The Downgrade Controversy in the latter part of the 19th century was the most significant conflict of C. H. Spurgeon’s ministry, changing the course of British evangelicalism into the following century. But while those events were going on, there was a growing zeal in the Pastors’ College among the students for missions. Sometime in the early 1880’s, they established the Pastors’ College Missionary Association, and their minute books reside here in the Spurgeon Library.
Though the Downgrade Controversy was deeply discouraging, one of its effects was that those who sided with Spurgeon redirected their giving from the Baptist Union to the Pastors’ College. And now, in the fall of 1888, there was an opportunity for the Pastors’ College Missionary Association to begin supporting their own missionaries. Up to this point, the Pastors’ College had sent students to the mission field through other agencies, like the Baptist Missionary Society or Hudson Taylor’s China Inland Mission. However, in December 1888, they would send out their first fully supported missionary, N. H. Patrick, to North Africa.
Here are the notes from his commissioning service on Dec. 10, 1888:
Although a most foggy and unpleasant evening, the Lecture Hall of the Tabernacle was crowded on Monday evening Dec. 10th on the occasion of the departure of Brethren, Clark, Roger, and Patrick for the foreign field, the two former for the Congo, and the latter for North Africa… the chair was occupied by Mr. W. Olney who spoke some suitable and encouraging words to the impending missionaries, who each in turn delivered a most earnest and enthusiastic address. Several prayers were offered by the students and others present and in concluding, the Chairman presented each of the brethren with a copy of the Presidents’ new work, “The Cheque Book of Faith.”
There was no major fanfare. Not much is reported about this in the newspapers. Spurgeon himself was sick and recovering in Mentone, so he couldn’t attend. However, here you have the first supported missionary sent out by a newly established missionary association.
Though Spurgeon could not attend, he wrote a letter to Patrick, dated December 14, 1888.
Dear Mr. Patrick,
I rejoice that the way is cleared for you going to North Africa. As a brother looking to our own funds for support, you are the first representative of the Foreign Mission of the College, and I am the more earnest that you should lead the way gloriously. I am sure from your personal character, and from your course in College that I may place unlimited confidence in you; and far more is my confidence in the Lord whom you and I unitedly serve with our whole hearts. HE will help you to play the man. A blend of zeal, patience, and wisdom will be needed in a mission so new, dealing with such a peculiar people. You believe that the gospel will meet the need of any creature in the form of man, whether Jew or Gentile, Mahometan or heathen. You will keep wholly and only to the cross. There hangs our hope, as well as the hope of those to whom we go. Hammer away with the old gospel; and let those who like it use the miserable wooden mallet of mere reason. The Lord will be with you. Take special care to be much with HIM. Without the means of grace, in a lone land, as you will probably be ere long, “give attention to reading” the one and only Book, and be often carried away to heaven on the wings of prayer and meditation.
Write us often that you may keep up the interest of the brethren, and of my constituency in the glorious work. Be of good courage while you are dumb in the language of the people, and feel the fire burning within, with the power to let its heat warm the people. Carry your daily worries to your Master and they will not be worries. Aspire to be another “Patrick,” – the apostle of North Africa, as he was of Ireland.
On your head may the Holy Spirit pour of the anointing oil, and may you often be constrained to sing as I do,
“O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be.”God himself bless you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
C. H. Spurgeon
We see so much of Spurgeon’s approach to foreign missions in this letter – remain grounded in the “old gospel;” be earnest in preaching and evangelism; be “much with” God in Bible-reading and prayer, especially when you don’t have Christian fellowship around; stay in touch with your supporters; and never forget to marvel at God’s grace.
Patrick left in December 1888 and landed in Tangier to work among the Muslim population. It appears that he was able to have a fruitful ministry, as evidenced by the fact that his converts were willing to be persecuted for their faith. In the October 1889 issue of The Sword and the Trowel, he shared some of the stories of conversions that he had seen just in the few months he had been there.
F. P. F was my servant for some months. He was only twenty, but gave evidence of true conversion. He slept at home, but was so persecuted there that he could find no opportunity for quiet prayer; but every morning he knelt down in the kitchen, where the day’s workwas to be done, seeking strength for that work. He earnestly desired his mother’s conversion, and prayed for it without ceasing. She, however, was extremely bitter with her son, and endeavoured to get him sent into the Spanish army, but failed. The home became almost unbearable to him. About three weeks ago he received orders to join the Spanish navy. He came to say good-bye. Rising from our knees, I begged him to be faithful to Christ. Tears were in his eyes, but he replied firmly,” God helping me, I will, sir. I will tell everybody the truth about Jesus.” May God keep him faithful!
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Our converts have been much persecuted. For following Christ, men have been turned out of their homes. Others have been reviled, beaten, or excommunicated ; while others, again, have been deserted by their friends, and dismissed by their employers.
Some of our enemies had threatened and warned them to leave our meetings; but finding this of no avail, attacked them from the other side.
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We look forward with confidence for great blessing here. We have large premises, good health, and over and above all else, the everlasting gospel. This is what Tangier needs, and the people are beginning to feel this to be the case. Pray for us!
The work of the Pastors’ College Missionary Association is a minor footnote in history. Spurgeon would die in a few years, and it would not go on to become a significant missionary sending agency. But in this brief period of time, for these few converts in North Africa, the work of the PCMA made an eternal difference in their lives. Only eternity will reveal the true fruit of that work.
The story of N. H. Patrick reminds us that even amid the fiercest controversies, the gospel continues to go forth. These stories may not grab the headlines. Many of these figures are lost to history. But in all ages, at all times, Christ is building His church. In this, we can rejoice and have hope to persevere in faithfulness, wherever the Lord has placed us.