Memoir, 1782–1783

Prapantion to leave Cambridffe — Death of the Incumbent of Trinity Chnrch — Hr. Simeon’s appointment to the Living — Rimarkable circumatances attending it — Oppoof the Pariahioncra — Attempt to etttabliah an Evening; Lecture — Churchdoora locked against him — Religious Meetings in a private room — Mr. Venn consulted — Trials in the Parish and at home — Mr. Simeon s Father reconciled to him — Marriage of his Brother — Preservation of a Female from suicide — Thankfulness for rBprooH-Pieaehing at Oxford — Mr. Robinson of Leicetstor — Ordained Priest.

1782 — 1783.

MEMOIR CONTINUED.

In October my poor brother Richard died; and as there was then no one living with my aged father, it was thought desirable that I should leave College, and go to live with him. To this !• acceded; but feeling the indispensable necessity.of serving God according to my conscience, and of seeing my own acquaintance without restraint, I secured a promise that I should have a part of the house to myselF, where I might see my friends without interfering with my father. Everything was settled: my books, &c. were just going to be packed up; and in a fortnight I was to leave College for good. But behold! in that juncture an event took place that decided the plans of my whole life. I had often, when passing Trinity Churcn, which stands in the heart of Cambridge, and is one of the largest churches in the town, said within myself, * How should I rejoice if God were to give me that church, that I might preach his Gospel there, and be a herald for him in the midst of the University!’ But as to the actual possession of it, I had no more prospect of attaining it, than of being exalted to the see of Canterbury. It so happened, however, that the incumbent of it (Mr. Therond) died just at this time, and that the only bishop, with whom my father had the smallest acquaintance, had recently been translated to the see of Ely. I therefore sent off instantly to my father, to desire him to make application to the bishop for the living on my behalf. This my father immediately did; and I waited in College to see the event of his application.* The parishioners of Trinity were earnest to procure the Kving for Mr. Hammond, who had served the parish as curate for some time; and they immediately chose him lecturer, concluding that the living without the lectureship would not be worth any one’s acceptance; it being, even with the surplice-fees, not worth more than forty guineas per annum. They all signed a

GBAP. III.] MINISTRY AT TRINITY CHURCH. 36

petition to the bishop in behalf of Mn H., informing him at the same time, that they had appointed him to the lectureship. The parish being so extremely violent for Mr. H., I went to the vestry, where they were assembled, and told them that 1 was a minister of peace; that I had no wish for the living but for the sake of doing them good; and that I would, if upon further reflection it did not appear improper write to the bishop, to say that I declined any further competition. Accordingly I went home, and wrote to the bishop precisely to the effect that I had stated in the vestry; but it so happened that my letter was too late for the post. This being the case, I had the whole nifi;ht for reflection; and upon recoijsidenng the matter, I found 1 ,had acted very foolishly; for whether the bishop designed to give it me or not, it was unwise: if he did not intend to give it me, my declining it was superfluous; and if he did, it was throwing away an opportunity that might never occur again. I therefore determined to keep back the letter, which indeed my own declaration at the vestry had authorized me to do. But still, having in appearance pledged my word, what was to be done? This I determined with myself: I will wait the event; if the bishop gives Mr. H. the living, it is well; and if he give it me, I will appoint Mr. H. my substitute, with the whole profits of the living, and continue him in the situation as long as he chooses to hold it; and then, if I am alive when he wishes to leave it, I can go and take possession of it as my own, without any risk of having another bishop in that see, or of meeting with a repulse on renewing my application for it. Thus I shall keep my word most fully with the parish, and yet avoid all the evils which a hasty declining of the living might have occasioned.

“Here then behold to what a situation I was reduced! the living now could not possibly be mine, at least for years to come. Whether the bishop should give it him or me, I was equally precluded from possessing it. But God, in submission to whose will I had made the sacrifice, most marvellously interposed to deliver roe from this difficulty. No sooner had I made the declaration in the vestry, than the parishioners, without any authority fro?n roe, wrote to the bishop that I had declined: and this brought me a letter from the bishop saying, that if I chose to have the living it was at my service; but that, if I declined it, Mr. H. should not have it on any account.*

“Here the knot was untied: my word was kept to all intents and purposes; everything was done by me that truth and honor could dictate: to decline the living now would in no respect

* The bishop’s words were: — “The parishioneTB have petitioned for Mr* Hammond, tsd unless gratified, insinuate their intentions of bestowing their lectureship on a diflereot person than my curate. I do not like that mode of application, and ir you do not Mcept it, shall ceitamly not license Mr. H. to it. I shall await your answer.” Nov.

The next day Mr. S. preached for the first time in Trinity Church.

S6 MINISTBY AT TBINITY CHURCH. [cHAF. UI.

answer the wishes of the parish, and to execute! my intentions in reference to Mr. H. was impossible. Thus did God interpose to deliver me from a difficulty which seemed absolutely insurmountable; and the parish themselves, through their indiscreet and in* decent earnestness to accomplish their own wishes, were the very instruments whom God made use of to fix me among them as their stated pastor. How little did they think what that letter of theirs would effect! It was that which irritated the bishop, and caused him to send me such a letter as relieved me at once from all embarrassment, and fixed me in a church which I have now held for above thirty years, and which I hope to retain to my dying hour. Truly ’ the judgments of God are unsearchable, and his ways past finding out.’

‘< The disappointment which the parish felt proved very unfitvorable to my ministry. The people almost universally put locks on their pews, and would neither come to church themselves, nor suffer others to do so: and multitudes from time to time were forced to go out of the church, for want of the necessary accommodation. I put in there a number of forms, and erected in vacant places, at my own expense, some open seat3; but the churchwardens pulled them down, and cast them out of the church. To visit the parishioners in their own houses vtbs impracticable; for they were so embittered against me, that there was scarcely one that would admit me into his house. In this state of things I saw no remedy but faith and patience. The passage of Scripture which subdued and controlled my mind was, * The servant of the Lord must not strive.’ It was painful indeed to see the church, with the exception of the aisles, almost forsaken; but I thought that if God would only give a double blessing to th congregation that did attend, there would on the whole be as much good done, as if the congregation were doubled, and the blessing limited to half the amount. This has comforted me many, many times, when, without such a reflection, I should have sunk under my burthens.

“The opposition thus formed continued for many years. The lectureship being filled by Mr. Hammond I had only one opportunity of preaching in the whole week. I therefore determined to establish an evening lecture ;* but scarcely had I established it, before the churchwardens shut the church-doors against me. On one occasion the congregation was assembled, and it was found that the church-warden had gone away with the key in his

Eocket I therefore got a smith to open the doors for that time, ut did not think it expedient to persist under such circumstances.

July 16, 1783. Mr. S. wntes to Rev. J. Venn: — “Couldthant established an extempore lecture at six in the evening, for the first time on the last Sabbath; and I intendj with Ood*s grace, now he has led the way, to bfgin the same at the same hoar in Trinity Church next Sunday. I much need your prayers, my dear friend, being veiy insafficient for so arduous a task.”

CHBAP. m.] MINIBTRT AT TRINITY CHURCH. 87

Yet what was to be done? If those whose minds were impressed by my preaching had not some opportunity of further instruction, they would mfallibly go to the dissenting meetings, and thus be gradually drawn away from the church. The only alternative I nad was, to make them meet in a private room; I therefore hired a small room in my parish, and met them there, and expounded to them the Scripttre, and prayed with them. In time the room was too small to hold us all, and I could not set one larger in mv parish; I therefore got one in an adjoinmg parish, which had the advantage of being very spacious and very retired. Here I met my people for a considerable time. I was sensible that it would be regarded by many as irregular; but what was to be done? I could not instruct them in my church; and I must of necessity have them all drawn away by the dissen-. ters, if I did not meet them myself; I therefore committed the matter to God in earnest prayer, and entreated of Him, that if it were his will that I should continue the room, he would graciously screen me from persecution on account of it; or that if persecution should arise on account of it, he would not impute it to me as sin, if I gave up the room. He knew the real desire of my heart; he knew that I only wished to fulfil his will. I told him a thousand times over that I did not deprecate persecution; for I considered that as the necessary lot of all who would ’ live godly in Christ Jesus;’ and more especially, of all who would preacri Christ with fidelity; but I deprecated it as arising from that room.

“My friends, as I expected, were all alarmed; and at last they prevailed on my dear and honored friend, Mr. Henry Venn, to speak to me on the subject. His word would operate more forcibly with me than the words of a thousand others, because ‘I knew him to be governed by no carnal policy, but to be siVbn up wholly unto God. On his dissuading me from it, I told him all my transactions with God respecting it; I told him that none of my friends were more fearful of injuring the cause of God than I was; that the motion of a finger was sufficient to turn me in this matter, if only I could ascertain the mind of God; and that, in order to learn the will of God respecting it, I had with many prayers committed it to him in that way; entreating him to prevent its being an occasion of offence, if he willed that I should continue it; and that he would pardon me for giving it up, in case it should excite a clamor and persecution against me. Mr. V. then said, * Go on, and God be with you:’ and verily God was with me there on many occasions, to the abundant edification of my people in faith and love. The persecutions in my parish continued and increased; but during the space of many years no persecution whatever arose from that room, though confessedly It was the side on which my enemies might have attacked me with most effect.”

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The trials of Mr. S. at this period are thus alluded, to by the Rev. H. Venn, in a letter to Mr. Riland: —

“Jan. 23, 1783.

“Cambridge is going to be in a ferment — Mr. Simeon’s ministry is likely to be blessed. We may indeed say, * a great door is opened!’ for several gownsmen hear him. What follows is as true, * and there are many adversaries.’ He comes over to advise with me upon every occasion. But * the Wonderful Counsellor’ is with him. I advised him to visit a poor felon in the iail, whose case was put into the papers as accessory in a murder. He answered, * Oh, I have been with him several times, and have good hopes he will go from the gallows to glory.’ Mr. Simeon’s father, who used to delight in him, is all gall and bitterness. I should not wonder if he were to disinherit him. The Lord will be his portion if it be so; and he would be rich nevertheless. Such storms we have weathered — for what remains may we be ready, and at last be guided into the haven where we would be.” This trial, however, at home was not of long continuance, for Mr. S. writes to the Rev. J. Venn: —

“May 19, 1783.

“You will no doubt join with me in giving thanks to (Jod, who, when we acknowledge Him in all our ways, has promised to direct our paths, and to make all things work together for our good. He has been pleased to reconcile my dear father to me entirely, and we are now on the same friendly terms as ever. Did ever any trust in Him and was confounded? But I cannot stop to make observations, having a great deal of news to communicate, and not a minute to spare. My eldest brother is going to be married to Miss Cornwall, (Mr. Thornton’s partner’s daughter,) and 1 shall go up to town for the purpose of tying the indissoluble knot My father is now in Lonaon looking out for a house for them. O that Jesus were at the wedding, with what joy should I go then!”

Before Mr. Simeon accepted the invitation to be present at the marriage, as usual he consulted Mr. Venn on the subject Mr. V. was aware of the breach occasioned by his religion with his relatives, and he thought that this might be a favorable opportunity for bringing them together again; for Mr. S. had been much beloved by his family. Yet he feared, on the other hand, that it might induce something like a compromise from Mr. S., or be otherwise injurious to those sacred principles which he had imbibed. Very fervent, therefore, were the prayers of this aged servant of God on behalf of his young friend just entering on the ministry. His cautions to him were most earnest and faithful that he might not be drawn aside by any worldly attractions, or by the yearnings of family affection. How were these prayers more than answered by the Chief Shepherd of the flock, who was

CHAT* ni.] MINISTRY AT TRINITY CHURCH. 29

watching over the young minister I The day ailer his arrival in town he met the Rev. Mr. Abdy, who requested him to take his occasional duty at Horsleydown, to enable him to stay another week with his friends in the country. Mr. Simeon gladly consented; and on the very day of the marriage, when a large and splendid party had assembled to celebrate the event, notice was sent him that there would be a funeral at Mr. Abdy’s church. Mr. S. was in the churchyard punctually at the hour fixed; but was kept some time waiting for the funeral, “when God was pleased in a very signal manner to make use of him for the preservation of a poor woman from suicide;” and he had reason also to “trust for the salvation of her soul.” The narrative which follows was written by Mr. S. soon after the occurrence.

**It was in July 1783, I was waiting in Horsleydown churchyard for a corpse, which I was engaged to bury, and for my amusement was reading the epitaphs upon the tomb-stones. Having read very many which would have been as suitable for Jews or heathens, as for the persons concerning whom they were written, I at last came to one that characterized a Christian:

“When from Uie dust of death I rise,

To claim my mansion in the skies,

Ev’n then shall this be all my plea, — ‘Jesus hath lived and died for me,”

Struck with the sentiment conveyed in the two last lines, I looked around to see if there was any one to whom God might render it the means of spiritual instruction; at a little distance I saw young woman reading an epitaph, and called her to me, and addressed her nearly in these words, * You are reading epitaphs, mistress; read that; when you can say the same from your heart, you will be happy indeed; but until then, you will enjoy no real happiness in tnis world or the next.’ She then read them without any apparent emotion; and then told me that a churchyard was a very proper place for her, for that she was much distressed. On my inquiring into the causes of her distress, she told me, that she had an -aged mother and two children, that she had ruined her health in laboring for them, and was now unable to support them: I immediately turned to some passages in my Bible, such as * Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all (needful) things shall be added unto you;’ and endeavored to turn her eyes to Him who gives rest to heavy laden souls. After having conversed with her about a quarter of an hour, the corpse arrived, and at my request, she gave me her address. The next evening, about seven o’clock, I went to see her, and found the aged mother very ill of an asthma, the two little babes lying in bea, and the young woman sitting very disconsolate. Though I was no stranger to scenes of distress, at this sight I was overcome in a very unusual manner: I told them that aO MINTSTRT AT TRINITY CHUROH. [cBAP. HI*

I was unable to say anything which might administer comfort, and desired that they would join me in applying to the Father of mercies and God of all consolation. We fell upon our knees, and in a moment were bathed in tears; I could scarce utter my words through heaviness of heart, and the abundance of tears which flowed down my cheeks; and to almost every petition that I offered, *Amen, Amen, Amen, — God grant it may. Amen, Amen,’ was the language both of their hearts and lips. I was too much affected to be able to converse with them; I therefore referred them to two or three passages of Scripture, and left them. The next evening, about the same time, I visited them again, and, as before, we wrestled in prayer with strong cries and floods of tears; nor was I any better able to converse with them than bofore, so deplorable aid their situation appear, and to such a defree were all our hearts overwhelmed with sorrow. As before, left a few Scriptures for their consideration, that they might plead them in prayer with our promise-keeping God; and returned the third evening about the same hour: then I began with some conversation, and afterwards went to prayer, but though we were earnest, our whole souls were not drawn out as on the two preceding evenings. When we had risen from prayer, I sat down to talk with them, and after I had spoken a little time, the young woman addressed me to this eflect, and as nearly as lean recollect, in these words: Now, Sir, I will tell you what the Lord has done for me; when you called me in the church-yard (which was nearly two miles off” her house) I had been there five hours; I went to my sister, who lives close by, to tell her my distress, but she, instead of assisting me at all, or even pitying my situation, sent me away with reproaches; I thought God had utterly forsaken me, and left me and my children to starve, and that it did not signify what became of me; I found my misery insupportable; and therefore was determined to put an end to it; and at the instant you spoke to me, I was going to drown myself: thus I should in one moment have left my aged mother and my little helpless children without a friend in the world, and have plunged my own soul into irretrievable ruin. And now. Sir, instead of despairing of bread to eat, I am enabled to see that God, who is the father of the fatherless, and the Husband of the widow, is my friend, that Christ Jesus has washed me from all my sins in the fountain of his own blood, and that it is my privilege to be careful for nothing: and, blessed be God, I am enabled to cast all my care on Him who careth for me. I have hitherto labored on the Lord’s-day to support my family; and I now see how little I can do without the blessing of God: henceforward, by race, I will never work again on the Sabbath, but devote it entirely to the service of God, the concerns of my soul, and the instruction of my children.* This was the last time of my seeing her during my stay in town; but on my return to town, about a year after-CHAP, m.] MnnsTRT at trinity chuech. 81

wards,* I made inquiries of a gentleman who lived very near her» and whom I desired to watch over her conduct, and found that it had been perfectly consistent with the profession she had made to me of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; that she was in every respect sober and discreet, and at all times regular in her attendance on the means of ffrace. Having heard this character of her as to the external conduct, I was very desirous of seeing whether the life of godliness also were in her soul, and went to visit her. At my entering into the house, she caught hold of my hand, utterly unable to speak, and I was apprehensive she would have gone off into a fit, through surprise and excess of joy. When she was composed, I asked her where her mother was; she told me that she had died about three months before; and that her departing words were, * Come, Lord Jesus, I am ready if thou art willing; come Lord Jesus:’ and then, addressing the young woman, May God bless you, my dear daughter,’ she expired without a groan. Such was the end of her who had been for years, I believe, a close walker with God.

*’ In the course of con ^ersation, the young woman told me that she herself had, in the winter, been at the point of death, and that she was enabled to commit her children into the hands of her Heavenly Father, without a doubt of his taking good care of them, and that she desired to depart and to be with Christ: in short, her whole conversation then, and at several times since when I have seen her, as well as her general character from those who live near her, have fully convinced me that her soul is quite alive to God, and I pray God it may continue so to the end.

“We may observe from hence, how mistaken those physicians and apothecaries are, who imagine that religious conversation with patients has a tendency to impede their cure. Here is a case where the woman was very ill in body, as well as distressed in mind, whom all the drugs in their dispensary could not have cured. When she had found Christ Jesus, that great Physician, healing her soul with the Balm of Gilead, her troubles immediately subsided, and her health was quickly re-established; for her subsequent illness, in the winter, was of a very different na ture.”

So strong an impression did this event make on Mr. Simeon, that when alluding to it, just thirty years after, he says, ‘* If my whole life had been spent without any other compensation than this, my labors had been richly recompensed.”

On one of the occasions of visiting this poor family,” observes Mr. Preston, Mr. S. having been detained longer than usual by the deep interest which he felt in their state, joined the party as-

Before he left, however, he comforted them with the aesarance of hia own efiectiudamitAiice. And it u eUted by the late Mra. Elliott, daughter of Rev. H. Venn, that “a weekly allowance was regularly paid them by almoners known to her; and as the chiUrsD grew up they were respectably provided for.”

32 MINI8TRT AT TRINITY CHCTRCH. [cHAP. OI.

sembled at his relative’s house so late, that his friends bean to be jocular with him, as to the cause of his kbsence. Ah, said he, m narrating this, and with the usual fervid moulding of his face, **’ / had meat to eat which they knew not of.^ He used to speak of the invitation, which he had received at this period, to join in the festivities of his friends, as a plot kindly, but ignorantly laid, for diverting him from the over-intense pursuit of the objects which then lay nearest his heart. The deep interest which he felt in ministering to the spiritual necessities of this poor widow, was regarded by him as graciously appointed to counteract — as it did more than counteract — the deadening influence of scenes and associations which he felt constrained to attend, but in which he had ceased to feel pleasure,”

In a. note upon this subject in 1829, Mr. Simeon writes: ‘’I went to town to marry my brother and Mr. Thelluson to two sisters. There were three grand feasts; and my relations secretly hoped that I might* be drawn from God. But how did God interpose for me, and work by me!”

After the marriage, Mr. S. made a tour for a few weeks to visit some of his clerical friends. The profit he derived from their conversation and example is acknowledged in the following letters: —

“To the Rev. H. Vbnn.

Birmingliam, Aug. 21, 1783.

“If Mr. Parish has not been with you, you will be -astonished at hearing from me from this place. My sudden departure from Cambridge was occasioned, either by a letter received from Mr. Riland on Sunday last, or by my misinterpretation of his letter — I should rather think the latter. * * ♦” Mr. Riland would make me preach for him on Wednesday last: the Lord gave me much of his presence; but towards the end I found Satan working powerfully on my corrupt, vain heart, which made me pray most fervently against his power: how does God answer prayer I When we were got home, Mr. Riland did not say one wV)rd in commendation of the sermon, but found fault with it on account of tautology, and want of richness in the application. What a blessing — an inestimable blessing is it to have a faithful friend! Satan is ready enough to point out whatever good we have; but it is only a faithful friend that will, screen that from your sight, and show you your deficiencies. Our great apostasy seems to consist primarily in making a god of self; and he is the most valuable friend who will draw us most from self-seeking- — self-pleasing — and self-dependence, and help us to restore to God the authority we have robbed him of. Having come so far as Birmingham, I shall not return without my errand; but shall go on Monday next to Reading, and return hither that day fortnight. If you know of any godly people between Read-

ing, Birmingham, Leicester, Cambridge, I shall take great plea* sore in calling upon them on my return.’’

To the Rev. John Venn.

“King’s College, Sept 23, 1783.
My very dear Friend, —

“Is it possible tKat I could write sarcastically to my friend Venn? That I did not intend it I am sure; and if I viras so incautious as to pen anything .which would bear such an interpretation, I will most willingly acknowledge myself (unwittingly mdeed, but) very highly deserving of censure. I shall however assign two reasons why it is possible that you may have been a letter in my debt, and not I in yours. * * But not to talk of whose turn it is, I tell you that I will pester you whenever I think fit — gainsay it who will. The difference of the numbers of your auditors, which you mention, reminds me of my feelings the first time I preached at Trinity. When I came in scarcely a per- 8(m was in church, whereas at St. Edward’s it used to be full before I came. I concluded I was to preach to bare walls, and beheld, through the grace of Gk)d, as 1 thought, a wonderful display of Divine goodness towards me in mortifying my vanity, which had*been too much fed and indulged in the preceding summer; and was enabled to return God my most hearty thanks for it: but there came a tolerable conegation after the service was begun. Doubtless your faith will clearly see the glory of (Jod, and your own good in some manner connected with your present situation. Do you ask me why I do not come to Dunham? I first answer, that I was absent from my parish five weeks when my brother was married; secondly, I went five weeks ago to Birmingham, with an intent of being absent only one Sunday, and on my arrival, found that I had made a mistake, having come three weeks too soon for the meeting; I therefore went into Berkshire to visit my father, and the new-married couple — dined at Reading with Mr. Cadogan — then on my return stayed a day with. Pentecross at Wallingford, and preached for him: — two days at Oxford — preached there morning and afternoon in Carfax Church, where the mayor, &c. always go. Mr. Fletcher, the mayor, obtained the church for me. Before permission was granted, it was asked, * Is he a Methodist V Mr. F. truly said, * He knew neither ine nor my sentiments.’ In the morning there was a good, in the evening a very crowded congregation; the aisles all full out to the very door. I hope the Lord did not send them there without some good resulting from it: it is His work. His cause, and he will plead it: and if we are not used by him as instruments of converting sinners, you rightly observe, that we shall be a sweet savor of Christ even in them that perish;’ and thoufi:h Israel be not gathered,* yet shall we be glorified, and God too willbe glorified by us. * At Birmingham I preached twice — stayed

84, MIKIBTBY AT TRINITY CHURCH. [cHAP. HI*-

about a week in all — highly pleased and edified with the conver- •ation and example of Mr. R.: how worthy is he of imitation in his custom of redeeming time! he scarcely ever loses a minute. Oh, that I could say the same of myself! We dined together with Mr. and Mrs. Elton. Your sister was very well, as were all the R. Family. Thence I went to Leicester, spoke twice in Mr. Robinson’s pulpit. He is an excellent man. From thence I went to Northampton, where I stayed at Mr. Riland’s. How odd a man I He stuns me, yet he makes me ashamed. His blood is frozen in his veins with age, yet what life! — what fire, when he speaks of our adorable Redeemer 1 He received me so coldly at first that I began to make apologies for my intrusion; but when he knew me and my connections, he gave me the right hand of fellowship. Christ is indeed his all: if he would but speak more softly, he would make a stone in love with Christ. He gave me some of his small tracts, and I gave him some which I have printed. If you can put me in the way to send them to you at a very little expense, I shall beg your acceptance of an hundred. Each tract is not so large as half this sheet of paper: they are to be given to those with whom you have no opportunity of conversing. From thence to Mr. Barham’s of Bedford, but he was in Yorkshire: — thence to Potton (poor desolate place) — Mr. Berridge’s — Mr. Venn’s — and home, where I arrived safely, Friday, Sept. 19. Your family are all very well. And now I think you need not ask, why I do not come, for I have spent twelve guineas more than 1 intended — have got no horse — and have already been absent so long from my parish that I am quite ashamed of myself. In addition to this, many whom I left in my parish well are dead, and many dying: this fever rages wherever I have been. Moreover, on Sunday next I am to be ordained priest by the Bishop of Peterborough.* My dear friend, pray that He who has called me to the work, may qualify me for it, and bless me in it Had the ordination been held on Sunday last, I could not have oJBTered myself a candidate, not being twenty-four till Wednesday, the 24th. Mr. Bacchus has behaved towards me with all imaginable

foliteness — made a thousand apologies for examining me — hoped, would excuse his doing it for truth’s sake, that he might be able to answer the Bishop’s question — Have you examined these V He asked me the advantages of revealed above natural religion — what was necessary to establish the credibility of a revelation — and whether there were any standing miracle now. I answered him these to his full satisfaction; and there ended the whole of my examination. But shall we not meet with a different examination soon? It will soon be asked. Were you moved to it by niy Spirit 7 Did you undertake your office, not for filthy lucre’s sake, but from a love to souls, and a desire of promoting my glory?

This Ordination wm held by Biihop Hinchcliffe, Master of Trinity, in the Coll Chapel, September 38, 1783.

Did you give yourself wholly to these things T. See. It will be an awful account to give. Gk)d grant that you and I, my dear friend, may be found good stewards, and give up our accounts with joy. May Gknl bless you, and give us a happy meeting above.

Yours most affectionately,

C. Simeon.’*

“P. S. I forgot to tell you that my church-wardens have shut my church-doors against me, and prevented my continuing an evening lecture, which I had establisned, and which was well attended. Their behavior has been highly displeasing to the whole parish, except two or three enemies to the Gospel. Nor has it been less illegal than uncivil.x They gave me no notice; so * that a numerous congregation came and were disappointed. May God bless them with enlightening, sanctifying, ana saving grace: I shall renew the lecture next summer.”