Recollections of the Rev. Charles Simeon, by Daniel Wilson, Bishop of Calcutta
“Tbsrb is no name that win continue more deeply infixed on the memory and heait of the writer of the Mowing lines till the last moment of life, than that of Charles Simeon.
Amongst the many holy and distingmshed ministers of the Gkispel of Christ whom he has uown, and for whose advice uid example he will have to give account aft the last great day, Mr. Simeon was ifk many respects the most remarluibie. A more entirely devoted servant of Christ has not often ajipeand in the Church, nor one whose eonne of service was more extended in point of tmie, more important, more consistent, more energetic, more opportune for the drcumstanoes of the Church, and by Divine Messing more useflil.”
After a rapid sketch of his life and works, the bishop proceeds: —
“Surely this outline of his history gives at once the impression of a most dewted and ditnUeresUd miiUUer. Here is a man who labors for noCning — for absolutely no emol- * nment whatever, for more than Jialf a century. Here is a man who passes by and lefbses all the livings in his college which in succession were offered to his choice, and some one of which every other person almost that could be named would have accepted as a matter of coune. Here is a man who, in order to retain his fellowship and his moneyless station at Trinity Church, persuades his elder brother not to leave him the property which would compel him to vacate it The samto man remains unmarried durmg life. Nor does he employ the large profit arising firom the sale of his writings to any other purpose. It must be admitted, even by the enemies of his principles, that he was a person of exalted disinterestedness.*
Whai tkose prindvUs were is the next thing to be careftilly noticed. They were no other than the broad, tanble, undoubted doctrines of the New Testament, as held by
* Dr. SsslyinhlsVaiifnilScniionTvoordsthsfbUowlBt Mnsifcablt instsass of Ms didnlsiist
“In qmddngiMurtieotarlv of Um dodlostton of his
boriio out by nets, with wbleh joa are
Hon of his proMrty tQllM glof7 of Ood, no im abaDdutfar n seqnalnted. BntHlmotsofBiiaaUr known that tfak from an «arly poviod, probably from tho time whon bo flnl
was aprlndpto all-poimftain his rnhkl from an oarly poviod. probably from I OQcdlaUy gave himmlf to tho woxfc of an Svuuwlbt In proof of thia aarnvtiott, I woold montion a dreonutaDoe which ooennodbotirMnibrty ana flityyoan ago. At that time a Uvinf of gnat fanportanoo beoamo vacant, whleh, by tho ^polnteent of tho patran, as oxprmmdlnhla will, was to bo oftmd to two partioQlar elorgymott In sooeeorion, both of thempviottal friends of yoor late miniiter. Oonoeivhig that the cleisyman who was to have the eocoad olfcr was pre-eBoinently qnallfled fcr tho
tend to two partioQlar elergymott in sooeeerion, both of thempenonal friends of yoor 1 Oonoeivlng that the cleifyman who was to have the eocoad our wae pre-eBoinently qual sltaation,whU0t tho other was better fitted Ibr adilbrant iphno, he wrote to the latter, stating hie opinion, and eolenmly patting it to hli oonedenoe, whether tho oaom of Christ would not be beet promoted by his deeUning the liring; addfaig at the lame time, that rfnoe the eaerlfloewoald bogreatia
tone. It is right to add, that the IndiridQal thoa addnomd responded nobly to the letter by Matfag his intOBtion to rafrue the living, bot abeolatoly declining at the mmo tfane all eompeneatkm: neither ought It to be omitted, that the clergyman, Ibr whom tho living was thus obtdned,.althonfh he sorvtved his appofaitment fcr twonhr yeari, was nevor apprised of the dreasBSlMBeo, nor was It divulged HUsomoamTifksrhisdssth.*’ the Chnreh of England, and exhibited in the writings of her Refonnen, and the Aitidee, Homiliea, and Lituigy which they authoritatively composed. The difference between his sentiments and tnose of others, whether ministers or ^ople, in the same cam« mnnion, lav in the strength with which he held them, the prominence he gave to them, and the holy spiritual use to wluch they were applied. A clergyman may, and in fact does, and must hold the same doctrines of the Fall and Recovery of Man — of the Atonement of Christ, and the 4^rations of the Spirit — of justification by faith, and regeneration and progressive sanctification by ffrace — of hon love to God and man, and of all good works as the fruit of faith, and following after justification. The difference between one minister and another, lies in the meuiner in which he holds these truths — whether they reach and change the heart; whether they sink into the habits and inmost soul; whether they are accompanied with internal ])qpitenoe, contrition, prayer, demotion; whether they express themselves and prove their ffenuineness b those affections and that conduct with which they are ever attended when spiritual life is really implanted; and without which they constitute only a ’ name to live,’ only a * form of goalinese,’ a creed, a notion, a scheme theoretic and inoperative.
The case is the same as po the prominenGe given to these doctrines in our ministry. If they are only occasionally ^ferrra to — if they are indistinctly stated — feebly developed — insufficiently applied to the conscience, they lose all their virtue, and all the Divine blessing which would otherwise rest upon them. We must ’ know’ and make known ’ nothing but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.’
Nor is it different if we advert to the holy spiritual use to which these divine truths an to be applied — to the awakening the souls of men — to the convincing them of sin — to the bringing them to a divine and heavenly life — to the mortif;^ing in them, by the grace of Gods bleesed Spirit, the love of the world and all its vanities; to the leading them, in ^ort, to ‘put off concerning their former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and to put on the new nyui, which, after Giod, u created in righteousness and true holiness.’
These then virere Mr. Simeon’s principles — not narrowly and minutely cramped by too
rsmatic an arrangement — not harshly and stiffly inculcated as parts of a mere hoaj of logy — not tamefy and coldly assented to whilst the mass of the instruction was given to secondary matters — but strongly and deeply imbibed, penetrating his whole soul — the effect and expression of a divine teaching, of a’divine life, of a divine experience; and therefore prominently inculcated, in order to be the seed of eternal life in others — and entirely directed to the production and nourishment of that spiritual, and retired, and contrite, and humble, and benevolent conduct which distinguishes the genuine firnit of the Gospel.
With these principles he unUdd grmU praeUcal uriadom. The ardor indeed of his mind was remarkable. He conceived everything strongly, and expressed himself in a moot energetic manner. He would have been hable therefore, as to natural tendency, to the danger of excessive and even enthusiastic statements. But what was the fact 1 He was full of moderation on doubtful and abstruse questions connected with the commanding truths just adverted to. He was as wise as he was fervent. Thik was a distinguishing feature in his character. Had he been ardent merely, he never could have acquired the influence he gradually gained, nor have left the impression he has done upon his age. His fervor was always checked by a close and adequate study of the Scriptures — by much communion with his own heart — by importunate prayer to Almighty uod — by iriendly intercourse with his brethren in the ministry — ^bjr observation on the history of the Chnxcn in all ages — and b tracing the mischievous effects of the least deflections firom the simplicity of the faith in the course of his own long experience.
The principles of this eminent person- the great, commanding truths of the Ghispel — were thus continually accompanied with good sense, and a wise and scriptural discretion.
,That those principles were nUsreaenUd and opposed during a considerable portion qf hia.lifey will be no matter of surprise to those who know their own heart, and the fallen state of man. The more prominent the station, and the more energetic the character of any Christian, the more vivid will be the opposition excited to the truth of the Gospel. Man in his fellen state loves sin, hates the lignt, shuns conviction, chooses teachers after his own lusts. To reconcile a life of worlduness with the hopes of Christianity, is the c4)ject of the natural man. He resists disturbance — he argues — he calumniates — ne persecutes if he can, or despises if he cannot, the feithful minister. This has ever been the case. When Christiamty first burst upon a heathen and Jewish world, it was received with a resistance which it took oentunes to overcome. And in proportion to the errors prevalent in every age. however nominally Christian that .period may be, will be the opposition to ‘the simple doctrines of the Gospel- The principles of that Gospel are, indeed, 80 adapted to the state and wants of man, that they feil not at length to assert theur divine
Oitgin: but the thne for accomplishing this is often long. Nor can a ProteaUnt church, nor Aiticlfia erangeUcal as oun confessedly are, nor a Liturgy and Book of HomiUea which aOow of no subterfuge, succeed of themselves in changing man. He evades still, explains away, admits such parts of them as he happens to approve, and dismisses the rest to neglect and indifference. All this has been m every age seen in the Christian Church. It is by numbers, by clamor, by a fashionable standard of doctrine, by a conventional interpretation of authorized formularies, and by charges of a party spirit, of fanaticism, and weakness of judgment, alleged against the most devoted, and fervent, and laborious ministers, that the body of men in the visible Protestant churches keep themselves in countenance against the obvious import of the New Testament Revelation. All thtt can be hoped for, then, is that by a patient continuance in well-doing, truth may at length be recognized and honored. The time for accomplishing this varies with ihousand varying circumstances. It was Mr. Simeon’s peculiar hapjnness to live long enough to see the prejudices which assailed him in his earlier ministry, changed throughout almost the whole University to respect and veneration.
Contrast the commencement and the close of his course. He stood for many years alone — he was long opposed, ridiculed, shunned — his doctrines were misrepresented — his Uttle peculiarities of voice and manner were satirized — -disturbances were frequently raised in his church — he was a person not taken into account, nor considered in the light of a regular dersyman of the church. Such was the benning of things. But mark the dose. For the last portion of his ministry all was rapidly changing. He was invited repeatedly to take courses of sermons before the University. The same great principles that ne preached were avowed firom almost every pulpit in Cambridge. His church was crowded with young students. When the new Chancellor of the University placed a chaplainship at the disposal of the Vice-Chancellor, in 1833, Mr. Simeon was me person ap{iUed to to make the nomination. In 1835, the University went up to present an address to the king. The Vice-Chancdlor wished him to attend; and when the members of the senate were assembled, made a public inquiry whether Mr. Simeon was present, that he might be presented to his majesty, as one of the deputation’ — and expressed much regret when it was found he had been incapacitated by illness from attending. The writer of these lines can never forget the impression made on his mind by the appearance of the church, when Mr. Simeon delivered one of his sermons on the Holy Spirit before that learned University about six years since.^ The vast edifice was literaly crowded in every part The heads of houses, the doctors, the masters of arts, the bachelors, the undergraduates, the congregation 6om the town, seemed to vie with each other in eagerness to hear the aged and venerable man. His figure is now beftire me. His fixed countenance, his bold and yet respectful manner of address, his admirable delivery of a well-prepared discourse, his pointed appeal to the different classes of his auditory, the mute attention with which they buns upon his lips, all composed the most solemn scene he had ever witnessed. And at his death when did either of our Universities pay such a marked honor to a private individual 1
It will not be unprofitable to inquire what may have been the causes, under the Divine blessing, of this remarkable change — what produced the striking difference between the first years and the last of his ministry.
Circumstances over which he had little or no control, contributed no doubt to the great result — family, station in societ]^, liberal fortune, manners, vigor of health. Thne we may put out of the present question — they were simply providential gifts.
1. The first cause that may perhaps be assigned is, His oceupying dilirentfy vriUi hi» apprapriaie talents. He seems to have applied himself firom the first to make the most of the particular opportunities afforded him. He wished for no change of station: he was deterred by no difficulties: he was seduced by no offers of a more easy or more congenial post. But where he was placed by a good Providence, there he resolved, if possible, to labor for his Master’s glory. After he discovered the immense capabilities of bis position in the University, he strove to acquire the knowledge and experience necessary for the best discharge of his duties. Witn this prindple & began: and ^y-four years onl added more and more to his fiusulties of usefulness. His talents multiplied beyond his own expectations, or those of his friends. A steady ministry is likely to be a successful one. Changes rarely answer.
2. CoTuidency and deciwm, qfeharader as a minister of Christ may next be mentioned. Confidence is senerated by degrees. When once a character for sincerity, spirituality, consistency, boulness in the Gmpel, is established, infiuence is rapidly acquired. Petty errors are overlooked — peculiarities, fidluies of temper, defects in judgment — all are lost, after a number of years, in the general and well-known excellency of the Kfo. Reports
Nov. 18, 188L in no longer bdieved, pnjadioes an softened, accosationfl of enthunaim and putj-epiiil an examined befon they an cndited. The body and lubetance of conaiatent godlineea stand forth, and the shadowy forms of objectionB disafpear. No man opon earth was mon open than Mr. Simeon to misrepresentations; but after a course ot years almost every one estimated them at their true value. He lived for more than half a century in the eye of the same University. He was the companion and instructor of thirteen or fourteen generations of voung students He saw the disciples of his early days, the ffovemon and professors of the Univenitv in his latter. He was known never to have nad but one object, never to have preached but one doctrine. First his friends; then his college; then the University; then the large body of the clergy with whom he had been uk sociated; lastly, almost the whole country understood him. They did not all agree wfii him jhut they understood him. And as a general revival of the power of true religion in the Cffureh of England was goine on during almost the entire period of his ministry, (to which by God’s mercy and gracene himself laively contributea,) his influence widened inconceivably towards the close of his lengthened tifo.
3. Moderation on contested and doubt points qf theology contributed to his ultimate success — not moderation in the sense of tameness as to the great vital truths of the Gospel — not moderation as implying conformity to the world’s judgment of Christian dootrine — but the true scriptural moderation arising from a sense of man’s jprofound ignorance, and of the danser of attempdng to proceed one step beyond the mir and obvious import of Divine Revdation. In this sense be was moderate. A reverential adherence to the letter of inspired truth was the characteristic of his preaching. He never ventured to push conclusions from Scripture into metaphysical rennement. Unless the conclusions themselves, as well as the premises, were expressly revealed, he was fearful and cautions in the extreme. He conceived early in life the design of forming a school of BidUdomf if the term may be employed. Instead of detaching certain passages from the Bible, deducing prcHXMntions from these passages, and then making these propositions the staitinff ports of his preaching, he kept the Bible as bis perpetual standard; and used aiticles of theology for the end for which they were intended, not to supersede the Bible, but to be a centre of unity, a safeguard against heresy and error, and a means of discipline and order in the church. He did not consider it his duty to attempt to reconcile all the apparent difficulties in St. Paul, but to preach every part of that great apostle’s doctrine in its place and bearing, aid for the ends for which each part was evidently employed by lis inspired author. Here shone forth that wisdom in Mr. Simeon’s character to which wo have already adverted — the vrisdom of bowing before the infinite understanding of the Almighty, and not venturing to speculate on matters placed far above human compreheosbn. As Lord Bacon in Natural Philosophy considered not theories, but focts; not what agreed with principles but principles themselves; not hidden mattere, but phenomena; not speculation, but practice, as the points of greatest moment; so every word of Holy Scriptun was in Mr. Simeon’s view a fact, a pnnciple, a phenomenon, a practical point of the utmost consequence. And it was flm the aggregation of these that he aimed at constituting his BtbUcitnif or Scriptural Divinity.
4. His eminently devotional spirit must next be mentioned. No man perhaps in these latter ages has been more a man of prayer than Mr. Simeon. It is believed tnat he not unfiequently spent whole nights in prayer to Grod. He has more than once promised particular friends to devote a week to intercession on their behalf. This spirit of prayer counteracted the natural roughness of his temper, reconciled those who had taken offence,
fave a certain charm to his conversation, moderated contentions, led to continual selfoowledge and growth in grace, and laid a foundation of wide influence. In his afflbtions, prayer was his reftige. There was an intenseness of desire, a prostration of soul, a brokenneas of heart before GkxJ, a holy filial breathing after spiritual blessing, which can scarcely be conceived by those who only saw him occasionally. This habit of mind not only contributed to his general success by bringing down the grace of the Holy Spirit, but also by dving a certain softened tone to his whole character which generated confidence; and whkh being joined with the occupation of his appropriate talen his consistency and his moderation on doubtful matters, shed a sort of unction over his conversation and ministry, which in spiritual things is the secret of real influence over others.
6. The labor he bestowed on the preparation qfhis sermons must by all means be noticed. Few cost him less than twelve hours of study — many twice that time, and some several da. He once told the writer that he had recomposed the plan of one discourse nearly thirty times. He gave the utmost attention to the rules for the composition of discourses. His chief source of thought was the Holy Bible itself on which he meditated, it may be tiuly said, day and night When he had fixed on his text, he endeav<^red first to ascei tain the simple, obvious meaning of the words, which he frequently reduoed to a categorical proposition. He then aimed at catching the spirit of the passage, whether consiuartofy, alarming, cantionaiy, or instmctive. After this, his object was to give the fbU scope to the particolar (ruth before him, making it, of coarse, really harmonious with the analogy of fiiith, but not over studious to display a systematic agreement. In Divine revelation, he considered himself too ignorant and feeble to attempt to reconcile to his finite undenatandins all the parts of a redemption as yet only in part developed. ‘I am like a man,’ he used to say, ’ swimming in the Atlantic; and I have no fear of striking one hand ainst Europe and the other against America.’ The writer of these lines hai» a deep conviction of the immense importance of ministers studying thoroughly their discourses, in order to abiding usefulness. Original composition wUl become easy, if it be habitual. Better the feeblest beginnings in one’s own way, than the most finished sermons of others. Nothing, is to wdone without pains. The living minister and messenger, and watchman, and steward of the mysteries of Christ is dumb and unfaithful, if he transfer to others what he is by all the highest obligations called on to perform himself -ythe using all means for touching of. his people’s hearts — for awakening of the dead in sin — consoling of the penitent — (UTecting the inquirer — raising the fallen. Nor is any one destitute of the means of engagins Uie attention of others, if he will but take pains early, and be persevering in the use of the natural means of aca uiring the fiuulty of teaching with effect. Every man can be plain and intelligible, and interesting, when his own hair{ is engaged on other subjects, and why not in religion 1
6. Mr. Simeon’s admirable care in conciUating the iectUma and aiding the studies qf the young men at the Univsrsify had again a large share in the remarkable suocess which attended him. In every part of the kingdom he had children, as it were, in the Gospel, who had derived benefit from his unwearied labors during a long life. Multitudes nad first been led to serious religion under his energetic ministry, or had been awakened to greater earnestness. These recommended others, when going into residence, to seek his acquaintance. In various ways dkl he labor for the highest welfare of all who were thus brought within his influence. His public ministry was directed very much to their edification — an evening party each week was known to be open to my who wished for his counsel — and he delivered, twice in a year, a course of lectures upon preaching to such as had passed the earlier division of their college course. Thus he drew around him a constant succession of pious youth, whose minoiB he imbued with his own sound and laborious views of ministerial diligence. The last day alone will reveal the aggregate of good he thus accomplished. If we take only four or five cases now before the world — David Brown — ^Heniy Martyn — John Sargent — Thomas Thomason — and Bishop Corrie — we may judge by them, as by a specimen, of the hundreds of somewhat similar ones which occurred during the fifty-four years of his labors. There was an energy and sincerity in his manner, wmch, as he himself advanced in life, gave him a more than fatherly authority over the young men, as they came up year after year. He was perpetually engaged in finding for those who were of age for orders suitable curacies. He proflered to others chaplaincies in India when he conceived their cast of mind was suitable. He watched over those newly ordained, and gave the most valuable suggestions, as to voice, manner, and disposal of time. In another respect, also, his influence was of the most salutary character. He urged all his young iriendr to pursue diligently the aopropriate studies of the University — he protested against idleness and caprice and disobeaience to the college tutor, under the shallow pretence of following more spiritual and congenial reading. The consequence was, that Mr. Simeon was more and more respected by the senior part of the University — learning was observed not to be incompatible with his views of scnptural piety — and many who were far from espousing those views themselves, were yet filled with respect for his consistent and striking character.
7. A difierent source, but a most copious one, of legitimate influence, wis the inierest he took in the great rdigious societies Jbr diffitsing the hunoUdge of the Gospel Besides the old and venerable institutions in our cnurch, he was amongst the first and warmest supporters of the Church Missionary Society, the British and Foreign fiible Society, the Jews’ Conversion Society, the Prayer-Book and Homily Society, and others.
To the Society, however, for the Conversion of the Jews, Mr. Simeon was pre-eminently attached. In truth, he was almost firom the commencement the chief stay of i that great cause. The simple but affecting address which he dictated on his dying bed on this subject is befow the world. Some of his finest sermons in his Horm are on subjects connected with their wonderful history.
His unwearied aeal in these more popular institutions, united with his academical character to raise his general influence. One of these two branches of labor suffices for most men. Indeed excellence in one commonly unfits for success in the other. But such was the energy of Mr. Simeon’s mind, the iervor of his piety, and his habits of preparation, that he excelled almost equally in both.
6. His snMghtened andftrm attadanent to our Protestant Episcopal Church further added, in a degree it ia difficult to measure, to his weiffht of character in tha ooontiy. Confidence never follows instability. A feeble unsettled man ia apt to be betrayed into inconsistencies, which no after good conduct can redeem. Mr. Simeon never varied throughout a long life, in ardent, marked, and avowed attachment to the doctrine and disctpUne of our apostoUcal church. Indeed, bis own discourses on the liturgy, and the whole tenor of his ministry and labors, placed his judgment on these questions out of all doubt. Nor did any man lament or oppose more than himself the novelties, and follies, and fanaticisms, which sprung up during the period of his ministry. He had no reserve on these occasiuns. The advocates of tongues and miracles and’ voices and of the personal reign of our Lord found no support in him; any more than the high Calvinismon the one hand, or the Anninianism on the other, which at different times threatened divisions in the church. The moderation snd comprehension of the Church of England was his joy — as it is of all her best members. A thousand — ten thousand opinions on difficult or subordinate questions are all equally compatible with a conscientious obedience to her rules of discipline and form of sound words. Mr. Simeon neith verged towards the great error of over magnifying the ecclesiastical polity of the church and
S lacing it in the stead of Christ and salvation; nor towards the opposite mistake of nnervaluing the sacraments and the authority of the apostolical episcopacy. The temptations of the great adversary are directed to each of these extremes at different times.^
Mr. Simeon pursued through all changes the even tenor of his way: and it is truly observed by Dr. Dealtry in his ‘Funeral Discourse,’ thai if from any ill-regulated zeal, or a feeling of disappointment at the want of countenance from others, he had been induced to take extravagant steps, or to quit the communion of the church, he never would have been the means of producing anything like the amount of good, or of doing Uiything like so much toward dilfasing in future generations the light of holy truth, as he has now done.
9. Another point may here be noticed — His manrur of bearing opponHon aa it oross, and kit victories over himself throughout life, contributed not a little to that remarkable success and authority which he at length acquired. Two-thirds perhaps of his ministry were’passed under very considerable discouragement Had he complained loudly, had he resisted peevishly, had he deserted his post of duty rashly, the church and the world could have been but little bencfiteil comparatively by his labors. But he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. He meekly bore for Christ’s sake the cross imposed upon him. He returned good for evil. He subdued the old man within him. He looked above creatures and instruments to the hand which sent them. He endeavored to follow apostles and prophets in the road of suffering, and in the spirit which they manifested. What was the result 1 His character and influence were more and more recognized. Particular opposition died away, as it commonly does; but the spiritual fruit wmch it yields remained. Thus every trial contributerl to his solid advance and growth in grace. Each victory over himself tended to his own purification and his subsequent success. Vanity, conceit, self-dependence, highness of countenance (the faults of the energetic and commanding) wen thus checked. Constitutional failings were corrected. He was prepared to twar aright that respect which was to follow him at the close of Ufe, and which but for this counter balance would have marred the humility and simplicity of his mind. And so after years of difHcuIty and coldness and resistance, he bursts forth into the full influence and recognized honor of the aged servant of the Lord during the closing twelve or fifteen years. His previous trials have now their blessed effect; — his internal habits of humility are now put to their appropriate effort He goes down to the grave full of honor, surrounded by the disciples whom he had trained, acknowledged as a true son of the Church of Englatad, as well as a beloved child of the Lord of all, and regarded as a just object of imitation for the ministers of each succeeding age.
10. And the result, be it obrved, was, that by these and similar causes, that is, the mere force of etxAgelical truth and holiness thus exhibited during Jifly or sixty yearSj and not by great taUntSy or extraorcUnary powers qf Judgment, or particular aitammenis mieademical learning God gave him this wide and blessed influence over the age in which he lived. So far from being the man whom we should at first abstractedly have selected for the delicate and difficult post of a University, we should have perhaps considered him peculiarly unfitted for it: — we should have thought him too energetic, too fervent, too peculiar in his habits, too bold, too incautious; and we should have preferred some renned, and elegant, and accomplished scholar, some person of mathematical fame, some ardent student of philosophical discovery. And yet, behold, how God honors simplicity and devotedness of heart in His servantsbohola, how a man of no extraordinary endowments, yet occupying with his talents, consistent, moderate, with a spirit of prayer, Uborious, oonsultir the good of the youns, joining in all pious designs, attacked firmly to hia churchj and learning in the achoM of painful disciplme, lisea above obataclea, ia aticidied beyond hi* apparent capabilities, adapts himself to a sitoation of extreme difl&cnlty, aoouiras the ftcutty of meeting its demands, and ends by compassing’infinitely greater good uan a leas energetic and decisiye character, however talented, would have aooompliuked.
To have been free from a thousand peculiarities and petty faults (which no one pretends to conceal in the case of Mr. Simeon) would have been easy; but to rise to his hht of love to Christ, to feel his compassion for souls, to stand boldly and courageously forward in the fikce of difficulty, to bve down misapprehensions, to be a bnminff and a shining light in his generation to lift up a standard of truth when the enemy had come in like a flood^his was the difficult task — and for this we glorify Grod in our departed friend. Nor does anything more dearly show the effect of grace — of real, solid, interior mce — in his character, than that all through life he should have been unitixi the natunu fervor and aidor of his constitutional temperament, in his manner of ffraspinff the truth of the Gospel, with the perpetual check and conectives which we have oeen adverting to. Had he been merely fervent, he would have fallen into some plausible errors or have l)een betrayed into some breaches of ecclesiastical order. Had he, on the contrary, been merely prudent, consistent, moderate, dec., without a fundamental warmth of mind, he would never have risen to be a light of the church. The union of the two classes of qualifications — of those on the side of ener;^ with those springing firom wisdom, made lum what he was; and in this union he is emmently to be regar&l as an object of imitation by the clergy in every part of the world.
The mind indeed is astonished at the amount of this remaable man’s ultimate usefulness. As a preacher, he was. unquestionably one of the first of his age — as a divine, one of the most truly 8criptural’ — as a resident in the University, the most useful person beyond all doubt which these latter times have known — as a writer he began early m life, and accomplished, after forty years’ persevering labor, a most extensive and valuable coUeetion or Discourses on every part of Scripture for the (guidance of DiviaitT Stndent»~-as a churchman he devoted all his property to perpetuate m numerous populous parishes the selection of devoted and able ministers — as a man and a Christian, he eminently fived to the glory, and died in the peace of Christ his Lord.”
tdmifioptUTt rtSv 4yovfilva»y ifuStff
lUftttoSt rhv nlcrip,
IHSOYS XPISTOS,
XeE£ KAI SHMEPON O AYTO£, EAI EI£ TOYT AIONAE.
Heb. ziil. 7, 8.