The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1892-02-06
REV. STURGEON E A
THE RENOWNED DIVINE Sue
CUMBS TO A LONG ILLNESS.
Pray ers In the Vast London ole
Said In Vain-Brlef Ire Wow of q
Most Remarkable Career
OF Christian Work.

LONDON, roD. Int ittV. MI. DpuT-
geon, the world renowned Baptist divine,
shortly after II O'Clock last night at
Mentone where he has been i'll for Il long
time. Mr.. Spurgeon's end was painless.
He became unconscious in the morning and
refused all food and although milk had
been forced down his throat it was not re-
tanned.
A host OF kilograms of sympathy were
received by Der of the dying pastors
family. His wife, DIR. Fritz Henry and
Miss Thorne, were present when he died.
At the services held yesterday in the
Metropolitan tabernacle, of which MIR.
Spurgcon was pastor, the auditorium was
packed. III Rev. Mr.. Pierson and others
offered earnest prayers and read TO the
congregations telegraphic bulletins from
Mentone.
Mr.. %Spurgeon's body will be brought to
England for burial. Mrs. Spurgeon is
bearing her affection bravely.
The Rev. Charles Haddon S%purgeOn was
born at kelvedon, county Essex, June 10,
1884. At an early age he was removed to
his grandfather's house at Stambourne, in
the same county, and remained there sew
eral years. His grandfather. who was
pastor of the Independent church of that
place and u man Of considerable note for
his long continued aud useful labors, was
soon impressed with the child's thought
fulness and keen moral perceptions.
Having received o liberal education at
O private academy at Colch :ster, the
youth engaged himself In his 18th year as
assistant In a school at Newmarket, con-
Quoted by u member Of the Baptist de-
nomination. This engagement led to his
first associating himself with Baptists, his
family aud friends being all independents.
In 1851 he Join ed the old Baptist church
In St. Andrews street, of which Robert
Hall and Robert Robinson had been pas
tors. Mr.. Spurgeon soon found a %congenial
sphere Of work in connection with 1.-The
Lay Preachers Association" He became
a welcome visitor al the thirteen village
stations supported by this body. and in
1853 he was invited by The little
church at Waterbeach to assume
the pastoral charge. His family and
friends wished him to enter a theological
seminary and took steps to introduce him
TO DR.. Angus, the distinguished president
Of Regents park college. Through a mis-
understanding the proposed meeting did
not take place, and he continued
ut Waterbeach. His ministry there
was SO e%minently successful that
in the autumn Of 1853 the
deacons Of the ancient church in South
wark, London, the church of Benjamin
Reach, DR.. Gill and DR.. Rippon were led
TO invite him to supply the pulpit. For
some time the congregation there had
been dwindling away, and at his first
service there were only 200 attendants in
q building capable of holding 1,2JG. The
result Of the first sermon was to greatly
increase the evening at tendance and
an invitation TO him to come
again as soon as possible. After three
more Sundays he was asked to supply for
six months with q view to a permanent
settlement as pastor. He agreed TO 20 for
three mouths. Before three months had
passed away the small minority who had
opposed the motion to call him to the pas
torate were absorbed into the majority and
on April %, 1854, he accep ted their cordial
aud unanimous call.
MIR. Spurgeon's metropolitan ministry
was q grand success from the start. AL
London was soon talking of the. youthful
Whitfield who had been discovered in a
Ca~mbridgeshIre village. From London his
fame spread throughout the land. Within
q year the church edihce had TO be en-
larged. During the alterations Exeter hail
vas hired, and the overlooking
congregation in that spacious and
central place attracted toward the
preacher the attention and criticism Of the
press. His Exeter hall sermons were
published and had an extensive sale. In
vitations to preach flowed in upon him
from all quarters, TO which he readily re-
sponded. In 1885, the enlarged chapel
having proved utterly inadequate To &C.
commodste the crowds who fiocked to
hear the wonderful man, he began
TO preach In the music hall OF the
Surrey gardens, an immense building,
which, although capable Of seating 1000,
was always densely crowded. Here nota-
BILE persons OF all sorts were frequently
cTriously studying this pulpit phe.
nomenon. But, Of course, the Music hall
could not be the home OF d church, and in
August, 1853, the foundation stone of the
Metropolitan tabernacle was laid. The
structure was completed In March, 1861,
and at the conclusion of q series of
opening services the entire cost,
$3.50, 00J, had been contributed.
Subsequent improvements enlarged the
accommodations, and there are now seats
for 5, 500 persons and standing room for
! 900 more. The congregation always
filled the place on Sunday when Mr..
SpurReon preached. When the church
look possession Of the tabernacle there
were LIS members on the roll. -.-.e
are o upward Of 5, 500.
Besides his pulpit labors MI. Spurgeon's
pen was always busy. His contributions
to the press and to theological literature
rank him with the most eminent masters
Of style aud are scarcely less effective
than was his preaching. He was also
among the most activ We leaders in philan'
thropic work and princely in his
works. An o~rphanage for boys was be
gun in 1876 and one for girls In
1880 at Stockwell, London. In these
buildings 500 or 800 fatherless children are
received, between he ages OF 8 and IL
years, and remaining until they ara IA
The most needy applicants are generally
preferred by the trustees. without regard
to sectarian distinctions MI. S%purgeon's
remarkable faculty of administration made
the Stockwell ~orphanage famous among
works Of benevolence.