Charles Spurgeon: The Prince of Preachers

 

Charles Spurgeon was a pastor, preacher, and author who dedicated his life to preaching and winning souls for Christ. He converted thousands of people and is known as the "Prince of Preachers."

He was born on June 19, 1834, in Kelvedon, Essex, England. Due to economic conditions, the young Spurgeon was sent to live with his grandparents at 18 months old. His grandfather, James Spurgeon, was a minister at the Independent Chapel in Stambourne, Essex. His time there made a profound impact on his spiritual life.

At a young age, Spurgeon struggled with his relationship with God. After years of running, God led him to an encounter that changed his life. He was 15 years old at the time of this encounter 

On a Sunday morning in January 1850, heavy snowfall prevented Charles from reaching his own church, so he wandered into a Primitive Methodist chapel. As he entered, the preacher proclaimed Isaiah 45:22:

"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is none else."

During the sermon, the preacher looked directly at Spurgeon and said:

"Young man, you look very miserable. You always will be miserable in life and death if you don't obey my text. But if you obey now, this moment, you will be saved."

At that moment, Spurgeon was saved and became a child of God. On May 3, 1850, he was baptized in the River Lark at Isleham. Later that year, he moved to Cambridge, where he became a Sunday school teacher.

In October 1851, Spurgeon became the pastor of a small Baptist church in Waterbeach, near Cambridge, where he preached for about two years. His powerful sermons quickly gained attention, leading to a remarkable invitation.

In April 1854, at the age of 19, Spurgeon was invited to pastor London's New Park Street Chapel, one of the most prominent Baptist churches of its time. The church had previously been led by notable ministers like Benjamin Keach, Dr. John Gill, and Dr. John Rippon.

Despite his young age, Spurgeon’s preaching made a tremendous impact. Within months, the congregation outgrew their space, forcing them to rent Exeter Hall and later the Surrey Music Hall to accommodate the ever-growing crowd. His weekly sermons were widely circulated and had a high readership.

In 1856, Spurgeon married Susannah Thompson. They had twin sons, Charles and Thomas, born on September 20, 1856. Susannah became her husband’s personal secretary, assisting in his ministry and sermon publications.

Their marriage faced challenges. Susannah developed a chronic illness, and Spurgeon suffered from gout and depression for much of his life. Despite these struggles, their faith and love remained strong.

On October 19, 1856, Spurgeon was preaching at the Surrey Gardens Music Hall before a crowd of 10,000 inside the hall, with another 10,000 gathered outside.

Suddenly, someone falsely shouted, "Fire!" A panic and stampede ensued, causing the deaths of seven people and injuring many others. The tragedy devastated Spurgeon, who secluded himself in deep depression for weeks. However, this event marked a turning point in his ministry, leading to even greater influence.

In 1856, the congregation decided to build a new sanctuary. They also voted to rename their church the Metropolitan Tabernacle.

On March 18, 1861, the Metropolitan Tabernacle officially opened in Elephant and Castle, Southwark. It seated 5,000 people, with standing room for another 1,000, making it the largest church building of its time.

Spurgeon’s years at New Park Street and the Metropolitan Tabernacle were incredibly impactful. In 1854, the church had 232 members. By 1891, over 14,000 people had been baptized and added to the congregation.

Spurgeon preached the undiluted Word of God. Though he wrote his sermons in full beforehand, he only carried a small outline card to the pulpit. Stenographers transcribed his sermons, which he later revised for publication.

His weekly sermons were widely circulated and are still among the best-selling series of Christian writings in history.

In 1866, he published "Our Own Hymn Book," a collection of worship songs. He cherished congregational singing, believing it to be a vital part of worship.

Though highly intellectual, Spurgeon rejected honorary university degrees, choosing instead to focus on eternal matters.

Spurgeon suffered from poor health for most of his life. By 1871, at the age of 37, doctors advised him to take extended rest. His favorite retreat was Menton, in the South of France, where he often spent winters.

His condition worsened, and in May 1891, he returned to Menton to rest. During this time, he wrote 180 pages of commentary, but his health did not improve. On January 31, 1892, Charles Spurgeon passed away at the age of 57 from gout and kidney congestion.

Between May 1891 and his death in January 1892, Spurgeon received over 10,000 letters of condolence and telegrams of inquiry. His body was returned to England and buried at West Norwood Cemetery in London.

After his passing, his wife, Susannah, continued his work, publishing his sermons and distributing thousands of books to young ministers.

Spurgeon’s impact remains immense:

• 63 volumes of his sermons are still in print.
• His sermons were published weekly in newspapers, with over 100 million copies sold.
• His total writings fill over 200 books.
• At the time of his death, his personal library contained 12,000 volumes, now housed at William Jewell College in the U.S.A.

Charles Spurgeon’s legacy as one of the greatest preachers in history lives on, inspiring believers worldwide.