Letters, 1823
L«ttan — To a Ftther on Religions Society for his Son-n our Lord’s Religious Experience and Cheerftilness — Diary at Paris — Duchess de Broglie — Marshal Soult’s Picture-gallery — Letter to the Duchess of Beaufort on Christian Liberty and Christian Duty — To ReT. T. Thomason on Mr. Grant’s Death — His restored Health — Sennons at St. Mary’s on The Law’ — To a Friend who requested a Loan — On the Relious disposal of his Property — Memorandum on the receipt of a laige Sum for Religious Objects.
1823.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.
To a Father, on religious society for his Son.
«K.C., March 4,1823.
If he were to have spent a fortnight or three weeks at
I should have dreaded it Three or four days there will do good: more than that will do harm. This needs explanation. Mr. ’ is of a very ardent mind; truly pious, but by no means judicious. His bold broad, animated statements have been made
without effect. But to contract from Mr. a wild discursive
habit of mind or speech, would, in my judgment, be a calamity. My wish is, that vour son should see religion in a cheerful dress; but that he should never be led to conceive of it as ieparable, even for a moment, from wisdom and gravity, from modesty and
sobriety. And I gave a portable and easy canon whereby
to judge, and to assist your son in judging, namely, this: Always consider whether you can conceive of our blessed Lord as speaking or acting in such a way; and if it appears quite incongruous for him, be very cautious of adopting it yourself. Mr. M. mentioned the construction which your son put upon the occupation of his mind with study. This was nothing more than what was to be expected. I told him to tell your son from me, that I thought an hour in the morning, and the same in the evening, was sufficient for religious exercises, and better than a longer time. The Sabbath, of course, he would devote to its more appropriate studies. I am not anxious about combating tlis objection tpery strongly at the present moment Let us have the effect. Let the mind be profitably enaed, and like the light, the propriety of such an occupation will bring its own evidence along with it, and its own reward also in every way.’*
OHAF. ZXY.] CBBBKFULNB8S IN RBLIOION. 889
On religious experience and cheerfulness.
To the same.
«K. C, July 17, 1823.... Your son wants to know whether bis heart is right with Grod; and through Mr. £., I should have led him insensibly to the knowledge of it, just as I should show a mower whether he had a proper edge upon his scythe. When be put it in motion, and saw the effects produced, he would have a demonstration which he could not withstand. So your son, brought to interest himself in works of benevolence abroad, would have his morbid feelings dispelled, and his experience would refute his arguments. He would see that he is right, in spite of all that a distorted imagination can suggest.... The things which I regret, are the loss of regular study, which I conceive to be in every view of the utmost importance toJiim; and the loss of a friend, who with wisdom and piety possesses a good measure of tactf which is peculiarly necessary for one who has to deal with a inind like your son’s.
Mr. is truly excellent as possessing real piety; but if he had
a little more of vivacity, and an elasticity of mind capable of suiting itself more completely to the motions of your son’s mind, I should be glad. We must not however expect to find every thing in any man. Religion is calculated to make us hapmr; and I love to see religion in a cheerful dress. But the minds of’^men are differently constituted; and we must take them all as nature aild £*ace have made them. Peter and John, though two of our ord’s most favored disciples, were formed in diflerent moulds; and if your son should not set off the beauties of religion as we could wish, I feel no doubt, but that in the siht of the Omniscient Judge, he is in a state highly to be envied; nis heart is upriyht; his conscience is tender; his spirit humble; his conduct uniform and holy.”
Extracts from a Diary of a Journey to Paris.
Friday, Much 25. Reached Puis.
Sunday, 27. We went to Mr. Way’s chapel. There were nearly 500 present, many were in an ante-room. Mr. Way preached on John xiv. 1. He was eloquent and striking; but after somewhat of a desuttoi manner. I staid for the afternoon, when Mr. H. preached. If he had strength to give effect to his words, he would be a very fine preacher. His style is elesant, and his discoasion sensible, 1 Pet i. 7.
Good Friday, April 1. Mr. Way’s chapel very full; Prince Leopold and the Duchess of Somerset received the Sacrament. Above 200 persons received it. Mr. W. went out of his way to introduce his favorite subject I think it could hardly be a fair specimen of his ministrations; for General Macaulay told me he was doing extensive good; and from th numbers who attend, and the reverent way in which they attend, I cannot bat think that he is more useful here than he would be in any other place on earth.
I am invited to prolong my stay,
1. To dine with the Duchess de Brofflie, the daughter of Madame de Stael:
2. To attend the Jews’ meeting on Friday:
3. To preach for the Jews on Sunday.
For these ends I shall prolong my stay.
MO DucHEaB or beaufobt. [chat. xxt«
iiiiday, April 3. Preached in Mr. Way on Rer. xv. 3, 4; the ccmgrgatiiMi laifs, and the commanicants 200. Tndj that bleaaed man has a most important sphere.
Dined with Lady William Bentinck.
Wednesy, Gth. Lady Wm. took me in her carriage to the Duke de Brof’s. The Bchess understands Enirlish well: and has both written a mehee to Mr. Ersl
Snfflish well: and has both written a prefiice to Mr. Erskine’o book on the Evidences of Christianity, and translated his book on Faith. I had a great deal of convenation with her. She has a strong sTernon to Calvinism, and a 8tron|P perroasion that the heathen shall be saved; because it would be contrary to all that God lias done for the salvation of the world, to punish those to whom that suvation has not been revealed. I opened to her my views of the Scripture system, as far broader than either Calvin or Arminius made it; and I shovrod ber that brokenness of heart was the’ key to the whole. She is a lovely woman and verr sensible. Her mother, Madame de Stael, has no reason to be ashamed of such a daughter.
Friday, 8th. I then called on Lady Wm. B. and went with her to Marshal Soult’s, to see his collection of pictures. Those which are most esteemed are the Pool of Betheada, and the Return of the Prodigal Son. Of the former I should say, the paralytic is extremely good; but the compassion of our Lord is ^vman, not divitu, I thmk that as our Lord apake as God, (John v.,^ so he should be represented as acting like God; and that the countenance ahould rather nave expressed mqfestie benigniiy than human compassion. Respecting the latter I ahould say, Most persons would think that the fitther expresses too uttle joy; but to me, he says to his son, ‘Drop that subject; you pain me by your confessions •/ and tlUs I consider to be more suited to the occasion than an expressbn of great joy. Jay atone might have become a brother or a sister; but this mixed feeling beci a &ther. The son’s expression is exquisite; and the boy brin^ing the fktted calf, and the servants the best robe, are all finely in character. I prefer this to the former. Then we went to a Jews’ meeting at Mr. Way’s. There were several blesnd men there; particularly M. Merle d’Aubn6, Protestant minister at Brufsels, and M. Bertalaod or Versailles. I had sweet union with both of them. We all dined at Mr. Way’s; and mr soul was much refreshed with the conversation of these twa
Sunday, April 10. I preached at Mr. Way’s chapel on John iv. 23, for the Jews. The chapel was not quite so full as on Good Friday. I had a remarkably, blessed season for a full hour. Most were in tears. The Duchess de Broglie was there.
Monday, April 11. Left Paris, to my great joy.”
On the important and delicate topics in the following letter to the Duchess of Beaufort, Mr. Simeon pbserves in his diary: —
“I had many repeated opportunities of opening what I considered as the Scriptural view of this subject, drawing as accurately as I could the line between Christian liberty and Christian duty. I have done this more fully in a letter, which at her request I sent her, and which she has* since shown to the duke; and it seems., by her answer, to have satisfied in a measure all their minds. I pray God it may never prove a snare to her or her daughters. I wrote it as in the sight of God, and showed it to Mr. Sargent and Mr. Hawtrey before I sent it; and if it prove a blessing to them, it will be some little recompense from the Lord for all the kindness which they showed me.’’
To the Duchess of Beaufort.
•“Mayn, ld23.
“My very dear Madam, —
“On the subject of your grace’s letter, I have always felt myself incompetent to advise those who move in the higher walks of life. I know in a measure what the blessed word of God says in relation to our separation from the world, and I know in a measure
the line of condact that befits my own situation in life: but when I come to mark with precision the line that is to be observed in your*hiffh station, I feel, and have ever felt, myself unequal to the task. My own habits, instead of inspiring me with confidence in relation to others, only make me the more diffident I am a man of some firmness and decision of character; and from the first moment that I set myself to seek the Lord, I gave up myself wholly to Him, and separated myself altogether from the world. I had no one to control me: my situation favored it: the people about me had not (as far as I could see) one particle of what I judged to be the only true wisdom: and therefore I walked with Him only who had chosen and called me to be His servant. And to this hour I have ever persevered in this course: I feel, and have ever felt, that I have no talents for the world, no taste for the world* no time for the world; and therefore, except as an ambassador from the Lord, I have had for forty-four years almost as little to do with the world, as if I had not been in the world.
“It were easy therefore for me to draw my line broad, and to make as little distinction for others, as I have made for myself. But it does not appear to me that this would comport either with wisdom, or with love. The difference between young and old ministers, in general, consists in this; that the statements of the former are crude and unqualified, whilst those of the latter have such limitations and distinctions, as the Scriptures authorize and the subjects require. The doctrines of salvation by faith alone and of predestination, &c., are often, it is well known, so stated, as to become a stumbling-block to thousands; whilst, when Scripturally stated, they approve themselves to those who have been most prejudiced against them. And this, I think, particularly distinguishes the statements of ministers respecting overcoming the world. A person who views the subject broadly, and without reference to the different circumstances of men, finds it easy to adduce strong and sweeping expressions, and to require a full conformity to them, without any modification whatever. But one who takes into his account all the varieties of situation in which Christians move, and all the diversities of circumstances under which they may be placed, will feel it his duty to consider what those situations and circumstances call for, and what influence they ought to have on the conduct of those who are found in them. They will be led to distinguish between the spirit and the letter of a command, and to modify the latter, whilst in the strictest possible way they adhere to and require the former.
“Take this in relation to our baptismal vow. If a person in my situation were to affect the pomp and grandeur of a duke; I should not hesitate to denounce him as violating his baptismal engagements. But does a person of your grace’s rank come under that anathema, because of the elegancies that are about you? or, if the king were to become truly alive to the best things, must be dis-
842 CHXI0TIAN DI7TT AITP LIBfeRTT. [cHAP. XXV*
miss all that adorns his palaces? From those who are the most unqualified in their statements, I differ not one atom in principle, but only in the application of that principle. What would be wrong in one person, would not be so in smother; and what would be wrong under some circumstances, would not be so un» der other circumstances. What would be wrong if done from choice, might not be wrong if done for fear of onending others, or of casting a stumbling-block before them, or with a view to win them. The whole college of apostles advised St. Paul to purify himself with those who had on them the vows of Nazarites. And, though I doubt not but that there are Christians of a high stamp, who would condemn them all, and call it a sinful conformity, I am not prepared to do so. I susf)ect my own judgment rather than that of the apostles. Christians of this high cast will bend to no one either in sentiment or in conduct; but will inflexibly adhere to their own way: but I feel inclined rather to become (as far as God’s word will admit) ‘all things to all men,’ not through lear of their destroying me, but from love that I may save them. I would eat or not eat meat, according to circumstances; and act differently towards Timothy and Titus, according as L thought I should promote or obstruct the welfare of others. I know I should be called inconsistent, and unstable, and be represented as conceding too much to the opinions and prejudices of men. But I should account it a small matter to be judged of man’s judgment, if only I approved myself to God and my conscience.
‘’ It is doubtless an easier path to disregard the sentiments and feelings of all others, and to act for myself independently of them: but I have not so learned Christ; nor can I so teach Uis blessed Gospel. I think that in any compliances which I were urged to make for the sake of peace and love, I should be regulated by the quality of the act itself; if it were evil in itself, no power or persuasion on earth should induce me to do it: if it were evil only in its accidental circumstances, as circumcision was, I should consider, what was likely to arise out of that particular case, and should be regulated by the urgency of the occasion, and the probability of the result. In examining the particular act which I was required to perform, I should guard against blind superstition on the one hand, and unreasonable scrupulosity on the other. Superstition makes that to be duty which is no duty; and scrupulosity makes that to be sin, which is no sin. And I would endeavor to have my conscience well informed, so as to avoid both the one and the other.
But here there is, and ever must be, room for much difference of opinion. Every one has a standard of his own, and is disposed to make that a rule for all other persons. From the latitudinarian to the hermit, all will be equally confident: but my rule should be, Let every one be fully persuaded in his own mind.’ There is no precise line in Scripture drawn with respect to church
gOTernment: yet the whole Christian ChurcK is filled with dissensions and animosities, because all will dogmatize for others, instead of conceding to each other a liberty to jude for themselves, and being content with that apostolic dogma, ‘Let all things be done decently and in order, So it is with respect to what may be called, a conformity to the world. Who shall draw a precise line in everything, and say, * Thus far you may go, and no farther V Who shair undertake to say to a poor man, * You must not visit a poor neighbor:’ or to a gentleman, * You must not show courtesy to a neighboring gentleman:’ or to a peer, * You must not pay a customary respect to him whose peer (by creation at least) he is V In my mind, it is a question of degrees, as far as acts are concerned; and a question of inclination, as far as the habits are concerned. In the habit of our mind we should be altogether dead to the world; but in our acts we are not so called to separate from all ungodly persons as to have no intercourse with them whatever; for then, as the apostle says, ’ we must needs go out of the world;’ whereas our olessed Lord prayed * not that we should be taken out of the world, but be kept from the evil of it.’ If we think that by going out of the world we shall get rid of all difficulties, we shall find ourselves mistaken. We may change our difficulties; but we shall not divest oui’selves of them alto-S ether; nor is it unqualified good that we shall do by such conuct. We may make our own path easier: but, if we cast a stumbling-block in the way of multitudes, whom by more temperate measures we might have conciliated, we shall have no reason to glory in the choice that we have made. In my opinion, it is not by abandoning our situation in life that we are to no nor God, bat by being examples in it, and by filling it to His glory. And, if we desire to fill it to His glory, and pray earnestly to God for grace to do so, we may expect Him to. direct us in all our ways, and to uphold us by His power that our footsteps slip not. And now, have I said this from love to the world f My whole life for forty-four years, after having to the age of nineteen enjoyed all that the world could give me, shall answer that question. Or, do I say it from the fear of man? That also my whole life will answer. Or, do I say it from complaisance to a person in high life? My writings are full of this subject whenever the occasion called for it; and I have never varied in my judgment respecting it. I speak as I think St. Paul would speak, if he were in my place: and whilst I state my views without obtruding them, as if I were competent to judge for all the world, I leave others to think and act for themselves, commending them to God for His special grace and direction; for it is God alone that can direct us in such intricate paths; and, in whatever path He calls us to walk. His grace is sufficient to uphold us.
“As to personal advice, I presume not to give.it: but as to my opinion about the boundaries of Christian liberty and Christian b44 DEATH OF MR. GRANT. [cBAP. XXT.
duty, I should sin against God if I dissembled it. A brother or a sister has a right to demand it of me in the name of the Lord* and I am not at liberty to refuse it. I speak according to the light that I have, and in the integrity of my heart before God. I would not cast a snare upon any one, either by entangling his conscience with unnecessary restrictions, or by accommodating. the path of duty to human infirmity. I look at the Apostle Paul in his own personal example, and in the directions he has given to the Church; and according to my view of them I have stated my judgment. I again say, to take a broad sweeping rule for ourselves is far easier. It is easier for monks or virgins to shut themselves up in cloisters, than to fill up their stations well in life: and they can find abundantly sufficient to justify their conduct to their own minds. But we Protestants have other views of Christian liberty and Christian duty; and I am not sure that this will not be found a case in point, as it respects the foregoing subject. To shut ourselves up entirely from the world, and put our light under a bushel, is the more easy: but to be ’ blameless and harmless as sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, shining among them as lights in the world, and holding forth among them the word of life,’ (Phil. ii. 15, 16,) is in my opinion more worthy of our profession, more honorable to our Goa, and more beneficial to those whose welfare we are bound to seek.
“Your grace is at liberty to make what use you please of this: only / will enter into no controversy with any one respecting it,
“My prayer to God for your grace, and for your daughters is, that Grod may pour out His Spirit upon you abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that lie may guide you into all truth, and direct you to walk wisely before Him in a perfect way;’ and that you may be enabled to ’ stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.’
“I am, my dear madam, your grace’s most truly affectionate and devoted servant, C. Simeon.”
To the Rev. T. Thomason.
“K. C.NOT.22, 1823.
My beloved Brother, —
“Before you receive this you will probably have heard of the loss that India and Britain have sustained in the death of Mr. Grant. His illness was only of about two hours’ continuance. But to a man like him, this I think was a blessing. But this loss will be severely felt in the direction: I am happy however to inform you, that on my writing to Mr., he has assured me
that he will stand in the place of Mr. G., and. employ me to furnish him with chaplains as Mr. G. did
In strength ot mind and body I have reason for thankfulness;
OHAP. ZXV.] PURCHASE OF AOVOWflONB. 345
and I hope in ministerial usefulness also, if I may judge by the numbers of the University that attend my ministry. At this time I am preaching five sermons upon the Law, (Gal. iii. 19,) at St. Marys: and Uie numbers that flock thither are so great, that many of the University are forced to go away, not being able to ’ get in. At my weekly tea-party, where none are invited, I had yesterday /or/y young men. For ajl this I have great reason for thankfulness. I have long looked for nothing but debility and death; and beyond all human expectation God has continued to me both life and strength; insomuch that I am thinking of putting to press my entire work of twenty volumes; and am on that account sweeping away the remainder of my ^Horce* at half price. No one will edit the work with half the care that I shall: and therefore I think it desirable to do it in my lifetime, if my life should be so lonff preserved. It will take two years to print it.
I delight to hear such blessed tidings of my beloved James. Give my kindest love to him. We bear him in sweet /-emem- “brance, and most afiectionately long for his welfare in every possible view.
“My dear brother, most afiectionately yours, C. Simeon.”
To a friend who requested the loan of a large sum.
“Oct 13, 1823.
“My dear Sir, —
“Your letter demands a frankness on my part which might otherwise appear to savor of ostentation. Having no family, and my brother’s family being in good circumstances, and having suffered a legacy to be left me for the express purpose of do in that good, which was in a measure lost to the world by my late brothers death; I have for these many years determined to devote a yreat part of the principal, and all the interest, to the service of our common Lord, who gave His own life a ransom for us. The object I have selected, and prosecuted for several years, has been the purchase of livings (which I commit immediately to trustees in perpetuity,) that in them may be preached those doctrines which have produced so happy an effect on my own soul; (you remember me a very different person at Eton from what I have been these forty-five years since I came to college.) I have bought several, and for above this month past I have expected a demand of £9000 for fresh purchases: and I am at this moment in treaty for two more livings. I should not have been able to go on thus far, if I had not been helped ;* but my
* Eariy in thif year Mr. Simeon made the followinff memonndam in his dtaiy: — What wondera does oar gracioos Ood work t Behold! but four dayi ago my friend Lord P. offers to aid me with £4000, and Dr. Kilvinffton thii day has offered to put at my disposal £10,000 stock, worth £7500. How evidently is God with me in this ffood work! And what an encouragement does this afford me to serve Him yet further* Shall 1 on account of these assistances spare myself 1 Ood forbid. No: I will with
346 PUSCHASB OF ADTOWBONB* [OHAP. XXT.
plan is first to leap into the mire, and then to say to my firiends, ‘If you choose to give me a helping hand, I will take a few more leaps;’ but my efforts must of necessity be bounded by my means. I do not first ask, and then act; but first act, and then ask; and leave it to the Lord to send friends to my assistance, or not, as it shall please Him. With respect to the issue I have no uneasiness. * King Henry finds me with a very adequate supply to my wants, though I should have nothing else, and beyond my means I shall on no account proceed. Nevertheless, I am not anxious to stop much short of tnem. To be my own executor is a thing which I contemplate with pleasure rather than with pain, provided I do only what is wise in itself, and conducive to -the object I have in view.
‘’ This plain story will be the best answer I can give. It speaks for itself, and supersedes all the apologies, which, if I were not thus firank and open, -I should be constrained to make; and it at the same time demonstrates the sincerity with which I am,
“My dear sir,. your most faithful friend and servant,
“C. Simeon.”
Ghxl’s help proceed, and rather increase than diminish my own efforts, in proportion as Ood stirs up His people to help me. And I record this, not only as a memorandum to prevent mistakes, but as a pledge to Thee, my God and Father, that, with Thy help, I will proceed to serve Thee with my own property, as well as with the property of others which may be intrusted to me. May God accept my poor services, and may His holy name be for ever adored for all the wonders which He has wrought for me in prondence as well as grace!”