I Love All Good Men of All Descriptions

A portion of a letter written by Charles Simeon of Cambridge, to James Haldane of Scotland. The two were close friends though of different denominations. Simeon was an Anglican and Haldane a Baptist. They had differences between them but appreciated one another and sometimes ministered together in the gospel. Ministers in the Established Church, whether Anglican in England or Presbyterian in Scotland, were not generally favorable to itinerant or lay preachers, as were the dissenters. Simeon was not of that mind and expressed his opinion in this letter, written April 13, 1798.

With respect to your excursion, I am far from having entertained the opinion you suppose. I must acknowledge that I think immortal souls of such value, that I should rejoice if all the Lord’s people were prophets. With respect to regularity, propriety, etc., the most godly men in all ages have differed in their judgment; and I find it so difficult precisely to draw the line in any case of my own, that I do not presume to judge for others. Some think they may eat meat, and others not; I neither judge nor despise, but leave all to their own Master. We certainly must not do MORAL evil, that good may come. But if mercy and sacrifice stand in opposition to each other, we may choose mercy; and if David and his men be fainting with hunger, they may eat the forbidden bread. I love all good men of all descriptions, and rejoice in the good they do, whether they do it in my way or not. I think for myself and act for myself, and leave others to do the same.

The Lives of Robert and James Haldane, by Alexander Haldane, first published in 1852, reprinted by The Banner of Truth, 1990, p. 197.

He Is Calculated For Great Usefulness

A selection from a letter by Henry Venn, Church of England minister, to his very dear friend, Rev. James Stillingfleet. He mentions a young man just ordained for gospel ministry whose ministry would be greatly blessed of the Lord – Charles Simeon. The letter was written October 9, 1782.

On Trinity Sunday was ordained Mr. Simeon, Fellow of King’s College. Before that day, he never was in company with an earnest Christian. Soon after, he was visited by Mr. H. Jowett, and my son, and two or three more. In less than seventeen Sundays, by preaching for Mr. Atkinson, in a church at Cambridge, he filled it with hearers—a thing unknown there for near a century. He has been over to see me six times within the last three months; he is calculated for great usefulness, and is full of faith and love. My soul is always the better for his visits. Oh, to flame, as he does, with zeal, and yet be beautified with meekness! The day he was a substitute for Mr. Atkinson, he began to visit the parishioners from house to house. Full of philanthropy was his address: “I am come to inquire after your welfare. Are you happy?” His evident regard for their good disarmed them of their bitterness; and it is amazing what success he has met with!

Letters of Henry Venn, by John Venn, first published in 1835, republished by the Banner of Truth, 1993, pp. 351-52.

Your Sinfulness Far Exceeds All That You Have Stated

A portion of a letter written by Charles Simeon of Cambridge, to Lord Harrowby, whose son, Granville, had been deeply depressed. Simeon told Lord Harrowby about a conversation he had had with the son. Simeon gave advice quite different than he had been receiving from his friends. The letter was written in February, 1823. Mr. Simeon told the lad:

You see yourself guilty of sins which preclude a hope of forgiveness. Your friends have endeavoured to shew you that you judge yourself too hardly. In this they have erred for, if they have succeeded, they have given you a peace founded on your own worthiness, a peace that would last no longer than till the next temptation arose in your mind… If they have not succeeded, they have only confirmed you in your views. I say to you the very reverse. Your views of yourself (your own sinfulness) though they may be erroneous, are not one atom too strong. Your sinfulness far exceeds all that you have stated, or have any conception of. “Your heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?” But I have an effectual remedy for them all – “the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin.” I grant that you are lost and utterly undone. So are all mankind – some for gross sins – some for impenitence – some for other sins. You are lost for the very sins you mention, hardness of hear, indifference, etc…

Do this then, take a book as large as any that is in the Bank of England. Put down all the sins of which either conscience or a morbid imagination can accuse you. Fear not to add to their number all that Satan himself can suggest.

And this I will do. I will put on the creditor side “the unsearchable riches of Christ” and will leave you to draw the balance…

Charles Simeon of Cambridge, by Hugh Evan Hopkins, Hodder & Stoughton, 1977, p. 126.