be black-balled (for some have been who were far less notorious than myself), there went a host of Bishops and other Dignitaries of the Church, with their friends (about 90 or 100 in all), to beat down opposition, and to vote me in with a high hand. I understand there were but three opponents; and that Mr. was peculiarly zealous in my support. Is not

this of the Lord?

"Again. Last week three Bishops did me the honour of visiting me; Dr. Burgess, Bishop of Salisbury-Dr. Law, Bishop of Bath and Wells-Dr. Jebb, Bishop of Limerick: and I accompanied them to King's Chapel, and to Trinity Library, and spent above an hour with them. This shews how much Christian liberality has increased, and is increasing. I am not conscious that I am one atom less faithful to my God than in former days, or more desirous of human favour; yet God is pleased thus graciously to honour me. In former years I should as soon have expected a visit from three crowned heads, as from three persons wearing a mitre; not because there was any want of condescension in them, but because my religious character affixed a stigma to my name. I thank God that I receive this honour as from Him, and am pleased with it no further than as it indicates an increasing regard for religion amongst my superiors in the Church, and may tend to lessen prejudice amongst those to whom the report of it may come."

LETTERS-TO

CHAPTER XXVII.

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 ON BEING DEFRAUDED BY HIS

SERVANT.

MEMORANDUM

1827-1828.

CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.

To the Secretary of a religious Society.
"My dear Sir,

"K. C., March 20, 1827. ·

"It is unnecessary for me to come up, because I can express my sentiments on paper better than viva voce; and if I express them with Christian fidelity I hope the Committe will forgive me. I expressed them fully to Mr. after our last Meeting, and with much anguish of mind, I perceived in the Committee a spirit which deeply grieved and humbled me. But I dare not proceed to state my sentiments, lest I should wound and grieve others. I therefore leave my crimination altogether out of the question, and give only my advice.

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My advice is, tread back your steps-cultivate a spirit of Christian love and liberality-if wronged, why do you not rather take wrong, and cover it even from your own eyes? yea, do more than they say. Verily the want of this spirit put me to shame and deeply humbled me. When shall we rise to the true standard of Christian (morals? Matt. v. 40, 41. "C. SIMEON.

"Your afflicted Friend,

"P.S. I think I made my sentiments known to Mr. M. also. I beg pardon of the Committee for not protesting against their measures. But who am I that I should dictate?

"The fault of this whole matter is in the unyielding pertinacity of our own Committee. The Committee do not stand at a sufficient distance from the object of contention to judge of it aright. You may lay this letter before them. It is the only way in which I can atone for my want of fidelity before. Indeed, indeed, even Peter and Barnabas are all wrong in this matter."

To the Rev. Mr.

of evil.

"My dear Sir,

on avoiding all appearance

"K. C., Camb., June 10, 1827. "He that believeth shall not make haste.' There is a straightforward mode of proceeding that will alone satisfy my mind. It is the Lord alone whom I am serving; I have no more personal interest in it than the Emperor of China; and I have no wish to serve God in a dubious way: He does not require it. If it be His will that I should effect for Him the construction of this Temple-well; the silver and the gold are His, and He will enable me. If not-well; it was well that it was in my heart: and He will accept the will for the deed.

"There are oaths too; and who can tell what rumours might grow out of a dubious, or even innocent transaction?

"The Paschal lamb was set apart four days in order that it might undergo the strictest examination; and our blessed Lord for four days underwent

this examination, and was pronounced fit by His bitterest enemies, who could find no fault in Him.

Such I wish my sacrifices to be. We must be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.' I am, my dear Sir, "Your very affectionate Friend, "C. SIMEON.

"This is the Lord's work, and fit for a Sabbath-day. I always love to answer by return of post."

To the Rev. Dr. GOODALL, Provost of Eton.
"My dear Friend,

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Sept. 4, 1827.

"I will not be so ungracious again as to send to my loving friends,' without a single line to shew that the expression when used by me towards yourself, is not a mere official courtesy, but a reality. Never have I had in all my life but one feeling towards you; and notwithstanding our pursuits and habits of life have been so different, I verily believe that your regards towards me have also been unchanged; and were I nearer to you, I should feel much pleasure in keeping up a more friendly intercourse than our present distance admits of. I think you would receive with kindness any hint which I might suggest respecting our prospects in the eternal world.

"It is often with me a matter of regret, that the atmosphere of Eton is so unfavourable for the health of the soul; and that amidst all the attention that is paid to the Poets and Philosophers of Greece and Rome, scarcely ever by any chance is the name of our blessed Saviour heard, especially in a way of admiration and love; and that whilst earthly honours are RR

L. S.

held up as proper objects of our ambition, so little is spoken of heaven as worthy of our pursuit. But our College-records of this very year speak loudly to us on this subject. The very occasion on which I send you this letter admonishes us, that in a little time nothing will remain to us of this world, except our responsibility to God for all that we have done in it, and all that we have neglected to do. This is the fourth death that has taken place in our small Society in about twice as many months, besides two or three others of quondam fellows; and five of them much younger than ourselves. Through mercy, it is my chief labour here to prevent regret in the eternal world; and I earnestly hope that you also, my dear Friend, will, after labouring so honourably and so successfully for the meat that perisheth, ‘labour also for the meat which endureth unto eternal life.' Will you do me the favour to accept, as a small pledge of my regard, a book* which I had intended as a present to my Nephew? The preface to it I consider as of very singular value. As for the book itself, the world has already stamped its value so legibly, that I need say nothing respecting it. If either the preface or the book shall prove a source of benefit and comfort to your mind, I beg leave to assure you, that it will greatly rejoice

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Your officially loving friend,'

"And your truly most affectionate friend,

"C. SIMEON.

"P. S. My very kind and respectful compliments to Mrs. Goodall."

* Wilberforce's Practical View, with a Preface by the Rev. Daniel Wilson.