Chapter CII. Mr. Spurgeon as a Literary Man (Concluded)

CHAPTER M^^ iittrarg JHait a as Sprttrgeoit (Conc/^^dcc^j. OT only did Mr. Spurgeon, to the end life, continue of his to read vast numbers of the works written by ancient and modern authors, kept on writing books but he also ; and for other people read to when he was so many " called home," he had in course of preparation that his posthumous works already form quite a numerous company, and there are many more yet Whoever to be published.

to see a complete set of his volumes will probably find that they will then is spared number not less than. a hundred and fifty.

During the period covered by the present portion of the Standard T/ie Life, of David was and The Treasury completed, regular the of Metropolitan issue Tabernacle Pulpit, The Sivord and the Trowel, and Spnrgeoiis Illnstrated [Book] Almanack, ?iX\AJohn Ploitghnians (Sheet) Almanack was continued, as indeed they Many Pastor's home-going.

have been since the people appear to have thought incessant demands it was hardly possible Spurgeon, for Mr.

the almost with that upon his time and strength, to devote much personal attention to certain portions of his helpers a good his literary labours, so they attributed deal of the to that toil One person was devolved upon the compilation of the Book with credited him.

Almanack, although to anyone its Editor never entrusted but himself the until it ; and on one occasion, least, he year of his long illness remind needful at to felt it his connection with The Sivord and his readers that Trozvel Avas any by the not " Notes" means a merely nominal one, but was very real and practical. In his for 1885, anticipating his return from Mentone, he wrote April, : " A March number speaks our reviewer kindly of and vivacious as crood, The fact ' notwithstanding the absence is, that the Editor of the is never Editor.' absent from the magazine; but personally reads every line of each number.

Friends now and write, blaming some supposed then subordinate, not if their are tastes ; but the Editor hides behind nobody, friends must please blame pleased for he //////, Our and men, personally able writers are responsible.

are quite able to fight is their own should occur Editor but never wishes the be battles battles, to it ; that he merely puts his name on the cover of the magazine, and imagined leaves it u 4

AUTOBIOGRArHY. SPURGEON's H. No is our continual endeavour to make this by be produced other people.

to it ; it, and we would do if we as good as we can make Notwithbetter could.

serial standing illness, or absence from home, we have never been obliged delegate our to ; on the contrary, we have given all the more time to this work duties to anyone else when we have been debarred from other labours."

Many of the books Mr. Spurgeon during the last fourteen years published by III., Chapter LXXIX., because briefly mentioned of his busy life were Vol.

of in been already they have then described, or connection others with referred their One volume.

present the ardent previous the chapters of of Pastor's to in admirers made an artistic arrangement of the titles of many of the works which had and issued up to been with time the the of his portrait his centre, Jubilee, in pastoral service, and the chief educational and to the three spheres of his allusions The his name which inseparably with philanthropic associated.

Institutions is where it can be seen that the initials, on reproduced opposite page, design the is C. H.

Mr. introduced closing of the the ingeniously S., are into tribute line to Spurgeon's loving and sympathetic service and world-wide influence. is The Clue Taking the later books in chronological order, the first to be noted The of the Maze, a Voice Lifted up on behalf of Honest Faith.

Preface describes I have personally threaded the its autobiographical character of labyrinth other soul which just now far, may be interest to some in a life, thus of helpful explained: — "A is The great poet maze."

expression, the thus sub-title let fall is How Modern it was clutched unbelief short so greedily 'honest at!

doubt.' is in season and it has out of season, and, the the seized quality of that label, it dire need It was Feeble as advertized itself as honest doubt.

of a character. in The book was first issued our voice may be, we it on behalf of honest faith."

lift it has since been in a bijou edition, suitable for carrying in the waistcoat pocket, but type, to correspond with other shilling books by Mr. Spurgeon.

reprinted in large He was greatly gratified as he heard, from time time, that his purpose in writing to ; and he was specially cheered by the testimony of a it had been happily fulfilled literary man who up had from through blank reading been, notable lifted it, The little book has been transin the Lord Jesus Christ.

atheism to saving faith lated into several foreign languages. as The Chce of the Maze was published, Pastor was About the same time the busily occupied with the first of his four volumes, entitled My Sermon-Notes.

They were issued of discourses which in response to an oft-repeated request for outlines preachers who have might be "lay" but time or helpful their for local to little

spurgeon's autobiography. H. If ; v^ <lA Truer /leart npcr Beat , a KinVllier Rcina, 'HS^e'eT' TTiiriLstere^ unbo anoMiers need : ^JVtont^ue M-Jiost livinc; words, Ting'^ver every lanrL nVhilerVViaows, Orj>r,ani!.Sh<'Hent«,Pr.enas:ci lov ~^ Orv H envea Spe e d ! C. H. SPURGEON AND THE TITLES OF SOME OF HIS WORKS, 1S84.

: AUTOBIOGRArHY. SPURGEON's 30S H. pulpit preparation, or who find a difficulty in selecting suitable subjects for sermons notes mioht be of and to such In order still greater the addresses.

that service brethren, they were made rather more ample and detailed than when Mr. Spurgeon the same himself preached from them extracts and reason, appropriate and, for ; That the work met an urgent need, was speedily illustrations were added to them.

" Note" to the following it was not long before a ; and apparent effect appeared in The Sivord and the Troivel "Our first half-crown volume of outline sermons has met with a very cordial out, though only of 5,000 being very cleared nearly reception, the edition so first for good, we shall soon issue Taking this as a token lately presented to the public. of sermons which our second from notes contains the Ecclesiastes portion, to is much occupied with business cares, who nevertheBrethren whose time Malachi.

less delight to preach the Word of God, will find these Sermon-Notes to be a great With that view we have prepared them, and that end we trust that assistance.

to God will bless them. They are not idler, and yet suit the sufficiently in extenso to The preparation we trust there of them to aid the embarrassed worker.

is enough while away the evenings and the occasional wet of this volume has enabled us to As at Mentone.

its fragmentary nature allowed and cloudy days of our rustication it down at it up and lay it was just the sort of occupation to afford us us to take will, To have nothing to do, is bondage but such congenial employhappy recreation.

; ment as this has aided us in being perfectly at ease." set was completed, and it has had time, the whole In due a very large sale.

Since the Pastor's home-going, another volume of a somewhat sim.ilar character has H.

Sermons Spurgeons been Facsimile Pulpit-Notes, published, the ivith The Pj^eached from book originated them Metropolitan Tabernacle.

the in in A paragraph appeared in various newspapers, announcing rather a singular way.

that some of the notes used by Mr. Spurgeon, while preaching at the Tabernacle, the work were about in facsimile, and to be reproduced intimated the writer that As a matter of would be certain fact, up to have a favourable reception.

that to time, no such arrangement had been made ; but the idea seemed so good, and the it was so helpful, that a dozen suitable outlines were selected, and, publicity given to them, were made a volume which at once with the discourses delivered from into " promoted " preacher, and became an interesting memento of the a striking illustration of his method of sermon construction.

The book, which has the double distinction of having been translated into more of more souls than foreign languages and of* having been blessed the salvation to any other of entitled All of Grace.

shilling volume Mr. Spurgeon's works, the is An Earnest Word with the Lord Jesiis Christ.

those zuho are Seeking Salvation by

' autobiography. spurgeon's H. : — "The object of this book Its opening sentences are is the salvation of the reader.

He who spoke and wrote it does not lead many to it will be greatly disappointed if is sent forth in childlike dependence upon the power of God the the Lord Jesus.

It if so He Holy Ghost, to use it in the conversion of millions, Almost the pleases."

words, which now have last paragraph contains these : — " If those who are converted become winners of others, who knows what a peculiar pathos attaching to them may spring out of my little book 1 begin praising God for the conversions Already .^ which He those whom will work by it, and by Probably the it leads to Jesus.

will happen when my right hand, which is now leaving its larger part of the results ! " Reader, meet me in Heaven impress on the page, will be paralyzed in death.

One of the many instances of the usefulness of the little volume, of which the Pastor knew before he was " called home," was to him reported the following in letter from a doctor who was a member of the Tabernacle Church : " My Dear Sir, I have a message to give you, and will do " it as briefly as I can. " For many years, of a well-known medical man I have had friendship the in For some two or three years, he has suffered from ; but he h^s diabetes sent him a copy of Last Christmas, the same, entirely without Christ.

lived just A ago, when I was All of Grace. short time received a the seaside, at letter from a friend in which he said, ' the teaching has Dr.

I believe is saved,' ' I was delighted to hear. been all Mr. Spurgeon's.' This I found him very stood by his ill, suffering from "Yesterday, inflamside.

He took my hands, and, as well mation of the lungs, consequent on the diabetes.

told me that he was tears, and as he could between shortness of the breath, his all forgiven, that he was washed saved, that he was a child of God, that his sins were the robe of His Saviour, and clothed perfect righteousness in the blood of his in ; tell Mr. Spurgeon that said, very solemnly, 'Will you and recovering his breath, he book,' — pointing to me in God's mercy by a poor all come, this has that sinner, his bed, — let him know what a to All of Grace, which was lying open on ' will you blessing that book has been to me .'^ " Dear I know you will be pleased message.

have the to delivered sir, it, and will you remember my dear friend in prayer ?

receive " Believe me to be, "Yours deeply-indebted. manifestly owned of God, Mr. Spurgeon prepared a The book having been so or, the Lords Ulethod of Dealing ivitli companion volume, According to Promise ; and, some time later, he issued Around the Wicket Gate ; His Chosen People ; or, a

SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 3IO H. the Lord Jes2is concerning Faith Talk both Fricndiv Seekers Christ, in of ivith which have had a wide circulation, and have been greatly blessed.

The volume which, more than any other of Mr. Spurgeon's writings, illustrates Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith. The his power rapid composition, of It is Scripture promises, arranged daily use, with brief experimental consists of 366 for comments suitable at family worship or a help for reading to private devotion.

as there was one Mentone, During winter of the the stay Pastor's at in Monday when the rain poured down incessantly in such tropical fashion that he was His companions were not aware that he was compelled to remain indoors all day.

noticed how new commencement of another but they book, contemplating the rapidly he was covering sheet After a while, he of foreign notepaper.

after sheet explained that he had begun a volume of and, before he went to daily meditations ; for the month of January, and handed bed, that night, he had finished the portions They London Passmore them were to send Mr.

the so printers. for to off to and anyone who has they needed but the correction carefully written that little ; it, will be first thirty-one pages in to estimate both the book, and examines the able quantity and the quality of one wet day's work while the Pastor was supposed to be on his holiday in the sunny South.

The Cheque Book is, to a large extent, a record of Mr. Spurgeon's own experiences of the Lord's faithfulness during the " Down-grade " Controversy.

Some of the most friends, who on which he has commented, were sent to him by promises, striking wished to uphold and encourage him in that season and and of sore sorrow travail, the book abounds in autobiographical allusions.

In the Preface, the Pastor wrote : " To the cheering Scriptures, I have added testimonies of my own, the fruit of trial and all the promises of God, but many of them I have personally I believe experience.

tried and proved .... I commenced these daily portions when I was wading in swim have been Since 'waters the surf of controversy.

then, cast into to in,' in. ... which, but for God's upholding hand, would have proved waters to drown I am no do not mention this to exact sympathy, but simply to let the reader see that full many I have traversed those oceans which not a are drv-land sailor. Pacific I know the roll of the billows, and the rush Never were winds. time: the the ot to me as Some of them never of Jehovah so precious promises hour.

this at till now I was at which they matured, I had not reached the date understood for ; How much more wonderful not mvself mature enough to perceive their meaning.

is the Bible to me now than it was a few months ago In obeying the Lord, and ! not received new promises; I have bearing His reproach outside the camp, but the to me is much the same as I had done so, for the old ones have opened up result if to me with richer stores."

SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. H. Rememberingthe origin of the book, is noteworthy that, during the compiit its helpfulness in times of trial has come lation of the present volume, a testimony to Africa, who have been reading the Dutch translation of from Christians in South it, and so have been comforted during their recent terrible experiences.

Mr. Spurgeon had many proofs of the usefulness ; one that interested and amused of the volume him was thus related by Pastor W. Williams, of Upton Chapel : " Opposite my study-window are several gardens, affording during summertime a pleasant outlook of them, there the a but, zuas tied up, recently, until in first ; incessant barking made study and thought quite out His retriever dog.

large of let his owner know this in a quiet way still the dog was there.

; but the question. it seemed I wondered pray about matter rather comical should to pray the if : to mind a promise about about the barking of a dog I could not bring besides, ; opened day one mention which such Mr.

thing could a prayer, in until Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith, 157, where at page Spurgeon's the text is, ' But not a dog move against any of the children tongue,' the of Israel his shall has God power comment 'What! of dogs? on which tongues over the begins, Can He keep for no dog I was startled, is even curs from barking?

Yes, so.' it There and then did on me. hold than with ever greater text tenacity this laid The dog dog might and removed.

down, be asked has the knelt that to go were made by the arrangements gone, and but mark, the owner, the too ; How true owner just about the time that the prayer was offered is that it !

"'More things are wrought by prayer Than this world dreams of!'" Following The Cheque Book, Mr. Spurgeon published two volumes of quite a character, — The Collection of Proverbs, together zvith Salt-cellars, being a different years, he had issued John Ploughman s Homely Notes For nearly twenty thereon.

or composing so many thousands Almanack, and the labour involved collecting in a more mottoes, seemed of proverbs, maxims, and preservation their justify to in were permanent broadsheet Accordingly, annual they form ensured.

than the " Proverbs and Quaint two and Sayings," arranged alphabetically, sections, in instance, "Homely more "Sayings Sort;" every nearly a and, reviewer wrote: — "The proverbs Spiritual of in concerning which Notes" were one added, are excellent, but Mr. Spurgeon's comments are perfect."

it was published, received a most hearty welcome both Each of the volumes, as since been public, and their contents have ever press and the from the frequently Mr. Spurgeon pulpit and on the two books quoted sent the the platform.

to in review them The he would Mr. George Augustus request with a that Sala, in Daily Telegraph if he judged them worthy of such a notice. In reply, Mr. Sala wrote : — "Your two volumes were a long and cordial letter, in the course of which he said

AUTOBIOGRAPHY SPURGEON S H. best way to meet your views would be such thought the pleasant that readinghave much I now to make The Salt-cellars article, which for a leading the text the maxim, (and amused) by was sending struck pleasure Naturally, you.

in ' Newspapers are the Bibles of worldlings.' That ; and is eminently is exactly so it ; because, to a journalist who is aware it should be so of the usefulness fitting that is a pulpit whence, on week-days, and respects calling, the press the dignity of his he preaches lay sermons, leaving Sunday to you and your brethren."

maxim dissertation on a lengthy Sala then proceeded Mr. give the quite to not be quoted need had from which here but him, greatly his interested so it in his article, the opening and closing sentences of as he it again referred to letter, which were as follows : " A really busy man has usually the largest amount of leisure disposal, his at labours and responsibilities which and Mr. C. H. Spurgeon, amidst the multifarious Pastor of an immense de\'olve on him congregation, has found time to dig and as mines, — the deeply of indeed treasury of delve very colloquial richest that in title of The Salt-cellars, Mr. Spurgeon has just issued Under the English proverbs.

derive much value, not two comely and handy volumes, which only from the will that the work is one presenting evidence of indefatigable industry of research fact considerable acumen and from circumstance but the the also that selection, in a running commentary of what he his chosen proverbs graced compiler has with humorous 'homely modestly they are often as In well as notes.' reality, calls homely, and are always quite devoid of spirit of cheerful with that piety, replete utterances always acceptable even bigotry, which Mr.

.Spurgeon's renders cant or to those who differ from him most widely in dogma.

" Mr. Spurgeon has chosen select, as a proverb, that which appears to us to to ' Newspapers more be nature a Bibles the are of the of of pulpit platitude, ' How diligently they read them ;' and this we have the homely note, worldlings to !

Here they find their law. and profits, their judges and chronicles, their epistles and The of being abused, newspapers, however, must their chance take revelations.' even by those who most diligently read them. Journalists are a long-suffering race, that, among proverbs, collected more and curiously happens than Howell's old it ' A we the sub-amner two a diurnal-maker centuries one, to since, find this is We Spurgeon on have no Mr.

account. with historian.' this therefore, quarrel, What he at the Antipodes, where says about newspapers has long since been said Melbourne Sydney weekly budgets and the habitually journals are vast of the called 'The Bushman's Bible,' constituting, as they do, the almost exclusive reading The far away and shepherds of the SaltAltogether, bush.

the stockriders in cellars may be welcomed and as an equally entertaining and edifying compilation ; the scheme, as well as the actual accomplishment of the work, is alike creditable to

: ; STURGEONS AUTODIOGRAPHY. H. the heart and the head of an estimable minister of religion who has long since won the rank of an English worthy."

interesting chapter might have If there had been sufficient space available, an been compiled concerning " Mr. Spurgeon As as a Poet and Hymn-writer."

that is not possible, the specimens of his poetry included in the present and the previous ; and convey some work volumes of his direction of that idea gifts this in will one more must find a place here, partly because of its autobiographical character, He put at the top of it was the last that he ever wrote. it, as the but also because title, "The will make the "I of water;" and as the dry land springs motto-text, A Personal Experience."

Drop which Grew into a Torrent. " All my soul was dry and dead I learned that Jesus bled Till ; Bled and suffer'd in my place, Bearing sin in matchless grace. "Then a drop of Heavenly love Fell upon me from above, And by secret, mystic art Reached the centre of my heart. "Glad the story I recount, How that drop became a fount. Bubbled up a living well. Made my heart begin to swell. " All within my soul was praise. Praise increasing all my days Praise which could not silent be Floods were struggling to be free. "More and more the waters grew, Open wide the flood-gates flew, Leaping forth in streams of song Flowed my happy life along. "Lo! a river clear and sweet Laved my glad, obedient feet it rose up to my knees. Soon And I praised and prayed with ease. "Now my soul in praises swims, Bathes in songs, and psalms, and hymns; Plunges down into the deeps. All lier powers in worship steeps. ! O my Lord, " Hallelujah Torrents from my soul are poured ! I am carried clean away, Praising, praising all the day. " In an ocean of delight. Praising God with all my might, So let it be Self is drowned. : Only Christ remains to me.''

SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. H. The hymn was 1890, and was of the year the early part written in inserted Those who were present, the programme used at the next College Conference.

in thrilling effect produced when the on that occasion, are not likely to forget the five At hundred ministers and students joined in singing it to the tune "Nottingham."

they came the commencement, sat and sang but they the as verses, to later all ; spontaneously rose, the time was quickened, and Mr. Manton Smith's cornet helped of praise expressed by the volume the swell writer.

to The Spurgeon's many work was one of Mr. next smallest the of literary it among history and the most volumes, place associations notable yet of his its At 1891, the Presidential Address struck Conference, College the publications.

in all who heard ; and some who it as being a peculiarly timely and weighty utterance it, and to the sermon which it, three days later, afterwards followed listened to said President would their beloved that they had a kind of premonitory conviction that never again meet the members and associates College Evangelical of the Pastors' ; and so Association in conference on earth it proved to be. On the Monday evening of that memorable public meeting week, the in at Upton Chapel, Mr. Spurgeon took, as the subject of his address, Ephesians : " Above faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all, taking the shield of the all This proved to be the prelude and preparation for the wicked." of the darts fiery and which he morning, on which speak he next intended martial the topic to the Word of God summarized under three {2) our army, (i) our annoury, heads, ; the Church of God ; and (3) our strength, the Holy Spirit. was fitting climax a It to the long series of Inaugural Addresses, which were always reckoned, by those who were privileged to hear them, as the most solemn and forceful of Mr. Spurgeon's all It was rapturously received by the crowded and enthusiastic assembly utterances.

; its publication in pamphlet its close, such urgent requests were presented and, at for the brethren would form, that consent was at once given, on condition that help to make it known when it was issued.

During the week following the Conference, the reporter's transcript was revised, considerable additions being made to the manuscript, and it was promptly published title. The Greatest Fight in the World.

under the immediately attained very a It it was reprinted in the United wide circulation into French and translated States, ; German, and passed through Then, Mr.

Spurgeon's large several editions. after a generous gentleman, who had been with him on the platform during home-going, memory was ways one honouring best the of delivery, that of his to its felt a copy and perpetuate bearing arranged testimony, the of therefore his that it, " C. H. Spurgeon's sent, through Mrs.

Manifesto," should be additional Final title, Spurgeon's Book Fund, to every clergynian and denomination every minister of

SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. H. 34,500 more were abundant way, England. copies with In circulated, this in had owned Lord While and blessed evidence present the the the that effort.

in course of compilation, The Greatest Fight has been issued by volume has been covers, to make it uniform with Pastor's other shilling the cloth the publishers, in continued, though be its witness the volumes, years truth several so to will still have elapsed since its soul-stirring message was first uttered.

Another small volume, which has very tender associations connected with is it, It was commenced Jlleiuories of Staiiibounie.

Mr. Spurgeon's long before illness it was restoration which was completed during time of partial the in The to him later in that year.

little book has a special graciously granted interest C. H. it was Spargcon s work, readers of portion the of really for this for first to go forth to the as he wished Autobiography, telling the story of his childhood it public, and it was largely used that reason the compilation I. of his of Vol.

for in For visited Stambourne and Standard neighPastor the several years, Lite.

its bourhood, partly because of his early recollections of his grandfather's country, and concerning some up might he gather material available of the partly that all On him memorable he boyhood.

took the scenes with occasion, of his last a number of views Mr. T. H. Nash, who kindly photographed for reproduction in " overpoweringIt was during that week the volume then being written.

the that headache " came Mr. Spurgeon had adding, "I of which afterwards wrote, on, to hurry home, to go up to that chamber wherein, for three months, suffered beyond answer the jaws between and was almost death."

measure, of In the often to lands, he was raised up for a time, and had the universal prayer of believers in all little book of reminiscences not only finished and pubseeing of his satisfaction lished, but also widely welcomed and greatly enjoyed.

there was same But was which volume, another progress the time, in at to have a still more pathetic interest attaching to That was The Gospel destined it.

of the Kingdom ; a Popular Exposition of the Gospel according to Mattheiu, conto glory: — "It Mrs. Spurgeon after her beloved's promotion cerning which wrote, sacred and is the tired worker's final sorrowful stands alone significance.

in It its that were sweet song from Lord. labour the of love his eA-er lips last for It is the dying shout of victory from sounding forth the praises of his King.

the It is standard-bearer, who bore unflinchingly through the Captain's colours thickest his . Much of the work was written on the very later portion of the of the fight.

world, and almost of Heaven, amid of the unseen the nearing borderland glories within sight of the Golden Gates."

in preparing the volume, was to produce a devotional Mr. Spurgeon's intention,

; ; ; SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. H. Commentary, specially calling attention the Kingship of the Lord Jesus to Christ, He proceeded which is the prominent feature of the Gospel according to Matthew.

with the work very leisurely, and a great it was written during winter part of his The accompanying facsimile'^ sojourns on the sunny shores of the Mediterranean.

of the first page of his manuscript will show the method he adopted, and he followed the same plan as long as he was enabled to continue the congenial task.

cLjl'iL^. THE book of the geJesus neration of DaChrist, the sou of Abrason the of vid, ham.

Abraham begat and Isaac begat saac ; Jacob and Jacob be ; gat Judas and his bre^ thren ; And Judas begat /.; U^^^r^ and Phares Zara of Thamar ; and Phares begat Esrom and Es; rom begat Aram ; \ And Aram begat Af- %^^4.

/ minadab Aminand ; adab Naasson begat and Naasson begat Sal mon &.~JC^ tL^ , ; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab and ; Booz Obed begat of Ruth Obed and be ; gat Jesse And begat Jesse and David king the ; David begat the king: Solomon her thai of had ov been wife the Urias t/ L^^j-e^ i^'><'^rLcJci~^''~ /'^^^ *-<-<^ FACSIMILE OF MR. SPURGEON's MANUSCRIPT OF "THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM." Towards 1891, when Mr. Spurgeon was sufficiently restored the of part latter : — / for the, t for that, o for for have, w for * In the manuscript, Mr. Spurgeon made use of the following abbreviations of, h with, and shd for should.

; autobiography. spurgeon's H. eagerly resumed he Mentone, be service delighttul of able his travel to to to Gospel, and he wrote some expounding day by day, portion of the until first it, To last, his handwriting was and he was the as aside.

distinct. laid finally clear, rapidly approaching collapse which there was no ever, and and sign of the as firm the whole of Christendom.

Mentally was of sorrow through to send such a thrill the work was years and equal of brightest the best his eftorts to spiritually, to see the King ot whoni for he was called up but he was not permitted to finish it, he had been writing, and to share in the glories of the Kingdom of which he had so long been preaching to others.

it was resolved After due consideration, that, instead of leaving his literary last work it should be completed a broken column, as nearly as possible to stand like the way he would had ended enough.

long himself have been he spared in it He had often expounded the closing chapters of Matthew's Gospel that there so his Commentary compiled be was abundant portion of the material to for latter his otvn spoken and writteji words.

This delicate duty was entrusted cntirclv from When the volume was it met with a most hearty issued, private secretary.

his to The and Editor of ever continued favour has great T/ic since. reception, in it compliment Weekly compiler high of the the paid British a later to indirectly there should have been some chapters when he to where indication as that said mosaics' had "the worker Mr. Spurgeon's manuscript so Evidently, ended.

in treasures committed that even his charge skilfully joined together the precious to this keen critic could not discover any break in the connection.

Another literary work, upon which Mr. Spurgeon was busily occupied when the home-call came to him was Messages Mentone, eighth Jllu/titude, the the to at Messrs. Sampson Low, Preachers of the Age" in "The issued by volume series, It was intended to set forth the style of the Pastor's preaching at Marston, and Co.

and, to that end, the sermons selected ranged various periods of his long ministry ; from one delivered in the Surrey Gardens Music Hall, in 1859, to another, which was The revision of the latter part almost the last preached in the Tabernacle, in 1891.

Although twelve this book Harralds out of the ten Mr. of share. also to fell it had been previously published, the work has had a large discourses contained in it has been produced, thereby a popular edidon of and, quite recently, sale still ; its sphere of usefulness.

further increasing Many other volumes had been either commenced or planned by Mr. Spurgeon ; first of these was The Art , The and several of them have already been completed.

to my Stndents, and containing of I /lustration, forming the of Lecttires series third in preaching, information concerning the use exceedingly valuable of illustrations

SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 3i« H. illustrations, fables, emblems, and parables are to and the books in which anecdotes, be found.

choicest volumes the whole of Mr. Spurgeon's Next followed one the of in Coinniunion Meditations and Addresses.

Come." consists It little companies quiet, homely Pastor of the the of talks of the to very largely table of the Lord Christians who gathered with him around the in his sitting-room it also includes some of his more public utterances when thousands at Mentone ; but The value of the ordinance, and of believers met for communion in the Tabernacle.

its frequent observance, are clearly set forth the spiritual benefit to be derived from ; the book without being for any lover of the Lord to read it seems impossible and Saviour, and a deeper appreciation of with fellowship the closer brouo-ht into still The the great atoning sacrifice symbolized by the broken bread and the filled cup.

volume has proved invaluable as an aid to private devotion, and as a guide to those who are called to preside at the celebration of the sacred feast of love.

Another book, which Christian workers have found to be of great service to to Lead Sinners Containing or, Hozv is The Soiil-winner ; to the Savioiir.

them, the students of the Pastors' College, addresses to Sunday-school several lectures to Spurgeon and sermons upon what termed Mr.

teachers and preachers, open-air employment, — soul-winning,' must w^ho help " that those greatly most royal it it explains some of the secrets of the desire to become wise in winning souls, while author's own power as one of the greatest soul-winners who ever lived.

in the present volume, for specially deserve mention These posthumous works extracts from them here and of them largely autobiographical, and, there, are all in previous pages where they appeared needful for the completehave been given of them have been extensively sold, and highly prized, All ness of the narrative.

that uttered so much of their contents is no all the more because the voice perhaps longer audible here below.

Beside the new works published since Mr. Spurgeon's home-going, there have The Parables sets of his sermons been already issued no less than eight different : " The Most Holy Place" — (fifty-two of our Lord ; The Miracles (two volumes) ; The Messiah, onr Lords Names, Titles, and discourses on the Song of Solomon) ; The The Old and Everlasting Gospel; Testament ; Attributes ; Christ the in Ten smaller volumes from Gospel for passages contain shorter his People.

the Teachings of Natiire readers the of various in classes writings, suitable for : Kingdom of Grace, Words of Wisdom, Words of Warning, and Words of Cheer for

SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. Daily Life, Words of Counsel for Christimt Workers, Words of Advice for Seekers, '' Come, ye Children,'' Gospel Extracts from C H. Spnrgeon, and " ]]'e Endeavour,'' The last-named book Glorious Themes for Saints and Sinners. in very printed is Although it has been it to old people and little large type so as to adapt children.

much and be found has already favour, likely to recently only issued, is it in making known simplest the of the the essentials exceedingly faith in useful and plainest language.

total number of volumes Spurgeon's of Mr. estimate the is impossible to It in the United States, and in many other works that have been issued this country, in Many millions of lands in which they have been translated into foreign languages.

now years although eight since been copies must already have and, sold is it ; the demand for them.

he was " called home," there is, apparendy, no diminution in Indeed, the many new works from his lips and pen published since his promotion to writings, and still larger number of reprints or extracts from his higher service, the sermons, make almost his that certain of ever-increasing his circulation the it distributed even more widely now than they were during his publications are lifeis constanUy being received trom time on earth, while testimony to their usefulness as was therefore, be concluded that, great his It may, quarters of the globe.

all ; and there pulpit, his power through a whit is not press the less in the influence seems to be no valid reason why his testimony to the truth should not be continued, by means of the printed page, until the Lord Himself returns.

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