Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-10-04
Cough and Spurgeon-An Affecting
Incident.

81
A beautiful day it was for London as We
rode together, chatting ell the wny. The
history of the Orphansge is intensely inter
ssting. The commencement was n sum of
s2o.oO0 to Mr.. Spurgeon, from lady. to
commence an orphanage for fatherless bows,
All the money that has been expended has
been raised by voluntary contribution. and
the 3zo, ,uOO is invested as an endowment
when We entered the grounds, the bows set :
up shout of joy at the sight of their BEN
efactor.
1 asked, "Wha. are the requirements for =
admission 2'' =
He said, cutter destitution. Nothing d.
nominational. We have more of the Church i,
of England than of the Baptists. We have
Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists
all Sorts" -
After the boys had gone through their
gymnastio exercises and military drill. L.
spoke few words TO them. MIR. Spureeop
was'iiks great boy among boys.
He said, "There are two hundred and
forty boys-only think. How many pence
are there in shilling Z" - I
'sTwelye." ,s.
"Twsnty."
"Right. Twelve times twenty are how
manyf" ~"
1.-TWO hundred and forty" .-E
That's penny apiece for each bow"
"Here, Mr.. Charlesworth," /" handing him
sovereign, give these boys penny apisos;''
when a,shrill, hearty hurrah was given, as
MIR. Spureeon turned away with a laugh of
keen enjoyment.
"Will you go to the iuirmary We have.
an infrma:y and quarantine for sometimes
the poor creatures we take in need good
deal of purifying. We have one bow verv
Ill with consumption; (; he cannot live, and L
wish to see him, for he would be disappoiut>
ed if he knew l had been here and had not
seen him"
We went into the cool and sweet chamber.
aud there lay the boy. He was very much
excited. when he saw Mr.. Spurgeon. The
great preacher sat by his side, and cannot
describe the scene. Holding the boys hand.
in his, he said
well, my dear, you have some precious
promises in sight all around the room. Now.
dear, you are going, and you are vory tired
lying here, and soon you will be free from.
all pain, and you will rest. Nurse, did hs
rest last night?"
"He coughed very much"
"Ah. my dear boy, it seems very hard for
you to lie here all day in pain, and cough all
night. Do you love Jesus 7'
Yes"
"Jesus loves you. He bought you with
bis precious blood, and he knows what is
best for you. 1t seems hard for yeu to lie
here and listen to the shouts of the healthy
boys outside at play. But soon Jesus will
take you home, and then He will tell you the
reason, and you will be SO glad"
Then, laying his hand ON. the boy, with.
out the formaIity of kneeling, he said, 80,
Jesus, Master, this dear child is reaching
out his thin hand to find thiuo. Touch him,
dear Saviour, with thy loving, warm clasp.
Lift him as he passes the cold river, that his
feet be not chilled by the water of death
take him home in thine own good time
Comfort and cherish him till that good time
comes. Show him thyself as be lies here,
and let him soc thee aud know thee more and
more as his loving Saviour"
Alter moments pause, he said, "Now,
dear, is there anything you would like p
Would you like little canary in a cage TO
hear him sing in the morning7 Nurse, see
that he has canary tomorrow morning.
Goodbye, my dear; you will see the Saviour,
perhaps, before I shall"
had seen Mr.. Spurgeon holding in his
power sixty-fv hundred persons in q breathe
less interest; l knew him as q great man,
universally esteemed and beloved but as he
sat by tho bedside of a dying pauper child,
whom his benefcence had rescued. he was 10
me greater and grauder man than when
swayiDg the mighty multitude at his will
John b. Coughs Ner0 Book "iSuntiglt and
!Shadoa0." y