Just As Near to Heaven: The Death of Annie Dunn

By / Mar 19

Annie Dunn loved her church. She was the daughter of J. T. Dunn, an elder at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. Under Spurgeon’s preaching, it was in the church that she came to hear the gospel of grace and love her Savior. Eventually, she professed her faith in Christ through baptism and joined the church. Now, as a member of the church, she participated in the ministries of the church. She joined a women’s Bible class. She gave generously to the work of the orphanage. And it was in the church prayer meetings that she heard about the growing work of China Inland Mission, under Hudson Taylor. There, she grew in her passion to see Christ’s name glorified among the lost.

Now, as a young woman, she was engaged to be married to a graduate of the Pastors’ College, Arthur Huntley, and together they were accepted to join Hudson Taylor and the work at China Inland Mission. They were commissioned by the church on August 5, 1889. The Sword and the Trowel gives an account of their commissioning service at a Monday night prayer meeting:

China next occupied our thoughts and prayers. In introducing the subject, the Pastor reminded us of Brother Stubbs, of Patna, who asked that, whenever we had rice on the table, we would pray for him; and said that it would be a good thing if we prayed for China every time we drank a cup of tea. He then referred to a letter received that morning from Brother Macoun, who left some months ago for China, and who begged earnestly for many more labourers for that great harvest-field. Mr. George Clarke, who has been labouring there for fourteen years, and who is shortly going back to his loved work, gave us some striking statistics to illustrate the fewness of the missionaries and the vastness of the population amongst which they labour… There was much more said at the meeting, for which we have not space; and, truly, it was good to be there. Before closing, the Pastor shook hands with Mr. and Mrs. Clarke, and their little boy, and Miss Dunn, the daughter of Elder J. T. Dunn, who is going out to labour in connection with the China Inland Mission, and to be married to our Brother Huntley; and after bidding them farewell, in the name of the whole assembly, commended them to the Lord in prayer.[1]

The engaged couple boarded a ship for Chin-kiang, China, with plans to be married after they were settled in China. On their arrival, they began the hard work of learning the language and culture. Arthur used his medical training to build relationships with locals. Annie began a Sunday school for children. In their short time with her, these five students grew to love their teacher.

But soon disaster struck. Annie came down with smallpox. Only eight months after her arrival, she was seriously ill, and there was little the doctors could do for her. Arthur records her last days in his diary.

She was suffering intensely, and longed to go. I prayed, “LORD Jesus, if it be Thy will to take dear Annie home, do so speedily.” “Amen,” she whispered fervently, “I want to go home.” … She was wonderfully thoughtful for those who attended to her. She knew I had watched by her all night, and said, “Arthur, you had better go to bed, you must be so tired.” And after a little she said, “Tell your dear mother I love her so much.” … Presently, she repeated each name in her family, father, mother, Alice, Alfred, Jessie, Willie, and the darling little ones, Charlie, Lizzie, Alfred, and Sarah.

“I would like to work with you, Arthur, but you will give me up, won’t you, dear?” Don’t cry. ‘Praise Him for all that is past, and trust Him for all that’s to come.’ ‘Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.’” “Not lost,” I answered. “No,” she whispered.

“I hope you will not take this [the disease]. LORD Jesus, come quickly. I wish He would come; He’s a long time coming.”

…

“Are you in pain now?” I asked. “Yes, a great deal.”

“But are you resting in the Lord?” I continued. “Yes, and waiting,” She said.

“Are you sorry you ever came to China?” I asked.

“No, very glad; it’s just as near to heaven.”

…

Presently she said, “Darling mother, darling father, you’ll give me up for China and for JESUS, won’t you? Dear mother, dear father, don’t cry.” Her mind often reverted to her happy home, and the names, “father,” “mother,” often rested sacredly upon her lips.

“Don’t fret, Arthur,” she said. “I don’t think I shall,” I replied; “you can trust me with JESUS, can you not?” “I can trust JESUS with you,” she replied.[2]

Annie Dunn died of smallpox on May 17, 1890. She was buried the next day in the British Cemetery at Chin-kiang. One of her students “was deeply moved and wept sorrowfully,” laying a beautiful wreath at her grave.

The members of the Metropolitan Tabernacle grieved to hear the news. Spurgeon published the following announcement in The Sword and the Trowel, “Our esteemed elder, J. T. Dunn, and his family, have our sincere sympathy in the bereavement they have sustained through the death of his daughter, Annie. Less than a year ago she went out to China, as a missionary of the China Inland Mission, and now she is ‘for ever with the Lord.’”

Earlier that spring, Annie had written a letter back to her home church, which was read at their annual Pastors’ College Conference. In it, she gave a stirring charge to future pastors and missionaries:

It has been for years my happy privilege to attend some of the meetings, and although I should like, if it were possible, to do so again this year, day by day I grow increasingly thankful for the reason which prevents me from doing this, and being in my accustomed place at the Tabernacle on the Lord’s-day. I cannot describe to you what a blank it seemed when first cut off from all the happy associations, especially from your ministry, which has for so long been such a blessing to my soul. Before coming to China, I knew a little of the needs of the heathen; but had I ever realized how great were the darkness and degradation, my seat at the Tabernacle would long since have had another occupant. I am praying very earnestly that many of our members may, this year, be led to obey the command of our Lord, ‘Go ye into all the world’; and consecrate their lives to his service, and thus hasten the coming of his kingdom. Out of a church of over five thousand members, how few, comparatively speaking, have done this! Hundreds of souls, in this land alone, who have never heard the name of Jesus, are perishing daily.[3]

It had been hard for Annie to leave her spiritual family behind. Those first few months on the mission field were especially difficult. But when she saw “how great were the darkness and degradation” in China, she was glad she had left her seat at the Tabernacle and given her life to proclaim Christ to the perishing. As she lay dying, Arthur asked her, “Are you sorry you ever came to China?” “No, very glad,” was her answer, “it’s just as near to heaven.”

Annie’s letter was published in The Sword and the Trowel after her death, along with Spurgeon’s concluding charge, “Who will respond to the call that comes from our sister’s grave in China? … The Lord support the bereaved one, and make up to his church the many gaps which death continues to make!”

[1] The Sword and the Trowel, 1889, 531.

[2] China’s Millions, 1890, 117.

[3] The Sword and the Trowel, 1890, 462.



Spurgeon’s Love of Hymns and Poetry

By / Mar 14

This edited excerpt comes from Christ Our All: Poems for the Christian Pilgrim, a never-before-published collection of Spurgeon’s private devotional poems. For a limited time, download a free copy here.

Spurgeon’s love of poetry can be seen today in the Spurgeon Library in Kansas City, MO. In his collection, we find over 200 books of poetry and hymnody, occupying several cabinets. So much of Spurgeon’s life and ministry can be traced through these books. Nearly one-third of these volumes are hymnbooks for Christian worship, including Horatius Bonar’s Hymns of Faith and Hope, Anne Steele’s Hymns, Psalms, and Poems, Isaac Watts’ Hymns and Spiritual Songs, and many others.

Spurgeon’s love of hymns began at a young age. Once, during a summer holiday, his grandmother offered him a penny for each Watts hymn that he memorized. With his gifted mind, young Spurgeon memorized so many that his grandmother soon had to change her offer or risk financial ruin! The money earned was eventually spent, but his love of hymns remained with him for the rest of his life, becoming a part of his theological vocabulary. “No matter on what topic I am preaching, I can even now, in the middle of any sermon, quote some verse of a hymn in harmony with the subject.”[1] As Spurgeon grew in his knowledge of hymns, his sermons would come to include not only Watts, but Toplady, Cowper, Wesley, and many other great hymn-writers of the Christian faith.

As the pastor of a church, Spurgeon would seek to pass on his love of hymns to his people. In addition to preaching, he planned the liturgy for the gatherings of the church, including the selection of hymns. When he first arrived, there were two hymnbooks in the pews, one by Watts and the other by John Rippon. But watching people fumble with multiple books convinced Spurgeon that something had to change. So, in 1866, he compiled and published Our Own Hymnbook, containing 1130 psalms and hymns. As reflected in the title, Spurgeon’s concern was the church. This was not Spurgeon’s hymnbook. This was the church’s hymnbook. One of his top priorities was to pull together psalms and hymns that reflected the church’s doctrinal convictions. After all, Spurgeon understood that a church’s hymnbook was often the only book of theology that most church members would ever read.

But even while Our Own Hymnbook reflected Spurgeon’s Reformed and Baptist traditions, he also sought to introduce his people to a wide variety of traditions, pulling together hymns from all of church history. He writes,

The area of our researches has been as wide as the bounds of existing religious literature, American and British, Protestant and Romish, ancient and modern. Whatever may be thought of our taste we have used it without prejudice; and a good hymn has not been rejected because of the character of its author, or the heresies of the church in whose hymnal it first occurred; so long as the language and the spirit commended the hymn to our heart we included it, and believe that we have enriched our collection thereby.[2]

Thus, we see in Spurgeon’s collection of hymnbooks a wide variety of hymn writers: Scottish Presbyterians, English Baptists and Methodists, German Lutherans, Anglicans, medieval Catholics, and other nationalities and church traditions, ranging from the 19th century all the way back to the medieval and early church. From all these psalms and hymns, Spurgeon sought to bring out the best ones that reflected the historic faith of the apostles and the church’s doctrinal convictions. In his day, Our Own Hymnbook was recognized as an achievement in Christian hymnody.[3]

But Spurgeon’s love of poetry extended beyond hymns. His library reveals that Spurgeon enjoyed just about every kind of poetry: ancient poetry, poems about nature, love poems, children’s rhymes, and many others. Most of all, however, Spurgeon loved poems about God and the Christian life. Preaching in 1855, Spurgeon declared, “Much as I respect the genius of Pope, or Dryden, or Burns, give me the simple lines of Cowper, that God has owned in bringing souls to Him.”[4] William Cowper was indeed one of Spurgeon’s favorite poets. He usually included Cowper’s famous hymn whenever he signed autograph albums, “E’er since by faith I saw the stream…”[5] Fittingly, these lines are etched on his tombstone today.

Another poet he loved was John Bunyan. Throughout his life, he read “at least a hundred times” The Pilgrim’s Progress, “that sweetest of all prose poems,” which shaped his vision for the Christian life.[6] What he loved most about it was simply how much Bible was in it.[7] Bunyan brought together Spurgeon’s love of Scripture with his love of poetry. Another of his favorite poets was George Herbert. Herbert was a source of refreshment for Spurgeon, especially after a long day of ministry.[8] Susannah recounts,

It is the Sabbath, and the day’s work is done. The dear preacher has had a light repast, and now rests in his easy chair by a bright fire, while, on a low cushion at his feet, sits his wife, eager to minister in some way to her beloved’s comfort. “Shall I read to you to-night, dear?” she says; for the excitement and labor of the Sabbath services sorely try him, and his mind needs some calm and soothing influence to set it at rest. “Will you have a page or two of good George Herbert? Yes, that will be very refreshing, wifey; I shall like that.” So the book is procured, and he chooses a portion which I read slowly and with many pauses, that he may interpret to me the sweet mysteries hidden within the gracious words. Perhaps his enjoyment of the book is all the greater that he has thus to explain and open out to me the precious truths enwrapped in Herbert’s quaint verse; — anyhow, the time is delightfully spent. I read on and on for an hour or more, till the peace of Heaven flows into our souls, and the tired servant of the King of kings loses his sense of fatigue, and rejoices after his toil.[9]

For Spurgeon, poetry was about more than just entertainment. It gave him the perspective of a Christian pilgrim. It provided spiritual nourishment for his tired soul. And it strengthened him with a renewed joy in God for the week ahead.

[1] Autobiography 1:43-44.

[2] OOH, vi-vii.

[3] For an appreciative 19th century analysis of Spurgeon’s contribution to Christian hymnody, see Josiah Miller, Singers and Songs of the Church: Being Biographical Sketches of the Hymn-Writers in All the Principal Collections with Notes on their Psalms and Hymns (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1869), 580-581.

[4] NPSP 1:344.

[5] Hayden, Highlights, 101.

[6] MTP 45:495.

[7] “Next to the Bible, the book I value most is John Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim’s Progress.’ I believe I have read it through at least a hundred times. It is a volume of which I never seem to tire; and the secret of its freshness is that it is so largely compiled from the Scriptures. It is really Biblical teaching put into the form of a simple yet very striking allegory.” C. H. Spurgeon, Pictures from Pilgrim’s Progress: A Commentary on Portions of John Bunyan’s Immortal Allegory with Prefatory Notes by Thomas Spurgeon (Pasadena, TX: Pilgrim Publications, 1992), 11.

[8] “Frequently, when I return home from chapel on the Sabbath evening, I get down George Herbert’s book of songs; and when I see how much he loved the Lord, it seems to me as if he had struck upon his harp the very notes that he hall heard in Paradise, and sung them all again.” MTP 46:106.

[9] Autobiography 2:185-186.



Sermon Of The Week: “Christ’s First and Last Subject”

By / Mar 14

What was the subject matter with which Christ bookended His earthly ministry? This subject was His command of repentance to all His hearers, and more broadly, to the whole world. Spurgeon noted that “nothing could set forth Jesus Christ’s idea of the high value of repentance, more fully and effectually than the fact that he begins with it, and that he concludes with it.” Repentance is the vital renunciation of sin which the Lord commands to all. Without genuine, active denial of sin, true salvation could not be had. God’s regenerating work in one’s life is demonstrated by their sincere repentance and pursuit of righteousness. “True repentance consists of illumination, humiliation, detestation, and transformation.” And it was this command which Christ chose to impart to His listeners as a type of inclusio to His ministry. 

Spurgeon here explains repentance by discussing it in four main elements: its origin, essentials, companions, and excellencies. Regarding its origin, he remarked, “Remember, then, at the outset, that true repentance is of gospel origin, and is not the work of the law; and on the other hand, it is of gracious origin, and is not the work of the creature.” True repentance, then, is not independently conjured up by sinful man, but is rather a clear manifestation of the divine work of God within one’s heart. His divine power is its ultimate origin, and through Him sinners are given the ability to renounce sin and walk in obedience to Christ.

Excerpt:

This seems to me to be a very interesting fact, and not simply interesting, but instructive. Jesus Christ opens his commission by preaching repentance. What then? Did he not by this act teach us how important repentance was—so important that the very first time he opens his mouth, he shall begin with, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Did he not feel that repentance was necessary to be preached before he preached faith in himself, because the soul must first repent of sin before it will seek a Saviour, or even care to know whether there is a Saviour at all? And did he not also indicate to us that as repentance was the opening lesson of the divine teaching, so, if we would be his disciples, we must begin by sitting on the stool of repentance, before we can possibly go upward to the higher forms of faith and of full assurance? Jesus at the first begins with repentance,—that repentance may be the Alpha, the first letter of the spiritual alphabet which all believers must learn; and when he concluded his divine commission with repentance, what did he say to us but this—that repentance was still of the very last importance? He preaches it with his first, he will utter it with his last breath; with this he begins, with this he will conclude. He knew that repentance was, to spiritual life, a sort of Alpha and Omega—it was the duty of the beginning, it was the duty of the end.

Read the rest of the sermon here.



Sermon Of The Week: “Turn or Burn”

By / Mar 4

Why is God’s justice such an integral part of salvation? God’s just nature demands that sin be punished, and it is only a result of His mercy through Christ that we can be saved from that punishment. 

Grace and mercy are attributes of God’s character which ought to be preached in accordance with His righteous justice, not at the expense of it. Spurgeon observes how ministers in his day, as in ours, often preach the mercy of God without also telling of His righteous judgement on sin.

“They preach of God’s love and mercy as they ought to do, and as God has commanded them; but of what avail is it to preach mercy unless they preach also the doom of the wicked? And how shall we hope to affect the purpose of preaching unless we warn men that if they ‘turn not, he will whet his sword?’”

We will not understand God’s grace unless we also understand His holiness.

“But remember, it is equally true, God is just, severely and inflexibly just. He were not God, if he were not just; he could not be merciful if he were not just, for punishment of the wicked is demanded by the highest mercy to the rest of mankind.”

All are sinful and under God’s righteous wrath. Without His grace and mercy, we too would be doomed. God’s justice demands that we repent and trust in Christ to receive God’s grace unto salvation. 

Excerpt:

But the cry of the age is, that God is merciful, that God is love. Ay; who said he was not? But remember, it is equally true, God is just, severely and inflexibly just. He were not God, if he were not just; he could not be merciful if he were not just, for punishment of the wicked is demanded by the highest mercy to the rest of mankind. Rest assured, however, that he is just, and that the words I am about to read you from God’s Word are true—”The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God;’ “God is angry with the wicked every day;” “If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.” Forsooth, because this age is wicked it is to have no hell; and because it is hypocritical it would have but feigned punishment. This doctrine is so prevalent as to make even the ministers of the gospel flinch from their duty in declaring the day of wrath. How few there are who will solemnly tell us of the judgment to come. They preach of God’s love and mercy as they ought to do, and as God has commanded them; but of what avail is it to preach mercy unless they preach also the doom of the wicked? And how shall we hope to effect the purpose of preaching unless we warn men that if they “turn not, he will whet his sword?” I fear that in too many places the doctrine of future punishment is rejected and laughed as a fancy and a chimera; but the day will come when it shall be known to be a reality. 

Read the rest of the sermon here.





Sermon Of The Week: “A Wise Desire”

By / Feb 25

Who is it who chooses our portion and reward in life? Surely it can be perceived that we do not simply will and receive that which we always want. No, our eternal heritage does not rest in our own power or choice, but rather lies in the sovereign will of our good and gracious Lord. Spurgeon remarks, “Oh! it is the satisfaction of God’s people to believe in this exalting truth that [God] chooses their inheritance for them. […] that verily God does choose our lot, and apportion for us our inheritance.”

This truth ought to bring tremendous joy to our lives as we realize that all who are in Christ will receive God’s promised eternal inheritance as their reward. We are all inclined toward evil, and it is only by the grace and mercy of God that we will receive the blessing of eternal life in communion with our Savior. Left to ourselves, we would never choose that which is perfect, holy, nor completely good. Spurgeon points out, “For by [our] nature we are all inclined to follow the way which leads downwards, we are naturally willing to walk the road which leads to the pit—we do not seek the pit itself, but the road that leads to it.” He further argues that the Lord’s sovereign choice of our inheritance is not merely a fact, but an exceedingly wise prayer. Asking for the Lord’s will regarding our reward helps loosen our grasp on the things we often suppose we need. The reality of God’s grace and goodness should further encourage the believer since their heavenly Father is the one apportioning their reward, and His ways are perfect.

Excerpt:

I. First, then, I shall speak of this as being A GLORIOUS FACT. It is a great truth that God does choose the inheritance for his people. It is a very high honor conferred upon God’s servants, that it is said of them, “He shall choose their inheritance.” As for the worldling, God gives him anything, but for the Christian, God selects the best portion, and chooses his inheritance for him. Says a good divine, “It is one of the greatest glories of the Church of Christ, that our mighty Maker, and our Friend, always chooses our inheritance for us.” He gives the worldling husks; but he stops to find out the sweet fruits for his people. He gathers out the fruits from among the leaves, that his people might have the best food, and enjoy the richest pleasures. Oh! it is the satisfaction of God’s people to believe in this exalting truth that he chooses their inheritance for them. But, since there are many who dispute it, allow me just to stir up your minds by way of remembrance, by mentioning certain facts which will lead you to see clearly that verily God does choose our lot, and apportion for us our inheritance.

Read the rest of the sermon here.



Sermon Of The Week: “Preaching! Man’s Privilege and God’s Power”

By / Feb 17

What is the means by which God’s ministers draw lost souls to the hope of the Savior? It is not the mere wisdom of man that leads souls to salvation, but the faithful teaching of God’s own inspired revelation which “pierces to the division of soul and of spirit.” The preaching of God’s word contains both the divine power and conviction necessary for this task. Spurgeon understood that God’s word is “that which is the great and master weapon of the minister”, and that it is “the foolishness of preaching by which it pleases God to save them that believe.”

God’s word holds the power of eternal life as it conveys the way of salvation through God’s grace and the work of the Son. “Nay, to-day there is not only a torch, but in the preaching of the Word the Sun of Righteousness himself arises with healing beneath his wings.” Spurgeon reminds us that God’s word should not only be viewed as the instrumental weapon of ministers, but as a gift to hear, handle, and preach. “Value, then, the preaching of the Word, and count yourselves happy that you are allowed to listen to it.”

Moreover, “…there is yet a greater privilege connected with the Word of God than this […] As I look upon a multitude of unconverted men and women, I am reminded of Ezekiel’s vision […] The preached Word is like Ezekiel’s prophecy; life goes forth with the word of the faithful minister.” Those who proclaim God’s word have the privilege of bringing the words of eternal life to lost souls. And it is upon this inspired word that God’s ministers must rely.

Excerpt:

Once more let me remind you, there is yet a greater privilege connected with the Word of God than this—for all this were nothing without the last. As I look upon a multitude of unconverted men and women, I am reminded of Ezekiel’s vision. He saw lying in the valley of Hinnom multitudes of bones, the flesh of which had been consumed by fire, and the bones themselves were dried as in a furnace, scattered hither and thither. There with other bones in other charnel-houses, lying scattered at the mouths of other graves; but Ezekiel was not sent to them; to the valley of Hinnom was he sent, and there alone. And he stood by faith, and began to practice the foolishness of preaching, “Ye dry bones hear the word of the Lord; thus saith the Lord, ye dry bones live.” And as be spoke there was a rustling, each bone sought its fellow; and as he spake again, these bones united and stood erect, as he continued his discourse the flesh clothed the skeleton; when he concluded by crying, “Come from the winds, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live,” they stood upon their feet an exceeding great army. The preached Word is like Ezekiel’s prophecy; life goes forth with the word of the faithful minister, when we say, “Repent!” We know that sinners cannot repent of themselves, but God’s grace sweetly constrains them to repent.

Read the rest of the sermon here.



Sermon Of The Week: “Pride and Humility”

By / Feb 10

The great sin of pride is a snare into which we fall all too easily, and its deceitful road leads only to destruction. Spurgeon declares that “There is nothing into which the heart of man so easily falls as pride, and yet there is no vice which is more frequently, more emphatically, and more eloquently condemned in Scripture.” Though often encouraged by the world to take pride in one’s own achievements, self, lifestyle, and sin, Spurgeon boldly declares that the pride of man is a “groundless thing” which ought to be discarded and rendered ridiculous. Pride keeps us from surrendering fully unto Christ and returning all glory to Him. Further, God reveals the severity of this sin as He proclaims that He resists the proud.

What is the remedy to this evil? The active humbling of oneself before God. From Proverbs 18:12, Spurgeon teaches that pride leads to destruction, but humility ultimately leads to honor. He further discusses the silliness of man’s pride, explaining that “Our very creation is enough to humble us; what are we but creatures of to-day? Our frailty should be sufficient to lay us low, for we shall be gone to-morrow. Our ignorance should tend to keep pride from our lips.” Humility is the cure, for it honestly looks at oneself and asks, “’…what have I that I have not received?’” Godly humility views all gifts, honor, and good in life as coming from the Father, which ought to produce gratefulness in our hearts to Him, rather than creating a proud, groundless perception of self.

Excerpts:

Again, pride is the maddest thing that can exist; it feeds upon its own vitals; it will take away its own life, that with its blood may make a purple for its shoulders: it sappeth, and undermineth its own house that it may build its pinnacles a little higher, and then the whole structure tumbleth down. Nothing proves men so made as pride. For this they have given up rest, and ease, and repose, to find rank and power among men: for this they have dared to risk their hope of salvation, to leave the gentle yoke of Jesus, and go toiling wearily along the way of life, seeking to save themselves by their own works, and at last to stagger into the mire of fell despair. Oh! man, hate pride, flee from it, abhor it, let it not dwell with thee. If thou wantest to have a madman in thy heart, embrace pride, for thou shalt never find one more mad than he.

Humility is to feel that we have no power of ourselves, but that it all cometh from God. Humility is to lean on our beloved, to believe that he has trodden the winepress alone, to lie on his bosom and slumber sweetly there, to exalt him, and think less than nothing of ourselves. It is in fact, to annihilate self, and to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ as all in all.

Read the rest of the sermon here.



Sermon Of The Week: “Heavenly Worship”

By / Feb 3

Too often, our worship here on earth can be focused on the wrong things: how we feel, the quality of the music, the circumstances of our gatherings, and other inferior matters. But in this sermon, Spurgeon reflects on how the worship of heaven should be a model or template for our worship here on earth.

When we get to heaven, we will be surrounded by unimaginable splendors – crowns, streets of gold, gates of pearl. But Spurgeon points out that in Revelation, John does not focus on any of those things. Instead, the worship of heaven is focused entirely on Christ. “He begins by saying, ‘I looked, and, lo, a Lamb!’ To teach us that the very first and chief object of attraction in the heavenly state is ‘the lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.’” Worship on earth and worship in heaven are not two different things, but they are a continuation of the same thing: the worship of Christ by his people.

Therefore, we should consider what the worship heaven has to teach us about what our earthly worship should look like. After all, our earthly worship is only preparing us to one day join the worship of heaven.  “Rejoice, then! In a little while, when thine eyes shall have been wiped from tears, thou wilt see the same Lamb exalted on his throne. It is the joy of the heart to hold daily fellowship and communion with Jesus; thou shalt have the same joy in heaven.”

Excerpt:

In the first place, then, we wish to take a view of THE OBJECT OF HEAVENLY WORSHIP. The divine John was privileged to look within the gates of pearl; and on turning round to tell us what he saw—observe how he begins—he saith not, “I saw streets of gold or walls of Jasper;” he saith not, “I saw crowns, marked their lustre, and saw the wearers.” That he shall notice afterwards. But he begins by saying, “I looked, and, lo, a Lamb!” To teach us that the very first and chief object of attraction in the heavenly state is “the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.” Nothing else attracted the Apostle’s attention so much as the person of that Divine Being, who is the Lord God, our most blessed Redeemer: “I looked, and, lo a Lamb!” Beloved, if we were allowed to look within the vail which parts us from the world of spirits, we should see, first of all, the person of our Lord Jesus. If now we could go where the immortal spirits “day without night circle the throne rejoicing,” we should see each of them with their faces turned in one direction; and if we should step up to one of the blessed spirits, and say, “O bright immortal, why are thine eyes fixed? What is it that absorbs thee quite, and wraps thee up in vision?” He, without deigning to give an answer, would simply point to the centre of the sacred circle, and lo, we should see a Lamb in the midst of the throne. They have not yet ceased to admire his beauty, and marvel at his wonders and adore his person.

Read the rest of the sermon here.



The United Prayer Meeting of 1865

By / Jan 31

One of the hallmarks of C. H. Spurgeon’s ministry was his Monday night congregational prayer meeting. Each week, thousands of members of the Metropolitan Tabernacle gathered to pray for the ministries of the church and preaching of the Word. This was one of the pieces of evidence that a genuine revival was taking place: the people prayed. But Spurgeon was not satisfied with this. He wanted to gather Christians throughout London to pray.  

Spurgeon regularly met with like-minded pastors throughout London for fellowship and encouragement. And to begin the year 1865, they agreed to have a week of united prayer meetings for their churches. On January 2, they gathered for their first meeting.

A WEEK of prayer. The best possible beginning for a new year. So thought the ministers associated for prayer and mutual edification, and therefore they agreed to call their people together for united prayer. The Central Meeting of the Churches was held at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, on Monday, January 2nd.[1]

These days, churches get together for conferences, workshops, retreats, events… But when was the last time churches gathered together to pray? As you read this, consider: How might the Lord use you to bring churches together to pray for God’s blessing upon the work of the gospel in your city and around the world?

Pre-Meeting Prayer

The pastors met at three for prayer and consultation; and they were joined, at five, by about one hundred elders and deacons, who continued in prayer to God until the hour for the public meeting. The spirit pervading these devotions gave promise of a blessed gathering in the evening.

Welcome and Opening Prayers

At seven about six thousand persons were assembled in the Tabernacle probably the largest number of believers ever found together under one roof for prayer. Fully to characterize this meeting would be impossible. No pen could express the deep-thrilling power which pervaded the assembly. We can only present a brief outline of the proceedings.

The meeting was conducted by C. H. Spurgeon. The guiding hand of the Holy Ghost was manifest in the wisdom shown in the brief and suggestive remarks made in reference to the subjects and manner of the prayers. This must have been evident to all. The brethren, Varley and F. White, pleaded with deep and fervent earnestness for blessings to be then and there vouchsafed by the God of all grace to his people; and for a genuine revival of all the Churches of God in the land. Simple, direct, earnest, reiterated, were the desires of these servants of Jesus; and most fervent was the response of the thousands of Christian hearts, which united, as the heart of one man, to bear up those desires to the throne of grace.

Prayer for Pastors and Future Pastors

Two elders (W. Olney and Bridge) then pleaded with God on behalf of the pastors and students; the lowly, loving, touching breathings of these brethren, moved and bowed down the hearts of all the pastors around them. Old and young alike felt that blessing must descend upon them in answer to such heartfelt Spirit-wrought desires as those which were being poured forth on their behalf. Would to God that all elders and deacons might thus ever deeply feel, and earnestly plead, for the pastors of the churches that the full power of the Holy Ghost may rest upon them. Those brethren who were present can testify that they never, felt more solemnly the need and the value of such intercession. The responsibility, the trials, the necessities of God’s servants, were made the subjects of most sincere supplication.

Confession of Sin

Next came a confession of sin, through Brother Offord, the oldest minister on the platform. For this solemn act the whole assembly was prepared by the blessing already granted and felt; for all hearts and spirits were bowed down in deep repentance.

On behalf of the pastors

Many details of the failures and sins of ministers were spread before the face of God in the most solemn manner. Sins of omission and commission, neglect, and shortcomings, were acknowledged Solemn, simple, earnest appeal was made to the eye of the heart-searching God, that his servants might wish to hide nothing from that all the evil in them might in his sight. And when the it is I! it is I!” were uttered, many broke forth saying, “It is I! it is I” The beloved pastor of the Tabernacle Church wept like a child, and sobbed aloud, while the brethren around could not restrain their weeping and groaning before God.

On behalf of elders

Nor were the assembled elders less moved when their sins and shortcomings were solemnly and affectionately confessed unto the Lord, and when they, as men of like passions with their brethren, and of like necessities too, were borne into the presence of God, before the mercy seat, Jesus.

One behalf of all the people

But it was when the people, the worldliness, the deadness, the lack of love to brethren and to souls, and especially the want of love to Jesus and the consequent grieving of the Holy Ghost; it was when these were in lowly, broken sentences, named before the great Father of All, that hearts seemed to be melted into one universal feeling of grief, and to bow in the dust in one solemn act of self-abasement.

It was wont to be said of old time, that he had never seen sorrow who had not beheld the sorrow of Israel on the great day of atonement; and, verily, many who were present on that night, felt that they had never before seen such real, awful, general grief as that which rolled over the spirits of that vast assembly. God, the Holy God, was there, and his people had a sight of themselves, and of their ways, in the very light of his holiness; and each took the place of the patriarch, saying, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee; wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” It was a solemn moment when the voice ceased, and all bowed in the silence of their souls’ agony before the holy God.

Hymn of Assurance

Great, indeed, was the relief and calm the peace which followed the sweet words uttered by Mr. Spurgeon: —

“There is a fountain filled with blood.”[2]

Never were the first two verses of this sung with more genuine and blessed feeling, or by more grateful hearts. Never were the words,

“I do believe, I will believe,
That Jesus died for me”

more sincerely and earnestly spoken by a multitude of mortal men, than on that occasion.

Address to the Churches

The time was now come for a few solemn words to the host of believers present; and the spirit of the pastor of the Tabernacle Church could no longer restrain its pent-up feelings. An earnest, loving, impassioned appeal broke from his lips. He led the hearts of the people into the depths of God’s everlasting love, and appealed to them as to what sort of persons men so loved ought to be. He gave forth a few burning words on the precious redeeming blood of Jesus, inquiring what manner of men they ought to be who knew themselves to be so redeemed? He pressed upon every conscience the great truth, that each loved and blood-bought saint is a temple of the Holy Ghost — the in-dwelling Spirit of God; and earnestly showed how holiness became the dwelling-place of the Lord; and he directed the hearts and hopes of God’s children to the home in the Father’s house, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and asked what manner of men its denizens ought to be? And then came the searching, thrilling, humbling question, have we, have I, have any of us, ever lived as it becometh those to live who have been loved of God with a sovereign and gracious love from eternity? Have any of us ever lived as it becomes men to live, who have been in very deed redeemed from wrath by the blood of God’s own Son, as it becomes men to live, in whom the Holy Ghost doth in very deed dwell, and who are destined to dwell with God and his Christ for ever? Many hearts will never forget these questions; strong men could not restrain the audible “Never! never! have we so lived;” while the deeply-moved heart of the great congregation gave forth the sit response that each and all were verily guilty before God. The power of the Almighty Spirit carried home those questions to the inner life of that great Christian gathering; and the grace of that same Holy One stirred the heavenly affections of that life with feelings of deepest humiliation before its great author.

Prayer of Dedication

A humble, fervent prayer, by Pastor Cole, for the up-lifting and revival of all believers, followed this appeal, the Spirit leading the speaker to dwell upon the precious truths which had been laid upon the hearts of the meeting, and to supplicate that God would enable his people thenceforth to realize them in the fullness of their power. The universal response which followed these pleadings with God told how deeply the blessings sought were desired by all.

Silent Prayer and Evangelistic Address

The time had now arrived for an address to the unconverted. At the suggestion of Mr. Spurgeon, three minutes were spent in silence by believers in pleadings for their fellow sinners, and that Mr. Offord might be aided to bear God’s message to them, as directly as he had been enabled to lay their confessions before God. In answer to prayer, our beloved brother was enabled to set forth the glories of heaven in a most delightful manner, so that many who had been hitherto careless, felt a desire after that goodly land; then came the warning that no defiling thing can enter there, and the simple, earnest, instructive, and touching story of the way by which the sinner may be cleansed from all defilement and made to stand accepted in the Beloved. Every word was clothed with power, we all felt that the speaker’s lips had been touched with a living altar-coal, and we sat wondering at the power of God, and expecting great results.

Hymn of Response

All the Christians present expressed their hearty desire that their fellowmen might receive God’s mercy in Christ, by singing certain verses each ending with the words,

“Come and welcome sinner come.”[3]

These words could not but fall with thrilling power upon many hearts.

Concluding Prayers

The earnest work of supplication was ended by Pastors Stott and C. H. Spurgeon pleading with God for anxious and careless souls present. Each plea seemed to go straight to the throne of grace, while numbers felt that such prayer must be and was accepted. These prayers, like all the others, as well as the confession, were evidently the result of a resistless power, moving the hearts of speakers and hearers, animating them with deep and earnest desire, and working in them a simple and mighty faith, that must surely prevail with him who said. “According to thy faith be it unto thee,” and, “all things are possible to him that believeth.” This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes Who shall tell what blessing may grow out of this wonderful display of the grace of our God! May he grant us to see yet greater things than these!

Dismissal and Follow-Up

After an announcement that another central meeting will be held on the first Monday in February, a number of Christians retired into a room below with many anxious ones, several of whom received peace with God through faith in the precious Savior. Many of these have since been seen by Mr. Spurgeon, who tells us that he conversed personally with no less than seventy-five inquirers, in one day subsequent to the meeting. We hope “The Sword and Trowel” will chronicle many blessed items of saving results.

[1] This account is taken from The Sword and the Trowel, 1865, 67-70. Thanks to Paul Martin for highlighting this event for me.

[2] There is a Fountain, William Cowper, 1771.

[3] From the Cross Uplifted High, Thomas Haweis, 1792.



Sermon Of The Week: “The Remembrance of Christ”

By / Jan 27

Are there times when you neglect or even forget the sacrifice of Christ on your behalf? Spurgeon asks, “Oh! my friends, is it not too sadly true that we can recollect anything but Christ, and forget nothing so easy as him whom we ought to remember?” So easily distracted by the things of this world and the sins that still tempt us, our cares and thoughts often drive us to look away from our Savior and forget the work that He has done for us. Spurgeon here teaches that our remembrance of Christ is both commanded and essential in our Christian walk.

In this sermon, we receive the necessary admonition to meditate on and recall the work of Christ. Spurgeon tells us of the sweet blessings that come as a result of that remembrance, namely patience in persecution and strength against temptation. But our remembrance of Christ should not be just a fleeting memory. Rather, we must meditate deeply and frequently on Christ’s person and work. One regular opportunity to remember Christ is at the Lord’s Supper. When we feel the weight of sin and guilt upon us, it is this remembrance of Christ that will give us true hope.

Excerpt:

And first, remembrance of Jesus will tend to give you hope when you are under the burden of your sins. Notice a few characters here tonight. There comes in a poor creature. Look at him! He has neglected himself this last month; he looks as if he had hardly eaten his daily bread. What is the matter with you? “Oh!” says he, “I have been under a sense of guilt; I have been again and again lamenting, because I fear I can never be forgiven; once I thought I was good, but I have been reading the Bible, and I find that my heart is ‘deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked;’ I have tried to reform, but the more I try, the deeper I sink in the mire, there is certainly no hope for me. I feel that I deserve no mercy; it seems to me that God must destroy me, for he has declared, ‘The soul that sinneth it shall die;’ and die I must, be damned I must, for I know I have broken God’s law.” How will you comfort such a man? What soft words will you utter to give him peace? I know! I will tell thee that there is one, who for thee hath made a complete atonement; if thou only believest on him thou art safe for ever. Remember him, thou poor dying, hopeless creature, and thou shalt be made to sing for joy and gladness. See, the man believes, and in ecstasy exclaims, “Oh! come all ye that fear God, and I will tell you what he hath done for my soul.”

Read the rest of the sermon here.