evangelist and pastor, professor and philanthropist, author and editor, lecturer and commentator, and we know not what else in one. To do anything like justice to his many-sided labours would require not merely the space we can command, but the entire number of our magazine. And as we have no wish to essay the impossible, our hesitation can scarcely be a matter for surprise. It has, however, been entirely overcome, and we are, on mature consideration, willing to run the risks at which we have hinted, for the sake of saying something of a man whom it is good for us to know, and whose life will bear the strain of a more than " twice-told tale." Our re-perusal of his history has had a healthy and stimulating effect on our own mind. It is refreshing-it is, in the best sense, helpful to be brought into contact with him. Few of us can think of what he has done and not be roused from our comparative indolence and self-complacency. The form of his works we may have no wish to imitate, but his spirit we do long to share. His greatness we cannot acquire, but we may possess that which has made his greatness greater, and rendered it of such high worth in the service of Jesus Christ and in the best interests of men. As an American poet expresses it "Whene'er a noble deed is wrought, Whene'er is spoken a noble thought, "The tidal wave of deeper souls Out of all meaner cares. "Honour to those whose words or deeds Thus help us in our daily needs, And by their overflow Raise us from what is low." For this reason then-to say nothing of the high regard in which we hold Mr. Spurgeon, and the pleasure it gives us to express our appreciation of the worth of his services to the Church of Christ-we are venturing on this somewhat hazardous task. We must, however, distinctly remind our readers that we are not about to write a biographical sketch. Many well-known incidents will receive no mention, for the simple reason that our space. will not allow us scope to narrate them. We have, moreover, to do with Mr. Spurgeon mainly as a preacher, and on this account we shall say comparatively little of the work of his College, his Orphanage, &c. To do this would be a task in which we might delight, but it exceeds our present purpose, and is, indeed, beyond our power. Our readers must therefore bear in mind the sage advice "In every work regard the author's end, Since none can compass more than they intend." Mr. Spurgeon was born at Kelvedon, in Essex, on the 19th of June, 1834. His father, the Rev. John Spurgeon, a man of kindred spirit with himself, is a highly-respected minister of the Independent denomination, and so also was his grandfather. The spirit of domestic piety has rarely been more beautifully exemplified than in Mr. Spurgeon's youthful home, and its influence in forming the character never more conspicuously shown. The instructions and prayers of a loving mother were not in vain, and their fruit is visible to-day. Like most other great men, Mr. Spurgeon showed his proclivities at an early age. We can remember his being frequently described as the boy-preacher. He was, we believe, a child-preacher, and often discoursed eloquently from chairs and from door-steps to his little comrades, who regarded him as quite a hero. The visits of the sainted Richard Knill to his father's house were not more delightful to the parents than they were helpful to the children, on one of whom they have probably had a more powerful and momentous influence than can now be distinctly traced. A man of Knill's temperament created, wherever he was, an atmosphere of "sweetness and light." He breathed the spirit of Jesus Christ, and diffused around him a sense of grace and peace." A child of Mr. Spurgeon's mould-sincere, intense, and courageous-would feel an irresistible charm in a character so pure, so beautiful, so strong and heroic; and Mr. Knill would be no less irresistibly drawn towards the child. They were often together, conversing about Christ and His salvation, and especially dwelling on the privilege of winning souls. On one occasion, when the family were assembled, Mr. Knill placed the child on his knee, and said, "I do not know how it is, but I feel a solemn presentiment that this child will preach the Gospel to thousands, and God will bless him to many souls. So sure I am of this, that when my little man preaches in Rowland Hill's Chapel, as he will do one day, I should like him to promise me that he will give out the hymn beginning, "God moves in a mysterious way, These words were never forgotten by any who heard them, least of all by the one who was most concerned in them. He "kept them in his heart," and there can be little doubt that they largely determined the current of his life, and so laid hold of him as to ensure their own fulfilment. This "high-spirited and daring" boy was sent to school, first at Colchester, and afterwards at Maidstone. Later still, he accepted an appointment as assistant master in a school at Newmarket. It was not until he was sixteen years of age that he became a decided Christian, The story of his conversion has been too frequently told to need repetition, and the Primitive Methodist "local," who was instrumental in effecting the great change, has earned the gratitude of thousands. No greater honour could God have placed upon him than He gave to him when his words directed that then unknown lad to look unto Christ. It was not in Mr. Spurgeon's nature to find Christ himself, and then be silent about Him. He at once set to work to make Him known to others-first in common conversation, and then by preaching. His first sermon was a very humble effort. It was delivered in a cottage, and was, to a large extent, impromptu, for he had gone to the service in company with a friend older than himself, who was, as he understood, to be the preacher of the evening. He never imagined that the duty would devolve upon himself, and he was greatly agitated when he learned that it would. But then, as now, when duty called he obeyed, and the sermon was worthy of a larger audience. Other efforts in cottages and village chapels followed, and the fame of the young preacher rapidly was noised abroad. In the meantime, he had, as the result of his conscientious study of the New Testament, abandoned his Pædobaptist views, and become a Baptist. In 1852, when he was, therefore, but eighteen years of age, he accepted the pastorate of the Baptist Church at Waterbeach, near Cambridge, and the old-fashioned, thatched chapel, began to show signs of life and animation, which astonished everybody. Strange things, such as no one remembered, were seen. The simple and unlettered villagers were not slow to appreciate the boy-preacher. His speech had a power to which they had been previously unaccustomed. His youth was no barrier to their hearty and generous delight in his ministry, for had he not all the wisdom and experience of age? "And, best of all, God was with him." The little chapel was crowded, souls were saved, Christ was glorified. There was only one drawback-his wonderful power could not be kept a secret. His fame extended not only in the immediate neighbourhood, but reached even the great and mighty London. His name was mentioned" (as the phrase goes) to the deacons of a church which, after a run of remarkable prosperity, was then in a low and languishing condition, and which sorely needed-what, as yet, had not been found for it-an efficient pastor. It was on one of the last Sabbaths of December, 1853, that Mr. Spurgeon first preached in New Park Street Chapel, and it seemed to him "very large and very gloomy." But in the evening of that first day there was a marked improvement, which became still more striking on subsequent Sabbaths of the following month. The young preacher was asked to supply for six months on probation, but long before the six months had expired he became pastor of the church in New Park Street, and a successor of such men as Benj. Keach, John Gill, John Rippon, and Joseph Angus, who, with others, had laboured there amid abundant tokens of the Divine blessing. The chapel, which held 1,200, was from the outset too small, and it had to be enlarged-the congregation meanwhile worshipping in Exeter Hall, which also had the same fault. "To return to New Park Street (enlarged though it was) resembled the attempt to put the sea into a teapot." The inconvenience was greater than ever. The morning service was therefore held in New Park Street, and Exeter Hall was again hired for the evenings. In October, 1856, the Music Hall of the Royal Surrey Gardens, which held about 7,000, was secured for the evenings; but in consequence of the lamentable accident occasioned by some evil-disposed persons, and on the details of which it is unnecessary to dwell-the time was changed, and the service was held there for three years in the morning. The hall was invariably crowded; and among the constant attendants were noblemen, statesmen, and others of distinguished name. The first stone of the Metropolitan Tabernacle was laid on August 16th, 1859, by Sir Morton Peto, and it was opened free of debt in April, 1861, the cost being £81,332 4s. 10d. "The Tabernacle," says Mr. Spurgeon, " is 146 feet long, 81 feet broad, and 62 feet high. There are some 5,500 sittings of all kinds. There is room for 6,000 without excessive crowding; and we have also a lecture-hall holding about 900, schoolroom for 1,000 children, six class-rooms, kitchen, lavatory and retiringrooms below stairs. We have a ladies' room for working meetings, young men's class-room and secretary's room on the ground floor; three vestries, for pastor, deacons, and elders, on the first floor; and three store-rooms on the second floor. The accommodation is all too little for the work to be carried on, and we are glad to use the rooms at the almshouses and the college." The membership of the church, which in 1854 was 313, is now, we believe, over 5,000; and, in addition to this, large numbers have been every year drafted off to aid in the formation of new churches. In 1867 it became evident that Mr. Spurgeon was overstraining both his physical and mental powers, and his brother, the Rev. J. A. Spurgeon, was invited to become co-pastor with him; and this arrangement has been attended with the happiest results. "No more efficient or sympathetic helper could possibly have been found." It has, in fact, been Mr. Spurgeon's happiness throughout to be surrounded by a band of able and willing co-workers-men of one mind with himself; and he has often declared that without their generous sympathy and help he could never have undertaken the work which he has been enabled successfully to accomplish. And this we can well believe. For it is a work to which we can scarcely find a parallel, either in ancient or modern times. In addition to all that arises out of so enormous a church, there are the seventeen almshouses, with two schoolrooms and a classroom, occupied by 380 children on week days, with a house for the schoolmaster. "At the present time, a Sabbathschool, special children's service, and an evangelistic meeting, with many other good works, are in constant operation at the place, including most of the machinery connected with places of worship." Then comes "The Pastor's College," which, during the twenty years of its existence, has sent out some 365 men into the ministry, besides an immense number of city missionaries, street preachers, and workers of various kinds. The college-buildings were erected and furnished at a cost of £15,000. The weekly offerings of the Tabernacle are devoted to its maintenance. Funds have never been lacking, although no less a sum than £120 is required weekly. Mr. Spurgeon's lectures to his students are among the happiest of his productions; and it is known that he takes a peculiar delight in this work. "Each year," we are told, "the brethren educated at the Pastor's College are invited to meet in conference at the Tabernacle, and they are generously entertained by our friends. The week is spent in holy fellowship, prayer, and intercourse. By this means, men in remote villages, labouring under discouraging circumstances, and ready to sink from loneliness of spirit, are encouraged and strengthened; indeed, all the men confess that a stimulus is thus given which no other means could confer.” THE STOCKWELL ORPHANAGE is one of the noblest institutions with which we are acquainted. The buildings were completed in 1869, at a cost of £10,200. Since then an infirmary, bath, and laundry have been added; two of the houses have been elevated another storey; and the money has been found for all. The endowments of the institution are valued at £30,000. There are 240 children enjoying its advantages; and, in addition to the income from property, £4,000 are needed and, what is more, are secured-annually. The story of the manner in which, from year to year, the money has been raised "reads like a romance." Of the Colportage Association, and the other institutions connected with the Tabernacle, we cannot now speak, greatly as we should like to do so; but let those who are ignorant of them by all means purchase the History of the Tabernacle, and become acquainted with them. Mr. Spurgeon's sermons have been published weekly for the last twenty-three years, and have in English a sale of not less than 30,000. They have an enormous sale in America also, and have been translated into French, Dutch, Swedish, Italian, &c. "Besides these (volumes, i.e., in the foregoing tongues) there are single sermons in Spanish, Gaelic, Danish, Russ, Maori, Telegu, and some other tongues, and permission has been sought and gladly given for the production of a volume in the language of Hungary." The celebrated Baptismal Regeneration Sermon has attained a circulation of 250,000, and“ John Ploughman's Talk" is little, if at all, below it. THE TREASURY OF DAVID is probably Mr. Spurgeon's greatest work. The original comments on the Psalms are pithy and vivacious, full of genius and fire, and display an unrivalled power to bring home the truths of these sacred songs to the hearts and consciences of men. The illustrative extracts also are aptly chosen, and the whole work, even in its unfinished state, must have involved an amount of labour which would occupy more than the lifetime of an ordinary man. For textual criticism and exegesis, we must have recourse to writers of a different class. Even the "Treasury of David" cannot supplant such works as Delitzsch, or Perowne, but it is unquestion |