Year: 1874

IdSt SuHudy evening, ~ tHc MctTO
pOlitan Tabernacle, says the London TeLe


graph, of September 23d, the deservedly


popular, unquestionably benevolent, and


eminently shrewd Mr.. Spurgeon was


preaching a sermon on the sinfulness OF
little sins-a somewhat favorite tspiC


among non-conformist clergymen, and


on which, under the title of the "Little


Foxes" some curious lay sermons have


been written by Mrs. Harriet Beecher
Stowe. The gist of Mr.. Surgeons dis


course was that habitual indulgence in


little sins lead to the commission of great
ones-a position enforced by one of the
most famous English divines in the illus


tration of the "boy who plays with the
devils rattles." At the close of his use


full sermon, the minister introduced an


American clergyman who, he said. was
anxious to address few words to the
congregation. This reverend gentleman


'improved the opportunity" by inveigh-
ing fiercely against the sin of smoking
tobacco, especially in the form of cigars,
and told his hearers how he had strug-
gled and fought against the pernicious
habit, and how at last, by the blessing
and with the assistance of Providence,
he had conquered his addictedness to the
weed. Then up rose Mr.. Spurgeon, and,
with quiet humor, remarked that he
would not allow the congregation to
separate without telling them that he
did not consider smoking to be sin, and
that, by the grace of God, he hoped to
enjoy a good cigar before going to bed
that night.


Mr.. Spurgeon writes to the London


Telegraph, in reply to some structures on
certain remarks of his in defense of smok-
ing. and says:


~ demur altogether, and most posi-
lively, to the statement that to smoke
tobacco is in itself sin. 1t may become
so, as any other Indifferent action may,
but as an action it is no sin. Together
with hundreds of thousands of my fellow
Christians, / have smoked, and with them
/ am under the condemnation of living
in habitual sin, if certain accusers are to
be believed. AS would not knowingly
live even in the smallest violation of the
law of God, and sin is the transgressiOn
of the law, will not own to sin when /
am conscious of it. There is growing up
in society Pharisaic system which adds
to the commands of God the precepts of
men; to that system l will not yield for
an hour. The preservation of my liberty
may bring upon me the upbraidings of
many of the good, and the sneers of
many of the selfrighteous; but l shall
endure both with serenity, so long as l
feel clear in my conscience before God.


"The expression smoking to the glory
of God standing alone has an i'll sound,
and ! do not justify it; but in the sense
in which I employed it will stand to it.
No Christian should do anythingi in which
he can not glorify God-and this may be
done, according to Scripture, in eating
and drinking, and the common actions
of life. When have found intense pain
relieved, a weary brain soothed, and
calm, refreshing sleep obtained by cigar,
l have felt grateful to God and have
blessed His name; this is what meant,
and by no means did use sacred words
trifingly. If through smoking had
wasted an hour of my time-7if l had
stinted my gifts to the poor-if l had
rendered my mind less vigorous-I trust
l should see my fault and turn from it;
but he who charges me with these things
shall have no answer but my forgiveness.


81 am told that my open avowal will
lessen my influence, aad my reply is that
If / have gained any influence through
being thought different from what am,
l have no wish to retain it. / will do
nothing upon the sly, and nothing about
which / have doubt. l am most sorry
that prominence has been given to what
seems to me so small matter, and the
last thing in my thoughts would have
been the mention of it from the pulpit;
but was placed in such position that
/ must either by my silence plead guilty
to living in sin, or else bring down upon
my unfortunate self the fierce rebukes of
the anti-tobacco advocates by speaking
out honestly. chose the latter; and
although l am now the target of these
worthy brethren, would sooner endure
their severest censures than sneakingly
do what could not justify, and earn
immunity from their criticism by tamely
to be charged with sin in an
action which my conscience allows"