Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 August 1881 — Grough and Spurgeon—An Affecting Incident. [ARTICLE]

Grough and Spurgeon—An Affecting Incident.

John B. (lough’s new book- “3unlight and Shadow. A beautiful day it was for London as we rode together, chatting all the way. The history of the Orphanage is intensely interesting. The commencement was a sum .of £20,000 to Mr. Bpurjß?on, from a lady, to commence an orphanage for fatherless boys. All the money that has been expended has been raised by voluntary contribution, and the £20.000 is invested as an endowment. When we entered the grounds, the boys set up a shout of joy at the sight of their benefactor. I asked, “What are the requirements for admission ?” He said, “Utter destitution. Nothing denominational. We have more of the Church of England than of the Baptists. We have Homan Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists—all sorts.” After the boys had gone through their gymnastic exercises and military drill, I spoke a few words to them. Mr. Spurgeon was like a great boy among boys. He said, “There are two hundred and forty boys—only think How many pence are there In a shilling?” “Twelve.” “Right How many shillings In a pound?” “Twenty.” “Bight. Twelve times twenty, how many?” . , “Two hundred and forty.” “That’s a penny apiece for eaoh boy.” “Here, Mr. Charleeworth,” handing him a sovereign, “give these boys a penny apieoe:” when a shrill hearty I hurrah was given, as Mr. Spurgeon

turn'd wit* tit kem vi*%wm L you go to rt w« in need a good seal of purifying. We hare one boy very ill with consumption; ha can not live, and I vriah to see him, for he would be disappointed if he kpew I had been here and had not seen him.” f . * . We went into the 000 l and sweet chamber, and there lay the hov. He was very much exeited when he saw Mr. Spurgeon. The great preacher sat by his side, and I Can not describe the scene. Holding the boy’s hand hi his, he said: j“Well, mv dear, you have sotoe precious promises lh tight all around the room. How, dear, you are going, and you are very tired lying h «fe> *? d soon you will be free noito all pata, and you will rest. Nurse, did he rest

last night?” . ~ “He oougbed very muoh.” “Ah, my dear boy it seema very hard for you to lie here all day In pain and cough all night Do you love Jesus?” “Ysb,” “Jesus loves you. He bought you with bis precious Wood, and He knowß what IS best for you. It seems hard for you to lie here and listenfco the shouts of the healthy boys outside at play. But soon Jesus will take you home, and Sen He will tdl you the reason, and you Will be so glad. Then, laying his hand on the boy, without thejormallty o 1 kneeling. he said, “O Jesus, Master, this dear ohild is reaching out his thin hand to find thine. -Touch him, dear Saviour, with thy loving, warm clasp. Lift hinaas he passes the oold river, that hia feetbe iipteiUttedhy the water of death; take him home in 'thine own good time. Comfort aim cherish him iW that good time oomes. Show mm'tbyseu-as he lies here, and Met him see thee and know thee more and more as his loving Saviour.” After a moment’s pause he said, “Now dear, is there anything you would like? Would you like a little canary in a cage to hear him sing in the morning? Nurse, see that he has a canary to-morrow morning. Goodbye, my dear; you will see the Saviour perhaps before I shall.” I bad seen Mr. Spurgeon holding in in bis power sixty-five hundred person ain a breathless interest; I knew him as a great man, universally esteemed and beloved; but as he sat by the bedside of a dying paupei child, whom his beneficence had rescued, he wu -> to me a greater and grander man thin when staying the mighty multitude at. bis will, r