Chapter 64: The Title of "Rev"
Chapter 64.
The Title Of "Rev"
Women's Work—College Meeting—First Mention of the Orphanage—Special Services—London Costers.
On November 30 about nine hundred persons, who were for the most part young women, assembled in the Tabernacle lecture-hall, in order to celebrate the birthday of Mrs. Bartlett, whose Bible-class had now grown to such extraordinary proportions that the majority of those present were members of it. A handsome gold watch and chain were presented to the leader of the class, while on the other hand a sum of £100 was presented on behalf of the members to the College funds. The room was prettily decorated, and after tea the pastor spoke a few earnest words to the assembly.
It was shown that the work of Christian women in the Church was by no means an unimportant one, and it was a happy thing that there were hundreds of women in the Church at the Tabernacle who were earnestly engaged in fulfilling such duties as God would have them do:—
"I consider," added Mr. Spurgeon, "that every woman should show the light of truth by her holy example, so that others seeing her holiness and piety may be attracted to the Saviour. There are many cases among the members of this Church in which souls have been brought to the Saviour by the influence of godly women. By their holy conversation they may do much good in the Church and the world, and by their patient endurance of obloquy and ridicule they attest the reality of their religion. I believe it is impossible for you to know the amount of ridicule which the Christian women of the Church have sometimes to bear; and it is a noble sight to see them bear it in meekness and godly fear. Women, too, have that great responsibility of bringing up families in the fear of the Lord, a work which devolves more upon the mothers than upon the fathers. Sometimes Christian women are taken from their ordinary level to work for God in a most extraordinary manner, and such is the case with Mrs. Bartlett I think that many of you, though not able to do what our honoured sister has done, could aspire to do much more than at present you do for Christ." A tea and public meeting on behalf of the College drew together a very large assembly on Tuesday evening, December 18. To this date 106 men, educated in the institution, had settled in pastorates, ten who were pastors were still students, five were itinerant evangelists, and five had died. A sum of £70 had been received from South Africa for a man to be sent out, and on one being asked for from Port Natal five had volunteered to go there. In twelve months the settled pastors had baptised 1,235 persons. "The young men of the College are mostly labouring in districts where a new-comer is wanted; and it is noteworthy that I am frequently entrusted with sums of money to be spent in erecting new chapels for the students," remarked Mr. Spurgeon. "During the time the College has existed," he added, "I do not recollect any case in which I have not had money in hand when it was wanted; of course, there have been delays, but no difficulties. I have frequently lain awake at night thinking of the many schemes I have in hand for the glory of God, but I always feel grateful that not one of them is flagging in interest." The President's continued enthusiasm for this work was shown by the glow of satisfaction which came over his countenance when he mentioned striking facts. One such fact was that a pastor "on the rock of St. Helena" had received fifty-eight persons into membership; another was that a girl under twelve years of age had collected £20 towards the funds.
It was at this meeting that one of the first public announcements was made relative to the Stockwell Orphanage. Mr. Spurgeon told his friends that between two and three acres of land had been purchased in the Clapham Road on which building would be commenced, and it was proposed to adopt the family system and not keep the children "huddled together as in the workhouses." The greater part of the money given by the founder would be kept as an endowment, and they would have nothing to do with the voting system. It was believed that the members of the congregation would make the clothes for the children to wear, and it was hoped that philanthropic tailors and cloth-dealers would supply the materials. "Working men might help by giving a portion of time to the work of erecting the buildings," said Mr. Spurgeon, "and thus all will have an opportunity to help forward the good work to which we have set our hands." The evening finished with the lecture on "Sermons in Candles," which was then exceedingly popular.
Mr. Spurgeon appears to have preached at the Tabernacle for the last time in 1866 on Sunday, December 23, the subject in the morning being a seasonable one. It was, "God Incarnate the end of fear," and the text was St. Luk 2:10, "And the angel said unto them, Fear not."
Feeling the need of rest and change, the pastor spent the last Sunday of the year in Paris; and he did what few besides himself would have thought of doing—he left London and crossed the Channel on Christmas Day. He was in good spirits, however, and enjoyed the passage; and on reaching the French capital the surroundings were in all respects congenial; for, with its many museums and other educational attractions, Paris was regarded as being the best place in the world for wearied mortals who wished to combine rest with instructive recreation. On this occasion the Sabbath seemed to be better kept than had been the case during previous visits. The Baptist congregation, which assembled in a room at the back of the Church of St. Roch, was duly sought out; but both there and elsewhere it was plainly seen that all things were under a despotism. The annual meeting of the newly-formed London Baptist Association was held at the Tabernacle in the middle of January, 1867, when the report was of a most encouraging kind, particular mention being made of the handsome reception which had been accorded to the pastors and delegates by Mr. Spurgeon and his people.
Some time before the date at which we have now arrived, Mr. Spurgeon gave up the title of Rev., and he appears to have done so with the approval of a large number of friends. One eminent minister remarked, "I do wish our young men would do what they can to substitute Pastor for Rev."
Mr. Spurgeon continued to show unabated interest in Sunday-school effort; and a special prayer-meeting, to which all teachers were invited, was held at the Tabernacle on January 28. It was a time of trial so far as the working classes were concerned. The cholera of the preceding summer had made gaps in their ranks; the opening of the new year brought severe weather; and when the cold moderated the distress appears to have continued. There was also much distress among ministers of country churches, which was common to all kinds of weather; and on behalf of such sufferers Mr. Spurgeon was moved at this time to write an urgent appeal.
Several interesting preaching excursions were made early in the year. Bunyan Chapel, Bedford, was visited, and collections were made at the services on behalf of the new rooms which had then been recently erected. Deptford was also visited, on Wednesday, January 30. Two services were held in the lecture-hall, and the original intention had been to make collections for the building fund of a new chapel; but as so much distress prevailed, Mr. Spurgeon suggested that the money given should go to the relief fund, while he would himself give to the building fund as much as was collected. A few days later the preacher was at Luton, with a view of assisting the congregation of the ancient Baptist church in that town. About a year previously these people had been afflicted by a singular disaster. A more commodious meeting-house was in course of erection beside the old one, and the former was not only blown down during a tempest, but the walls fell upon the old chapel, both being thus reduced to a heap of ruins in an instant. The special services at the Tabernacle in February, 1866, had proved so successful that they were repeated in 1867. They commenced on the 8th of the month. One day was devoted to fasting and prayer; and on the evening of another day seven hundred young people sat down to tea with the pastor and deacons. At a prayer-meeting on the 18th of the month the Tabernacle was crowded in every part. On Tuesday, March 12, a very memorable visit was paid to Golden Lane, where Mr. Spurgeon's young convert, Mr. W. J. Orsman, had been labouring for some years among the costers. The service was held in the Evangelists' Tabernacle, and the admission tickets were distributed on the preceding Sunday morning among the stall and barrow-keepers of Whitecross Street. The fame of the preacher and of his wonderful voice went before him, so that while some were indifferent the main part were desirous of being present. A contemporary account says:—
"A costermonger's living depends so much upon his lungs, that he understands their value and soon becomes a connoisseur in voices. It need hardly be added that after the service the eulogies on the preacher's gift of lungs were very emphatic. Mr. Spurgeon, although suffering from illness, which prevented his preaching at the Metropolitan Tabernacle on Sunday night, was thoroughly at home, and his sermon was a model of simplicity and pointedness. In the prayer the responses were frequent and at one time loud, while the many tearful eyes told of the deep impression which his earnest appeals had made. The sermon, which was based on St. John's Gospel, John 4:15, was listened to with the greatest attention, and the homely hits were much enjoyed. Mr. Spurgeon obtained their sympathies in his opening prayer by referring to the aches and pains of body which so many suffered, and the poverty which existed among the poor; and from that moment to the conclusion of the service their eyes seemed riveted on the speaker. After Mr. Spurgeon had left, over two hundred persons remained for prayer, and for an hour and a quarter earnest supplications were offered. Some begged that the brethren would pray specially for them, others who had never made supplications in their lives before, expressed their wants in their deep sighs and quiet responses. The impression, indeed, was very great, and the seed thus sown will, without doubt, spring up after many days." The interest which Mr. Spurgeon continued to feel in this mission was very great, and by some associated with it at the present day he is still remembered. In the course of more than a quarter of a century the work has grown until at the present time—the headquarters being now in Hoxton—the mission is one of the most valuable in London.