WORDS OF SYMPATHY

To [Mr. and Mrs. Charles Spurgeon]. WESTWOOD, Sept. 11, 1 890.

MY DEAR CHILDREN,—

The Lord Himself comfort you. I want comforting myself. To think of that dear little creature being taken away! It must be right! It must be goody Our Father is never mistaken nor unkind.

You are acting wisely in not bringing the little one from the place. You will be setting an example of common sense which is greatly needed in an age which is so sentimental as it is false-hearted.

If you would like a wreath from me, kindly order it in Herne Bay, and send the bill to me. I would try to send one, but if you are not going to have any, I should be setting an ill example.

I feel sure you will both find a secret strength poured into your souls, and in this also faith shall have the victory.

I shall never forget the day. For a wonder your dear mother went with me to the Orphanage, and was very happy. We came home, and the telegram came at once, —

just the bitter herbs with the feast.

To you it must be a sharp cut; but our Lord has an almighty salve.

Your loving father, C. H. SPURGEON.

To [Mr. Thomas H. Olney]. NIGHTINGALE LANE, October, 1875.

DEAR FRIEND,

—

I could not say much to Mr. M____, for I felt stunned by the tidings of your brother’s death, and could not realize it; indeed, I cannot now.

God bless you, beloved brother; and as He comes so very near in solemn deeds, may He come just as near in love! Peace be to you in the hour of sore amazement!

I send my deepest sympathies to the bereaved wife. I can do no better than pray that she may now be very graciously sustained. If she can calmly bow before the Lord, it will be for her own good. Grief so natural, and so likely to prove excessive, must be restrained for the sake of herself and babes.

God help her, poor soul! What a loss is hers!

Yours lovingly, C. H. SPURGEON.

To [Mrs. Higgs].

WESTWOOD,

January 6, 1 883.

DEAR MRS.HIGGS, —

L____ and G____ have now told me all about our dear one’s death. The Lord has dealt well with him. I wonder how he lived so long to cheer us all: and I feel relieved that he lived no longer, for it would have been great anguish to him. He has gone at the right time. The Lord will be your comfort and help. I meant to go to you this morning, but I found my foot would not let me go up and down steps. It is a double pain to be kept from you and your sorrowing family .... We shall all meet again Let us bless God. Can we?

Your loving friend, C. H. SPURGEON.

WESTWOOD,

May 24, 1884.

DEAR FRIEND, —

May you be sustained under your heavy trial! Now that you and your dear companion are most fully realizing the void which is made in your household, may you find living consolations flowing into your hearts! “It is well,” and faith knows it is so; and worships the Lord from under the cloud. How time has flown! It seems but the other day that you were married; and now you are an old father, bereaved of a daughter. Dear Caleb Higgs, too, is gone home long ago.

We shall meet above before long. Till then, in our Lord’s business we will find solace, and in Himself delight.

Yours ever heartily, C. H. SPURGEON.

To [Mr. Higgs]. WESTWOOD, Mar. 18, 1886.

DEAR FRIEND,—

I feel very grieved for you and the dear wife, for I know your tender hearts. Yet the bitterest elements of sorrow are not in the cup, for we have no doubt as to where little ones must be.

You have now a child among the angels —

to whom we will soon go. So short is life that our wounds are staunched almost as soon as they begin to bleed. We part, and so soon meet.

Mrs. Spurgeon joins with me in loving sympathy.

Yours in our Lord Jesus, C. H. SPURGEON.

To [Mr. E. H. Bartlett]. MENTONE, Dec. 14, ‘87.

DEAR MR.BARTLETT, —

I sorrow with you over the departure of your little Lillie; but you will feel that there is honey with the gall. She was a dear child ready to take her place with the shining ones. Grandmother will receive her as a messenger from you.

May peace and consolation flow into the heart of yourself and wife. I send you a little check to ease the expense. I cannot ease your pain but there is “another Comforter” Who can and will do so. Receive my hearty sympathy. We are all going the same way. The little one has outrun us; we shall catch her up soon.

Yours very heartily, C. H. SPURGEON.

To [Rev. Thomas Curme.]

WESTWOOD, June 12, 1884.

DEAR FRIEND, —

I casually heard from Mr. Abraham that you were in, but I had no idea that it was a serious matter; but Mr. Rochfort has kindly given me further news.

I feel very sad about it, but I am sure you do not. The loss will be ours, and Heaven and you will gain.

Dear loving brother, you have nothing now to do but to go home; and what a home! You will be quite at home where all is love, for you have lived in that blessed element, and are filled with it. I shall soon come hobbling after you, and shall find you out. We are bound to gravitate to each other whether here or in glory. We love the same Lord, and the same blessed truth.

May the everlasting arms be underneath you! I breathe for you a loving, tender prayer, —

“ Lord, comfort Thy dear servant, and when he departs, may it be across a dried-up river into the land of living fountains!”

I am fifty next Thursday, and you are near your Jubilee. In this we are alike; but Jesus is the highest joy. Into the Father’s hands I commit you, “until the day break, and the shadows flee away.”

Your loving brother, C. H. SPURGEON.

To [Rev. W. Cuff]. NIGHTINGALE LANE, Nov. 30.

DEAR FRIEND, —

I beseech our Lord to minister comfort both to you and your sorrowing wife. It must be a very severe stroke to you, and it is a sign that our Father loves you very much and thinks a great deal of you. I had a watch once which I allowed to lie at ease and never worried it with cleaning for I thought it worthless; but one which keeps time to a second gets wound up every night with a key which touches its inmost springs, and sometimes it gets taken to pieces —

for it is worth it.

You will have the presence of the Comforter in this trial. You are dear to me for your work’s sake and also for yourself.

May all grace abound towards you by Christ Jesus.

Your busy friend, C. H. SPURGEON.

To [Rev. W. J. Mayers]. CLAPHAM, July 25, 1874.

DEAR FRIEND, —

I am deeply grieved by the sad news which has just arrived by telegram. It is unexpected indeed. I pray that your will may run side by side with that of your Lord, and may you even thank Him, “for so it seemed good in Thy sight.” He can see no reason or goodness in the removal because we are quite unable to see afar off, but faith knows that there is both wisdom and love in it, and leaves all to the far-seeing Lord. The Comforter will be with you; a deeper experience of trial will prepare you for greater heights of service. Sharp pruning will increase sweet fruit.

With the utmost love, Your sympathizing friend, C. H. SPURGEON.

To [Rev. F. J. Feltham]. MENTONE. [Undated. ]

DEAR MR.FELTHAM,—

It is a great sorrow to lose such a mother, but also a great joy to know it is well with her. She could not have passed away under happier circumstances. She must have been glad to see her son so happily settled, and then gladder still to be with her Lord for ever. No lingering sickness, no fierce pain; but gentle dismission, and instant admission into the glory. I envy her as much as I dare. The Lord be with you and your beloved, and comfort you to the full!

Your sympathizing friend, C. H. SPURGEON.

To [Rev. W. Y. Fullerton]. WESTWOOD, Feb. 17, 1886.

DEAR BROTHER, —

I am sorely afflicted in your affliction. What a grand voice is thus silenced!

Rest. Leave all thought of the work. The Lord will help me in this extremity. Only do you be still. In this will lie your hope. A good wife and a quiet mind stayed on God will be the best helps to recovery. Mrs.

Spurgeon grieves much. My true love be with you ever.

Yours heartily, C. H. SPURGEON.

To [Rev. J. W. Harrald]. [Undated. ]

DEAR HARRALD, —

The Lord Himself comfort you. What can we do?

He is your Helper. I think we can manage the letters until you can come. I am better this morning, but I have had a thorough knock over such as I little expected. The Lord’s hand is in all these troubles. Get out of your house as soon as you can or we may have you ill also. The Lord bless thee and keep thee, dear Brother, and be more than ever thy Comforter.