Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Clapham to Roger Cunliffe, Esq.,  31 January [1861].

To Roger Cunliffe, Esq.

My Dear Sir,

   I can hardly claim any acquaintance with you, but still I have a little confidence in writing to you, even though it is what is called “a begging letter.”

   You know all about my ministry & how it was that I have been compelled to build the great Tabernacle at the Elephant & Castle.

   I shall be very happy to shew you over it should you have the time to spare.

   It will comfortably hold 5000 & far more on a push.  There are schools for 2000 children, & rooms &c adapted for the education of 100 young men for the ministry.  The chapel will be cheerfully lent to the Societies for their annual meetings.

   We have raised by immense efforts & some personal sacrafices [sic] £26,000 & we are pledged both to God & man to open it for regular worship free from debt. 

   Rather more than £4000 must still be obtained, but we are spent & drained dry.  I turn to the liberal-hearted in other churches & to you & earnestly pray that you may be led to give your generous aid to this great undertaking wh has been mainly accomplished by one man.  I would plead very earnestly.  The money given will be abundantly repaid by the future efforts of a people who have proved their own liberality by raising so much themselves.

   It is God’s own work & I feel no dishonor in pleading for Him.

I am, Dear Sir

Yours most truly

                                             C. H. Spurgeon

Text: ENG. MS. 384, fol. 1899, Thomas Raffles Collection, John Rylands University Library of Manchester.