Letters, 1832
Letters — To J. J. CKirney on Mr. Irving and his Doctrines — NarratiTe tnr Ghariotte EIbabeth — To Miss Mary Elliott on the Observance of the Lord’s Day — To the Bishop of Calcutta on his Relidous Views — To Rev. J. Sargent on the Character of Mr. Thomason — To Rev. J. H. Michell on Printii his entire Works — Kind Rraoarks of Dr. GkxMiall — To Rev. J. Wright about the Progress of his Work — Memorandum about his Jubilee — Letter from Mr. Wilberforce on his completing the Fiftieth Year of his Mini0b7 — Extracts from his Diaiy on the Occasion — To Rev. J. H. Michell describing the Event — and his Religious Views.
1832,
COSRESPONDBNOE, ETC.
To J. J. Gurnet, Esq.
“K.C., Jml26, 1838.
“My beloved Friend and Brother, —
I thank you for your kind letter, and am glad that my sermons on the Holy Spirit’s Offices meet upon the whole with your approbation. And I think it due to you to explain why I have acted in a way so different from what I so hignly admired and so cordially applauded in you.
You, my beloved friend, have treated those, whose sentiments you controvert, with admirable tenderness and lenity. I, on the contrary, have treated some with severity, as you justly observe: ‘To be sure thou dost not use the pseudo-gifted ones of the present day very ceremoniously.’ This is true: and it becomes me to assign to you my reasons.
‘^ 1. I am not. controverting their sentiments — ^I do not hold them worthy of controversy.
2. It was necessary to show my abhorrence both of their principles and proceedings, that my sentiments might gain the freer access to the minds of my audience and that it might be known, that whilst I maintain and advocate the deepest truths of our holy religion, I do not countenance the one or the other. (I have received letters inquiring whether Daniel Wilson and myself are not, as has been reported, converts to their opinions.)
3. They are doing great harm in the Church; and it was desirable that I should do what I could to stem the torrent, at feast as far as by a few words I might do so.
4. The Apostle Paul was rider far, and rougher than I, towards persons meaning well perhaps, but doing ffreat injury to the Church of God. ‘Beware of dogs, beware of evil-workers,
402 IRTINQIBM. [C0AP. XXZ.
beware of the concision, Many are the passages where he guards us against ‘doting about questions and’ strifes of words, and profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called ;* yea, and even against * strivings about the law, because ‘Their word will eat as doth a canker:’ but that which appears to me most ‘unceremonious’ is in Col. ii. 18, where, speaking of
Eersons who in profession inculcated only humility and devotion e speaks of their motives and principles, and says, they were * vainly puffed up by their fleshly mind.’ Their mode of promoting humility and devotion originated in vanity, pride, and carnality. Now if you will go to Mr. Irving’s chapel, perhaps you may have a practical comment on these words’. I touch not on their motives, but only on their habits; which I trace to a want of true Christian sobriety; — brain-sick enthusiasts.’* If 1 say the truth, I think it charily to account for Mr. Irving’s sentiments and conduct by tracing them to an aberration of mind.
“I should not have thought it needful to trouble you with this, but from the admiration I have both felt and expressed of your sweet delicacy towards those whom you oppose. Those whom you deal with prefer arguments; and arguments should be duly and candidly weighed. The persons whom I push aside {jiot encounter) are known by their actions, which savor more of St Luke’s Hospital than St. Luke’s Gospel. What God may do, I. presume not to say; but I think that whatever He does will be in accordance with what He has done both in its manner and end; and that to a humble spectator, desirous of knowing and doing His will, it will commend itself as His work; and I think it wiu rather be a turning of a Gadarene demoniac into a meek follower of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, than an inversion of this order. I long greatly to visit you once more. You must not wonder if such a desire be once more carried into effect by “Your most truly affectionate friend and brother, C. S.”
Mr. Simeon’s strong feelings respecting Mr. Irving and his fearful doctrines are characteristically exhioited in the following narrative by * Charlotte Elizabeth.’
“Once more I saw and spoke to Mr. Simeon. He recognized me in a meeting, nol Terj large, held in a room in Regent street, for one of our dear Irish Educational Socteties. He ran to me, and sorrowfully told me that oar dear friend H. was ill, very ill. fie then seated himself near mej and I shall not soon forget the sequel At that time Mr. Irving had not long been led tt) propound his fearful heresy respecting the human nature of our spotless Immanuel, but he had said and done enough to startle ail thinking Christians; and I suppose the Tarious errors and delusions set forth by him and his followers never had a more determined, nncompromising enemy than in Smieon. Contrary to all expectation, Mr. Irving chose to address the meeting; and in the midst of a speech, unexceptionable enough, ne called on the assembly to pray with him: then turning to the noble chairman, requested him to second the proposal. Lord B.. quite taken by surp-’*^
The expression used by Mr. Simeon respecting them in his seimons before the Uni-CHAP. ixZ.] OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD’b DAT. 403
roM, not with a very welI*MtMfied air, and ailently bowing found, intimated in that way that we shoold also rise. I confess that I was one who felt exceedingly disinclined to obey; not knowing what that gifted, but most erring individoal, miffht think proper to otter, as the mouthpiece of the party. But the expression of Simeon s countenance, who can portray! he rested his elbows on his knees, firmly clasped his hands together, placed his coin against his knuckles; and every line in his face, where the lines were neither few nor fiuntly marked, bespoke a fixed resolve to say Amen to nothing that he had not well sifled, and deUberatelv approved. It was an extraordinaiy scene altogether, and I made my exit as soon as this episode came to an end. I never more beheld Mr. Sioieon; but I shall hope never to forget his look that day. There was in it as much of sober reproof, exhortation, and caution as a look could convey.”
To Miss Mary Elliott, on the observance of the Lord’s Day.
“^ K. C, Cambridge, March 24, 1832.
. My beloved Mary, —
“The question you put to me is most important: more especially as your brother Henry has given somewhat of a decided opinion upon it, and may conceive that I agree with him in it He stated that, according to the judgment of the Puiitans, the. sanctificatiqn of the Sabbath would consist with works of piety, of charity, and of necessity; but that he would add a fourth, viz., works of refreshment; because it was said, that thy servant, &c. may be refreshed.’ I told him I thought he went too far in this; for that * Qod rested on that day, and was refreshed.^ I thought that he might have given some latitude in a way of concession but not as an abstract rule. The other three works might be defined: this could not* The others were for God and man; but this was for self only. He agreed with me, and thought he had gone beyond the mark.
My views are these: — that the spiritual observance of the Sabbath is to be as strict as ever: but that the ritual observance is not. John came neither eating nor drinking: Christ came both eating and drinking; yea, and wrought His first miracle at a marriage-feast: and why f — I answer. To show the character of His dispensation, as contrasted with that which it was to supersede. (Ot course you will understand me as referring to the libera:l spirit of it, in opposition to the servile spirit of the other.) His dining on a Sabbath with a large party on one occasion marked the same.
Now to give you somewhat of a definite view of my judgment on the question. In my own personal habit I am as strict as most: but in my judgment, as before God, I think that many religious characters — ministers as well as others — are in error. I think that many Judaize too much, and that they would have; joined the Pharisees in condemning our Lord on many occn’- ’ -us.
**N. B. / do not think that they err in acting up to their .nni principles, {there they are right;) but that they err in ^nakijiy their own standard a standard for all others. This is a ])revai!- ing evil among religious persons. They will in effect argue thu.R:
404 CHAfSTIAN LIBKKTT.. [cHAP. ZXZ.
•/do not walk out on a Sabbath-day; therefore an artisan may not walk out into the fields for an hour on that day.’ They forget that the poor man is confined all the rest of the week, which they are not; and that they themselves will walk in their own ffarden, when the poor have no garden to walk in. Now in this 1 do not think that they act towards others, as they, in a cljange of circumstances, Vould think it right for others to act towards them: and if your brother will limit his refreshment to such a relaxation as is necessary for health, or materially conducive to it, I shall agree with him, and shall rank this amongst works of necessity or of charity. Againj I am not prepared to utter either anathemas or lamentations, if ministers of state occasionally in a time of great pressure of public business, and in a quiet way, avail themselves of an hour or two for conference with each other on that da. I do not commend.it; but I do not condemn it. They cannot command their own times. Public afiairs may be full as pressing, and may call for immediate conference as much as an ox or an ass for deliverance from a pit into which it may have fallen; and I think that love to one’s country may justify a deviation from a ritual observance of the Sabbath, as much as love or pity for a beast. In fact, if the most scrupulous will examine the frame of their own minds, and the real spirituality of their own conversation for two or three hours on some part of the Sabbath, they will find but little right, whatever their disposition be, to cast a stone at a poor man with his family, or at a minister of state with his compeers. Again I say, they may be right: but the others who think and act difierently are not therefore wrong. Those who ate, and those who refused to eat, meats olSered to idols, were both right, if they acted to the Lord; as were those also who observed, and those who did not observe, certain days, which under the Jewish dispensation were actually prescribed. I will tell you what I consider the perfect rule: Let all judge for themselves in relation to the ritual observance of such matters; the strong not despising the weak, and the weak forbearing to sit in judgment on the strong. This will be the surest and best discharge of the duty of all parties; whether to Crod or man: to 6od who has said, * I will have mercy, and not sacrifice ;* and to maf who should be left to stand or fall to his own Master.
Whoever neglects the spiritual duties of the day is assuredly wrong; and whoever accounts the ritual observance of it a burden is wrong also. But to Judaize with Pharisaic strictness is not well; and to condemn others for not acting up to that standard is, I think, very undesirable. I put Lord Bexley and myself together; and I saw, that what would be highly inexpedient in me would be allowable for him; exactly as per contra the slaying of sacrifices was allowable to the priests; but the killing of a sheep was not for the people.
Thus I have given to my beloved Mary my opinion candidly
CflAP. XXX«] ON CONTRITION. 405
and without reserve; and shall most gladly explain anything which she may think needs explanation from her
‘’ Most truly affectionate, C. S.*”
[
,, To the Bishop of Calcutta, on his religious views.
*<K.C., yay22, 1832.
My beloved and honored Brother, —
I do not wonder that all are desirous of seeing you before you to, and of obtaining from you a parting blessing. At my time of life, I have no hope of seeing you again till’ we meet before the throne of our reconciled God and Father. It is doubtless a most joyful thought that we have redemption through the blood of our adorable Saviour, even the forgiveness of sins. But I have no less comfort in the thought that He is exalted .to give repentance and remission of sins. I would not wish for the latter without the former. I scarcely ask for the latter in comparison of the former. I feel willing to leave the latter altogether in God’s hands, if I may but obtain the former.
Repentance is in every view so desirable, so necessary, so suited to honor God, that I seek that above all. The tender heart, the broken and contrite spirit, are to me far abov all the joys that I copld ever hope for in this vale of tears.
‘’ I lon to be in my proper place, my hand on my mouth, and my mouth in the dust. I would rather have my seed-time here, and wait for my harvest till I myself am carried to the granary of heaven. I leel this to be safe ground. Here I cannot err. If I have erred all my days, I cannot eiT here. I am sure that whatever God may despise, (and I fear that there is much which passes under the notion of relimous experience that will not stand very high in His estimation,) He will not despise the broken and contrite heart. I love the picture of the heavenly hosts, both saints and angels: all of them are upon their faces before the throne. I love the cherubim with their wings before their faces and their feet I think we hardly set forth this in our sermons as we ought to do. At all events, K>r me, I feel that this is the proper posture now, and will be to all eternity.
“iBut I am running on farther than 1 like to do on such interior subjects; and am wing you, ere I am aware of it, my parting, dying testimony. Excuse this office of more than brotherly love.
If the Lord will, I meet you on Monday at Walthamstow, and go home with you. Do not wait a minute for me. A piece of cold meat will suffice for me. It will be nearly four before the coach will reach you.
This was all that I intended to say: but my feelings have run away with your tenderly affectionate friend and brother,
«*C. Simeon,”
4pO OHABACTXft OP M£. TH0MA80N. [c»AP. ZXZ*
To the Rev. John S abgbnt, on the Character of Mr. Thom Asoir.
<( Iflle of Wight July 19, IS32.
My beloved Brother, —
“The ta you have imposed upon me ouht to be the most easy and roost delightful in the world; for who can know so much of Mr. Thomason, as one who lived, for the space of nearly ten years, a part of every week in the same house with him? or, who can find such delight in declaring what he knows, as one who was united with him in the bonds of friendship, far beyond what is commonly known even in the religious world 7 But in order to write, one must have a pen, which alas! I have not. Besides, in Mr. Thomason, though there was every imaginable excellence, there was nothing prominent. Were I to compare him with anything, it would he with the light, in which a great diversity of rays are joined, but no one more conspicuous than another. Towards God, he was distinguished by a simplicity of nind and purpose; and towards man, by a placidity ot manner and deportment. I never saw anything of self blended with his actions. He seemed to have one end and aim in all that he did: and what he did was never by an effort, so much as by a habit. In fact, every day with him, from morning to evening, was a kind of equable course, somewhat like that of the sun in a Cambridge atmosphere. He gave a tempered liffht, never blazing forth with unusual splendor, but diffusing to all around him a chastened influence. Everything was done by him in its season; but in so quiet a way as not to attract any particular attention. There was nothing of elevation, nothing of depression. In this respect there was an extraordinary resemblance between him and Mrs. Thomason. Each executed a great deal in every day; but throughout the whole day, though there was much business, there was no bustle, no parade. Each lived only for the Lord, and to glorify Him seemed to be the one business of their lives. There was not a work of benevolence within their reach, but they engaged in it just as if it had been a domestic duty. The parishes in which they were able to exert their influence seemed as their own family: schools of industry, as well as other schools, were estab* lished by them; the poor and the sick were visited and relieved; and all that Christian lovepould devise was planned, and executed with the tenderest assiduity, and most unwearied constancy. If I were to fix on one thing more than another wherein Mr. Thomason was at home, it was in his Sunday evening and Tuesday eitening lectures in his school-room. There the poor were permitted to come, and he was as a father amongst his children, or a Castor amongst his flock. In his addresses there was ail unrivald simplicity, and a divine unction, which left a savor that is not forgotten to this hour. The name of Thomason in Shelford and Stapleford is remembered like that of .Schwartz in Tanjore and Trichinoply: and I doubt not but that to all eternity many will
have reason to bless God for his affectionate administrations. One thing I may mention to the honor of both Mr. and Mrs. Thomason, that in all the ten years that I lived under their roof, I never on any occasion heard an angry word from either of them, nor ever saw a different countenance in either of them towards the other, or in either of them towards me.
Indeed, I should not omit to mention his liberality. He did good to the utmost extent of his ability; so that when he went out to India he had not wherewith to carry him thither without the aid of friends; and when, after eighteen years* continuance in India, he came home from thence, he had not wherewith to bring him home, without the aid derived to Mrs. Thomason from taking the charge of several young females during their voyage. Had it pleased nim, he might have amassed money both in England and in India; for in England he had twelve pupils, and m India he was in the receipt of a large income; but he was as ’ superior to the love of money as any person, either with or without a family, can be supposed to be.
But I cannot do justice to his character: that will appear fully, though undesiedly, drawn in his letters both to his mother and to myself. It is only in compliance with your wishes and commands that I send you this sketch, which I would infinitely rather commit to the flames.
With most kind regards to Mrs. S., I remain, my dear brother, most affectionately yours, C. S.”
Mr. Thomason entered into rest Jan. 21, 1829, twelve days after he had landed at the Mauritius, whither he had sailed from Calcutta in the hope of recruiting his health.
“He left an affectionate fiurewell to those moet dear to him, in the foilowinff words: — ‘To my dearest mother, give my moet affectionate love, and may her last <My8 be her best days. To my rery dear Mr. Simeon say, I feel unworthy of the great Ioyo he has at all times honored me with. Oh, may his bow abide in strength, and may he be, if possible, still more useful in his age.’”
Sargent’s Z^/e qf Thomamm p. 334.
A monument has been erected to him in Trinity Church adjacent to that of Henry Masttn.
To the Rev. J. H. Mich ell, on the printing of his entire Works.
“1832.
“My very dear Friend and Brother, —
‘* it is not surely true that we have passed th age of men. I know not how to believe it. It appears a perfect dream. I would almost fancy that the Almanac-makers have entered into a conspiracy against us, agreeing to call this 1832 instead of 1812.
408 ENERGY IN WOBK. [cttAP. XXX.
True, there are sometimes intimations that they are correct, especially when I attempt to walk a few miles. But if I sit still, I feel as younff, healthy, and lively, as almost at any period of my life. Indeed, no little vigor is needful for me now; for I am printing and stereotyping my whole works in 21 vols., at the rate of one volume every three weeks. Every day at a little past five I have from two sheets, at least, and two and a half often, to revise and to return that evening by the mail. I have this even on my lecture evenmgs and on my Friday (public) evenings. I am forced to have eagles’ eyes an a heart all alive: and God gives me both the one and the other, so that on the taking up my work, I am like a fox-hound coming upon the scent of his prey; and so I continue till I have brought him down. In the next month, if nothing occur to prevent it, I shall have my first five volumes ready for the subscribers. What a mercy is this 1 never can I be sufficiently thankful to God for so rich a blessing as health and energy for such a work, and more especially for enabling me to prosecute it with unintermitted care to the present hour. If you had asked me the name of a person that never would and never could have performed it, I would have given you the name with as much confidence as if he had been an idiot from the womb. But, if there is a man upon earth that understands, and is ready to set his seal to, 1 Cor. 1st Chap., I am he; especially I refer to verses 27 — 29.
I well remember the former part of what you refer to about the first fast-day (I think) in the American war, in 1776. O, if I had had one then to countenance me, and take me by the hand,. how much evil, in all probability, had I escaped! But oi/o» ouo* vfup V7wxqntt$ Utterly overthrew me. On the third ddy however, of my residence in the Old .Court, I obtained grace to be faithful: and from that day have, though with innumerable backslidins and many grievous sins, been enabled to hold on my way. If you want to know the nom’e of him who will be the most signal monument of grace in heaven, I have no doubt I can tell you.
“Hayes, Smyth, Askew, are gone; Goodall and I remain. What a diflference is put between the two last! One has knowledge, &c., in abundance, but; the other has little of those
Jualifications, very little, but. I made a bold stroke to o him godd about two years ago, sending him my sermons on the <70spel. But, though he bestowed a great deal of critical*
* The following characteristic remftrkii of the kind Provost of Eton at the close of one of these * critical’ letters will not be read without interest.
“Above half a century has elapsed, my dear friend, since you and I occasionally conv«ned on sacred subjects in our walk round chamber, before We partook of certain bones of neck at the sixth-form table. I then dared to controvert some of your opinions, and yoQ will see that the habit is not eradicated; but I should be now as much afraid to meet you in the field of argument, as Askew was to stand up against you in the shooting fields. My arrows must be shot at a distance; such as they are, they are, I hope, not, and I can say with a sale conscience they are not meant to hurt. Hothinks
skill upon them, I have yet to learn whether he got any spiritual good from them. Nor did my nib, William Roberts. Who is it that makes one to differ from another? I think you will be both able and willing to tell me.
There is little ground, I fear, to expect you at any of the meetings in May. I think, if the Lord will, to attend them myself; for though they are by no means what I affect, I think it my duty to give them my countenance (my visage,) especially in this day, of heresy and schism.
Give my kind regards to Mrs. M., and believe me, my dear / friend, most affectionately yours,
“C. Simeon.
“Who ‘would have thought that Thomas Lloyd’s successor should have got his death while hunting? How much better by attending ttie cholera in a cottaee!
“The appointment of Daniel Wilson to Calcutta! What a blessing to India! His loss, however, will be sincerely felt in Britain. But God has yet the residue of the Spirit. You, my brother, are cut off* from active usefulness; but God is no lss glorified by passive, than by active virtues.”
To the Rev. J. Wright, on the progress of his Work through the press.
“K.C., Aug. 30, 1832.
My dear Friend, —
‘* A thousand thanks for your kind letter. I greatly rejoice in all that you are doing, and hope that God will long preserve you to be a blessing to. I long to see all that is
going forward; and should have been with you ere this, but for the certainty of its delaying my work. I have now nearly completed my tenth volume — two and thirty people kept at work for this last half-year, and for a year to come! Oh what a mercy that my vigor both of body and mind is preserved! I long, if it may please Almighty God, to complete tnis work. I confess that in my progress through it my thankfulness to God for ever enabling me to effect it, and my hope of its real usefulness to the Church, have increased. And I write this to ask the immediate communication of the hint relative to the last volume. I long and pant for every hint that can by any possibility improve it* / am doing
I hear you say, ‘Trae, Goodall, for Uiey are blant.’ Be it so; it is at least no noreltj for a foul to shoot his bolt
‘* God bless you, my dear friend, and give you health and strength to prosper in that good part which you have chosen, and which will not be taken away from you. Believe me to be with truly affectionate regard.
“Your obliged and fiithful, J. Goodall.”
* In another letter he writes:” One single correction of a colon fat a semicolon is in my judgment worth a guinea, yea, many guineas.’’
410 HIS JUBILEE. [OHAP. XXZ.
everything day by day to improve it. I beg therefore that you will not only communicate to me your hint without delay, but continue to do so whilst a possibility of improvinfi; it remains. UseAil hints may occur to you and to others, and I shall be most thankful for them.
I shall be glad to see your church made a district church without delay; and if I live to see my ship launched, to visit you will be my first desire. I have scarcely known how to restrain myself hitherto, but thiir work occupies a good part of my time every day. Never did a printer work for so vigilant an author; they have not been delayed by me one moment. Thirty-two pages are the least that I scrutinize daily with an eagle’s eye: they had forty-eight pages yesterday, and sometimes have sixty. A volume every three weeks is what I look for.
Now I must prepare for the evening lecture: but I could not delay a minute to say,
Send me your hints —
Give my kind regards to your wife — *
Present my brotherly remembrances to Mr. L. — ,
Go on with your work —
Get the district church completed —
Believe me, very affectionately yours,
C. Simeon.
“P. S. God has mercifully preserved us from the cholera hitherto. I am expecting forty /riends to spend a few days with me on the 1st of October: but I do not send them my final summons till I see whether the cholera come. That would prevent my suitimoning them; and I think you should not be prodigal where you cannot do real good.
Fifty years minister of my church! Is not here a call for a jubilee?’’
Memorandum about his approaching Jubilee.
“Aug. 22, 1832.
‘* I have always hated everything in the shape of diaries: but now that my jubilee is approaching, and is to be held Oct. 1 — 4, 1 think it rieht to record a little respecting it. The proper day, strictly speaking, would be Nov. 9th, when I was presented to my living. But as in that month the University would be full, I thing it better to antedate the time one month, wHen the University will be empty.
I shall then have a still further cause for a jubilee, because I shall have printed, I hope, eleven volumes out of twenty-one of my work. Could I purchase, so to speak, a continuance of life to see that work finally before the public, most gladly would I
pay my life then as the price. But God has, beyctod all reasonable expectation, given me to see it thus far, and to correct it with an eagle’s eye, and an author’s (I hope I may add, a Christian’s) heart. If 1 live, and have my health of body and mind, till midsummer next, it will be done, and the ship be launched. What thanl shall I then render to the Lord I”
W. WiLBERFORCE, Esq., to Mr. Simeon, on completing the fiftieth year of his ministry.
“Bath, Sept. 96, 1833.
. My dear Friend, —
“How little you have any conception of the degree in which you have exercised my thoughts and still more my affections, since my receipt of your last truly and deeply interesting letter, or rather since my reply to it. The fact is, that though now and always I have but too good cause for sparing my own veyes in maintaining my epistolary intercourse, yet I had scarcely sent off my dictated letter to you, when my conscience began reproaching me with not having, at any cost of eyesight,- used my own organs in my reply, instead of employing my amanuensis, through whom I could not pour forth the interior workings of my soul in exchange for your affecting exhibition of the penetralia of yours. You may have forgotten, my dear friend, that after expressing your kind sympathy with us on the translation (for such I humbly trust it was) of our dear daughter, and congratulating me on some drops, of balm, which a gracious Providence had poured into my cup soon after the loss, — after thus touching on my allotments, you expressed your gratitude for the fulness of your own cup of mercies; and specified in particular the rare degree in which you had been allowed to see the rich harvest you were permitted to gather in, and to store up for the benefit of succeeding generations; (really, the stereotyping of your works is the most surprising event of the kind I ever heard of;) and told me of your intention to call a wide circle of your friends around you to celebrate a jubilee on the fiftieth anniversary of your occupation of your Trinity Church pulpit. Do you know that I had serious thoughts of requesting you to suffer me to be 6he of the number, and the intention was only overborne by the attention which it became my duty to pay to my bodily health. But though unable to attend the solemnity in person, even you cannot withhold from me the privilege of joining with you in spirit; and most assuredly I will endeavor to bear my part in your song of praises to God and the Lamb, which, though begun on earth will, I humbly trust, be resumed by the same blessed company in the heavenly world. It must, and indeed may justly, be a cause for your special thankfulness, that several of the friends by whom you will be encircled, will be of the number of tlfose whom the Almighty has rendered you the blessed instrument of
412 BXTRACTS #ROM HIS DIART. [cHAP* XXX.
calling ’ from darkness to light, ind from the power of Satan unto God:
‘^ And now, my dear friend, farewell; I really know not what more to wish or to pray for for you, than what the Giver of all good has already granted you. And yet, my dear friend, I cannot but hope that it may please (^od (though, in your instance, I should supplicate any particular blessing with more than common diffidence) to suffer you, during a long protracted autumn, to enjoy in the University, where such an exhibition has rarely been vouchsafed, a sort of earthly harvest-home; while, blessed in your own person with a large measure of peace and joy in believing, you maybe permitted to go on through successive generations of collegians, bearing testimony to the goodness and mercy of the Blessed Master whom you have served, and inviting and encouraging others to enter into that service, which from your own experience you will assure them is perfect freedom, and in which also they will learn from you to expect the wages of present peace, and the fulness of joy and pleasure for evermore in the better world of unsullied holiness and of glory and happiness. Mrs. W. joins in all that cordial affection can suggest to us to wish or pray for you. Give us your prayers in return, and believe us Ever sincerely and affectionately yours,
“W. WiLBERFORCE.
I have been forced to scribble so fast, that I am ashamed to send my letter. But forgive the slovenliness of a friend.
Extracts from his Diary on the occasion..
“3 o’clock, Oct 1,1833.
“Now let me record the ffoodneae of my God. At 11 o’clock thk morning, Mr. L., jun., and Mr. S. and three other gentlemen, came a« a deputation to present me with a valuable epergne. Their addrew was moat kind and flattering. Such a teatimony of love from my hearers quite overcame me. I returned them thanks as God enabled me, and with a prayer of thanksgiving I closed the interview.
‘At one o’clock, I went to the dinner, which I gave to 250 of my poor parishioners, in the National School-room in King’s street (Trinity Parish.) They were all seated at three tables. There could not have been more order at a dinner in my own room. The room was decorated with boughs and flowers. I implored a blessing on the food and on the company assembled. Mr. G. sat at the head of the table on my right, Mr. H. on my left. All the heads of my parish sat at intervals to carve the dinner. All went oflf well. Before it was over I went round the middle table, expressing love to those on either sitle. When dinner was over I returned thanks. Then the heads of the parish brought me a salver.... (Both the salver and the epergne are far too elegant for me: but as expressions of respect and love from my hearers they are of incalculable value.) Having presented it to me in somewhat of a set speech, I returned thanks, as the Lord enabkxi me, vrith tears of mtitude and love; especially with gratitude to God, who had spared me to this day to behold such harmony and love in my parish, where for thirty years there was little but enmity and opposition. On the whole, it was a sisht which has rarely ever been equalled: the room so noble, and so beautifully arranged; the ofople so happy; the parish so ulhinimous, the spectators so delighted: and above all, God so present with us. I am now come home somewhat &tigued, that I may be still and quiet before the evening service.”
CBAf. XZX.] ACCOUNT OF HIS JUBILEE. 418
[Mr. Simeon preached from 2 Pet. i. 12 — 16. * Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me. Moreover, I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.’
The deep solemnity of that service, and the devout appearance of the thronged and mingled audience, will never be forgotten by those who were at Trinity Church that evening.]
On Tuesday, at half-past 10, about thirty-two assembled. I opened the meeting with obiervations (as on a similar oocanion before) founded on the fact that the jubUu was always at the close of the da of atonement; the services of which daT prepared those toho had receioed deliverance mpm spiritual judgments, to set others at liberty and restore their inheritances, and those who were now liberated and restored, to appreciate and improve their mercies aright. Thus our jubilee arose out of, and was a continuation of our previous humiliation, which I desired to pervade all oqr services, and all our enjoyments. I prayed with tears. Mr. Sargent followed in a way of humiliation. Mr. Bickersteth (bllowed admirably in behalf of missions. We then retired for the luncheon; and met again at 2, till 4; which time was occupic;^ in a sunilar way by Mr. Hankinson and other brothren.
Then twelve of the residents went home to dinner, and I entertained twenty. About six of the others came back to tea; and we spent the evening till past 9 in discussion. ‘Wednesday was wholly occupied in most profitable discussions and prayer from 11 to 1: and from ‘2 to 4. Lunch and dinner as before, and evening aft before. Mr. Jowett’s closing prayer will not soon be forgotten. Mr. Marsh gave nis views of the reign of Christ, greatly moderated and softened. There would be no controversy if the prophetindpeople were all like him.
Tnursday was spent till’ dinner time’ as Tuesday had been, in the word and prayer only.
But behold, to my utter surprise my dear (clerical) brethren presented me with an elegant inkstand. This quite overcame me. I could speak only by silence and tears, from a sense of God’s unmerited and unbounded love towards me. As there was to be chuTchnservice at half past 6, all. except a few dined with me. Mr. Cunningham preached on the very same text that I myself had taken on Monday. We then separated, after a season such as no one of us had ever seen before.
Friday, Mr. Sargent staid the day with me; and I read what he had printed of Mr. Thomason’s Life. It is beautiful, and very interesting.
On Saturday I redeemed the time that had been alienated from my work for the press, and got up even with my printer.
Monday, Oct. 8.’ I have been to vint sdme of the chief of my friends, who have been so ictive. It is delightful to see in what a spirit they all are. Truly I could never have conceived it probable, if possible, that such love should abound towards me for the Lord’s sake.
Oct 9. I go to town to-morrow. I shall be two hours there to do my work, antf hope to return in the evening.
I returned unconscious that I had gone 100 yards, except from recollection; so wonderfolly has God been pleased to strenen me.”
To the Rev. J. H. Michell.
‘<K.C.,Oot.8,1833.
My dear Brother, —
Who would have ever thought that I should have to behold such a day as this? My parish sweetly harmonious I My whole works stereotyping in 21 volumes I and my ministry not altogether inefficient at the age of 73 1 Where are all our com-
414 HIB FEELINGS ON THE OCCASION. [cHAP. XZZ.
panions? Cole, Hayes, Luxmoore, Emly, Dampier, Norbury, Butler, Anstey, Bernard, Hayes, Smith Askew, Moore, Sumpter, Barrow, Cropley, &c 1 I saw a fire at Cottenham, which had most unaccountably jumped over two or three houses that were in the very line for consumption. So you and Goodall and I have been spared, whilst so many on either side of us have been taken. I thought that to acknowledge the goodness of God, in preserving me to minister for half a century in Trinity Church, did indeed become me; and our meeting of friends has been pre-eminently blest and sanctified to us all. The sermon I preached on the occasion shall be sent you. It is a plain, simple tale: but will serve as a memorial of the doctrines I once delivered, when I shall be no longer able to give my living testimony respecting them. To have had you with us would have been highly gratifying to us all. But a wan{ of room to entertain my friends compelled me to pass over many whom I should have been most rejoiced to see.
Your question about renatus, I can only answer by saying, that, under God, I owe everything to Provost Cooke, I see you full of utter amazement: Pray explain yourself,’ I hear you say. I will in few words. On the 29th of January, *79, 1 came to college. On February 2nd I understood that, at division of term, I MUST attend the Lord’s Supper. The provost absolutely required it. Conscience told me that Satan was as fit to go there, as I; and that if I must go, I must repent, and turn to God, unless I chose to eat and drink my own damnation. From that day I never ceased to mourn and pray, till I obtained progressive manifestations of God’s mercy in Christ in the Easter week, and perfect peace on Easter day, April 4th.
“Thus you see, that under God I owe all to Dr. Cooke. Howbeit he meant not so, neither did his heart think so. But to specify the day that I was renatus, is beyond my power. You have the season. In my own mind I should judge, that deep penitence, with but a glimpse of the brazen serpent, would not be despised by our God and Father; and that He may put away our sins, before He shows us that He has done so. If you ask me what is my posture now? I must answer, that it is, and ever has been, nearly the same that it was then. I love to sow in tears, and I am content to reap my harvest in heaven; not but that I have the grapes of Eschol here, and in far greater quantities than I am in any point of vieW entitled to expect: but I love the valley of humiliation. I there feel that I am in my proper place. There you also, my dear brother, delight to walk: and our meeting on the heavenly hills, will, I trust, be most blessed to us both.
Believe me, my ever dear friend, most affectionately yours,
“C. SlMBON.**