The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-02-03

from the quiet fields of accurate observation and
independent thought. Heseemed to be more
than willing to serve anybody In any reason
able way without the slightest air Of assumption
In his manner, but there was not cash or coer-
cion enough in the great metropolis to create a
particu ar track, in which alone be should walk
and talk. In discourse on |. John,
V. 4, he said: "a very kind friend has
told me that. while l was preaching
in Exeter hall, l ought to pay difference to the
varied opinions of my hearers; that, albeit
may be Calvinist and a baptist should
recollect that there are avariety Of creeds here.
Now, If | were TO preach nothing but what
would please the whole lot of you, what on
earth should do? l preach what believe TO
be true; and, if tho omission of single truth
that believe would make ma king OF England
throughout eternity, l would not leave IL out
Those who do not like what 1 say, have the
option of leaving it. They come here, / sup
pose, to please themselves; and, If the truth
does not please them. they can leave it"
Some of Mr.. Spurgeon's statements, touch
ing his early education, assert the source OF its
greatest worth Said he: "When l hear sweet
syllables fall from many lips, keeping measure
and time, then feel elevated. and, forgetting
for g time every being terrestrial, soar aloft
toward heaven" He represented himself as
having delighted in the musty old folios,
which many OF his brethren had upon their
library shelves" and, 'as for new books he
leaves them to Others" To the Bible he as
cribed the discipline OF his mental faculties as
well as his knowledge of divine truth. Once
he declared, he put all his knowledge together
in glorious confusion, but afterward he
had a shelf in his head for everything, and
whatever be read or heard he knew where to
stow il away. "Ever since l have known
Christ, have put Christ in the center as my
sun, and each secular science revolves around
it as planet, while the minor sciences are sat
elites to their planets" He, from his OWE eX-
Il
build thy studio on Calvaryl There raise
thine observatory, and scan, by faith, the lofty
things of naturel Take thee a hermifs cell in
the Garden of Gethsemane, and lave thy brow
with the waters Of Siloai" In one of his SER
mons he remarks that "the man of one book is
often more intelligent than the man of fifty
Before he left Cambridge, while the Dig
nitaries of the university aud town were
enjoying their lettered content Mr.
Spurgeon was wont frequently to address Sun
day-schools. in season and out OF season; to
visit the neighboting villages, where descend
ing day, as well as opening morn, found him
still busy in refreshing the weary and spirit
ually destitute. Thus. in the very morning of
his life, IN the dew of his youth, we find his
ardor and love supplying the lack of expe-
rience, and filling his friends with the highest
hopes of his future usefulness and fame.
The arrangement of MIR. Spurgeon's sermons
was simple and textual. The outline formed q
natural contour of the theme and is scarcely
less striking than the facts. arguments and il
lustrations employed to elucidate and enforce
its leading truths. As he used no notes, he was
sometimes quite episodical in the course of his
demonstrations; but he never dverged so far as
to be unable in a moment to recover his posi-
tion, with enhanced interest and ease. There
was about him that frank, open heartiness of
manner, which hesitated not to express
the most startling opinions; and
which. combined with his intense
svmDathv with the masses gave its posseesor n
sublime fascination over the popular heart.
Twelve thousand listened to him at one time
in the open field; and yet with all this success,
there seemed to be little or nothing about him
of sef-conceit. "Recollect" he said, ';~ho
am, and what ana child. having little edu-
cation, little learning. ability, or talent"
without the spirit of God, | feel am utterly
unable TO speak to you. have not those gifts
and talents which qualify men to speak, / need
an aflstus from on high; otherwise. stand
like other men. and have naught to say. May
that be given me, for without 1t am dumbpl