Chapter LXXXVII. Westwood

''OTcstoooi:i;' We have often been advised to rise from Nightingale Lane to higher ground, to escape a portion of the fogs and damps which hang almost always over our smoky city.

In the good providence of God, we have been led to do so, and we are now upon the Southern heights. We did not seek out the place, it. We have left it came into our hands in a very remarkable manner, and we were bound to accept but the room which has been so long our study, and the delightful garden where we were wont to walk and Not without many a regret have we transferred our nest from our dear old home meditate.

to the Hill of Beulah. What a type of our departure out of this world is a removal from an abode in which we have lived Many thoughts have thronged our mind while we have been on the wing from the spot tor years!

where we have dwelt tor more than twenty years.— C. Illustrated Almanack" "Spm-geons H. in S., for i8Sl. iONCERNING the removal from "Helensburgh House" to "Westwood," Mr. Spurgeon did not arrange it myself; often the Lord just put a spade underneath me, and transplanted me to The change came Norwood."

following way. pass In the to in trouble arose through what was intended the year 1880, a great Mrs. Tyson, who had long been a only a joy and to be a help. Institutions, made a will by which she meant the Tabernacle generous donor to all to leave to the College and Orphanage the greater part of her estate, subject to the The payment of certain annuities to a number of aged pensioners upon her bounty.

Spurgeon and Mr. her kind appointed, executors, as a testatrix clerical friend, explaining that she did so on purpose to ensure that there should be no question about the carrying out of her intentions but, unhappily, the bequests included her ; the scope of the Law therefore came within property, and as personal as well real The so many was whole Mortmain.

ways complicated of the affair in that executors Avere obliged to arrange with the Trustees of the College and Orphanage to institute a friendly suit in the Court of Chancery in order to have an authoritative decision upon the points about which there was uncertainty.

This involved a heavy " White necessitated many journeys work, and dear addition the Pastor's to to Hill, Upper Norwood, where Mrs. Tyson had lived. Lodge," Biggin one executors had Spurgeon Mr. After paid of the periodical their visits, that, before returning home, they should suggested drive far as the front of the as Proceeding along Beulah notice of a house and estate for Hill, the Crystal Palace.

his eye as he passed a gateway which was to become very sale caught afterwards He had long felt the need of removing to higher ground, and familiar to him.

to a Nightingale Lane had become, and he had more secluded spot than the once rural D 4

SPURGEONS AUTOBIOGRAPHY, H. far, he had not heard of any been makino; enquiries in various directions so but, ; place which was sufficiently near the Tabernacle, and, at the same time, fairly clear On reaching the Palace, the return journey was of the smoke and fog of London.

commenced; and, soon, the carriage was back in Beulah Hill, and nearing the gate Bidding the coachman stop, the Pastor asked his where the board had been seen.

find out what view appeared the the secretary cards notice to that said.

to It but, on asking at the house, permission was at once given property were required ; first time, he passed down for Mr. Spurgeon to see all he wished, and then, for the the drive, and beheld his future home.

"WESrWOOD" GATES, LODGE, AND DRIVE.

! SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. " Westvvood," he exclaimed, "Oh, that place As soon as he caught sight of is for me too grand left without having inspection, he a very brief ! " and, after far becoming So up he any owner. completely give did of anticipation its all not even send anyone there, that he thought but, a few did to the of living sale ; telling him days afterwards, he received a note that the reserve price had not been if he would make an Then came what reached, and asking for the offer estate.

Mr. Spurgeon always regarded as the providential interposition of God in the matter.

builder, whom always employed work That needed he very the day, for at all " Helensburgh if he wanted to sell his home House," called to enquire because, if ; it as a residence for his son-in-law who was to buy so, one of his neighbours wished The mentioned from house had he Pastor abroad.

returning then seen the at Norwood, and added, "If is needed to could get for this place anything like what A to make the e.xchange."

consultation was purchase the other, I should be glad a sum was and be asked, held duly reported the price as the to stated, to to neighbour, who at once said, I should not think of offering Mr. Spurgeon any less, " I am sure he would only give you fair value a deposit fi.x a the will seal for to ; The message and cheque soon returned with Mr.

the but builder bargain." ; ' Westwood,' or can buy Spurgeon I must wait shall be out of " see to said, if He drove again house and home." Hill, found Beulah that he could, without to difficulty, meet the difference in the price of the two places, and, within a few hours, old home was sold, and the new one secured, as he always believed, by Divine the arrangement.

" Helensburgh The House " some incoming have desired residents at to permanent memorial of their predecessor's occupancy of the house, so Mr. Spurgeon it engraved, and fixed underneath the large wrote the following inscription, and had painted window at the end of the study : fair room, "Farewell, I leave thee to a friend: Peace dwell with him and all his kin! May angels evermore th.e house defend Their Lord hath often been within." in the next number of The Sword and In August, the removal took place, and the Trowel, the Editor wrote: — "Simple as the matter of change of residence may of stories, among which it has is the statement create sufficed sorts be, to that all My ever-generous friends would 'Mr. Spurgeoiis people have given him a house.' give me was had whatever one house and buy only needful as but, to sell ; Having once accepted a noble another, there was no their doing necessity for so.

then handed there and presentation from them, and having the Almsit over to accordingto my mind it would by no means be to receive a second public houses, One friend who heard of my change of residence right generously sent testimonial.

entirely my own beyond of removal expense towards the help but, this, is it ;

H. SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPHY, concern, and a matter about which I should have said nothing it had not been for if this gossip." " Westwood " as being Though Mr. Spurgeon had described too grand for far him, he was very vexed when an American visitor pubHshed a grossly-exaggerated account of " its park, and meadows, and lakes, and streams, and statuary, and stables," of the Queen at Windsor Castle! It would be which were supposed those to rival the "park", for the whole estate comprised less than nine acres, find to difticult ; — and the numerous "lakes and streams" which the three of which were leasehold imaginative D.D.

that he saw, were the modest piece of contained fancied in all water across which the prettiest view of the house can be obtained.

A PEEP ACROSS THE LAKE.

SrURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. H. " Westwood " would be Mr. Spurgeon hoped that one effect of his removal to at Clapham that he might enjoy better health than he had ; he even cherished the notion that the change would be so beneficial that he would not need to go to Mentone But overwork exacted the same penalties in the new home in the as in the winter.

Beulah Spa seemed For hydropathic appliances the a the time, one. old to at his own expressive but, by-and-by, they also failed, and the Pastor, afford relief; in to go to Heaven as the way, said that he had resolved Israelites crossed the Jordan, The friendly connection with the hydropathic establishment was, however, dryshod.

proprietor was to have permitted pipe running from a maintained, for his its still that any of the guests who desired in Mr. Spurgeon's garden, so house to the well THE WELL IN THE GARDEN.

The to drink the Beulah Spa water might have a supply of prospectus, issued it.

that "Westwood" was very time contained elaborate the a offered at for sale, as compared with of the virtues of the water, and medicinal value description its ; but Mr. Spurgeon in England and on the Continent never that of other springs concerned himself much about it himself, and gave it, though he occasionally drank others the opportunity of following his example.

" Westwood " was never more thoroughly Apart from uses, perhaps its private utilized than on the occasions when there, to spend a tutors and students gathered The rosary was the usual long and delightful day with their beloved President.* * This happy custom has been continued annually by Mrs. C. H. Spurgeon.

SPURGEON'S AUTOBIOGRArHY. H. and place of partaking meetinghere, of refreshments, after a devotional brief ; service was of the new held, followed by the The name of introduction students.

;nearly every one of them, or something about his previous calling, or the place from .which he had come, furnished material that ready wit with which Mr. Spurgeon for brightened all parts of his and the freshmen were always warned that the service ; of the opening day were festive proceedings to be regarded not representative as College must which the of of one rest hard be their of career, work, so real that they might benefit from derive the season possible of preparation for the all ministrv.

SUMMERHOUSE, AN'D BOWLS "N As the brethren dispersed to their various forms of recreation, a number of them Puritan game of bowls in the summerhouse overlooking the always chose the ; and lawn, the President and tutors watched them, and, at the same time, talked over any matters on which Thus, on one occasion, a brother they might need consult.

to was to. go called from Falkland a commission Islands; his plav to the receive to another was summoned to others was entrusted to eo while the mission-field to ;

SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. H. the honour of reviving some decaying church English in an a or starting village, new one amidst the dense population of London or some provincial town.

" ->' j,..v*?wf"* ^-V F^W -fS H - "^JH ^m^^^^^mi m -^HnHHI ?> ,J ^HHHHHH| 1 ^I^H ^^91 ^K't ' ^^B •• ! ^ k THE HOUSE AS VIEWED FROM THE LAWN. is the place from which The top a from of the round tower, the lawn, visible ; and many of the students, in days past, sought wide extent of country can be seen at Epsom The grand stand and secured permission to "view the landscape o'er."

the tower on but, from the greater height, is plainly discernible from the grounds ; the atmosphere, Windsor Castle Hill, and, in a peculiarly favourable state of Leith also, can be descried.

The steps leading down often formed a convenient rallying-point the lawn to around grouped were sometimes brethren though the meeting, evening the for Far away across Thornton Heath rolled the great volume the upper summerhouse.

to a hundred voices sang the sweet songs of the male choir of eighty of sound Zion, of which the College anthem — " Hallelujah for the Cross as ! " — was certain to be The by spoken those words gratefully are gatherings, the at Pres'ident, one.

remembered by brethren now labouring for the Lord in various parts of the world.

SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRArHY. H. " The Question During under were Oak," meetings held informal the day, name Mr. which beneath widely-spreading gained branches, because, that its to him any enquiry that they pleased, and he Spurgeon allowed the students to put hesitation, and often interspersed his replies answered them all without a moment's with the narration of striking incidents in his own experience, such as those recorded III., pages 192 — 6. in Vol. The lake is not likely to be forgotten by some of the Pastors' College brethren first visit of the students to " Westwood," the On the who are now in the ministry.

the whole place. President told them to go wherever they pleased, and to explore there was on of them discovered not very long before some boat It was a that THE BOAT ON THE LAKE. its crew had gone down the lake, and not many minutes more before the boat and all into the mud !

became was a place coachman's of so Happily, cottage close by, the it

spurgeon's autobiograpiiy. H. collegians, who for the shipwrecked the sympathetic refuge attentions of received their garments were being restored their brethren while to a wearable condition ; and they were themselves temporarily clothed from the wardrobe of Mr. Spurgeon As the students were not so stout as the former, nor so tall as and the coachman.

latter, they were not very comfortable their borrowed raiment the but, later in in ; they appeared garb, and proper turned then President the day, the the their in clear of the muddy waters adventure to practical account by warning them to keep of doubt, and not they were trust themselves off tcTra firma unless sure of the to trustworthiness of their boat and the skill of the oarsman.

Pastors' College, many other the students of the In have, addition to visitors On one at "Westwood."

time, been welcomed from time party of occasion, a to friends, who had Tabernacle on been .American worshipping Sabbath, the the at by whom Mr. Thomas " personally were Cook, being asked they of Leicester, conducted " through London, to seek permission for them to see the preacher at his of their number.

This was and one home. G. Walker, readily accorded Dr. J. ; a long and interesting account Spurgeon's home-going, Mr. of their wrote, after The following extract will convey a good idea of the impressions made reception.

also on many others who, at upon the that day, and Transatlantic different visitors times, saw the dear Pastor in his own house and garden :-^ "Turning open along gateway, thickly-shaded a drive short the the into itself, now and ever to be known by the familiar carriage-way brings us to the house is at the carriage before we name of 'Westwood.' Mr. Spurgeon alight, and gives We spend a us such a cordial greeting that we immediately feel at home ourselves.

Then, moments, few with the intercourse. further cheerful, social rosary, in in though somewhat laboured, steps, our genial host leads us along the grass-bordered house, down a winding pathway sheltered by overhanging walks around the trees, ; then out upon a over a little rustic bridge, and along the edge of a miniature lake ' Westwood ' dwellingsloping stretch of open ground, from the summit of which the down beyond and sunny widening which expanse sends a the of glances, its and suggests landscape English heart picturesque the voice alike familiar to melody 'Sweet Beulah Land.' closer to the man himself, "At every step, we find ourselves drawn closer and simplicity, and with brilliant, entertaining conversation, he as, with unaffected easy, the moments makes glimpses Recalling quickly these pass too of the by.

social life of the great preacher, leads me to indicate a few of the impressions and domestic I was especially struck with that are most tenderly cherished. his love of nature. He seemed to be He lived in loving acquaintance with his beautiful surroundings.

leaf, and and every on terms without intimacy with flower of closest and, plant, ;

autobiography. spurgeon's H. this may very largely account his own marked in speech naturalness question, for plants, and and movement, both in the pulpit and out of leaves, and Like the it.

flowers, he loved to be just what God made him. > ' Come into my picture ' and let me show you some " pictures gallery,' said he, painted by God Again we found ourselves at the entrance to the rosary, Himself.' certain openings which had been made where our attention was directed in the to these open he proper dense Placing us the before positions spaces, foliage.

in and, as we did so, we found ourselves gazing upon invited us to look through them ; the more pictures that were beautiful because they enabled well as natural us, all to 'look through nature up as the owner of the God.' In nature's gallery, to all least show of there was or any these methods not the expression, of affectation, The and conduct conversation assumption of sanctimoniousness.

the entire of private walks and the fervour and public ways, breathed out man, both the his in lives and communes with loves God, and who frankness of a soul who knows and his Saviour."

A visitor at " VVestwood," who professed to have come from the United States, cordiality because he announced was 'received by Mr. Spurgeon with considerable He Ward Henry was "Captain son Beecher."

Beecher, himself of the as conducted through the grounds, and had the special attractions of the place pointed part, managed 7'o/e he had to him ; and he, on very the sustain well out to his excuse me "Oh, Spurgeon!

assumed Mr. he just before leaving, for said, until, for me ? making such a request, but could you change a cheque Unfortunately, I want some money very closed, and after the bank was waited particularly until The dear at once aroused, and he suspicions were with Pastor's to-night."

said, to make such a request pardonable severity, "I think you ought do not to me.

If the American son, you must be able, through you are really Mr. Beecher's consul, " or some friend, to get your cheque cashed, without coming to a complete stranger ; A youngman days few departed.

a afterwards, and, the attempt, foiled his in and when gentleman was murdered a carriage on Brighton railway the the in ; Spurgeon was Mr.

published the papers, the Lefroy, of portrait criminal, in visitor, though he never immediately recognized underthe features of his recent call at " Westwood."

stood the reason for the man's strange " Westwood " One taken was which were be place sure the to visitors to ; and among the many treasures their attention was to which directed, the fernery mother-fern was never forgotten, and most of them received from the dear owner, as visit, some living mementos of their baby-ferns growing on the parent-plant.

of the At one of the Tabernacle prayer-meetings, Mr. Spurgeon gave an address upon the

SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. in which he urged it was spiritually what mother-fern, to be to seek his hearers naturally, and, by the grace of God, to be the means of reproducing themselves in in whom the same blessed process might be repeated by the eftectual their converts, working of the Holy Spirit.

THE FERNERY. " Westwood," and At one time, bees were kept at Mr. Spurgeon was intensely them whenever he had any watching minutes few a or spare, interested to in The who movements.

various could explain lecturer their at visitors scientific Frank was Professor Cheshire, great College, period, the that Pastors' at a. and and was wide he on bees place delighted bee-culture authority his to ; One day, he brought knowledge the dear President's of the subject disposal.

at Ligurian queen, which he had procured on purpose to add with him a to the value to see how quickly her majesty bees, and he was Pastor's busy delighted of the made herself at home among her English subjects.

After a while, Mr. Spurgeon noticed to have little creatures appeared that the afield, to "gather honey all the day," that they seemed tired out quite to fly so far

AUTOBIOGRAPHY. SPURGEON S 6o H. " fell exhausted before they could get back when they reached their hives, or to the also much difficulty in keeping them alive through the winter There was homes.

; had one he he however, Before did them. with parted so, reluctantly, so he, On summer's calm he never which a them, experience, connected forgot.

with without giving him any warning, to watch them, when, evenincr, he was standing He clothes, and began over him.

crawling of them settled on hundreds his all them threw out quickly of the garments, his stripped rushed off upstairs, all bedroom window, and, marvellous to relate, he escaped without a single sting.

" Westwood," the whole after removing One Monday long to not morning, there had been a burglary during household was in a state of consternation because On study, and a service had been the the Sabbath evening, a h-eld in the night.

It was not noticed at the time for small window had been opened ventilation.

for it remained open, and made it a comparatively easy matter for a thief up, so lockinoHe did not get much for his pains, and his principal plunder almost led to to enter.

B. Gough had given Mr. Spurgeon a a valuable as Mr. John stick to his arrest.

this was amongst the burglar's booty, and, after hammering token of his affection ; it was he a adorned, which offered sale gold with of shape for at the out it H.

name, was read Borough. the possible pawnbroker's the to It in still assistant was despatched an the police precious so metal, for the Spuro-eon, in ; but, before they arrived, the man decamped, and was not seen again.

that he was decidedly a Annoying as the incident was, the Pastor always said With the amount he battered gold, he for the received o-ainer by the transaction.

to him than the handsome stick would bought some books which were of more use as he was Then the Orphanage the the Trustees ever have of been.

that, felt Treasurer of the various Institutions, and often had money, and documents of value, in his possession, he ought to have a safe in which to keep them, belonging to them, The down, burglar had thrown a study, the they presented one him.

in to so of the room were number of lighted matches, and theloose papers in various parts Lord had easily have fire, so that a great conflagration might if the set on resulted, Thankfulness for this providential escape not graciously prevented such a calamity.

transfer of the property from the was followed by the the since recollection that, former owner, the premises had not been of case the insured, so that in loss, fire, and, by means of speedily remedied neglect was That would have been serious.

; electric bells, and other arrangements, special protection was provided for the future.

News considerable was with papers, various published, burglary the of in given, Mr. Spurgeon publicity thus and, perhaps as the result of the exaggeration ; it bore so many letter, purporting to have been written by the thief; and received a it came from the it was marks of being a genuine really believed that that epistle

SPURGEONS AUTOBIOGRArHY. ' H. Among know was man "the he he other didn't that said things, himself. it hortiings' Spurgin " who hved there, for he would not have robbed him, and he put " Why don't you shut your windows and keep a dog?" the very pertinent question, of "Punch" — the pug concerning From that time, dates the entry to " Westwood " whom his master testified that he knew more than any dog ever ought to know !

"punch" and "gyp." One Mr. Spurgeon evening, when Thursday Tabernacle, preaching the at to good and account turned sermon, introduced canine his the friend his into have heard preachers who have seemed pugnacious think propensities that to me to bring out a doctrine on purpose to fight over dog, that has a a hcive it.

I go home and when out, and to-night, he bring in which he rug sleeps will it it before me, — -not that he particularly cares for his rug, ; bnX. because he knows shake it,' and then he will bark at me, and in his language say, I'll have that shall say, ' ' No, you won't.' There are some people who fetch out the doctrines of grace just see them trotting along with can that way.

doctrine of election just the in in brother may dispute with them about that some Arminian it, and that then order Do not act so, beloved." they may bark at him. In many of his letters from Mentone, Mr. Spurgeon mentioned his dog ; a few extracts will show how fond he was of I wonder whether intelligent creature the When we Punchie from drove a here, thinks the certain of master.

station his of my old style, and reminded me doggie barked Punchistic at the horses true in pleased me very Punchie sending me much.

Poor doggie, love his friend. for my sake. ... of old Punch I dreamed pat him for me, and give him a tit-bit ; hope Kind dog memories poor Punch, including the to better.

all, is How is prolonged, and hope he will live is he getting on I rejoice that his lite til!

'^ my May him the sweetening of be blessing a return. his his in to afflictions ' Master is coming !' temper! Tell Punchie, " Punchie," on his part, was very much attached to his dear owner, except wher?

SPURGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. H. old dog would and then not go near the poor had Spurgeon the gout, Mr. the The affliction was "Punch's" son, "Gyp." time the of friend in faithful sufferer. He was not as wise as his father indeed, he was often called a stupid creature, and ; The his master made a telling in barking illustration out of his thunder.

at folly it shows how paragraph may Mr. Spurgeon fittingly end the present chapter, for service even employed occurred the Lord's incidents slightest that his his in in own home.

On young dog wrote he heard our time the occasion, that first He leaped up, gazed around in anger, and then began to startled him. thurider, it When the next crash came, he grew peace. bark of his disturber furious, the at pieces the intruder who dared thus to the room, seeking flew round and tear in to The yelping of a dog It was an odd scene. the artillery against pitted defy him. his bark could silence the thunderPoor foolish creature, to think that of heaven !

What was he His imitators are not far to clap, or intimidate the tempest! like? are men Among an exceedingly of there juncture, particular this seek. at us, They endeavour breed, who go about howling to bark their Maker. doggish at let Him of His gospel, and the Almighty out the voice silence to of existence, to We need not parHis warnings.

know to be disturbed by not rest their that is even heard, and are very fond public note, often are of creatures the ticularize ; They present a pitiful spectacle. Let them alone. when it takes an unfriendly form. We could The feel much more compelled if we did not at them to weep. smile To-day, they defy their Maker elements of a tragedy are wrapt up in this comedy.

; At any but, to-morrow, they may be crushed beneath His righteous indignation.

rate, the idea of fearing them must never occur to us is vocalized ; their loudest noise ' He is mere fume.

that the sitteth fury impotent, their malice in their folly is ; : the Lord shall have them in derision,'" heavens shall laugh

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