Memoirs of the life of the Rev. Charles Simeon ... with a selection from his writings and correspondence

Front matter

'.Vi

Book_i u^

MEMOIRS

Chapter I

Parentage and Birth of Mr. Simeon — His Education at Eton College — Remarkable Activity — Letter from Dr. Goodall — His early Habits and Character — His Autobiography — Fast-Day in 1776 — His manner of keeping it — Mr. Michell's Account — His Removal to King's College. Cambridge — Preparation to attend the Lord's Supper — His obtaining Peace with God — Delight in the Liturgy — Efforts to benefit others — His Fall — Trouble of Mind respecting Saving Faith — Review of Hervey — His Economy, and Religious Distribution of his Income — Extracts from his Diary. (1759 — 1782.) . . 1

Chapter II

His Ordination — Letter of Bishop Yorke — First Acquaintance with Religious Persons — Introduction to the Venns — First Sermon — Diligence in Parochial Visiting — Difficulties about the Doctrine of Election — Letters of Mr. Venn respecting his Zeal — Letter of Mr. Simeon upon Mr. J. Venn's Ordination — Earnest Letter to his Brother on the subject of Religion — Another on his Eldest Brother's Death, to Mr. J. Venn. (1782.) 13

CHAPTER in.

Preparation to leave Cambridge — Death of the Incumbent of Trinity Church — Mr. Simeon's Appointment to the Living — Remarkable Circumstances attending it — Opposition of the Parishioners — Attempt to Establish an Evening Lecture — The Church-doors 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 Reproof — Preaching at Oxford— Mr. Robinson of Leicester— Ordained Priest. (1782—1783.). 24

Chapter IV

Preaching around Cambridge — Claude's Essay — Instruction in Composition — Difficulties in making Sermons — Complaints to the Bishop — Comments on his Preaching — Contest for the Lectureship — Trials continued — His eminent Devotion — Acquaintance with Mr. Housman — Diligent Study of Scripture — Brown's Self-interpreting Bible — Advance in Grace — First Sermon before the University— Letter to Mr. T. Lloyd— Benefit of Affliction — On besetting Sins — To Mr. Thornton on Humility — Proposed Mission to Calcutta — Rev. David Brown and Mr. Grant — Mr. Wilberforce — Zeal for the Poor during the Scarcity — Appointed Dean of his College — Character of his Congregation. (1783—1790.) 36

IV CONTENTS.

Chapter V. Paoi

The Evening Lecture established — Sir W. Scott's Opinion — Tumults in the Town — The Lectures suspended — Disturbances during Divine Service — Admonition of the Oifenders — A public Apology in the Church — Prefatory Address — Happy Change in two Students — Subsequent Disturbances — Elected Vice-Provost — Case of College Discipline — Letter to the Provost, and his Reply — Acquaintance with Mr. Thomason — Labors amongst the Gownsmen — and Parishioners — Visit to Mr. Fletcher — Patriotic Feelings — Joy in the Lord — Deep Humiliation — To Mr. Stillingjleet on Intercession — and Self-knowledge — On preaching for Mr. J. Venn — Proposed Missions to the Heathen — Meetings at Rauceby — Discussion of the Subject — Meeting of the Eclectic Society. (1790—1796.) . . . 'at

CHAPTER VL

Introduction to Dr. Buchanan — Journej^to Scotland — Preaching in the Kirk — Extempore Prayer — Diary of the Journey — Previous Tour to Eton — Cowslip Green — King's Birthday at Edinburgh — Mr. Dickson — Dr. Erskine— Sermon before the Magistrates — Sir John Stirling — Mr. Haldane — On drinking Toasts — Lord Adam Gordon — Dinner at Holyrood House — Mr. Colquhoun — Mr. Black — Length of Sacramental Services — Mr. Sheriff — Mr. Campbell — Effect of his Exhortation — Lord Leven — Dr. Stewart of Moulin — Narrative of the Visit — Benefit to Dr. Stewart — Mr. Falconer of Glasgow — Lanark and Mr. Dale — Contentment of a Blind Man — Sacrament in the Canongate Church — Gratitude for Mercies — Devotional Exercises — Return to England — Studley Park — Mr. Robinson of Leicester — Mr. Jones of Creaton — Yelling — Letters from Dr. Buchanan, Mr. Black, and Dr. Stewart — Answer of Mr. Simeon. (1796.) .67

CHAPTER VIL

Chosen Lecturer of Trinity Church — Engages Mr. Thomason as his Curate — Obtains the Curacy of Stapleford — Sub-division of his Religious Society — Vindication of such Societies — Abuses of them — Publication of Claude's Essay — The First Volume of Skeletons — Appendix and Preface — Archbishop Seeker's Remarks — Order from Charles II. to the University — Continued Efforts for Missions — Meeting at Mr. Wilberforce's — Letter from Dr. Coulthurst — Second Journey to Scotland — Dr. Principal Hill — Dr. Stewart — Sir George Abercromby — Mr. Mcintosh — Mr. Calder — Provost Inglis — The Governor's Zeal at Fort Augustus — Sir James Colquhoun — Opposition of the moderate Party — Returns through Carlisle — Mr. Fawcet and Mrs. Gilpin — Benevolent Society at Leith — Remarks on the doctrine of perfection — Letters from Dr. Buchanan — Effect of Preaching at Edinburgh — Increased Labors at Cambridge — Dr. Milner's Opinion of Mr. Simeon — Letter from Mr. Venn on Missions— Formation of the Church Missionary society. (1796 — 1799.) ... 80

CHAPTER VIII.

Happy hours at Shelford — Straw Manufactory at Stapleford — Letter from Bishop Bowstead — Mr. Sowerby becomes Curate of Trinity Church — His early Death — Unexpected Legacy — Publication of ' Helps to Composition' — The Preface— Conversation with Wesley — Letters to a Young Clergyman - Mr. Simeon's Infirmity of Temper — His humble Acknowledgment of it — Henry Martyn — Mr. Simeon engages him as his Cnirate — Henry Kirke White — Mr. Thomason proposes to be a Missionary — Letters to his Mother — to Mr. Venn— to Mr. Edwards and to Mr Thomason. (1800—1807.) . 99

CHAPTER IX.

Diary during his Indisposition — Thoughts on Cessation from Duty — First Sunday at Lynn — Remarks on Fasting— Residence in London — Visit to Mr.

CONTENTS. V

Newton — Mr. Robinson's and Mr. Cecil's Sermons — Mr. Wilberforce's Prayer — Mv. Clayton — Calumnies of Flower — Letter from the Bishop of Ely — On Christian Love — Lady Mary Fitzgerald — On an unpleasant Rumor — Etforts on behalf of his Brother — Mr. Fry's Preaching — Passion-week — Awakening Effects of the Liturgy — Opposition to Missionaries — Services of Females — Duties of Children to Parents — Journey to Cornwall — On Religious Affections — Dr. Hawker — Truro and St. Michael's Mount — Miss Greufell — Letter from Henry Martyn — Mr. Simeon's Thoughts on Marriage — Letter to Mr. Venn — Dr. Fearon — Letter to Mr. Edwards — Mr. Thomason's affectionate Advice — Letter to his Parishioners. (1S07.) 122

CHAPTER X.

Remarks of Mr. Preston — Mr. Simeon's Treatment of his Curates — His Sunday Evenings — Letter to Mr. Lloyd — Comfort in his Brother Edward — Thoughts on Prayer — Letters to Dr. and Mrs. Ring — On the Loss of Friends — The Death of a faithful Servant — and placing a Girl in Service — Mr. Simeon's continued Debility — Letter to his Parishioners — Discontinues the Afternoon Service — Sanction for the Evening Service — Resolution of the Vestry — Extract from Fuller about the Lectureship — Mr. Thomason's Appointment to India — His Departure — Mr. Simeon accompanies him on his Voyage — Acuteness of his Feelings at Parting — Mr. Thomason's Shipwreck — Letter to Mr. Simeon — His Characteristic Reply — Mr. Thomason's Review of the Event — Remarks of Mr Simeon — Clerical Meetings at Shelford — Mr. Preston's Account of them — Mr. Simeon's Description to Di'. Ring. (180S — 1S09.) 137

CHAPTER XI.

Death of Bishop Yorke — Dr. Dampier succeeds to the See — ^his Feelings towards Mr. Simeon — Mr Simeon's Letter to him — Explanation of his Sentiments and Conduct — Irregularities of Former Times — Mr. Simeon's Regard for Order — Candid Admission — ' Evangelical and Pharisaic Righteousness — compared' — Dr. Pearson's ' Cautions' — Mr. Simeon's ' Fresh Cautions' — Professor Parish's Judicious Advice — Private Letter to Dr. Pearson — Dr. Pearson's 'Remarks' and Note — Mr. Simeon's Reply — Reproof of an Undergraduate. (1S09— ISll.) 155.

CHAPTER Xn.

Mr. Simeon's Regard for the Liturgy — Appointed Select Preacher at St. Mary's — His Sermons on the ' Excellency of the Liturgy' — ' Answer' to Dr. Marsh — Defence of the Baptismal Service — Letter to Mr. Thomason — Martyn's Sermon — The Devotional Reading of the Scriptures — Formation of the Cambridge Bible Society — Dr. Marsh's Opposition — Mr. Wilberforce's Aid — The first Meeting — Account of it by an early Promoter — Effect of Mr. Simeon's Sermons — Dr. Buchanan — Installation of the Duke of Gloucester — Awful Death — Lamented Decease of Konig — Mr. Preston's account of him. (3 811—1812.) . . 167'

CHAPTER XIII.

The Autobiography concluded — Persecution from his Parishioners — His kind Thoughts towards them — Their Complaints to the Bishop — Mr. Simeon's Reply — Election of Church-wardens — The Bishop's Letter to the Vice-Chancellor — Meeting of the Heads — Dr. Milner's Interposition — Danger averted — Providential Circumstances connected with this — Proposed change in the Prayer-Meeting— Opposition to the Plan — Mr. Simeon's patient Efforts — The Opposition continued — His long Forbearance — Decided Measures — Final Arrangement— Mr. Simeon's Review of the whole Subject. (181 1—1813.) 186-:

n CONTENTS.

PART II. CORRESPONDENCE, &c. (kc

CHAPTER XIV.

Letters — To Rev. T. Thomason, on the Stewards' Class — His Brother's Illness — Martyn in Persia — Grief for his People — To Mrs. Thomason, Affectionate Thoughts — To Rev. T. Thomason. on being a Select Preacher — Godly Jealousy over himself — Martyn's Discussions — His Brother's change of Residence — ^New Rooms in College — Journey to the Isle of Wight — Martyn's Sermon — On writing Religious Letters — Arrival of Martyn's Picture — His Brother's Spiritual State— Martyn's Illness. (1812.) 196

CHAPTER XV.

Letters — To the Rev. T. Thomason, on the Death of Henry Martyn — Diffusion of Christianity in India — Death of Mr. Robinson of Leicester — Tablet in Memory of Martyn — Season of May in London — Religious Meetings — First Stone of the Jews' Chapel — Conversion of two wealthy Jews — Martyn's Papers — Mr. Sargent his Biographer — Retirement at Sandgate — Deiith of Mr. Venn — Presentation to Clapham — Faithful Discharge of his Trust — Bible Society at Oxford — Pleasant Party afterwards — Dr. Ryder, Dean of Wells — Meeting at Shelford — Catechizing — The Controversy with Dr. Marsh — Dr. Milner — Importance of Accurate Translations — On Religious Depression. (1813.) 206

CHAPTER XVI.

Letters — To Rev. T. Thomason on Dr. Jowett's Death — The Bible Meeting — Sermon at St. Mary's — Strictures on Dr. Marsh — On sharp Criticisms — Sabat — Martyn's Papers — Presentation to St. Peters, Colchester — On sending Chaplains to India- — To Mr. King and Mr. Richardson on the Duty of Patrons — Advice to a Clergyman — On Obedience to his Bishop — The duty of Curates to their Incumbents — Abdool Messeeh — Bible Meeting — On Receiving Mr. Thomason's Son — Effect of Martyn's Ministry — On the Pictures of his Brother, Martyn, and Abdool Messeeh — Cautions on giving Opinions — Arrival of Mr. Thomason's Son — Journey in quest of him — Letter to Mrs. Thomason about her Son — On Placing him at Mr. Preston's — Letter to Mr. Wilberforce — To Rev. T. Thomason about the Jews' Society — and Schools in India — Bible Meeting at Cambridge — Female Influence. (1814.) . . . 215

CHAPTER XVII.

Letters — To Rev. T. Thomason on the American Missionaries — Rev. D. Corrie — On Closing the Jews' Chapel — Hon. Dr. Ryder, Bishop of Gloucester — Death of Bishop Middleton — Appointed again Select Preacher — Martyn's Papers — To Dr. Ryder on his Appointment to the See of Gloucester — The Conduct of Religious Professors — Dr. Ryder's Reply — To Mr. Thomason on Preaching for the Jews — Meeting at Bristol — Recovery of Health — Journey to Carlisle — Bible Meeting there — Tour in Scotland — Missionaries to India — Rev. D. Corrie — Professor Parish — The Sermons at St. Mary's — Continued Trial from his People — Secessions from the Church — Ordination refused to two young Men — Letters to Rev. W. Carus Wilson on the Occasion —^Remarks on the Trials from his Religious Society. (1815.) . . 234

CHAPTER XVIII.

'Letters — To Rev. T. Thomason on the Abuse of Power — Annoyance from a Fellow of Ms College — Favor in the University-*— Chaplains to India — Kind-

CONTENTS. Vll

ness of Bishop Mansel— On Meekness and Forbearance — On consulting the Prejudices of others — Rev. D. Corrie's Missionary Sermon — Letter from Mr. Corrie to Mr. Simeon — Letter to Mr. Thomason on the Departure of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson for India — Society for Educating Pious Men for the Ministry — On Attention to College Discipline and Studies — Memorandum respecting his Brother's Property — To Rev. T. Thomason on the Character of Henry Martyn — On Symptoms of approaching Illness — The Improved State of his People. (1816.) 246

CHAPTER XIX.

Letters — To Rev. T. Thomason about the Jtws' Chapel — Tyrwhitt's Legacy for Hebrew Literature — Hindoo College — Movements in favor of the Jews — Religious Meetings in London — Rammohun Roy — Martyn's Persian Psalms — Brown's Memoir — Rev. D. Corrie's Return — Preparation for a New "Work — To a friend in office on attending the Official Chapel — Memoranda on various Occasions — On the proper Exercise of the Ministry — On listening to Evil Reports — On suffering Injuries — To Rev. T. Thomason on the subject of his Preaching — To Rev. Lewis Way on his J ourney to Russia — Selection of a Companion — To Rev. D. Thomason on the Hindoo College — Jewish Mission to Russia — Proposed Tour at Home — General Zeal for Diffusion of Christianity — Character of Dr. Buchanan — Sermon for the Jews — On Trials as a counterbalance of Popularity — To a Clergyman on preaching the Truth in love — To a Daughter on her Duty to her Father — To a Lady on her Duty to her Husband — To a Clergyman on Parochial Difficulties — To Another on the true Mode of Preaching — To Another on the Exercise of Conscience — To Rev. T. Thomason on his Efforts for the Jews — Opening Chapels at Amsterdam and Hamburgh — The happy State of his People — Professor Parish — Death of the Princess Charlotte. (1817.) . . ■^. 255

CHAPTER XX.

Letters — To Rev. T. Thomason on Efforts for the Jews in Holland — Female Agency — Kindness of Bishop Burgess — Visit to Amsterdam — Interview with Dr. Cappadose — Sermons for the Jews — English Episcopal Chiirch there — Letter to Bishop Burgess on the Objects of his Journey to Holland — To the Same, on noticing the Jews in the King's Letter — Morbid State of a Student

— To Rev. Mr. on Delight in his Work — Duty to a harassed Friend —

Advice about various Persons — Kind Counsel for himself — To Rev. T. Thomason on sending helpers to India — State of his People — Progress of his New Work — To Rev. T. Thomason on the Cambridge Missionary Society — Gownsmen at Trinity Church — To Bishop Mansel, on giving Letters Dismissory to a Friend— The Bishop's Reply. (1818.) 276

CHAPTER XXL

Letters — To Rev.T. Thomason on the Protocol in favor of the Jews — Proposed Tour in their behalf to Scotland and Ireland — To Rev. Mr. on the Affairs at Amsterdam — On Poetry in Sermons — To the Same, on Tenderness towards Parents — To a Person soliciting Pupils — To a Curate on his Conduct towards his Vicar — To Rev. T. Thomason on his Tour for the Jews' Society — The Divine Purposes with respect to the Jews — To Miss Priscilla Gurney on Regard for her Health — Memorandum recording his ' Secret Experience.' (1819.) 293

CHAPTER XXII.

Letters — To Rev. T. Thomason on publishing the ' Horae Homileticae' — Extracts from the Preface to the Horae— Rev. T. Thomason on Religious Works in India— On acting with Tenderness and Caution— Clerical Education Society — Memorandum on the Restoration of his Strength — To Bishop Burgess on the ' Horse Homileticje'— Remarks on a Criticism of the Bishop's —Extracts from Sermons on 'the New Birth'— and ' Justification by Works.' (1820.) ...... 308

Vlll CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Letters — To Rev, T. Thomason — Various Efforts on Behalf of the Jews — Formation of a Jews' Society at Cambridge — To Miss Gurney on the Death of her Sister — To Rev. J. W. Cunningham respecting Dr. Chalmers — On Clergymen attending to Secular Concerns — To Rev. E. B. Elliott on receiving two Vases — To his Godson at Haileybury on the College Reports — To Rev. T. Thomason on the Enjoyment of Mercies — Sending him an Assistant — Return of his Son to India — Memorandum on receiving Injurious Treatment. (1821.) 321

CHAPTER XXIV.

Letters — To Rev, T. Thomason on the Return of his Son — Journey to Ireland — Sermons and Meetings in Dublin — Archbishop of Tuam — Remarks on Calvinism — Storm on the Passage Home— ^ Visit to Oxford — The Provost of Oriel — To Dr. Coppleston on the Calvinistic Controversy — To a Missionary on Experimental Religion — Extracts from his Diary — His Climacteric — Visit to Earlham — On Delicacy in making Requests — On acting with Judgment — Jews' Meeting at Bristol — and at Gloucester — Duchess of Beaufort on walking with Wisdom — A Rebuke of his Vanity — On giving a Vote— Catholic Emancipation — Mr. Bankes's Election. (1822.) 329

CHAPTER XXV.

Letters — To a Father on Religious Society for his Son — On our Lord's Example — On Religious Experience and Cheei-fulness — Diary at Paris — Duchess de Broglie — Marshal Soult's Picture-gallery— ^Letter to the Duchess of Beaufort on Christian Liberty and Christian Duty — To Rev. T. Thomason on Mr, Grant's Death — His restored Health — Sermons at St. Mary's on ' the Law' — To a Friend who requested a Loan — On the Religious Disposal of his Property — Memorandum on the Receipt of a large Sum for Religious Objects, (1823.) 338

CHAPTER XXVI.

Letters — To Rev. T. Thomason on Lord Powerscourt's Benefaction — Mr. Goode's removal to India — Progress of Religion in Cambridge — General Improvement of the University — Sermons on the Gospel — Mr. Goode's Appointment — The Vice-Chancellor at the Jews' Meeting — To J. J. Gurney, Esq., on the Motto to his ' Essays' — To a Friend on Fidelity to God — To the Same on suffering Persecution — To a Missionary on the Golden Mean — On Human Infirmities — To Rev S. Carr on the Circulation of the Apocrypha — Memoranda on a Bequest for Religious Objects — On the Numbers at his Evening Parties— On receiving Marks of Attention. (1824—1826,) . . 347

CHAPTER XXVII.

Letters — To the Secretary of a Religious Society — To a Clergyman on avoiding the Appearance of Evil — To the Provost of Eton — Dr. Goodall's Reply — To Mrs. Cunningham on the Memoir of her Sister — To a Friend on Cherishing a spirit of Love— To Rev. W. H, Michell on the Death of Mr. Lloyd— Memorandum on being Defrau,ded by his Servant. (1827 — 1828.) . . 357

CHAPTER XXVIIL

Letters — From Mr. Wilberforce on the Fiftieth Year of Mr. Simeon's Residence in the University — Memorandum on the Occasion — To a Friend on maintaining Charity, and Preaching ' Chr.ist Crucified'— Remarks on the Passing of the Roman Catholic Relief Bill — To a Friend on declining Controversy — To the Bishop of Winchester on receiving a Copy of his Charge — To Sir R. H. Inglis on guarding against Misrepresentation — To Rev. R. W. S. on the Mode of conducting his Weekly Parties of Undergraduates — Specimen of the Arrangement of a Sermon — Description of the Weekly Tea-party. (1829.) 367

CONTENTS. IX

CHAPTER XXIX.

YAGB

Letters — On the Treatment of Jewish Converts — To Miss E. Elliott on the Study of Prophecy — The Archbishop of Tuam to Mr. Simeon respecting Antinomian Ministers — Mr. Simeon's Remarks — The Archbishop's Reply — To the Rev. Daniel Wilson on the State of his Health — To the Same on writing with Clearness and Force — To a Clergyman on promising him Pecuniary Aid — To a Lawyer about an Exorbitant Bill — Mr. Simeon's Care in keeping his Accounts — Memoranda by J. J. Gurney, Esq., of an Evening's - Conversation at Mr. Simeon's Rooms — Hints on the Management of the Voice in Reading. (1830—1831.) ; . . 5S8

CHAPTER XXX.

Letters — To J. J. Gurney, Esq., on Mr. Irving and his Doctrines — Narrative by Charlotte Elizabeth — To Miss Mary Elliott on the Observance of the Lord's Day — To the Bishop of Calcutta on his Religious Views — To Rev. J. Sargent on the Character of Mr. Thomason — To Rev. J. H. Mich ell on Printing his Entire Works— Kind Remarks of Dr. Goodall — 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 Ministry — Extracts from his Diary on the Occasion — To Rev. J. H. Michell describing the Event — and his Religious Views. (1832.) .... 401

CHAPTER XXXI.

Letters — To Rev. J. Venn on Presenting him to a Living — To the Same on the proper Discharge of the Ministry — To Lady Olivia B. Sparrow on Recovery from Illness — Memorandum on the Completion of his Works — Statement of his Views about them — To the Bishop of Calcutta on presenting them to the King — Rev. W. Marsh's Remarks on the Occasion — To Rev. E. B. Elliott on the Loss of his Wife — To a Clergyman respecting his Preaching and Conduct — Extracts from his Diary enumerating his Mercies — To the Bishop of Calcutta — His Thoughts on the Prospect of Death — To a Friend under Depression — To Miss Mary Elliott on his Secret Experience — To the Same on the Right Standard of Christian Excellence — To Rev. J. B. Cartwright on the Effects of Religion in its Rise and Progress. (1833—1834.) . . .415

CHAPTER XXXIL

Letters — To a Trustee on his Duty as Patron — Mr. Simeon's Charge to his Trustees — Letter to a Friend on the same Subject — To the Bishop of Salisbury on Resignation — To the Same on Christian Joy — To Miss E. Elliott on Humiliation — To the Bishop of Gloucester for a Copy of his ' Commencement' Sermon — To the Bishop of Calcutta on the Abolition of Caste — To the Same on prudential Care of Health — To J. J. Gurney, Esq., on the Loss of his Wife — To Rev. J. T. Nottidge on the Divine Dispensations — To Miss Mary Elliott on the Indulgence of Affection — To the Same on the mixed Nature of Christian Experience. (1835.) 435

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Letters — To Dr. Ring on Enduring Affliction — To Rev. J. H. Gurney on the

Purchase of Advowsons — To Rev. Mr. I on the same Subject — To a Lady

attending her Mother in her last Illness — Extracts from Letters to a Friend recounting the Incidents of his Tour — To Archdeacon Hodson on Returning from his Tour — To Dr. Ring on the same Subject — To Rev. J. Venn on Conversion — To a Person under deep Mental Distress — To the Bishop of Calcutta on the Indian Episcopate — To a Friend on Building a Church at Jerusalem. (1836.) . . 452

CONTENTS.

PART III. NARRATIVE, &c. &c

PAOI.

Narrative of Mr. Simeon's Last Illness, Death, and Funeral . . . 467

Recollections of the Rev. C. Simeon, by the Right Rev. Daniel Wilson, LoBD Bishop of Calcutta. . . . .... 48»

Introduction To The American Edition

It is at the particular desire of my much beloved and respected friend, Mr. Carus, by whom this Memoir was prepared, as well as from my great veneration for the character and labors of Mr. Simeon, that I have connected myself with the American edition of this truly edifying work. I know it will seem to any one who is acquainted with the •extensive reputation of Mr. Simeon, among all descriptions of Evangelical Christians, and with his eminent usefulness during the many years of his devoted ministry, that a Memoir of him, and that prepared by a writer so nearly associated with him, while he lived, and so particularly competent to appreciate, and exhibit, his character, now that he is gone, might well have been committed to the American press without the alliance of any additional name. An edition of three thousand copies in England, to begin with, shows what acceptance booksellers expect of it there, where the name of Simeon is identified in the minds of hundreds of thousands of devout persons, in the Established Church, and among the Dissenting Churches, with all that is spiritually minded in personal character, and all that is admirable in the labors of a fervent and faithful minister of Christ.

It is not in the least from any idea that the Memoir of that man of God can be materially aided in its circulation in this country, by my name going with it, that I am led to place it on the title page. Personal feeling has a great deal to do with the matter. The strong affection and reverence which I entertained for Mr. Simeon, while he was spared to the Church on earth, to afford us so eminent an example of the man who, according to the prayer of

Xll INTRODUCTION TO THE AMERICAN EDITION.

St. Paul,* is " filled with the knowledge of God's will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God ; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joy fulness ;" my admiration of what the grace of God made him in his office, a most single-minded, unwearied, undaunted, patient, wise, successful minister of the Gospel, induces me fondly to embrace this opportunity of rendering a heart-tribute to his memory. But in doing this, there is a strong auxiliary motive. It arises out of the humiliating controversy which, since the death of Mr. Simeon, has spread through the Church of England and the Episcopal Church in this country, (not to speak of its appearance, under a somewhat different guise, among other Christian communions,) unsettling the foundations of Gospel truth, bringing the great principles and the blessed fruits of the Protestant Reformation into contempt, till many have " tufned away their ears from the truth, and are turned unto fables." In view of all the reproach which the active promoters of these poisonous issues are continually casting upon evangelical views and measures, I feel great pleasure in doing homage to the ministry of Mr. Simeon. In all his views and feelfrigs, and public work — in his whole constitution as a follower of Christ, as a theologian, as a preacher of the word ; as a man laboring in every way to do good, and save the souls of men — he was a most concentrated example of that in a minister, which the genius of Tractarianism most reviles and most earnestly labors to exterminate. What was meant by ^/^ra-Protestant in the earlier developments of that now almost acknowledged Romanism, and what is now meant by Protestant in its later more honest avowals, may be seen in full manifestation, and may be accurately appreciated in Mr. Simeon. For the monstrous thing intended to be held up to public reprobation under the name, at first, of Ultra-Protestant, was not, as many were willing to suppose, the man of violent extremes in divinity, so fond of a few isolated points of Protestant faith as to reduce all other matters of religion into nonentity beside them ; running away with

* Colossians i., 9 — 11.

INTRODUCTION TO THE AMERICAN EDITION. Xlll

a few abstract questions of speculative importance, till the great matters of personal holiness were overlooked, and the Sacraments of Christ, and the ritual order of the Church, were treated with neglect. Such men, if found in the Established Church of England, were too few to constitute a class, and too inconsiderable to be the objects of such a zealous crusade. It was a much more influential description of ministers, and I am happy to say, a much more numerous array, that excited an opposition so unsparing in the minds of Tractarians. It was the consistent follower of the Reformers ; it was the man who most nearly walked in the steps, and enforced the doctrines, of those holy men who, at the expense of their lives, were God's instruments in cleansing the religion of England from the corruptions of Popery ; it was the consistent holder and teacher of the Articles of the Church of England, referring himself, according to those Articles, for authority in matters of faith exclusively to the Scriptures, and utterly rejecting from all claim to the right of determining his creed, the writings or traditions of men ; it was the man wiiose preaching was continually holding forth Christ, and not the Church, as the sinner's refuge — the spirit of Christ, and not the offices of his ministers, as the sinner's sanctification — the fruits of the Spirit in our habitual walk, and not the receiving of sacraments, as the only valid evidence of spiritual regeneration, and of all Christian character ; it was the man who drew a broad line between experimental religion and the religion of ordinances merely, keeping outward things in an outward place, and aiming, above all things, at the promotion, in the sinner's heart, of a personal, direct living, by faith, upon Christ, for all hope and all holiness, suffering no human ministry, no sacraments, or rites, to have any part in mediating between his soul and his Saviour ; yea, it was the man in whom all this was exhibited so completely and so earnestly, in the pulpit, at the fireside, in all his conversation, in all his writings, as in the fervent Simeon, that was the denounced Ultra- Protestant of the earlier Tractarian writings, and is now, under whatever name, the utter aversion of their disciples. Thus do I obtain the additional satisfaction in introducing this Memoir of Mr. Simeon, to the American reader.