James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902. | | January 31 | Charles H. Spurgeon | London Punch |
| | A well-known Baptist minister, who preached for many years in London. He died Jan. 31, 1892. |
|
| STURDY saint militant, stout genial soul, | |
Through good and ill report youve reached the goal | |
Of all brave effort, and attained that light | |
Which makes our clearest noontide seem as night. | |
|
Puritan, yet of no ascetic strain | 5 |
Or arid straightness, freshening as the rain | |
And healthy as the clod, a native force | |
Incult yet quickening, cleaving its straight course | |
Unchecked, unchastened, conquering to the end, | |
Crudeness may chill and confidence offend, | 10 |
But manhood, mother-wit and selfless zeal, | |
Speech clear as light and courage true as steel | |
Must win the many. Honest soul and brave | |
The greatest drop their garlands on your grave. | | |
|
|
|