Charles Spurgeon
NONE OF THE TWIN SONS OF PASTOR C. H. SPURGEON.)
God, like a wise father, trains us prudently, and as we are able to bear it He makes our service and our suffering more and more arduous. As boys rejoice to be treated like men, so will we rejoice in our greater tribul?tions, for here is man’s work for us, and by God’s help we will not flinch from doing it. “Quit yourselves like men; be strong.” — C. H. Spurgeon.
CHARLES SPURGEON, one of the twin sons of Pastor C. H. Spurgeon, was born in Nightingale Lane, Balham, near London, on’Sept. 20, 1856.
He with his brother was educated at Camden House School, Bricfhton. Here he was noted as a cricketer, and one of the most active in every sport. He acquitted himself honorably in the scholastic department, and succeeded in obtaining some handsome prizes.
After a creditable course of study, school was quitted by the brothers in 1874. They returned to Balham, and prepared for the great business of life. Here their pathways, which had hitherto run from infancy in the same direction, began to diverge. Thomas adopted art as his profession, and attained some considerable proficiency in engraving; while Charles, whose perseverance was combined with a firm will, entered the office of a -city shipping firm.
Charles Spurgeon’s co.nversion took place under the following circumstances. He was out riding accompanied by a Christian friend, when their conversation turned into a religious channel. Rain came on, and they sought shelter under a tree. Dismounting, they both knelt down upon the grass, while his friend offered up a prayer. It was during this short season of communion that the glorious sunshine of truth broke in upon his young heart, and his warm affections and services were henceforth devoted to the Lord. This was the turning-point to which his religious and prayerful home-training had long been leading.
The cry raised from Macedonia, long ages past, “Come over and help us,” was raised from a little mission in the densely populated neighborhood of Chatham Road, and reached Nightingale Lane, where it was readily responded to by the twin brothers.
They visited this place, and found that meetings were being held in the cottage of a gardener, who was somewhat at a loss to find speakers. Here they labored together, and soon the project of erecting a chapel was taken in hand by the two brothers. It was nearly completed, when ill-health compelled Mr. Thomas Spurgeon to sail for Australia.
Left to pursue this work alone, Mr. Charles Spurgeon felt the increase of labor it entailed. He was then in business, and besides the services on Sunday he held two, and often three, week-night meetings. At last the commodious and comfortable building now in use was finished, and duly opened by a sermon preached within its walls by his father. The labors of his son Charles were thus augmented. He had the sole care of this chapel; the only assistance he received being that rendered by a young friend in some minor affairs.
Although his father never sought to persuade him to become a preacher, doubtless it was an answer to many prayers breathed by the parents when Charles felt constrained to withdraw from commercial pursuits, to enter the Pastors’ College, with a view to the ministry, in 1877.
Here, on account of his superior education, he speedily became one of the first scholars, adding to the Latin and Greek in which he was already proficient, Hebrew and general theological studies.
In the mean while it became evident that he was pre-eminently suited for a wider sphere of Gospel work than that of Chatham-road Chapel. The congregations could not be large in so small a chapel; and although he did not use long words or eloquent similes which were above the intellectual capacities of his hearers, yet his sermons were manifestly suited for a more educated class. Occasionally he had preached sermons in diff*erent parts of England, which were attended with great success, very many souls being converted. Among other places he visited were Cambridge, Oxford, Isle of Wight, and several of the large manufacturing towns.
In 1879 he received call from the congregation at South Street, Greenwich. He had preached there once or twice, and at each service the commodious structure was crowded. The call was, after prayerful deliberation, accepted, and ]Ir. Charles Spurgeon entered upon his first pastorate there at the age of twenty-three.
The church to which he was called had relapsed into a lukewarm and indifferent state, the numbers being few and no pastor at its head. These difficulties Mr. Charles Spurgeon saw and grappled with. The battle against indifference was gained, and he has been greatly blessed by the Holy Spirit to the salvation of many souls in Greenwich. The building, which was almost empty, is now filled with nearly a thousand hearers. A debt of five thousand dollars which incumbered the chapel has been paid off, and the church rejoices in many tokens of spiritual prosperity. Pastor C. Spurgeon was married on April 11, 1 881, to Miss S. A. Jacob, by his father. She is said to be a true co-worker with him in his service for the Master.
HOLY ARITHAIETIC.
SERMON BY C. SPURGEON, PREACHED AT SOUTH STREET, GREENWICH.
{Abridged from shorthand notes.) “Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.” — Jude 2.
A TRINITY of blessings is often to be met with in God’s Word. Here we have three choice gems, — mercy, peace, and love, — which seem to sparkle as we gaze upon them, and happy is the man who, while looking on them, can say, ‘’ They are mine.” It is God’s happiness to crown all His people with goodness. For awhile, indeed, we may have to wear a crown of thorns, as our Master did; but even this shall be a glory to us. What is it you have on your brow now? Is it not a golden diadem wrought by a gracious Lord? It is as if God would weave a wreath for our heads out of
His mercy, and intertwine it with the hly of peace and adorn it with the rose of love. May this trio of blessings be given to each one of us, and be multiplied. God’s gifts always come in company. He is God, and gives as a God. Man, indeed, has limited means, and so must be limited in his gifts; but God’s blessings are unbounded, and they come in triplets to us. Mercy is accompanied with peace and love, and since God blesses His children thus, when we come to Him in prayer let us ask for a full supply of His favors. Jude would crave for a three-fold benediction to abide upon the saints of God. Do you say, “If we have mercy, that is enough?” No; there is more to be enjoyed, for peace and love are to follow. When we are speaking for others, let us be very bold. We may be somewhat backward when we seek blessings for ourselves, we are so sinful, and we know it; but when we ask for others,” large petitions let us bring” — for them let us seek mercy, peace, and love.
I want now to indulge in a little holy arithmetic. First there is a sum in addition, — “Mercy, and peace, and love.” Add these together. Then there is a sum in multiplication y —” Mercy, and peace, and love, be multiplied; and then by way of application, a snm in practice.
I. In the first place we have a sum in addition. As Christians we must never be content with the measure of our grace. Do not be satisfied to remain dwarf trees, but seek to be growing higher and higher, and at the same time sending your roots deeper and deeper. Like giant palms, let our heads be lifted up to heaven, where the warm sunshine of divine love shall cherish growth, while our roots derive nourishment from the deep springs of secret grace. A sacred thirsting and hungering after celestial delicacies is what the Christian should at all times possess. We have sipped of the precious liquid only; let us take the cup salvation, which overflows, and drink it dry if we can. ^A crumb will not feed a famished soul; let us partake to the full of this heavenly bread. The first figure in this sum is “mercy,” and it is a very high number indeed. It stands foremost, for it is the chief of God’s dealings with us, whereby He pities us in our helplessness. We have already received much, but we are to add to it; for “He hath not dealt with us after our sins,” but favor has been shown to the undeserving, mercy to those who are full of sin. He has shown not only clemency in bestowing pardon, but His bountiful mercy, whereby He sufficiently supplies our wants, “even the sure mercies of David.” So that whatever we need, let us seek the stream bearing on its tide blessings for our souls to-day. Pray for this to God, who is rich in mercy, and He will add mercy to mercy. The best way to complete this sum is by coming to the mercy-seat. Therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that you may obtain mercy. The Father of all mercies will hear and bless. We cry, ‘’ Have mercy upon us, according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies.”
Then add to mercy “peace.” What a glorious numeral is this! As soon as we gain pardon there must come peace. For what soul shall dwell ill at ease that feels its sins forgiven? It is iniquity that causes pain; when this is removed there is a holy health of soul. The peace of God rules in our hearts, and keeps them too. Now are we reconciled to God through the death of His dear Son; we are at peace with Him. The enmity of our hearts has been slain, and it is our delight to be in His company. We want to have more of this peace; how shall we gain it? Only by seeking to hold more communion with our God. If this fair flower is to grow within our hearts, the dew of heaven must fall upon it during the hours of calm fellowship with God. We must dwell in Him, and He in us. Then there will come also a peace with self. Having no longer the consciousness of guilt, but of satisfaction, being right with God, we are happy in ourselves, and peace pervades our spirits. The uprising of evil is quelled by the tranquillizing influence of a clear conscience, and so a holy peace abides within our hearts. Reign on, O powerful yet pacific Prince, and peace shall evermore crown us with prosperity! Have we got that peace with God? It is only by justification that we can obtain it. Through Jesus Christ, who is our peace, we enjoy this blessing. Shall we not add, then, to our heart’s content? In Him are the springs of peace and love. Oh, that this peace may flow as a river within us!
Yet again, there is another figure to add, and it is “love.”
Surely there is no more room. We are already full, now that we have the “mercy of God” and the “peace of God;” what more can we have? Add to all this the “love of God,” a boon beyond all calculation, a prize of infinite value. Many have got a little of this treasure; would to God all had more. Love lies smouldering in our hearts. O Breath Divine, blow these sparks into burning fires! Grace changes all within us, for while we receive such mercy and enjoy such peace from the hands of our loving Lord, we feel we must love in return. “We love because we are loved,” and this love is a habit wrought in us by God Himself, who is love. Do we hear the Master say, “Lovest thou Me?” We answer, “Lord, thou knowest that we love Thee;” and we might add more than Peter said, “We do not love Thee as we should, nor even as we would.” The true mother would not have her child divided, neither would God have the hearts of His true children divided in their affections.
“Burn, burn, O Love, within my breast
Burn fiercely night and day,
Till all the dross of earthly loves
Is burned and burned away.”
Let the love of God be shed abroad in our hearts as the sunlifrht, gleaming through the painted window of a cathedral, sheds a beauty upon all, adorning yet not disarranging aught. So the love of God should shine in our hearts, making everything beautiful, our thoughts, our words, our actions all being lit up with His love. Now put these three together, — mercy, peace, love, — and what a grand total they make, — items in the grace of God for all to enjoy.
n. Now we come to our s?17n in vmltiplication. If I want to increase rapidly, let me have the multiplication table, and let it be by compound multiplication too. Multiply by that which has been itself multiplied. Mercy, and peace, and love, multiplied by mercy, and peace, and love, which have been multiplied. Is this a hard sum? God can help us to do it if we also help ourselves. The first thing that affords aid is memory. Think of the mercies of yesterday, put them down, then multiply them by the mercies of to-day, and so on and on, meditating upon the favors of years past, and you will find by this mental exercise that the mercy you now enjoy will be multiplied. Let every mercy have a dot over it to show that it is a recurring one. And memory will refresh you concerning peace too. Remember when the heart was broken, and the spirit was tried with anguish, how Jesus spake to you in words of tender love and blessed comfort. After the thunder and the whirlwind there was the ‘* still small voice “which whispered peace. The dashing billows bore upon their crested summits the all-powerful voice of a loving Saviour, who said, “It is I; be not afraid,” and immediately there was a calm. Recollect the morning of bright joy which followed the nights of sadness. Love, too, must be remembered if it is to be multiplied. Review all the tokens received in the past, all the choice souvenirs. Take down that bundle of letters, and let Memory refresh herself by re-reading all the words of love written by a gracious God. Thus shall memory help us in our multiplication.
Another help we may have is Duitiial intercourse. As a boy at school runs to another older and wiser than himself when a sum is hard, and he needs help in doing it, so should Christians endeavor to find counsel and support from intercourse with their fellow-saints. A brother may tell you something you never knew before, for he has just received a mercy that you are wanting, and the way he obtained it may serve as a direction for you. Then get into the peaceful company of believers, and you will find your peace will be multiplied. Do not lie down with the lion, or you may learn to fight, but rest beside the lamb, and peace shall abound. Love also begets love, and in the fellowship of those who love the Lord you will derive much benefit and an increase to your love.
But the very best way is to go to the Master. If the sum is difficult, it may be well to take down the exercise-book and see the examples already worked out. Study God’s Word, and see how mercy, and peace, and love have been multiplied to others: so shall you learn the way to have your own multiplied. If you cannot get on with this aid, go straight away to the Head-master. He is merciful. He is full of mercy. He is plenteous in mercy. Here, then, shall you find a way out of your difficulty. If you cannot multiply, He will do it for you. He is the Prince of Peace:
submit yourself to His gentle reign, and peace shall be yours. Dwell in the atmosphere of His love, and this grace shall be more and more in you. Thus, Teacher Divine, help Thy scholars to rise and make progress while here below, until it shall please Thee to call us home for the holidays, where our lessons shall be at an end; for then shall we enjoy the fulness of Thy mercy, the sweetness of Thy peace, and the bounties of Thy love.
HI. Now a snin in practice, and a very short one too. Unto you who have been called, sanctified, and preserved, are these words of exhortation sent. Be merciful, for “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy; “be peaceful, for” Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God; “be loving, for ‘’ Love is of God, and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” Evermore may this trinity of blessings abide with us: the mercy of the Lord which is from everlasting to everlasting, the peace of God which passeth understanding, and the love of God which passeth knowledge, for His name’s sake. Amen.
SACRED PENMANSHIP.
SERMON BY C. SPURGEON, PASTOR OF SOUTH-STREET CHAPEL, GREENWICH.
{Abridged froi7i shorthand notes.)
“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” — 2 CoR. iii. 2, 3.
“Self-praise is no recommendation,” and the “sounding of one’s own trumpet” is not to be applauded. The apostle must show that he does not approve of such a method, and although he was in a position to boast of great attainments, yet he would not glory in himself However, it fell to his lot to be charged with arrogance, and that which he most carefully avoided was brought against him as a crime. But are we not entitled as Christians to somewhat of boasting? We have surely a glory of which we need not be ashamed. As ‘* children of God “we possess an inheritance concerning which we may well be proud. To us are committed the “oracles of God,” and we still hold to the “faith once delivered to the saints.” Ours is not a vain glorying, for it is of God. I would that every Christian were preaching so as to be heard by all around, not in the pulpit, but in the home, a sermon in which he made the cross of Christ his glory, and the blood of Christ his boast. False teachers had entered into the Corinthian church, and they had found it necessary to have letters of recommendation, but Paul needed no such introduction. Truth and righteousness recommend themselves in the work they accomplish. “Good wine needs no bush,” and those who are blessed beneath a faithful minister are his best letters of commendation. In sending forth the seventy our Lord did not give each a letter of introduction, but rather endowed each with power to do good, and their works and words were to stand them in stead thereof. Paul’s converts were his epistles, as we call books the works of writers now, and these were put down as the apostle’s seals to his ministry. Our translation admits of another rendering, namely, “Ye are our epistles written in your hearts,” and this would imply that Paul had been enabled to pencil something in the hearts of others which could be read by all men; and it is with this idea I shall deal in speaking about sacred penmanship.
I. First, observe tJie requisites for zvriting. Figures are often used to set forth the Christian life, and none, I think, does so more clearly than that beneath our notice,” Ye are our epistles!’ We are likened to trees, for we need planting, nurturing, watering, and pruning before we can bear fruit; stones, for there has been the quarrying, setting, polishing, and building wrought upon us; lights, where trimming and sustaining is so much required to render us clear and bright; and now epistles, written so that all men may read us. The accessories must be provided, however, for a letter to be written, and let us briefly notice these, — pen, ink, and paper.
In the third verse we have the pen: “Forasmuch as ye are declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us.” Here is the instrument in the hand of God. The Church was divided, for one said, ‘’ I am of Paul; “another, “I am of Cephas.” But these good men were only ministers by whom they had believed, — the pens whereby God, through His Spirit, had written upon the fleshy tables of their hearts. Among these instruments there must ever be a variety. The rough and rude can, however, be made to write well. Paul, though he was not eloquent of speech, but somewhat blunt, had power to get hold of men’s hearts; and he wrote upon them with dark, indelible lines, great truths. But God has another pen. Apollos could speak with eloquence of diction, and finely pencil the Scripture, so that the Jews were mightily convinced that Jesus was the Christ. John was another such instrument. Soft in love, sketching in poetry the wonderful revelations he had of ‘’ the better land,” he would win hearts for Jesus. Or yet again, see how Peter suits the bold, round-hand writing which God would have inscribed upon the hard tables of Jewish minds. He stands forth to declare the whole counsel of God before the Sanhedrim, the murderers of Christ, without fear. Luke, his friend, however, is the pen that the Spirit uses to write, the small-hand of detail. Thus is it the Master uses varied tools to inscribe His own will upon men’s hearts. O Lord, point us, if need be, with cutting, so that we may be pens in Thy hand to write upon others’ hearts.
Then there must be the vile. The sacred fluid is the Spirit of God. ‘’ Written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.” The mysterious influence that flows through us is not of earthly manufacture. It is the pure Spirit of the living God; it never mars or discolors, but adds glory to the heart upon which it flows. Words penned by this agency sh^U not die, for the marks of grace are indelible, it being the Spirit of the living God. It is truly an invisible ink, but when held to the fire of divine love shall become apparent, and it can never fade; a noncorrosive fluid, and yet it eats its way into men’s hearts. What we want is a greater measure of this sacred writing power. Pray that the Father may send the Spirit upon you more abundantly.
The next requisite is the paper. It is not written upon stone, but “in fleshy tables of the heart.” The law may be pencilled by God’s finger upon stones, but His loz’e must be written upon the tender heart. As Matthew Henry quaintly says: “Not upon the flesJdy, but fleshy tables.” That heart that God gives best receives God’s writing. A soft heart best absorbs the ink; a living tablet best retains impressions. How is it with your heart, dear hearer? Has God ever written His name there? Lav bare the page, and let the Lord even now transcribe words of love and mercy upon it. Are you willing that it should be so? Then shall you know His willingness, for He says: ‘’ I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh.” Lord, write first in us, and then make us as the “pen of the ready writer,” to make our mark on others.
n. Now I want you to consider, secondly, tJie readers of the writing. “Known and read of all men’’ The writing is real, no fiction, for the author is Christ. We are the autograph letters of our Lord, and bear His signature. The writing is clear, for we are ‘manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ.” The handwriting is legible, not shaky with doubt; no forgery through unfaithfulness, but the whole plainly penned in all the up-and-down strokes. Now this document is a public one. Believers are the library for the world; they are a Christian literature. Each saint is a volume to expound the grace of God. “Known and read of all men.” We may consider the readers of this writing to be of three classes, — the intelligent, interested and inquisitive. Many are real students of Christian character, desirous of gaining knowledge for their own good in spiritual attainments. If you see a person take down a book in a library, you soon judge whether he has been accustomed to study by the way in which he handles the volume; and so there are those who carefully review every syllable of a Christian’s life, and read each line for their own edification. Howanxious should we be to help such students by our example, living near unto the great Exemplar.
Then there are the interested readers, — our friends who like to see if we make progress in divine things. The “first series” of Christian experiences are interesting, and are studied with deep anxiety by those who love young converts. The pastor reads to find out if such are increasing in the knowledge of God, growing in grace, getting stronger in love, and taking a deeper and firmer hold of the doctrines of Christ. The parent reads the heart of the child, anxiously seeking to see how far Christ’s character is spelled out in the child’s life. The teacher reads the scholar’s, the friend the acquaintance’s, the master the servant’s, and the servant the master’s too. Let us seek to please such as take a loving interest in us, remembering that the Lord Himself is one of these readers; so may we strive to adorn His doctrine in all things.
The last class I have called the inqinsitive. They only peruse to find fault. They look at the Christian character through smoky magnifying-glasses, and sometimes they turn the volume upside down, and then complain that it is all a big mistake, and they cannot make it out. They pick out that which the follower of Jesus knows full well to be a flaw himself, and then ask the question, “Is this like a Christian?” Beware, dear reader! Be careful, for men’s eyes are always ready to detect a failing. Ours must be so correct an epistle that fault-finders shall find it difficult to gratify their morbid taste. The schoolmaster says to his boys, “Be sure you dot your i’s and cross your t’s;” and we, too, must be mindful of little things. If the Spirit of God has written upon our hearts, let us exhibit that epistle in our lives, so that we may be known and read of all men to the glory of our God. Amen.
THE NEW YORK
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