Centennial Reflection on the Passing of A.B. Simpson

This month marks the centennial anniversary of the passing of Albert Benjamin Simpson on the 29th of October 1919. At the time of his passing the Christian and Missionary Alliance was officially 22 years old and had sent more than 1000 missionaries into the world’s harvest fields. But the beginnings of the C&MA had humble origins, with a small gathering of seven being led by Simpson at the Caledonian Club some 37 years earlier. Reading from Zechariah 4:6 Simpson reminded them that this new work would be “not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord.” How true that proved to be and the fact that the work of the Alliance would continue today around the world is a powerful testament to the vision of Simpson and the divine blessing that attended the work.

Given his ministry and prolific writing career there are many aspects of Simpson’s life and work that could be reflected upon at this time. But as Simpson’s personal secretary Mrs. Emma Beere wrote in the tribute issue of The Alliance Weekly following his death, “The aim of all his teaching and writing has been, as he himself has so well expressed it in ‘The Christ Life,’ to show the distinction between ‘The Christian life and the Christ life; the difference between a system of truth and a living Person;’ to make Jesus

“A living, bright Reality,
More present to faith’s vision keen
Than any outward object seen;
More real, more intimately nigh
Than e’en the fondest earthly tie.”

This is the uniform message of Simpson and the one to which we must return time and time again across our varied contexts. It is that of Jesus HIMSELF. No other message will do. No other message is more important. Yes, we actively and passionately proclaim Jesus as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King but we do not do that by looking for the gift but for the One who not only brings the gift, but is revealed to BE the gift. Hence, salvation is the gift of receiving Christ HIMSELF. Sanctification is the gift of the indwelling Christ HIMSELF; Healing flows from very life of Christ HIMSELF and the coming of the King is the very joining of the redeemed bride to Christ HIMSELF.

Simpson’s famous hymn HIMSELF captures the truth of this message and it is a hymn that deserves to be sung just as often and just as loud today as it once did on the lips of the early Alliance worshipers.

“Once it was the blessing,
Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling,
Now it is His word;
Once His gifts I wanted,
Now the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing,
Now Himself alone.”

Is this our constant refrain today? We certainly live in diverse cultural, linguistic, and geographical contexts but despite our diversity the truth that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8) has not changed. It is worth pausing from our busy ministries just for a moment to reflect on our own spiritual pursuits. With more than a little foresight Mrs. Beere concluded her reflections with a sober warning and clear exhortation: “God forbid that the workers and representatives of the Alliance should have a lower standard or a less important message!”

God forbid indeed.