Life of C. H. Spurgeon.

CHAPTER I.

Early Life.

HARLES HADDON SPURGEON was born at the village of Kelvedon, in Essex, on the 19th of June 1834. He inherits the honour and the blessing of a pious ancestry. His great-grandfather was a God-fearing man, and his greatgrandmother was a woman of eminent piety. Both took a lively interest in the spiritual welfare of their children, and ordered their household according to the will of God.

Mr Spurgeon's grandfather was born at Halstead, and in early life became a Christian, and joined the Congregational church in that town. At the age of twenty-six he devoted himself to the ministry of the Gospel, and entered Hoxton Academy, to prepare himself for the great work. At the completion of his studies he settled at Clare, in Suffolk. After a short but useful pastorate there, he removed to

Stambourne, in Essex. He entered on the pastorate of this church in the year 1810, and continued in the office upwards of half-a-century. Invitations were sent from other churches, but such were the peace and prosperity reigning at Stambourne, that he declined them all. When more than eighty years old, he could say, "I have not had one hour's unhappiness with my church since I have been over it." His usefulness continued to the last; and this led him to reply to some friends who advised his retirement, "No' I will never give up so long as God inclines people to come and souls are saved." During the last two years of his life he preached only occasionally, as his health permitted; but he presided at the communion of the Lord's Supper to the end. On the 12th of February 1864, in his eighty-seventh year, he entered upon his heavenly rest; and nine days after his remains were committed to the grave, in the presence of a large number of endeared and sorrowing friends.

"He was known widely in Essex as a man of the old school-staid, quiet, and uniform in his dress and habits. He was the very picture of neatness, and in many par ticulars resembled John Wesley, especially in his manners and stature. He wore a dress cravat, a frilled shirt, and had a vest with deep pockets, as if provided for large collections. He was seldom without a packet of sweets, which he gave generously to the children wherever he went, so that they gathered round him, and attached themselves to him with a firmness which riper years did not shake. He was always happy in the company of young people. He wore the breeches, buckled shoes, and silk stockings, which marked the reign of George III., and he really looked to be a venerable Nonconformist minister of a past age. For more than half-a-century his life corresponded with his labours. His gentle manners, his sincere piety, and his uniformity of conduct secured for him the goodwill of his neighbours; and he was as friendly with

the parochial clergyman as with his attached Nonconformist friends. He often went to the parish church to hear the sermon when the prayers were over, especially when the cause of missions was to be advocated. He was blessed with a wife whose piety and useful labours made her a valuable help-meet to her husband in every good word and work. In his last illness he was sustained by Divine grace, and the desire he had so often expressed, that he might speak of Christ on his dying bed, was granted him. He said the Gospel was his only hope; he was on the eternal Rock, immutable as the throne of God. Those who were privileged to witness his departure from earth will never forget his joy, peace, and the glorious prospect he had of heaven."*

Mr. Spurgeon's father was born at Stambourne in 1811. For many years he was engaged in business in Colchester. For sixteen years, while occupied with business during the week, he preached on the Sunday to a small Independent church at Tollesbury. This led to his full entrance on ministerial work; and after he had reached the prime of life, he accepted a call to the pastorate of the Congregational church at Cranbrook, in Kent, where he remained five years. Thence he removed to London; and became, in succession, minister of the Fetter Lane church, Holborn, and the Upper Street church, Islington. The latter position he resigned at the end of the year 1876, since which time he has done good service as an occasional preacher in various parts of the kingdom. The mother of Mr. Spurgeon is esteemed wherever she is known for her sincere piety, and her Christian usefulness.

While yet a child, Mr. Spurgeon was removed to his grandfather's house at Stambourne, and here for a few years he resided under the watchful care of a loving aunt. He early manifested a love for books; and it is said that he * Stevenson's Pastor C. H. Spurgeon: His Life and Work.

would sit for hours together turning over the pages of Robinson Crusoe, or The Pilgrim's Progress. Even at this period his mind displayed its natural vigour and bias; and the lessons thus learnt have influenced the matter and method of his own teaching in after years. The indications of future greatness often appear in early childhood; there are hints and prophecies in the sayings and the general behaviour of the child as to what will be the character and career of the man. It was so here. "The pious precocity of the child," says Mr. Stevenson, "soon attracted the attention of all around. He would astonish the grave deacons and matrons who met at his grandfather's house on Sabbath evenings, by proposing subjects for conversation, and making pertinent remarks upon them. At that early period in life he gave indications of that decision of character and boldness of address for which he has since become so remarkable. In the spring of 1840, and before he was six years old, seeing a person in the village, who made a profession of religion, standing in the street with others known to be of a doubtful character, he made up to the big man, and astonished him by asking, 'What doest thou here, Elijah ?""

When about seven years of age, young Spurgeon returned home. His father by that time had removed to Colchester; and the town offered educational advantages superior to any that could be had at Stambourne. Occasional visits, however, were paid still to his grandfather, who evidently regarded him with great pride and affection. He mentions an amusing circumstance in connection with one of these visits. "When I was a very small boy," he says, "I was staying at my grandfather's, where I had aforetime spent my earliest days, and as the manner was I read the Scriptures at family prayer. Once upon a time when reading the passage in the Book of Revelation which mentions the bottomless pit, I paused and said. 'Grandpa, what can this

mean?' The answer was kind but unsatisfactory-' Pooh, pooh, child, go on.' The child intended, however, to have an explanation, and therefore selected the same chapter morning after morning, Sunday included, and always halted at the same verse to repeat the inquiry. At length the venerable patriarch capitulated at discretion by saying, 'Well, dear, what is it that puzzles you?' Now, the child had often seen baskets with very frail bottoms, which in course of wear became bottomless, and allowed the fruit placed therein to fall upon the ground. Here, then, was the puzzle: If the pit aforesaid had no bottom, where would all the people fall to who dropped out at its lower end? a puzzle which rather startled the propriety of family worship, and had to be laid aside for explanation at a more convenient season. Questions of the like simple and natural character would frequently break up into paragraphs at the family Bible reading; and had there not been a world of love and license allowed to the inquisitive reader, he would soon have been deposed from his office. As it was, the Scriptures were not very badly rendered, and were probably quite as interesting as if they had not been interspersed with original and curious inquiries."

It was at Stambourne that, what Mr. Spurgeon calls, "The Rev. Richard Knill's Prophecy," was delivered. Mr. Knill was, for several years, a minister of the Gospel in St. Petersburgh; and during the latter part of his life pastor of a church in the city of Chester. He was a man full of zeal for the glory of God-of love to Jesus Christ-of compassion for perishing men. The young especially engaged his warmest interest. Wherever he went, he sought to do good; and he had such a wise and holy art of Christian usefulness, that he was honoured above most in saving souls. On one occasion, during a visit of young Spurgeon to his grandfather's house, Mr. Knill stayed there a few days, being engaged to preach at Stambourne, on behalf of