Los Angeles herald., 1892-02-07
THE DEATH OF A GREAT MAN.

In the death of Spurgeon great man
has passed away. He was not genius
in the sense that he made great dlscov-
cries and evolved new ideas, but he was
endowed with that rare faculty which
enables its possessor to touch and hold
the heart of the multitude. His inde-
Unable power consisted, not in having
oratory or flashing eloquence, but in Civ
ing expression in simple language to
thoughts and feelings that penetrated
his hearers to the quick, and swayed
them into active sympathy with the
great work of regeneration he so ear
nestly espoused. There are thousands OF
preachers who deliver every Sunday
finished, instructive and edifying ser
mons. Great pulpit orators mey be
found by the score in all large cities;
but there has only been one spurgeon.
The writer, when he first heard Spur
geon in that immense tabernacle in
London expressly built to accommodate
the thousands who focked to hear him,
was impressed with the familiar, plain
and unconventional style OF the great
preacher. He INDUCED in no flights of
eloquence; no polished sallies of wit;
no attempt at framing striking
ideas in border of ornate diction.
He spoke right along in famil-
lar speech; brought himself down to the
level of his hearers and was on conver-
sational plane with the humblest intel
lect amongst them. His meaning was
not only instantly apprehended by
everybody, but it was conveyed to them
in mysterious current that reached
the emotional intelligence, and at once
established a connection of magnetic
sympathy between the preacher and the
auditor. There was no effort; no strain
ing after effect. He would read verse
from the scripture, and comment upon
it in way that would render it as clear
as crystal. Then he would apply its
teaching to the human want in flow
of glowing thoughts that would strike
deep into the inner conscience of his
hearers. Not harsh expression es-
capped him. He was all kindness, ,~all
gentleness, all love. The sinner was to
him stray sheep, and his mission was
to win him into the fold he was the
prodigal son for whom he always kept
the fatted calf of his soft, loving and
persuasive eloquence at fervent heat.
Such men are rare, and so rare that
irrespective of creed, race or country,
recognizes and bows to his greatness.
But Mr.. Spurgeon was not only great
as an effective preacher. as "winner
of SOULS" he was great organizer, and
most indefatigable worker. Besides
the immense duties which devolved
upon him in his care of flock that was
the most extensive of the great city in
which he labored, he contributed spe-
cial articles on spiritual and religious
subjects to a score of publications, at
tended personally to his wide corre-
spondence, and gave to the public, in
printed form, one or two wonderfully
striking sermons every week.
In the death of Mr.. Spurgeon one of
the greatest lights the religious world
has seen for many years has gone out.
And he was as good as great. His char
ity was as boundless as his sympathy.
and no one was too wretched, too low or
too abandoned. not to find place in
his allencompassing heart Though
his labors have ceased, the fruits OF his
teachings and example will continue to
ripen and nourish his memory in the
minds of the people long after the tin
selled kings of the earth have been for
gotten.