A Few Words Concerning the Book Fund
From The Sword and the Trowel, February 1876
Ll last winter, in the sunniest corner of the south window of our especial sanctum, there stood a common garden flower-pot containing a little plant which we deemed a marvel of grace and beauty. We had sown some lemon pips the preceding autumn with a lively hope that one or more of them might possess the wonderful life-germ, and we were well rewarded for our confidence. In due time a frail little stem and two of the tiniest leaves that ever coaxed their way through the dark mould made their appearance, and from that moment it was watched, and watered, and tended with assiduous care. So frail at first, and delicate, that a drop of dew would have overwhelmed it, it nevertheless soon gained courage, the tender stem strengthened, one by one other and larger leaves unfolded themselves, and the little plant stood perfect and complete. It was a very little thing; but it gave great pleasure; and though some of the younger members of the household would occasionally ask, with just a suspicion of sarcasm in their tone, “If there were any lemons yet? 99 we cherished our little plant even more lovingly, and thanked God who, with infinite tenderness towards His suffering children, often deepens and intensifies their enjoyment of daily mercies, throwing a special charm around their common comforts, and causing a leaf, a flower, or the song of a bird, to whisper sweet “comfortable thoughts” in their hearts.
But this winter our Heavenly Father has given us a better
* The beloved writer, with profound reverence for our editorial authority, placed this paper in our hand with a great deal of diffidence, and coaxingly entreated us to alter and amend it, and make it presentable. It is not in our heart to touch a word of it; we could not im-J prove it, and we do not want to partake in the honour of it. Every ine cost the suffering writer pain, and gave her joy, and it shall speak for itself. We cannot, dare not, alter it.
plant to care for. The little tree of the “Book Fund” sprang from as small a beginning as the lemon plant itself and we fondly hope it is as surely a creation of the Lord’s hand. Great was the lovingkindness which brought this plant into our sick chamber, and gave us the loving commission to “dress and keep it.” With what joy we received the charge, and how happy the work made us, words fail to tell; but since the little tree has grown rapidly under the sunshine of the Lord’s blessing, we thought our friends would be interested to know how much and what manner of fruit it bears.
At first we intended only to distribute one hundred copies of Mr. Spurgeon’s “Lectures to my Students,” but we received so many kind donations from friends who sympathized with our wishes, that we soon became ambitious, and, without discontinuing the distribution of “Lectures,” we longed to supply needy ministers with the precious volumes of “The Treasury of David,” “Sermons,” etc. This we have been enabled to do, and the work goes on daily. Without any solicitation, friends have sent in ^182, and though our dear Mr. Editor thinks they might not like their names to be published, yet if he should one day change his mind, they are all ready for him, faithfully registered, and would look very nice in his Sword and Trowel. We keep also a strict debtor and creditor account, in which said dear Mr. Editor takes great interest, being quite as delighted as ourselves when any increase to the fund is announced. Better still, the Lord’s “book of remembrance” is open, and therein assuredly the names of all those who aid his toiling servants will be recorded. We are still prepared to give the “Lectures” to all ministers who apply direct to us. Up to this date we have sent out five hundred and fifty “Lectures,” each one with an earnest prayer for God’s blessing, and we have had many delightful proofs that this has been bestowed. One minister thus writes: —
I may also say, for your encouragement, that after I received your copy (“Lectures”) Mr. Mayers kindly sent me one, which I gave to a poor brother in the neighbouring village, who has not been to our College, and the effect on his heart has been most blessed; after reading it he went to prayer, like myself, and next Lord’s-day he and his congregation were in tears.
As yet, with three or four exceptions, “The Treasury of David” has been given only to Pastors once students of the Pastors’ College; but as our work prospers, we may hope to extend the boon to others also.
How greatly these gifts of ours are needed, and how thoroughly they are appreciated, will be best seen by some extracts from letters, which we here subjoin: —
Your great gift to me came safely to hand this morning. I cannot command language that will adequately convey to you the thanks I desire to offer. You will believe me when I say that the gift, and the way in which it came to me, thoroughly broke me down, and tears of joy flowed freely.
My salary is £60 a-year. I have a wife and family. You will be able to conceive my feelings on receiving four volumes of “The Treasury,” when I tell you that these are the only new books I have had for three years past.
I was not educated at the Pastors’ College, and fear, therefore that I have no claim; but if mistaken in this, I shall be most thankful for any help of the kind you may be able to render me. My library is small, and minus several books which I am daily thirsting to possess, but thirsting in vain, inasmuch as there are nine of us to subsist upon £100 per annum. It costs so much to clothe and feed my boys and girls, that I have nothing left for the clothing and feeding of my bookshelves. If it is not in your power to assist me, I will not murmur, for I have become accustomed to disappointment, but will labour on as hitherto with the Master’s help.
Through the long illness of my dear wife ... I have been unable to add a single book to my very small stock for the last two years; therefore any present of a book is most thankfully accepted.... May the Lord raise up many other friends, so that you may be able to help poor ministers yet more and more.
The prospect of having a new book seems to put new life into me* I have often longed to have “The Treasury of David,” but could not afford to purchase it. After buying necessary things, there is nothing left for buying books.
I have long desired the whole of “The Treasury of David.” Mr. Spurgeon gave me the first volume (which is all I possess); but I had given up all hope of possessing the remaining volumes. You will understand this when I tell you I have a wife and five little ones to support, also aged parents, one of whom is now in his eighty-sixth year* and j£ioo is my only income to meet all, so that out of it 1 dare not attempt to buy such a valuable work as “The Treasury.”
Perhaps, in closing this short statement, my dear Mr. Editor would graciously accord me the privilege of laying aside for a moment that formal and perplexing “we,” and allow me to say how deeply I am personally indebted to the dear friends who have furnished me with the means of making others happy. For me there has been a double blessing. I have been both recipient and donor, and in such a case as this it is hard to say which is the “more blessed.” My days have been made indescribably bright and happy by the delightful duties connected with the work and its litde arrangements, and so many loving messages have come to me in letters, such kind words, such hearty good wishes, such earnest, fervent prayers have surrounded me, that I seem to be living in an atmosphere of blessing and love, and can truly say with the Psalmist, “My cup runneth over.” So, with a heart full of gratitude to God, and deep thankfulness to my dear friends, I bid them for the present a loving farewell.