Conversion as Our Aim
The grand object of the Christian ministry is the glory of God. Whether souls are converted or not, if Jesus Christ be faithfully preached, the minister has not laboured in vain, for he is a sweet savour unto God as well in them that perish as in them that are saved. Yet, as a rule, God has sent us to preach in order that through the gospel of Jesus Christ the sons of men may be reconciled to him. Here and there a preacher of righteousness, like Noah, may labour on and bring none beyond his own family circle into the ark of salvation; and another, like Jeremiah, may weep in vain over an impenitent nation; but, for the most part, the work of preaching is intended to save the hearers. It is ours to sow even in stony places, where no fruit rewards our toil; but still we are bound to look for a harvest, and mourn if it does not appear in due time.
The glory of God being our chief object, we aim at it by seeking the edification of saints and the salvation of sinners. It is a noble work to instruct the people of God, and to build them up in their most holy faith: we may by no means neglect this duty. To this end we must give clear statements of gospel doctrine, of vital experience, and of Christian duty, and never shrink from declaring the whole counsel of God. In too many cases sublime truths are held in abeyance under the pretence that they are not practical; whereas the very fact that they are revealed proves that the Lord thinks them to be of value, and woe unto us if we pretend to be wiser than he. We may say of any and every doctrine of Scripture —
“To give it then a tongue is wise in man.”
If any one note is dropped from the divine harmony of truth the music may be sadly marred. Your people may fall into grave spiritual diseases through the lack of a certain form of spiritual nutriment, which can only be supplied by the doctrines which you withhold. In the food which we eat there are ingredients which do not at first appear to be necessary to life; but experience shows that they are requisite to health and strength. Phosphorus will not make flesh, but it is wanted for bone; many earths and salts come under the same description — they are necessary in due proportion to the human economy. Even thus certain truths which appear to be little adapted for spiritual nutriment are, nevertheless, very beneficial in furnishing believers with backbone and muscle, and in repairing the varied organs of Christian manhood. We must preach “the whole truth,” that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Our great object of glorifying God is, however, to be mainly achieved by the winning of souls. “We must see souls born unto God. If we do not, our cry should be that of Rachel “Give me children, or I die.” If we do not win souls, we should mourn as the husbandman who sees no harvest, as the fisherman who returns to his cottage with an empty net, or as the huntsman who has in vain roamed over hill and dale. Ours should be Isaiah’s language uttered with many a sigh and groan — “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” The ambassadors of peace should not cease to weep bitterly until sinners weep for their sins.
If we intensely desire to see our hearers believe on the Lord Jesus, how shall we act in order to be used of God for producing such a result? This is the theme of the present lecture.
Since conversion is a divine work, we must take care that we depend entirely upon the Spirit of God, and look to him for power over men’s minds. Often as this remark is repeated, I fear we too little feel its force; for if we were more truly sensible of our need of the Spirit of God, should we not study more in dependence upon his teaching? Should we not pray more importunately to be anointed with his sacred unction? Should we not in preaching give more scope for his operation? Do we not fail in many of our efforts, because we practically, though not doctrinally, ignore the Holy Ghost? His place as God is on the throne, and in all our enterprises he must be first, midst, and end: we are instruments in his hand, and nothing more.
This being fully admitted, what else should be done if we hope to see .conversions? A ssuredly we should be careful to preach most prominently those truths which are likely to lead to this end.
What truths are those? I answer, we should first and foremost preach Christ, and him crucified. Where Jesus is exalted souls are attracted; — “I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me.’’ The preaching of the cross is to them that are saved the wisdom of God and the power of God. The Christian minister should preach all the truths which cluster around the person and work of the Lord Jesus, and hence he must declare very earnestly and pointedly the evil of sin, which created the need of a Saviour. Let him show that sin is a breach of the law, that it necessitates punishment, and that the wrath of God is revealed against it. Let him never treat sin as though it were a trifle, or a misfortune, but let him set it forth as exceeding sinful. Let him go into particulars, not superficially glancing at evil in the gross, but mentioning various sins in detail, especially those most current at the time: such as that all-devouring hydra of drunkenness, which devastates our land; lying, which in the form of slander abounds on all sides; and licentiousness, which must be mentioned with holy delicacy, and yet needs to be denounced unsparingly. We must especially reprove those evils into which our hearers have fallen, or are likely to fall. Explain the ten commandments and obey the divine injunction: “show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Open up the spirituality of the law as our Lord did, and show how it is broken by evil thoughts, intents, and imaginations. By this means many sinners will be pricked in their hearts. Old Robbie Flockhart used to say, “It is of no use trying to sew with the silken thread of the gospel unless we pierce a way for it with the sharp needle of the law.” The law goes first, like the needle, and draws the gospel thread after it: therefore preach concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment to come. Let such language as that of the fifty-first Psalm be often explained: show that God requireth truth in the inward parts, and that purging with sacrificial blood is absolutely needful. Aim at the heart. Probe the wound and touch the very quick of the soul. Spare aiot the sterner themes, for men must be wounded before they can be healed, and slain before they can be made alive. No man will ever put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness till he is stripped of his fig leaves, nor will he wash in the fount of mercy till he perceives his filthiness. Therefore, my brethren, we must not cease to declare the law, its demands, its threatening?, and the sinner’s multiplied breaches of it.
Teach the depravity of human nature. Show men that sin is not an accident, but the genuine outcome of their corrupt hearts. Preach the doctrine of the natural depravity of man. It is an unfashionable truth; for nowadays ministers are to be found who are veryfine upon “the dignity of human nature.” The “lapsed state of man” — that is the phrase — is sometimes alluded to, but the corruption of our nature, and kindred themes are carefully avoided: Ethiopians are informed that they may whiten their skins, and it is hoped that leopards will remove their spots. Brethren, you will not fall into this delusion, or, if you do, you may expect few conversions. To prophecy smooth things, and to extenuate the evil of our lost estate, is not the way to lead men to Jesus., Brethren, the necessity for the Holy Ghost’s divine operations will follow as a matter of course upon the former teaching, for dire necessity demands divine interposition. Men must be told that they are dead, and that only the Holy Spirit can quicken them; that the Spirit works according to his own good pleasure, and that no man can claim his visitations or deserve his aid. This is thought to be very discouraging teaching, and so it is, but men need to be discouraged when they are seeking salvation in a wrong manner. To put them out of conceit of their own abilities is a great help toward bringing them to look out of self to another, even the Lord Jesus. The doctrine of election and other great truths which declare salvation to be all of grace, and to be, not the right of the creature, but the gift of the Sovereign Lord, are all calculated to hide pride from man, and so to prepare him to receive the mercy of God.
We must also set before our hearers the justice of God and the certainty that every transgression will be punished. Often
must we
“Before them place in dread array,
The pomp of that tremendous day
When Christ with clouds shall come.”
Sound in their ears the doctrine of the second advent, not as a curiosity of prophecy, but as a solemn practical fact. It is idle to set forth our Lord in all the tinkling bravery of an earthly kingdom, after the manner of brethren who believe in a revived Judaism; we need to preach the Lord as coming to judge the world in righteousness, to summon the nations to his bar, and to separate them as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats. Paul preached of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come,, and made Felix tremble: these themes are equally powerful now. We rob the gospel of its power if we leave out its threatenings of punishment. It is to be feared that the novel opinions upon annihilation and restoration which have afflicted the Church in these last days have caused many ministers to be slow to speak concerning the last judgment and its issues, and consequently the terrors of the Lord have had small influence upon either preachers or hearers. If this be so it cannot be too much regretted, for one great means of conversion is thus left unused.
Beloved brethren, we must be most of all clear upon the great soul-saving doctrine of the atonement; we must preach a real bona fide substitutionary sacrifice, and proclaim pardon as its result. Cloudy views as to atoning blood are mischievous to the last degree; souls are held in unnecessary bondage, and saints are robbed of the calm confidence of faith, because they are not definitely told that “God hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” We must preach substitution straightforwardly and unmistakeably, for if any doctrine be plainly taught in Scripture it is this, — “The chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.” “He, His own self, bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” This truth gives rest to the conscience by showing how God can be just, and the justifier of him that believeth. This is the great net of gospel fishermen: the fish are drawn or driven in the right direction by other truths, but this is the net itself.
If men are to be saved, we must in plainest terms preach justification ly faith, as the method by which the atonement becomes effectual in the soul’s experience. If we are saved by the substitutionary work of Christ, no merit of ours is wanted, and all men have to do is by a simple faith to accept what Christ has already done. It is delightful to dwell on the grand truth that “This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.” O glorious sight — the Christ sitting down in the place of honour because his work is done. Well may the soul rest in a work so evidently complete.
Justification by faith must never be obscured, and yet all are not clear upon it. I once heard a sermon upon “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy,” of which the English was, “Be good, very good, and though you will have to suffer in consequence, God will reward you in the end.” The preacher, no doubt, believed in justification by faith, but he very distinctly preached the opposite doctrine. Many do this when addressing children, and I notice that they generally speak to the little ones about loving Jesus, and not upon believing in him. This must leave a mischievous impression upon youthful minds and take them off from the true way of peace.
Preach earnestly the love of God in Christ Jesus, and magnify the abounding mercy of the Lord; but always preach it in connection with his justice. Do not extol the single attribute of love in the method too generally followed, but regard love in the high theological sense, in which, like a golden circle, it holds within itself all the divine attributes: for God were not love if he were not just, and did not hate every unholy thing. Never exalt one attribute at the expense of another. Let boundless mercy be seen in calm consistency with stern justice and unlimited sovereignty. The true character of God is fitted to awe, impress, and humble the sinner: be careful not to misrepresent your Lord.
All these truths and others which complete the evangelical system are calculated to lead men to faith; therefore make them the staple of your teaching.
Secondly, if we are intensely anxious to have souls saved we must not only preach the truths which are likely to lead up to this end, but we must use modes of handling those truths which are likely to conduce thereto. Do you enquire, what are they? First, you must do a great deal by way of instruction. Sinners are not saved in darkness but from it; “that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good.” Men must be taught concerning themselves, their sin, and their fall; their Saviour, redemption, regeneration, and so on. Many awakened souls would gladly accept God’s way of salvation if they did but know it; they are akin to those of whom the apostle said, “And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it.” If you will instruct them God will save them: is it not written, “the entrance of thy word giveth light “? If the Holy Spirit blesses your teaching, they will see how wrong they have been, and they will be led to repentance and faith. I do not believe in that preaching which lies mainly in shouting, “Believe I believe! believe!” In common justice you are bound to tell the poor people what they are to believe. There must be instruction, otherwise the exhortation to believe is manifestly ridiculous, and must in practice be abortive. I fear that some of our orthodox brethren have been prejudiced against the free invitations of the gospel by hearing the raw, undigested harangues of revivalist speakers whose heads are loosely put together. The best way to preach sinners to Christ is to preach Christ to sinners. Exhortations, entreaties, and beseechings, if not accompanied with sound instruction, are like firing off powder without shot. You may shout, and weep, and plead, but you cannot lead men to believe what they have not heard, nor to receive a truth which has never been set before them. “Because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge.”
While giving instruction it is wise to appeal to the understanding. True religion is as logical as if it were not emotional. I am not an admirer of the peculiar views of Mr. Finney, but I have no doubt that he was useful to many; and his power lay in his use of clear arguments. Many who knew his fame were greatly disappointed at first hearing him, because he used few beauties of speech and was as calm and dry as a book of Euclid; but he was exactly adapted to a certain order of minds, and they were convinced and convicted by his forcible reasoning. Should not persons of an argumentative cast of mind be provided for? We are to be all things to all men, and to these men we must become argumentative and push them into a corner with plain deductions and necessary inferences. Of carnal reasoning we would have none, but of fair, honest pondering, considering, judging, and arguing the more the better.
The class requiring logical argument is small compared with the number of those who need to be pleaded with, by way of emotional persuasion. They require not so much reasoning as heart-argument — which is logic set on fire. You must argue with them as a mother pleads with her boy that he will not grieve her, or as a fond sister entreats a brother to return to their father’s home and seek reconciliation: argument must be quickened into persuasion by the living warmth of love. Cold logic has its force, but when made red hot with affection the power of tender argument is inconceivable. The power which one mind can gain over others is enormous, but it is often best developed when the leading mind has ceased to have power over itself. When passionate zeal has carried the man himself away his speech becomes an irresistible torrent, sweeping all before it. A man known to be godly and devout, and felt to be large-hearted and self-sacrificing, has a power in his very person, and his advice and recommendation carry weight because of his character; but when he comes to plead and to persuade, even to tears, his influence is wonderful, and God the Holy Spirit yokes it into his service. Brethren, we must plead. Entreaties and beseechings must blend with our instructions. Any and every appeal which will reach the conscience and move men to fly to Jesus we must perpetually employ, if by any means we may save some. I have sometimes heard ministers blamed for speaking of themselves when they are pleading, but the censure need not be much regarded while we have such a precedent as the example of Paul. To a congregation who love you it is quite allowable to mention your grief that many of them are unsaved, and youi4 vehement desire, and incessant prayer for their conversion. You are doing right when you mention your own experience of the goodness of God in Christ Jesus, and plead with men to come and taste the same. We must not be abstractions or mere officials to our people, but we must plead with them as real flesh and blood, if we would see them converted. When you can quote yourself as a living instance of what grace has done, the plea is too powerful to be withheld through fear of being charged with egotism.
Sometimes, too, we must change our tone. Instead of instructing, reasoning, and persuading, we must come to threatening, and declare the wrath of God upon impenitent souls. We must lift the curtain and let them see the future. Show them their danger, and warn them to escape from the wrath to come. This done, we must return to invitation, and set before the awakened mind the rich provisions of infinite grace which are freely presented to the sons of men. In our Master’s name we must give the invitation, crying, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Do not be deterred from this, my brethren, by those ultra-Calvinistic theologians who say, “You may instruct and warn the ungodly, but you must not invite or entreat them.” And why not? “Because they are dead sinners, and it is therefore absurd to invite them, since they cannot come.” Wherefore then may we warn or instruct them? The argument is so strong, if it be strong at all, that it sweeps away all modes of appeal to sinners, and they alone are logical who, after they have preached to the saints, sit down and say, “The election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.” On what ground are we to address the ungodly at all? If we are only to bid them do such things as they are capable of doing without the Spirit of God, we are reduced to mere moralists. If it be absurd to bid the dead sinner believe and live, it is equally vain to bid him consider his state, and reflect upon his future doom. Indeed, it would be idle altogether were it not that true preaching is an act of -faith, and is owned by the Holy Spirit as the means of working spiritual miracles. If we were by ourselves, and did not expect divine interpositions, we should be wise to keep within the bounds of reason, and persuade men to do only what we see in them the ability to do. We should then bid the living live, urge the seeing to see, and persuade the willing to will. The task would be so easy that it might even seem to be superfluous; certainly no special call of the Holy Ghost would be needed for so very simple an undertaking. But, brethren, where is the mighty power and the victory of faith if our ministry is this and nothing more 1 Who among the sons of men would think it a great vocation to be sent into a synagogue to say to a perfectly vigorous man, “Rise up and walk,” or to the possessor of sound limbs, “Stretch out thine hand.” He is a poor Ezekiel whose greatest achievement is to cry, “Ye living souls, live.”
Let the two methods be set side by side as to practical result, and it will be seen that those who never exhort sinners are seldom winners of souls to any great extent, but they maintain their churches by converts from other systems. I have even heard them say, “Oh, yes, the Methodists and Revivalists are beating the hedges, but we shall catch many of the birds.” If I harboured such a mean thought I should be ashamed to express it. A system which cannot touch the outside world, but must leave arousing and converting work to others, whom it judges to be unsound, writes its own condemnation.
Again, brethren, if we wish to see souls saved, we must be wise as to the times when we address the unconverted. Very little common sense is spent over this matter. Under certain ministries there is a set time for speaking to sinners, and this comes as regularly as the hour of noon. A few crumbs of the feast are thrown to the dogs under the table at the close of the discourse, and they treat your crumbs as you treat them, namely, with courteous indifference. Why should the warning word be always at the hinder end of the discourse when hearers are most likely to be weary? Why give men notice to buckle on their harness so as to be prepared to repel our attack? When their interest is excited, and they are least upon the defensive, then let fly a shaft at the careless, and it will frequently be more effectual than a whole flight of arrows shot against them at a time when they are thoroughly encased in armour of proof. Surprise is a great element in gaining attention and fixing a remark upon the memory, and times for addressing the careless should be chosen with an eye to that fact. It may be very well as a rule to seek the edification of the saints in the morning discourse, but it would be wise to vary it, and let tKp unconverted sometimes have the chief labour of your preparation and the best service of the day.
Do not close a single sermon without addressing the ungodly, but at the same time set yourself seasons for a determined and continuous assault upon them, and proceed with all your soul to the conflict. On such occasions aim distinctly at immediate conversions; labour to remove prejudices, to resolve doubts, to conquer objections, and to drive the sinner out of his hiding-places at once. Summon the church-members to special prayer, beseech them to speak personally both with the concerned and the unconcerned, and be yourself doubly upon the watch to address individuals. We have found that our February meetings at the Tabernacle have yielded remarkable results: the whole month being dedicated to special effort. Winter is usually the preacher’s harvest, because the people can come together better in the long evenings, and are debarred from out-of-door exercises and amusements. Be well prepared for the appropriate season when “kings go forth to battle.”
Among the important elements in the promotion of conversion are your own tone, temper, and spirit in preaching. If you preach the truth in a dull, monotonous style, God may bless it, but in all probability he will not; at any rate the tendency of such a style is not to promote attention, but to hinder it. It is not often that sinners are awakened by ministers who are themselves asleep. A hard, unfeeling mode of speech is also to be avoided; want of tenderness is a sad lack, and repels rather than attracts. The spirit of Elijah may startle, and where it is exceedingly intense it may go far to prepare for the reception of the gospel; but for actual conversion more of John is needed, — love is the winning force. We must love men to Jesus. Great hearts are the main qualifications for great preachers, and AVC must cultivate our affections to that end. At the same time our manner must not degenerate into the soft and saccharine cant which some men affect who are for ever clearing everybody, and fawning upon people as if they hoped to soft-sawder them into godliness. Manly persons are disgusted, and suspect hypocrisy when they hear a preacher talking molasses. Let us be bold and outspoken, and never address our hearers as if we were asking a favour of them, or as if they would oblige the Redeemer by allowing him to save them. We are bound to be lowly, but our office as ambassadors should prevent our being servile.
Happy shall we be if we preach believingly, always expecting the Lord to bless his own word. This will give us a quiet confidence which will forbid petulance, rashness, and weariness. If we ourselves doubt the power of the gospel, how can we preach it with authority? Feel that you are a favoured man in being allowed to proclaim the good news, and rejoice that your mission is fraught with eternal benefit to those before you. Let the people see how glad and confident the gospel has made you, and it will go far to make them long to partake in its blessed influences.
Preach very solemnly, for it is a weighty business, but let your matter be lively and pleasing, for this will prevent solemnity from souring into dreariness. Be so thoroughly solemn that all your faculties are aroused and consecrated, and then a dash of humour will only add intenser gravity to the discourse, even as a flash of lightning makes midnight darkness all the more impressive. Preach to one point, concentrating all your energies upon the object aimed at. There must be no riding of hobbies, no introduction of elegancies of speech, no suspicion of personal display, or you will fail. Sinners are quick-witted people, and soon detect even the smallest effort to glorify self. Forego everything for the sake of those you long to save. Be a fool for Christ’s sake if this will win them, or be a scholar, if that will be more likely to impress them. Spare neither labour in the study, prayer in the closet, nor zeal in the pulpit. If men do not judge their souls to be worth a thought, compel them to see that their minister is of a very different opinion.
Mean conversions, expect them, and prepare for them. Resolve that your hearers shall either yield to your Lord or be without excuse, and that this shall be the immediate result of the sermon now in hand. Do not let the Christians around you wonder when souls are saved, but urge them to believe in the undiminished power of the glad tidings, and teach them to marvel if no saving result follows the delivery of the testimony of Jesus. Do not permit sinners to hear sermons as a matter of course, or allow them to play with the edged tools of Scripture as if they were mere toys; but again and again remind them that every true gospel sermon leaves them worse if it does not make them better. Their unbelief is a daily, hourly sin; never let them infer from your teaching that they are to be pitied for continuing to make God a liar by rejecting his Son.
Impressed with a sense of their danger, give the ungodly no rest in their sins; knock again and again at the door of their heart-, and knock as for life and death. Your solicitude, your earnestness, your anxiety, your travailing in birth for them God will bless to their arousing. God works mightily by this instrumentality.
But our agony for souls must be real and not feigned, and therefore our hearts must be wrought into true sympathy with God. Low piety means little spiritual power. Extremely pointed addresses may be delivered by men whose hearts are out of order with the Lord, but their result must be small. There is a something in the very tone of the man who has been with Jesus which has more power to touch the heart than the. most perfect oratory: remember this and maintain an unbroken walk with God. You will need much night-work in secret if you are to gather many of your Lord’s lost sheep. Only by prayer and fasting can you gain power to cast out the worst of devils. Let men say what they will about sovereignty, God connects special success with special states of heart, and if these are lacking he will not do many mighty works.
In addition to earnest preaching it will be wise to use other means. If you wish to see results from your sermons you must be accessible to enquirers. A meeting after every service may not be desirable, but frequent opportunities for coming into direct contact with your people should be sought after, and by some means created. It is shocking to think that there are ministers who have no method whatever for meeting the anxious, and if they do see here and there one, it is because of the courage of the seeker, and not because of the earnestness of the pastor. From the very first you should appoint frequent and regular seasons for seeing all who are seeking after Christ, and you should continually invite such to come and speak with you. In addition to this, hold numerous enquirers’ meetings, at which the addresses shall be all intended to assist the troubled and guide the perplexed, and with these intermingle fervent prayers for the individuals present, and short testimonies from recent converts and others. As an open confession of Christ is continually mentioned in connection with saving faith, it is your wisdom to make it easy for believers who are as yet following Jesus by night to come forward and avow their allegiance to him. There must be no persuading to make a profession, but there should be every opportunity for so doing, and no stumbling-block placed in the way of hopeful minds. As for those who are not so far advanced as to warrant any thought of baptism, you may be of the utmost benefit to them by personal intercourse, and therefore you should seek it. Doubts may be cleared away, errors rectified, and terrors dispelled by a few moments’ conversation; I have known instances in which a life-long misery has been ended by a simple explanation which might have been given years before. Seek out the wandering sheep one by one, and when you find all your thoughts needed for a single individual, do not grudge your labour, for your Lord in his parable represents the good shepherd as bringing home his lost sheep, not in a flock, but one at a time upon his shoulders, and rejoicing so to do.
With all that you can do your desires will not be fulfilled, for soul-winning is a pursuit which grows upon a man; the more he is rewarded with conversions the more eaer he becomes “to see greater numbers born unto God. Hence you will soon discover that you need help if many are to be brought in. The net soon becomes too heavy for one pair of hands to drag to shore when it is filled with fishes; and your fellow-helpers must be beckoned to your assistance. Great things are done by the Holy Spirit when a whole church is aroused to sacred energy: then there are hundreds of testimonies instead of one, and these strengthen each other; then advocates for Christ succeed each other and work into each other’s hands, while supplication ascends to heaven with the force of united importunity; thus sinners are encompassed with a cordon of earnest entreaties, and heaven itself is called into the field. It would seem hard in some congregations for a sinner to be saved, for whatever good he may receive from the pulpit is frozen out of him by the arctic atmosphere with which he is surrounded: and on the other hand some churches make it hard for men to remain unconverted, for with holy zeal they persecute the careless into anxiety. It should be our ambition, in the power of the Holy Ghost, to work the entire church into a fine missionary condition, to make it like a Leyden jar charged to the full with divine electricity, so that whatever comes into contact with it shall feel its power. What can one man do alone? What can he not do with an army of enthusiasts around him? Contemplate at the outset the possibility of having a church of soul-winners. Do not succumb to the usual idea that we can only gather a few useful workers, and that the rest of the community must inevitably be a dead weight: it may possibly so happen, but do not set out with that notion or it will be verified. The usual need not be the universal; better things are possible than anything yet attained; set your aim high and spare no effort to reach it. Labour to gather a church alive for Jesus, every member energetic to the full, and the whole in incessant activity for the salvation of men. To this end there must be the best of preaching to feed the host into strength, continual prayer to bring down the power from on high, and the most heroic example on your own part to fire their zeal: then under the divine blessing a common-sense management of the entire force cannot fail to produce the most desirable issues. “Who among you can grasp this idea and embody it in actual fact?
To call in another brother every now and then to take the lead in evangelistic services will be found very wise and useful; for there are some fish that never will be taken in your net, but will surely fall to the lot of another fisherman. Fresh voices penetrate where the accustomed sound has lost effect, and they tend also to beget a deeper interest in those already attentive. Sound and prudent evangelists may lend help even to the most efficient pastor, and gather in fruit which he has failed to reach; at any rate it makes a break in the continuity of ordinaiy services, and renders them less likely to become monotonous. Never suffer jealousy to hinder you in this. Suppose another lamp should outshine yours, what will it matter so long as it brings light to those whose welfare you are seeking? Say with Moses, “Would God all the Lord’s servants were prophets.” He who is free from selfish jealousy will find that no occasion will suggest it; his people may be well aware that their pastor is excelled by others in talent, but they will be ready to assert that he is surpassed by none in love to their souls. It is not needful for a loving son to believe that his father is the most learned man in the parish; he loves him for his own sake, and not because he is superior ta others. Call in every now and then a warm-hearted neighbour, utilize the talent in the church itself, and procure the services of some eminent soul-winner, and this may, in God’s hands, break up the hard soil for you, and bring you brighter davs.
In fine, beloved brethren, by any means, by all means, labour to glorify God by conversions, and rest not till your heart’s desire is fulfilled.
Alabaster, Paismore, & Sons, Printers, Fann Street, London, E.G.
PASSMORE AND ALABASTER,
PATERNOSTER BUILDINGS, LONDON, E.C
Expository
THE TREASURY OF DAVID. Containing an Original Exposition of the
Book of Psalms: a Collection of Illustrative Extracts from the whole range of Literature; a Series of Hqmiletical Hints upon almost every verse; and list of Writers upon each Psalm. By C. H. SITRGEON. Price 8s. each volume.
Vol. I., containing Psalms I. to XXVI. — Twenty-second Thousand.
„ II., „ „ XXVII. „ LII. — Nineteenth Thousand.
„ III., „ LIII. „ LXXVIII. — Eighteenth Thousand.
„ IV., „ „ LXXIX. „ CIII. — Sixteenth Thousand.
„ V., „ „ CIV. „ CXVIII. — Twelfth Thousand.
„ VI., ,, „ CXIX. „ CXXIV. — Seventh Thousand.
“The comments and expositions abound in rich, racy, and suggestive remarks, and they have a strong flavour of the homiletic and practical exposition with which Mr. Spurgeon is accustomed to accompany his public reading of Holy Scripture. There is an intensity of belief, a fulness of assent to the great points of Calvinistic orthodoxy which our author would not be true to himself if he attempted to conceal. The brief introductions are very well done, and the abundant apparatus criticus, the list of hundreds of writers on the Psalms, whose meditations have been laid under contribution to enrich the work, render this commentary one of the most voluminous in existence. At all events, the volumes will be an encyclopaedia of reference.” — British Quarterly Review.
“The book is a commonplace of the Psalms, and the index a concordance of all human literature from which the Treasury of David could be enriched by congenial accessories. In the whole series of citations hardly one is dry or long, or otherwise than apt.” — Liverpool Daily Post.
“No man, whatever his theological predilections may be, who has a spark of justice in him, will hesitate to pronounce the work of great merit, revealing an intellect of remarkable vivacity and vigour, and a soul aflame with religious earnestness.” — Homilist.
THE INTERPRETER; or, Scripture for Family Worship: being selected
passages of the word! of God for every morning and evening throughout the year, accompanied by a running comment and suitable Hymns. By C. H. SPURGEON. Cloth 25s., Persian Morocco 32*., Turkey Morocco 42s. Hymn Book, Is.
Heads of households who find it difficult to choose suitable portions of the Word of God, will find this to be the very help they need. In the best binding it is a grand wedding present.
“Calculated to be of great value to the many who require guidance in conducting family worship.’’ — The Churchman’s Monthly Penny Magazine.
“The impress of Mr. Spurgeon’s genius is observable in the very felicitous arrangement of the passages of Scripture as well as in the characteristic running comments.’’ — The Christian Family.
“We hail with unfeigned delight the volume before us as a real addition and help to the exercises of the domestic altar, and desire for it a wide and increasing circulation. The paper is thick, the type large and clear; and the beautiful manner in which the work altogether is got up docs the highest credit to the publishers.” — South Wales Press. ’
THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE PULPIT, Containing the Sermons
of C. II. SPVRGEON, preached during the past twenty-eight years. Vols. I. and II. C«. 6d. each.
Vols. III. to VI., 7s. each. Vol. VII., 8s. 6d. Vols. VIII. to XXX., 7s. each.
The Sermons are published every Thursday at Id.; Monthly Parts at 6d. each; and will be sent weekly by the Publishers, post free, to any address in ‘the United Kingdom: three months, Is. lid.; six months, 3s. 9d.; twelve months, 7s. (id.
“Translated as Mr. Spurgeon’s Sermons have been into nearly all the languages of the world, their popularity at home is a fact that admits no dispute, and needs no enforcement ...... J
is as homely as pungent, and us felicitous in its appeal to the understanding ol the people as ever it when the pastor, now nearing the autumn of life, and worn by the toils of early spring, and the heat o still active summer, was in the vigorous exercise of youthful gifts that attracted all classes to his eloquent preaching. The subjects of many texts are handled by him in a manner that shows his complete mastery of the highest rhetorical art of exposition.” — The Daily Telegraph.
TWELVE SERMONS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS. By C. H. SPURGEON.
With Portrait, Views of Cottage where Mr. Spurgeon first preached, and of the Metropolitan Tubcrnaclc. Limp Cloth, Is. Post free 14 stamps.
TWELVE SELECTED SOtJL- WINNING SERMONS. Bound in Limp Cloth
Is. Post free 14 stamps.
TWELVE STRIKING SERMONS. Bound in Limp Cloth. Price Is-Post free 11 stamps.
TYPES AND EMBLEMS; Being a Collection of Sermons preached on Sunday
and Thursday Evenings at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. By C. H. SPUROEON. 3s.
“To characterise these discourses would be simply superfluous. Every reader of Mr. Spurgeon’s sermons knows the worth of everything issuing from the press of which he is the author. The volume is very tastefully ’ got up.’” — Christian Age.
TRUMPET CALLS TO CHRISTIAN ENERGY, being a Second Series of
Mr. SPVRGEOX’S Sunday and Thursday Evening Sermons. Price 3s. Cd.
.... “The aim in each of these addresses is the simple one of rousing Christian men and women to renewed activity for God .... Believing them to be eminently calculated to do good, we wish them a wide circulation.” — Bock.
THE PRESENT TRUTH: Being a Third Series of Mr. SPURGEON’S
Sunday and Thursday evening Sermons. Price 3s. 6d.
“Thank Qod for such mighty discourses! Even the quiet perusal of them thrills the soul and sets the spiritual pulse a-beating with holy impulse and desire; what the results of hearing them spoken have been, we suppose will never be known till ’ the day shall declare it.’ They are mainly evangelistic. Each discourse has the genuine gospel ring that proves it to have been coined in the mint of heaven. No better gift-book could be suggested for an unconverted or backsliding friend.” — The Christian.
FARM SERMONS. 19 Discourses on Farming. By C. H. SPURGEON.
Crown 8vo, 328 pages, large type. Illustrated. 3s. 6d.
“Though in a widely different vein, the volume is in every way worthy of the author of ‘John Ploughman’s Talk.’ The varied phases of farming life to which reference is made in the sacred word are turned to excellent account in conveying deep and important spiritual lessons. In a word, these sermons are as fresh and fragrant as the newly-ploughed soil or the new-mown hay, and ought to be perused with pleasure and profit by many who know little or nothing of agricultural pursuits.” — The Christian.
THE ROYAL WEDDING. The Banquet & the Guests. By C.H. SPURGEON.
Paper Covers, 6d.; Cloth, Is.
“An elegant little book of 80 pages, illustrating the parable of the Wedding Garment, and worthy of the orld-wide fame of the author.” — Baptist Messenger.
Illustrative*
FEATHERS FOR ARROWS; or Illustrations for Preachers and Teachers,
from my Note Book. By C. H. SPUROEON. Price 2s. 6d.
“The work covers a wide range of subjects; the metaphors arc always striking and frequently brilliant, while the truths which they illustrate are such as have always formed the staple of “Mr. Spurgeon’s discourses. A choicer collection of illustrations we do not know.” — Freeman.
ILLUSTRATIONS AND MEDITATIONS; or, Flowers from a Puritan’s
Garden. Distilled and Dispensed by C. H. SPCKGEON. Cloth, 2s. 6d.
“The volume before us is full of helpful suggestions and beautiful illustrations. Nowhere have ‘we met with more characteristics of Mr. Spurgeon’s mind and heart than in these illustrations. The book ought to be immensely popular, as it doubtless will be.” — Christian Commonwealth.
Extracts.
FLASHES OF THOUGHT; being one Thousand Choice Extracts from
the Works of C. H. SPUROEON. Alphabetically arranged, and with a copious Index. Price 5s. “Struck with the fact that all Mr. Spurgeon’s sermons are full of extractable sentences, that ’ flash forth with a brightness all their own,’ his publishers have bethought them of filling a book with the most suggestive of these short passages, and of arranging them in alphabetical order. The idea is a good one; and 1 Flashes of Thought,’ the volume in question containing one thousand choice extracts from the works of Mr. Spurgeon, is sure of ready acceptance with the immense body by whom he is admired and followed.” — Daily Telegraph.
SPURGEON’S GEMS: being Brilliant Passages Selected from the Discourses
of C. H. SPVHGEON. Large Type, 4s.
GLEANINGS AMONG THE SHEAVES. By C. H. SPURGEON. Cloth
Antique, Price Is. 6d.
“These extracts are quite Spurgeonic — racy, rich, and rare, both as to style and matter — full of exquisite consolation — faithful advice — clear analogies — poetic touches — and gloricus old gospel. We do not wonder though eight thousand copies were disposed of on the day of publication, and we trust eight times eighty thousand will find their way to the religious public.’1 — Weekly Recicw.
SPURGEON’S BIRTHDAY BOOK, Cloth 2s. 6d.; Calf or Morocco, 5s.;
Russia, with Photograph, 10s. 6d. One of the most attractive of these popular little books. A large edition has been sold.
“Containing a metaphor, simile, allegory, or illustration for every day in the year”, compiled from the works of C. H. SPURGEOX. For thirty pence our readers may possess a book which is as useful as it is handsomely got up. The records of dates which are dear to the household, or the signatures of beloved friends and visitors “will find here the happiest method of preservation and reference.” — Christian Age.
MORNING BY MORNING; or. Daily Readings for the Family or the
Closet. By C. H. SPUEGEON. Price 3s. GJ. Morocco, red and gilt edges, 7.s.Gd.
“Those who have learnt the value of morning devotion, will highly prize these help?. All who lore a full-orbed gospel, vigorous, varied thought, and a racy style, will appreciate this volume.” — Hot. J. Angvt, D. D., Regent’s Park College.
EVENING BY EVENING; or, Readings at Eventide for the Family or the
Closet. By C. II. SPVRGEON. 3s. Cd. Morocco, red and gilt edges, 7s. 6d.
“Ever since I became acquainted with Mr. Sturgeon’s ‘Morning by Morning,’ I have reckoned it altogether priceless, not onlv myself using it every d;iy with joy and profit, but sending it abroad to members of my
OUR OWN HYMN BOOK. Compiled by C. H. SPURGEON.
LIST OF PRICES.
No. s. d. I No. s. d.
1. Demy 32mo, — Limp cloth, cheap edition... 0 6 I 9. Dbl. Column. — Roan, gilt edees 2 0
2. ,, Cloth, lettered 1 0 W- Morocco, gilt edges, fine paper 5 0 5. Royal £2mo. — Cloth, lettered 2 0 8.* Dbl. Column, — Cloth, cheap edition 1 0
11. „ Circuit, gilt edges 3 0
12. PoolsoapSvo. — Cloth, lettered 3 0 15. Crown 8vo. — Cloth, lettered 6 0 *This Edition is also bound with Bible in leather, prices from 6,’-
It is believed to be, all things considered, the largest, cheapest, and most accurate Hymn-book in the English language. The ministers who use it uniformly speak of it in the wannest terms of approval. Specimen Pages of the various editions can be had on application.
JFor Students.
LECTURES TO MY STUDENTS. A Selection from Addresses delivered
to the Students of the Pastors’ College, Metropolitan Tabernacle. By C. H. SPVROEOX, President. First Series. Twenty-seventh Thousand. Price 2s. Cd.
“Mr. Spurgeon has selected topics of practical importance, such as the call to the ministry, the preacher’s private prayer, sermon matter, the arrangement of the voice, impromptu speech, the choice of a text, and the like; and on each and all of the themes thus taken up he has much to say that is worth hearing, and he says it in a way that at once enlists the reader’s attention. Every point is illustrated in a forcible, homely style, and pulpit anecdotes of the most interesting character abound in these pages.” — The Rock,
“Truly admirable — pointed, hearty, practical, pithy, and full of good sense, while the spirit breathed is aVays that of manly piety and wise Christian zeal.” — Evangelical Magazine.
Sisond Series of LECTURES TO MY STUDENTS. With Illustrations
of Posture and Action. 2s. 6d. Twelfth Thousand.
“The very best of Mr. Spurgeon’s work, and the very best things that he says, are to be found in these •ectures. We have read them with delight. They are full of weighty spiritual counsel, of common sense, of humour. When the lecturer is addressing his audience upon the ‘Holy Spirit in connection with our ministry,’ no one will find a sentence to excite a smile. The reader is borne down by a sense of grave spiritual realities. When we come to ‘Open-air Preaching ’ we have more common sense in a page than many men exhibit in a life-time, while the lectures on Position, Action, Gesture, &c.,’ with their illustrations, are brimful of humour. So good are many of the things here, that we have felt the strongest disposition to quote them all.” — yoncow/orm ist.
COMMMENTING AND COMMENTARIES. Two Lectures addressed to the
- Students of the Pastors’ College, Metropolitan Tabernacle, together with a Catalogue of Bible Commentaries and Expositions. Tenth Thousand. Price 2s. 6d.
“Every candid reader will ‘admit that, in impartiality, in terse and telling brevity, in wisdom sharpened into wit. in unaffected zeal for Christ’s cause,.and, above all, in robust common sense, this volume has few equals, if any.” — Literary World.
“This little volume contains a large amount of information, and theological students of any College
may find it interesting and helpful The comments on commentators and their works are
shrewd, suggestive — sometimes sarcastic, but always full of common sense, and on lines thoroughly scriptural.
In his notes Mr. Spurgeon is, so far as we have observed, singularly fair and ’ unsectarian.’” —
The Record.
“It is not often that a small book is produced so full of good sense, keen insight, and practical utility aa
the Rev. C. II. Spurgeon’s ‘Commenting and Commentaries.’ It is issued at the trifling cost
of half-a-crown, and ought to be in the hands of every clergyman who has the least interest in theological reading, and in fitting himself for the discharge of his duties in the pulpit and the catechetical chair.” — The Church Times.
MY SERMON-NOTES. A Selection from Outlines of Discourses delivered at
the Metropolitan Tabernacle. By C. H. SPUUOKOS. Genesis to Proverbs. I. to LXIV. Cloth, 2s. 6d. “‘My Sermon Notes ’ will be as heartily welcomed by the clergy of the Establishment as by Nonconformist pastors. In point of freshness, the work is such a contrast to many books of the same order, that preachers of every grade will find something suggestive under every head.” — The Christian World
SPEECHES by C. H. SPURGEON, AT HOME AND ABROAD. Edited by
G. H. PIKE. Price, 2s. Gd. The work is printed uniformly with the Series of Lectures, and contains eighteen articles, beginning with “The Bible,” and ending with “Drive on.”
THE SWORD AND THE TROWEL. A Monthly Magazine. Price 3d.
Yearly vols., 5s. Cases for binding, Is. 4d. Records the movements of the Tabernacle and its Institutions, but also touches upon a great variety of interesting themes. It commands a large and influential body of readers.
It commands a large circulation among almost all classes of Christians, and as a religious periodical it now occupies a position second to none. It records the works of faith and labours of love which are the honour of the various sections of the church, and it contends most unsparingly against the errors of the times. It is an accurate record of the religious movements which emanate from the Metropolitan Tabernacle, but its advocacy is far from being confined within that area. As an earnest defender of the voluntary principle, it strives to draw out the sympathies of the people, and to educate them to give freely to Christian enterprises; so that as the system of endowments and State-grants gradually passes away, the living power of spontaneous generosity may more than supply its place. No pains will be spared to render the Magazine growingly worthy of the widest circulation. — Editor, C. II. SPURGEON.
Historical
THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE: its History and Work. With
32 Illustrations. By C. H. SPURGEON. Price, in paper covers, Is. Bound in cloth, 2s. “A shilling brochure on this fruitful theme from the ever-busy pen of the great Baptist preacher, one that is profusely illustrated with portraits, fac-similes of forgotten caricatures, and other engravings, quaint and otherwise, is likely to rival ‘John Ploughman ’ in popularity. Containing between one and two hundred octavo pages, the matter might easily have been spread out into a five or six shilling volume; but, as Mr. Spurgeon desires to write for the people, he publishes his works at prices to suit the pockets even of the poor.” — Christian World.
MEMORIAL VOLUME, containing the Sermons and Addresses delivered
in the Metropolitan Tabernacle, in connection with the presentation of a Testimonial to Pastor C. H. SPURGEON, to commemorate the completion of the 25th year of his pastorate. Bound in cloth, Is.
THE SPURGEON JUBILEE ALBUM, in Handsome Binding, Royal 4to, gilt
edges. Containing a brief sketch of Mr. SPURGEON’S Life and his numerous Institutions, with Photographic Views, and Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. SPUHGEON. 10s. 6cl.
“This is a very worthy memorial of the Jubilee. A work of art for the drawing-room table, and at the same time a historical document of an event which has been a joy to many. The price is moderate for such a production.1’ — C. H. SPUROEON.
MR. SPURGEON’S JUBILEE. Report of the proceedings at the Metropolitan
Tabernacle, on “Wednesday and Thursday Evenings, June 18th and 19th, 1884. Price 6d.. paper covers,
cloth Is.
“A fitting memorial of a feast of brotherly love. The memory of those two days of earnest gratitude to God, and intense affection to his servant, ought to be handed down to the posterity of all who had a hand in it. The bound copy will be far the best for preserving. We thank our publishers for producing this memorial at their own risk.” — C. II. SFURGEOX.
JOHN PLOUGHMAN’S TALK; or, Plain Advice for Plain People. By
C. H. SPUROEOX. Illustrated. Stiff covers, Is. Cloth, gilt edges, 2s. 320th Thousand. “Racy and pungent; very plain, and to the purpose. No fear as to whether it will be read or not by those into whose hands it may fall. If Mr. Spurgeon goes on at this rate in his multiform publications, he will leave nothing racy unsaid,” — Watchman.
JOHN PLOUGHMAN’S PICTURES; or, More of his Plain Talk for
Plain People. Illustrated. 100th Thousand. Stiff covers, Is. Cloth, gilt edges, 2s.
“Each sentence is a cluster of diamonds — some of them rough, but all of them real. It is the very quintessence of ‘sanctified common sense,’ or perhaps we should say uncommon sense. We are glad to note the splendid way in which the arrows of barbed wit and satire are shot at the dreadful drink; and hope that by reading these sparkling chapters many a silly toper will be cajoled out of the stupefying cup. Every page is worth a mint of money, and 160 pages makes a marvellous shilling’s-worth. Anyone who buys it and reads it and gives it away will have made a rare investment.” — The Christian.
SPURGEON’S SHILLING SERIES. Bound in Cloth.
No. 1. — CHRIST’S GLORIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS.
No. 2. — SEVEN WONDERS OF GRACE.
No. 3. — THE SPARE HALF HOUR.
No. 4. — THE MOURNER’S COMFORTER.
No. 5. — THE BIBLE AND THE NEWSPAPER.
No. 6. — ECCENTRIC PREACHERS.
No. 7. — GOOD CHEER.
“If anyone wishes to know how Mr. Spurgeon can write, let him invest a shilling in one of these little books, and he will readily see how it is that their author can attract both readers and hearers.” — Bookseller.
THE CLUE OF THE MAZE. By C. H. SPURGEON. Price Is. This
tasteful little volume is selling splendidly. It is the author’s desire that it may strengthen the faith of many, and recover others out of the snare of the enemy.
“Heartily do we thank Mr. Spurgeon for the work, and commend the book as just what is often required for a present; one which will be found to be acceptable by the unculturcl and the cultured as well” — T
freeman.
The “A MAN IN CHRIST.” An Address delivered to the Members of the
Stock Exchange, at Cannon Street Hotel, 2d.
“FAITH IN CHRIST.” An Address to Men of Business, Id. “THE CLAIMS OF GOD.” An Address to Men of Business, Id. A CATECHISM WITH PROOFS, compiled by the Rev. C. H. SPURGEON,
from the Assembly’s Shorter Catoohism, and the Baptist Catechism. Prioe Id.
One Penny Each. In neat wrapper. By C. H. SPURGEON.
Specially adapted for gratuitous distribution.
A DOUBLE KNOCK AT THE DOOR
OF THE YOUNG.
A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST.
AN ANXIOUS ENQUIRY FOR A BE-LOVED SON.
APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION.
A SILLY DOVE.
A SPUR FOR A FREE HORSE.
A WORD FOR THE PERSECUTED.
BAPTISMAL REGENERATION.
BELLS FOR THE HORSES.
CALL TO THE UNCONVERTED.
CONFESSION OF SIN.
EXETER HALL SERMON TO YOUNG
MEN.
FAITH: WHAT IS IT? HOW CAN IT
BE OBTAINED?
FEAR NOT.
FEED MY LAMBS.
GOD’S JEWELS.
HELPS TO FULL ASSURANCE.
HOW TO OBTAIN FAITH.
HOW TO RAISE THE DEAD.
INFANT SALVATION.
IS CONVERSION NECESSARY?
IS IT NOTHING TO YOU.
JESUS AND THE LAMBS.
LANDLORD AND TENANT.
LET US PRAY.
LOVING ADVICE FOR ANXIOUS
SEEKERS.
MAY I?
NONE BUT JESUS.
No. 1,500, OR, LIFTING UP THE
BRAZEN SERPENT.
ONLY TRUST HIM! ONLY TRUST HIM!
RECEIVING THE KINGDOM OF GOD
AS A LITTLE CHILD.
SERMON FOR EVERYBODY.
SUPPOSING HIM TO BE THE
GARDENER.
THE BEST BURDEN FOR YOUNG
SHOULDERS.
THE CHILDREN AND THEIR
HOSANNAS.
THE DROPPING WELL OF KNARE3-
BOROUGH.
THE ESSENCE OF SIMPLICITY.
THE HOLD FAST.
THE LITTLE DOGS.
THE PEARL OF PATIENCE.
THE PERPETUITY OF THE LAW OF
GOD.
THE PRIEST DISPENSED WITH.
THERE GO THE SHIPS.
THE SEA! THE SEA! THE WIDE
AND OPEN SEA!
THE SILVER TRUMPET.
THE TURNING POINT.
THE UPPER HAND
THE WAR HORSE.
THE WAY OF SALVATION.
TOKEN FOR THE BEREAVED.
WORKS BY OTHER AUTHORS.
A BODY OF DIVINITY, contained in Sermons upon the Assembly’s Catechism. By the Rev. THOMAS WATSON, Rector of St. Stephen’s Walbrook. A new and complete edition, revised and adapted to modern readers, by the Rev. GEORGE ROGERS, Camberwell. With a Preface and Appendix by Pastor C. H. SI-VRGEON. Price 6s. “Every divine of Calvinistic views should read it, and every private Christian also. We can heartily
recommend it to all lovers of sound doctrine, among whom we hope for a large sale.” — C. If. Spurgeon.
THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD. Being Sermons delivered at the
Metropolitan Tabernacle, by Pastor THOMAS SPUEOEOX, during his father’s illness. With Preface by
C. II. SPUKGKON. Cloth, Is.’Gd.
“They are as eloquent as they are wise, and are as homely as they are reverent and devout. Earnest, loving, tender, yet manly, outspoken and courageous utterances such as these are must do good. The volume is adorned with a portrait of the author, and a picture of his great Tabernacle at Auckland, The work deserves, and, no doubt, will have, an immense circulation.1’ — Oldham Chronicle.
BOOTH OF THE BLUE RIBBON MOVEMENT; or, The Factory Boy who
became a Temperance Evangelist. l!y ERXKST BI.AOKWEI.L. With Preface by CANON WII.UKUFOBCK.
Crown 8vo., 328 Pages, handsomely bound in Cloth, with Illustrations. Price 3s. Gd. “A singular life, revealing the greatness of divine grace. R. T. Booth is one of the truest and most devoted of Temperance Evangelists. Mr. Blackwell, who is Mr. Booth’s Secretary, has written this ‘life’ well, and deserves much credit for it. The book is so prettily got up, that it ought to run :i hundred thousand at the least. It must be popular, or else we are greatly out of our reckoning.” — C. //. Spuryron.
BLUE RIBBON
Stiff Covers, Gd.
ELISHA COLES ON DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY.
SPUBGEON. 2s. Gd.
Romaine says of this book: “The doctrines of grace, of which this book treats, are the truths of God: our author has defended them in a masterly manner. He has not only proved them to be plainly revealed in the Scriptures, but has also shown that they are of such constant use to the children of God, that without the steadfast belief of them, they cannot go on their way rejoicing. In the practical view of these i Elisha Coles is singularly excellent.”
GEMS. A Choice Collection. By RICHARD T. BOOTH.
With Preface by C. H.
HENRY’S OUTLINE OF CHURCH HISTORY: A Brief Sketch of the
Christian Church from the First Century. By JOSEPH FERNANDEZ, LI.. D. 2s. 6<L
“The Church Histories hitherto in vogue are too cumbersome, too verbose, too involved to be used in schools and colleges, and we entertain the hope that the present work will remedy that evil, and supply a work which all our friends who are tutors can use with pleasure and safety. Every young Christian should be acquainted with ecclesiastical history; it should be taught in every school of a high grade, to young ladies as well as to their brothers.’1 — C. H. Spwgeon.
NONCONFORMITY IN SOUTHWARD The Metropolitan Tabernacle: or,
an Historical Account of the Society, from its first planting in the Puritan era to the present time. With other Sketches relating to the Rise, Growth, and Customs of Nonconformity in Southwark. By G. II. PIKK. With an Introduction by C. H. SPURGEON. 2s. 6d.” We venture to think that no one will begin the book without reading every page of it, and feel grateful
at the end to Mr. Pike for the pleasure afforded by its perusal. The book is indeed highly interesting.” —
Literary World.
GLIMPSES OF JESUS; or, Christ Exalted in the Affections of his
People. By W. P. BALFERN. Fifth Thousand. Fcp. 8vo. Cloth 3s.
“I hailed with pleasure the advent of this precious volume. I sat down to read it, and soon discovered its beauty; it was a feast of fat things, a season long to be remembered. I have read it again and again, and would desire to adore the Holy Spirit for that gracious unction which rested on me in its perusal.” — C. H. Spurgeon.
LESSONS FROM JESUS; or, the Teachings of Divine Love. By
W. P. BALFERN. Second Edition. 3g.
“This is a worthy sequel to ‘Glimpses of Jesus,’ by the same author. Every book is valuable that fixes our attention upon Jesus, and revives our perception of his beauty; and especially when it discovers new beauties, and brings his whole character more vividly before us. Such will be the effect of these ‘Lessons from the life of Jesus.’” — C. H. Spurgeon.
THE BEAUTY OF THE GREAT KING, and other Poems for the Heart
and Home. By W. P. BALFERX. Second Edition. 2s. 6d.
“We strongly recommend this book to the attention of our readers. No child of God can read it without pleasure and profit. It has been written in the furnace, and will comfort such as are in it. The Author has seen some of ‘The Beauty of the Great King,’ and has well uttered the joy of that great sight. We hope that many will have equal delight with ourselves as they read this book.” — C. H. Spwgeon.
THE PATHOS OF LIFE; or, Touching Incidents Illustrative of the
Truth of the Gospel. By W. POOLE BALFERN. Second Edition. 2s. 6d.
“Sensitive, refined, and tender, suited to contact with the highest class of mind, he yet seeks to reach the finer feelings of those who externally too often exhibit a rough, hard, and unimpressible aspect. The young, we venture to say, will be charmed by the fatherly tenderness characteristic of many of these poems. The book will be highly valued by the Sunday-school teacher, by the minister of the gospel, and by all who know anything of Mr. Balfem and his writings, or who can appreciate earnest and deep-toned, yet cheerful spirituality.” — Litei-ary World.
Pastor C- H. SPURGEON: his Life and Work to his Fiftieth Birthday;
with an Account of his Ancestors for 200 Years. By GEORGE J. STEVENSON, M.A. Illustrated with Portraits and Engravings. Price Is., Paper Covers. Or in Cloth, 2s. “This is a faithful life of the foremost preacher of our time.” — Christian Age.
SEVEN PORTRAITS OF C. H. SPURGEON, with Reminiscences of his
Life at Waterbeach and London. By G. H. PIKE. Price, Is.
enable one to trace, step by step, the change which time has wrought in the familiar face of C. II. Spurgeon. and oven to determine the precise epoch at which he discarded the white necktie and appeared in a black one.” — Christian Family.
MRS. BARTLETT AND HER CLASS AT THE METROPOLITAN
Tabernacle. Being a short account of the life of Mrs. LAVIXIA STRICKLAND BARTLETT, by her son,
EDWARD H. BARTLETT, with a Preface by C. H. SPUUGKON. 2/6.
“All who knew our departed helper will, we feel sure, be glad to possess this unpretending tribute to her memory. It is stimulating, and unveils much of the inner life of the Tabernacle Church.” — Sword and Trowel.
BOOKSELLERS AND BOOKBUYERS in Byeways and Highways. By
C. H. SPURGEON, SAMUEL MANNING, LL.D., and G. HOLDEN PIKE. With a Preface by the liight Hon.
the EARL OF SUAFTESBCRY, IC.G. Cloth, gilt edges, Is. 6d.
Externally this is an attractive book. It is brought out with the view of creating and increasing public interest in Colportage. It remains a mystery with us that we cannot obtain support for Colportage in as liberal a measure as so geod a work demands. It does not say much for the wisdom and prudence of Christian people. If they gave most where the best return might legitimately be expected, we may say of our religious societies — these are last which would be first. If these addresses, papers, and reports should bring us in a revenue of sympathy, it will soon be followed by substantial help. To reach the villages and hamlets by means of sound literature taken to the cottagers’ doors, is a most worthy work; and as the rural population becomes smaller, and Nonconformist churches become feebler, it will become more and more an absolutely needful work, if we are to keep alive the light of the gospel among the poor and scattered. Our heart sighs and groans because this blessed agency is still so limited when every day the needs of the people cry for an increase. Scotland is supplied with colporteurs from sea to sea, and why is England so far behind.’ — C. H. S
THE PULPIT BY THE HEARTH: being Plain Chapters for Sabbath
Reading. By Rev. ARTIICR MVRSELL. Cloth, 2/6.
“Our friend Mr. Mursoll is a charming word painter. Here are ten or twelve sermonettet, which may be welcomed in many a family circle.” — Baptist Magazine.
CONFERENCE ADDRESSES: Being a Selection from Addresses delivered
at the Annual Conferences of the Pastors’ College, by the Rev. GEORGE ROGERS, with a Recommendation by C. H. SPURGEON. Bound in Cloth, price 2s. (id.
“Mother wit is blended with fatherly wisdom, and the whole i« sanctified by zeal for the cause of God. “We cannot too heartily commend the volume to our subscribers.” — C. II. SPURGKON.
“It is difficult to spend even a few moments in lookinginto this small volume without feeling that Mr. Rogers is a man of unusual power. These addresses are vigorous, racy, and interesting. They are the utterances of one who knows whereof he affirms.” — Christian World.
FRONDED PALMS: A Collection of Pointed Papers on a wide range of
Subjects. By “W. Y. FULLERTON. “With over one hundred Illustrations. Cloth, 2s. 6d.
“Vivacious, witty, sensible, gracious tales here abound. May God bless the book and the writer.’’ — C. II. SPURGEON.
“Well printed and abounding in capital illustrations. The book is one likely to be of great spiritual benefit to young people.1’ — Literary World.
WAYMARKS FOR WANDERERS; being Five Addresses delivered in the
Metropolitan Tabernacle, by “W. Y. FULI.ERTOJJ. Cloth, Is.
“It is full of freshness and originality. What is better, its earnest pleadings and plain gospel statements are sure to be useful to seeking souls, and we commend it for wide distribution by those who wish to lead others to the home above.” — Sword and Trowel.
“Another valuable book we must mention, ‘Waymarks for “Wanderers:’ Five Addresses on Luke xv. Mr. Fullerton shows that this grand gospel is not yet exhausted; indeed evangelists and preachers generally may find a hundred new points of departure from these fresh and suggestive addresses.” — Thi Christian.
A COLLECTION OF RARE JEWELS. From the Mines of William
GURNALL (1680). Dug up and deposited in a Casket, by ARTHUR AVOVSTVS REES (1853). Second
Edition. Price 2s.
“Of all the Puritans, Gurnall is the best adapted for quoting. He is sententious, and withal pictorial, and both in a high degree. Mr. Rees has made his selections with a discerning eye; they are not mere clippings at random, but extracts chosen with judgment.1’ — C. II. Spurgeon.
FOUR LETTERS TO THE CHRISTIANS CALLED ‘’BRETHREN”
on the subject of Ministry. By ARTHVR AUGVSTVS REES. Price Sixpence.
THE FLOWERS AND FRUITS OF SACRED SONG. Edited by V. J.
CHAHLESWORTH and J. MANTOX SMITH. Prefatory Note by C. H. SPVRGEOX.
MUSIC AND WORDS.
Old Notation and Tonic Sol Fa.
Paper Covers Is. Od.
Limp Cloth Is. 6d.
Cloth Gilt 2s. Od.
Old Notation only, cloth gilt, extra 3s. Od.
WORDS ONLY.
Paper Covers Os. Id.
Cloth „ Os. 3d.
Large Type, paper covers.. Os. 6d.
cloth covers.... Is. Od.
“The work may be described as a kind of expandci Moody and Sankey’s Hymn Book, with the advantage of including many of the favourites from the old hymn books. We have no doubt of its becoming a valued helper in many a Christian service.” — Christian World.
JOHN PLOUGHMAN: compiled and arranged as a Service of Song. Price 4d. JOHN PLOUGHMAN’S PICTURES, Compiled and arranged as a Service of
Song. Price 4d.
THE WALDENSIAN EXILES, Service of Song, compiled by JOHN
BURXHAM (Metropolitan Tabernacle Evangelist) and the Rev. MONTAOVE MATHER. Price -U. Each of the above in Old Notation and Tonic Sol-fa.
THE ILLUSTRATED HOME EVANGEL. Edited by W. Y. Fullerton.
Price One Penny Monthly. Post free for one year on receipt of Eighteen Penny Stamps.
“One of the cheapest and best of our evangelistic papers. Our earnest evangelist, Mr. Fullcrton, conducts this penny paper, which is in every way suitable for wide gratis distribution. There is a touch of humour about it which will secure its being read, and this is a thing all too rare in our evangelistic literature ‘’ — C. H. SPVRGEON in The Sword and the Trowd.
“A bright and vigorous little paper edited by Mr. W. Y. Fullerton, which has very rapidly made a place for itself.” — The Haptist.. ,,
“We commend our contemporary for ths variety, vigour, and freshness of its contents. — The
EVANGEL ECHOES, A Collection of Psalms, Solos, and Songs, Compiled
and used by Messrs. FVLLERTON & SMITH.
•WORDS OXLY. s. d.
Paper Covers
Cloth Covers J
Large Type, Paper Covers
Cloth Covers 1 6
MUSIC, OLD AND >L’V XOTATIOXS.
s. d.
Paper Covers 1 o
BUxkedCloth 1 6
Cloth, extra gilt 2
FTILLERTON & SMITH’S SONG SERVICES. Edited by VERNON J.
CHARLESWORTH. Designed to furnish musical illustrations for Evangelistic Addresses, and are also adapted for Sunday School and other anniversaries. Price with music, 3d. each. List of Titles —
I. CROSS OF CHRIST. I jy HE WEN OUR HOME. I VI. THE FOLD AND THE
II EGYPT TO CANAAN FLOCK
III.’ HOMEWARD BOUND. V. VALOUR AND VICTORY. yil. ROCK OF AGES.
The Seven in one Volume, Tonic Sol-fa, Is.; Old Notation, Is. Cloth, gilt edges, 2s. C<1.
“A capital series of services suitable for Sunday School and anniversaries. Will furnish holy song in private houses, and give healthy entertainment to gatherings which may in certain districts be got together by music when other means are unavailing.” — C. II. SPURGEOX in Sword $ Trowel.
THE STOCKWELL RECITER. A Collection of Old and New Favourites,
for the Home, the School, and Band of Hope. Edited by V. J. CHARLESVORTH. Nos. 1 and 2, One Penny each. “Just the thing which was wanted. Our friend, the head master of the Orphanage, has a genius for making tolling selections for recitation. “What with his ‘Song Services’ and the ‘Reciter,’ he gives teachers ill that they need for utilizing the talents of children for public or private entertainment, and he takes care that something good and instructive shall always be the leading article.” — C. H. SPURGEON in Stcord and 3’roicel.
BUNYAN’S WATER OF LIFE. Preface by C. H. SPUROEON. Is.
This Is a tasteful little book, very suitable for a present, and likely to be made useful wherever it may be circulated. It is written in Bunyan’s best style; it is simple, forcible, pleasing, and full of illustrations.
BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH. Thirty-two Articles on Christian Faith
and Practice, with Scripture Proofs, adopted by the Ministers and Messengers of the General Assembly, which met in London in 1689. Preface by 0. H. SPUROEON. Paper covers, 4d. Post free 5 stamps.
LECTURES ON BAPTISM, By the late WILLIAM SHIRREFF, Minister of
the Gospel, Glasgow. With a Preface by C. H. SPUROEON. Cloth, 2s. Gd.
“The Lectures are, to our mind, singularly likely to conciliate and win those who already hold sound views upon the great doctrines of the gospel. They were clearly meant to be an appeal to the author’s old friends, the Presbyterians. They are thorough and uncompromising, but, at the same time, calm and judicious.” — C. H.
BAPTISM DISCOVERED PLAINLY AND FAITHFULLY ACCORDING
to the Word of Goi. By JOHN NORCOTT. A New Edition, corrected and somewhat altered by C. H. SPURGEON. Price, paper covers, 6d.: cloth, Is.
CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. A Sermon by the Rev. H. Stowell Brown, at the
Metropolitan Tabernacle. Id.
FOR EVER AND EVER. A College Lecture upon the Duration of Future
Punishment. By Rev. GEORGE ROGERS. Price 2d.
FUTURE PUNISHMENT. A Lecture Delivered to the Students of the
Metropolitan Tabernacle College, in reply to a series of letters in “The Christian World” from the Rev. Edward White. By the Rev. GEORGE ROGERS. Price Id.
ENDLESS PUNISHMENT DEFENDED. By Rev. S. C. Bartlett, D.D., President
of Dartmouth College, U.S.A. With Preface by C. II. SPURGEOX Paper covers, 2d.; cloth, 6d.
MURSELL’S LECTURES TO WORKING MEN. Delivered at the
Lambeth Baths, Westminster Bridge Road. One Penny each; or lOd. the series in wrapper.
WHAT’S YOUR NAME?
TEMPLE BAR.
THE CRYSTAL PALACE.
SUGAR-COATED PILLS.
COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW.
RIPPLES ON THE RIVER.
FACES IN THE FIRE.
CRIES FROM THE CRADLE.
WASHED AWAY.
NEW PHOTOGRAPHS OF Mr. and Mrs. C. H. SPURGEON. Cartede-Visite, Is., Cabinets, 2s. Large size for framing, 5s,
NEW PHOTOGRAPH OF Rev. JAMES A. SPURGEON. Is. & 2s. NEW PHOTOGRAPHS of Messrs. FULLERTON & SMITH, the Metropolitan Evangelists. Carte-de-Visite, 6d. Cabinet, Is.
al life*like’ and ™ have Pleas™ * directing the attention of
PASSMORE & ALABASTER, PATERNOSTER BUILDINGS.
University of California
SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY
Return this material to the library
from which it was borrowed.