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He began the new pastorate in Hamilton, Ontario, with his new bride, Margaret Henry. His life's companion was loyal and loving, but not always understanding of or sympathetic to Albert's spiritual aspirations. Their family grew to include six children. Later in life Margaret became a real help to her husband in his ministry.
Simpson remained in Hamilton for eight years. He saw his congregation grow by 750 members, and this without any special evangelistic meetings. He was faithful in visitation, raised up many prayer groups within the congregation, and led many into missionary giving. During those eight years Simpson himself grew through experiences and travels, and he began to be in demand as a speaker both in Canada and in the United States.
On To Louisville, Kentucky
Simpson began to sense a burden for a new field of labor. After prayer and consideration, he accepted a new position with a congregation in the larger city of Louisville, Kentucky.
He arrived in Louisville shortly after the Civil War. Though the war had ended, many deep and bitter feelings remained in this city, which had both northern and southern sympathizers. Ironically, it was the Christians who were least inclined to forgive and move forward, and many denominations still carried the label "north" or "south" as a prominent part of their names.
Simpson recognized the Lord's hand in sending him to Louisville. As a "neutral" Canadian, he seemed just the right prescription for bringing the Lord's healing to this divided people.
His first message to his new congregation was based on the verse, "They saw no man save Jesus only." He made a personal commitment by saying, "In coming among you, I am not ashamed to own this as the aim of my ministry and to take these words as the motto and keynote of my future preaching - 'Jesus only.'" This motto later became the inspiration for one of his well-known hymns:
Jesus only! Jesus ever!
Jesus all in all we sing!
Savior, Sanctifier, and Healer,
Glorious Lord
and coming King!
After becoming somewhat acquainted with the situation in Louisville, Simpson called all the pastors of the city together for reconciliation and to discuss a matter of "vital importance." Tozer, in his biography of Simpson, describes that gathering: "Then, knowing that if they were permitted to start talking they would talk their bristles up and the meeting down, he [Simpson] suggested that they now get on their knees and call upon God for revival." It was said that "the fire grew so hot that everyone was melted except one old die-hard who ground his teeth shut, scooped up his hat, and stalked out for keeps.…The others had gotten such a spiritual uplift that they were ready to bring the Civil War to a close without further bloodshed and get down to the business of winning men to Christ."
The pastors decided to hold a series of citywide revival meetings. Major Daniel W. Whittle, a gifted evangelist and associate of D. L. Moody, was invited to speak at these meetings. The people were hungry to hear the word, and hundreds came to the Lord. These meetings, along with Simpson's contact with Major Whittle, opened Simpson's eyes to see the unbelieving lawless as objects of God's love. He reconsidered his dignified church service and began to realize that people were more precious to God than all the church forms, activities, and rules and regulations of the Presbytery.
Realizing Christ's All-sufficiency
Now the cry of lost sheep was continually urging Simpson on to preach the gospel; he was becoming an evangelist in his own right. At the same time, Simpson was also realizing how proud and self-absorbed he was and how little of the power of Christ was exhibited in his life and service. He was helped by his contact with Major Whittle and by reading The Higher Christian Life, by W. E. Boardman. One night, not long after the close of the Louisville revival meetings, Simpson had a thorough dealing with the Lord in prayer. That night he experienced in a personal way the Lord's work of the cross upon his old man. He also saw a revelation of the all-sufficiency of Christ. Simpson said, "From that moment a new secret [became] the charm, glory, and strength of my life and testimony." The One who had justified him was also willing to sanctify him through the Holy Spirit. Now he had the impetus to live, as he described it, "a consecrated, crucified, and Christ-devoted life." Simpson later wrote:
Continued
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