MR. SPURGEON'S LAST LETTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8812, 27 February 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

MR. SPURGEON'S LAST LETTERS.

Mr. Spuroeon wrote as follows to his congregation :— "My dear Friends,— the last time in the year 18911 write you, and with this brief note I send hearty gratitude for your loving kindness to me during the year which is ending, and fervent wis.lo4 for a special blessing on the year so sooa to begin. I have nearly finished 30 years of my ministry among you, and have completed 37 volumes of published sermons preached in your midst. Yet we are not) wearied of each other. I shall hail the day when I may again speak with you. Surrounded by ten thousand mercies, my time of weakness is rendered restful and happy ; but still to be able in health and vigour to pursue the blissful path of useful service would be my heaven below. To be denied activities which have become part of ray nature seems so strange ; but as I cannot alter it, and as I am sure that infinite wisdom rules it, I bow below the divint'i will—my Father's will. Again the doctor, reports favourably. That is to say, yesterday he said that there was decided improvement as to the disease ; nothing great, but as much as he could hope for, Nothing speedy could be looked for, but matters were going most encouragingly. I was to be very careful about a chill, &c. This is an old and dull story to you. Only your prayerful and persevering interest in me could make me bold enough to repeat it. Honestly, I do not think you are losers by my absence, so long as the Lord enables our dear friend Dr. Pierson to preach as he does. There is a cloud of blessing resting on you now. Turn the cloud into a shower by the heavenly electricity of believing prayer. May the watch night be a night to be remembered, and on the first hour of the year may the Lord say, 'From this day will I bless you.'—Yours with faithful love, C. H.Spurgeon." A letter from Mr. Spurgeon was read at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, dated Mentone, December 31, in which he wrote " I believe I am right in reporting a greater change in the disease than could do spoken of before. Ib is still a great drain upon me, but as it has improved so far, I believe it will make more rapid diminution. hat a joy it wilS be to be within measurable distance of the time to return to my pulpit and to you ! 1 have not reached that point) I yet."