Memoir, 1800–1807

Bxppf hoan at Sliellbid — Straw Maniifitctoiy at Stapleibri — Letter from Bishop Bowetm — Mt. Sowerby becomes Curate of Trinity Church — His early death — Unexpected Imcy — Publication of ‘Helps to Composition* — The preface — Conversation with Wesley — Letters to a Young Clergyman — Mr. Simeonli infirmity of biifflbl0 acknowledgment of it — Henry Martyn — Mr. Simeon enga him as his Curate — Heniy Kirke White — Mr. Thomaaon proposes to be a Miasioaaxy — Letters to his Mother — To Mr. Vennr-To Mr. Edwards — And to Mr. Thomason.

1800 — 1807.

“Do y«u remember a very pleasant spot,” writes Mr. Thomason to his mother, where there are two bridges, and you have a sweet view on both sides 7 Close to that spot is our mansion; the walks extend down to the river. A more beautiful place I never saw: it is the garden of Cambridgeshire. When I look around me, it seems a dream: I csn scarcely persuade myself it belongs to me. If you think of me between the hours of twelve and two, you may imagine me walking in the shrubbery with my little Hebrew Bible in my hand. Should the sun be very hot, depend upon it, I have taken my seat under the shade of a thick chestnut: there I endeavor to collect my thoughts and stir myself up to dilijgent improvement and application of the Word of God. But alas I I find it easier to admire the landscape around me, than to raise my heart to Him who made it; easier to thank Him for the walks and gardens, than to besiege a throne of grace for spiritual blessings: yet these are what I earnestly long for, and without which my soul cannot be satisfied. Mr. Simeon has a room on the ground-floor, which opens into a delightful pleasure-garden, surrounded by a wall, where he can walk privately, in which he so much delights. One door of his room opens into mv study, so that we are as near each other as possible. His friendship I must name amongst my chief blessings; he is more and more dear to us, as indeed he ought to be; his kindness to us is wonderful. It quite overpowers me when I think of it I hope we shall provoke one another more and more to abound in the work of the Lord. O how short is time I I am sure there is no time for idleness: would to God that the preciousness of each passing hour might be more deeply impressed upon mv mind.**

Such incidentally is the view we ootain, during the summer of 1800, of the retired hours of these endeared friends. The pui*e and peaceful enjoyments of their lovely retreat at Shelford not

100 HAPPY HOUI0 8P£NT AT SHBLFOIO. [OHAP. TUI.

ODiy deepened and matured their mutual esteem and love, but prepared Uiem for the more vifforous dischar of their sacred labors. Neither of them, indeed, was at all inclmed to be ’ slothful in busmess;’ but by this refreshing and hallowed intercourse they became ’ fellow-helpers to the truth,’ and encouraged each other to be yet more * fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, From this home of peace and holy meditation Mr. Simeon could easily accompany his friend, in their pastoral visits to the adjacent village of Stapleford; and here amongst the cottages of the poor he so<hi found another field for the exercise of his benevolence. Whilst devoting his first and best efiforts to advance their spiritual good, he was not slow to promote, as far as he had the power, their temporal welfare. For the employment of a large number of those, who had no certain means of support, he established, at his own expense, a manufactory for the plaiting of straw. The design prospered beyond his expectation, and produced the most benencial results both in the comforts and habits of those employed. Nor were’ these effects transient; the late Bishop of Lichfield,* some time after Mr. Simeon’s death, in abetter to the Editor, describes the happy results of Mr. Simeon’s various ’ labors of love’ as still to be witnessed. ‘^ Whilst at Stapleford to-day,” he writes, “I heard some interesting anecdotes of the late Mr. Simeon, which may not, perhaps, be altogether unworthy the notice of his biopher. Wnen Mr. S. was curate there, he formed a society, chiefly amongst the poorer classes, which met together at stated times for prayer; and a remnant of this society still exists, and holds its meetings with the wonted regularity; and I believe these meetings are conducted with the utmost sobriety, and with the greatest benefit to the parties. Mr. Simeon also introduced the plaiting of straw at Stapleford, a species of industry which still exists there, and which has contributed greatly to the welfare and comfort of the poor. But, perhaps, these circumstances are already well known to you. To me, however, the latter circumstance presents Mr. Simeon’s character in a new point of view, and tends to exalt the high opinion I had previously. entertained of his sagacity and prudence. Those of the poor, who were of Mr. Simeon’s flock, dwell with great delight, 1 am told, on the recollections of his ministry amongst them. Such incidents as these, referring as they do to the simple annals of the poor, may excite a touching and beneficial interest even amidst the records of greater and more splendid, but not necessarily more enduring labors and achievements.”

About this period Mr. Simeon had the happiness of obtaining the friendship, and for a short season the services, of a very distinguished member of the University — the Rev. Thomas Sowerby tutor of Queen’s College.t He was a man of no common intel-

Dr. Bowttead, Ibnneri j fisUow and tator of Cormu Chruti CoUcge, Cuntoidgft. t Fonneilj of Trinikj; after hii degree elected fellow of Qoeen’e.

CBAF. Vm.] MR. 80WBBBT HIS PREJUDICES. 101

lectual powers, having, two years previously obtained the highest mathematical honor as senior wrangler. Such, however, had been his prejudice against Mr. Simeon and the doctrine he taught, that only a few months before he took his degree, he would have deemed it an offence, amounting ’ almost to an insult,’ if any one had ventured to affirm he would ata future period officiate in Trinity Church. But these unworthy feelings tiad happily begun to yield to convictions, which for some time had been at work in his mind, in consequence of a sermon he had been led to hear in that church. On one occasion,” observes Mr. Sargent, he did venture within its walls, and returning with a conscience in some degree roused, and with a mind at once reflecting and resisting, he met providentially with a friend, who, with combined ability, discretion, affection, and eventual success, combated his objections. *He called upon me one Sunday evening,’ this friend relates, a few weeks before his degree, and began to tell me of a sermon which he had heard at Mr. Simeon’s where he had gone chiefly from curiosity. I assured him that he had ’ misunderstood Mr. Simeon — that his report was altogether incorrect — that it arose from his never having considered the subject at all. This led to a long discussion, dunng which he became very calm ana serious, and much interested: we went down to supper in the hall, continuing our conversation, but so much were we engaged in it we stopped in the court, (I could point out the very place,) and were so deep in discussion that we lost our suppers: the result was, that I undertook to produce a series of scriptural passages, which should show what Mr. Simeon did mean, and which would prove that he was right.’ In two or three davs I did so, and in two or, three days mot-e he told me, he had been much struck by our conversation, and by the passages which I had put into his hand; that this was a subject which demanded thoughtful inquiry; that he had not then leisure, as degree time was just upon him, but that he would examine the Scriptures carefully after his degree. He went into Cumberland in the summer, and at length came a letter telling me that he saw his error, and that the doctrine of Mr. Simeon was the truth of God’s word.’ Short was that course on which Mr. Sowerby, in conjunction with Mr. Thomason, now entered. The hidden and inextinguishable sparks of consumption were burning within; and that disease, after no very long delay, manifested itself; proving to be an angel charged to introduce the Christian sufferer to a state of being for which his meetness was most clear; for who loved more unfeignedly than he? — who, whilst he was able, preached more faithfully those truths, which tend to ’ humble the sinner, to exalt the Saviour, and to promote holiness V So soon did Mr. Sowerby sink, that when Mr. Thomason was hastening to his final destination, that friend, who had been instrumental in leading him into the way of peace, witnessed

102 UirBXTBCTSD LSGACT. [cBAP. Till.

the proof of that peace on the bed of languishing, and in a dying hour, and found that indeed it passed all understanding.**

Among many incidents of lighter moment, which from time to time arose to encounue Mr. Simeon amidst much opposition and trials, perhaps the following is not unworthy of being recorded. He had recently endured considerable loss on account of his self-denying benevolence, when very unexpectedly he received, from an unknown hand, this somewhat remarkable token of confidence and respect

Cambridge, Oct % 1800.

As one of the executors of the late Mr. it is my duty

to inform you that he has by his will left you a legacy oi eight hundred pounds, in the words mentioned on the other side; and the further sum of one hundred pounds for your trouble in the disposition thereof.”

Upon the front of this letter Mr. Simeon has written: — I had about a year before suffered great loss in my fortune (no matter how) for doinfi good with my money. Here a man, lohom I never saw J left me xSk) to do good with, and’ no responsibility in accountingifor it No one needs to tell me whence this came,**

In the course of the following year Mr. Simeon completed the design, he had before announced, of adding another series of skeletons to the former, volume. These amounting in number to five hundred, were published in two large volumes, and arranged systematically under the following heads: — types — prophecies — parables — miracles — -warnings — exhortationspfomises — examples. The first volume being reprinted uniformly with these two, the whole work was now designated * Helps to Composition;* and was introduced to the public by a very important doctrinal preface, in which Mr. S. states his object to be ’ freely and witnoutreserve’ to express his sentiments upon the great controversy of those times, being ’ exceedingly desirous to counteract that spirit of animosity, which had so greatly prevailed against those who adhere to the principles of the Established Church.’ The statements contained in that preface Mr. Simeon deemed so important iat least in this point of view) that in his ‘Answer to Dr. Marsh’s nquiry, respecting the neglecting to give the Prayer-book with the Bible,’ (published in 1812,) he introduces nearly the whole of these remarks, that his readers might * know how far these sentiments are repucnant to the Articles of the Liturgy of the Church of England.’ And he observes further, * that this part of the preface was originally written on purpose to prevent even a possibility of misrepresentation on the part of those who are so forward to designate their brethem by injurious and obnoxious appellations.* On the margin of his own copy Mr. S. has written: * The reader is requested to bear in mind that the extract could not possibly have been shortened without mutilating the subject, which is of

OHAP. VIII.] THB CALVIMI8TIC OONTKOYBIBT. lOt

extreme importance both in itsel£ and in reference to Dr. M.’8 pamphlet. The Author hopes that this will plead his excuse for the length of the extract’ As Mr. Simeon continued to attach ‘extreme importance’ to this preface to the end of his life, and always referred to it as the best exposition of his views on the Calvinistic Controversy, it is here given entire.

‘’In the discussion of so man subjects, it cannot fail but that every doctrine of our holy religion must be more or less canvassed. On every point the Author has spoken freely and without reserve. As for names and parties in religion, he equally disclaims them all; he takes his religion from the Bible; and endeavors, as much as possible, to spesik as that speaks.* Hence, as in the Scriptures themselves, so also in this work, there will be found sentiments, not really opposite, but apparently of an opposite tendency, according to the subject that is under discussion. In writing, for instance, on John v. 40, * Ye will not come to me that ye might have life, he does not hesitate to lay the whole blame of men’s condemnation on the obstinacy of their own depraved will: nor does he think it at all necessary to weaken the subject by nice distinctions, in order to support a system. On the contrary, when he preaches on John vi. 44, * No man can come unto me, except the Father who hath sent me draw him* he does not scruple to state in the fullest manner he is able, ‘That we have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us that we may have a good will, and working with us when we have that good will;’t nor does he judge it expedient on any account to soften, and palliate, and fritter away this important truth. While too many set these passages at variance, ana espouse the one in opposition to the other, he dwells with equal pleasure on them both; and thinks it, on the whole, better to state these apparently opposite truths in the plain and unsophisticated manner of the Scriptures, than to enter into scholastic subtleties, that have been invented for the upholding of human systems. He is aware, that they who are warm advocates for this or that system of religion, will be ready to condemn him as inconsistent: but, if he speak in exact conformity with the Scriptures, he shall rest the vindication of his conduct simply on the authority and example of the inspired writers. He has no desire to be wise above what is written, nor any conceit that hb

* **If in anythioe he grounded hie eentimente upon Inanan authority, it would not lie on the dogmu of Calvin or Arminius, hut on the Articles and Homiliee of the Church England. He has the happiness to say, that he does ex animoy from his inmost soul, believe the doctrines to which he has sufaiscribed: but the reason of his beliering them is not, that they are made the Creed of the Established Chmch, but, that ha finds thflOfnwfiiftsHy contained in the Sacred Ofsdes.

t The Tenth Article.

104 THK OALYTKISTIC CONTROYBRflT. [cHAP. Till.

can teach the apostles to speak with more propriety and correctness than they nave spoken.

It may be asked perhaps, How do you reconcile these doctrines, which you believe to be of equal authority and equal importance? But what right has any man to impose this task on the preachers of God’s word? God has not required it of them; nor is the ti-uth or falsehood of any doctrine to be determined absolutely by this criterion. It is presumed, that every one will acknowledge the holiness of God, and the existence of sin; but will any one undertake to reconcile them? or does any one consider the inability of man to reconcile them, as a sufficient ground for denying either the one or the other of these truths? If then neither of these points are doubted, notwithstanding they cannot be reconciled by us, why should other points, equally obvious in some respects, yet equally difficult to be reconciled in others, be incompatible, merely because we, with our limited capacity, cannot perfectly discern their harmony and agreement?

“but perhaps these points, which have been such a fruitful source ot contention in the Church, are not so opposite to each other as some imagine: and it is possible that the truly Scriptural statement will be found, not in an exclusive adoption of either, nor yet in a confused mixture of both, but in the proper and seasonable application of them both; or, to use the language of St. Paul, in rightly dividing the word of truth.’

‘’Here the Author desires to speak with trembling. He is aware that he is treading upon slippery ground; and that he has but little prospect of satisfying any who have decidedly ranged themselves under the standard either of Calvin or Arminius. But he wishes to be understood: he is not solicitous to bring any man to pronounce his Shibboleth; much less has he any design to maintain a controversy in support of it: he merely offers an apology for the sentiments contained in his publication, and, with much deference, submits to the public his views of Scripture truth: and, whether they be perfectly approved or not, this he hopes to gain from all parties, a favorable acceptance of what they do approve, and a candid forbearance in the points they disapprove.

This being premised, he will proceed to state the manner in which these apparently opposite tenets may, in his judgment, be profitably insisted on.

It is supposed by many, that the doctrines of grace are incompatible with the doctrine of man’s free-will; and that therefore the one or the other must be false. But why so? Can any man doubt one moment whether he be a free agent or not? he may as well doubt his own existence. On the other hand, will any man «who has the smallest spark of humility aflirm, that he has ’ made himself to differ; and that he has something which he has not

CIBAF. VIU.] THE CALVINI8TIC CONTROVERSY. 105

received’ from a superior power ?* Will any one refuse to say with thf apostle, ‘By the grace of God I am what I am?’t

Again; as men differ with respect to the first beginnings of a work of grace, so do they also with respect to the manner in which it must be carried on; some affirming, that God has engaged to * perfect that which concerneth us;* and others, that even St. Paul had reason to fearMest he himself should become a castaway, But why should these things be deemed incompatible 1% Does not every man feel within himself a liableness, yea, a proneness to fall 7 Does not every man feel, that there is corruption enough within him to drive him to the commission of the greatest enormities, and eternally to destroy his soul? He can have but little knowledge of his own heart who will deny this. On the other hand, who mat is holding on in the ways of righteousness, does not daily ascribe his steadfastness to the influence of that grace, which he receives from God; and look daily to God for more grace, in order that he may be kept by his power through faith unto salvation?’§ No man can in any measure resemble the Scripture saints, unless he be of this disposition. Why then must these things be put in opposition to each other, so that every advocate for one of these points must of necessity controvert and explode the other? Only let any pious person, whether Calvinist or Arminian, examine the language of his prayers after he has been devoutly pouring out his soul before God, and he will find his own words almost in perfect cojQsonance with the foregoing statement. The’ Calvinist will be confessing the extreme depravity of his nature, together with his liability and proneness to fail; and the Arminian will be glorifying God K>r all that IS ^ood within him, and will commit his soul to God, in order that * He who has laid the foundation of his own spiritual temple, may also finish it.’||

1 Cor. W. 7. t 1 Cor. xv. 10.

I “Benhftdad might have recovered from his diaeaee, though God hkd decreed that by Hiaaei*8 device, he ahoald die of it; (2 Kings vUi. 10.) So we may (for aught that there is in as) die in oar sins, though Qod has decreed that he will save us firom death. In both cases the decree of God stands; but the possibility of the event, aa considered in itaelff remains unaltered. Neither our liableness to perish prevents the execution of God’s decree; nor does his decree alter our liableness (m oureelvee) to perish.”

f I Pet i. 5.

II Zech. iv. 9. — “A circumstance within the Author’s knowledge reflects so moch light upon this subject, that he trusts he shall be pardoned for relating it

‘* A young minister, about three or four years after he was oraained, had an opportunity of conversing fiuniliarly with the great and venerable leader of the Arminians in this kingdom; aiM, vrishing to improve the occasion to the uttermost, he addressed him neariy in the following woras: * Sir, I understand that you are called an Arminian; and 1 have been sometimes called a Calvinist; and therefore I suppose we are to draw daggers. But before I consent to begin the combat, with your permission Twill ask you a few questions, not firom impertinent curiosity, but for real instruction.’ Permission being verr readily and kindly granted, the young minister proceeded to ask, ‘Pray, sir, do you feel yourself a depraved creature, so depraved, that you would never have thought of tormng unto God, if God had not first put it into your heart. V — * Yes,’ says the veteran, ‘I do indeed.’ — * And do you utterly despair of recommending yoarself to God by anything that yoa can do; and look for salvation solely through &e bkxxi and lighteooiiiess

106 THB OALVimSTlC CONTKOTBBST. [oBiLP. TOT.

Doubtless either of these points may be injudicioasly stated, or improperly applied. If the doctrines of Election and Predestination be so stated as to destroy man’s free agency, and make him merely passive in the work of salvation, they are not stated as they are in the Articles and Homilies of our Church, or as they are in the Holy Scriptures. On the other hand, if the doctrines of free-will aod liableness to final apostasy be so stated as to rob Grod of his honor, and to deny that he is both ’ the ^tt/Aor and* the jFVn« is her of our faith,’ they are equally abhorrent from the senti* ments of our Established Church, and from the plainest declarations of Holy Writ

The Author humbly apprehends, that there is a perfect agreement between these different points; and they are equally sdutary or equally pernicious, according as they are properly or improperly applied. If, for instance, on bearing a person excuse his own supineness by saying, ‘I can do nothing, unless God give me his grace;’ we should reply, * This is true; it is God who alone can give you either to will or to do’ — what would be the consequence? we should confirm him in his sloth, and encourage him to cast all the blame of his condemnation upon God himself. But if we should bring before him the apparently opposite truths, and bid him .arise and call upon God; we should take the way to convince him, that the fault was utterly his own, and that his destruction would be the consequence, not of God’s decrees, but of his own inveterate love of sin.

‘’Let us suppose, on the other hand, that a person, having ’ tasted the good word of life,’ begin to boast, that he has made himself to diner, and that his superiority to others is the mere result of his own iree-will: if, in answer to him, we should immediately descant on our freedom to do good or evil, and on the powers with which God has endued us for the preservation ol our souls, we should foster the pride of his heart, and encourage him, contrary to an express command, to glory before God :* whereas, if we should remind him, that ’ by the grace of God we are what we are,’ and that all must say, Not unto us, O Lord, not

of Christ T — * Yes, solely through Christ’ — ‘But, sir, supposing you were at first saved by Christ, are you notsomehow or other to save yourself afterwards by your own worksl* — ‘No; I must be saved by Christ from first to last’ — ‘Allowing then that you were first turned by the grace of Ghxl, are you not in some way or other to keep yourself by your own power V — ‘No.* — * What then, are you to be upheld every hour and every moment byOod, as much as an infant in its mother’s armsV — ‘Yes; altogether.’ — ‘And is all your hope in the mce and mercy of God to preserve you unto his heavenly kingdom 1’ — * Yes; I have no hope but in him.’ — * Then, sir, with your leave, I will put up my dsgger again; for this is all my Calvinism; this ii my election, my justification by fiutfa, my linal perMverance: it is, in substance, all that I hold, and as I hold it: and therefore,, u you please, instead of searching out terms and phrases to be a ground of contention between us, we will cordially unite in those thmgs wherein we agree.

“The Arminian leader vras so pleased with the conversation, that he mftde paitioilar mention of it in his journals; ana notwithstanding there never afterwaids vras nny connection between the parties, he retained an unieigned regard fyt his young inquirer to the hour of his death.”

1 Cor. L 29. Rom. iii 27

OHAP* Vni.] THB CALiniflSTIC OONTROYKBBT. 10^

unto us, but unto thy name be the praise, we should lower his overweening conduit of his own goodness, and lead him to acknowledge his obligations to God.

*’ Let us illustrate the same in reference to the two other doctrmes we mentioned, namely, the perseverance of the saints, and our liableness, in ourselves, to make shipwreck of the faith, Suppose a person say, 4 need not be careful about my conduct;’ for ‘God has begun the good work within me, and has engaged to perform it till the day of Christ:’ if we were to begin extolling the covenant of grace, and setting forth the truth of God in his

Eromises, we should countenance his error at the very time that e was turning the grace of God into licentiousness. But if we should warn him against the danger of being given over to a rep rebate mind, and of perishing under an accumulated load of guilt, we should counteract his sinful disposition, and stimulate hmi to flee from the wrath to come*.

‘’On the other hand, if a humble person should be drooping and desponding under a sense of his own corruptions, and we should spread before him all our difficulties and dangers, we should altogether ’ break the*bruised reed, and quench the smoking flax:’ but if we should point out to him the fulness and stability of God’s covenant; if we should enlarge upon the interest which Christ takes in his people, and his engagements that ’ none shall ever pluck them out of his hand;’* it is obvious, that we should admin* ister a cordial to his fainting spirit, or (as God requires of us) we should ’ strengthen the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees, and comfort the fearful heart.’

“These sentiments may perhaps receive some confirmation from the conduct of the Apostle Paul. In administering the word, be consulted the state of his auditors, and apportioned to them either ’ milk or strong meat,’ according to their ability to digest and improve itf In reference to this we may say, that the doctrines of human liberty, and human frailty, together with the other first principles of Christianity, are as milk, which those who are yet ’ babes in Christ,’ must have set before them: but that the doctrines of grace, or ’ the deep things of God,’ are rather as strong meat, which none can digest, unless they have grown to some stature’ in the family of Christ, and ‘had their spiritual senses long exercised in discerning good and evil;’;]; and that, as strong meat, which would nourish an adult, would destroy the life of an infant; and milk that would nourish an infant, would be inadequate to the support of a man oppressed with hard labor; so it is with respect to the points which we have been considering. Or, if we may be permitted a little to vary this illustration, the one sort of truths are as food proper to be aiministered to all; whereas the other are rather as cordials for the support and comfort of those who need them. John z. 97, 28. tl Cor. 01 1,9. |HdiY.19 — 14

IW THB CALVINISTfC COIVTROVBEST. [cHAP. VIIL

In a word, there seems to be a perfect correspondence between God’s works of providence and grace: in the former, * he worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will,’ yet leaves men perfectly free agents in all that they do; so in the latter, he accomplishes his own eternal purpose both in caHing, and in keeping, his elect; but yet he never puts upon them any constraint, which is not perfectly compatible with the freest opera* tions of their own will.

The Author well knows that these doctrines may be, and alas! too often are so stated as to be really contradictory. But that they may be so stated as to be profitable to the souls of men, he hopes is clear from the illustrations that have been just given.*

*’ He trusts he shall be pardoned if he go yet further, and say, that in his judgment, there not only is no positive contradiction in this statement, but that there is a propriety in it, yea, moreover, a necessity for it, because there is a subserviency in these truths, the one to the other, God elects us; but he carries his purpose into effect by the free agency of man, which is altogether influenced by rational considerations. So also fee carries on and completes his work in bur souls, by causing us to feel our proneness to’ apostatize, and by making us cry to him daily for the more effectual influences of his grace. Thus, while he consults his own glory, he promotes our greatest good, in that he teaches us to combine humility with earnestness, and vigilance with composure.

The Author would not have troubled the reader with this apology, were it not that he is exceedindy desirous to counteract that spirit of animosity, which has of late so greatly prevailed against those who adhere to the principles of the Established Church. Not that he has himself any cause to complain: on the contrary, he has reason to acknowledge, that his former volume met with a far more favorable reception from the public than he ever dared to expect But he would wish his work to be brought to this test — Does it uniformly tend

“TO HUMBLE THE SINNER T
“to exalt the SAVIOUR?

“TO promote holiness?” ‘’ If in one single instance it lose sight of any of these points, let it be condemned without mercy.f jBut, if it invariably pursue

“Many have carried their attachment to syBtem so far, that they coold not endure to preach upon any paaaaffe of Scripture that seemed to oppoae their &vorite aentimentB; or, if they did, their whole endeavor has been to make the text apeak a different langua from that which it ap[>eared to do. In opposition to all such modes of procedure, it is the Author’s wish in this preface to recommend a conformity to the Scriptures tbemseives without any solicitude about systems of man’s invention. Nor would anything undar heaven be more grateful to him than to see names and parties buried in eternal oblivion, and primitive simplicity restored to the Church.”

t “By this expression the Author means, that such is his abhorrence of every principle whkh mililates against any one of the points referred to, thst he conceives it aLoaoat impossible that a woitf should fidl fiom his pen, which, if candidly interpreted, can be justly said to oonlndict them.”

CaAP. TUI.] AFFECTIONATE ADVICE TO A TOUNO MINISTEE. 109

these ends, then let not any, whatever system they embrace, quarrel with an expression that does not quite accord with their views. Let them consider the general scope and tendency of the book: and, if it be, as he trusts it is, not to strengthen a party in the Church, but to promote the good of the whole; then let smaller differences of sentiment be overlooked, and all unite in vindicating the great doctrines of Salvation by Grace through Faith in Christ.”

The two following letters, though of an earlier date, are introduced here to illustrate the character of the private advice Mr. Simeon was accustomed to give to his younger brethren in the ministry, and to exhibit the affectionate interest with which he never ceased to regard them in their various spheres of labor and trial.

I greatly desire to hear from you; what reception you have met with? What trials you find T How you are enabled to withstand them? What is the frame of your mind? and whether, while you are ’ in weakness and fear and much tremblinc,’ you still fiod your soul increasingly strengthened to war a good warfare f for till I hear from you, I do not know what in particular to say to you: I can only speak in general terms. Doubtless, I may judge in some measure of the feelings of your heart by what I have so often felt in my own: that sometimes you seem determined to live for God, and for him only: that at other times, through the influence of outward temptations or inward corruptions, you seem to halt: and thus that you are maintaining a daily conflict. But if my dear friend will open his mind freely and fully, I will endeavor, with God’s permission, to do the same on my part. Many ^fiectionate inquiries are made after you by your friends at Cambridge, and I may add, many earnest pi*ayers are poured out for you before God. You too, no doubt, are often remembering us at the throne of grace: and Oh! that God may answer our mutual intercessions by pouring out upon us all a more abundant supply of race and peace. All here desire their Christian love to you, and greatly long to hear of your advancement in the divine life.

“My dear friend, walk close with God: it is the only way to be either safe or happy: live retired — read much — pray much — abound in all oflices of love — shun the company that may draw you aside — seek the company of those from whom you may receive edification in your soul — be dying daily to the world — consider yourself as a soldier that is not to be ’ entangled with the things of this life, in order that you may please Him who hath chosen you to be a soldier:’ finally, ’ be faithful unto death, and Christ will give thee a crown of life.’ no AFFSCTIONATE ADVICE TO A YOUNG MI1VI8TEE. [cHAP. VIH.

We have truly been partakers both of your joys and sorroves; nor have Mr. Lloyd or Mr. Ramsden been at all backward to sympathize with their much-esteemed friend. Often do we all talk of you, and bear you on our minds at the throne of grace; and often are we comforted in the thought, that you are helping us forward by your prayers for us. Your dimculties are only such as might be expected, at your first coming to a town where you have been so long known. It is natural to suppose that they, who remembered you gay, would still wish you to participate their pleasures; nor will their hopes of keeping you in their shackles be diminished by anything you say from the pulpit; they have been so long used to see an opposition between the precepts and the practice of ministers, that they do not even consider a worldly pleasurable life as inconsistent with our profession. But, blessed be God that you have been enabled in some good measure to withstand their solicitations: your taking of a decided part at first will keep you from a multitude of snares; and your zeal in establishing family prayer will assuredly bring down the divine blessing upon your soul. Only see in how glorious a manner God displayed his love to Abraham, and the reason he assigned for so doing. Gen. xviii. 17, 19: this surely may encourage you to proceed. Reproach, indeed, will be the return which your zeal will meet with from your friends; but, one who did not speak at random, has said that he * esteemed the reproach of Christ as greater riches than all the treasures in Egypt* Such too will you find it, if you can only take up the Cross. It is our great aversion to the Cross that makes it burdensome: when we nave learned to glory in it, we have found the philosopher’s stone. When we are enabled to say’ with Paul, ‘most gladly will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me; therefore / take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake;’ when, I say, we are like-minded with Paul in this respect, we have learned to explain a more difiicult riddle than ever oamson’s was. But, till we have been taught this lesson, nothing can be done to any good purpose; we shall neither save ourselves nor them that hear us. It is remarkable that our Lord has laid this as the threshold, which we must pass, in order to follow him one sinffle step; ’ if any man will be my disciple, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me;’ and again, ’ he that saveth his life shall lose it:’ and again, ’ he that hateth not father, &c. &c. And shall this appear* unreasonable or hard? surely not; see with what he prefaced this observation: (Matt. xvL 21 — ^23.) ‘From that time forth beffan Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suflTer many things of the elders and chief priests, and scribes, and be .killed,’ &c. It is with this view that the Evangelist tells us in v. 24: ‘Then said Jesus unto his disciples. If any man will come after

OBAF. Vni.] AFFECTIONATB ADVICE TO A TOUNG MINI8TEB. Ill

me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.* Let us therefore be followers of Christ, and * not of the world, even as He was not of the world.’ His example alone were enough to animate; but we have more, incomparably more. All our hopes of salvation are founded, if I may so say, on this: all our prospects of usefulness in the ministry depend on this: all the comfort of our souls in this life is intimately connected with this: that is to say, we cannot hope to enjoy present or future happiness ourselves, or to bring others to happiness, unless we give ourselves wholly to these things, and ’ study to approve ourselves unto God as workmen that need not to be ashamed.’ But on the contrary, if we be faithful stewards, and good soldiers of Jesus Christ: what may we not expect 7 what peace shall we possess, even the peace that passeth all understanding! what blessings shall we communicate, even such as are of more value than ten thousand worlds I and what glory shall we inherit in the day when it shall be said, ‘Thou hast been faithful in a few things, be thou ruler over many things!’ But the grand comfort of all is, that our God shall be glorified in us; and that He who shed his blood for us, shall by our means see of the travail of his soul. Well, my dear brother, go oh; faint not, neither be weary; for in due season thou shalt reap if thou faint not. Christ has promised m grace sufficient for us: let us therefore wait upon Him, and we shall renew our strength, and mount up with wings, as eagles; we shall run and not be weary, we shall march onward and not faint’ Mr. Lloyd and myself are at present rather in trying circumstances, being under the necessity of opposing the wishes of the Erovost and the whole college: you will remember us therefore efore our common Father, who, I doubt not, will carry us

through I should have been glad to have met you at

Mr. Venn’s; but as I can only make one visit, I think it nest to go there in the spring; especially as I understand you are under the necessity of coming to college soon for a few days: it will give me most unfeigned pleasure to see you, and to converse with you, about these glorious subjects, which are to be our meditation and our delight to all eternity. That they may be daily more and more precious to your soul, is the ardent wish and continual prayer of your most affectionate friend, C. Simeon.”

It is of great importance that the infirmities of eminent servants of God should ever be faithfully recorded; in order that we may ieam what trials and conflicts they had to endure, and hov they gained * power and strenh to have victory against the devil, the world, and the flesh.’ Thus shall we be the more led to magnify God for his grace bestowed upbn them, and at the same time derive comfort and hope for ourselves, when endeavoring to subdue our own besetting sins. Amongst other infirmities, acknowledged

112 INFIRMITY OF TEMPER. [cHAP. Vm.

already at the commencement of this memoir, it may be observed that Mr. Simeon was much tried at times by a certain irritability of temper, which was doubtless not a little aggravated by occasional attslcks of the gout. No one however could be more sensi* ble of the evil than he was himself; and never was any one more ready to confess and deplore his failings. Occlisionally these outbreaks would almost provoke a smile, from the nature of the incidents out of which they arose. The following is an instance exemplifying these traits of character. Mr. Edwards in a letter to the editor describes the scene as he witnessed it ‘’ You know how particular our friend was about stirring the fire; and there was another greater infirmity of his, of speaking at times, as if he were very angry, about mere trifles. We were one day sitting at dinner at Mr. Hankinson’s, when a servant behind him stirred the fire, in a way so unscientific that Mr. S. turned round and hit the man a thump on the back, to stay his proceedings. When he was leaving me, on horseback, after the same visit, my servant had put the wrong bridle upon his horse. He was in a hun-y to be gone, and his temper broke out so violently, that I ventured to give him a little humorous’castigation. His cloak-bag was to follow him by coach; so I feigned a letter in my servant’s name, saying, how high his character stood in the kitchen; but that they could not understand, how a gentleman, who preached and prayed so well, should be in such passions about nothing, and wear no bridle upon his own tongue. This I signed * John Softly,* and deposited it in his cloak-bag. The hoax so far succeeded, that at first he scarcely discovered it; but it afterwards produced these two characteristic notes.**

The first is to * John Softly:’ —

<<Aprill2, 1804.

“I most cordially thank you, my dear friend, for your kind and seasonable reproof. I feel it to be both just and necessary: and will endeavor with God’s help to make a suitable improvement of it. If it do not produce its proper eflfects, I shall be exceedingly thankful to have a second edition of it. I trust your ’ precious balm will not break my head;’ but I hope it will soften the spirit of your much indebted friend,

“Chas. Proud and Irritable.”

The second is to Mr. Edwards: —

My very dear Friend and Brother, —

“You have no occasion to think of apologies: for I have day and night thanked God for you, and prayed for blessings on your head, and watched and prayed against my besetting sin, or rather, against one out of a thousand of my besetting sins. I know and feel that I am extremely blamable on the side you referred to; but in spite of all my wishes and endeavors, if I am not much

CBAF. VUI.] HI8 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF IT. 118

upon my guard, I fall again and again into the same sins. iVohirow expeUas fared tamen usque recurret. If I could but put gratid instead of furcd I would knock his adage on the head. I hope, my dearest brother, that when you find your soul nigh to God, you will remember one who so greatly needs all the hem he

tXm get Our poor brother, Mr. Crowder, had his

funeral’ sermon preached last night. The church was as full as it would hold: and I hope God was in the midst of us. On the day you receive this, (for I am too late for the post thia evening, FridayO I shall (d. v.) be preaching my mission sermon from 1 Chron. xxix. 17, 16. If somewhat of the same spirit appear amongst us as was seen on that occasion, we shall have reason to rejoice. On Wednesday next I am going to town; I have some charity sermons to preach, and expect to be detained there till Whit-sunday. This is not pleasant to me; but I will endeavor to improve my time, as God shall enable me. Give my kindest, best love to my dear sister. I told her what a privilege I felt it, to be sufier to give friendly admonitions: and would not both heaven and earth cry out against me, if I were not thankful for a monitor? Dearest brother, God alone knoweth how corrupt I am. It is not for nought that I wonder at the mercy of being out of hell. Go on, (but without apologies,) and cease to be faithful to me, when I kick at you for it, or when, if I rise against reproof at the time, I do not humble myself for it afterwards with shame and sorrow of heart: or rather, never cease, whether I receive it well or ill; but if you be not a savor of life to me, — be, however reluctantly, a savor of death. With earnest prayers that all your love- may return an hundred fold into your own bosom, I remain yours, most affectionately, C. S.”

“Saturday. I open this again to entreat that, if John’s mind was hurt by my conduct, you will tell him, that I earnestly beg his pardon, and am sorry for what I have said to him.”

We must now return to the narrative. The loss Mr. Simeon had sustained by the early removal of his honored coadjutor, Mr. Sowerby, was ere long to be supplied by the services of one, whose praise is in all the churches. During the period of Mr. Sowerby’s labors at Trinity Church, a student of St. John’s College had become a regular attendant there, who the next year (1801) was about to attain the same honors as senoir wrangler, and afterwards to discharge the sacred duties of the ministry in the same church.

Henry Marty h had for some time been deeply impressed by the preaching of Mr. Simeon; and amidst the labors and anxieties almost inseparable from the preparation for a high degree, he had found the unspeakable importance of unremitted attention to his

ft

:114 HENRY MABTYN INTRODUCED TO HIM. [CBAT. Vni.

spiritual progress. “The chief cause under God of his stability at this season,” writes Mr. Sareent,* ‘* in those religious principles, which by Divine grace he had adopted, was evidently that constant attendance, which he now commenced on the ministry of Mr. Simeon, under whose truly pastoral instructions, he himself declares, that he gradually acquired more knowledge in divine things.” It was during the summer vacation of this year that their acquaintance became more intimate. ‘* Having long listened with no small degree of pleasure and profit to Mr. Simeon as a preacher, he now began to enjoy the happiness of an admission to the most friendly and unreserved intercourse with him; and was in the habit of soliciting and receiving on all important occasions his counsel and encouragement.” In the course of the following year his thoughts appear to have been for the first time directed to the idea of entering upon the arduous and holy work of a Christian missionary. “The immediate cause of his determination to undertake this office, was hearing Mr. Simeon remark on the benefit which had resulted from the services of a missionary in India: his attention was thus arrested, and his thoughts occupied with the vast importance of the subject.” For another year he was continually engaged in the contemplation of this great work; and by dilligent * attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine,’ he prepared himself for the solemn rite of ordination. This he received at Ely, Oct. 22, 1803, and immediately commenced his pastoral duties as Curate of Trinity Church, undertaking also the charge of the small village of Lolworth in the neighborhood. What must have been Mr. Simeon’s consolations in the ministry at this period, enjoying as he now did the rare privilege of the devoted affection and invaluable co-operation of two such friends as Thomason and Martyn! This happy triumvirate however was not long to continue. Mr. Martyn was soon to leave his native shores for ever, and to have the deeply-cherished desires of his soul at length gratified by an appointment to missionary labor in India. On Wednesday, April 3, 1805, he went to Mr. Grant’s, and found that the question about his obtaining a chaplaincy had that day been agreed to. The following morning he returned to Cambridge, to take leave of the University and his beloved flock. His Journal gives us the touching narrative of his few remaining days there. * At night was at church, when, almost for the first time, I observed Mr. Simeon’s manner, and conceived great admiration of him as a preacher; supped with hinrw alone afterwards: he prayed before I went away, and my heart was solemnly affected. 6th. Passed most of the morning in the fellows’ garden; it was the last time I visited this favorite retreat, where 1 have often enjoyed the presence of God. 7th. (Sunday.) Preached at Lolworth on Pro v. xxii. 17; very few seemed affected at my leaving them, and those chiefly women.

* Le qf Martyn,

An old farmer of a neighbonDg parish, as he was taking leave of me, turned aside to shed tears; this affected me more than anything. Rode away, with my heart heavy, partly at my own corruption, partly at the thoughts of leaving this place in such general hardness of heart. Yet so- it hath pleased God, I hope, to reserve them for a more faithful minister: prayed over the whole of my sermon for the evening, (at Trinity Church,) and when I came to preach it, God assisted me beyond my hopes; most of the younger people seemed to be in tears: the text was 2 Sam. vii. 28, 29. Took leave of Dr. Milner: he was much affected, and said himself his heart was full. Mr. Simeon commended me to God in prayer, in which he pleaded among other things for a richer blessing on my soul. He perceives that I want it, and so do I. Professor Parish walked home with me to the college gate, and there I parted from him with no small sorrow. 8th. My young friends in the University, who have scarcely left me a moment to myself, were with me this morning as soon as I was mdving, leaving me no time for prayer. My mind was very solemn, and I wished much to be left alone. A great many accompanied me to the coach, which took me up at the end of the town: it was a thick, misty morning; so the University, with its towers and spires, was out of sight in an instant.’ On the 10th of July he went to Portsmouth; where, amongst other attached friends, who had come to offer him their last tokens of regard, he had the great consolation of finding Mr. Simeon. The society and support of this his spiritual father he enjoyed to the last; and from him he leamecl, to his exceeding comfort, ’ that their flock at Cambridge intended, on the day of his departure, as far as it could be ascertained, to give themselves up to fasting and prayer;’ whilst, ’ as a memorial of their unfeigned affection,’ they had sent him a silver compass, to be of use to him in his joumeyings * through the trackless desert.’ * Mr. Simeon,’ he writes, read and prayed in. the afternoon, thinking I was to go on board for the last time; Mr. Simeon first prayed, and then myself. On our way to the ship, we sung hymns. The time was exceedingly solemn, and our hearts seemed hlled with solemn joy, 14th. (Sunday). Friends came on board early; I read and preached on Matt. v. 2 — 1, to the ship’s company, passengers, soldiers, &c. Dined ashore. On our return in the evening, Mr. Simeon read and preached. (There was the utmost attention, and one of the ofiicers was in tears.) 1 went ashore with them in the evening, much against my will. We were enlivened and refreshed in our spirits as we sung hymns by moonlight on the water. 15th. Mr. Simeon read 1 Peter i. and I prayed with some degree of solemnity. 16th. The commodore called at the inn to desire that all persons might be awaked, as the fleet would sail to-day; in consequence of which we went immediately after breakfast to the quay, to go aboard in the purser’s boat: after waiting five hours, Mr. Simeon took his last leave

116 HBNRT KIBKE WHITE. [cHAP. VIII.

of me in the most affecting manner.’ Earl v the next morning he was ‘awakened by the signal-gun from the commander of the convoy, and found when he got up’ that the whole fleet were under weigh; they came however to anchor two days after*at Falmouth. From thence Mr. Martyn writes to his beloved friend, who had accompanied him to the ship, and whose face he should now see no more: — ‘It was a very painful moment to me when I awoke in the morning after you left us, and found the fleet actually sailing down the Channel. Though it was what I had anxiously been looking forward to so long, yet the consideration of being parted for ever from my friends, almost overcame me. My feelings were those of a man who should suddenly be told, that every friend he had in the world was dead. It was only by prayer for them that I could be cofnforted; and this was indeed a refreshment to my soul, because by meeting them at the throne of grace, I seemed again to be in their society.’

In the summer previous to his leaving Cambridge, Mr. Martyn had been introduced to a young man of rare genius and piety, whom Mr. Simeon had been anxious to commend to his regard,

/ and to place at his college. The warmest sympathy in behalf of this extraordinary young student had already been felt by all who knew the touching history of his early life; whilst the highest expectation had been formed of his future career, in consequence of tiis matchless talents and industry. Every academical distinction, whether classical or mathematical, was considered to be easily

within his reach. But the highest attractions of Henry Kirke White in the view of Mr. Martyn were the loveliness of his character and the fervor of his piety. Here indeed he found ’ a kindred spirit with himself;’ and consequently Mr. Martyn ‘took the liveliest interest in his behalf, and used his utmost endeavors tQ facilitate his entrance upon that course at college, which afterwards proved so brilliant and so transient.’ Through Mr. Simeon’s counsel and kind promise of assistance, Kirke White was at length enabled, amidst all his difficulties, to indulge the long-cherished hope of entering the University. * I can now inform you,’ he writes, July 9, 1804, to his generous friend and biographer, Mr. Southey, * that I have reason to believe my way through college is clear before me. From what source I know not; but through the hands of Mr. Simeon I am provided with £30 per annum; and while things go on so prosperously as they do now, I can command £20, or £30 more from my friends, and this, in ‘all probability, until I take my degree.’ According to Mr. Simeon’s advice he had consented to defer his coming to college for a year, and was placed under the tuition of Rev. Mr. Grainger, of Wintringham, that he might be the better prepared to enter on that career of honor, which appeared to open so brightly before him. In consequence of this delay he lost the advantage, he bad fondly looked forward to, of the society and friendship of Mr.

CBAP. VIII. J BENEFIT RECEIVED FROM BfR. SIMEON. 117

Martyn ;*who was gone from the University, before he came into residence. But he found in Mr. Simeon all the tenderness and solicitude, which a kind and wise father could bestow upon a beloved son. And besides the regard and sympathy he met with from him in private, he had the benefit of his public ministry, which he appears to have highly valued. * Mr. Simeon’s preachr ing, he says, * strikes me much.* And well did he profit by those faithful instructions. What he had learned to esteem as a privilege of the first importance to himself — the opportunity of hearing sound and earnest sermons — he cordially commended to those nearest and dearest to him. ‘It is well for you,’ he observes to his sister, * that you can still enjoy the privilege of sitting under the sound of the Gospel; and the wants of others, in these respects, will, perhaps, teach you how to value the blessing. All our comforts, and almost all our hopes here lie at the mercy of every succeeding hour. Death is always at hand to bereave us of some dear connection, or to snatch us away from those who may need our counsel and protection.’ Alas I how soon did he realize the truth of his own remarks. The seeds of death were in him, and the place, to which he had so long looked on with hope, served unhappily as a hot-house to ripen them,’ His unrivalled talent had placed him, after his first college examination, at the very head of his” year; and through the kindness of his tutor, Mr. Catton, he was provided with additional help to prosecute his fetal studies during the ensuing summer- With rare delicacy he now determined to relinquish the aid he had been permitted to draw from Mr. Simeon. ‘I have of course signified to Mr. Simeon,’ he writes, ’ that I shall have no need whatever of the stipend which I have hitherto received through his hands. He was extremely kind on the occasion, and indeed his conduct towards me has ever been fatherly. It was Mr. who allowed me £20 per annum, and Mr. Simeon added £10. He told me that my conduct gave him the most heartfelt joy; that I was so generally respected, without having made any compliances, as he understood, or having, in any instance, concealed my principles. Indeed, this is a praise which I may claim, though I never conceived that it was at all an object of praise. I have always taken some pains to let those around me know my religious sentiments, as a saving of trouble, and as a mark of that independence of opinion, which, I think, every one ought to assert: and as I have produced my opinions with frankness and modesty, and supported them (if attacked) with coolness and candor, I have never found them any impediment to my acquaintance with any person whose acquaintance I coveted.* Not many weeks after he had penned this truly Christian letter to his brother, he fell before the resistless progres of that wasting malady, which his intense study had so fearfully quickened: and on Sunday, Oc-

118 MS. THOMA80N*8 DB8IBB FOR MISSION ART LABORS. [cHAP. Vni.

tober 19, 1806, he entered into rest, exchanging his earthly honors for an incorruptible and unfading crown.

The departure of Henry Martjm to a foreign land rekmdied a desire in Mr. Thomason, which he had strongly felt before, to engage in missionary labors amo/ig the heathen. In the sprint of 1805 Mr. Simeon had gone to London, to commutiicate with Mr. Grant upon the subject; but at that time there was no opening to the East Indies, ’ where it had been thought most advisable for him either to accompany or to follow Henry Martyn.’ Still he by no means relinquished the idea of yet enjoying the privilege of following his beloved friend. The desire was strengthened by his having lately written a review, which had led him to consider the zeal and devotion of* Wesley and Whitfield in their Saviours service. In reference to this he wrote to his mother, March 0, 1805: — * The reading the life and labors of these excellent ministers fills me with admiration of their zeal, and with shame that I am such a blank in creation. My sphere is contracted, and I long for a more extensive field of labor. God has given me an education and a spirit, I trust, which might render me far more useful in the Church than I now am. Where my present thoughts will lead me, I know not; but I look round upon this lovely spot with all the indifference of a man who would, with the greatest cheerfulness, part with all, if a situation of greater usefulness, however laborious, should offer itself. Here I am; Lord, what wilt thou have me to do V Deeply trying must have been this season of suspense to the sensitive heart of his affectionate mother. In reply to a letter of hers on the subject, Mr. Simeon expresses himself with his usual tenderness and Christian feeling.

Your letter fills me with deep concern, and I am extremely anxious to remove, as far as possible, the load from your mind. To convey on paper all that I have to say, would be tedious. I have judged it better, therefore, to set off instantly, for the purpose of making known to you everything that has arisen, and precisely as it has arisen; and at the same time, to mention some circumstances,’ which, in all probability, will operate to prevent the execution of the plan your son proposed when he saw you last. From the beginning I have endeavored to yield to no bias, but to suggest everything as it occurred to my mind. I have in this respect manifested disinterestedness, at ail events; for next to yourself there certainly is no person living, who would feel his loss so much as I. Indeed, I can scarcely yield to you in this particular; for though your sensibilities are beyond all comparison more exquisite than mine, and your bereavement would be more pungent, your habits of life would remain the same; whereas mine would be wholly changed. I should lose not only a dear friend, Jbut the friend with whom I live in daily habits of communion: the friend that is as my own soul. I know no loss that would come so near to my feelings, or leave such a blank in my life.

Should I be called to bear the loss, I hope that grace will be. given me suitably to improve it. I trust that you also, if such an event should take place, will be enabled to adopt the resolution of a widowed lady, who lost her only three children, one after the other, in quick succession, * I see that God is determined to havp my whole heart, and so he shall!’”

Amidst all the deep and affectionate interest he had been wont to take in the afiairs of his beloved M artyn and Thomason, there Mras no diminution in his attachment and love to his earliest and most endeared friends — the Venns.

- To Mr. Venn.

“K.C., 12Deo 1305.

“I have long mtended to acknowledge the receipt of the sermon which you were so kind as to send me, and which I consider as a valuable token of your regard. To say how much I was pleased with it, would be only to say the same as hundreds have said before: and therefore I shall be silent upon that head. I came to Clapham about three months ago, with an express in* tention to call upon you and thank you; but«the gentleman with whom I was, could not possibly spare time, on account of his having been delayed elsewhere beyond his expectation.

“A little time ago I went to preach at Everton: and, according to custom, consecrated the time when I was in view of Yefling Church to the special remembrance of those who ought, both for their father’s sake and their own, to be ever most dear to me. I began with your dear and much-honored father; blessing and adoring our God for all that He had done for him, (the various gifts, talents, &c.,) and all that He had done by him

iat Clapham, Huddersfield, &c..) for all the comfort and benefit had derived from his instruction and example; for his peaceful and happy end; and finally, for that state of glory to which he has long since been exalted.

“I then proceeded to offer up my poor thanksgivings for you; for the graces and gifts with which He has mercifully endowed you; for the little family with which He has blessed you: for the use He has made of your ministry; for the increased life and energy with which He has favored you by means of your late heavy afflictions; and to my thanksgivings I added my poor prayers for still richer and more abundant blessings, that all wnich God has already done for you may be only as the drops before the shower. I then endeayored to remember your dear children, and to implore all needful blessings upon their heads. Then I went on to Mrs. Elliott and her husband, and their married daughter and all their children: I endeavored to bless God for having given her so pious a husband, and so lovely a family; and above all, for her advancement and progress in the divine life; and entreated of God a continuance and increase of all spiritual

190 LETTER TO MR. VENN. [CBAP. TUI.

blessings to every individual amongst them. Next, I strove to bless and magniiy my God for his exceedingly rich blessmgs bestowed on your sister Jane: that He had*’ chosen her in the furnace of affliction, and so abundantly compensated by spiritual health, what He has been pleased to withhold from her in respect of bodily health. I blessed his name in particular for giving her such a meek and quiet spirit, such a tender love to the poor, and for making her such an inestimable blessing to your little family. I then endeavored to pray that her invaluable life might be preserved tcf you. and that as her bodily strength decayed, her inward man might be progressively advanced in strength; and that her peace, both living and dying, might flow down like a river, &c. Nor was I altogether forgetful of dear Ruth,* for whose peace and happiness, in these her latter days, I wished to render suitable thanks to her God and my God, to her Father and my Father. Lastly I came to your dear sister Kilty, for whose supports and consolations, I strove to render my poor tribute of praise and thanksgiving; and I besought the Lord for her, that her strength might ever be according to her day; and that her children might prove iai comfort to her, and follow her truly amiable and laudable example.

In short, the ground whenever I pass over it, appears to me to be consecrated ground: the spire, as soon as ever it comes in sight, says to me, §ursum Corda: and as long as it continues in right, I consider it as my duty to spend my whole time in remembering those, by whom I trust I am also sometimes remembered; and in interceding for those, whom I ever think of with most unfeigned affection, yourself and family.

“I could have found it in my heart to write, to you while the impression of these things was upon my mind; but I did not like to speak so much about myself: nor should I do it now, were it not that I am sending you a sermon of my own, and am therefore necessitated to scribble a few lines of introduction to it.

**The sermonf seems to have made more stir and impression

* Rnth Clarke, for thirty years a faithful senraDt of Mr. Venn. An interesting account of her has been pubUshed by Re. H. Venn, in a small tract, entitled, * The single Talent well employed.’

t This sermon, entitled “The Churchman’s Confension,” was preached before the University, December 1, 1806, firom the text 2 Cor. i. 13, “We write none other thinfrs fUkXa yott, than what ye read or acknowledge.” It called forth a letter from Dr. Pearson, master of Sidney College, and Christian Advocate, dated June 4, 1806, which ho addressed to to the editor of the “Orthodox Churchman’s Magazine.” The character of Dr. P.’s strictures may be gathered from his introductory remarks. —” Had Mr. Simeon employed himself in companng the conduct o{ Christians in general with the terms of the Cof{/e<non, as it stands in our Liturgy, with the view of convincing men how far they shall fall short of their duty, and for the purpose of exhorting them to a greater degree of diligence in performing it for the future, this specimen of his labors would have been as cieditable to nis judgment, as it unquestionably is to his eloquence and pieCy. There are many passages in his sermon, which, if considered in this view, and made uae of to this purpose, would be well deserving the attention of every reader. But, as this comparison is instituted and pursued with the evident design of supporting the unfounded’

4;bap. viii.] letter to mr. thomason. 121

than any of my sermons, (some have said, more than altogether,) the ground I feel is tenable against the whole world; and therefore I have spoken the more boldly. O that God may be pleased to bless it to the conviction and conversion of many!

‘* Give my kindest love to all your family, and believe me, my dear friend, most affectionately yours,

“C. Simeon,”

At the beginning of 1807, Mr. Simeon’s strength had become so impaired by over-exertion, and his voice was so feeble, that he was compelled to reduce for a season his ministerial duties; and to devolve on Mr. Thomason an important part of the service, in which he had so greatly delighted.

“I wish you to prepare to stand up in Trinity Church on Sunday evening; in the morning I wish to preach, whatever may be

the state of my body, because it may be that but I forbear.

This only I will say, that my soul is joyful in. the prospect of suffering, as well as do in, the will of God. I do find I am getting nearer to God; and I do believe I shall get great good to my soul from this interval of leisure. What if the Lord should be saying, * Set thine house in order.’ I bless his name, that I am glad to receive that saying from him, and to address myself to that work. I feel truly thankful to God that I shall have nothing to do on the fast-day but to spend it in humiliation and prayer.”

noCiooo, enterUined b EvaneUeal or CabrinitUe divines, of the total oomiption of haman nature, and of jiutificaUon or salvation byot only as opposed to obedience with which notions the ColfessUm has just as much to do, as it has with the doctrine oitran” suMantiaHon, or fnirgaiory or any other creation of the human &ncy, I cannot conceive, that it is odculated to answer any purpose either of truth or utility; unless indeed it be to expose the weakness of the cause, which is attempted to be so defended.”