The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-07-09
AN INCIDENT IN MR.. SURGEONS LIFE.


Mr.. C. H. Spurgeon says: When was
young child staying with my grandfather,
there came to preach in the village Mr.. Knill,
who had been missionary at st. Petersburg,
and mighty preacher Of the Gospel. He
came to preach for the London Missionary
Society, and arrived on the Saturday before
at the manse. He was n great sou-winner,
and he soon spied out the boy. He said to
me: "Where do you sleep, for want to call
you up in the morningw / showed him my
little room. At six o'clock he called me up,
and we went into that arbor. There, In tho
sweetest way, he told ME of the love of Jesus,
and Of the bessedness Of trusting Him and
loving Him in our childhood. With many a
story he preached Christ to me. lie knelt
down in that arbor and prayed for me, with
his arms about my neck. He did not seem
content unless Kept with him in the inter-
val between the sermons, and he heard my
childish talk with patient love.
On Monday morning he did as on the
Sabbath, and again on Tuesday. Three
times be taught me and prayed with me,
and before he had to leave my grandfather
had come back from the place where he had
gone .e preach, and all the family were
gathered for morning prayer. Then, IN the
presence ot them all. Mr.. Knill took me ON
bis ance and said: This child will one day
preach the Gospel, and he will preach it to
great multitu,ies. / AM persuaded that ne
will preach IN the Chapel Of Rowland Hill.
where am now the minister" He spoke
very socmn!y, and called upon all present
to witness what he said. was made 10
promise that when preached In Rowland
Hill Chapel lie hymn "God moves in
mysterious wsy" should be sung. Think OF
that as promise from a child. Would it
ever be other than an idle dream? Years
few BY. After had begun for some time
to preach 10 London DR.. Alexander Fletcher
hal to give the annual sermon to children In
Surrey Chapel, but as he way taken III l was
asked in hurry 10 preach to the children
Yes, said. will, il the children will sing
"God moves i , mysterious way" l have
made promise long ago that that should be
sing. And 80 it was preached in Rowland
Hill Chapel, and the hymn was sung. Ny
emotions OH that occasion cannot describe.
still that was not the chapel which Mr.. knI!l
intended. All uasough by ME, the minister
Il. Wolton-underedge, which WAY MIR. HllIS
summer residence, invited Inc to preach
there. vent on condition that the congre-
cation should sing $50! moves In myster,.
Gus way" which was also done. After that
went 20 preach for Mr.. Richard knlil h'm-
self, who was then al Chester. What meet
ing We had!
God moves in q mysterious way,
His wonders to perform
After more than forty years, ! sat under
that arbor! No doubt It is mere trillc for
others to hear, but to me it was an over
whe!mtng moment. The present minister
of Stambourne meeting house and the mem.
bers of his family, including his son and
grandchildren, were in the garden, ana
Could not be p calling them together around
that arbor, while praised the Lord for His
goodness. One Irresistible impulse was
upon ME: it was to pray God to bless those
lads that stood around me. DO YOU not see
how the memory begat the prayer? want
cd them to remember when they grew up,
my testimony Of Gods goodness to me, and
for that same reason tell it to you young
people who are around me this morning.
Remember that special promise. 81 love
them that love Me, and those that seek Me
! early shall find Me-"