# New Christianity/Life of St. Simon

Life of St. Simon.
By a St. Simonian.
Henri de St. Simon, the son of Le Comte de St. Simon, and the nearest relative of the Duc de St. Simon, was, by the Counts of Vermandois, lineally descended from Charlemagne. He was born on the 17th of April, 1760. His high birth, instead of filling him with idle dreams of worldly power, inspired him early with the lofty thought of increasing the splendour of his name, by becoming a man of science.
At the age of seventeen, the American war called him into military service under the banner of Washington. During his campaigns, his meditations were directed to the causes and effects of that remarkable revolution. His penetrating genius then foresaw and foretold that this war would be followed by a general commotion in Europe, which would shake to its base the structure of its old social system. Whilst investigating the causes of this anticipated political earthquake, he discovered that it was brought on by anarchy of opinions, resulting from the reformation of Luther. He gained the conviction that the philosophy of the 18th century was but a development of the principles of Protestantism. These convictions, together with the antipathy which sprung up in him from his experience of the inhuman ravages of war, impressed upon his mind the necessity of concentrating all his mental powers upon finding out the means of forming a general theory and praxis for harmonising the disjointed elements of human society. While the most eminent of his age were panting for destruction, his noble mind was preparing to produce a new science of association. This idea, though not fully expanded, occupied the mind of St. Simon as far back as 1786. On his return, after having visited Mexico, Spain, and Holland, the prophetic presentiments of St. Simon were realized by the breaking out of the French Revolution. During this memorable period, he remained an attentive observer, without taking part either with the king or the ​people, because he saw that neither party had any conception of the real wants of mankind.
For thirty-four years following his return to France, he dedicated all his wealth and talents to acquire the knowledge and experience necessary to bring for his New Social Science. He travelled through England, Switzerland, and Germany. He gave himself to the study of mathematics, chemistry, and natural philosophy; and then turned to anatomy and physiology; at the end of which studies, he devoted himself to a review of history, politics, and political economy; all the while endeavouring to interest in his plans the most distinguished men of his age, whether learned, literati, or artists. His labours were disregarded by his contemporaries—his fortune was exhausted— and the descendant of Charlemagne was reduced to beg from door to door, to obtain subscribers to works containing the seeds of a new social regeneration. In the year 1812 he writes thus:—
"For this last fortnight I have lived on bread and water. I am writing without a fire—I have sold my very clothes to pay my printer. It is the passion for science and public happiness—it is the desire of finding out the way of ending, in a peaceful manner, the dreadful crisis in which all Europe is engaged, that have cast me into this abyss of misery. I can therefore, without blushing, avow my poverty, and solicit aid to enable me to pursue my labours."
However, the harshness of his selfish contemporaries denied him the assistance he implored. The very persons upon whom he had lavished his treasures added insult and contumely to their refusals. In an unguarded moment, overwhelmed by mental and bodily suffering, he raised his hand against his own life. Happily, his nerveless hand failed to execute his design. Providence preserved his life, to enable him to give to the world the New Christianity. From that very instant his ideas received a new direction.
His labours hitherto had wanted the principle of life, which he now drew from religion; and as soon as he had drawn from this source, he found a disciple, to whom, dying, he entrusted the continuation of his work. He died the 19th of May, 1825.