New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-09
SPURGEON on YOCNG PREICHERS.

From The London TrlcQrGph.
The first number of Ihe SlrOrd ana IroWcl for the
new year contains q contribution OF MI SDurgeon.
Speaking of his own career he says; My college
course was after this fashion was for three years
Cambridge man, though never entered the Cni-
versity, | could not have obtained degree,
because | was a NoncOnfOrmlst; and, moreover,
II was q better thing for me to pursue my studies
under an admirable scholar and tender friend,
been singular-lOOkng youth on wet even
lngs During the last year of my STAY in Cambridge,
when had gwen mp my office as usher, was
won't to sally forth every night in the week except
Saturday and walk three. five, or perhaps eight
miles ont and back again Oh my preaching work A;
ara when it rancd dressed myself in waterproof
lcggings and macintosh coat and hat with n
waterproof covering. AMI carried a dark lantern
to show m" the way across inc IeIdS., nad many
nv studies during tho day handed out to a com
pany of villagers during the evening. and was
greatly proiited by the exercise. always found 1t
good 10 say my lesson when had learned il. Chill
dren do So and y - equally good for preachers,
especially if thsy sa, their lesson bv heart
Commenting on the value Of preaching 10 the
preachers, Mr.. Sturgeon writes: " Ii kept men ont
OF mischief. to set about preaching the knowledge
of the truth. The most useful members of church
were usually those who would De dong harm II they
were not doing good. They could not be chips in the
porrdPe-they must flavor IT one way or the other.
Were he (Mr. SpurgeOn) nor always at work he
shoud be sure either to worry himself others for
his brains would not initiate the dOrmouse
and take long sleep. 10 have nothing
to do would kill some people outright. Active
Il
members of churches, If they had restless DISPOSE
tons became critical hearers. grumblers gosSips,
herctics or schismatics. Ii fine to snggard
lean over rail- and find fault with those who were
hard at work their SHIRT sleeves; he said they were
ont of order, and ought 10 wear dress coats. Ii
would be better if they were 10 dress his coat for
him.
- In my young days." Mr.. Spurgcon continues, -
feared said many odd things and made made many
blundePs, but my audiences were not hypercIltlca
aud no newspaper writer's logged nv heels and SO
| had happy tranng-ground III which, by contln-
ual practice, | attained such Il degree of ready
speech ~ now possess. There is way Of learn
ing to preach which can be compared TO preaching
itself If you want to swim you must get into the
water, and If you at the first make sorry exhibit
ton, never mind. for 1t is by swimming as you can
that you learn to swim you should. Hence we
ought to be lcnent beginners. tor they Will do
bridge had been discouraged and
way here. and therefore hos.e shall be the last
TO bring forth % wet blanket for any who sincerely
speak Tor Christ, however humble may be their en-
deavors The fear of there being too many preach
ers is tho last that will occur 10 me. rejoice in
that passage of the Psalm, The Lord gave the
word great was the company of those that pub
lished it, Go forth, young men, and proclaim
among the people of this vast city all tho words of
this life. Among these millions YOU Will all be few
enough. Fill your baskets with living seed,
and in due season bring them back laden with many
sheaves My heart ia with you my soul rtjoices in
your successes and look to the great Head OF the
Church, through your means to gather in Ills blood
OH