SPURGEON, CHARLES HADDON, an English preacher; born in Kelvedon, England, June 19, 1834. In 1850 his sympathies drew him toward the Bap tists, and, removing to Cambridge in 1851, he began to deliver cottage sermons in the neighborhood. At the age of 18 he had charge of a small Baptist con gregation in the village of Waterbeach. In 1854 he entered on the pastorate of the New Park Street Chapel, London, where his preaching proved so attractive that in two years' time the building had to be greatly enlarged. His hearers continuing to increase, the Surrey Music Hall was for some time engaged for his use; and finally his followers built for him his well-known "Tabernacle" in Newington Butts, opened in 1861. The evangelistic and philanthropic agencies in connection with this immense chapel comprise the Stockwell Orphanage, a pastor's college, where hundreds of young men are trained for the ministry; the Golden Lane Mission, etc. Spur geon preached in the Tabernacle every Sunday to thousands of hearers. His sermons were published weekly from 1854, and yearly volumes were issued from 1856. They had an enormous cir culation, many of them being translated into various languages. He wrote: "John Plowman's Talk," "Morning by Morn ing," "Evening by Evening," "The Treas ury of David," "Lectures to My Stu dents," "The Saint and his Saviour," etc.; and from 1865 edited a monthly magazine, "The Sword and the Trowel.' He died in Mentone, France, Jan. 31, 1892.
SPY, a secret emissary sent into the enemy's camp or territory to inspect their works, ascertain their strength and their intentions, to watch their move ments, and report thereon to the proper officer. By the laws of war among all
civilized nations a spy is subjected to capital punishment. To be treated as a spy one must first be caught in the enemy's territory, and in dress other than the adopted military uniform of his country. It must also be clearly shown that the object of the accused person is to gain information for the enemy which it would be to their advantage to know. If, when captured, the prisoner can show that his errand in getting through was of a personal nature, or that he was trading with the enemy, he can only be held as a prisoner of war. In trying a spy his military rank counts for much. An officer of high rank receives a more thorough trial than a private, though both are tried by court-martial. In the United States the verdict is sent to the President or the Secretary of War or Navy, for approval before execution. When a spy is caught in the act all these formalities are omitted. He is tried by a drum-head court-martial; allowed to make an explanation and a verdict is rendered without much deliberation. If he is found guilty the verdict is sent to the highest commanding officer in camp, and on his approval is carried out, after which a full report is made to the Pres ident. The two most famous spies in American history are Nathan Hale and Maj. John Andre.