Charles Simeon
In the The Church, there are a series of wooden sculptures carved into the pulpit. They include Jesus, the Word Made Flesh, who holds the center place, with a few other prominent preachers of God’s Word, such as English priest Charles Simeon (Sept. 24, 1759-Nov. 13, 1836). Although known for being an excellent Bible teacher and preacher, Simeon’s conversion was more sacramental in nature. This makes sense because both the Bible and the Eucharist proclaim Christ, the Word of God!
What is Simeon’s conversion story? In the 18th century, it was standard practice for English universities to expect students to attend church and receive the Holy Eucharist. Although he could have gone through the motions and checked the boxes of his graduation requirements, Simeon decided to take this requirement seriously. And so, he began reading religious literature with eagerness and fervor, hoping to get into the right spiritual posture to receive Communion.
Yet, the Holy Spirit was only just beginning the convicting work into Simeon’s heart. God’s Spirit shined His light in Simeon’s heart such that Simeon was made greatly aware of his sins, and he found sin’s burden overwhelming. As Simeon eagerly continued reading, he came across a book about the Levitical animal sacrifices.
For the first time in Simeon’s life, Christ’s paschal sacrifice made perfect sense. “What! May I transfer all my guilt to another? From that moment on I sought to lay my sins on the sacred head of Jesus … and on the Sunday (Easter Day, April 4, 1779) I awoke early with those words upon my heart and lips, ‘Jesus Christ is risen today; Hallelujah! Hallelujah!’ From that hour peace flowed in rich abundance into my soul; and at the Lord’s Table in our chapel, I had the sweetest access to God through my blessed Savior," (“Memoirs of the Rev. Charles Simeon,” p.9).
I wonder how often I approach the Lord’s Table with complacency, missing the sweetest gift of grace offered in the Sacrament.
Simeon’s conversion quickly made him a leading priest, preacher and teacher in the growing evangelical, low church wing of the Church of England. His most influential work is a 21-volume commentary on the entire Bible, compiled from his 49 years of priestly and preaching ministry, called Horae Homileticae. His ministry also directly influenced priests like Henry Martyn (Feb. 18, 1781-Oct. 16, 1812) — whose Urdu translation of “The Book of Common Prayer,” and Urdu and Farsi translation of the New Testament remain the gold standard — and the renown abolitionist, William Wilberforce. Simeon died at the ripe old age of 71, but he now lives with the resurrected Christ he grew to know and love at His Table and forever feasts with his risen Lord in heaven.
A Prayer
O loving God, we know that all things are ordered by Your unerring wisdom and unbounded love: Grant us in all things to see Your hand; that, following the example and teaching of Your servant Charles Simeon, we may walk with Christ in all simplicity and serve You with a quiet and contented mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
