Barbed Arrows from the Quiver of C. H. Spurgeon

This volume is intended as a companion to “Feathers for Arrows,” and has been compiled from the Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon. During a season of sickness and convalescence Mr. Charles Spurgeon found a pleasing pastime in collating the illustrations, anecdotes, similes, etc., used by his beloved father in the Discourses published in the volumes of “The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit.” Knowing how the Lord’s archers desire that the arrows of truth may stick fast in the hearts of the King’s enemies, it was felt that such a sheaf of missiles, so well barbed, would prove useful to brother bowmen. The “artillery” here prepared has been proved by one of the most skilful of archers to be effective in piercing the armor-joints of many a sinner’s harness, and the arrow of conviction has gone home to many a heart when shot from “a bow drawn at a venture.” It has been a profitable pleasure to tie up the arrows into bundles, and it is hoped that the war-worn soldiers may be relieved a little as we hand to them their ammunition in this form; for “When the Word of God becomes an arrow in a man’s heart, he writhes; and he would fain tear it out; but it is a barbed shaft,”

Abstinence from sin. — To abstain from sin for any reason is, so far, good; but yet you may abstain from sin from a motive which will lend no virtue to your abstinence. Some abstain from sin from fear of men, or from hope of gain: as the thief is honest when he sees the policeman, and the beggar becomes pious when a dole is to be had at church. One sin will often kill another sin, as the miser shuns profligacy because he is too mean to spend his money riotously. But to abstain from sin because you love God — ay, that is the thing.

Activity — useless — I HEARD of a Christian man, whose mill-wheel was seen to be in motion on a Sunday. The people going to worship, wondered greatly thereat. But one who went by set their minds at rest, by pointing out that the wheel was going idly round, because the water by accident was allowed to flow over it. But the man said it was like their minister, and his sermons. There is no work being done, but the wheel goes round, clickety click, clickety click, though it is not grinding anything. Therein it also greatly resembles many an organization for spiritual service; the water is passing over it, glittering as it flows, but the outside motion does not join on to any human need, nor produce any practical result, and nothing comes of the click and hum.

Adorning the Doctrine. — WHEN the famous Spartan warrior Brasidas complained that Sparta was so small a state, his mother replied to him, “My son, Sparta has fallen to your lot, and it is your duty to adorn it.” Christian man, adorn the doctrine of God, your Savior, in all things. Wherever you are found, endeavor in that place to live out eternal life.

Adversity tests FaithI rememBer Mr. William Jay saying that birds’ nests are hard to find in summer-time, but anyone could find a bird’s nest in winter. When all the leaves are off the trees the nests are visible to all. Often in the days of our prosperity, we fail to find our faith; but when our adversity comes, the winter of our trial bares the boughs, and we see our faith at once. We are sure that we believe now, for we feel the effect of faith upon our character. ‘ Before I was afflicted I went astray,” said David, “but now have I kept thy word.” He found that his faith was really there by his keeping God’s Word in the time of his affliction.

Affliction — blessed. — THE bow of trouble shot David

like an arrow towards God! It is a blessed thing when the waves of affliction wash us upon the rock of confidence in God alone, when darkness below gives us an eye to the light above.

Affliction God’s Seal. AFFLICTION is the seal of the Lord’s election.

I remember a story of Mr. Mack, who was a Baptist minister in Northamptonshire. In his youth he was a soldier, and calling on Robert Hall, when his regiment marched through Leicester, that great man became interested in him, and procured his release from the ranks. When he went to preach in Glasgow, he sought out his aged mother, whom he had not seen for many years. He knew his mother the moment he saw her; but the old lady did not recognize her son. It so happened that when he was a child, his mother had accidentally wounded his wrist with a knife. To comfort him she cried, “Never mind, my bonnie bairn, your mither will ken you by that when ye are a man.” When Mack’s mother would not believe that a grave, fine-looking minister could be her own child, he turned up his sleeve and cried, “Mither, mither, dinna ye ken that?” Ina moment they were in each other’s arms. Ah, brethren! the Lord knows the spot of His children. He acknowledges them by the mark of correction.

Affliction quickens. — Y our affliction quickened your prayers. There is a man trying to write with a quill pen; it will not make anything but a thick stroke; but he takes a knife and cuts fiercely at the quill till it marks admirably. So we have to be cut with the sharp knife of affliction, for only then can the Lord make use of us. See how sharply gardeners trim their vines, they take off every shoot, till the vine looks like a dry stick. There will be no grapes in the spring, if there is not.this cutting away in the autumn and winter. God quickens us in our afflictions through His Word.

Aimfless life. — Somer time ago, I read in a paper of a gentleman being taken up before a magistrate. What was the charge against him? Nothing very serious, you will say. He was found wandering in the fields. He was asked where he was going, and he said he was not going anywhere. He was asked where he came from, and he said he did not know. They asked him where his home was, and he said he had none, They brought him up for wandering. As what? A dangerous lunatic. The man who has no aim or object in life, but just wanders about anywhere or nowhere, acts like a dangerous lunatic, and assuredly he is not morally sane.

Aimless life — ARE you like a vessel which is left to the mercy of the winds and waves? Ignoble condition! Perilous case! What! are you no more than a log on the water? I should not like to be a passenger in a vessel which had no course marked out on the chart, no pilot at the wheel, no man at the watch. Surely, you must be derelict, if not water-logged; and you will come to a total wreck before long.

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