even as the Father is perfect? Would not a compliance with the vices and follies of the world be an absurd way of drawing others from them? would not the example rather induce others to persist in them? To 'do as they do at Rome,' is a very pretty saying in the mouth of a debauchee, but can never be the real opinion of a sensible man, who has an eye to the next world as well as this. That I may persuade you to consider the importance of living like a true disciple of Christ, and of 'making your calling and election sure,' I shall not point out the judgments threatened, and anathemas denounced against impenitent sinners, for this is more calculated to frighten than reform. But contemplate the goodness, mercy, and love of God! Picture to yourself the Son of God himself mocked, set at nought, scourged! Behold his temples streaming with the purple tide, his hands and feet and sides transfixed with iron, his soul oppressed with bitterest agony! that innocent head bearing the whole weight of Divine vengeance, and suffering that punishment which was due to you, to me, and to the whole world;-think of this, dear brother, and obey him through gratitude; calmly meditate on this, and I am convinced, that so far from condemning, you will acquiesce in and adopt the sentiments of

C. S."

These earnest and affectionate efforts, though for a season ineffectual, were eventually crowned with success. Mr. S. has made the following memorandum on the subject:

"My eldest brother was taken ill, and I was going to him; but my two other brothers strove to keep me away, lest I should disturb his mind. Blessed be God, both these brothers lived to embrace and

honour that Saviour whom I had commended to them."

In October his brother Richard died: upon which he addressed the following letter to the Rev. J. Venn :

"My dear Friend,

Reading, Oct. 13, 1782.

"The sad catastrophe, which I have for some time expected, has at last taken place-about 5 o'clock on Friday morning. The best of sons, the most affectionate of brothers, is irrevocably gonegone, I trust, to the incorruptible inheritance reserved for all who truly love the Lord Jesus Christ. It is painful to separate from our friends, however we may be persuaded that it was rather a desirable event; but the affliction of the whole family is greatly mitigated by the resignation and composure of my father. Though his sensibility was unfortunately excessive, and rendered him almost inconsolable during my brother's illness, he is now quite reconciled to the will of God. *

*

"I have some incidents to communicate to you relative to the reception I have met with at home, and my acquaintance with Mrs. Talbot and Mr. Cadogan; but these I shall defer till I have the pleasure of seeing you in town. My stay at Cambridge will not be above a month; let us therefore hold a little communion there with our friends, and with the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not let any one detain you too long in town; for it may very probably be the last time of my coming to Cambridge. I have offered to live with my dear and aged father, who has hitherto declined it; whether he may alter his wishes I cannot tell; most certainly if he does, I shall think it both my duty and my happiness

to render his few remaining years as comfortable as I can. I hope, my dear friend, that the Lord continues to strengthen you by his Spirit with might, both in the inner and outer man, and that He will set you up for a burning and a shining light; the former, I trust, you are, the other is to come. Oh, that we may be faithful unto the end, and thenI am at present rather busy, and must therefore conclude with an assurance of my hearty prayers being offered up for the welfare of you and your's, and a request that you will bear in remembrance at the Throne of Grace

Your most affectionate Friend,
C. SIMEON."

CHAPTER III.

PREPARATION TO LEAVE CAMBRIDGE- -DEATH OF THE INCUMBENT
OF TRINITY CHURCH-MR. SIMEON'S APPOINTMENT TO THE
LIVING REMARKABLE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING IT-OPPO-
SITION OF THE PARISHIONERS ATTEMPT TO
EVENING LECTURE

THE CHURCH-DOORS

ESTABLISH AN

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.

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 I 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 Church, 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 living 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 petition to the bishop in behalf of Mr. 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 I 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