Memoir, 1811–1812
Ml- Simeon’sreffiud ibr the Litoigy — Appointed select preacher at St Maiy’s — His lermons on the Excellency of the Litargy’ — Answer to Dr. Hanh — Defence of the Baptismal Serce — Letter to Mr.*rhomaBon — Blartyn’s sermon — The devotional reading of the Scriptiuee — Formation of the jOambridge Bible Society — Dr. Marsh’s opposition — Mi. Wflberfoice’s aid — The first meeting — Account of it by an early Promoter — Effect of Mr. Simeon’s sermons — Dr. Buchanan — Installation of the Duke of Gloaoester — AwfU death — Lamented decease of KOnig — Mr. Preston’s aooonnt of him.
1811 — 1812.
It will have been frequently observed in the foregoing Memoir how strong and constant was Mr. Simeon’s regard for the Liturgy and services of our Church. From an early period in his college life, when he says that the prayers were ‘as marrow and fatness’ to him, during the space of thirty years afler until the season of his late indisposition, when he remarks, ‘Surely the Liturgy is of more service than is generally imagined:’ his attachment to our ritual had been unwavering. This long-cherished and cordial regard for the formularies of our Church induced him, when appointed at length «efecreacher at St Mary’s, to deliver a course of sermons on * The Excellency of the Liturgy.’ These were preached before the University during the month of November, (1811,) from the text, Deut. v. 28, 29, ‘They have well said all that they have spoken: O that there were such an heart in them I’ On publishing these four sermons the following spring, Mr. Simeon prefixed to tnem a letter addressed to Dr. Marsh, the Lady Margaret’s Professor of Divinity, as an * Answer’ to his * Inquiry respecting the neglecting to give the Prayer-Book with the Bible.’ In the course of his argument Dr. M. had endeavored to draw a parallel between the Assembly of Divines, who set aside the Liturgy, and the firiends of the British and Foreign Bible Society, whom he accused of ’ neglecting to give it away.’ To heighten the representation, he say» — There was another feature in the Assembly of Divines, which we may distmctly perceive in the modern society: it consisted chiefly of Calvinists; and the Calvinistic clergy of the Church of England are generally members of the modern society. Now a man who adopts the doctrines of Calvin cannpt be zealously attached to our English Liturgy: a Calvinist may in many respects have a great regard for it; but he cannot have much pain in parting with it, as it abounds with passages so decisive of conditional salvation, that no ingenuity can
168 ANBWER TO DR.. MARSH. [oH^P. Xn.
torture them into the language of absolute decrees. Indeed we know that the English Liturgy was so offensive to the Calvinists of Scotland, that Sie very attempt to introduce it in that country produced an insurrection, which ended in the solemn league and covenant, to which the English Calvinists acceded.”
“In this passage,” replies Mr. Simeon,” you avail yourself of a popular cry against a gi-eat body of the clergy as espousing Calvinism, and as carrying their tenets to a very dangerous extent But, sir, it is greatly to be regretted that those who impute such sentiments to the clergy here alluded to, will not tell us from whence they take their statements. If they would quote the obnoxious passages, they would put it into the power of those who might be supposed to be implicated in the charge, to say, whether they maintained such opinions or not. As for a great number of opinions which they are supposed to hold, I dare to assure the public, that Socinianism, or even Atheism itself, is not farther from their real sentiments, than such expressions as are often put into their mouths.*
“Among the clergy designated as Calvinists, I have no doubt but that I am ranked: (with what justice that name, in its obnoxious sense, can be given me, the reader will see in the sermons here brought before him:) and I believe, indeed I am sure, that my sentiments in general do coincide with those, which the great body of the clerey here referred to maintain. And, that the readers of your pamphlet may know how far these sentiments are repugnant to the Articles or Liturgy of the Church of England, I shdl here present them with an extract from the preface to my work, entitled * Helps to Composition.*”
(Here follows the extract which has been given entire in pages 103 — 109.) Mr. Simeon then proceeds:” Now, sir, I do not say that every individual of those whom you designate as Calvinistic clergy, would express himself in precisely the same terms as I have done, or that there are not shades of difference between them: for you cannot find any ten men in the world, or indeed any two, whose minds are so constructed as to have no discordance of sentiment upon anything: for as in the countenances of men, there are points of difference in persons between whom there exists the most perfect family likeness, so, in the minds of men. Ho two are perfectly alike. But I defy contradiction when I affirm, that the great mass of clergy, who are now invidiously called Calvinistic, do preach in a way perfectly consonant with what is expressed in that preface: and I challenge the whole
* Innmnenble passages of this kind may be found in the Bishop of Lincoln’s (Tomline) RefulaiUm of Cahinism. It is much to be regretted that great and good men, whom no consideration whatever could induce to be guilty of wilful misrepresentation, will not use some more effectual means of ascertaining the sentiments of others, before they undertake to state them to the public, and to hold them up to the abhorrence of mankind.”
OHAP. Zit] HIB ATTACHMENT TO THE UTUROT. 169
world to say that it is not perfectly in harmony with the Articlea, the Homilies, and the Liturgy of the Church of England.
“I have dwelt the more lully upon this point, because it is that wbereon a great portion of your pamphlet turns. For it is on the supposed Calvinism of those advocates of the British and Foreign Bible Society, that you found your accusation of them as unfriendly to the Liturey: it is on that you found your parallel between them and the Turitans, who subverted the government; between them also and the Assembly of Divines, who set aside the Liturgy, as ‘offensive to the godly at home, and to the reformed churches abroad, In a word, it is on that you found your apprehensions of the repeal of the Test Act, and the utter overthrow of the Establishment.
“Having shown you what Calvinists the clerical friends of the British and Foreign Bible Society are, I now c6me to show you, that they are not indifferent to the Liturgy of the Church of England.
“Perhaps it will be within your recollection, that about seven years ago you preached before the University a set of sermons, in which you were supposed to arraign the sentiments of those clergy who have been before referred to. On that occasion, I felt myself imperiously called upon to state freely and fully to the University, what my sentiments were in reference to the fundamental doctrines of our religion: and, in order that I might show my agreement with the Church of England I founded my discourse on the General Confession, and then printed it immediately under the title of TTie ChurchmarCs Confessions or An Appeal to the Liturgy. Perhaps you. will recollect also, that, there having been a general expectation that you would, according to your avowed intention, print those sermons, and that expectation having been disappointed, I took the liberty of expressing my regret, in common with that of many others, that they were not laid before the public; and my hope, that if printed, they would appear precisely as they were delivered. My reason for this was, not to preclude you from that liberty which every author has of amending his own compositions, but that your assertions on different subjects, in which the sentiments an, characters of others were involved, and which had produced a considerable effect in the University, might be brought to the test both of the Scripture and the Liturgy; and it Was certainly my intention at that time to undertake the task of examining them myself if no other person should do it.
“Now, sir, this will at lest show you, that, long before the present controversy had arisen, I dared to appeal to the Liturgy for my sentiments; and that if your sermons had been published, they would have been brought to that test. Does this look like indifference to the Liturgy on the part of those whom you call the Calvinistic Clergy 1
Again, — in the month of November lacit, I was called to preach
170 ftlB ATTACHMENT TO THE LITftROT. [cHAP. VUL
a course of sermons before the Uniyersity; and I chose for my subject The Exellency of the Liturgy.. What a strange subject to be chosen, if those you call the Ualvinistic clergy are so devoid of attachment tq the Liturgy, as you woukl represent them! After they were delivered, it was generally wished, (if I am rightly informed,) that they should be printed: but I withstood every application to me. for that purpose; not because I was afraid of having my sentiments tried by the Liturgy, but because I was determined to avoid controversy of any kind. I was aware that dissenters are apt to construe a defence of the Establishment as an attack upon those who dissent from it :* and as my design in those sermons was to confirm churchmen in their attachment to the Church, and not to wound unnecessarily the feelings of those who differed from us, I thought it desirable on the whole to postpone the publication of them; more especially as it is my intention that they shall stand at the head of a publication, which, if my life be spared, will, I hopcf be ready for the press in about three years. In so large a work as that will be, I feel it peculiarly incumbent on me to give to the reader a pledge of what he will find, and what alone he will find, throughout the work: and I desire everything I ever have written, or ever shall write, to be brought to that test, the Liturgy of the Church of England; persuaded as I am of its perfect conformity to the Holy Scriptures. It is to you alone, sir, that the appearance of these sermons at this time is owing. You have come forward with an accusation, circulated with incredible diligence through the whole kingdom, That the clergy who are the warmest advocates for the British and Foreign Bible Society, are not, and ’ cannot be, zealously attached to our English Liturgy:’ and here is a fiat contradiction to your assertion: a contradiction formed before the accusation itself j formed before any such accusation could possibly be foreseen; a contradiction that comes before the public in a tangible sfiape:’ and I affirm respecting this, as I did respecting the Calvinism of the clergy, that those sermons do express the general sentiment of those, whom you venture to represent as indifferent to the Liturgy. Of course, some difference of sentiment must exist among them on this, as well as on other subjects; byt if there be one part more than another in which they are agreed, it is in that which is contained in the third sermon, (and which you suppose to render it so * offensive to the godly at home, and to the reformed churches abroad,’) namely, * The Moderation and Candor of the Liturgy.^” Perhaps in answer to what I have said, you will reply: That I am setting up myself as a kind of representative of the whole body. But! beg leave utterly to disclaim any such idea. I show you by indubitable proo& what I am: and, from a very extensive
“I am happy however to say, that their union with churchmen in the Bible Society has produced a wonderful chance in them in thia respect; the asperities of both parties having by friendly contact and nothwly collision been greatly diminished.”
.OBAF. Zn.] HIS ATTACnMBNT TO THB LITUSQT. 171
knowledge of the persons whom you refer to» I declare to the public frhat they are: and» if I am wrong in this statement, I make it in the face of the whole world, who may contradict me, if they can.**
The following extract from the third sermon distinctly expresses Mr. Simeon’s view of the * Excellency of the Liturgy.”
“J hope I have now met the queetbn of our Liturgy fidrly. I have not confined myMlf to genenuaflBertions, but have set forth the diflSculties which are anppoeed to exist again it it, and have ven such a solution of them, as 1 think is sufficient to satisfy any conscientious mind: though it is still matter of regret that any labored explanation of them should be necessary. Now then, acknowledging that our- Liturgy is not abeolutdy perfect, and that those who most admire it wouhi be glad if these few blemishes were removed; have we not still abundant reason to be tmtnkful for it 1 Let its excellencies be fairly weighed; and its blemishes will sink into nothing: let its excellencies be duly appreciated, and every person in the kingdom will acknowledge himself deeply indebted to those, who with so much card and piety compiled it. But Uiese blemishes alone are seen by multitudes; and its excellencies are altogether forgotten: yea, moreover, frequent occuion is taken from these blemishes to persuade men to renounce their communion with the Established Church, in the hopes or finding a purer worship elsewhere. With what justice such arguments are uived, will best appear b a comparison between the prayers that are offered elsewhere, ahdthose that are offered in the Established Church. Tnere are about 1 1,000 places of worship in the Established Church, and about as many out of it “Now take the prayers that are offered on any Sabbath in all places out of the Establishment; have them all written down, and every expression sifked and scrutinized as our Liturgy has been: then dompare them with the prayers that have been offered in all the ( churcnes of the kingdom: and see what comparison the extemporaneous effusions will ’ bear with our pre-composed forms. Having done this for one Sabbath, proceed to do it fipr a year! and then, after a similar examination, compare them again: were this done, ([and done it ought to be in order to form aconrectjudffment of the case,) methinks there is scarcely a man in the kingdom that would not fall aown on his knees and bless God fiv the Liturgy of the Estabfished Church.”
Another extract from the second of these sermons, upon a subject which has unhappily given rise to much painful controversy in our Church must here be introduced, as it contains the deliberate expression of Mr. Simeon’s sentiments upon a topic to which reference will hereafter be made; and many of the readers of this Memoir may not have access to the statement as published in his entire works. His argument is the defence of the Baptismd Service.
And, if we at this day were called to use the same language under the veiy same circumstances, it is probable that many would feel scrugles respecting it, and especially, in thanking God for things, which, if pressed to the utmost meaning of the words, might not be strictly true. But surely, tfVu apostles, in a spirit qf love and charity used swih language we may steely eaid properly do the same: and knowing in what marm, and with what pitws, they spake, we need not hesitate to deUver ourselves with the same spirit and in the same latUude, as they.”
Mr. S. adds the following important remark in a note: —
“Tojguard against a misapprelnsion of his meaning, the Author wishes these woids to be dwtinctly noticed; because they contain the whole drift of bis argument — He does
1 Theas. v. 5.
172 DBPBNCE OP THE BAPTISMAL SERVICE. [cHAP. XII.
not mflan to ny that the apoatles aicribed salvation to the opus cperatum, the ontwud act of baptinn; or, that they intended to aaaert distinctly the salvation of evexy individual who had been baptized; bat only that, in lefeience to these subjecto, they diAse a language veiy similar to that in our Liturgy, and that therefore our Reformers were jus>- tified, as we also are, in using the same.
“In the Baptismal Service, we thank Ood for having resenerated the baptized infant by his Holy Spirit Now, ftom hence it appears that, in the opinion of oar Reformeni, regeneration ‘and remission of sins did accompany baptism. Bu in what sense did they hold this sentiment? Did they maintaii that there was no need for the seed, then sown in the heart of the baptized person, to grow up, and to bring forth firuit; or that he could be saved in any other way than by a progressive renovation of his soul after the Divine linage’? Had they asserted or countenanced any sach doctrine as that, it would have been imposnble for any enlifhted person to concur with them. But nothing can be conceived more repugnant to their sentiments than such an idea as this: so far from harboring such a thought, they have, and that too in this very prayer, taught us to look unto Ghxl for that total change both of heart and life, which, long since their days has begun to be expressed by the tferm, regeneration. After thanking Grod for regenerating the in&nt by his Holy Spirit, we are’ taoght to pray, * that he, being dead unto sin, and living unto righteoasness, may crucify the old man, and tUUrly abolish the vshole body qf tin :* and then declaring that total change to be the necessary mean of his obtaining salvation, we add, ‘So thai finally, with the residue of thy holy Church, he may 6« an inheritor of thine everlasting kingdom.’ Is there, I would ask, any person that can require more than this 1 or does God in his word require more 1 There are two things to be noticed in reference to this subject; the term, regeneration, and the thing. The term oocors but twice in the Scriptures; in one place it refers to baptism, and is distinguished from the renewing of the Holy Ghost; which, however, is represented as attendant on it: and, in the other place, it has a totally distinct meaning unconnected with the subject Now the term they use as the Scripture uses it; and the thing they rejjuire, as strongly as any person can require it They do not give us any reason to imagine that an adult perwpn can be saved, without eiptriencing all that modern divines have included in the term regeneration; on the contrary, they do, both there and throughout the whole Litp ursy, insist upon the necessity of aicadical change both of heart and life. Here then, the oMy question is not whether a baptized person can be saved by that ordinance without sanctification; but, whether God does always accompany the sign with the thing signified 1 Here is certainly room for difference of opinion: but it cannot be positively decided in the negative; because we cannot know, or even judge, respecting it, in any instance whatever, except by the fruits that follow: and therefore, in all fairness, it may be considered only as a doubtful point; and, if we appeal, as we ought to do, to the Holy Scriptures, they certainly do, in a very remarkable way, accord with the expressions in our Liturgy. St Paul says, ‘By one Spirit are we ail baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or GentUes, whether we be Dond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit;’ and this he says of all the visible members of Christ’s body.* Again, speaking of the whole nation of Israel, infants as well as adults, he says, ‘They were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that sptritual lock that followed them; and that rock wis ChrisL’i Yet, behold, in the very next verse he tells us, that ’ with many of them God was displeased, and- overtlurew them in the ^wilderness.’ In another place he speaks yet more strongly still: * As many of you,’ says he, ’ as are baptized into Christ, have
put on Christ.^ Here we see what is meant by the expression, ’ baptized mXfi Christ;’ it is precisely the same expression as that before mentioned, of thdalsraelites being ’ baptized unto Moees;’ (the preposition di is used in both places;) it includes all that had been initiated into his religion by the rite of baptism: and of them universally does the aposUe say, ‘They have put on Christ,^ Now I ask, Have not the persons who scniplenhe use of that prayer in the Baptismal Service, equal leason to scruple the use of those difierent expressions 1
‘* Again: St Peter says, ‘Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, for the remission of nnsj’ll and in another place, ‘Baytism doth now save us.’S And, speaking elsewhere of baptised persons who were unfrmtful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, he says, ‘He hath forgotten that he was pursed from his old sins.’^ Does not this very strongly countenance the idea which our Reformers entertained. That the remission of our’ sins, as well as the regeneration of our souls, is an attendant on the baptismal rite! Perhaps it will be said, tha( the inspired writers spake of persons who had been bapbsed
Cor. xii. 13 — 37. t 1 Cor. x. 1 — 4.: Gal. iiL S7.
B Acts il 38, 39. f 1 Pet in. 31. V 3 Pet L 9.
OHAP. ZII.] LETTBR TO MR. TH0MA80N. 173
al an aduH affe. Bat if they did so ia some places, they oertiiinlj did not in other a; and, where they did not, the? must be undentood as comprehending all, whether infants or adidts; and therefore the language of our Liturgy, which is not a whit stronger than theirs, may be both subscribed and used without any just occasion of offence.
“Let me then speak the truth before Gk)d: Though I am no A/minian, I do think that the refinements of Calvin have done great harm in the Church; they have driven multitudes from the plain and popular way of speaking used by the inspired writers, and have made them unreasonably and unscripturally squeamish in their modes of expression; sukI I conceive that, the less addicted any person is to systematic at*curacy, the more he will accord with the inspired writers, and the mote he will approve of the views of our Refiirmers. I do not mean, however, to say, that a slight alteration in two or three instances, would not be an improvement; since it woum take off a burden from many minds, and supersede the necessity of labored explanations; but I do mean to say, that there is no such objection to these expressions as to deter any conscientious person from giving his unfeigned assent and consent to the Liturgy altogether, or from using the particular expressions which we have been endeavoring to exain.”
* Rev. T. Thomason, —
“K.C.,NoT.25, 1811.
“I now sit down to write you a long letter, which I s|)all do the more joyfully, as through our dearest mother’s present I am enabled to write two letters at once. This is the first use I make of her copying machine, and it is th most delightful use I could possibly make of it. All my letters since the loss of the Elizabeth have been poor and stinted. I greatly lament the loss of those letters, because I never could recover the spirit, even though I should have been able to recollect the substance of them. But now that I can send a duplicate the fault will be entirely in my own wicked heart, if I do not endeavor at least to express myself more fully and more acceptably to you.
“How good have you been I how many rich feasts have you given us! and how often have I be ready to envy you the sweet spiritual frame which God in his mercy has vouchsafed unto you! Clear it is, that to serve God is the best way of serving ourselves. Whilst you have been actively employed for him. He has not been forgetful of you. I bless and adore His name for His mercy towards you. Truly, it is a glorious work in which you have been engaged; and God has given you rich success: though I hope you see at present only the first fruits. of your harvest. We now see why our beloved and honored brother Mr. Martyn must be ill, and leave his own sphere and come down to Calcutta. Is it not the Lord that appoints the bounds of our habitation? The histories of Joseph and of Esther are yet passing before our eyes every day: ana sweet they are when we can read a chapter in our own experience. God has given you to see more reasons for your shipwreck than any other of the crew saw, except your beloved wife: and more you will see of God’s wisdom in all his dispensations towards you as long as you live. Perhaps before I close this letter, I may be able to tell you of something doing here: but what at present I know not Your dear mother felt a little
174 MABTTlf^B BESMOlf. [cHAP. XII.
as a mother, at finding that you did not occupy such an ostensible post as she could have wished: but I being only a brothery rejoiced; I Knowing, that the less reward you have from man, the more yoa will have from God. There is even at present a refined joy arisinj; from the secret, unostentatious act, that far exceeds the gratifications which are of a more mixed kind. The joy of Paul and Silas in the prison equalled any that they could have felt in a psilace. I feel such a love to Mr. and Mrs. Harrington, that I could rejoice in sending them a small token of my love, were it not that such an act would appear officious and almost impertinent.
‘’ How admirably was our dear brother’s discourse adapted to the occasion! It is precisely such an address as I should, have expected from him. With a truly Christian simplicity he still, in spite of himself betrays the scholar. I have read it to some of my people, -who are greatly delighted with it; and I have lent it to Mr. Wood, Mr. Hornbuckle, and Mr. Whitfield, of St John’s, all of whom admire it greatly, and seem to rejoice in what Gkpd is doinff for him and by him. Dear man! he wrote me from Bombay: and I shall rejoice to Jiear that he is returned from Bussorah with an increased measure of health. Would that I could whisper in his ear, and tell him what God has graciously done for me. In the autumfi I laid by for five weeks, and had my lips hermetically sealed, except for the introduction of beef and pudding: and I improved more in that time than in two years before. It is with you, as it is here; friends all say, ‘Spare yourself: but do it to-morrow, and elsewhere; not to-day, whilst you are with me.’ And I am not sure that you did not let him do too much: only I fear your own state of health required all the aid you could receive. However, I will forgive both him and you all the injury he did, either to himself or others, by preaching that sermon. I hope Hatchard will print it for circulation at home.
“Believe me, my dearest brother, I feel much indebted to you for your love in persuading him to-sit for his picture for me. How much I shall value it I shall not attempt to declare; but I seem to thmk I should feel less regret for the loss of a whole fieet, than of that ship. When t receive it I shall send Mr. Charles Hoare and his wife the one I had before.
Amon the many sweet sentiments contained in your letters, I am particularly struck with one which entirely accords with my own experience, namely, the importance of a devout reading of the Scriptures for ourselves, in order to qualify us to speak to others. There is, I am persuaded, more in this than even pious ministers are in general aware of. God does draw nigh to the soul that seeks him in his word, and does communicate an unction, that is in vain sought for in the books of men: and that unction will, like * the ointment of the right hand, bewray itself both in. the pulpit and out of it. O, that we might have it more richly
poured oat upon us from our Great High Priest, on whose head it was poured ’ without measure.’
“i have a party coming to supper; this being the first leisure day that I have had for a long while. I have only yesterday finished my course of sermons before the University, respecting which I will proceed to tell you in the next sheet; therefore, for the night, Adieu.”
“Deo. 13.
I said in my last page that I would proceed to tell you about my sermons: but I have a matter of innnitely greater importance to communicate, and with that I will now proceed in a way of narrative.
At the time I wrote my last sheet, some young mep in the University were endeavoring to set forward a Bible Society in Cambridge, and I had determined to call the attention of the seniors to it in my last sermon. * But the young men full of ardor, had gone to the vice-chancellor (Dr. Browne of Christ’s,) and to the Bishop of Bristol (Dr. Mansel,) and to Dr. Milner, and some others, to try to interest them, A great alarm was excited through the University, and every person without exception threw cold water upon it, from this principle, that if they were suffered to proceed m this way about the Bible, they would soon do the same about politics. This so discouraged me that I almost determmed to blot out what I had written. But as I had written it for Gkpd, I at last resolved to deliver it for God, in hopes that God might yet do something by it. My view was to the seniors only; I never dreamed of its being serviceable in any other way. But how unsearchable are the ways of God. The young men, who would not have submitted to anv other individual, bowed with perfect willingness to me, and suffered me to draw a line around them, beyond which they were not to move. They drew back, and committed everything to their seniors, having indeed professed a willingness to do so from the beginning, but manifestly determining to have more hand in it than would perfectly consist with academic discipline. When their readiness to recede was known, instantly Dr. J owett, Mr. Parish, Mr. John Brown of Trinity and myself, stood forward. Mr. P. went to get the sanction of the vice-chancellor, who, though he could not say he approved of the measure, gave his consent that a meeting should be called of the University, town, and county, for the purpose of establishing a society.
“Now opposition became very formidable. Dr. Marsh published a paper against the plan, and with incredible industry put it into the hands of all the great men in the county, and all the leading members of the University, so that we could not get a person, except a few pious characters, to join us. Hence arose a further argument against it, that it was in the hands of Methodists only.
176 THE FIRST CAMBAIDOB BJBLE MEETING. [cHAP. XII.
Application was made to Lord Hardwicke, who agreed to take the chair: but this very circumstance augmented our difficulties exceedingly. No head of a college would dome forward, nor any individual, except a few Methodists. Dr. Milner was in town, and would. not come forward unless the bishop would. The bishop, though president of the Bristol Society, would not, because it was in the Bishop of Ely’s diocese, and he did not like to in- ’ terfere with him. Thus things went till Tuesday last, and the meeting was called for Thursday. I would at that time have given a large sum that we had not stirred at all; and so would all my colleagues, and if it had been p6ssihle to have recalled the Utters and notices we should have done it. But it was not possible: and we all trembled, lest Lord Hardwicke, when he came to take the chair, should complain that he had been deceived by us. On Tuesday, however, we heard with joy, that Lord F. Osborne would come and support Lord H. Still, however, we were in a very painful predicament. Who must speak on the occasion? None out ourselves. Mr. Wilberforce had done all he could to get the chancellor (the Duke of Gloucester) to give us his name, and with Dr. M. to come and aid us with his presence; but all in vain. At last however we had joyful tidings from different quarters. The Duke of Gloucester was willing to be president: and now we felt that we had firm standing. We sent off a deputation to lOrd Hardwicke, and another to Lord F. Osborne, to inform them, and to give them the resolutions that were prepared. And then at last the day arrived. But how? Truly dod showed that he reigns in the earth. The Earl of Bristol, to whom we had sent an express at Bury, gave us his name. Dr. Milner had come down during the night. The Dukes of Bedford and of Rutland gave us their names. The Bishop of Bristol permitted us to use his also. And, to crown the whole, Mr. Nicholas Vansittart sent down a printed letter to Dr. Marsh in answer to his. (N. B. Mr. V. is of the privy council.) Thus we entered the Hall. As for myself, the successive tidings so overwhelmed my soul with joy and gratitude, as to take all the semblance of the profoundest sorrow; insomuch, that when I went to announce the tidings to Dr. Jowett, he apprehended instantly that Mr. Owen must be either dead, or detained by illness on the road, so as to be incapable of coming. Now then to the account. — Yet, on second thoughts, it will be needless to send you an account of what was said, because we are going immediately to prepare an official account, which I will send you in print; I will therefore only give you some circumstances, which will not appear before the public. Dear Mr. StemkopfF, the moment he rose, was applauded for a great length of time, and all that he said was most affecting and well received. Mr. Owen was brilliant beyond measure, and more chastised than usual. His imagination yenerally carries- him too far; but his excess was not great on this occasion.
Professor Parish, with all his placidity, was animated and b(dd as a lion; but owing to the weakness of his voice he could not be heard.
Dr. Clarke, the Professor of Mineralogy, was extremely eloquent. He was aware, that by taking an active part be was likely to cut himself off from all hopes of the Mastership of Jesus College; but avowed his determination to disregard all hints of whatever kind, and from whatever quarter, and to do what he thought most acceptable to God.
Dr. Milner spoke nobly and manfully, and took shame to himself for bein so long in making up his mind. Lord Francis also spoke well, though short.
The unanimity was like that of the day of Pentecost; but it was in danger of being. interrupted by Mr., who was perversely endeavoring to draw the attention of the company to the Tracts of the Bartlett’s Building Society; and though the whole assembly of a thousand persons was against him, an the chairman repeatedly desired him to desist, he could not be persuaded to sit down, till the chairman told him he could not be heard on that subject. With this exception, all was harmonious; and I do not conceive that many such days have been seen since the day of Pentecost. Many, many tears were shed on the occasion; and God himself was manifestly present. All bore testimony to the excellent conduct of the young men; and I confirmed the account by a brief relation of what they had permitted me to do. The subscriptions already amount to nearly £900, and I trust they will considerably increase.
“I consider our beloved and honored friend, Mr. Wilberforce, as very eminently instrumental in this great and wonderful work, by speaking to the Duke of Gloucester for us; for though he did not succeed at first, I believe we owe it chiefly to his exertions, that both the duke and Dr. M. were brought to take the step they did. [Mr. Wilberforce writes: — * lo triumphe! or rather, let me more properly praise God for the greatl v altered view of things. When all my prospects were dark and gloomy, behold the light suddenly breaks forth. Who should be announced to me this morning, but the Duke of Gloucester, who with a cheerful countenance accosted me by saying, that he had come himself to let me know that, though on the whole he still thought it would not be proper for him to attend in person, he had written to desire that it might be stated to the meeting that he highly approved of it, and took a lively interest in the society’s success; tnat e desired to be put down as a subscriber of fifty guineas; and that if there should be a request made to him to become president, or patron of the society, he should not decline the situation. The duke suggested, thai if the Bishop of Bristol, from delicacy towards his brother of .Ely, shoufd not like to attend. Lord Hardwicke would be the fittest person to represent, and speak for, him at the meeting. The dean
178 DR. MAS8B*B OPPOSITION. [cHAP. ZU.
has not absolutely decided, but I think he will. I press him to go down as strongly as with propriety I can. Believe me ever most sincerely yours, W. W.’]
The enemies look very small on the occasion. Dr. Marsh, and Mr. B., for the purpose of defeating the object of the meeting, broud|it in a grace the very day before to give £100 to the Bartlett’s Buildings Society: and all of us went and voted /or it, to their utter surprise. By this w showed them that we were ’ of a different spirit from them, and that we were glad that good was done, though it proceeded from envy and strife. Whether they will act thus towards us remains to be proved.*
* The editor has been kindly furnished with the following animiited account of this tatnsactiQn from one who was at the lime an undergraduate, and a principal actor in the
“It was the first occasion,” he writes,” on which I discovered that praetieal wUdom in our dear friend, which I have ever upheld as one of his ffreat characteristics.... Mr. Owen’s history gives sufficiently well the oiUline of the transaction, but he could not state, nor is it known at all generally, that the moderation and wisdom apparently shown by the undergraduates is as really owing to Mr. Simeon. None can tell, out those who had to act amongst them, how repeatedly the vessel was on the point of wrecking through their impetuosity and indiscretion, when she was brought up into her right course by hU wisdom ana address.
“But to my story. The first suggestion was made at the room of —. Four men, undergraduates, were appointed as a Committee to act for the undexffraduates... The first 1 heard of the matter was from Walker Gray, then entering nis last term, and too much engaged in reading for his degree to give the requisite tune to the business; he was a truly excellent creature and ddightful roan. He went out fourth in Neale’s year, 1813. He came to me requesting that I woald take his part, whiqh I did accoidinglyi and .called with my colleagues on a few of the public men who had not already Men visited. H. E. and I were then, and have been ever since, most intimate friends: with him I consalted on evexy point which arose, and we conferred together with Mr. Simeon, Dr. Jowett, and Professor Parish, all of whom had admitted us into very considerable intimacy. Thus was providentially established that secret influence of the seniors over the juniors, without which there was no likelihood of a favorable result. And thus the seniors were made accurately acquainted with all the proceedings and ftdings even of the juniors, which tended to impel them forward to the position which ultimately they took. Of the three seniors, witl) whom we held communication, m friend will bear me witness as to our disappointment m the Jtrat instance with Mr. Fansh, who sat with his head on his hand, and said very little to us, though he proved ultimately to be the man who carried the vessel in fine style over the shoals, when evexy other hand was parahzed. Dr. Jowett was very kind, and interested himself fully in the cause from the first. But his was not the energy to take a commanding load amongst us; and, although most untruly, he, as well as Mr. Parish, was suspected by us of lukewarmness, and therefore thkr prudential suggestions were the less regarded. It was effectively Mr. Simeon therefore, who was at the helm during that most critical period. And now at the distance of a quarter of a century his zeal, and affection, and wisdom, and influence over us, are as full upon my mind as at the very time of the transaction. But after various minor difficulties the critical period arrived. It was well understood by the juniors, that Dr. Marsh and other seniors were exerting all their influence to prevent our sch«ne. from being matured, and in consequence there was a resdess and impatient spirit amongst us. At length our Committee decided no longer to act on their own responsibility, and
called together a number of the first promoters of the object at the rooms of.
There must have been fifteen or twenty of us, but none amongst them, except myself were Mr. Simeon’s personal friends. In that room, one, besides myself, alone resistad the proposition for unmediately establishing a Bible Society without the seniors. The three otners of the Committee especially urged the certainty that the whole design would be crashed before the birth, by some proceeding of the hostile seniors, if we any longer delayed. In vain did I communicate to them what I knew of the actual prepantion of the fiivontble seniors for carrying our wishes into effect. In vain did — back my
CHAP* XII.3 ACCOUNT BT AN EARLY PROMOTER. 179
“Jan. 3, 1812.
‘’ I had intended to have told you a thousand things of an inferior nature, but I can scarcely bring my mind to speak of anything after the Bible Society, and my own people; these two points seem to have left but little further scope for the exercise
lepraentations in a very Tigorous and sensible manner. The reaolukion of the meeting was tUoided dye acting by oonelves, neglecting the seniors, without delay. The time and place of a public meeting were discussed, and all but settied; until at length, at a very late hour, our constituents were prevailed upon to refer the decision back to the Committee (of whom they knew that three out of four were decidedly in &vor of precipitate measures,) but with this understanding, that the Committee should have an inter- “view with Mr. Simeon, before we promulgiUed our final decision. TTun the baUU too* toon. obtained access to our dear friend without any delay, and fixed with him the hour when we should wait upon him on the morrow. It was by far the most momentous crisis that I had ever then known, and you will not wonder at the indelible impression which the circumstances made upon me, and the interest with which I linger upon the recollection. He was then in those rooms, which he had oq the ground-floor at the foot of the staircase nearest to Q,ueens*. The interior of his study, his own form and manner, and the appearance of the whole group, are before me at this time. The gentieness, and delicacy and calm strength of his statements and reasoning <^uite surprised me. l’ was not prepared to expect mat he could exercise so irreaialibU an mfluence (as it seemed to me) over the fitculties and wills of others, and all without seeming to attempt any influence at all, but only to show how his own mind had been brought to the conclusion at which he arrived. It* was not a time for the exprewion of his affections, as you know he was wont to express them, but thev/luenee of his imexprested affection was all powerful, though it is likely that the parties before him perceived not the subtie influence of that secret spell, which was gradually overmastering their previously settied resolution. For it must be remembered, tnat no one of the three had’ come with any wavering of mind as to the right course, but only in deference to my urgent representations that it was not just fipr taem to decide, without personal conference with him from whom I had my information and my views. I sat in astonishment: I could have wept for joy and wonder. The effect was decisive upon two of m colleagues. From that hour no further question was entertained as to the juniors acting oZone, no ipore meetings were held even of our Committee; the whole was left with unhesitating confidence to the senior.
“My tale, however, is not yet ended. For a time, all that we juniors knew, or cared to know, was, that communication was opened with influential persons in the town and eoonty, that a Committee was formed, and was proceeding giadually but surely with their preparation, and that the assistance of most influentiar members of the Univenity had been secured, until the day was fixed-, the Town Hall secured, and the handbiUs sent to piess. Thus all went on well, till one memorable morning our vexy dear friend CHne dsrwn to my rooms by the time it was light, and in his most solemn and particular manner desired me tojpdt on my eovm and walk with him. He led me out to Chester-Urn, where Professor Farish then lived, and on the wav opened to me a serious change in our prospects. A committee meeting had been held [at Mr. Hoilick’sl the previous evening, at which various unfavorable communications were brought forward. The Bishop of Bristol could not come, Dean Milner must attend the Board of Longitude, something was the matter’ with Lord Hardwicke, and so forth: the result was, that the Committee had unanimously decided, that the proposed establishment of the auxiliary must be deferred tine die. You will understand the deep affliction with which our dear friend announced to me this dedsion, aware as he was, above all others, of th secret nine over which we were standing, and conceiving his only hope of preventing an explosion to be byr anticipating, if possible, the burst of feeling amongst the juniors hj previous confidential communication with them. 1 suppose I said nothing. I left him at Mr. Farish’s door and went away, not to my own rooms, nor to lectures, but to my friend in Tqnity, and together we conferred in sorrow and dismay on what was to be done. You will observe, we were close upon the end of term. The public meeting was actually held on the l2Ui of December. The great fear was, that the disappointed and irritated undergraduates should mar the whole by taking the thing into their own hands. this rock should be escaped, when was it to be expected that a similar fervor would he le-craated out of the rums of this disappointoientl All this Mr. Sioteon felt most acutely, and I don’t know that I ever communicated with him when his spirit was so
180 SELECT PREACHBA AT ST. MART’s. [cHAP. ZH.
either of joy or sorrow. Yet I remember I told you in the beginnine, that I would say something about my sermons at St. Mary’s. And, indeed, standing in connection with my treatment by the bishop, and with the Bible Society, it does acquire a very considerable importance as an article of intelligence to you.
“Just before the last appointment of preachers, Mr. Aspland, the proctor, sent to know whether, if nominated, I would accept the office. Of course I acceded. But the vice-chancellor had prepared his Ust, and therefore objected to my nomination, intimating that I had been objected to before. Mr. A. then asked, whether I had done anything to disqualify myself for that appointment? If I had, I ought not to be suffered to preach there at all; but if not, I ought not to be passed over now; and, on finding that the others concurred with him, he desired that the matter might be put to vote.. This the Vice-Chancellor (Douglas) did not like, and therefore, as a last resort, said Dr. Pearson would not choose to be on the list with me. But Mr. A. persisting, the vice-chancellor withdrew the name of Dr. P., and I was placed in his stead!! I N. B. It was Dr. P. that had before rejected me; and now he was put out to make room for me. How mysterious are the ways of God I Alas! poor man, if he had been appointed, it would have been to no purpose; for he died suddenly, in September last.
“But to go on with the subject. The text I took was Deut. v. 29, 30, ‘They have well said all that they have spoken: O that there were such an heart in them!’ Your dear mother talks of transcribing them for you; therefore I say nothing about them,
cast down within him. I coald way nothing to comfort him, nor anything to effect a reversal of the Gomioittee’s decision. But the Great Ruling Hand had ordered otherwise. After yainlv attempting with to decide what was beat to be done, and I believe before we had communicated our sorrow and perplexity to any other, on turning a comer of the street we saw the identical handbill, wnose nte we were deploring, in full broad characters giving the lie to our fears. At first we presumed it was a misUke; but upon due inquixy it came out, that when Mr. Simeon had found Mr. Parish, who had not been present at the Committee of the previous evening, and. told him their decision, he positively refutied to be bound by it He said that he had personally obtained the grant of the Town Hall from the mayor, and ht teould himttlf hold the meetings and so give due sanction to the proceedings, even though every other senior in thfe University should refuse to attend. He then succeeded in convincing Mr. Simeon of the remarkably critical position in which the affair was standing, and by their united authority the suspended handbill was brought forth from its prison-house, and very few were ever ful aware how nearly our vessel was stranded in the very attempt to launch her. Of all that followed I need tell you nothing. It was a day piuch to be remembered. And though, before that time I had been through the discussion of all the principles on which the Society is founded, and have found nothing new in all the latter objections raised against it, yet it is to the surpassing excitement of that period, that 1 trace the singular hold which the Britbh and Foreign Bible Society has on my affections, so that there is no other Society or work in whkh I can be engaged, which so remarkably ideifies itself with my tnoughts and feelings, and leads me on without a sense of sameness and weariness in the advancement of its interests. I am persuaded that this feeling has been in a measure participated by many who were connected with these remarkable eveats, and therefore that the practical viadom of my beloved friend, which brought us safdy through such imminent dangers, was made the means of that vast increase of inteieit ui the Society throughout the country which very sooit followed.”
except that the audiences were very lare, numbers of masters. of arts being forced to go up into the galleries; and, though the sermons were an hour long, there was not the smallest symptom of weariness to be seen. It has pleased God to make them generally useful in removing prejudice, and in awakening an attention to my ministry: though such was the conceit otMr.
that he told me, before his whole class of stewards, that I was deceiving myself and the University, and that God would make no use of such sermons. But it is not he alone, for there are many of my people now so wise, that they know far better what and now I ought to preach than I myself do.
“There was however one most signal effect from them. I had determined to recommend in a modest manner the adoption of an Auxiliary Bible Society in the University: but the young men had on the Friday before my last sermon, (in which I intended to speak of it,) gone to the vice-chancellor, and the Bishop of Bristol, to gain their sanction to the establishment of one by the
roung men. This entirely defeated all hope of benefit from what could say; and therefore I thought it very doubtful whether it would be expedient for me to introduce the subject: yet as I had written it for the Lord, I thought it best that the Lord should be left to do with it as he pleased. And, behold, God did work by it in a way that no human being could have foreseen. Among the seniors the effect was lost; but it convinced the juniors, that, however lukewarm others of the seniors might be thought, there was some reason to believe that I was in earnest. Hence, when they would not have submitted to be restrained by any other person, they permitted me to dictate to them, and thus enabled me to prevent them from defeating their own object. They would have defeated it several times but for this single circumstance; so graciously was God pleased to work by means the most unlocked for! A priori we should have thought that if God made any use of me, it would have been in a way of incitement: but it was by checking, and not by stimulating ardor, that God was pleased to make use of me. The whole University were desirous
that I should print them
Dr. Buchanan has had a serious illness, but hopes in the spring to set out upon a pilgrimage to Palestine. He is a little ardent in his views and statements, or rather, not a little; but he attracts much attention, and will do much good, by stirring up the minds of men to holy pursuits. He is quoted everywhere as an* authority, and is supposed to be quite correct. (I, who am a little behind the curtain, keep my own counsel, not even disclosing my sentiments to any human being: it will be time enough for me to suggest doubts, when I see the confidence that is placed in his statements likely to be injurious.) He believes himself, and therefore is accepted before God, in all that he asserts, because he aims at nothing but the honor of God.
182 DBATH OV KONia. [oHAP. XII.
Had I written to you three months aso, I should have entered on a number of topics which now have lost their interest, especially after so long a letter as this.
The installation of the Duke of Gloucester — the dinner in .Neville’s court, all round it — the music, and fitting up of the Senate-house — the Duke’s visits to every college — a fte given by Sir Busick Harwood, at which I was present — the public breakfasts at Trinity and in Sidney Gardens, &c. &c., 1 pass over.
The bitter sermons preached at the commencement by a Dr. Illingworth, and Dr. Butler of Shrewsbury, both against all spiritual religion, were generally disapproved, even by those who hate religion. They were thought to be out of place and unseasonable, not to mention vehement and uncharitable.
The balloon also, I pass by — my dining shortly after at Lord P. Osborne’s, with many other things that savor only of chit-chat
An awful event took place a few months ago in our college.
A Mr. P 9 the vice-provost, had been glorying in an account
of one of our former fellows, who, he said, died hard. As he seemed to think that so happy a death, I begged leave to put into his hands Hannah More’s book, in which is a chapter on ’ happy deaths.’ He turned it all into ridicule; and boasted that he should never * die in a bag;’ but in less than three weeks he was not put to the trial, for he fell down suddenly, and died without one moment’s consciousness of his state. What a terrible judgment on such a scoffer I
On the other hand, there is another senior fellow, once as gay as any, who now in his illness is glad to have me every morning and evening to pray with him; though, alas, he does not make that progress that I could wish.
But it is time that I come to an end, else I shall quite weary you with my scrawl; yet in point of importance, my correspondence in the last year has been far beyond that of any other year. You will have received the whole correspondence with my bishop, together with a copy of mv sermons; so that I shall have made up for the loss of the Elizabeth in some measure.
“One article of intelligence, however, and that of a most afflictive kind, I must send you; and that is, the death of our beloved friend, Mr. Kdnig. I have only heard that he died last spring: but the circumstances of his death are not yet transmitted to us; I hope at a future period to communicate them to you. This is a loss to the whole world, and especially to his native country. I. cannot but ascribe it, in my own mind, to his own father, who would impose such restraints upon him as often to wound his conscience, and distress him beyond measure. He was constrained to entertain his father’s company almost every Sabbath. The tidings brought to my heart the experience of my beloved Mrs.
T. at Shelford, who, when she lost her dear little Charles, felt herself repaid for all her pans by the thought, that the fruit of her travail was safely lodged in the Redeemer’s bosom.
“Whilst I am wishing to i(*elieye you from any further fatigue, I cannot find it in my heart to omit anything that I think will be interesting to you; for, though I am the worst of correspondents, I feel that love to you that constrains me to go on.; more especially as I can now, if need be, send you this very letter again, and thus have two chances for its safe arrival. I seem to have recovered my spirits, and to experience again all the comfort that I have ben wont to do, in communicating to you whatever occurs.”
Mr. Preston gives the following account of this interesting young friend, whose premature death Mr. Simeon was thus called to deplore.
The name of Konig is familiar to not a few of Mr. Simeon’s friends, who resided at Cambridge during the years 1808 and 1809. That young man, the only son of a rich merchant at Amsterdam, came over to England in the summer of 1807. He was received by Mr. Edward Simeon, his ‘father’s correspondent, and sent to his house in the Isle of Wight, partly for the sake of studying the English language, of which he then knew very little. The Rev. C Simeon was then at St. John’s, his brother’s house in the island, having been ordered by his physicians to abstain altogether for some weeks from the exercise of his ministry; — the first time that such restraint had been deemed necessarv for him. It soon appeared that young Konig was destitute of true religion, and ignorant of its principles; but his appearance and manners were such as to invite kindly feeling and attention. Mr. Simeon’s benevolent heart was drawn towards him, and he earnestly desired to win this soul for Christ. One day he was riding a few yards in advance of a party, of which Konig was one. Konig, seeing Mr. Sime6n alone, rode up to join him; and perceiving that his lips were in motion, though ne was not engaged in conversation, inquired, with his usual simplicity, ’ what he was saying.* ■Mr. Sinjeon replied, ‘I was praying for my young friend.’ These words made a deep impression upon the interesting youth, and caused him to regard Mr. Simeon as one who was tenderly concerned for his welfare. His mind had, in fact, been prepared by the providence of God for this impression, which might otherwise have been transient; for just then he had been called to think on the subject of prayej by the following occurrence. The party, who were makmg the tour of the island, arrived at an inn, where Konig and another gentleman were necessitated to occupy a double-bedded room. That gentleman, before retiring to rest, knelt down to prayer by his bedside. This, it afterwacds appeared,
164 MB* pbbstoh’b cvethbk Accouirr op KOirra. [chaf. xo.
was a new sight to the young Hollander; but it went’ to his heart He had long oeen unhappy, from feeling the unsatisfactoriness of the things which are ordinarily accounted capable of conferring happiness; but knew not the better way. Immediately however, as he afterwards declared, he said to himself, * How happy is that man! What would I give to feel myself in the hands of an Almighty guide and protector, as he surely does? Under this conviction he fell upon his knees, which he had not before done in private for years; and the very next morning he unbosomed himself to his companion. He was thus prepared for the reply of Mr. Simeon to his inquiry, and was not repelled, but encouraged, by it. The watchful shepherd, perceiving that the Spirit of God had marked this stranger for Himself resolved to do all in his power to train him for happiness and usefulness. After a sojourn of some weeks in the island, he invited him to take up his residence at Cambridge; sud there, for months, did he spend no small portion of the day in cultivating the mind of this youn foreigner, and storing it with divine aiul human knowledge. The improvement of the scholar in other useful knowledge, but especially in spiritual discernment and devout feeling, was such as amply to repay his generous teacher. Indeed, his progress in the divine life was rapid, and soon put to shame some who had contributed to the happy result. In a tour through England and Scotland, which he subsequently made, Mr. Konig. not content with seeing and reporting upon the ordinary objects of interest to a traveller — of which, however, he was a diligent observer, explored, as he went, the abodes of misery — the infirmaries, and the cottages of lonely poverty — mihistering to the sufferers instruction and consolation, as well as pecuniary relief.
“The remembrance of that youth, graceful in person and beaming with benignity, is even now redolent with everything lovely and of good report. He was, in fact, ripening for early removal to a higher sphere. He returned to Holland, where he died of consumption: but not till he bad been permitted and enabled to witness for his Saviour a good confession in his native city. The report of his behavior during his death-illness excited considerable interest and surprise in Amsterdam, where his family was well known. Many, it has been stated, seemed to say, ‘What new thing is this V
‘’such blessings from above seemed to precede and follow this
Sood man, (Mr. S.) even when he was sent, as it were, into the esert. Surely his steps were ordered by the Lord, who delighted in his way I’ How aptly might be applied to him the sentiments of Bishop Home, speaking of the conversion of the Ethio-Eian’ eunuch: He who sent Philip to a desert place, did not send im there for nought; but raised a fair and fragrant flower, which, having bloomed for its appointed time on earth in the beauty of holiness, now displays its colors and diffuses its odors in the para-CHAP. XII.] *’ ACCOUNT OP KONIO. 185
dise of God; — who, whenever He pleases to bless the laoors of His servants, can cause the wilderness and the solitary place to be glad for them, and the desert to rejoice and blossom as the rose!’
From this and other instances, it appeared that, conversant as Mr. Simeon was with the largest projects for the conversion of nations and of the world; yet, like the angels, who account it an honor to minister to the heirs of salvation, even to little children, and who rejoice over one sinner that repenteth, he was ready also to seek diligently for a single sheep that was gone astray: and ’ when he had found it, to carry it as on his shoulders rejoicing.’ Indeed, it may be generally remarked, that they who have been most honored as the instruments ’ of turning many to righteousness,’ have been the persons who have been least grudging in their efforts to seek out or reclaim single wanderers from the lold of Christ.”