SPURGEON CENTENARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21803, 18 May 1934, Page 10

SPURGEON CENTENARY

GREAT MORAL FORCE SECRETS OF HIS POWER The third of a series of meetings to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Charles Haddon Spurgeon was held in the Baptist Tabernacle last evening. The Rev. L. B. Busficld presided, prayers were offered by the Rev. J. Hiddlestono and tha lesson was read by the Rev. T. H. Eccersall. "Spurgeon was the greatest moral and spiritual force in the England of his day, being equalled only by W. E. Gladstone in the extent and weight of his influence," said the Rev. R. H. K. Kemp ton, the last student to bo accepted for training at Spurgeon's Collego, London, during the founder's presidency. "Spurgeon once declared that ho could draw an audience of 20,000 at midnight whenever he pleased. His name is honoured all over tho world, for he was characterised by magnificent courage and was fearlessly honest and sincere." Dr. \Y. Graham Scroggio mentioned many otuinont missionaries, theologians and preachers and said that among these Spurgeon held an admittedly preeminent place, liis history was unique in tho history of tho Christian Church. His voice was probably heard by twenty million people and his printed sermons were read by probably a hundred million. Spurgeon claimed that, bis success was duo not to his preaching of the Gospel, but to tho Gospel ho preached. Much was due to his voire, to his dramatic gestures, his limpid and lucid style, his mastery of English speech, his extensive knowledge of nature and literature, his vivid imagination and his spontaneous and sparkling humour. But all these qualities did not account for his power and popularity. Ho was a spirit-possessed genius, outliving every adverse criticism. He carried all through his life a stainless reputation. His success was chiefly duo to his loyalty to evangelical truth. Ho was probably God's richest gilt to the Church since apostolic times.

Dr. Scroggie will preach his last sermon in Auckland at the 'iown Hall on Sunday evening, when Baptist churches will hold a special united memorial service to Spuraeon,