of pastors, that a very large proportion of the ministers of all denominations did not earn anything like so much as the men who were laying the stones of the building. The editor of the National Church took hold of the statement, and endeavoured to pervert it to his own purpose, by making the speaker say, that with few exceptions, Nonconformists in general pay their ministers a most miserable pittance; and then drawing the inference that the voluntary system was a failure. Replying to the perversion, Mr. Spurgeon said "This is not lying, but it is as like it as one pea is like another. When will men write with at least a decent show of honesty? We have never seen a prize-fight, but we always heard that the lowest bullies of the ring are accustomed to strike fairly, and we commend their example to the editor of the National Church."

The Rev. Felix Carey, a nephew of the great Dr. Carey, the Indian missionary, was, like his uncle, devoted to missionary life. He abandoned his sacred calling, however, to become an ambassador to the court of Burmah. Speaking of the change, Dr. Carey said, "Felix was a missionary, but he is now shrivelled up to an ambassador." Among the reports circulated concerning Mr. Spurgeon in 1872, one was that he thought of being shrivelled up to a member of Parliament. "There is not," said he, "and never was, a shade of truth in the report that we contemplate attempting to enter Parliament. We wonder what next will be set afloat. The man who obtained a penny a line for that paragraph needs never be short of small change, his imagination must be most active."

All the while his usefulness was extending, not only in this country, but throughout the earth. His sermons, translated into Dutch at the Cape, were being read with eagerness by the Boers of South Africa. The correspondent of the Standard, writing from the gold fields, said that in the houses of the Dutch farmers, wherever there was a

superior air of comfort and competence, he found Spurgeon's Sermons. The circulation of his other works was increasing every day; and the students leaving his College were pushing their way into all countries. One month we hear of them crossing to Canada; the next of a brother entering China; then two go together to Spain; some settle in the United States; another goes to Ballarat; so they spread themselves, carrying everywhere the glad tidings of salvation.

Failing health again compelled the toiling worker to seek temporary rest. As the cold, raw, winter set in, his friends urged him to seek a warmer and more genial climate. He therefore left England for Italy and the south of France; and spent the month of December visiting Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples, and other towns beneath the sunny skies of that part of Europe. The visit refreshed both body and mind; and with new vigour and elasticity he returned to his loved employ.

CHAPTER IX.

Five Years more of Work and Suffering.

HE shattered state of Mr. Spurgeon's health now

THE

greatly interfered with his accustomed work. At

the close of 1872 and the beginning of 1873, he suffered so much from rheumatic affections, in consequence of the dampness of the weather, that for a time he was unable to preach; and when somewhat recovered, and able to resume his duties at the Tabernacle, he still felt unable to enter into engagements to preach away from home.

At the annual meeting of the Tabernacle, in February, his heart was made glad by the prosperity reported in all departments of the church. There had been added to the membership during the year 571, and it now stood, after all changes, at 4417. All the funds were in a better condition than at any previous anniversary, more money being raised in every section of Christian work. It was evident that the pastor's illness had not operated injuriously in any manifest degree. Pastor and people rejoiced together. New works of usefulness were being started. Among them an effort for the spiritual benefit of the blind was begun by a working-man, which has been productive of

much good. In the month of March the annual supper connected with the College yielded the noble sum of £1900. The same month Mr. Spurgeon gave proof of his largeheartedness, by making a collection at the Tabernacle towards the fund for building a new chapel for the church and congregation meeting at Surrey Chapel, under the care of the Rev. Newman Hall, and had the pleasure of sending Mr. Hall one hundred guineas.

The month of April was a happy month. On Good Friday there was a pleasant meeting at the Orphanage. The mothers and friends of the boys, as far as practicable, came to tea. The boys sang, and then Mr. Spurgeon gave them many wise and affectionate counsels; and afterwards comforted the widowed mothers, by reminding them of the faithfulness of God, and His care for all who trust in Him. The Rev. Dr. Moffat, the venerable South African missionary, was present; and, after expressing his pleasure at all he saw, addressed the lads in a most interesting and affectionate manner. Two or three days after, a very remarkable gathering took place at the Tabernacle. About twelve hundred meat salesmen and master butchers sat down to a substantial supper to which they had been invited. After supper they were addressed by Mr. Spurgeon, who was in the chair, and Messrs. H. Varley and W Cuff. The Butchers' Annual Festival has become a settled institution, and the improved moral tone of those employed in the markets is one of its good results. At the end of the month Mr. Spurgeon preached one of the annual sermons on behalf of the Wesleyan Missionary Society.

Mr. Spurgeon's sympathies have always been with the poor and oppressed, no matter what their colour or clime. When, therefore, the Jubilee Singers came over here from America in the summer of 1873, to raise funds on behalf of Fisk University, they received an early invitation to give one of their concerts at the Tabernacle. Of course the

invitation was thankfully accepted, and a grand reception was given them. The spacious building was crowded, and hundreds had to be turned away for want of room. By this one concert the singers cleared upwards of £200 for their University buildings, while the success of the evening helped to prepare the way for their enthusiastic reception in other places.

On the 28th of August, the Rev. George Rogers, the senior tutor of the College, celebrated his golden wedding, amid the hearty love and congratulations of his fellowtutors and all the students. "Few such men," says Mr. Spurgeon, "are to be found patriarchal in age but juvenile in spirit, full of wisdom and free to dispense it, living to do good, and doing it abundantly. Under God's blessing, this eminent man has been the corner-stone of our College from its commencement, and at an advanced age remains so, being blessed with unabated energy, and enjoying the unbounded esteem and love of us all." A gold watch was presented to Mr. Rogers on the occasion, and a silver urn to his wife.

The President had the pleasure, on the 14th of October, of laying the first stone of the new buildings for the Pastors' College. The day was one of the brightest in his history. The people brought in their offerings from seven o'clock in the morning till ten at night. Chiefly by small sums the amount was made up to £1000, and the ministers and students brought in £300 more. The day was one of prayer among the students all day long, that the blessing of God might descend on the institution in future years, as it had been granted in years past. Thirty men went forth this year from the College to labour in the gospel ministry in various parts of the world.

His enemies were as active and unscrupulous as ever. "During the last month," he says, in The Sword and the Trowel for March, "it has been our lot to be abused, both in