Charles Simeon often walked past Holy Trinity Church whilst attending Cambridge University and said to himself: “How should I rejoice if God were to give me that church, that I might preach the Gospel there and be a herald for Him in the University.” As it happened the vicar (pastor) of Holy Trinity passed away that October 1782, and Simeon was installed as the new pastor at the not-so-ripe age of 23. Unfortunately, the congregation did not share his great enthusiasm! The congregation had another man in mind, but the local bishop persisted and the Simeon accepted the post … and stayed for fifty-four years. He had come to faith in his first year at the university at a time when there was precious little true faith in Cambridge. He was known as being somewhat imperious, stern, and self-assertive; traits that likely didn’t make things any easier over the early years of his ministry. Yet the primary opposition was surely his enthusiasm for reaching the lost with the gospel. Many of the most prominent members of the church opposed such enthusiastic evangelical convictions. The church had a long tradition of a late Sunday second service and for twelve years they refused to grant Simeon (their own pastor) this teaching appointment! They also showed their displeasure by locking their pew boxes during the morning service, and not attending themselves, such that visitors would be discouraged from coming. At his own expense he placed chairs in the aisles and any nook and cranny he could find to accommodate the growth the Lord was bringing. Outside the church he was ostracized by his university colleagues, and often slandered by locals. Even students who came to faith under his ministry were guilty by association, derisively called “Sims”, and denied academic prizes or stature simply because of their newfound faith.
As late as thirty years into his ministry Simeon faced intense opposition from within his congregation. What pastor wouldn’t be tempted to pack it in at age 53, or at least move to more friendly confines, when faced with this kind of “fruit” from one’s labours! Yet he again patiently endured and four years hence wrote to a friend that peace had once again settled upon the church and that it was better attended than ever.
Simeon also faced personal challenges. For thirteen years, between ages 47 and 60, he lived in poor health. His voice was so weak that at times he could only speak in a whisper, and following a sermon would feel ‘more dead than alive’. Through all his many trials: within the church, outside the church, and personal; he remained in love with the Lord, His people, and His ministry. One of the keys to his perseverance was the deep, abiding knowledge he had of God’s love and acceptance:
With this sweet hope of ultimate acceptance with God, I have always enjoyed much cheerfulness before men; but I have at the same time labored incessantly to cultivate the deepest humiliation before God.”
In his darkest days of opposition he wrote:
In this state of things I saw no remedy but faith and patience…. It was painful indeed to see the church, with the exception of the aisles, almost forsaken; but I thought that if God would only give a double blessing to the congregation that did attend, there would on the whole be as much good done as if the congregation were doubled and the blessing limited to only half the amount. This comforted me many, many times, when without such a reflection, I should have sunk under my burden.
God did work mightily through Simeon. Holy Trinity Cambridge remains a lively church today. Through the conversion and encouragement of many students, pulpits throughout England were filled by “Sims”. His love of missions inspired Henry Martin, founder of China Inland Mission. He was the major force in the founding of the Church Mission Society. He was an advisor to the East India Company, commending to them most of their chaplains. Perhaps his most enduring legacy is the passion for Biblical preaching that he maintained throughout his pastoral ministry. As evidence, in 1833 he was invited to give personally to King William IV the 21 volumes of his collected sermons.
A faithful life is never one without opposition and trials, but thankfully we are never without our faithful God. I hope to see you this Sunday as we conclude our series Nehemiah: Building a Life of Faith.
Much love,
Pastor Gary