Letters, 1816
Lettert — To Rev. T. Thomamn on the Abfiue of Power — Annojaiiee firom a Fellow of hii College — FaTor in the UniTenityCliaplainB to India — of Bishop Bf anael — On Meekness and FoTbearance — On consulting the Prejudices of others — ReT. Corrie’s Missionary sermon — Letter from Mr. Corrie’ to Mr. Simeon — Letter to Mr. Thomaaon on the departure of Mr. and Mfs. Rohinson for India — Society for Gdneating pbus men for the MinistiT — On attention to CoUm disdpltne and studies-Memorandum respecting his Brother’s property — To Rey. T. Thomaaon on the characacter of Hemy Martyn — On symptoms ofapproaching illness — The improved state of his People.
1816.
CORRESPONDENCEy ETC.’
To Rev. T. Thomason.
<<K.C., March 8) 1819.
My beloved Brother, —
I have just received yours and my dear sister’s of SepL 1st: they have been almost seven months on their voyage. I regret that your prospects about your church, and the Bible Society, are so clouded. I confess, I have always been of the opinion* originally suggested by you and our beloved Martyn, respecting Dr. Buchanan’s plan of a visible Episcopal government among you. Power is good, if used for the Lord; but there is great danger of its not being used for the truth. People in authority think they must do something: and to obstruct good men and TOod things, is more popular than to punish neglect, or to censure lukewarmness. Our great comfort is, that God reigneth, and that He will ultimately be glorified in men, whether they will or not. He can not only work without tkem but against themj or even by them against their own designs.
I have at this moment sweet consolation from this thought Such conduct is observed towards me at this very hour by one of the fellows of the college, as, if practised by me, would set not the college only, but the whole town and University in a flame. But the peace and joy which I experience, from lying as clay in the potter’s hands, are more than I can express. I forbear to state particulars, because I must fill two sheets with them before you could properly enter into them: but I know that, whether men five or take away, it is not man, but the Lord; and that ‘He doeth all things well,’ and that if we only wait to the end, we shall see infallible wisdom and unbounded goodness in His darkest
dispensations. The example of our blessed Lord, who, ‘as a Iamb before its shearers,’ was dumb, and without either threatening or complaint, ’ committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously,’ appears to me most lovely; and I have unspeakable delight in striving (md hitherto with some success) to tread in His steps. God has long taught you this lesson, and I am endeavoring to learn it day by day. A little of the doxifiii will be an ample compensation for a good deal of dhytig,
“The case, however, that I refer to, is insulated; the respect and kindness shown me in the whole University far exceeds anything I ever experienced in former times. The numbers that attend my church are greatly increased; and I do hope that the work 01 God is prospering amongst us.
“If, however, you judge of what is doing here by what we are doing /or you you will form far too favorable an estimate. For within this year and a half I shall have sent you about a dozen: to Bengal, poor Mr. Crosthwaite; to Bombay, Mr. Carr, and I hope Mr. Robinson; to Madras, Messrs. Harper, Jackson, Malkin, Hough, Church, Trail; to Bencoolen, Mr. Winter; to St. Helena, Mr. Vernon. Besides these, if money can be raised, I hope to send two more to Madras, a Mr. Spring, and a Mr., not yet ordained.
All these are independent of those who are come to you from other quarters; e.g. Daviesand Fisher.... Had my anonymous gentleman been in orders, I should have sent him to China; for which, by his talents and piety, he is well qualified. But that must now slip through my fingers. It must be given away before the 5th of April.
*’ I take for granted that I mentioned to you the new Bishop of Gloucester, who is truly pious and devoted to Grod, and who honors me with his confidential friendship. He will be an unspeakable blessing to the Church. But it is not by him that I either do work, or intend to work. The Bishop of Bristol (Mansel) is the man who does for me all that I can ask. Mr. M. took his degree in January; and... was ordained deacon and priest, both times by letters dismissory. This is doing something; and more than I would venture to ask of any one else. But the Lord is in all this.
In another quarter there has been most cruel persecution.
The Bishop of has refused orders to two excellent young
men, on account of what he called Calvinism. I should fill sheets of paper if I were to state to you their case. Within my memory there has been nothing to be compared with this case, in point of oppression. ... At last Mr. Wilson (who was in deacon’s orders) is ordained priest :* Mr. BJackbum, the other, is not yet ordained.
“I have not time to write very particularly about your situation in India. Before any observations of mine could reach you, your situation would be so changed that they would be quite irrelevant.
By Biahop Mansel, in Trinity Chapel.
S48 COIfBULTINO PRB/UDI0B8. [cHAP. XVIU.
But 1 highly approve of your conciliatory conduct towards the bishop. Both duty and policy enjoin that, and I am greatly mistaken, if duty and policy are ever at variance. Honesty is the best policy; so is meekness, forbearance, and rendering sood for evil. At all events, they bring peace into the soul, both here and for ever.”
To the Rev. T. Thomabon.
“Aspe&den Hall, April 16, 1S16.
My beloved Brother, —
‘* I have set my’ heart upon dating a letter from this place; and of treating you with news about my boy, as I do my company with coffee, hot from the spit. You would scarcely know him, so j9orid and so robust. But you would be delighted to hear the account which Mr. and Miss Preston give of him....
*’ In my last I mentioned eleven, whom within this year and a half I have had the happiness of recommending to India; and I am now happy to say, that Mr. S., of whose going I was doubtful, makes the twelfth. There are two more vacancies I hope to fill, (one for Canton, and the other for Bombay,) as soon as I can get the persons ordained. The person for Canton is a man of great talents.
I have not spoken concerning the Orphan School for two reasons; first, I cannot form any adequate judgment respecting it, so much depending altogether upon local considerations; and, next, because all would be over, long before my observations could reach you. Misrepresentations of it have reached me through Mr. Marsh, to whom a letter was sent from Calcutta; and he, full of love, wished me to write to you, either in a way of consolation, or advice, according as the occasion, in my judgment, required. But I feel myself incompetent to either, as not understanding the gist of the question. Only, I should say in general, that it is well to consult the prejudices of men, even where we know those prejudices to be wrong; just as Paul did in the matter of circumcision, and the whole of the Jewish law. The true point for our inquiry is, what our motive is in those concessions: if it be the avoiding of the CrosSy we are wrong; but if it be the avoiding of offence we are right.
“The great week is now near at hand. I look forward to it with joy; though, in fact, it bordera too much upon religious dissipation. Still, however, the effect upon the puolic is good. Mr. Corrie preaches the Church Missionary sermon, Tby the way, I have put your missionary sermon with my own skeletons, that I may have the happiness of being in your company as long as my book shall exist;) I have looked it over, and am going to-morrow to look it over with him. It contains much information; but needs to have a good deal of it put into notes. An audience like his will
GBAP. ZVm.] RSY. DAIflBL CORRIE. S49
require somewhat more of religion to interest them: they would be tired with a succession of accounts about things, with which they are not sufficiently acquainted to enter fully into them. What a lovely character he is I I hope he will be restored to you strong as * a giant refreshed with wine.’
Ever, ever yours.**
The Rev. D. Corrie to the Rev. C. Simeon.
April 15, 1816.
“Very dear Sir, —
“With this I take the liberty to send my sermon for your inspection and correction. I am sensible of its defects, being anxious to introduce a number of facts, not, as I think, sufficiently known; there is too little Scripture quotation, and I feel it to be wanting in devotional spirit; though 1 hope the relation may excite a feeling of compassion, and excite to exertion in behalf of the heathen. ... I commend myself, as well as my poorproduction, to your kind attention and help. Whatever may be effected by it, is to be referred to you, as the instrument of blessing, present and sensible blessing to my own soul in the first instance. My poor prayers have ascended, at home and abroad, for your heahh and continued usefulness, in a place where so unlooked-for and undesired your labors were made useful to myself; and in eternity I feel I shall delight to acknowledge you as the means of the mercy I have found. I purpose, d. v., to be in Cambridge on Wednesday the 24th, so that you need not take any further trouble about sending the manuscript back: there will be time to make any alterations or additions after that period.
‘* I remain yours very truly and respectfully,
Daniel Corrib.’*
To the Rev. T. Tuomason.
‘< On board the Castlereagh, May 6, 1816.
“My best beloved Brother, —
“Here I am with your dear mother and Mr. and Mrs. Robinson.... We went on board, uncertain when the ship would sail; but expecting it rather to sail the next day.... We were very desirous of stopping till we should see the ship actually under way; but there were some engagements of mine that rendered it almost impossible. However, the next morning we could not endure the thought of not sailing with them a part of their way, as I had done with you, and therefore impossibilities were constrained to give way, as sometimes they will, to the omnipotent and controlling power of love.... Your dear mother, as you will readily conceive, is very much affected with the separation. By this removal also my duties are increased; as I shall now have to add, as far as I am capable of adding, the ser-
260 DSPABTURS OF MR. ROBINBOH. [CHAF. XTm.
vices of a daughter to those of a son. I would that I could so ex-
!>and with the occasion that your beloved mother might, never eel a void. I hope I can say, that, in my poor endeavors to fill your place, I am richly recompensed in the consolations which she enjoys. As for you, we seem to be as near to you as if you were in England. Our communion with you is very sweet, and our joy over you exceeding ^reat.
“Having had certain mformation of their proceeding on their voyage, your mother and I travelled 85 miles to Mr. Sargent’s, where we now are, and where I am finishing this letter. Mr. Sargent (at Graflfham, near Petworth) is goine on with honored Martyn’s life; but could not advance comlortaoly without me» I therefore embraced this opportunity of going to him, and shall spend about four days with him, and then return to Cambridge. From the last accounts of your beloved daughter, I am in hopes of seeing her soon, that we may pay her, as your proxy, a little of our debt of love to you. Kindest love to my sister.”
To the Rev. T. Thomason.
“June 4^1815.
My beloved Brother, —
... You will be glad to hear that the society, which I have for two years been endeavoring to establish in London for the education of pious young men for the ministry, is now established; and, I hope, will soon become a powerful instrument in the Lord’s hands. The trustees are Lord Caithorpe, Messrs* Wilberlorce, Babington, Grant, &c....
*’ The gentleman, whom I hope to send off for China, is to be ordained next Sunday by the Bishop of -^ — . Thus he will be ready to go at Christmas. It is astonishing how God has opened
the hearts of the Bishop of, and the Bishop of Bristol towards
me. They do more than could reasonably be hoped for from any bishop whatever.
You were informed some time since of my sermons before the University, on * I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.’ An absurd but well-meaning man has been preaching violently against them. He has excited a good deal of disgust, even in those who are no friends to me; but still he may do some harm, though I think not much. He has published his sermons, and will, I hope, be set right by the reviewers....
“Ever most affectionately yours.”
To the Rev.
«K.C.,NoT. 1, 191S.
My dear Sir, —
There are many reasons why I should prefer for
your brother before any other college. He will find there a greater
OHAF. XVIII.] MBMOBANDUM. 351
variety of religious characters than elsewhere; and will therefore more easily fall into the habits of those who are prudent, whils his little singularities will be the less noticed. But if he go about visiting the sick instead of attending to his academical studies, I shall five my voice against him instantly, that he may be removed: and if he come to college, he must come with the express understanding, that he shall be removed upon the first intimation from the tutor, and not be continued to be dismissed by authority. If he come without a full determination to conform in all things to college discipline and college studies, or with any idea of acting here as he miht in a little country parish, he will do incalculable iniury to religion. Pray let him understand this, and not come at all, if he is not prepared both to submit to authority, and to follow friendly advice. I do not at present know of any situation near town, but there will be no difficulty in obtainine one.
Your most affectionate and obedient servant,
«C. Simeon.’*
Memorandum.
<<K.C^ Cambridge.
Last week I returned from Bristol, where I witnessed a thing almost unprecedented in the annals of the world; — a whole city combinine; to fill up, by their united exertions, the void made in all charitable institutions by the loss of one man, Richard Reynolds, a member of the society called Quakers. Having myself acted in some measure upon that idea, in relation to my dear and honored brother, Edward Simeon, I take this opportunity of recording it for the satisfaction of myself and my executors.
My brother was extremely liberal, and did good to a vast extent At his death an exceeding great void would have been made, if I had not determined to accept a part of his property, and to appropriate it to the Lord’s service, and the service of the poor. The loss they would have sustained being about £700 or £800 a year, I suffered my brother to leave me £15,000, and have regularly consecrated the interest of it to the Lord, and shall (p. V.) continue to do so to my dying hour. Had I wished for money for my own use, I might have had half his fortune; but I wanted nothing for myself, being determined (as far as such a thing could be at any time said to be determined) to live and die in college, where the income which I previously enjoyed (though moderate in itself) sufficed, not only for all my own wants, but for liberal supplies to the poor also.
These things are well known at present in our college, (Mr.
in particular, as a counsel, examined my brother’s will,
wherein there is proof sufficient of. these things;) but at a fixture period they may be forgotten, and persons may wonder, that with
252 HIS BBOTHSft’s BEaUBST. [cHAP. XVIIL.
my income I did not resign my fellowship. The fact is, I have not increased my own expenditure above £50 a year; nor do I consider myself as anything but a steward of my deceased brother for the poor. It is well known that, lon previous to his death, I ^-efused what was considered the best livmg of our college: and I should equallv refuse anything that the king himself could offer me. that should necessitate me to give up my present situation, and especially my church. And I write this now, that if, after my decease, it should be asked, ‘Why did he not vacate his fellowship V my executor may have a satisfactory answer at hand. It lies in a short space:
“Ist. If twice £15,000 were offered me to vacate my fellowship, I would reject it utterly.
2nd. The legacy I have received I do not consider as mine* but as belonging to the poor and to the Lord; and I am only the steward, to whose hands it is committed.
“yd. The proof of this will be found in my refusal of any living before, as well as since, my brother’s death, and in my account-books, wherein the disposal of this money is regularly entered.
Witness my hand this 19th of October, 1816.
“C. Simeon ’
To the Rev. T. Thomason.
“K.C, Not. 20, 1816.
“My beloved Brother, —
Never did I write to you under such peculiar circumstances as the present. Three whole mornings of about six or seven hours have dear Mr. Sargent, and Mr. Corrie, and your beloved mother, and myself, been reading the life of our lamented brother, Mr. Martyn. Truly, it has humbled us all in the dust Since the apostolic age I certainly think that nothing has ever exceeded the wisdom and piety of our departed brother: and I conceive that no book, except the Bible, will be found to excel this. In general, the diaries of religious people exhibit the same thing again and again; but in this there is nothing repeated; and it exhibits such a mind and such a heart, as make him to appear almost like a different species from ourselves: we looked to him as at an almost unapproachable distance. David Brainerd is great: but the degree of his melancholy and the extreme impropriety of his exertions, so much beyond his strength, put him on a different footing from our beloved Martyn; whilst the imagination of Martyn, and the inexhaustible richness of his ideas, give to his relations an interest superior to anything I ever read. Mr. Cprrie’s presence, too, has been highly favorable in rectifying some little things, which yould have given to some parts an air of inaccuracy. But I must not enlarge; though were I to en-CBAP. ZVIII.] THO0OHT8 ON DEATH. 258
large ever so much, I should have no fear of disappointing your expectations. The circumstance of Mr. Sargent having so much leisure has been of incalculable benefit: for it has enabled him to throw a lightness over the whole, by connecting every part, and making the transitions easy and natural....
Now let me advert to those circumstances of yours which have made my heart bleed. I lost not a moment in sending your letter to Mr. Grant, and in concerting the best measures for your assistance. ... In this state of things I have deliberated much, and with the wisest and best of men in concert, (Mr. W., Lord C, and the Bishop of 6.,) to find what is the best to be done for you.... But in my request I confined myself to what might be asked without injury and without offence. I have got for you a blessed assistant, such an one as I wished you to have; and I wished Mr. W. to get a letter from Mr. Canning to the bishop respecting him. But 1 find that Mr. W. will, as soon as he can find an opportunity, hiring the whole matter before Mr. C.... Be assured I will not cease day or night to labor for you; and to look up to our God to direct and bless my exertions. The name of the gentleman I refer to is Mr. Fenn, a man of eminent talents and piety; and under you he will soon become a great proficient in Eastern languages.
“Yesterday was our Cambridge Bible Society Anniversary. It was remarkably well attended. Lord Hardwicke in the chair. I was unfortunately kept away by either a bruise in my foot, or, as Mr. Parish and your dear mother think, and as I fear, the gout 1! My father once had it, and only once; I may therefore have it now, and no more: but in my mind I am rather inclined to think, that the time is now approaching when I must descend from my horse to a carriage; and if so, I consider it as a very long step towards the eternal world. What may be my views of eternity when it comes very near, I know not: but my trust is in the tender mercy of my God in Christ Jesus; and I can joyfully leave myself in His hands. It has for manv years been my delight to contemplate death as close at hand: and the more my mind is familiarized with death now, the more tranquil, 1 trust, it will be, when the closing scenes of life shall have actually arrived. Ever, ever yours, C. Simeon.”
To the Rev. T. Thomason.
“K.C., Deo.19, 1818.
My beloved Brother, —
I am truly glad that you suggested what you did about dear Martyn’s Persian Translation, ft came at a most important crisis.. •. You may be assured that all shall be done respecting them (if my life be spared) advisedly. There shall be no unnecessary delay; but no ill-advised haste....
2M JOT IN BIB MINISTRY. [cHAP. ZVUI.
My people, who remained steadfast, are in a blessed state: my church better attended than ever: my delight in my work greater: my health is good: my strength is renewed, so that I preach with ease. I do hope that God has yet something for me to do before I die.... Kindest love to my sister; and the smaller fry a kiss each.’*