American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-09-11
REV. MIR. STURGEON.

a mere youth; yet his career as a min
lister Of the gospel, has turned all eyes
( toward him, and excited wide. spread
desire to know something of his history.
I'Mcssrs. Sheldon, Brakeman, B. Co., Of
New York have recently published u
sketch of his life and ministry. Tho
we have not had an opportunity of rea-
ding the book, we find an article in the
Examiner, made up in part from the
data of that book, from which we gath
rthe following facts, pertaining to the
man. Though he is now only twenty
three years old, he has preached regu.
larly for five years, having undertaken
his first pastoral charge, whilst assist
ant in boys school, at the age of 19;
! and he has been, for three and half
years, pastor of the largest Baptist
church in London, to which he was cal
led from his humble ushcrship and
hamlet-ministry at Watcrbeach, in 49,
81. -
1t is, however, quite evident that he
did not covet such prominence and ne
toriety, having formed the purpose of
simply preaching the gospel to the
poor. Though fond of learning, and
easy in it's acquisition, he persistently
refused the proffer of college educa.
ton, am. entered thus early upon his
work. There are, we imagine, very
few, prominent cnrrches in America,
which would venture to take up such
young man under such circu,, stances.
At the age of 1G years, and soon af-
ter his conversion, he commenced adj
dressing the children of the Sabbath
School, with words SO full of love and
instruction, that they carried the good
tidings home to their parents, and soon
they too came to hear the addresses in
the vestry of the Independent chapel.
The place was soon filled. Shortly
after this, he removed to another school
at Cambridge, where, in his leisure
hoofs, he engaged in a Lay Preachers
Association, the object of which was to
enable the poor inhabitants of the vii
lagos around Cambridge, to hear the
gospel in terms which they could road
lily understand, and iii their own homes,
where the question Of dress could be
no barrier to their attendance. He
delivered his first sermon in the capac-
ity of lay preacher, in a cottage in
one of these villages, called Taversham.
Such was his commencement in preach
ing the gospel.
At the age of 18 years, he preached
three hundred and sixty sermons in u
year, teaching at Cambridge on the
week days, for his support, and spend
ing the Sabbaths at Waterbeach, and
the evenings at that or any other prea-
ching station. Under his labors the
church Of about forty members, nearly
doubled its membership, Then, in the
Fall of 1858, he was called to the pas
torate of the New Park Street Baptist
Church in London: Here was field
for increased labor and usefulness: but
the condition of the church was such,
that pecunSarsiy he would have done
better to have remained where he was,
as d teacher. But he could noH give
himself wholly to the gospel, As he
had not waited for a salaried pastor
ship as condition Of delivering the
message Of lis Lord, but had gladly
done what lie could, while providing
for his own support SD lie now waited
and stipulated for nothing, but content
ed himself willingly, with whatever God
might lead and enable His people to
do for him.
He commenced his ministrations in
Southwark, in January, 1854, in the
middle Of his twentieth year. The
chapel soon ovcrAowed, and at the end
of the year, it was resolved to enlarge
it. Exeter Hall was taken for d place
of worship during the progress of the
alterations, which continued about four
months. During all this time, the
Hall was filed to overfowing, and
when dt the end of May, 1855, the
congregation returned to their enlarged
ediflce, it was more than ever made.
duatc to contain them; though all this
time Ills public appearances we're at
least once or twice daily, In his own
chapel or other places, besides the three
regular services Of the Sabbath.
In the meantime; during his first
summer ih London; lie had made tour
to the NORTH, and preached With high
acceptance Id Glasgow, and otter pla.
ccs. Immediately ON his return, lie
had engaged actively in efforts to anne
liorate the condition Of the poor of his
district, and by the last of October,
1865, a mission hall, reading and school
rooms were opened for the destitute
children, and an active missionary was
engaged in the work. The samo au.
tumn, Mr.. Spurgcon commenced prea.
ching in the open air, at Hackney,