TO REV. WILLIAM CUFF NIGHTINGALE LANE,

Dec. 16, ‘76.

DEAR MR.CUFF,—

You asked me for permission to use one or two more of the caricatures I have in my book. I said “Yes” of course. But Mr. B says you want to borrow my Album. That cannot be. It never goes out of this house if I know it. You can come and copy what you please, but not remove the Album.

I hope to be on the Mediterranean before I see February. Ask my brother yourself and I dare say he will help you, but I cannot be sure, for he will have everything to see to during my absence.

I have been to see Silverton’s place and I think it perfect. You cannot do better than copy it. God speed you.

Yours heartily, C. H. SPURGEON.

NIGHTINGALE LANE,

July 3, ‘79.

DEAR MR.CUFF, —

By all means see me for a few minutes if you can tell me how to get £100 for Girls’ Orphanage.

Come and give your lecture upon C. H. S. at the Tabernacle for your new chapel as soon as the present winter season is over and summer comes on, it will probably be in winter time.

What a fine handsome fellow you are —

vide photograph. Some of the others have turned yellow —

probably at the sight of such surpassing beauty.

Yours ever heartily, C. H. SPURGEON.

WESTWOOD,

June 30, 1884.

DEAR MR.CUFF,—

I thank you and all the friends at the Shoreditch Tabernacle for their kind remembrance of me upon my Jubilee. These expressions of brotherly love are very cheering to me. I feel bound to rise to some higher degree of grace that I may better warrant the esteem of my friends. Pray for me.

In return may our Lord richly bless both Pastor and people at Shoreditch.

May the peace of God be over you all.

Yours gratefully, C. H. SPURGEON.

WESTWOOD,JUNE 26, 1885. MY DEAR MR.CUFF,

—

I have gone carefully into this case, and though I have the utmost faith in you and your brethren I still think that my decision is the right one. We must not mislead this excellent brother. Providence has placed him in a position of comfort and usefulness and he is tempted to sacrifice it for one of hardship and small success. No one who has written about him anticipates any marked success, even you only look for mediocrity. Of his goodness and zeal I have no doubt, but he has a painful hesitancy in speech, and a fondness for hard words; and it would be a pity for him to give up his calling at his age, and with his family, unless we could predict for him some special success.

I would do almost anything to prove my confidence in you, but I have the conviction that you very much agree with this opinion of mine, and are only moved from it by the sorrow of our brother. I am sympathetic too, but I had rather grieve him now than lead him into life-long regret. I have no doubt about the unusual worthiness of Mr.L____ but as far as I can judge, the step which he proposes is so unwise that I dare not be a party to it.

Can you preach for me on the evening of July 26th?

Yours ever lovingly, C. H. SPURGEON.

WESTWOOD,

July 17, 1890.

DEAR MR.CUFF,—

It would be sheer insanity if I were to promise any more preaching or speaking till I have fulfilled all engagements already made, and have gained strength. I make no pretense of illness, and it is a serious matter when I piteously appeal to friends not to ask me and yet they will.

I may add that if I were quite well I should ask you to let me preach at some other time. Openings are in themselves occasions. I prefer to come in as an extra when the occasion has been used. It gives the cause two lifts instead of one. It also enables me to help a brother without being associated with persons from whom I greatly differ, but who are acceptable to the brother himself.

Please leave the matter till I feel in more strength, for I am most willing to aid you and would do exactly as you wish if I could.

Yours very truly, C. H. SPURGEON.

WESTWOOD,

March 7, DEAR MR.CUFF,—

May our Lord sanctify to you all these fiery trials. He must have some grand purpose of love to answer by them all.

I wish I could do more work than each day brings with it, but I cannot.

There are no more hours in the day when I get through my work, and if there were you should have a sermon.

If you can get the rest I will hunt up £50 to help you, instead of any public service. You have enough to think of without financial cares; and I hope many will come to the rescue and get you out of these troubles.

Yours ever heartily, C. H. SPURGEON.

WESTWOOD,

June 2, 1891.

DEAR FRIEND, —

I am very weak, but I hope the nerve poison is gone. This influenza is a vile business.

The Book on Genesis I had rather not review. It is so good I don’t want to condemn it; but I so much differ from it that I cannot praise, I had rather leave it.

S____, —

well, I send you £2 to help you as to clothes you have given.

There is no reliance to be placed in him. I will always help you when you feel it right to aid him.

I wrote B____ advising his going with you. He is going to be a great instrument in our Lord’s hands.

Yourself, Ah me, how tried you are! The Lord Himself balance the tribulation with consolation! I am not allowed to write much, and my head soon takes fire, and feels vast and flaming, like a prairie.

Yours heartily, C. H. SPURGEON.

MENTONE,

January 9, ‘92.

MY DEAR MR.CUFF,—

I cannot write letters, but I can manage to sign a check. It is with much pleasure that I send you this £50, and I wish you might not have need of any more, though I see you will. Yours is a long task, and I wish I had a long purse with which to help you; but wishing will not bring it.

Doctor says I hold my own. In this broken weather it is all I can expect, and more.

I am truly grieved that you have so much family affliction. What fine clusters our Vine-dresser will get from so much pruning! Is it not a happy thing to live to see some of you, who were my young lads, becoming such truly great fathers in Israel, with your faithful churches around you?

I must think about Conference when I am better able to think of it.

Suggestions can wait awhile.

God bless you!