Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-06-28
A Weeks Labor and Duty of
Rev. e.. HI. SpurSeOn,

A weeks Labor and Duty OF
Rev. e. HI. SpurseOn.
In letter to the Boston Watchman and
Reflector, Mr.. Spurgeon gives an account
of a weeks work. We make an extact:
SUNDAY, March ls.-Preached in Exete
Hall to the usual packed and crowded
house, upon the subject of death. While
preaching 1 spent all my strength, ant
seemed at the end to be thoroughly usec
up. The Holy Spirit had wrought in m,
such an agony for the souls of dying men
that was borne beyond myself, and Al
the conclusion was as much spent ano
worn as if had been laboring in the sur
the whole day.
MONDAY, 19.-Had three hours read
ing with the most advanced of my stu
dents, and then repaired to the chapel to
meet deputations, preside at committees
and conduct the prayer meeting. Oul
meetings for prayer are daily in the morn
ing at seven; and on Monday evening at
seven, the main body of the people come
up to supplicate the Lord. We have dis
trict meetings for prayer, presided over by
the elders of the courcL in their own local
ity, the number of which would contiual-
ly average twelve per week, and that every
week in the year. As far as can gather,
there are about twenty-five prayer meet
ings weekly, officially recognized in CON-
nection with the church over which l pre-
side, besides very considerable number
of meetings in private houses among the
members. After prayer meeting, saw
several members and inquirers, and reached
home soon after IL P. M.
TUESDAY, 2O.-Left home 7,3O in the
morning, and was on my way to Diss, in
Norfolk, little journey of about 100
miles. Arrived at my destination at q
few minutes after one, and found that rural
town all alive with the people from every
neighboring village. No chapel could
hold half the crowd who had gathered
together, and the tent which had been
erected had been dismantled by high
wind. During this service I was much
troubled to know what TO do with the people
in the dark, in the evening. At last bit
upon the following expedient, which an
swered admirably. l gave out that 1
should preach in both the cbapels of the
town, but did not tell soul in which pull
pit l should first appear. Both places
full to the skyligbts.
l went to one and preached at once, and
then requested brother minister to read,
pray and sing, and so conducted the services
which ought to have been preliminary at
the end instead of the beginning. This
was changing the order, but it prevented
disorder.
away to the second house, where
they had been proceeding with the usual
service; arrived at the last verse of the
second hymn and took up the sermon at
once.
After service rode few miles so rs to
lessen the lenght of the next days jour
ney, and retired to rest in quiet farm
house, just as midnight had arrived.
WEDNESDAY, 21.-Up at six, and rode
across cold, bleak country several miles
to railroad station, and then on to the
town of Swaffham. When l saw the
size of the chapel, and remembered the
scene of the day before, prayed very
for rain, in order that people
might not be able to leave their homes.
Rain it did in the most pouring style, and
hailstones came at intervals, to add to the
effect.
1t is happy thing to see the people
longing to hear the word, but when mems
legs are broken, and women injured, the JOY
is turned into mourning. This fear con-
linually hauts me in these desperate rushes,
when officers are unused to masses, and
look idly on, as If paralyzed, instead of
acting with double vigor. On this occa-
sion all went on well, and the good hand
of the Lord was very manifestly with us.
THURSDAY, 22.-Left Swaftham at five
in the morning, and had a splendid though
cold ride over a wild country, full of game
of all sorts. reached London after
ride by railway of about four hours, at
IL o'clock, and at once proceeded to the
vestry of my chapel where spent the af-
ternoon in seeing, separately and individ-
lally, a large number of inquirers who
we're seeking church fellowship. At seven
[ preached the word to our usually full
house at home, and enjoyed the delivery
,f the message in my own soul.
FRIDAY, 2s.-My young students came
1t $50 to their usual weekly examination,
which occupied US until nearly two o'clock.
During this time we run over a variety
If subjects, comprising theology, elocution,
the physical sciences, and
,omlletics. Some fifteen or sixteen are
ire thus aided in studies preparatory to
ministry, which are pursued during the
week, and then surveyed and recapituIated
It its close.
During the rest of this week and the
,ext, and so on to this day, l have preach
ID almost every day twice, and am sighing
or a holiday.
A DEATH BED CONFESSION OF MUIR