known  excellency  of  the  life.  Keports  are  no  longer  believed, 
prejudices  are  softened,  accusations  of  enthusiasm  and  party- 
spirit  are  examined  before  they  are  credited.  The  body 
and  substance  of  consistent  godliness  stand  forth,  and  the 
shadowy  forms  of  objections  disappear.  No  man  upon 
earth  was  more  open  than  Mr.  Simeon  to  misrepresenta- 
tions ;  but  after  a  course  of  years  almost  every  one  esti- 
mated them  at  their  true  value.  He  lived  for  more  than 
half  a  century  in  the  eye  of  the  same  University.  He  was 
the  companion  and  instructor  of  thirteen  or  fourteen  gene- 
rations of  young  Students.  He  saw  the  disciples  of  his 
early  days,  the  Governors  and  Professors  of  the  University 


840  RECOLLECTIONS    BY 

in  his  latter.  He  was  known  never  to  have  had  but  one 
object,  never  to  have  preached  but  one  doctrine.  First 
his  friends ;  then  his  College ;  then  the  University ;  then 
the  large  body  of  the  Clergy  with  whom  he  had  been 
associated;  lastly,  almost  the  whole  country  understood 
him.  They  did  not  all  agree  with  him ;  but  they  under- 
stood him.  And  as  a  general  revival  of  the  power  of  true 
religion  in  the  Church  of  Engjland  was  o-oino;  on  duinns 
almost  the  entire  period  of  his  jNIinistry,  (to  which  by 
God's  mercy  and  grace  he  himself  largely  contributed)  his 
influence  widened  inconceivably  towards  the  close  of  his 
lengthened  life. 

3.  Moderation  on  contested  and  doubtful  points  of  Theo- 
logij  contributed  to  his  ultimate  success — not  moderation 
in  the  sense  of  tameness  as  to  the  o;reat  vital  truths  of  the 
Gospel — not  moderation  as  implying  conformity  to  the 
world's  judgment  of  Christian  Doctrine — but  the  true  scrip- 
tural moderation  arising  from  a  sense  of  man's  profound 
ignorance,  and  of  the  danger  of  attempting  to  proceed  one 
step  beyond  the  fair  and  obvious  import  of  Divine  Revela- 
tion. In  this  sense  he  was  moderate.  A  reverential 
adherence  to  the  letter  of  inspired  Truth  was  the  charac- 
teristic of  his  preaching.  He  never  ventured  to  push 
conclusions  from  Scripture  into  metaphysical  refinement. 
Unless  the  conclusions  themselves,  as  well  as  the  premises, 
were  expressly  revealed,  he  was  fearful  and  cautious  in  the, 
■extreme.  He  conceived  early  in  life  the  design  of  forming 
a  school  of  Blblicism,  if  the  term  may  be  employed.  Instead 
of  detaching  certain  passages  from  the  Bible,  deducing 
propositions  from  these  passages,  and  then  making  these 
propositions  the  starting  posts  of  his  preaching,  he  kept 
the  Bible  as  his  perpetual  standard ;  and  used  articles  of 
Theology  for  the  end  for  which  they  were  intended,  not 
to  supersede  the  Bible,  but  to  be  ii  centre  of  unity,  a  safe- 
guard against  heresy  and  error,  and  a  means  of  discipline 
and  order  in  the  Church.  He  did  not  consider  it  his  duty  to 
attempt  to  reconcile  all  the  apparent  difficulties  in  St.  Paul, 
but  to  preach  every  part  of  that  great  Apostle's  doctrine 
in  its  place  and  bearing,  and  for  tlie  ends  for  which  each 
part  was  evidently  employed  by  its  inspired  author.    Here 


THE    BISHOP    OF    CALCUTTA.  841 

shone  fortli  that  wisdom  in  Mr.  Simeon's  character  to 
which  we  have  ah-eady  adverted — the  wisdom  of  bowing 
before  the  infinite  understanding  of  the  Almighty,  and  not 
venturing  to  speculate  on  matters  placed  far  above  human 
comprehension.  As  Lord  Bacon  in  Natural  Philosophy 
considered  not  theories,  but  facts ;  not  what  agreed  with 
principles,  but  principles  themselves ;  not  hidden  matters, 
but  phenomena ;  not  speculation,  but  practice,  as  the  points 
of  greatest  moment;  so  every  Avord  of  Holy  Scripture 
was  in  Mr.  Simeon's  view  a  fact,  a  principle,  a  phenomenon, 
a  practical  point  of  the  utmost  consequence.  And  it  was 
from  the  aa;o;reo;ation  of  these  that  he  aimed  at  constituting 


"oo 


his  Blhliclsm,  or  Scriptural  Divinity. 

4.  His  eminently  devotional  spirit  must  next  be  men- 
tioned. No  man  perhaps  in  these  latter  ages  has  been  more 
a  man  of  prayer  than  Mr.  Simeon.  It  is  believed  that  he 
not  unfrequently  spent  whole  nights  in  prayer  to  God.  He 
has  more  than  once  promised  particular  friends  to  devote  a 
week  to  intercession  on  their  behalf.  The  spirit  of  prayer 
counteracted  the  natural  roughness  of  his  temper,  reconciled 
those  who  had  taken  oflPence,  gave  a  certain  charm  to  his 
conversation,  moderated  contentions,  led  to  continual  self- 
knowledge  and  growth  in  grace,  and  laid  a  foundation  of 
wide  influence.  In  his  afflictions,  prayer  was  his  refuge. 
There  was  an  intenseness  of  desire,  a  prostration  of  soul,  a 
brokenness  of  heart  before  God,  a  holy  filial  breathing  after 
spiritual  blessings,  which  can  scarcely  be  conceived  by  those 
who  only  saw  him  occasionally.  This  habit  of  mind  not 
only  contributed  to  his  general  success  by  bringing  down 
the  grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  but  also  by  giving  a  certain 
softened  tone  to  his  whole  character  Avhicli  generated  con- 
fidence ;  and  which  being  joined  with  the  occupation  of  his 
appropriate  talent,  his  consistency  and  his  moderation  on 
doubtful  matters,  shed  a  sort  of  unction  over  his  conver- 
sation and  Ministry,  which  in  spiritual  things  is  the  secret 
of  real  influence  over  others. 

5.  The  labour  he  hestoiced  on  the  preparation  of  his  Sermons 
must  by  all  means  be  noticed.  Few  cost  him  less  than  twelve 
hours  of  study — many  twice  that  time :  and  some  several 
days.     He  once  told  the  writer  that  he  had  recomposed  the 


842  RECOLLECTIONS    BY 

plan  of  one  discourse  nearly  tliirty  times.  He  gave  the 
utmost  attention  to  the  rules  for  the  composition  of  dis- 
courses. His  chief  source  of  thought  was  the  Holy  Bible 
itself,  on  which  he  meditated,  it  may  be  trvdy  said,  day  and 
night.  When  he  had  fixed  on  his  text,  he  endeavoured 
first  to  ascertain  the  simple,  obvious  meaning  of  the  words, 
which  he  frequently  reduced  to  a  categorical  proposition. 
He  then  aimed  at  catching  the  spirit  of  the  passage,  whe- 
ther consolatory,  alarming,  cautionary,  or  instructive.  After 
this,  his  object  was  to  give  the  full  scope  to  the  particular 
truth  before  him,  making  it  of  course  really  harmonious 
with  the  analogy  of  faith,  but  not  over  studious  to  display 
a  systematic  agreement.  In  Divine  Revelation,  he  con- 
sidered himself  too  ignorant  and  feeble  to  attempt  to  recon- 
cile to  his  finite  understanding  all  the  parts  of  a  redemption 
as  yet  only  in  part  developed.  '  I  am  like  a  man,'  he  used 
to  say,  '  swimming  in  the  Atlantic ;  and  I  have  no  fear  of 
striking  one  hand  against  Europe  and  the  other  against 
America.'  The  writer  of  these  lines  has  a  deep  conviction 
of  the  immense  importance  of  Ministers  studying  tho- 
roughly their  discourses,  in  order  to  abiding  usefulness. 
Original  composition  will  become  easy,  if  it  be  habitual. 
Better  the  feeblest  beginnings  in  one's  own  way,  than  the 
most  finished  sermons  of  others.  Nothing  is  to  be  done  with- 
out pains.  The  living  Minister,  and  messenger,  and  watch- 
man, and  steward  of  the  mysteries  of  Christ  is  dumb  and 
inifaithful,  if  he  transfer  to  others  what  he  is  by  all  the 
highest  obhgations  called  on  to  perform  himself — the  using 
all  means  for  touching  of  his  people's  hearts — for  awaken- 
ing of  the  dead  in  sin — consoling  of  the  penitent — directing 
the  enquirer— raising  the  fallen.  Nor  is  any  one  destitute 
of  the  means  of  engaging  the  attention  of  others,  if  he  will 
but  take  pains  early,  and  be  persevering  in  the  use  of  the 
natural  means  of  acquiring  the  faculty  of  teaching  with 
effect.  Every  man  can  be  plain,  and  intelligible,  and  in- 
teresting, when  his  owm  heart  is  engaged  on  other  subjects, 
and  why  not  in  religion  ? 

6.  Mr.  Simeon's  admirable  care  in  conciliating  the 
affectiomand  aiding  the  studies  of  the  young  men  at  the  Uni- 
tersity  had  again  a  large  share  in  the  remarkable  success 


THE    BISHOP    or    CALCUTTA.  843 

wliicli  attended   him.    In  every  part  of  the  kingdom  he 
had  children,  as  it  were,  in  the  Gospel,  who  had  derived 
benefit  from  his  unwearied  labours  during  a  long  life.    Mul- 
titudes had  first   been    led  to  serious  religion  under  his 
energetic  ministry,  or  had  been  awakened  to  greater  earnest- 
ness. These  recommended  others  when  going  into  residence, 
to  seek  his  acquaintance.    In  various  ways  did  lie  labour  for 
the  highest  welfare  of  all  Avho  were  thus  brought  within  his 
influence.    His  public  Ministry  was  directed  very  much  to 
their  edification— an  evening  party  each  week  was  known 
to  be  open  to  any  who  wished  for  his    counsel — and  he 
delivered,  twice  in  a  year,  a  course  of  lectures  upon  preach- 
ing   to    such  as   had  passed  the  earlier  division  of  their 
College  course.    Thus  he  drew  around  him  a  constant  suc- 
cession of  pious  youth,  whose  minds  he  imbued  witli  his  own 
sound  and  laborious  views  of  ]\Iinisterial  diligence.   The  last 
day  alone  will  reveal  the  aggregate  of  good  he  thus  accom- 
plished.    If  we  take  only  four  or  five  cases  now  before  the 
world — David  Brown — Henry  Martyn — John  Sargent — ■ 
Thomas  Thomason — and  Bishop  Corrie — we  may  judge  by 
them,  as  by  a  specimen,  of  the  hundreds  of  somewhat  similar 
ones  which  occurred  during  the  fifty-four  years  of  his  labours. 
There  was  an  energy  and  sincerity  in  his  manner,  which, 
as  he  himself  advanced  in  life,  gave  him  a  more  than  fatherly 
authority  over  the  young  men,  as  they  came  up  year  after 
year.     He  was  perpetually  engaged  in  finding  for  those  who 
were  of  age  for  Orders  suitable  Curacies.     He  proflfered  to 
others  Chaplaincies  in  India  when  he  conceived  their  cast 
of  mind  was  suitable.     He  watched  over  those  newly  or- 
dained, and  gave  the  most  valuable  suggestions,  as  to  voice, 
manner,  and  disposal  of  time.     In  another  respect,  also,  his 
influence  was  of  the  most  salutary  character.    He  urged  all 
his  young  friends  to  pursue  diligently  the  appropriate  studies 
of  the  University — he  protested  against  idleness  and  caprice 
and  disobedience  to  the  College  Tutor,  under  the  shallow 
pretence  of  following  more  spiritual  and  congenial  reading. 
The  consequence  was,  that  Mi\  Simeon  was  more  and  more 
respected  by  the  Senior  part  of  the  University— learning 
was  observed  not  to  be  incompatible  with  his  views  of  Scrip- 
tural piety — and  many  who  were  far  from  espousing  those 


844  RECOLLECTIONS    BY 

views  themselves,  were  yet  filled  Avltli  respect  for  his  con- 
sistent and  strikino-  character. 

7.  A  different  source,  but  a  most  copious  one,  of  legiti- 
mate influence  was  the  interest  he  took  in  the  great  Religious 
Societies  for  Diffusing  the  Knowledge  of  the  Gospel.  Besides 
the  old  and  venerable  institutions  in  our  Church,  he  was 
amongst  the  first  and  warmest  supporters  of  the  Church 
Missionary  Society,  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society, 
the  Jews'  Conversion  Society,  the  Prayer-Book  and  Homily 
Society,  and  others. 

To  the  Society,  however,  for  the  Conversion  of  the  Jews, 
Mr.  Simeon  was  pre-eminently  attached.  In  truth,  he  was 
almost  from  the  commencement  the  chief  stay  of  that  great 
cause.  The  simple  but  affecting  address  which  he  dictated 
on  his  dying  bed  on  this  subject  is  before  the  Avorld.  Some 
of  his  finest  Sermons  in  his  Hoi'cs  are  on  subjects  connected 
with  their  wonderful  history. 

His  unwearied  zeal  in  these  more  popular  institutions, 
united  with  his  academical  character  to  raise  his  general  in- 
fluence.  One  of  these  two  branches  of  labour  suffices  for 
most  men.  Indeed  excellence  in  one  commonly  unfits  for 
success  in  the  other.  But  such  was  the  energy  of  Mr. 
Simeon's  mind,  the  fervour  of  his  piety,  and  his  habits  of 
preparation,  that  he  excelled  almost  equally  in  both. 

8.  His  enlightened  and  firm  attachment  to  our  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  further  added,  in  a  degree  it  is  difficult  to 
measure,  to  his  weight  of  character  in  the  country.  Confi- 
dence never  follows  instability.  A  feeble  unsettled  man  is 
apt  to  be  betrayed  into  inconsistencies,  which  no  after  good 
conduct  can  redeem.  Mr.  Simeon  never  varied  throujrhout 
a  long  life,  in  ardent,  marked,  and  avowed  attachment  to  the 
doctrine  and  discipline  of  our  Apostolical  Church.  Indeed,  his 
own  Discourses  on  the  Liturgy,  and  the  whole  tenor  of  his 
Ministry  and  labours,  placed  his  judgment  on  these  questions 
out  of  all  doubt.  Nor  did  any  man  lament  or  oppose  more 
than  himself  the  novelties,  and  follies,  and  fanaticisms,  which 
sprung  up  during  the  period  of  his  INIinistry.  He  had  no 
reserve  on  these  occasions.  The  advocates  of  tongues  and 
miracles  and  voices,  and  of  the  personal  reign  of  our  Lord, 
found  no  support  in  him ;  any  more  than  the  high  Calvinism 


THE    BISHOP    OF    CALCUTTA.  845 

on  the  one  hand,  or  the  Armlnianism  on  the  other,  which 
at  different  times  threatened  divisions  in  the  Church.  The 
moderation  and  comprehension  of  the  Church  of  England 
was  his  joy — as  it  is  of  all  her  best  members.  A  thousand 
— ten  thousand  opinions  on  difficult  or  subordinate  questions 
are  all  equally  compatible  with  a  conscientious  obedience  to 
her  rules  of  discipline  and  form  of  sound  words.  Mr.  Simeon 
neither  verged  towards  the  great  error  of  over  magnifying 
the  Ecclesiastical  Polity  of  the  Church  and  placing  it  in  the 
stead  of  Christ  and  Salvation ;  nor  towards  the  opposite 
mistake  of  undervaluing  the  Sacraments  and  the  authority  of 
an  Apostolical  Episcopacy.  The  temptations  of  the  great 
adversary  are  directed  to  each  of  these  extremes  at  different 
times. 

Mr.  Simeon  pursued  through  all  changes  the  even  tenor 
of  his  way ;  and  it  is  truly  observed  by  Dr.  Dealtry  in  his 
*  Funeral  Discourse,'  that  if  from  any  ill-regulated  zeal,  or  a 
feeling  of  disappointment  at  the  want  of  countenance  from 
others,  he  had  been  induced  to  take  extravagant  steps,  or 
to  quit  the  Communion  of  the  Church,  he  never  would 
have  been  the  means  of  producing  anything  like  the  amount 
of  good,  or  of  doing  anything  like  so  much  toward  diffus- 
ing in  future  generations  the  light  of  holy  truth,  as  he  has 
now  done. 

9.  Another  point  may  here  be  noticed — His  manner 
of  bearing  opposition  as  it  arose,  and  his  victories  over^  himself 
throughout  life,  contributed  not  a  little  to  that  remarkable 
success  and  authority  which  he  at  length  acquired.  Tavo- 
thirds  perhaps  of  his  Ministry  were  passed  under  very  con- 
siderable discouragement.  Had  he  complained  loudly,  had 
he  resisted  peevishly,  had  he  deserted  his  post  of  duty  rashly, 
the  Church  and  the  world  could  have  been  but  little  benefited 
comparatively  by  his  labours.  But  he  endured  as  seeing 
Him  who  is  invisible.  He  meekly  bore  for  Christ's  sake  the 
cross  imposed  upon  him.  He  returned  good  for  evil.  He 
subdued  the  old  man  within  him.  He  looked  above  creatures 
and  instruments  to  the  hand  which  sent  them.  He  endea- 
voured to  folloAV  Apostles  and  Prophets  in  the  road  of  suf- 
fering, and  in  the  spirit  which  they  manifested.  What  was 
the  result?  His  character  and  influence  were  more  and  more 


846  EECOLLECTIONS    BY 

recognized.  Particular  opposition  died  away,  as  it  commonly 
does ;  but  the  spiritual  fruit  wliich  it  yields  remained.  Thus 
every  trial  contributed  to  his  solid  advance  and  growth  in 
grace.  Each  victory  over  himself  tended  to  his  own  puri- 
fication and  his  subsequent  success.  Vanity,  conceit,  self- 
dependence,  highness  of  countenance  (the  faults  of  the 
energetic  and  commanding)  were  thus  checked.  Consti- 
tutional failings  were  con-ected.  He  was  prepared  to  beai* 
aright  that  respect  wliich  was  to  follow  him  at  the  close  of 
life,  and  which  but  for  this  counterbalance  would  have 
marred  the  humility  and  simplicity  of  his  mind.  And  so, 
after  years  of  difficulty  and  coldness  andresistance,  he  bursts 
forth  into  the  full  influence  and  recognized  honour  of  the 
aged  servant  of  the  Lord  durinsf  the  closino-  twelve  or  fifteen 
3'ears.  His  previous  trials  have  now  their  blessed  effect ; — 
his  internal  habits  of  humility  are  now  put  to  their  appro- 
priate eftbrt.  He  goes  down  to  the  grave  full  of  honour, 
surrounded  by  the  disciples  whom  he  had  trained,  acknow- 
ledged as  a  true  son  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  well  as 
a  beloved  cliild  of  the  Lord  of  all,  and  regarded  as  a  just 
object  of  imitation  for  the  Ministers  of  each  succeeding  age. 
10.  And  the  result,  be  it  observed,  was,  that  by  these 
and  similar  causes,  that  is,  the  mere  force  of  et  angelical  truth 
and  holiness  thus  exhibited  during  fifty  or  sixty  years,  and  not 
hy  great  talents,  or  extraordinary  powers  of  judgment,  or  par- 
ticular attainments  in  academical  learning,  God  gave  him  this 
wide  and  blessed  influence  over  the  age  in  which  he  lived. 
So  far  from  being  the  man  whom  we  should  at  first  abstract- 
edly have  selected  for  the  delicate  and  difficult  post  of  an 
L^ulverslt  V,  we  should  have  perhaps  considered  him  peculiarly 
unfitted  for  it : — we  should  have  thought  him  too  energetic, 
too  fervent,  too  peculiar  in  his  habits,  too  bold,  too  incau- 
tious ;  and  we  should  have  preferred  some  refined,  and  ele- 
gant, and  accomplished  scholar,  some  person  of  mathematical 
feme,  some  ardent  student  of  philosophical  discovery.  And 
yet,  behold,  how  God  honours  simplicity  and  devotedness  of 
heart  in  His  servants — behold,  how  a  man  of  no  extraordinary 
endowments,  yet  occupying  with  his  talents,  consistent, 
moderate,  with  a  spirit  of  prayer,  laborious,  consulting  the 
good  of  the  young,  joining  in  all  pious  designs,  attached 


THE    BISHOP    OF    CALCUTTA.  847 

firmly  to  his  Church,  and  learning  in  the  school  of  painful 
discipline,  rises  above  obstacles,  is  stretched  beyond  his 
apparent  capabilities,  adapts  himself  to  a  situation  of  extreme 
difficulty,  acquires  the  faculty  of  meeting  its  demands,  and 
ends  by  compassing  infinitely  greater  good  than  a  less 
enero-etic  and  decisive  character,  however  talented,  would 
have  accomplished. 

To  have  been  free  from  a  thousand  peculiarities  and 
petty  fiiults  (which  no  one  pretends  to  conceal  in  the  case 
of  Mr.  Simeon)  w^ould  have  been  easy ;  but  to  rise  to  his 
height  of  love  to  Christ,  to  feel  his  compassion  for  souls,  to 
stand  boldly  and  courageously  forward  in  the  face  of  diffi- 
culty, to  live  down  misapprehensions,  to  be  a  burning  and 
a  shining  light  in  his  generation,  to  lift  up  a  standard  of 
truth  when  the  enemy  had  come  in  like  a  flood — this  was 
the  difficult  task — and  for  this  we  glorify  God  in  our  de- 
parted friend.     Nor  does  anything  more  clearly  show  the 
effect  of  grace — of  real,  solid,  interior  grace — in  his   cha- 
racter,  than  that   all   through  life  he  should   have  been 
uniting  the  natural  fervour  and  ardour  of  his  constitutional 
temperament,  in  his  manner  of  grasping  the  truth  of  the 
Gospel,  with  the  perpetual  check  and  correctives  which  we 
have  been  adverting  to.     Had  he  been  merely  fervent,  he 
would  have  fallen  into  some  plausible  errors,  or  have  been 
betrayed  into  some  breaches  of  ecclesiastical  order.     Had 
he,   on    the    contrary,    been    merely   prudent,    consistent, 
moderate,  &?.,  without  a  fundamental  warmth  of  mind,  he 
would  never  have  risen  to  be  a  liglit  of  the  Church.     The 
union  of  the  two  classes  of  qualifications — of  those  on  the 
side  of  energy  with   those  springing  from  wisdom,  made 
him  what  he  was ;  and  in  this  union  he  is  eminently  to  be 
regarded  as  an  object  of  imitation  by  the  Clergy  in  every 
part  of  the  world. 

The  mind  indeed  is  astonished  at  the  amount  of  this 
remarkable  man's  ultimate  usefulness.  As  a  Preacher,  he 
was  unquestionably  one  of  the  first  of  his  age — as  a  Divine, 
one  of  the  most  truly  scriptural — as  a  ^Resident  in  the 
University,  the  most  useful  person  beyond  all  doubt  which 
these  latter  times  have  known— as  a  Writer  he  began  early 
in  life,  and  accomplished,  after  forty  years'  perseverino- 


848     RECOLLECTIONS  OF  THE  REV.  CHARLES  SIMEON. 

labour,  a  most  extensive  and  valuable  collection  of  Dis- 
courses on  every  part  of  Scripture  for  the  guidance  of 
Divinity  Students — as  a  Churchman,  he  devoted  all  his 
property  to  perpetuate  in  numerous  populous  parishes  the 
selection  of  devoted  and  able  Ministers — as  a  Man  and  a 
Christian,  he  eminently  lived  to  the  glory,  and  died  in  the 
peace  of  Christ  his  Lord." 


lAvrjiJboveveTe  twv  '^jov^ivcov  v/Jbwv, 

OLTive^  iXakrjcrav  v[uv  rov  Xojov  rod  @eou' 

wv  ava$ecopovvTe<i  ttjv  eKJBaatv  rfj'i  avaarpoc^rji;, 

/xifielcrde  rrjv  Tricrriv. 

IH20YS  XPI2T02, 

X0E2  KAI  2HMEPON  O  ATT02,  KAI  EI2  T0T2  AlflNAS. 

Heb.  xiii,  7,  8. 


THE   END. 


R.    CI.AT,    PRINTER,    BREAD   STRF.ET    HILL,    LONDON. 


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y^f