Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-02-01

as to permit of his being removed to Men
tone, where he had been for some time.
At first the mild climate to which he had
gone proved beneficial, and the famous
preachers physicians were beginning to
look for their patients complete recov-
cry. A few days ago alarming symptoms
made their appearance The reverend
gentleman grew steadily worse, and yes
terday afternoon it became evident that
the end was near. Mr.. Sturgeon became
unconscious about o'clock and died quiz
city.
Early Developed EloquenCe.
Rev. Charles MADDEN Spurgeon was born
on June 70, 1884. in Kelvedon, Essex He
received an ordinary education under
strong religious Influences and became very
early an usher in school at Nottingham,
in which humble capacity he developed
astonishing powers of public speaking and
was especially effective in religious exhor-
tation. His relatives, who were indie
pendents, offered to have him trained for
the ministry, but he declined because he
had paedobaptist views. Later he re-
linquished these and joined the church
formerly presided over by Robert Hall at
Cambridge.
A Pastor at Seventeen.
He became village pastor at Tcversham,
and soon after became pastor of a Baptist
chapel at Waterbeach. At this period, only
II years old, he delivered a series of dis
courses which attracted immense crowds,
and spread his fame through England. and
even America as the boy Preacher" Hav-
ing been offered the chapel in New Park
street, Southwark, he preached for the
first time in London in 1853 with such sue
cess that the edifice had to be enlarged to
accommodate the rapidly growing cOngre-
cation. At Exeter hall, which was occu-
pied during these alterations, hundreds
were turned away every Sunday, being
unable to get within the doors.
Was Orthodox on Hades.
The enlarged chapel in New Park street
proved insufficient and the Surrey Music
hall was hired to accommodate the over
flow Finally the Metropolitan Tabernacle
was built, which holds 4, 200 or 5000 people,
and there the famous preacher has remain
ed to this day. Since 1853 his sermons
have been published weekly and sold
throughout the Protestant world in in
creasing numbers. In 1887 Mr.. Spurgeon
severed his connection with the Baptist
union because it tolerated heretical views
on the subject of hell This gave rise to q
long controversy,
Generous in Financial Matters.
But if unyielding in matters of faith
none was more generous in matters of
finance When he had arrived at his jubi-
lee year his friends held great reception
and gave him a present of something like
SIS, 600. He straightway gave every cent OF
il to the preachers school and the orphan
age. Another present of a large sum on
another occasion went to charity as well.
He had no home until his friends bought
one and decided it to his wife on the condi-
ton that it remain her home They were
afraid it would be sold and the money
given to the poor Spurgeon never had a
shilling that he called his own.
Frequently Raked the Rich.
Another thing that made him loved was
his sympathy for the poor 1t was SC
strong that he did not hesitate to scald the
rich pow and then with hot flow of in
vective. In one of these addresses he gave
the nobility and bishops a terrible stirring
up, but in spite of this, when his jubilee
was celebrated, lords and bishops came to
do him honor. They recognized the hon
esty and sincerity of purpose in everything
the man said, no matter how hateful the
words might he to them.
Asks Curse on India.
Spurgeon did not mince his words-did
not take butter in his mouth, rs he would
have said even when addressing the AL
mighty. At meeting held in the Crystal
Palace during the Indian mutiny he made
prayer in which he literally took the All
mighty to task for bringing trouble on the
British empire; and then said: Thou
didst rain hell out of heaven on the cities
of the plain. The cities of India are not
less vile than they, for they have com
mitted lust and cruelty. Remember this
q God of heaven"
Closing Words of His Last Address.
Spurgeon seemed to have foreboding
that his end was near when last he spoke
In public, and there is something of this
in the closing paragraph. Because il
proved to be his farewell address it may
very well close this sketch of his career
sMy time is ended, although l had much
more to say. / can only pray the Lord to
give you to believe in him. If l should
lever again have the pleasure of speaking
-zrss