Simeon's Early Rising
Charles Simeon was a Pastor near Cambridge in the late 1700s. He had many traits that are commendable for anyone to follow:
"Simeon arose every morning even in the winter season, at four o’clock; and, after lighting his fire, he devoted the first four hours of the day to private prayer and the devotional study of the Scriptures. Here was the secret of his great grace and spiritual strength. . .
The early rising did not come easily to him; it was a habit resolutely fought for and acquired. Finding himself too fond of his bed, he had resolved to pay a fine for every offence, giving half-a-crown to his servant. One morning, as he lay warm and comfortable, he caught himself reasoning that the good woman was poor and that the half-crown would be very useful to her. But that practical fallacy was not to be tolerated; if he rose late again, he would walk down to the Cam and throw a guinea into the water. And so he did, though not without a great struggle, for guineas were not abundant in his purse, and also he had learnt to look on them as ‘his Lord’s money’. But for his Lord’s sake the coin was cast in, and there it lies yet, no doubt, in the river’s keeping. Simeon never transgressed in that way again.”
From Charles Simeon, Pastor of a Generation by Handley Moule; Christian Focus Publications, 1997 pgs 66-67.
"Simeon arose every morning even in the winter season, at four o’clock; and, after lighting his fire, he devoted the first four hours of the day to private prayer and the devotional study of the Scriptures. Here was the secret of his great grace and spiritual strength. . .
The early rising did not come easily to him; it was a habit resolutely fought for and acquired. Finding himself too fond of his bed, he had resolved to pay a fine for every offence, giving half-a-crown to his servant. One morning, as he lay warm and comfortable, he caught himself reasoning that the good woman was poor and that the half-crown would be very useful to her. But that practical fallacy was not to be tolerated; if he rose late again, he would walk down to the Cam and throw a guinea into the water. And so he did, though not without a great struggle, for guineas were not abundant in his purse, and also he had learnt to look on them as ‘his Lord’s money’. But for his Lord’s sake the coin was cast in, and there it lies yet, no doubt, in the river’s keeping. Simeon never transgressed in that way again.”
From Charles Simeon, Pastor of a Generation by Handley Moule; Christian Focus Publications, 1997 pgs 66-67.
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