therefore a Minister must guard against with all his might: and if he make it a rule to conduct the service in the private societies himself, he will, for the most part, keep down these evils. It was not till I was laid aside by my long indisposition, that these evils shewed themselves in any considerable degree: and after all, if we will not establish such societies for fear of such consequences, we must remember that there is a Charybdis, as well as a Scylla, and that in all human institutions we have only, as it were, a choice of evils; there being nothing perfect under the sun. 66 "I have not written the foregoing Memoir as a Life of myself; but only as a record of some facts connected with my public Ministry, the notoriety of which renders them likely to be mentioned after my death; whilst yet there is no man but myself who could place them in their true light, for want of that full knowledge of the circumstances which I alone possess. Had I designed to write a Life of myself, I should have entered into the interior working of my heart in relation to my religious experience, and into a multitude of things known only to God and my own soul; but I have no wish to obtrude upon the public anything relating to myself. If I were to tell them all, or a thousandth part of the evil of my heart, they could not bear to hear it, or be profited by the recital of it: and if there has been anything good in me, it is sufficient for me that God knows it. My whole experience is comprehended in this plain tale; that my innumerable corruptions have supplied me with most abundant matter for humiliation and contrition every day of my life; but the Gospel of Christ has afforded me still more abundant ground for hope in fleeing to the Saviour, and plunging beneath that fountain which was 'opened for sin and for uncleanness:' and to this I have had recourse from day to day, precisely as I did the first moment that I gained a sight of Christ; not coming to Christ, as one who was warranted to do so by any holiness he had attained, but as one whose iniquities could not in any other way be pardoned, and who hoped that God would glorify Himself in saving the very chief of sinners." The Memoir written by Mr. Simeon in 1813 here terminates. After this period no attempt will be made to present a continuous narrative of Mr. Simeon's Life; as it would be impossible to reduce it, together with his Letters, within the prescribed limits of a single Volume. It is hoped, however, that the following selection from his Writings and Correspondence will furnish a sufficient history of his 'thoughts and actions.' 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. CORRESPONDENCE. To the Rev. T. THOMASON. "Jan. 22, 1812. "My beloved and honoured Brother, "Though I have within these few days sent you, including your wife and children, a long letter of twelve sheets, I begin another, which will probably before it is finished occupy a considerable space. Of all the things most interesting to me, and to yourself also, is the cause of God, and especially where it is immediately connected with our own official duties. Having laboured so long amongst us at Cambridge, you take the same lively interest in what relates to us, as if you were still present amongst us: and my intention in this letter is to put you into possession of everything as it arises. For this I have two reasons; first, to communicate to you what cannot fail to interest you most deeply; and second, to preserve a regular account of everything for my own subsequent reflection. |