The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1892-02-05
MR.. STURGEON DEAD.
THE GREAT ENGLISH PREACHER
PASSES AWAY PEACEFULLY.
His Last Eafness-His Remarkable Career
RecolIections of Ills Power and Appear
ance I'm the Pulpit.


Rev. Charles H. Sturgeon, the noted
English preacher, died at ii 20 Sunday
night at Mcntone, France. Hewas uncon-
scious to the last. His wife and DR.. Fitz-
henry and Miss T'hornc were present at
the last moment. He did not suffer, but
passed away peacefully.
Rev. Mr.. Spurgeon had been i'll for many
! months. A few months ago he was so i'll
at his home in England that his death was
thought to he only 81 question of a few
hours, but he suddenly rallied and was
rapidly recovering. He went to Mentonc
| recuperntc, bat was again stricken and
rapidly grew worse.
MIR. spURGEoN's CAREER.
Charles Haddon Sturgeon was the son
of a Congregational minister, and was
born at Kelvedon, Essex, England in 1884.
When Is years old he left school as pu-
pill and engaged himself as all under teach :
er at Newmarket Ate. n remarkable
30 the ministry OF the Baptist denonina-
ton, Of which he had become a member.
His first sermon was delivered while he
held the position Of assistant master Ill Il
school at Cambridge, was preached i'll Il
tny village chapel, and was heard with re-
markablc interest. His services we're
sought eagerly after this, and he was
known over considerable piece of coun-
try as 'thc boy preacher" At II years
Of age he assumed the passionate OF Blp-
tist church at Waterbeach, from whence
he removed to the New Park-Strect chapel
Southwark, London, where he attained
marvellous popularity.
HIS GREAT CHURCH.
His congregations so far Outgrew the
accommodations provided that in io39 the
erection of monster building was decided
upon 1t was opened free Of debt two
wears after, and from that time until the
present has been attended by Il congrega-
tion averaging over 5000 persons on sun
days when the great preacher occupied
its roStrum.
Mr. Sturgeon once preached to Il con-
areeation of $4,000 at the Crystal Palace
near London. When, during the progress
of repairs at the Metropolitan Tabernacle,
ne preached in the Agricultural Hail,
lslincton, his audience numbered 20,uOO
persons at every service.
Connected with his church, outgrowths
of it's energies, are the Pastors College,
from which several hundreds of young
men have been sent out rs ministers, and
an ornhanage. which was begun at the IN
stance of a lady friend, who sent Mr.. Spur
gcon Il cheek for 100000 with which TO
begin it. About 800 orphans arc fed,
Tod ged, clothed and educated in this in
stitution.
oTuLE INSTITUTIONS.
connected with the tabernacle arc col
portage association, almshousc for aged
women. missionary stations. Sunday
schools, a mission TO the blind, ladies be-
ncvolcnt and maternal societies, and many
others.
Mr.. Sturgeon was happily married when
very Young man. His twin sons--hc had
no other chldreu-arc ministers. Charles,
whose church is at Greenwich, England,
visited this country about eight years ago
and preached frequently. Thomas lives
in New Zealand.
MIR. Sturgeon discarded the usual title
Of reverend, and was an English Baptist
minister of a very liberal type. While ne
taught that baptisn should be admins
tered to believers exclusively, he admin
istcred the Lords Supper to those who
differed with him in this view On the
other hand, he was the pastor OF church
which refuses church membership to all
Mold hat
sons who have been baptized after the
profession Of their faith in Christianity
should be admitted tothe church mem
borship. All the members OF THIS church
are, therefore, Baptists, but all Christians
are welcomed to commune with thcia.
MANLY PREACHER.
he revived the old fashioned Caivinistic
preaching in England, but those who con-
denim what is in their view mario" tneo-
logical teaching admired md loved its
whole hearted, manly, AID genial defend
er. Mr.. Surgeons wonderful success as
minister was due in great part to MS
sympathetic, sunny, and brotherly dlspo-
sition. his humor andreadv wit.
Associated with these and tending to
the same end was his uncompromlsing ad-
herence to the theological scheme which
he embraced in his early Life. His teach
inc was certain and consistent and also
characterized byan extraordinary sim
plicity of expression, assisted by apt illus
tration. He was a dilisent student CT the
Puritan divnes. Of Bunyan particularly.
His delivery was easy, perfectly natural
and unaffected, earnest but not impassion-
ed, highly pleasing and impressive, but
not exemplifying the highest form OF
oratory.
His appearance was dumpy and neither
very intellectual nor refined, but his smile
| was fascinating and his voice was sweet
clear, and flexible.