Chapter Four

Chapter 4.
Home in February

"I shall be home in February," was, for a long time, the Pastor's reply to everyone who asked him when he thought of being back, and he was home in February, in a far more real sense than any of us had supposed when we heard the words. Home! How sweet it sounds, and especially for him who, after a sojourn in the South, was ever so eager, when he turned his face homewards, to reach as quickly as possible his happy home on earth! With what intense joy he must have entered his glorious home in heaven!

Mrs. C. H. Spurgeon, who has been most marvellously sustained by the grace of our tender Lord, beautifully says:

"His 'abundant entrance', the 'Well done, good and faithful servant!' of the Master, the great throng of white-robed spirits, who welcomed him as the one who first led them to the Saviour, the admiring, wondering angels, the radiant glory, the surprise of that midnight journey which ended at the throne of God; all this, and much more of blessed reality for him, has lifted our bowed heads, and enabled us to bless the Lord, even though he has taken from us so incomparable a friend and pastor. All that was choice, and generous, and Christlike, seemed gathered together in his character, and lived out in his life. He was pre-eminently 'the servant of all'; yet he served with such humility and wisdom, that, with him, to serve was to reign. All are feeling now the power he wielded over men's hearts; and because a prince of God, and a leader of men, has passed away, 'our houses are left unto us desolate.' I must not attempt to speak of his worth; words would utterly fail me; but the tears of multitudes, all over the world, testify to the irreparable loss they have sustained.

"I will tell you of one fact which has greatly comforted me in my deep grief; it will ever be a precious memory to me, and a theme of praise to God. It may rejoice your hearts also to have such an assurance from my pen. It is that the Lord so tenderly granted to us both three months of perfect earthly happiness here in Menton, before he took him to the 'far better' of his own glory and immediate presence! For fifteen years my beloved had longed to bring me here; but it had never before been possible. Now, we were both strengthened for the long journey; and the desire of his heart was fully given him. I can never describe the pride and joy with which he introduced me to his favourite haunts, and the eagerness with which he showed me each lovely glimpse of mountain, sea, and landscape. He was hungry for my loving appreciation, and I satisfied him to the full. We took long daily drives, and every place we visited was a triumphal entry for him. His enjoyment was intense, his delight exuberant. He looked in perfect health, and rejoiced in the brightest of spirits. Then, too, with what calm, deep happiness he sat, day after day, in a cosy corner of his sunny room, writing his last labour of love, The Commentary on Matthew's Gospel! Not a care burdened him, not a grief weighed upon his heart, not a desire remained unfulfilled, not a wish unsatisfied; he was permitted to enjoy an earthly Eden before his translation to the Paradise above. Blessed be the Lord for such sweet memories, such tender assuagement of wounds that can never quite be healed on earth! Up to the last ten days of his sweet life, health appeared to be returning, though slowly; our hopes were strong for his full recovery, and he himself believed that he should live to declare again to his dear people, and to poor sinners, 'the unsearchable riches of Christ.'

Mr. Spurgeon's "Cosy Corner." (See page 41.)

"But it was not to be, dear friends. The call came with terrible suddenness to us; but with infinite mercy to him. The prayer, 'Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory., was answered in his case. His Saviour wanted him up higher, and could spare him to us no longer. He is gone to his everlasting reward, and the hallelujahs of heaven must hush and rebuke the sobs and sighs of earth.' Looking up, with tear-dimmed eyes, to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we can say, 'Even so, Lord, for thou hast made him most blessed for ever. Thou has made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.'" A very favourite hymn of the departed Pastor's was, "Come, thou fount of every blessing." It was sung by the little company in the train that conveyed the Pastor and his beloved wife and friends from Herne Hill to Dover, on October 26th, 1891, and during the hallowed service at Menton, on January 10th, it was sung again.

What a new meaning has been given to the second verse:—

"Here I raise my Ebenezer;

Hither by thine help I'm come; And I hope, by thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home"!

Now, by the "good pleasure" of the Lord, whom he served so faithfully, he has safely arrived at home, and who are we to question the wisdom and love of him who hath taken him to himself? To the praise of the Lord's providential arrangements, it ought to be recorded, that the very first letter opened by Mr. Spurgeon's secretary, after his leader fell asleep in Jesus, contained the notice of a legacy of £500 for the Stockwell Orphanage. Was not this a gracious indication that the Lord would still continue to provide for the five hundred fatherless children in "Mr. Spurgeon's Orphanage"? God buries his workers; but his work goes on. Doubtless he will move many of his stewards to bring of the substance with which he has entrusted them, that all parts of the work that he inspired his now glorified servant to undertake may be maintained with equal or increased efficiency.

One bright reminiscence may be given. Mrs. Spurgeon had been looking at the planets, Jupiter and Venus, which were unusually bright, even for Menton, where the stars generally shine with a brilliance unknown in our dear dull island-home. Speaking of her beloved, she said, "I wonder what he thinks of those planets now." Mr. Harrald replied, "If they are inhabited, he has asked the Lord to let him go, that he may preach the gospel there." "No doubt of it," she added, "for how often he said that, when he got to heaven, he would stand at the corner of one of the streets, and proclaim to the angels the old, old story of Jesus and his love! "This was his interpretation of the text—"To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Mr. Spurgeon's Bedroom After His Removal.