after he became minister of this church, he preached only once on each Sunday, though very desirous of doing otherwise, because one sermon from him was as much as the congregation could at that time bear. From a similar motive he gave up for a time his habit of preaching extempore, and wrote his sermons with great care, following therein the advice of an aged and judicious clergyman. These were not the acts of a fanatic and enthusiast. He shewed also great sobriety of mind in the interpretation of Scripture.

He

had no favourite doctrines to which he aimed to give an undue prominence. He took the word of God as he found it, and expounded it according to what he judged to be the plain obvious meaning of the sacred text. He very much disapproved of making Scripture subservient to human systems, and wished every part to speak its own language, however apparently opposite to our pre-conceived notions. To which I may add, that if to have stood aloof from the errors. which successively sprung up in religious world during his connection with it-if a steady adherence to the great truths of the Gospel during a period of more than half a century, without swerving to the various changes of opinion which successively arose, or being led away by the novelties of the day, if a stedfast attachment and strict undeviating conformity to the constitution, ritual, and discipline of the Established church, together with a cordial admiration of her devout yet calm and unimpassioned Liturgy,—if a high sense of the value of human learning as auxiliary to religion, and an uniform practice of inculcating on young men of his acquaintance, the imperative duty of attending diligently to the studies, and observing strictly the discipline, of the University;-if these be indications of a sound mind, I think,

I may with truth affirm that the venerated individual of whom I speak possessed in no ordinary degree that invaluable attribute."

It is not too much to say that at the time of Mr. Simeon's first entering on the Ministry, the general style of pulpit addresses were exceedingly meagre in too many instances the sermons were mere moral essays, to which the texts were only mottos, and contained little to awaken the conscience, impress the heart, or excite the affections. Mr. S. immediately exhibited a widely different model. He set himself diligently to study the Word of God, and determined that each of his discourses should be strictly derived from the text, selected and arranged in such a way, as if possible, to enlighten the understanding and impress the heart. He therefore applied diligently to the study of the best models of composition, and has left as the result of his long continued labours, TWO AND TWENTY volumes of sermons and outlines of sermons, which have been, and we trust long will be, eminently useful to the Church of God. Of the mode in which these volumes were prepared, Mr. Webster speaks in the before-mentioned sermon. The following observations on the work in general, from the pen of the Rev. Mr. Mandell, deserve attention. He is speaking especially of Mr. Simeon's diligence.

With a temperament naturally sanguine, and with long-cherished habits of activity, it was impossible for him to be otherwise than the reverse of 'slothful.' Tis constitutional bias, no doubt, would have so operated as to produce decision and zeal, in any matter in which he might happen to engage, and under all circumstances. When, therefore, it pleased God to "call him by, His grace," (an event which took place in his early years,) his natural disposition was not thereby annihi

lated: it was only directed into a new channel, and employed upon a new object, even the proclamation of the glad tidings of salvation, with a steadfastness of purpose, and persevering zeal, which few have equalled, fewer still surpassed. I appeal with confidence in support of this assertion, to his published works, particularly that very large number of discourses, comprising a Comment on nearly the whole of the Holy Scriptures, which, to the best of my knowledge, exceed in copiousness, as a store-house of sound hortatory theology, any production of the same kind that had been previously given to the world. Then it should be remembered, that the discourses alluded to, and no doubt a very large number besides, had been delivered from the pulpit, during his prolonged, his faithful, and highly successful ministry. By these extended labours, "he, being dead, yet speaketh." O how many will "arise up" at the last day

and call him blessed! How many who derived their first saving religious impressions from his ministry! how many ministers, themselves the spiritual fathers of others, in different parts of our favoured land! I forbear to enlarge upon his active beneficence in a variety of other particulars connected with the principal object of his life, or upon the support and assistance, which he was always ready to render to every undertaking, whereby the good of men and the glory of God were to be promoted. In a word, his whole conduct through life was in uniform accordance with the implied injunction of the text, "that ye be not slothful." And although he would have discarded with abhorrence the very idea of placing the smallest dependence upon any or all of the diversified labours in which he was incessantly engaged, or of regarding them as a ground

"to

of trust before God, yet was it his constant study and effort, maintain" (to stand foremost in)

good works," to be "filled with fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God," and so that he might "receive a full reward;" ever remembering who it was that said, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit: so shall ye be my disciples."

Mr. Simeon however laboured not only to preach himself, but to prepare others for preaching the Word of God. For this purpose, he collected around him a class of hopeful young men, whose attempts at composition he carefully superintended-his labours in this respect are more fully described in the sermon before referred to; and we have reason to know that those labours were eminently successful

-nor have they failed with his death. Our readers will rejoice to hear that some of those who derived benefit from Mr. Simeon's kind assistance, are in like manner attempting to benefit others.

In these attempts to do good, Mr. Simeon met with serious, determined and long continued opposition,-but in dependence on the divine help, he stedfastly persevered. His position afforded him many advantages. The in

come arising from his fellowship, and his private property, rendered him independent of all pecuniary considerations. The firmness of his mind, and the politeness of his manners carried him through many difficulties, but above all, he endured by faith, as seeing him that is invisible: until at length all opposition ceased, and he became regarded with one universal feeling of respect and veneration.

'So strong was the feeling of aversion in the minds of some of the seat-holders of Trinity Church that, not content with absenting themselves from church, they locked up their pews to prevent others

from attending. And within the sacred walls of his church disorders have occurred which it required the greatest vigour and most determined resolution to put down?' The annoyance, from his parishioners, he bore patiently, calling to mind that it is written, "The servant of the Lord must not strive." But the more active hostility of the young gownsmen, he felt it to be his duty to put down. Yet even in such cases he rather endeavoured to melt by love than to overbear by authority; nor were the instances rare of those who came to scoff, and remained to pray.

On these, and almost all occasions of doubt or difficulty, he was in the habit at this time of consulting his venerable friend at Yelling -a man whom he considered to be sent to him by God at the most critical period of his life. Mr. Venn thus writes concerning the young minister of Trinity Church, soon after the commencement of his work: Mr. Simeon's ministry is likely to be blessed. We may indeed say, 'A great door is opened.' Many gownsmen hear him. What follows is as true'There are many adversaries.' He comes over to advise with me on every occasion; but the wonderful Counsellor is with him.'

We pass over these trying scenes and can only glance very slightly at the exertions he made for the glory of God and the good of souls, He was assiduous in pastoral visits both among the sick and the well; he formed various small Societies among those who attended his ministry for private conference and personal instruction; he distributed books largely among his young friends; he was ever on the watch to provide suitable curates for important places, and to encourage those of whom he hoped well, to go forth as missionaries to heathen lands, and chaplains to the East Indies.

He patronized largely

and liberally many religious Societies, especially the Bible, the Church Missionary, and the Jews' Society but above all, he devoted the bulk of his property and very large sums entrusted to him by others to the purchase of adVowsons of livings in populous places, which he vested in Trustees, that suitable persons might as far as possible be presented to those important stations for ever.

Dr. Dealtry says, in speaking of the dedication of his property to the glory of God, we are abundantly borne out by facts, with which you are all acquainted. But it is not so generally known, that this was a principle all-powerful in his mind, from an early period, probably from the time when he first cordially gave himself to the work of an Evangelist. In proof of this assertion, I would mention. a circumstance which occurred between forty and fifty years ago. At that time a living of great importance became vacant, which by the appointment of the patron, as expressed in his will, was to be offered to two particular clergymen in succession, both of them personal friends of your late minister. Conceiving that the clergyman who was to have the second offer was pre-eminently qualified for the situation, whilst the other was better fitted for a different sphere, he wrote to the latter, stating his opinion, and solemnly putting it to his conscience, whether the cause of Christ would not be best promoted by his declining the living: adding at the same time, that since the sacrifice would be great in regard to temporal prospects, he would himself engage to compensate him from his own private fortune. It is right to add, that the individual thus addressed responded nobly to the letter, by stating his intention to refuse the living, but absolutely declining at the same time all compensation; neither ought it to be omitted, that the

clergyman for whom the living was thus obtained, although he survived his appointment for twenty years, was never apprised of the circumstance, nor was it divulged till some time after his death.'

• Mr. Simeon regarded his property, like every other gift, as a talent of which the most was to be made in the service of his Lord, from whom he had received it. With this view, while he lived suitably to his station in society, considering that the contrary course would have precluded him from much beneficial intercourse with persons of condition, he was ever watchful against excess. He was a munificent contributor, in proportion to his ability, to several charitable institutions, especially those of a missionary character, and for promoting the education of pious candidates for the Ministry of the Church; but he devoted the bulk of his private fortune of late years to the purchasing of advowsons, as the means which he deemed to be most of all conducive to the advancement of true religion. In the prosecution of this object he was assisted by several persons like-minded with himself; more especially, within the last few months of his life, he was entrusted with a considerable sum to be expended in the purchase of advowsons belonging to corporations, recently sold by order of the Church Commissioners. But while thus liberal in religious and charitable objects, he was scrupulously economical in his personal expenses. This statement may excite the surprise of some, who have heard only of the splendour, as it has been called, of his occasional entertainments; but it will be confirmed by those who had opportunities of observing his interior habits. All, or nearly all, the things of a costly character which ever met the eye in his rooms or on his table, were presents, which from respect to the donors he did

not feel at liberty to put away; but some instances of the selfdenial really exercised by him in private, while he was using hospitality without grudging,' would excite a smile if they were minutely detailed. It is also fair to add, that, well as he knew the value of money in reference to some of the objects which he had most at heart, he was not at all desirous of any addition to his personal responsibility, as the possessor of property. On the contrary, he shrunk from it. In proof of this it may be mentioned, that when his affectionate relative, formerly of St. John's, near Ryde, in the Isle of Wight, intimated to him his intention of leaving to him by will that beautiful estate, with an income sufficient to maintain it, he declined the offer, and only accepted a legacy, which, though considerable, was much inferior in value to what he had waived.'

To the purchase of these advowsons, Mr. Simeon eventually devoted all his remaining property, and before his death had the satisfaction of finding that about thirty important stations were thus as far as human effort can go, secured for the faithful ministration of the Gospel of Christ.

'One characteristic of our revered father,' says Mr. Close, was, that he walked with God in equity. Nature had bestowed upon him a noble mind and a generous heart; and grace engrafted on these that Christian disinterestedness which distinguished him through life. A near relative, who was affectionately attached to him, was willing to have bequeathed him an ample fortune; he could not, however, prevail upon Mr. Simeon to accept more than £15,000. which he took entirely for charitable purposes. Whatever property he received, he has spent for God, and has died comparatively poor.

WHEN We look at the state of the world, what a dreadful picture do we behold. A great part of the world has not yet heard the gospel. In our own land, sin and the deepest ignorance abound every where. When so many souls are perishing around us, surely we ought to feel deeply for them, and to labour most diligently for their good. Yet how much less we do than what we might. O let us all, whether rich or poor, old or young, do all that we can for the good of souls, in every way that we can think of. And let us stir up as many more Christians as we can, to do their utmost; let us point out to them all the ways we can, in which they may do most good, and beg them to stir up as many more as they can, and tell them the ways in which they may do good. Every one, whatever his station in life, may by God's help; be a very great blessing to others,

1. All can pray daily for the revival of true religion, that God would pour out his Holy Spirit on them, their neighbourhoods, and the whole world.

2. All can set a holy example. 3. All can speak to their families, friends, neighbours, and many others, about their souls.

4. All can live most plainly, moderately, and economically, and so be able to give much more to religious societies, and to the really distressed.

5. All can have family prayers, and oblige all in their houses to be present.

6. Most can write letters to others, and try to convert the unconverted, and to stir up Christians to do good, and attempt all they can for the souls of others.

7. Many can teach in Sunday, adult, infant, and other schools. 8. Many can leave much, and

most can leave something, in their wills, to religious societies.

9. Many can collect at stated periods, for societies.

10. Many can lend, and give away tracts and handbills.

11. Many can go out as missionaries, catechists, and teachers.

12. Most can visit others, read to them, and pray with them.

Christians, we most earnestly beseech you all, whatever your station in life, to lay out all your time and money, (so far as your health, the duties of life, the care of your families and of your own souls permit) in trying to do good to others, in one way or other. Let it be the business of your lives, to do good. Let us try to do good to all that come in our way; and be always watching for opportunities of doing good; and be instant in season, and out of season. Wherever we go, let us try to do all the good there that we can. Let us take care not to waste or misspend the least time or money, that we may have as much as we can of both to do good with. Let us lay both out to the very best advantage. Visit all the poor you can: beg them to prepare for eternity, to get Bibles, to read them every day with earnest prayer, to go constantly to the house of God with their children, to keep all the Sabbath holy, to bring up their children rightly; to be clean and industrious, to keep away from public houses, beer and gin shops, fairs and bad company, to send their children to a Sunday and week school, and to have family prayers. Speak always with the greatest kindness and affection. Numbers know not their sin and awful danger; that they are sinners by nature and practice; that every sin deserves hell; that it can only be pardoned for Christ's sake; that Christ suffered in the sinner's stead;