http://www.churchsociety.org/churchman/documents/Cman_001_5_Carus.pdfThis consists of letter addressed to Rev. Charles Simeon, Church of England, a Calvinistic and Reformed man. The were addressed to him upon the commencement of his ministry at Trinity Church, Cambridge. Trinity was in the heart of centre-city Cambridge of that day. He faced numerous difficulties, but his fidelity resulted in laying the foundation for another century of Churchmen faithful to the Reformed Church of England.
Simeon was ordained on Trinity Sunday, 26 May 1782, by the Bishop of Ely upon his fellowship at King's College. He began his ministry in St. Edward's Church ("in good old Latimer's pulpit"), serving there during a Rector's lengthy vacation.
In the space of 4-6 weeks, the place was filled. Three times the usual number of communicants attended the Table (notice, this forum will not use the term "altar"). Simeon visited every house in the parish, whether Dissenters or Anglicans. He mentions a discussion with a dissenter about predestination. Of predestination, Simeon says, "...I myself should no more have loved God if He had not first loved me, or turned me to God....by His free and sovereign grace turned me, than a cannon-ball would of itself return to the orifice from whence it had been shot...and from that day to this, I have neever had a doubt respecting the truth of that doctrine, nor a wish (as far as I know) to be wise above what is written."
Ultimately, Rev. Charles Simeon preached for the first time in Trinity Church on November 10, 1782.The brief letter in this URL from Mr. Thornton to Rev. Simeon is instructive, but will not be addressed here.
We find here a lengthy letter from Rev. John Newton, another Calvinistic and Reformed Churchman, to Rev. Simeon (Newton is the author of "Amazing Grace.")
Newton assures Simeon that his appointment is in the sure and certain will of God and that he may and should begin his works with this confidence. He draws attention to the "Great Adversary," yet calling him to calm, peace and faithfulness "under the banner and the eye of the Captain of Salvation." He counsels wide exposure and use of widely appreciated sense of Scriptures.
Simeon faced opposition. The congregation had originally petitioned the Bishop for a Rev. Hammond, but the Bishop offered the living to Simeon. The congregants "locked" their pews. Simeon put in, at his own expense, some seats for others, but the Wardens removed them. Simeon had a natural ardency, but Bp. Charles McIllvaine of Ohio would later comment that this "ardency" was no more made plainly known than in his patience, the ardency of restraint and patience.
As to Holy Trinity Church, it has a long, distinguished history. The oldest part of the building dates from 800 years ago, the previous building having been destroyed by fire in 1174. Say the name Holy Trinity (HT) and there is a high possibility that people will talk about Charles Simeon or will remember coming to the Church to attend CICCU meetings.
"Between the years of 1782-1836 Holy Trinity Church was the centre of revival of spiritual life in Cambridge.
The ministry of Charles Simeon in Holy Trinity began when he was appointed vicar by the Bishop of Ely against the wishes of the churchwardens and congregation who disliked the earnestness of his manner and the evangelicalism of his message. When Simeon proposed starting an evening service the wardens actually locked the church doors against him. This kind of opposition continued for a number of years, but he never flinched and gradually the response to his ministry was so encouraging that he erected a gallery in the south transept at his own expense. He ended his life as the best known ‘character’ in Cambridge, his funeral in Kings College Chapel being attended by some two thousand people."
"Charles Simeon’s ministry to students included sermons classes and discussion groups which provided the
only training then available for ordinands. His preaching was particularly notable, his declared aim being ‘to humble the sinner, exalt the Saviour, and promote holiness.’ In 1794 Simeon introduced into the church a barrel-organ with sixty hymn tunes to assist the congregation, as he hoped, with their singing. Simeon also had a deep concern for Missions and raised up several missionaries. He was also one of the founders of the Church Missionary Society in 1799."
"In 1887 the Henry Martyn Memorial Hall was erected next to the church as a centre for Christian undergraduates with a heart world mission. Between 1873 and 1889 there were no less than 140 offers to the CMS from Cambridge men, and in 1885 it was the famous ‘Cambridge Seven’ whose going out to China did so much to stir Christian interests in Missions. Holy Trinity has always been as concerned for the wider church as it has for its own particular field amongst the townsfolk and students of Cambridge."
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