Letters, 1822
Letters — To Rev. T. Thomason on the Retam of his Son — Journey to Ireland — Sermons and Meetings in Dublin — Archbishop of Tuam — Remarks on Calvinism — Storm on the passage home — Visit to Oxford — The Provost of Oriel — To Dr. Coppleston on the Caivinistic Controversy — To a Missionary on Experimental Religion — Extracts from his Diary — His Cliinacteric — Visit to Delicacy in making R»- qaeets — On acting with Judgment — Jews’ Meeting at Bristol — And at Gloucester — Duchess of Beaufort on walking with Wisdom — rebuke of Vanity — On giving a Vote — Catholic Emancipation — Mr. Bankes’s Election.
1822.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.
To the Rev. T. Thomason.
“Oxford, April 96, 1832.
” My beloved Brother, —
“I am now on my return from Ireland, whither I have been with my dear friend Mr. Marsh; he for the Gentiles and I for the Jews. As you will soon hear from me at large respecting
four beloved James, I shall pass him over, with only saying, that have taken his berth in the David Scott; that on the 23d of May I intend to go and see him receive his last prizes; and that on the 1st of June I hope your mother and I shall sail with him, as I did with you and my dear sister, as far as the pilot goes. Mr. Harrington and Sergeant Blosset, and your colleague Mr. Craufurd, will sail with him, and all on the same deck, in contiguous cabins. O that God may preserve him in safety, and bring him to your bosom as the most dear and acceptable of all earthly treasures.
Now for Ireland. You will wish to hear of my motions now in my climacteric, more especially as my dial has been * put back ten degrees.’
“There is among the prelates of Ireland, an augmented prejudice against the truth. The Primate and the Archbishop of Dublin have withdrawn, and others with them, from the Bible Society and all the religious societies. It appeared to me therefore, that, through the Divine blessing, I micht do good by going there. The bugbear in their minds. is Calvinism; by whicn term they designate all Vital religion. You well know that though strongly Caivinistic in some respects, I am as strongly Arminian in others. I am free from all the trammels of human systems; and can pronounce every part of God’s blessed word, ore rotundo
880 YIBIT TO IRELAND. [cHAF. ZZIV.
mincing nothing, and fearing nothing. Perhaps, too, I may say, that, from having published sixteen volumes, and preached for foi*ty years in Cambridge, I mav be supposed to give a pretty just pictufe of the state of evangelical religion, such as it really is. On this account I hoped, that however insignificant in myself, I might be an instrument of good: more especially, because in the last year I sent to every prelate there my sermons on the conversion of the Jews. It happened, too, that they were anxious to have me come over thither; and that Mr. Marsh was actually engaged to go for the Church Missionary Society. With joy therefore I accepted the invitation, being myself most willing to go; and accordingly I proceeded with Mr. Marsh, on Monday, April 8th, and got to Holyhead on Thursday; and we reached our destined home in good health and spirits on the Saturday afternoon.
“No sooner were we arrived than Irish hospitality evinced itself in an extraordinary degree. You, who know the precise line in which I walk at Cambridge, will be astonished, as I myself was, to find earls and viscounts, deans and dignitaries, judges, &c., calling upon me, and bishops desirous to see me. Invitations to dinner were numerous from dififerent quarters; one had been sent even to London, and to Cambridge, to engage us to dinner on the Bible-day. But let me enter on what will appear yet more extraordinary on the other hand. The archbishop, understanding that foreigners were invited to preach in Dublin, had said that he had no objection to Mr. Marsh or myself, but that he expected the minister to adhere; to the Canon, which required the exhibition of our letters of orders previous to our admission to any pulpit m his province. Information respecting this had been sent us, and we came prepared: and the church-wardens were summo’ned to the vestry to record and attest the exhibition of them. In the morning of the next day I preached at St. George’s Church, to a congregation of 1200, a kind of preparatory sermon for the Jews; and God seemed to be manifestly present with us. In the evening I preached at another smaller church in the outskirts of the city; and had reason to hope that the word did not go forth in vain.
On the next day (Monday) I dined at the Countess of Westpmeath’s, and met Judge Daly and many other characters of the highest respectability. Tuesday was the Jews’ Society day. This society in Ireland takes the lead, and is carried on with surprising spirit. Their committee meets every Monday morning; and they give themselves to prayer as well as to the ministry of the various offices that are called for. The Archbishop of Tuam was in the chair: we met in the rotunda. It is however ill-adapted for speaking. The windows were open on both sides, so that the voice was carried out by the wind, and those in front could not hear: I did my best, however; but not without suffering
OfiAP. XXtT.] MEETIN6B IN DUBUH. 981
for it for two or three days. They looked to me as the representative of the society, and therefore I felt bound to exert myself to the uttermost. It was altogether a very interesting meeting.
The Bible meeting was the next day. The archbishop again was in the chair: and his address was the finest thing I ever heard. The Primate and the Archbishop of Dublin had withdrawn their names from the society; the Archbishop of Tuam therefore stood on very delicate ground. This he stated; but observed, that as they had not declared their reasons for withdrawing, and he could discover none himself, he must continue to uphold it. He spoke with a dignity suited to his rank, yet with the meekness of his Divine Master. Perhaps Paul before Festus will give you the best idea of his whole action, spirit, and deportment. I doubt not but that he will hear of that speech at the day of judgment. After the reading of the Report I left the assembly: for after the exertions of the preceding day 1 greatly needed’ rest Thursday was the meeting of the School Society: that was in a smaller room, and Earl Roden in the chair. It was a most delightful meeting: and my dear fellow-traveller, Mr. Marsh, produced a vast sensation, as indeed he generally does; such a playful suavity as his I never heard. On the Friday, at the Church Mission Society, the Archbishop of Tuam again presided. If I could have accepted of all the invitations, they would have lasted almost to this time.
On Saturday I preached my Jewish sermon to a good congregation, who collected £114, and my sermon is printing there: and as I preached it three days ago before the University of Cambridge, it is printing here also at Cambridge, where I am finishing this letter. I shall send you a copy, hi the note* you will see perhaps a harder blow at Calvinism, as an exclusive system than it has ever yet received. It has been assaulted severely by enemies, times without number; but here it is wounded by a friend: and I hope the blow will be felt, to the restraining of its friends and the reconciling of its enemies to my views. I believe
The Note referred to by Mr. >Simeon is the following: —
“It is worthy of remark, that whilst Calvinists complain of Arminians as unfair and unscriptural, in denying personal, though they admit natumal, election, they themselves are equally unfiur and unacriptural in denymg the danger of rtersonal apostasy, whilst they admit it in reference to aiurdua and natums. It is lamentaoie to see the pliun statements of Scripture so unwarrantably set aside for the maintaining of human systems. Happy would it be for the Church, if these distinctions were buried oy the consent of all parties, and the declarations of Holy Writ were adhered to by all, without prejudice or partuility!
“The Author’s views of this subject are simply these. All good is from God, dispensed by Him in a way of sovereignty according to the counsels of His own will, and to the praise of the gloir of His grace. All evil, whether moral or penal, is from man; the moral, as resulting mpm his own free choice; the penal, as the just and necessary consequence of his sins. The Author has no doubt but that there is in Ood*s blessed Word a system; but it is a far broader system than either Calvinists or Anninians admit His views of that system may be seen in the Pre&ce to this work.”
Respecting this note Mr. S. wrote not long before his death : — “This / regard as veiy important”
332 STOBM AT SEA. [cHAP. XXIY. ’
in final perseverance as much as any of them; but not in the toay that others do. God’s purpose shall stand; but our liability to fall and perish is precisely the same as ever it was: our security, as far as it relates to Him, consists in faith; and, as far as it relates to ourselves, it consists in lear.
“But I see that if I go on, my paper will not hold half that I have to say. Let it suffice therefore to add,- that as 1 was not expected in other parts of Ireland, I went no further, but returned
on the following Monday to Holyhead On the morning
of my return there was as violent a storm as had been known in that sea for twenty years: and already I have seen an account of ten ships lost in it; one king’s ship of eighteen guns, three packets, (1 myself was in a packet,) three large foreign ships, and three smaller, besides many fishing vessels; and I douot not several other ships of which I have not heard. Through the tender mercy of God I was kept from any apprehensions, having my mind sweetly employed in travelling between heaven and earth, with all my friends successively in my head; you and yours were not forgotten. I trust that in your best seasons I am not forgotten by you; and I hope that my life is yet preserved for further usefulness in the Church of God.
On my return I stopped a few days at Oxford, accounting it a matter of importance to see, if I could, some of the Dons.. I had two opportunities of seeing several, particularly the Provost of Oriel; with whom I dined and held most profitable conversation. He accords more with my views of Scripture than almost any other person I am acquainted with; and I hope our conversation was made useful.’’
To the Rev. Dr. Coppleston,* Provost of Oriel College, Oxford.
“May 10, 1828.
“My dear Sir, —
‘^ Afler the great kindness which you have shown me, I make no apology for addressing you in this manner, or for requesting you to honor me with accepting three copies of a sermon, which I preached on Sunday last before the University of Cambridge. My object in printing it is, not so much to advocate the cause of the Jews and their claims upon us fop our best exertions in their behalf, {that having been done in my two former discourses, circulated through the empire,) as to give to Calvinism, as an exclusive system, a blow, which I am not aware it has ever yet received.
It has afforded me unspeakable pleasure to find a cause, which I conceive to be so essential to the peace and welfare of the Christian Church, and which throughout my whole life I have labored
The Bishop of Llandaff.
OHAP. XXIV.] ON BXPBRIMENTAL RELIGION. 833
with all my might to maintain, so abJy supported by one in your high station; and by one whose statements will be weighed with the candor and consideration due to them. If, agreeably to your views, all would be content to meet on Scripture ground, and not attempt to be wise above what is written, how many controversies and contentions might be avoided I We may surely leave to Him, who has given us the Revelation, to explain in His own time anything which we cannot comprehend. I do conceive that, if taken abstractedly, nothing can be plainer, than that all good is of God and all evil of man. It is only the attempt to reconcile these two positions, and to satisfy our own reason upon every difficulty which may be raised respecting them, that makes the ground of controversy; and I earnestly hope, that you will long continue to use the powerful influence of your pen to drive men from that ground, and to establish their minds on the broad basis of Scripture Truth. I am, my dear sir, with most unfeigned respect and esteem, your most faithful servant, C. Simeon.”
To a Missionary, on experimental religion.
“K. C.^Ang. 16, 1822.
My verjr dear Friend, —
“Never did I take up my pen to write to you with such pleasure as at this moment. Your letter is come to hand, dated Dec. 5, 1821. This does that which I both desired and expected; and in that very particular which I was most desirous to see. It shows me, what I was most anxious to hear, that you are growing in self-knowledge; and it therefore opens to me a fit opportunity of declaring to you, what have been my fears respecting you from the beginning. You have always appeared to me to be sincere. But your views of Christianity seemed to be essentially defective. You have always appeared to admire Christianity as a system; but you never seemed to have just views of Christianity as a remedy; you never seemed to possess self-knowledge, or to know the evil of your own heart I never saw in you any deep contrition, much less anything of a tender self-loathing and self-abhorrence. This always made me jealous over you with a
S^odly jealousy; and never till this moment have I had my fears or your ultimate state removed. I beheld in you somewhat of a childlike simplicity; and I well know that if it be associated with contrition it is a virtue of the sublimest quality; but if contrition be wanting, the disposition which assumes that form differs but little from childishness. But you now begin to feel the burthen of sin: you now begin, though still in a very small degree, to have your mind open to the corruptions of the heart, and to your need of k dying Saviour to atone for you by His blood, and a living Saviour to renew you by the influences of His Spirit
334 ON EXPERIMENTAL BELIOION. [cHAP. XXTV,
Seek, my dear friend, to grow in this knowledge; for it is this that will endear the Saviour to you, and make you steadfast in your walk with God. This is the foundation which must be dug deep, if you would ever build high, and the ballast which alcme will enable you to carry sail. You may conceive the brazen serpent,, which Moses erected in the wilderness, to havB been exquisitely formed, and you may suppose persons to have greatly admired the workmanship, and the contrivance of erecting it upon a pole for the benefit of all who should behold it; but the meanest person in the whole camp, who had but the most indistinct view of it, if he beheld it with a sense of his own dying condition, and with an experience of its efficacy to heal his wounds, would have an incomparably better view of it than the virtuoso, however much he might admire it. This hint will show you what in my judgment you toere and what I hope you will be. Christianity is a personal matter, not to be commended merely to others, but to be experienced in your own soul: and though you may confound your opponents by your arguments, you will never do any essential good, and much less will you reap any saving benefit to your own soul, till you can say, * What mine eyes have seen, mine ears have heard, and mine hands have handled of the word of life, that same declare I unto you.’
Your work, which I have read with much pleasure, gives me reason to hope that God is teaching you this lesson. In some respects your situation is favorable for advancing* in this knowledge: in other respects it is unfavorable. It is favorable, because you will be made to feel the pride and vanity of the human heart; sometimes by undue complacency in your victories, and at other times by undue discouragement from your disappointments. On the other hand, it is unfavorable, because you will be told about your adroitness in wielding your weapons of assault and defence, and be flattered on account of your superiority. But you will remember that Herod, when he listened to flattery, was eaten up with worms. You will have no one with you to caution you on this head: and your letters from England are likely to be more injurious in this respect, than all the others that you may receive from every quarter of the world. Remember, that if we are * lifted up with pride, we shall fall into the condemnation of the devil.’ At present you are but a novice; this therefore will be your danger. Be watchful then over your own spirit, and live nigh to God in earnest and continual prayer; and then you may hope that God will be with you, and will * preserve you blameless unto His heavenly kingdom.’
“In your future letters open your mind fully to me; and expect always both fidelity and love from your very affectionate friend,
“C. Simeon.’*
OBAP. XXIY.] HIS CLIMACTERIC VISIT TO EARLHAM. 885
Extracts from a Diary written in 1822*
Though I have often thought of keeping a diary, I have as often relinquished it; because f should not deem it right to commit to paper a partial view of my experience, nor think it expedient to state all that myself am conscious of before God. But since a record oi facts will serve as a memorial of passing events, and as my life, contrary to human expectation, becomes more replete with important incidents, I put down a few of them, beginning with my climacteric.
“Sqit 24. Who would have thought, especially for the last sixteen years, that 1 ■hoald ever live to this day 1 I myself should almost as soon have expected to attain the age of Methuselah, as to see this day, — my climacteric (63.) I spent this day, as I have for these forty-three last yean, as a day of humiliation; having increasing need of such seasons every year I live.
My strength and msot both of mind and body seem to increase with years: and I bless my Gkpd, my won is as delightful to me as at any period of my life.
Sept. 30. Went to Norwich to attend the meetings there. I had set my heart on administering comfort to my dear afflicted friend, J. J. Gurney of Earlham, who has lately lost the most lovely of wives; and it pleased Glod so to pour oil and wine into his wounds, that he rested far better than he had done for a very long period.
Oct 1. I met the collectors of the London Society at Miss Hancock’s. Mr. Thelwall and Mr. Stewart of Percy Chapel were there; we all officiated, and it was an useful season.
Oct. 2. The Church Missionary Society met; and I spoke there. What a piW it is that people cannot seek the welfare of Jews and GlentUes without envy and jealousy! On the part of the London Society, I would utterly discraim and abhor everything of rivalry. Love to Ghxl and man should be the only feeling of the soul.
Oct 3. The Bible Society, where I attended. My aid was not wanted.
Oct. 4. The London (Jews’) Society meeting. My friends at Earlham were all cold,
and rather prejudiced against the society. acknowledged that he did not think ’
well of the society, on account of several persons who had formerly borne a conspicuous part in it; and he thought we ought not to have our meeting at the time that the other societies tiad theirs. With gentleness and love I answered his objections, and pretty well removed’ them. And dear Mr. Gumey, who is all love, prevailed on him to stay and speak at the meeting, which he did with good effect Mr. B. and F. C. spoke, as did Mr. Gurney aUo. Here I found the benefit of a principle which I invariably adopt, of never pressing upon any human being my sentiments or wishes, without an absolute necessity. If a friend be reduced to the necessity of refusing or complying, he will fed grieved: but if, though with pain to himself, he do anything without being importuned, he has a sweet feeling of love excited by that very act; or, if he refrain from domg what you wish, he feels a love to you for not pressing aim against his will. Grod eave me the hearts of all, and I had every individual active in my cause. I should indeed have been better pleased, if they had sought to please GKxl instead of me; because Gkxi would have been better pleased with them, and would have rewarded them better than I can ever du; but I am pleased to find my principle so sanctioned and honored by Almighty God.
During the week I assisted the whole family at Earlham in reading. How rare it is to find a person who reads well! They all greatly improved. I feel this to be a very important vocation. I pretend not to read wdl; but God enables me to give instructions which are not to be obtained elsewhere; and I have on some occasions met with extraordinary success. The world, I hope, will have to thank me for the benefit that has already accrued to Mr. Gurney, and to Mr., whose great talents are lost by means of
1^ bad delivery.
Oct. 14. Went to town, and next day to Sir Thos. Baring’s, Stratton Park; I went
to meet Mr., who had informed me of his desire to return to the Church. They
wished to consult me as to the means to be adopted, and in mj advice I went as opposite to my dear brother Marsh, as the east is from the west. He is all love; and lets aifeo tion sit as president in his counsels. I, on the contrary, turn affection out of the council-chamber, or at best, only let him have a single vote. If I advise, it is in order to po* duce the but ends by the fittest means: to do this, I must consider, not what I wish, but what others will think, and say, and do. Paul spoke privately to the chief penons
886 BELI6IOU8 MEETINGS. [cHAP. XXIT.
at Jenualem in the fint instance, lest be should defeat his pious porposes’: I wish to tread in his vteps, endeavoring to unite the wisdom of the serpent with too hamilcMiMBS
of the dove. Sir Thomas B. and Mr. were thoroughly convinced that niy plani
were good; and they will act upon them.
Oct. 18. The meeting at Bristol — the mayor in the chair. It wsa opened with a Bbb report. Dr. Hamilton, a son of the Bishop of Dromore, moved the first resoiutioa: he is a sweet-spirited man, with a rauly flow of words. Mr. Thelwall’s speech was very pioos, eloquent, and sound; it produced a fine impression. Mr. Marsh brought foiwanl the resolution of the Greek women to fiffht with, and die by the side of their husbands*, and he uiged on the females to stand oy their husbands, brothers, and sons, in this good cause. Major Mackworth spoke admirably. He was present with Wolff at ioppa, at what is supposed to be the house of Simon the tanner. He spoke highly of the interest he excited among the Jews. li wu tke moH Ao/y, heavenly muting thai I ever atUnded.
Oct. 21. In the evening there was a large party of ladies and gentlemen at the palace, met to prepare for forming a Jew’s’ Society the next day. I read Mr. W.’s last letter: Mr. Marsh and Mr. Hawtrey spoke a little, and rules were drawn up by Mr. Hodson. After the company were gone, I conversed much and deeply with our nome party: a Divine unction was upon us, and I believe all were edified and comforted.
Oct 22. We went to the meeting at Gloucester. The bishop in the chair. The meeting was veiy respectably attended. It was a good meeting; but not so holy as that at Bristol. After dinner I had hours of conversation with the Duchess of Beaufort and Mrs. Whitmore. About thirty persons had been invited to tea: but they chose to have me to themselves; and glad should I be if I could record the conversation. Ladies in their station have a very difiicult path to move in; and to act wuBely in it is of infinite importance. My object was to lead them into all those nice discriminations which the apostolic writings contain, and which constitute true practical wisdom. The eaner way would be to lay down broad principles without any qualifications, and to adhere to them without any regard to circumstances. But so did not the apostle: he became all things to all men, that he might by all means save some.* This mdeed, if injudiciously done, may b attended with bad effect both to themselves and others; but if wisely done, and Jor Godf and in humble dependence on Him for the benefit of those connected with ua, It forms the line of distinction between a wise Christian, who, by his ’ well-doing, pots to silence the ignorance of foolish men,* and the inconsiderate Christian, who casts only stumbling-blocks in their way. These discriminations are exceedingly difficult to be reduced to system, because they depend on a variety of circumstances, which must of necessity affect every separate case. We sat till near twelve: and I hope that both the ladies, and Mrs. R. who was of the party, will have reason to be thankful for it”
After a statement of the rude treatment which he had just received from one of the fellows of his college, Mr. Simeon observes: —
*’ Nov. 8. But such has been his conduct on former occasions, and such of many others at different times; and they all lead me to practise, what God has hitherto enabled me to practise, ’ the turning of the right cheek to nim who smites me on the left, and the giving my cloak to him who has taken away my coat’ The season of this is somewhat pecdhar: Dr. Buchanan sent me this very morning Dr. Stewart’s Life. I bad opened it (perhaps improperW) to see if there were any mention made of my visit to him at Moulin in the year 1?^6: and my vanity was gratified with the large notice taken of it, and the unmerited expressions of respect in a book which is circulating to a great extent through Scotland. I had not finished that part five minutes, before this check to vanity was s3ministered. Prom hence then I learn to say, * Let me be honored of God, and trampled under foot of men.’ I know the connection between the two, nor do I ever wish it to be dissolved. But who would have believed, that a person who but lately gave £700 to the college towards the building of the bridge, should receive such treatsment as this 1
Nov. 9. I have said nothing to Mr., or to the vice-provost, or any in the college,
about Mr. ’s conduct It is the second blow that makes the battle. And what harm
does it do to me to be silent 1 To pass by a transgression is more becoming the Gospel than to resent it
Nov. 19. Old Mr. Oiantj with Professor Farish, called on me and dined with me.
It WM a great grief to me that I could not vote for Iub ion cm Tuesday next: but I told him, that I n^ord mj Tote ibr a Member of Parliament not aa a rigJU bat a truatj to be used oonedentiously for the good of the whole kingdom; and his son’s being a friend to what is called Catholic Emancipation, is in my eyes an insurmountable objection to his amiointment Gladly would I give to Catholics every privilege that could conduce to their happiness: but to endanger the Protestant ascendency and stability is a sacrifica which I am not prepared to make. Viewing this matter as I do, I could not yoCe fo Mr. Robert Grant, if he were my own son. I think I shall not vote at all.
Nov. 26. Mr. Grant having withdrawn, I feel at liberty to vote for Mr. Bankes, who is a friend both to the existing Government and the Protestant ascendency. The aoU lasted two days; and the numbers were, fer Lord Hervey S80, Mr. Scarlett S19, Mr. Bankes 419. I am glad of the result, because it shows the sense of the University about the Catholic ouestion. I had a good deal of conversation with Mr. Bankes’s fiither, who fully approved of my letter to Lord Liverpool, and engaged to show it to the lord chancellor, and Lord stowell. O that it might open their eyes t”