The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-04-19
THE SPURGEON FAMILY.
THREE GENERATIONS ON THE SAME
PLATFORM.

A little more than twenty years ago there
was a jubilee service held in honor of Mr..
Surgeons grandfather, the quaint and devo-
ted village pastor with whom the distinguish
ed preacher spent the most of his boyish
years. On that occasion the sermons were
preached by the grandson, and part was
also taken in the proceedings of the day by
the son, 80 that three generations Of Spur
geons were seen and heard by the assembled
multitude who had gathered in the hamlet
where the oldest of the triumvirate had
preached the gospel for fifty years. That was
an incident which seldom occurs once in
family; but we can say that it has happened
twice to the Surgeons. In their case twice
has history repeated itself. The son of twen-
ty years ago is now the grandfather, and the
grandson the father; while new generation
has sprung up in the interval, and it is also
coming to the front in connection with the
most glorious work to which the energies Of
man can be devoted. 1t was my pleasure on
the evening of Wednesday week to hear ad-
dresses from three members of the Spurgeon
family-grandfather, son and grandson and
l am sure your readers will not be displeased
if you allow me to give brief account Of an
event which, taken in connection with the
facts have to mention, may be pronounced
unique.
The occasion was the quarterly meeting of
the collectors at the Stockwell Orphanage.
This is always pleasant gathering, often
piquant, and never without family feeling
that is generated, doubtless, by the fact that
everybody who comes is practically interest
ed in the same good work. At tea, partaken
of by nearly 400 friends, there was much
happy social Intercourse; and 1 was delighted
with the many evidences which cropped up
during the evening of the excellent work that
is being done at the Orphanage. Among
other things 1 perused an original essay by
one of the boys, who is only eight years old
and can only say that wish all our mid.
die class youth in London were getting as
sound an education as that child is evidently
receiving.
After Mr.. Spurgeon had taken the chair
we had rapid succession of speeches by
adults, and songs by the children, Mr.. Spur
geon favoring good old national melodies
especially those that have smack of the sea
in them. Mr.. Bartlett, son of the lately
deceased lady who did such wonderful worl
at the Tabernacle, gave an account of tn,
Sunday services which he and his brother
Daniel conduct at the Orphanage. Then tn
chairman called upon his father, the Rev
John Spurgeon, who delivered most touch
ing address, though he set out with tn,
declaration that he was no orator like hi
son. He recalled one incident of his OWL
fathers jubilee-how at the close of his SON.
sermon disturbance was raised by an Inde
pendent minister, who got up and publicl.
protested against what the young preache
had said. His son was very harshly spokel
of in those days by some brethren; but in tn
intervening years what had God wrought
He felt devoutly thankful for all His good
ness. Mr.. Spurgeon, with reference to wha
his father had said about the opposition b
once received, said it had done him no harm
, He did not get his heart broken at his grand
fathers jubilee, by the Independent ministe
making a noise. He then created mucl
amusement by describing the album in whicl
he pasted all the caricatures and attacks upOl
, him as they came out. No fewer than fv'
volumes of tracts about himself were in hi
possession. Some speak of him in the yer,