Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-02
Mr. STURGEON DEAD.
The GREAT ENGLISH PREACHER
PASSES AWAY PEACEFULLY.
M Aast rilaess-I zis re mark able carsss-.
hecoiiections Of tEis Power and APP
pcarance In the PaIpil

3 my Aneio-Amcricsa csble 10 the Dispasch.l
Rev. Charles II. Spureeon, the noted
English preacher. died ct ii:2o Sunday
night at Mentone, France. He was uncon-
scious 70 the last. His wife and DIR. Fitz-
henry and Miss Thorne were present at
tbe last moment He did not suffer. but
passed away peacefully.
Rev. Mr.. Spnrgeon had been III for many
months. A few months ago he was so Ill
a. bis home In England that bis death was
thought to be only question Of few
hours, but he suddenly rallied and was
rapidly recovering. He went to Mentone
10 reouperate, but was again stricken aud
rapidly grew worse.
Mr.. sPuseEox's CAREER.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon was the son of
congregational minister, and was born at
keivedon, Essex. England, in 1884. When
10 years old be left school rs pupil and
engaged himself as an under teacher at
Newmarket. After q remarkable religious
experience he gave his thoughts TO the
ministry of the Baptist denomination, of
which he had become member.
HIS first sermon was delivered while he
held the position of assistant master in
school at Cambridge, was preached in
tiny village chapel, and was heard with re-
markable interest. His services were
sought eagerly after this, and he was
known over a considerable piece of coun.
try as 1.-THE boy preacher" At II years Of
age he assumed the pastorate of Baptist
church at Waterbeach. from whence he re-
moved TO the New Park-Street chapel,
Southwark, London. where he attained
marvellous popularity.
HIS GREAT CHURCH.
His congregations so far outgrew the
accommodations provided that IN 1853 the
erection of monster building was de-
cided upon 1t was opened free of debt two
years afterward, and from that time until
the present has been attended by con-
gregation averaging over 5000 persons on
Sundays when the great preacher occu-
pied its rostrum.
Mr.. Spurgeon once preached TO o con-
gregation OF 1900 at the Crystal Palace
near London. When, during the progress
of repairs at the Metropolitan Tabernacle,
no preached IN the Agricultural Hall,
Islington, his audience numbered 10000
persons at every service.
Connected with his church. outgrowths
of its energies, are the Pastors College,
from which several hundreds of young
men have been sent out "a ministers, and
an orphsnage, which was begun ut the in
stance of "a lady friend, VINO sent Mr.
Spurgeon q check for 100000 with which
10 begin IL. About 800 orphans are fed
lodged, clothed. aud educated IN this In
stitution.
oTnzs INSTITUTIONS
connected with the tabernacle are q col
portage association, aiInshouse Tor aged
women, missionary stations, Sunday
schools. a mission to the blind, ladies'
benevolent and maternal societies, and
many others.
Mr.. Spurgeon was happily married when
a very young man. His twin sons-he mad
no other childreu-are ministers. Charles,
whose church is at Greenwich. England,
visited this country about eight years ago
and preached frequently. Thomas iiTes in
New Zealand.
Mr.. Spurgeon discarded the usual title
of reverend, and was an English Baptist
minister of a very liberal type. While he
taught that baptism should be admins
tered to believers exclusively, hs admins
tered the Lords Supper 10 those who diff
fered with him In this view. On the other
hand, he was the pastor OF church which
refuses church membership to all except
ing those who hold that only persons who
have been baptized after the profession of
their faith in Christianity should be adj
mitted TO church IN leadership. All the
members of this church are, therefore,
Baptists, but all Christians are welcomed
TO commune with them.
MANLY PREACHER.
He revived the old-fashioned Calvinistic
preaching in England, but those who con-
denim what is in their view narrow theo-
logical teaching admired and loved its
whole-hearted, manly, and genial de-
fender. Mr.. Spurgeon's wonderful sue
cess as a minister was due in great part to
his sympathetic, sunny, and brotberly dis
position. his humor and ready wit.
Associated with these and tending to the
nme end was his uncompromlsing adhe
renee TO the theological scheme which he
embraced in his early lie. His teaching
was certain and consistent and also char
acterized by al extraordinary simplicity
of expression, assisted by apt illustration.
He was q diligent student of the Puritan
diyines, of Bunyan particularly. His de-
livery was easy. perfectly natural aud un-
affected, earnest but not imprisoned.
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.
IMPRESSIONS OF LOCAL MINISTER'S.