Chapter CIII. The Growth of the Institutions, 1878–1892

CHAPTER cm. fastitutions, 1878—1892. (groWij €l)t of tijt College, Orphanage, Colportage Association, and any one might Society of of Evangelists, them be regarded as works of Christian inventiveness, but it would be by smaller of the half far at them from These the truth to look have succeeded each that point of view.

enterprises other, by a natural rule and order of Providence, as inevitably as the links of a chain follow one another.

We have heard kind friends speak of "genius for organization" and "great practical common sense" in the leader of these various works as abiding would for the Lord; be nearer but, indeed, far it confidence what to say that he followed with implicit, and almost the truth be he took blind, to and what he Divine proved have the intimations be the of these intimations hitherto will, to At the close of twenty-five years, we thought them. machinery see vigorous vast a operation, in it was working to means and funds, than condition ever better perfectly equipped, and, in as ; " My God shall supply all your need, according it has no other resources than the promise, although Gratitude bows her head, and sings her own song in glory by Christ Jesus."

to His riches her to Well-beloved, to whom " The Sword and the Trowel" volume for it belongs.— C. H. S., in Preface to HE last fourteen years of Mr. Spurgeon's earthly life proved to be a very prolific period both for the Tabernacle Church and the various Towards the Institutions connected with of his address, close it.

on May Tabernacle, held the meetingthe at in in silver wedding, he connection with the celebration of his pastoral said : We have made a very " Let us go forward, brethren, let us go forward. fair in God's strength, and to Him be the honour of it; but beginning, I regard to-nieht We have underground not the but as the as starting-place.

goal, truly laid foundations of a structure which now we trust Here rise into open day.

is one will A day or two ago, the lady who point for a new departure. Listen and consider it. Boys' Orphanage sent me ^50 Girls' Orphanage. founded the I wrote to : — the for I am very grateful I am not her somewhat for the proposal but to this effect ' ; I had rather not begin any new work very well, and the times are not very hopeful, so I proposed to keep the ^50 in case we did build an Orphanage just yet.' for girls ; ' you are right in your ' No,' said our friend, if not, to hand and it over to the boys. judgment, but take the ^50 as the first brick, I am fully assured that many more for Now I propose that ^50 of the testimonial should be bricks will shortly be added.' placed with my dear friend's ^50 that we may found the Girls' Orphanage together.

not mean this new enterprise just now do to moot it, and see to press ; but only Other eggs will come to the nest-egg, and the nest whereunto this thing will grow.

full, and then we will become shall have another family of little chicks.

as feel though I was laying the first stone of the Girls' Orphanage, and you were all saying, w 4

SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAril\ H. is a good note for our present page of history,- — ' Go ahead.' ' second twentyThis commenced by inauguration years the of pastorate project of Girls' for five I may suggest 'What next?' says somebody. tell you what I cannot Orphanage.' I am driven to I have this ^50 Girls' Orphanage. to you next but, you see, this ; ; would you have me refuse to use this forced upon me, and I cannot get rid of it money No, your would poor me.

not counsel hearts so fatherless girls ? for of my own compelled by Thus, constraining accept further a grace, free will, charge, and look to see prayer and faith open a new chapter of marvels."

once gave him ^50 One friend, who heard for the speech, the Pastor's at new and Shortly speedily contributions other followed.

afterwards,. project, wrote: — "At to move which we began Spurgeon Mr. very time the at in this, house His God. our reach put within pleased providence, the matter, to in it ' THE HAWTHORNS," CLAPHAM ROAD. which we had as 'The grounds known looked Hawthorns,' and wistfully for at A house was and Trustees be the long few years ago, a sold, to while.

this Boys' Orphanage attempted purchase but the auction the price of the to at it ; On of pounds beyond run up was hundreds June value.

several this to its we sum which bought and was house exact again the offered for for sale, it

; SPURGEONS AUTOBIOGRAPHY. H. we had There one paddock on proposed former give the only occasion. to is the Orphanage grounds ; and, by the goodness of God, and its garden and between the kindness of its owner, we hope that this meadow also may one day become ours we should then be able to make the Orphanage into a complete square by erecting This must be a work similar buildings to those which are there already.

of time, it is something to have a place whereon to put our fulcrum, and apply our lever.

but We believe that that we might go to a forth by a right way, the Lord has led us We house and grounds have purchased the the of habitation.

for Girls' city but we in hand have Orphanage, which only about pay with to .;^36o for it ; that, when shall come and we time desirous the absolute the are specially for entire sum, we may be able to count out the whole ^4,000.

payment That of the is not an object with will be here in a few but time time Possessor of days, the We have never been in debt yet, nor have we had a mortgage Heaven and earth.

nor have we even borrowed money for a time, but we upon any of our buildings, Our that we may have always been able to pay as we have gone prayer on.

is, to come down to a lower platform, and commence borrowing. never have this If land had not been put up to auction there and then, we should have waited until we purchase-price from our great Master's stewards had but, as the site received the ; to be made at once or not at desirable, and the purchase had was so extremely as We cannot think that we erred in this decision. all, we thought it wise to secure it. None of our beloved counsellors and fellow-helpers think so, but one and all advised The money come the payment must and from «somewhere, the the for step.

questions now to be answered are, — Where Who has charge of is the money ?

it at Who The feels called upon send silver and gold the present ? the to are it ? Lord's, and He has but to incline His servants to apportion some of their Master's money to this particular work, and the thing will be done.

do I.f they can better with their substance, by all means let them do so ; but if they count us faithful, we are prepared to accept this further trust, and do our best with it.

that we happened have been widows unable "It has often to assist in families, because there did not happen necessitous circumstances, with large to be a boy of the special age required by the rules of our Boys' Orphanage.

There were but then we take them however could not urgent and, several the case, girls, ; we been very have deserving unable mothers, because simply relieve to their is one reason why we need a Girls' Orphanage.

This children were not boys. " Here Christian people with means is a grand opportunity to take for their this new places among the founders they Judge and that such of Institution; if a work will be good and useful, we hope they fail_, and tvithout will, without delay, We cannot come to our assistance fresh branch of service.

lose this afford in to this work girls must be single penny from the funds boys, but the a for the for

SPURGEONS AUTOBIOGRAPHY. ir. and Tommy helped WiUy You extra and something will you above. not help ; " Mary and Maggie ? The scheme quickly secured the sympathy of the Christian public the money ; " The Hawthorns " was ready by purchase it was on which the of date the for first family of girls was soon required, and the It was found installed there.

that the trust-deed of the Orphanage provided reception for the of fatherless children, without specifying either sex, so no alteration was needed ; and arrangements in it The Pastor and his Institution were made in due for the completion of the time.

publishers and the Trustees nobly led the way with generous gifts, many thousands of donors followed their example, and thus, block by block, the Orphanage gradually attained the appearance depicted in the bird's-eye view on page 320.

all the blessing that the Orphanage has already been is not possible to tell It and hundreds of bereaved beneficent continued.

infiuence families to its is still ; Up sixteen hundred boys and of Mr. Spurgeon's home-going, time nearly the to They have often expressed their gratitude girls had been sheltered within its walls.

and many for them of them that has been done have, the Institution in for all ; the happy home times, given proofs of various interest their practical into in at One the hour of their helpless orphanhood.

which they were received in instance of which gave great joy is described the receipt the following of this to letter, in : — the President ' " Stockwell Orphanage, " Clapham Road, " London, S.W., "Feb. 14th, " Dear Mr. Spurgeon, SivoJ'd and for March Troivcl, you " In closing the to-day, will, list, am sure, be pleased to know that it contains donations trom 'some of the old boys' the amount of /17 Every in forwarding sub(about his one, forty), to much hundred and times were wishes a as times or ten scription, is it it ; the accompanied every received gratitude benefits at the expression of with for to yourself,— the earthly father of warmest love Stockwell Orphanage, and to this all pray that our Heavenly Father may spare you,, ; and they large orphan family this, blessed work of caring for the widow for many, many years, to lead and direct and the fatherless.

I am, " " Dear Mr. Spurgeon, " Ever yours sincerely, " F. Ladds." G.

AUTOBIOGRArHV. sturgeon's H. A letter from one of the girls, after she had will show that the Orphanage, left there was equal gratitude on that side of the Institution : " Dear Mr. Spurgeon, I am taking to you; but you "You must excuse in writing the liberty I am one tell you that will not mind when you know the reason.

first of all, 1 must, girls; but the Lord having found me, and made me His child, of your old orphan wrote and told I knew it would cheer your heart left the Orphanage, before if I thought, when my father died, I could never have another to equal him ; but you. discovered my mistake, I found a better and when I came to your Orphanage, for I can take my to whom truer Father, who will never leave me nor forsake me, and it may be.

It seems almost too good every trouble, however small to be true that When I grieved and Jesus was really crucified to save me. all the years think of please Him ever so much more for it only makes me want pained Him, try and to the future.

in the Orphanage seven and " tell you years, and I must was a-half that Now I must was very happy indeed, and wish myself back think again.

close, beautiful home to thanking you for your kindness in giving us such a live It in.

will always be something to look back on with pleasure for the rest of our lives, and for which we can never thank you enough.

I myself hope shortly to come forward, as my world know and, by have accepted Jesus baptism, the publicly that let I should say, that He lias accepted me as His child. Saviour; or, rather, " I remain, " One of your old orphan girts, On a memorable afternoon, in the autumn 1890, Mr. Spurgeon paid a visit of to the Orphanage under circumstances which to be forgotten by any are not likely who were then Almost wrote afterwards, he immediately the following present.

account of the " happy scene in a storm," which may fitly conclude the references to the Orphanage it shows how, right to the last, he sought his Standard Life, for in had been principal aim which both the of the welfare the children, of spiritual Mrs. Hillyard and himself in founding the Institution : September walk Stockwell Orphanage, on went Tuesday, " the to to a Christmas round with an artist, and to be inserted select his pencil, for in bits We had not gone many yards book it began before the to for rain.

Institution. forthcoming, and we Umbrellas were continue our perambulation of the tried to whole square of the boys' and in descending, girls' houses ; but persisted the rain and speedily increased into a downpour.

Nothing short of being amphibious would

; SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. H. have enabled us to face the torrent. There was no other course but to turn into the at our advent, — cheers almost as play-hall, where the boys gave tremendous cheers THE boys' play-hall, STOCKWELL ORPHANAGE. Go out we could not, for the deafening as the thunder which responded to them.

A shower was swollen into a deluge, so the season to account. resolved to turn and chair was of a dense throng of juvenile the centre there forthcoming, sat, which showed from which be nearness humanity, kept the could a scarcely off Our warmth artist, who, standing in the throng, of their reception of their friend.

made a hurried sketch, could not be afforded space enough to put in the hundreds of boys.

" It was certainly a melting moment as to heat, and fresh air was not abundant flash made everybody but anything was better than the storm Flash after outside.

sober, and prompted me that freedom from the boys about with fear talk feel to The which comes through faith in the Lord Jesus.

told of a very young story was believer,''* who was night, during a tremendous tempest.

house, one uncle's his in The the Lord folk were ; but he had older trusted himself with afraid really all The baby was Jesus, and he did upstairs, and nobody was brave not dare to fear.

*" This was, of course , Mr. Spurgeon himself when he was a lad.

SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. H. ;27 it down because of a big window on the stairs. enough to fetch This lad went up to the baby mother, and the bedroom, brought Psalm, and prayed then read a to its with his relatives, who were trembling with There was real danger, for a stack fear. was set on fire a short distance away ; but the youth was as calm as on a summer's not because he was naturally brave, but because he truly trusted in day of sunshine the Lord.

1,1 ;H. SPURGEON AND A GROUP OF ORPHAN BOYS. "While I was increased, and the storm overhead speaking, the darkness thus seemed brooding over It was growing dark before wings. black with us its hour. Most appropriately, one verse, which all sang sweetly and of the boys suggested a reverently, ' Abide with me " fast falls the eventide ! ; ; Lord, with me abide The darkness deepens ! When other helpers fail, and comforts fie Help of the helpless, O abide with me ! ' " This ended, there followed a word about the ground of the believer's trust : he was forgiven, and ; he was his Heavenly therefore dreaded no condemnation in If we were at enmity against God, and Father's hand, and therefore feared no evil. had all our sins resting upon our guilty heads, we might be yes, and afraid to die ; to Him bv the death even afraid to live; but, when reconciled of His Son, we said

; spurgeon's autobiography. H. With God against us, we are ; but with God for of war farewell to fear. a state us, we dwell in perfect peace. Here came flashes of lightning and peals of thunder which might well make us start is true we all ; but no one was felt awed, afraid. It but we were restful, and somehow there was a quiet but general cry for 'perfect On enquiring what was answered by meant, the bovs peace.' this singinoall right joyfully, ' Like a river glorious is God's perfect peace, " Over all victorious in its bright increase, it floweth fuller every day Perfect, yet ; it groweth deeper all the way.

Perfect, yet Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest, Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest. ' Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand. " Never foe can follow, never traitor stand ; Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care. » Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there. Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest. Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest. " This sung, we covered our reverently, and the boys were very faces silent, I lifted up my voice Then we opened our eyes it was again, and while prayer. in if night had come before While the flames of very dark, as fire leaped in its time.

the windows and rain upon roof and through skylights, the noise the of the the tremendous thunder scarcely permitted me to say much upon Jesus as being our His own body on the tree. peace, through His bearing our sins Yet, as well as in I set forth the cross of Christ as the place of peace-making, peace-speaking, I could, and peace-finding, both for boys and men ; and then we sang, to the accom.paniall ment of the storm-music, ' How sweet the Name " of Jesus sounds In a believer's ear! heals his wounds, It soothes his sorrows, And drives away his fear.' the power of that Name " Never did drive away more fear appear sweetly.

to filled me came words which me, with a with the cheerinosoothinoforce, 'J'o ; so we very joyfully and peacefully sang the third verse, intense delight ' Dear Name " the rock on which build. ! My shield and hiding-place My never-failing treasury, fill'd With boundless stores of grace.' to 'my Shield and as we came there was blue a peculiarly "Just hiding-place,' us had been struck. if something very with a close of rifle-crack, to as sort flash, The boys in subdued singing at one but went the looked tones, another, ot on, little army others were mixed Teachers and with the 'boundless stores of orrace.' in common emotion. but we were then reminded all welded of boys, together them It was a duty Protector, we must such our a give heart's love.

that, to

SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPIIV. H. so good Jesus, but even more a love one to do Lord since the as to delicdit so, He gave Himself by bearing our punishment, us from delivered and, for us, all As instinct, someone if by harm.

led off ' My Jesus, I know Thou art mine " I love Thee, For Thee resign follies of sin all the ; My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art Thou, loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.' If ever to press home the question, — 'Is this true of each one " Here "was a good opening The all who the Orphanage lead you of you ?

conduct of great desire to is t<3 so you may Redeemer, Him. Oh, for your take love gracious Jesus that that loved Him It may be Lord if you you unsaved, leave us the nozu / that, will should go that you would bring you from be out but us better yet far in it ; that you might and holy armour, covered ready so with a the of battle for life, Then May, who wounded Mr.

by picked arrows out be not the of sin.' is May bade him employed and Orphanage, about boys the himself. the at tell the Orphanage, — a spirit, so he went was a boy with to sea us and, restless at ; to God at Malta, and then after many hardships and adventures, he was converted As the lads knew his own school.

us, and we found him a post came back to at story. May very much the most and what he say was say not did of his did ; roof, which sounded rather overborne by the rain on ten thousand drums.

the like The voice, and only thunder added its trumpet allowed us pauses of silence.

till there came a burst of thunder loud and went on with the talk long.

stopped, We all hearkened and bade the children listen to the voice of the Lord.

it with to ' The voice of the Lord Then awe and wonder. reminded them of Psalm : The Lord powerful majesty. Lord voice of the of voice the of the full is is ; the Lord The Lord the cedars of Lebanon.

breaketh cedars breaketh the yea, ; sitteth King I told them how often yea, the Lord sitteth upon the flood ever.' for ; had sung to myself Dr. Watts's verses, "'The God that rules on high, thunders when He And please, That rides upon the stormy sky, And manages the seas ; ' This awful God " is ours. Our Father and our love ; lie shall send down His heavenly powers To carry us above.

shall we see His "'There face, And never, never sin ; There from the rivers of His grace, Drink endless pleasures in.' ' Falcon Street,' to which "As they did not know the old-fashioned tune I had been

autobiography. spuhgeon's ' 33*^ H. words, we wont suddenly, there came another sing kept the to quiet of roll till, of the God drums the march of worship, we and of armies an in then, as act ; adoringly sang together, with full force, the words of the Doxology, ' Praise God, from whom " all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.' " This was a grand climax. The heavens themselves seemed to think so, for there were no more tremendous of such thunder-claps need more.

not write force. The storm abated. hurried Tabernacle, but not see enquirers the off to at till one and another had 'The boys to me, will never forget said It will abide this.

with them throughout eternity.' So be Amen." it, for Christ's sake ! College made the Orphanage, Like great advances during the Pastors' the Up fourteen years from 1878 to 1892. President's home-going, the time of the to Institution, of whom a large nearly nine hundred brethren had been educated in the number had gone to the foreign mission distant spheres field or to other of service.

The statistical account showed in the churches under the year the for that, Report, — and charge of the ministers -who furnished for that Annual the figures it all of them, — nearly 100,000 was never possible returns from anything get to like had when been persons were baptized year the the -since statistics first after making there had collected been and, deductions, a increase clear of all ; 80,000 members.

Spurgeon had done nothing beyond founding and if Mr. Truly, carrying on the Pastors' College, yet that was it would have been a noble life-work ; only one of his many forms of labour for the Lord.

The tutors, whose the opposite page, were in charge portraits appear on four of College the Spurgeon's Mr.

during presidency. classes greater part of the " Father Rogers," who by more was succeeded spared student see his to first eight hundred than continued of to hold Principal the others, until office and he 18S4, when he rendered afterwards College help occasional the until at peaceful home Then, spending seven years finally retired.

after his in restful at South Norwood, ripe age of ninety-two, he entered the glory-land only the at with whom he had been four months about and before President so Pastor the training men long and important work happily so the associated of the for in Professor Gracey was Christian and he appointed ministry.

Principal in discharged was faithfully he posidon the of duties responsible that also until "called home" a year Fergusson Mr. remained Spurgeon. just Professor after 1891, when at end post his the of until increasing necessitated infirmities hi;^

autobiography. spurgeon's H. o o H

SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPIl V. H. 7i^2 ; and he sole survivor of the early retirement staff of tutorial Professor Marchant, who had himself been a Pastors' College student, the College.

became one 1898, and only ; he continued that post of the tutors until in in a week a few months more before he received home-call, elapsed the also just summons Spurgeon, sudden reached two A.

Pastor former the the or after J. Vice-President, and afterwards the President of the Institution. One College was the most important the events of the history in of latejr This College Evangelical Association.

Pastors' the of formation, the in When "Down-grade" Mr. was Controversy. one the of results the of direct Spurgeon found how many of his own former students had accepted various forms to withdraw from further fellowship felt compelled of modern-thought teaching, he they were at which them practically his guests Conferences, annual with the in The only method of attaining that end, so see, was as he could for the week.

far define more basis, which to reorganize the Association, and clearly the doctrinal to its commencement, although there had been no need existence from had been in " one faith " as well all had been heartily united in the it while attention to to call It was as the "one Lord" and the "one baptism."

President the a great grief to brethren, who were remained that some Evangelical firmly attached doctrine, to ranks, which was the gap caused by the new fraternal band but the outside in ; equal number though who, by an was of ministers, quickly absence, filled their soul one with Mr. Spurgeon, in heart and in the Pastors' College, were not trained A error and Church.

the worldliness protest against in his great especially in special clause was inserted in the constitution of the reorganized fraternity by which associates, to share the privileges enjoyed by the members.

they were admitted, as Two of these brethren— Pastors Hugh D. Brown and R. Shindler — are in the group Orphanage, from page photograph, taken the on a opposite reproduced at the The of the Conference week the Tuesday desired on afternoon in artist to secure a portrait of the beloved leader who had, that morning, been unanimously and enthusiastically elected "Perpetual President of the Pastors' College Evangelical Association," although he always insisted upon the observance of what all regarded, election, for he foresaw that a time in his case, as the pure formality of an annual earnest, — and come when right would have might to be exercised that real in He was it happened he had prophesied in one of his happiest all too soon as brethren who were near him to him and he moods, seven afternoon, that called at the time, and then told the photographer to take them This he did, with the all. most satisfactory result, as the illustration clearly shows. The Spurgeon's Mr. on chapter a reference Joys" "Jubilee contains to

SrURGEON's AUTOBIOGRAPHY. E. SAWDAY. HUGH R. SHINDLER. D. BROWN. FRANK H. WHITE. J. MAYERS. W. T. W. MEDHURST. H. Spurgeon and Ministers at College Conference, iS88.

SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPIIV. H. ' to an endowment but he was, in a very singular way. his College objections for ; the means and providing of quite a of funds portion large unintentionally, the The " called had maintenance been home."

he years several for after for its him when The greatly amused it was he heard story related this to effect.

it ; London of an conductor on omnibus, while City waiting the of side Bridge, " Over the water to Charlie " endeavoured attract passengers by shouting" to out, ! A gentleman enquired what he meant by cry, and he explained this unusual that the 'bus was going over the Thames, and past the Tabernacle, where C. H. Spurgeon was announced It happened stranger had heard never preach.

the the that to that he was Pastor appears indeed, the not as the habit of tale in told, is it ; attending any went on of worship occasion, and he but place the that rest for ; sermons, and when he made he was of a reader printed the his diligent of life his will, he bequeathed a very large sum Mr. Spurgeon Pastors' College for the to and building chapels of brethren ministry the trained for that Institution.

for in The Law of Mortmain prevented the carrying out of the latter part of his bequest, and a long Chancery suit reduced the residue which he intended the College for ; several thousands of pounds were estate by but from Trustees, received the his who were important work thus enabled of preparing continue the President's to preachers of the Word for home and foreign service.

An " Mr. Institution " was outgrowth important Spurgeon's from the First The Pastors' College Society of Evangelists. students, from the very beginning, in common had been doctrines which noted both held they Evangelical the for which with beloved and with they fervour their President, evangelistic the for Many of them possessed the proclaimed those truths. for the qualifications offices of pastor and contemporary records degree, and a very remarkable evangelist to prove how abundantly the Church and Baptist the greatly general, of 'Christ in denomination and through have been strengthened the increased particular, in labours on London, of throughout the Islands, the British in of Europe, Continent of our numerous most United if not the States, in in all Colonies, and in the great mission field at large. Still, Mr. Spurgeon long felt the need of a number of brethren, specially called ; " and and fitted to ''do the work of an evangelist it was a great joy to him as, one alter another, suitable men came forward, and offered themselves for the service on which Mr. W.

heart had Higgins, now been his VVymondham, pastor set. at Norfolk, was of this new movement pioneer the great impetus was to which a ; given by appointment the J. Manton of Messrs. A.

J. Clarke and Then, Smith. when the temporary health made Mr. for him of Clarke's failure advisable to it accept an invitation Mr. and Australia, to Y. Fullerton took so place, his

SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPIIV. which has made the commenced that happy Lord labour partnership the for in names of " C. H. Spurgeon's evangehsts, Fullerton and Smith," famihar as household Kingdom.

of homes words United thousands of the of various tens parts in in brethren, who have been more Other closely connected with College the or less Harmer, Burnham, A.

A. A. Society of Evangelists, Messrs. E. Carter, are J. The "little band and brothers" Harrison, Mateer, T. of Russell. F. S. J. J. evangelistic work has been decreased by Messrs. set apart Fullerton, entirely for ; but some compensation Harmer, and Russell's acceptance of pastorates their for loss has resulted from Mr. Carter's generous aid and self-sacrificing devotion the to Mission, by which the number of earnest Pioneer evangelists, seeking to serve the Saviour, has been largely augmented. It should also be mentioned that, long before Evangelists was had two College Society the of large existed organized, there brethren, — the and companies so-called "lay" Tabernacle useful Evangelists' of Mission, — under the leadership Association and Country of devoted of the elders Many of the students Tabernacle Church.

first began Lord to speak the for in one connection with and, during their College other agencies or of these useful ; by they means, continued, helping career, evangelization the the of this in metropolis, and suburbs, and the towns and adjacent the villages counties.

in its The result of these many forms of Christian service, only eternity can reveal total ; already known but that, through instrumentality, multitudes of sinners their is it Christ, and many new have been and repentance Lord Jesus led to the faith in now have been churches which formed, are and, self-supporting, their in turn, To God " the centres are beyond."

of evangelistic be regions effort in all the glory. One other useful branch in which Mr. Spurgeon greatly College work, of the was Pastors' College Without any Missionary Association.

the rejoiced, kind of when antagonism sums were existing organizations, placed to sufficient his at necessary amount disposal, he guaranteed the support of Mr. Patrick and the for in North Africa Dr. Churcher the same agency, contributed toward and, through ; He hoped that the Blamire and Wigstone the maintenance of Messrs.

Spain. in way might have been opened large numbers sending out of missionaries for to but, as the means of gospel various lands that are destitute for carrying light still ; that so many of his students were this purpose did not reach him, he was glad out enabled to go, under the auspices of the Baptist Missionary Society, the American the China Inland Mission, Union, Missionary Baptist or the different portions to They to which they believed themselves to be called of God.

of the foreign field also have done and are doing a work which "the day shall declare."

AUTOBIOGRAPHY. SrURGEON's H. 2,^6 Not much need be added to the account of the Colportage Association given of Mr.

previous volume. Spurgeon's year the In the colporteurs in last life, were employed, — a larger number than any previous part of the history of the in 6d., — a higher sales amounted work; and total than they had their os.

During had and ever they before reached. nearly sold 20,000 Bibles and more -than Testaments, texts and quarter a of Scripture a million of cards.

the commencement of the Association The from of the close their total sales, to century, they had was ^153,784 and, during quarter of a that of 6d.

3s. ; impossible recorded tabulate the blessing to families. to visits It is homes have workers taken the people, Christian of earnest these the into that the means of conveying by the been that they have Sunday-schools, services, or which continually conducting temperance and meetings they are missions, for, ; still being carried on, though with a smaller number happily, this work of agents, is to finances than Mr. Spurgeon experienced.

and with even greater anxieties as It to him that the Lord's stewards did not more quickly realize was always a marvel and more generously aid Protestant, value the colporteurs' labours, the this of Evangelical, Home Mission service. During the period that these various Institutions were growing and flourishing, all, was prospering beyond of them the Tabernacle Church, foster-mother the all home-call, the number of members on At Spurgeon's the time of Mr.

precedent. no was long during than and, pastorate, less his 14,691 church-roll 5,311; the At 1891, there were the end mission persons were received into fellowship.

of and Ragged 27 Sunday with 612 and Schools, teachers, scholars, 8,034 stations, accommodation used and worshippers various public the halls for 3,840 for in Comparing this great host with the little company of anxious but praying services.

in New to whom "the Park boy-preacher" people delivered discourse, his first 1853, one can only say, as Street Chapel, on historic morning, De-cember, that in he said, times without number, when speaking of the the Lord had blessing which graciously vouchsafed to his ministry, "What hath God wrought!"

↑ Back to top ← Back to Books Library