Charles Simeon on Christian Speech
One of the most difficult disciplines of the Christian life is guarding our speech. The way we speak about others is a clear indicator of our own spiritual condition. Ultimately, what comes out of our mouths reveals the character of our hearts.
The Bible warns us of the tongue's dangers. James writes, "The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell" (James 3:6). But we also know the good our tongues can do as we use them "to give grace to those who hear," and as our speech is used to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Ephesians 4:29, Hebrews 10:24). The tongue is a mighty force. Will you use it for good or evil?
One of my Christian heroes is Charles Simeon, Anglican minister of Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge, England from 1782-1836. (For a thoughtful biographical sketch of Simeon’s life, view this article by John Piper). Throughout his adult life he contended with two great temptations to ungodly speech. On the one hand, he was quick to anger, and in the heat of the moment was tempted to say things that could damage the reputation of Christ and his church. On the other hand, he continually faced unkind criticism because of his deep commitment to the evangelical faith. What a volatile situation: a disposition prone to anger combined with a hostile environment!
Well aware of the temptation to "evil speaking," Simeon wrote in a July 1817 letter words immediately relevant to parish life today.
"The longer I live, the more I feel the importance of adhering to the rules which I have laid down for myself in relation to such matters.
"1st To hear as little as possible what is to the prejudice of others.
"2nd To believe nothing of the kind till I am absolutely forced to it.
"3rd Never to drink into the spirit of one who circulates an ill report.
"4th Always to moderate, as far as I can, the unkindness which is expressed towards others.
"5th Always to believe, that if the other side were heard a very different account would be given of the matter.
"I consider love as wealth; and as I would resist a man who should come to rob my house so would I a man who would weaken my regard for any human being."
Let us renew our own commitment to making our speech a means of God's grace. Let us join the Psalmist in praying, "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).
Shri Guru Charan Saroj Raj After cleansing the mirror of my mind with the pollen Nij mane mukure sudhar dust of holy Guru's Lotus feet. I Profess the pure, Varnao Raghuvar Vimal Jasu untainted glory of Shri Raghuvar which bestows the four- Jo dayaku phal char fold fruits of life.(Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha). Budhi Hin Tanu Janike Fully aware of the deficiency of my intelligence, I Sumirau Pavan Kumar concentrate my attention on Pavan Kumar and humbly Bal budhi Vidya dehu mohe ask for strength, intelligence and true knowledge to Harahu Kalesa Vikar relieve me of all blemishes, causing pain. Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar Victory to thee, O'Hanuman! Ocean of Wisdom-All Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar hail to you O'Kapisa! (fountain-head of power,wisdom and Shiva-Shakti) You illuminate all the three worlds (Entire cosmos) with your glory. Ram doot atulit bal dhama You are the divine messenger of Shri Ram. The Anjani-putra Pavan sut nama repository of immeasurable strength, though known only as Son of Pavan (Wind), born of Anjani. Mahavir Vikram Bajrangi With Limbs as sturdy as Vajra (The mace of God Indra) Kumati nivar sumati Ke sangi you are valiant and brave. On you attends good Sense and Wisdom. You dispel the darkness of evil thoughts. Kanchan varan viraj subesa Your physique is beautiful golden coloured and your dress Kanan Kundal Kunchit Kesa is pretty. You wear ear rings and have long curly hair. Hath Vajra Aur Dhuvaje Viraje You carry in your hand a lightening bolt along with a victory Kandhe moonj janehu sajai (kesari) flag and wear the sacred thread on your shoulder. Sankar suvan kesri Nandan As a descendant of Lord Sankar, you are a comfort and pride Tej pratap maha jag vandan of Shri Kesari. With the lustre of your Vast Sway, you are propitiated all over the universe. Vidyavan guni ati chatur You are the repository of learning, virtuous and fully accom- Ram kaj karibe ko aatur plished, always keen to carry out the behest's of Shri Ram. Prabu charitra sunibe ko rasiya You are an ardent listener, always so keen to listen to the Ram Lakhan Sita man Basiya narration of Shri Ram's Life Stories. Your heart is filled with what Shri Ram stood for. You therefore always dwell in the hearts of Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita. Sukshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava You appeared before Sita in a Diminutive form and spoke to Vikat roop dhari lanka jarava her in humility. You assumed an awesome form and struck terror by setting Lanka on fire. Bhima roop dhari asur sanghare With over-whelming might you destroyed the Asuras Ramachandra ke kaj sanvare (demons) and performed all tasks assigned to you by Shri Ram with great skill.
Laye Sanjivan Lakhan Jiyaye You brought Sanjivan (A herb that revives life) and restored Shri Raghuvir Harashi ur laye Lakshman back to life, Shri Raghuvir (Shri Ram) cheerfully embraced you with his heart full of joy. Raghupati Kinhi bahut badai Shri Raghupati (Shri Ram) lustily extolled your excellence and Tum mam priye Bharat-hi sam bhai said: "You are as dear to me as my own brother Bharat." Sahas badan tumharo yash gaave Thousands of living beings are chanting hymns of your glories; Us kahi Shripati kanth lagaave saying thus, Shri Ram warmly hugged him (Shri Hanuman). Sankadik Brahmadi Muneesa When prophets like Sanka, even the Sage like Lord Brahma, Narad Sarad sahit Aheesa the great hermit Narad himself, Goddess Saraswati and Ahisha (one of immeasurable dimensions). Yam Kuber Digpal Jahan te Even Yamraj (God of Death) Kuber (God of Wealth) and the Kavi kovid kahi sake kahan te Digpals (deputies guarding the four corners of the Universe) have been vying with one another in offering homage to your glories. How then, can a mere poet give adequate expression of your super excellence. Tum upkar Sugreevahin keenha You rendered a great service to Sugriv. You united him with Ram milaye rajpad deenha Shri Ram and he installed him on the Royal Throne. By heeding Tumharo mantra Vibheeshan mana your advice, Vibhishan became Lord of Lanka. This is known Lankeshwar Bhaye Sub jag jana all over the Universe. Yug sahastra jojan par Bhanu On your own you dashed upon the Sun, which is at a fabulous Leelyo tahi madhur phal janu distance of thousands of miles, thinking it to be a sweet luscious fruit. Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahee Carrying the Lord's Signet Ring in your mouth, there is Jaladhi langhi gaye achraj nahee hardly any wonder that you easily leapt across the ocean. Durgaam kaj jagat ke jete The burden of all difficult tasks of the world become light Sugam anugraha tumhre tete with your kind grace. Ram dware tum rakhvare, You are the sentry at the door of Shri Ram's Divine Abode. Hoat na agya binu paisare No one can enter it without your permission, Sub sukh lahai tumhari sarna All comforts of the world lie at your feet. The devotees enjoy all Tum rakshak kahu ko dar na divine pleasures and feel fearless under your benign Protection. Aapan tej samharo aapai You alone are befitted to carry your own splendid valour. All the Teenhon lok hank te kanpai three worlds (entire universe) tremor at your thunderous call. Bhoot pisach Nikat nahin aavai All the ghosts, demons and evil forces keep away, with the Mahavir jab naam sunavai sheer mention of your great name, O'Mahaveer!! Nase rog harai sab peera All diseases, pain and suffering disappear on reciting regularly Japat nirantar Hanumant beera Shri Hanuman's holy name. Sankat se Hanuman chudavai Those who remember Shri Hanuman in thought, words and deeds Man Karam Vachan dyan jo lavai with Sincerity and Faith, are rescued from all crises in life. Sub par Ram tapasvee raja All who hail, worship and have faith in Shri Ram as the Supreme Tin ke kaj sakal Tum saja Lord and the king of penance. You make all their difficult tasks very easy. Aur manorath jo koi lavai Whosoever comes to you for fulfillment of any desire with faith Sohi amit jeevan phal pavai and sincerity, Will he alone secure the imperishable fruit of human life. Charon Yug partap tumhara All through the four ages your magnificent glory is acclaimed far Hai persidh jagat ujiyara and wide. Your fame is Radiantly acclaimed all over the Cosmos. Sadhu Sant ke tum Rakhware You are Saviour and the guardian angel of Saints and Sages and Asur nikandan Ram dulhare destroy all Demons. You are the angelic darling of Shri Ram. Ashta sidhi nav nidhi ke dhata You can grant to any one, any yogic power of Eight Siddhis Us var deen Janki mata (power to become light and heavy at will) and Nine Nidhis (Riches,comfort,power,prestige,fame,sweet relationship etc.) This boon has been conferred upon you by Mother Janki. Ram rasayan tumhare pasa You possess the power of devotion to Shri Ram. In all rebirths Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa you will always remain Shri Raghupati's most dedicated disciple. Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavai Through hymns sung in devotion to you, one can find Shri Ram Janam janam ke dukh bisravai and become free from sufferings of several births. Anth kaal Raghuvir pur jayee If at the time of death one enters the Divine Abode of Shri Ram, Jahan janam Hari-Bakht Kahayee thereafter in all future births he is born as the Lord's devotee. Aur Devta Chit na dharehi One need not entertain any other deity for Propitiation, as Hanumanth se hi sarve sukh karehi devotion of Shri Hanuman alone can give all happiness. Sankat kate mite sab peera One is freed from all the sufferings and ill fated contingencies of Jo sumirai Hanumat Balbeera rebirths in the world. One who adores and remembers Shri Hanuman. Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosahin Hail, Hail, Hail, Shri Hanuman, Lord of senses. Let your victory Kripa Karahu Gurudev ki nyahin over the evil be firm and final. Bless me in the capacity as my supreme guru (teacher). Jo sat bar path kare kohi One who recites Chalisa one hundred times, becomes free from the Chutehi bandhi maha sukh hohi bondage of life and death and enjoys the highest bliss at last. Jo yah padhe Hanuman Chalisa All those who recite Hanuman Chalisa (The forty Chaupais) Hoye siddhi sakhi Gaureesa regularly are sure to be benedicted. Such is the evidence of no less a witness as Bhagwan Sankar. Tulsidas sada hari chera Tulsidas as a bonded slave of the Divine Master, stays perpetually at Keejai Nath Hrdaye mein dera *1 his feet, he prays "Oh Lord! You enshrine within my heart & soul." Pavantnai sankat haran, Oh! conqueror of the Wind, Destroyer of all miseries, you are a Mangal murti roop. symbol of Auspiciousness. Ram Lakhan Sita sahit, Along with Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita, reside in my heart. Hrdaye basahu sur bhoop. Oh! King of
Happy Praying !
OM SREE RAMA RAMAYA NAMAH
THE GURU MANTRA
GURUR BRAHMAA GURUR VISHNUH,
GURUR DEVO MAHESHWARAH:
GURUR SAAKSHAAT PARAM BRAHMA.
TASMAI SHRI GURUVE NAMAH
Meaning
Guru is Brahma. Guru is Vishnu. Guru is Maheshwara (Shiva): Guru is Supreme Brahman itself. Prostration unto That Guru.
THE GAYATRI MANTRA
OM BHUR BHUVAH SVAH-TAT SAVUTUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI-DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAAT.
Meaning
We meditate on that Supreme Effulgence of the Radiant Being - the indwelling Controller and Director of all things. May He stimulate our intellect entirely (to realise the Truth).
PRAYER
ASATO MAA SAT GAMAYA-TAMASO MAA JYOTIR GAMAYA MRITYOR MAA AMRITAM GAMAYA
Meaning
May the Lord lead us: From Unreal to the Real, from Darkness to Light, From Death to Immortality.
PRAYER
LOKA SAMASTA SUKINO BHAVANTU - LOKA SAMASTA SUKINO BHAVANTU LOKA SAMASTA SUKINO BHAVANTU
Meaning
May the Denizens of the world have peace and happiness.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
