"That on one occasion, he had to call at some person's house on business, and being kept waiting a very long while, his thoughts took a very serious turn; his mind became so deeply impressed with the vanity and emptiness of all earthly pursuits; that he lifted up his heart to his heavenly Father, and prayed, that whatever his lot might be here, his portion might not be in this world. From that time he was enabled to maintain a strict regard to a religious walk and conversation; and he added, he did not know that in a worldly point of view, he had been a loser, by giving up those hours of study, which he felt were demanded for a more sacred purpose.

"Our dear brother was naturally reserved; and I do not think thus much would have escaped him, but for the hope that it might induce those who were dear to him to follow his steps. His words were few and well-chosen.

"From that time, all his family could not but feel the increased kindness of his deportment, and anxiety for their welfare. We shall never again see his equal."

He entered College, October, 1809. But, for an account of his College career, and literary pursuits, the reader is referred to Part III. of this work.

C

CHAPTER JI.

ENTERING UPON MR. SIMEON'S CURACY.

It will be interesting to trace the leadings of Providence in Professor Scholefield's appointment to Mr. Simeon's curacy. He had occasionally attended at Trinity Church, during his undergraduateship, but was personally unknown to its minister. His plan for the attendance on the public services, and spending the Sundays, were these; College chapels he never missed, or the afternoon sermon at the University Church. The evenings he passed in his rooms, sporting his door to keep free from intruders; this he found a very profitable time for laying in a store of Biblical and Theological knowledge. And his favourite book, next to the Bible, was Archbishop Leighton's Commentary on the First Epistle of St. Peter. It must have been on the mornings of Sunday that he heard Mr. Simeon preach. At that time, there was a kind of stigma attached to frequenting Trinity Church, and he had

not then overcome the feelings of shame at being seen to enter it, and used to look every way before he ventured to pass the gate. This feeling was far from being uncommon with many, who really valued Mr. Simeon's ministry; but, like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, who were afraid to appear openly as their Lord's disciples, these young men, though they valued Mr. Simeon's ministry, shrank from the reproach. This appears extraordinary in one, who afterwards was so regardless of ridicule.

Before taking his degree, he wished, if possible, to secure a curacy in the neighbourhood of Cambridge; that he might be usefully employed, and still remain in College, and take University pupils. Having heard that Dr. Ramsden wanted a curate for Chesterton, of which parish the Doctor was the incumbent, he called upon him with great "fear and trembling," for he ever entertained an awful respect for his superiors. The Doctor received him with great kindness, told him that his own curacy was filled, but informed him that Mr. Simeon was seeking for a curate for his friend Mr. Mitchell, and recommended him to call upon Mr. Simeon. He felt grateful for the information, and followed Dr. Ramsden's advice. Mr. Simeon also received him kindly, and after hearing the purport of his visit, told him he had engaged a curate for his friend, but added, "I should be happy to offer you my own curacy, if you would not object to one in

Cambridge." cepted it.

He felt surprised, but readily ac

There now arose a difficulty: Mr. Simeon wanted a curate immediately; and required him to enter upon it without delay;-but he had not taken his degree, and feared, that if he consented to such an irregular proceeding as ordination, before his degree, it might injure his prospects at College; besides which, it was a proceeding opposed to his own ideas of order.

But these feelings and fears did not deter Mr. Simeon from prosecuting his purpose, who never suffered difficulties to obstruct his designs. He soon obtained the consent of the Bishop to ordain him at once, and at the next ordination he was admitted to Holy Orders, and entered upon his ministry in October, 1813. He now set his mind upon devoting himself to his new sphere of duty, and many were there in the parish, who could look upon his pastoral visits as their greatest blessings.

It was not long before he established a lecture at the Old Workhouse, in King-street, on Friday evenings. His object in doing this, was, that the sick and aged people, who could not go to church, might have the means of instruction brought home to them. Besides, there were many in the parish so wretchedly poor, that from the want of decent clothing, they were ashamed to appear at church. But in this humble sanctuary, which it proved to

many, they could come in unseen, and unnoticed. This service he much enjoyed himself, and witnessed the good effects of it in others, to whom it was made a blessing. No engagement ever kept him away on a Friday evening, and so anxious was he to make the occasion useful to the poorest in the parish, that he forbad others to attend, and was sorry to see a well-dressed person occupying the room which was designed for the lowest of the poor.

His custom was to visit from house to house; and when he had a spare hour, and no sick persons needed his visits, I have heard him say, he would walk up and down King-street, hoping he might be called in if required.

At this time he became acquainted with a very pious old lady, Mrs. Wilson, the mother of Mrs. Owen, whose husband will ever be remembered and honoured as one of the first originators of the British and Foreign Bible Society. At her house he frequently met Mr. Owen.

During Mr. Owen's visits to Cambridge, Mr. Simeon usually invited him to dinner, and a party of other friends to meet him. Frequently there were assembled persons of different views and sentiments, on religious, and other subjects. On one occasion the friends who met, in discussing some interesting and important topic, disagreed in opinion, and at length became warm in their expressions.