CHAPTER €\]t "lotoit^grabe" Contro&ersu, from JKr. Spurgtou's Standpoint. in comfar rather be Controversy is never a very happy element for the child of God: he would But the soldier munion with his Lord than be engaged in defending the faith, or in attacking ot error.
it to be better for him to lie upon the He may feel Christ knows no choice in his Master's commands. ; but, as a soldier, he has learned bed of rest than to stand covered with the sweat and dust of battle to The obey, and the rule of his obedience is not his personal comfort, but his Lord's absolute command.
servant of God must endeavour to maintain all the truth which his Master has revealed to him, because, to others the liberty so, he accords But while he does as a Christian soldier, this is part of his duty.
which he himself enjoys. — C. H. S., in address at the Tabernacle, i86l.
A Christian minister must expect lose his repute among men ; he must be willing to suffer to but, then, he may rest assured that he will never lose his real honour every reproach for Christ's sake; The day the shall declare in the Redeemer's hand.
truth's sake, and placed it be risked for the if light that which was all that was hidden, and bring to the excellence of the upright, for it will reveal Every reputation that has There will be a resurrection of characters as well as of persons. concealed. been obscured by clouds of reproach, for Christ's sake, shall be rendered glorious when the righteous shall " shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father." — C. H. S.
He is being the Lord Jesus is betrayed by not a few of His professed ministers.
lust now, it may be that ; and of scepticism against His blessed gospel in the perpetual attacks crucified afresh first occasion when things will wax worse and worse.
it has been at various This is not the so, for, times in the history of the Church of God, His enemies have exulted, and cried out that the gospel of I mean to sit over against For one, past ages was exploded, and might be reckoned as dead and buried.
I am a disciple of the old-fashioned doctrine as much when is covered the very sepulchre of truth.
it Sceptics may seem with obloquy and rebuke as when it shall again display its power, as it surely shall.
; and they may is dead it, and say that it, and crucify to take the truth, and bind it, and scourge it endeavour to bury it in scorn, but the Lord has many a Joseph and a Nicodemus who will see that all to the body of truth, and will wrap the despised creed in sweet spices, and is done even due honour really dead, as the wise men They may, perhaps, be half afraid that it away in their hearts. hide is it its cause, and it is precious to their souls, and they will come forth right gladly to espouse ; yet assert to confess that they are its disciples. We will sit down in sorrow, but not in despair; and watch until the stone is rolled away, and Christ in His truth shall live again, and be openly triumphant. We shall see a Divine interposition, and shall cease to fear; while they who stand armed to pre\-ent the resurrecof the grand old doctrine shall quake and become as dead men, because the gospel's everlasting tion glory. — C. H. S., in life has been vindicated, and they are made to quail before the brightness of its sermon at the Tubejnacle, 1878.
utter one thundering sarcasm, if they conall the sages of the world were protest to that, if it would now affect me the I do not think centrated all their scorn into one universal sneer of contempt, I that my Lord will justify my confidence. — C. H. hair, so sure am S., in sermon at the Taberturn of a nacle, A man may sometimes seem self-assertive when, himself really, he has so completely in lost God that he does not care what people think about him,— whether they regard him as an egotist or Some men appear to be modest because they are proud, while others seem to be proud because not.
so boldly because they have their Master's authority they have sunk themselves, and only speak at the back of their words. — C. H. S., in exposition of i Kings xvii.
his post even when the As the Roman sentinel city was destroyed, so do in Pompeii stood to buried beneath the boiling mudto the truth of the atonement though the Church is being I stand showers of modern heresy. — C. H. S., in sermon at the Tabernacle, 1887.
p. 254SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRArHY. H. I might not have had such an intense loathing of the new theology if I had not seen so much tell you of a preacher of unbelief, whom in my own vestry, I have seen, I could of its evil effects.
despair, and utterly broken down, driven almost foot until he no rest having for the sole of his to you, he would If he were came speaking atoning back simple the say, trust to to sacrifice.
in throw away your shield, you will lay yourself open if you once "Cling to your faith, brethren; to countless wounds protect you dangers and imminent nothing can but shield of the for faith," ; C. H. S., in address at College Conference, I am well content have gone before me to the those who Some of to go shares with skies.
I am quite willing to " Christ as they burned to death them, for Christ's sake, cried aloud, is all.
' apostles whom take my part with the wise men fools; and with to be to-day count the those of Reformers who as many back brought the consider greater the the great into fools, light still path my sires have trod; I am of justification by I have the an tread doctrine satisfied to faith., links me with those who which skies, and snap chain illustrious pedigree not the that will in of poverty, and persecution, and saved them have entered the This in the time glory-land.
faith risk my soul on I would sooner : and martyrdom, and death At any save me.
all the will rate. it tried and on proved, than long the beauties of the theology, so novel old of the difficulties all by so many nowadays, believe we of one mind upon matter, and doctrine taught are this all We may us may some concerning popular teaching.
present the see great of alterations to live of much the preaching was happened what a lesson from century the learn the of style last in ; and emptying Nonconformity such tended the multiplication the of chapels, of spiders.
as to gradually drifted away towards religion would have become Unitarianism, and almost extinct true those two believing men, Whitefield and Wesley, Lord raised up had England if the not ai;d in likeminded, who were And great power for good the Lord has others believe the a land.
in up, together with many others who that we may fight the same us hold raised battle, this faith, to the glory of His holy Name.
and win the victory, Whenever I have found myself represented because as tenaciously to the so cfing a fool myself, "What man, by proclaiming any new I have thought doctrine, has been able old to faith, to draw such congregations as have the Tabernacle for the a century simply last quarter of filled We do of Jesus Christ and Him listen to the preaching set up to be anything crucified?"
not to ourselves; but we do claim to be servants of the great God, believers great in the great Saviour, in us, we salvation, and, God till we die; proclaimers of His great shall keep on c-jing helping this principalities and powers in the Heavenly places, we will make known the manifold and then, unto of God, — C, H, S., in address to students of the Pastors' College, 1885.
wisdom R. SPURGEON'S Standard not be complete without could Life episode, — The that most but important sorrowful a' reference to "Down-grade" Controversy; — yet how dare touch the shall to The lightest and most of that strings lute } rifted fingers skilful scarcely draw harmony from I would it now, and could not fain to awaken any of Oh, be expected the discords.
guiding" for its Hand and and and on gently be brain pen, tenderly, heart that albeit laid to story may be given of the sad outlines the truthfully, !
friends who are many There and could dear write the able of history full after much have been thought and Controversy allow prayer, led the but, to ; the shadow and rest upon under measure, conceal, a a of past the to to in it the documentary and which evidence generous other be could most' of silence, fidelity of my dear husband produced to prove the perfect uprightness, veracity, and protest which culminated "vote throughout whole solemn the of the the in of Union censure " by accordance Therefore, with Council of the Baptist the in !
Controversy from sketched autobiographical the character the of record, this is ; — he Spurgeon's own his own Mr.
of view way, the story point that so in tells
p. 255chronicled in is of the Autobiography, who For information readers of the unacquainted are "The Down-grade," with my articles upon thought miciht be beloved's well it or summary of them chapter condensation, include a on this to in but, readinc*" ; them single word with impossible object view, out that a find strike to in it equally impossible of his protest.
this work, so the only transfer to to It all is it course open to me it altogether, and to leave the testimony is to omit to speak still From Szvord and The pages itself from of August, the the Trotvel.
for scarcely any number of the magazine appeared without some February, cO The most pathetic "Note" the Controversy and various reference to issues. its of my dear husband's home-going, all was a few days within written of for in it all who were already known he nearest and revealed the to him, dearest to fact, cost him faith had Yet he never regretted the step for the that his tight his life. he had taken the whole for, throughout affair, he felt such a Divine compulsion ; as Luther realized when he I can do no other." " said, So was Union was concerned, bv accomplished the Baptist as far little The Mr.
compromise and Spurgeon's witness-bearing withdrawal. City the at the position of the modern-thought men Temple, confirmed in April, in the Union, and made "the of the whole assembly with the of censure" vote the act seven who voted noble exception the of against other But, respects, in it.
had abundant who have was Many, proofs not the protest were that vain. in far gone on Down-grade," were stopped "the by perilous their descent, and, in others, who were unconsciously grace, were brought back God's Up-line the to ; slipping, were made the Rock firmly upon stand while, at to a least time, for ; were preached Evangelical doctrines churches.
the and with a clearness in all emphasis which "had long -been lacking.
The ultimate the hands of Him matter must of the whole be results in left and who who never makes a His own vindicate His mistake, right way, will, in " censure " so obedient and servant from unjustly passed upon him.
the faithful Not long Spurgeon's withdrawal after Mr. from Union, he went the Baptist for much-needed the South France and letters he of the to rest there wrote, ; many and during time of suffering reproach, contained that allusions the to to me those more Naturally, painful written subject.
referred personal the to and will show Controversy, of the aspects private following the as extracts : was ' our own men " from surprised greatly note the (one at of '"),
! autobiography. spurgeon's oc6 H. battle, we must expect matter a serious but when we calamities. in a It is are I must go on clearing myself is plain enough, ; but one to know thing act Junv to of union with those who belong to the broad school.
felt so well, this afternoon, as happy beneath blue sky. and the a birdie when as under palms, the sitting to my drive me and from sunshine the me, sober Then came letter, just the to His everlasting can bear anything for Jesus while Lord, who is the Sun itself 'the mountains Hyeres are The hills around of called are underneath me.
arms Ah, well is with the Serpent-Killer serpent comes even here. but the paradise,' ! I am sorry Himself and He that the evil flood unto subdue things will all us, of my men more wonder have not but the that away one should carry is, ; dreamed have evil was abroad of It shows how much more than o-one.
Those who The Freeman all men done mv duty, me. write forsake even in if and The Christian World show how everything NeverI do can be misconstrued.
and why Lord and bear know did the have done, what will it theless, ; I am In Him answer no me opponents, nor and haste to in throuoh.
rest, I am What providence way. depressing a think about them that a even in to was he the Wartburg, not Luther was not did best at out of here, call ?
! nor plan anything. plan this, " What about my according privately, brethren, to these seeing a farce again and again; Secretary and President Why, saw the the Matt, 15!
Union when could be printed my nothing and the only and left then plaint, Not decided could took the step Now, will be done.
something until done. theses on the church Luther was very wrong up his nail to anything. effect Do with him let these not prayed and Pope, he should have seen the door !
; distress you, for my sake. The Lord will give both of us the heroic spirit things nor become ungenerous toward them."
fear men, and we neither shall assure me of the sympathy of "Canon yesterday Sidebotham all to called belief that my stand help all believers.
for truth will Ckristian Churchmen, and his with amazing scepticism among young men whom he He told me that he meets epidemic is an of there and he believes has been it sickness, called in to visit needed, and came just at the right He time.
antidote was the everywhere. says So may God grant to Him I am now "How than consciously nearer in the Lord!
I do delight I am from delivered fear of blessedness. all sense before, and a ever revel in to honour, bows me Lord, whom low I sought and the of failing in this battle ; We His hands.
are safe in His mercies. tender at His gratitude for feet in and dear boys, that you the and are, am, is where This that love feel to Down-grade,' and !"
' the College, and all and and Church, the the
p. 257SPURGEONS AUTOBIOGRAPHY. H. I may be made which awaits me " stronger the but stern task trust for ; abandon not even think of but just myself bath a to that, of try to to rest.
T and yet I keep on to be doing some wisest course the This, longingtrust, is ; or bearing some unto good, Lord.
do Litde the occasions fruit occur, for this I am eager use them and to aright.
First came a telegram, saying "Yesterday was eventful. there had been that that my brother had discussion, and the Council meeting a hot in indignation left because my veracity had been impugned.
I was going to rest came another : — 'Council has appointed Culross, McLaren, Just as telegram Clifford, and myself to confer with you how at Mentone, without with you delay, deliberate unity of our to the love, and good works may be maintained.
When can truth, and denomination in we Think of four doctors see you of divinity coming Letter Booth.' sent. ? all see me this way was perplexity, and knew not what great to in reply: to !
lay awake see what means. till one o'clock, and quite don't then got a all : — 'Cannot it and wrote out a telegran> without reply pencil, further information.
to await my return. Tone Respectfully request deputation of discussion suggests Afterwards, urge them Will wrote a caution.
write.' BrieHy, not letter. to ; — it would be four to one, and come so far I should be at the disadvantage of having If they really mean brotherly conference, been cause of great expense. the will see them when return, right gladly is any use in that there is to say, find if it.
; Now do I shall need wisdom. not four doctors, but a very wise fear think it move it means on they that their but If part.
surrender, well will is if it it ; fix on me the odium is meant of being another implacable, to matter.
In is it any case, the Lord will prepare me of His mercy to happen. that for all It is is I am should not be able but being quiet, and rested, here, or to bear that it all ; and not worried by personal assaults, I can look round the question calmly. "The four doctors are not coming. Very likely my brother will call to tell you He was and about meeting wroth, Council the justly describes the affray.
as God knows For Booth never complained, say Dr. amazing. 'horrible.' to is it, and He will see me righted. I have just received a letter from England all about That passage was so peculiarly appropriate in the words of Jer. xv. 20." the to it to my beloved, who case, that many friends afterwards sent circumstances of the was by message comforted was which reassuring greatly the thus repeatedly conveyed to him.
During to Mentone, an Spurgeon to which Mr. incident that occurred, visit often gratefully referred as a remarkable token of the Lord's approval of his protest and Before against doctrine from worldliness.
give extracts false his letters For many years before this eventful concerning it, a brief explanation is necessary.
R 4
autobiography. spurgeon's H. 2^8 of my dear husband's been most he had generously aided his in period all life, to whom God had given abundance plans and purposes by a of friend beneficent came and These with loving invariable supplies freeness, wealth.
world's this that they might be depended hint was given a mere and more than reoularity ; However, royally open-handed his power to be thus on while the donor had in it the "Down-grade" Controversy the alienated heart Spurgeon's attitude Mr.
in help which of this friend, and caused him to withdraw altogether the splendid had, for so long a period, exempted my beloved from much financial anxiety.
of friendship and sympathy, arrived during The letter, announcing failure this therefore became my duty to open and at Mentone, and Mr. Spurgeon's absence it Then of heart which of those hallowed enlargements followed one leave read it.
At once, I took life of the person experiencing them. their mark for ever on the that He Hezekiah Lord, and pleading, spread before the as did, the letter, it and He gave me the words strong a would "hear and see" so written therein; in His overruling and delivering power I knelt in His presence, that, as confidence trusted Him on my husband's told Him how completely behalf, the words and from my and did so absolutely aloud, ceased la2t.ghed little of petition lip?, did He make me on His own fear what man could do, and so blessedly reliant love and omnipotence !
making Mentone, of the wrote mind, frame light of exultant to In this sorely wound knew must which blow endeavouring parry and the to trouble, had "made too, how of my Lord the him, beloved.
told heart the sensitive filled me Him, and had with me was matter before to laugh" the laying as rio-hteous scorn and indignation at the means used to dishearten him in his sublime was being absent able, as as So, gospel.
old far the of truths the stand for upheld my much-tried spouse. time than In less and comforted from him, this telegram :— " The Lord I laugh with you. received had thought possible, came by a next there the letter post, us nor forsake not us, will fail the God, whose he was, and whom recording the dear writer's unswerving faith in The to whom he following painful issues of that he served, and the trial.
left all extract will indicate the spirit in which he wrote : " Mentone, " Nov.
When I began to read your "You are as an angel of God unto me. letter, ; but wnen could tell what was coming finished could not trembled, it, for ministered unto me faith, you have of women, strong Bravest laugh with in you.
God bless thee out of the seventh heavens indeed and of a truth. ! really suffered any loss Christ's not know that for have ever before "I do His is easy, and His yoke this honour.
by and sake; elevated feel decorated
p. 259autobiography. spurgeon's I am of argument to be But our friend uses a queer burden set sort light.
is ; — therefore, stop ! The fire must be put out to God's work the supplies right ; ! I do not see the connection between the end desired and the means whip the child !
fully repaid me in the Lord Your loving sympathy has rejoice already. used. who has dealt bountifully with me hitherto. I possess belongs to Him. All that ' Tliere, take an inventory of " have, all To the last penny; 'tis the King's.'" Lord was working on this correspondence was passing to and While fro, the to one Writing His dear servant a wonderful way.
of his behalf of deacons,. in I have had .a very remarkable deliverance out of a pecuniary Mr. Spurgeon said ' Down-grade' Controversy.
difficulty inflicted upon me in consequence of the It is living God guards me on The as anything ever heard of nearly a miracle as every side, and covers my head.
To Him be praise " ! A Antipodes, who was London, from afterwards staying related lady the in felt an overpowering impression that that, during the time under consideration, she in the South of France, and carry him some financial she must go to Mr. Spurgeon, that, on other occasions, when similar She said help to meet a special emergency.
intimations had come Lord's commands, and her, she had obeyed her in each to instance had found that she had been infallibly guided by Him, so she at once made The amount she was to give was not arrangements for the thousand miles' journey.
at first revealed to her, nor did she know exactly where she was to go, as it had been announced that Mr. Spurgeon would be moving from place to place.
However, the directed her to Mentone Lord, who had the commission, entrusted her with ; and, What was further guided Beau Hotel on she Rivage.
the her to there, arrival happened there, my beloved thus records :— On "An awe is upon me the Lord to be so near.
to you, for I write as feel hotel three ladies who asked if Mr. Spurgeon Tuesday evening, there came to this The next morning, they were at our family worship were here, and left cards.
and, ; to-day, Mrs. R gave me the enclosed letter, and cheque told her !
of my I had not mentioned before, and to her a few I read afterwards, trouble it she of your dear reason Lord's 'There,' sentences the 'that for said, letter. is moving me it go to make up the lack for the next six months.' it to you to give let ; She added, I do not doubt but the Lord with a I worshipped that thrilling joy. ' I believe so, too, and that all the the Lord will see you right through the difficulty.' help will come from someone who does not know of my special need, so that will it The money will be surer from Him than ' of the Lord.' be the more conspicuously It may be very childish of me, but , although he promised from Mr. it for life. I could not help sending you the very cheque and letter, that you may see with your
26o autobiography. spurgeon's H. How to know my lady came eyes what Lord sent me. the I cannot hotel, this imagine, but Mr. Harrald says that He who sent her knew where I was.
" Our College men have met, with grand the only dissentient being one result ; who out went of the Yesterday, an ministry.
practically, see to afflicted is, gentleman,* whose deceased wife was Miss Havergal's His doctor met me, sister.
just now, and told me that I had done patient great good, I was, however, the his for he read me three letters from his son, a clergyman in Islington, in greater gainer, to meet me, and wrote very many kind things, which he to be sure father told his I am egotistical enough all who loved the which not but he repeat to said that ; Lord, whom he knew, were bearing me up on I am delivered Truly, their hearts.
from battle, which of fear mine. Lord's, not failing the this in as all feel is if ' Holiness unto the I must not write about anything else upon these two sheets. is written on them ; and matters must go on another sheet of the domestic Lord,' Oh, how You are dear to me, as a woman and praise the Lord paper. for yoti ! a wife, beyond ever, we wear the yoke of but now, more expression fully than all ; together, and mutually bear the double burden of service and suffering Christ for Him."
received, my husband wrote Less than a week the above letter was : — " Prepare after as We had been day, and follows further out driving for rejoicing.
all when I came and saw you your found ' in dear Expectation sitting in, letter, the Lord has fresh token which the door open.
Corner,' Please the receive zvith What of a second form Letter and cheque sent the enclosed.
hath in ,;^ioo! I never gave Mrs. R God wrought a shadow of a hint. I never thought she ! Why should she living God does would do more. ' the But, as you say, deliver ? How I praise Him Or, rather, how His children.' I could praise Him, I do wish ! if my superficial when gratitude was but cold and His contrasted 'with as feel Blessed be His Name for ever! great goodness ! How "What Our soul you and love you! inward dear a are! spiritual We union has come out trial and record the deliverance. this to in this will all The weather here is rather of Heaven than of earth glory of the Lord our God.
; The toothache touches me warm, clear, bright, and life-giving and yet refreshing.
every now and moderated by ought then hardly of interludes ease, but, to ; it, my pains when God What mention mercies near ^ are so are so great.
is in my soul, that This one theme is so predominant cannot write about anything The Lord liveth, and blessed be my Rock else. ! : — " I have had * After Mr. Spurgeon's return from Mentone, he wrote to friend, concerning the Controversy to lean this bare arm An arm on all charms after we have once leaned on the a grand the of God.
of sensation. loses flesh It is What a Lord we serve is profitable to be made greater power. True indeed is His Word, and to prove its truth in storm it ! What and wreck. Its keenest edge wounds nothing but that which folly it seems is false and it away!
try to explain to foul. I would sooner be slain by the Word of the Lord than live by the lie of the devil."
p. 261autobiography. spurgeon's H. " Send all my Keep cheque Doxology. and Sing Bank. the rest love, to under the blessing of the Lord our God." After probably the those the the myself, written friends letters to to at most fully what Tabernacle was expressed dear Shortly the Pastor's heart.
in after he reached the South of France, he wrote thus to them : all most I wish to thank you " heartily for your constancy of love during fourWe have been many in number, only one but and-thirty years of fellowship.
in through hour these present Specially the true years. of heart, this in all is controversy, for my heartiest sympathizers are in my own enthuSeveral church.
siastic ones proposed a general meeting of church-members, to express their fervent deacons and elders had agreement taken but Pastor; with the ever-faithful their to me signed by them forelock, and presented time by the reprea as letter all Such unity comes and brethren God, from senting grace their the of sisters.
is now What us, and prophesies proves that His blessing with happiness.
future I do but thank you all, love you for you can return, labour as long as strength in Eternal God be The remains, and pray for you infinite blessing of the die '^ till " with you for ever ! church-officers, and a further communication In reply to the letter from the to : — sent 'by them, the Pastor wrote " Mentone, "Nov.
. "To the Co-Pastor and the Deacons, " My Own Dear Brethren, I am touched by your loving " like you but is so is just letter. It it ; May the it has a peculiar sweetness about tenderly, so considerately done, that it.
dealt towards me, even in tender love Lord deal with each one of you as you have and true faithfulness ! " The more you know the more will your judgments, Controversy, of as this for me communicate go your me.
with is not possible to well to hearts, as It anyone all that has passed under my knowledge I have had abundant reason but ; All over the day of days I have taken, as the for every step \-arious reveal.
will all denominations in measure is the same evil, ; and trom believers, churches there in the schemes the same quarters, comes thankful expression of delight that in all of errorists have been defeated by pouring light upon them.
tell you what spite has been used against me, or " cannot, present, this at next, are my of God you would wonder indeed first, and your love ; but love the We perhaps, be made feel some and may, of the brunt of the comfort to stay.
My eminent the Lord in our various but predecessor. Dr. funds battle liveth. ;
p. 262AUTOBIOGRAPHY. SPURGEON's H. told, by a certain member of his congregation who ought Gill, was to have known his book, The Cause of God and Truth, he would lose if he published better, that, some of his best The friends, and his income would doctor said, that fall ofif.
' injure my conscience ;' and he has left can afford to be poor, but I cannot aftord to his mantle as well as his chair in our vestry.
DR. GILLS CH.AIR. I should walk " see you here, and to hear your loving voices in like to in all all more and more.
feel knit to you prayer, tor " Yours for ever, " C. H. Spurgeon." Among the written by Mr. Spurgeon, at is one of that letters period, that is special and permanent importance, it was a kind combecause reply the to first, munication from Dr. Culross, the President of the Baptist Union and, next, because ; it sets forth so clearly the reason for Mr. Spurgeon's protest and action : " Mentone, " Nov.
" My Dear Dr. Culross, Your brethren have usually it most kind of you " write me. I think to at me Of newspapers through and appeals loving the advices. this fired their which commands an a way not complain do yours answer. assuredly, but, is ; and may or may not be worth the papers Letters are notice one's to literature, ; and yours heartily thank you is a me, sent letter to will least for at it.
" Do need McLaren, and say such with brethren you, Dr. to as that, Dr. Angus, and Mr. have no that you stay of disagreement, except Aklis, sort We I am Union and according to our in the out labour of for shall, light, it '^.
p. 263autobiography. spurgeon's H. We the same Christians and many ways and are can cause. Baptists, find all of co-operation. " The men ' Metropolitan London Union some request the devise in to ' way by which This with can return very others, from to right their is it.
you wish but understand, of view, point President Union, as the of to that I am do ask you do what mine.
not not request the you sure cannot to is had have done anything which you thought could would that do.
enable If me should have asked you to do return before to retired, if retirino-.
it "So long as an Association without it, nobody can a creed no has aliens in time when wish creed formally, ' strano-e a the but for there a for spirit at is ; Whatever may theoretically be is to be done ' have entered, what children in your .'* You power have no you will go power, on you whatever.
practically are as ; their numbers back God's grace wanderers, unless the and, calls increase, will cause them and out more courage speak sorrow their the will to of to plainl)', faithful ones who shielded them patient hope the of better things.
in Lord's mind I have " our followed private remonstrance by out as to seeingI have written my remonstrances Presidents and Secretary on former occasions, and and had again without no again course but withdraw.
no avail. to Surel)-, have made sane person should thinks a that tour with deal the individual to I have no and over them, should have been jurisdiction regarded errorists.
as My question had gone to them ; and justly offensively intrusive with so.
if is Union, and with have the dealt with alone. that along. all it " Your very clear the Union not have a creed, could declaration, that as or, otherwise than by practising baptism read it, could not declare its doctrinal views and door Neither do I knock Lord's supper, the me.
closes against the finally The good men who formed door, nor wish another door to be made. at that for it would become it now fancy, had what no Union, idea the that they or is, would have centralization and absorption of has, by fashioned it otherwise.
It its Societies, become a good This various other than the but far at thing, first.
is strain on fabric which ill adapted So involves a the I think bear. to frail it is it ; will be but time best proof of that. the worked particular way you could have " with wish this in as but, ; cannot, we other ways thousand deprived of not a are therefore of fellowship.
who You men union preach with of heart publicly Universal Restitution feel : I do feel enough the Union I mean, you with them fellowship to remain not.
in : I am / do the same with other with fellowship errors. not. in It Still, is yoii, — Union course, — as think you wrong or no in your Union.
surely do, It the same you in which you have so to me. that as written will spirit in tell " From the Council of the Union I cannot look for anything which I should
p. 264SPURGEONS AUTOBIOGRAPHY. H. committed a Union. largely too voice of the to the consider as care It is to I have no policy beforehand, and question refer to to latitudinarian it.
I am happily free from its actions, and " allegiance to responsibility for all all sovereignty. Its " Very heartily yours, " C. Spurgeon." H. of my many husband's dear letters copies have from friends, received, think any good purpose can be do but not period written during this trying ; Those who sympathized served by the publication of more than I have here given.
in his protest need nothing to convince them of the need and the wisdom with him those who were to him would probably remain opposed in while action of his ; matter must far as whatever might be the same mind, the rest as there said, so I am concerned.