Charles Haddon Spurgeon

By Joanne Sloan

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834–1892), known as the “Prince of Preachers,” was a pastor, evangelist, author and philanthropist.

This year is the 125th anniversary of his Jan. 31, 1892, death.

Born June 19, 1834, in Essex County, England, he was the eldest child of John and Eliza Spurgeon. They had 17 children. Nine died in infancy. His father and grandfather were Nonconformist (non-Anglican) ministers.

Although his formal education was limited, Charles Spurgeon valued learning. He read theology, literature and the works of great Christians, including Saint Augustine, Martin Luther and John Calvin. His personal library eventually exceeded 12,000 volumes.

Profession of faith

His conversion occurred Jan. 6, 1850. A snowstorm forced him into a Primitive Methodist chapel in Newtown, England. The preacher’s text from Isaiah 45:22 led to his salvation — “Look unto Me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God and there is none else.”

Four months later he joined a Baptist church in Newmarket and was baptized.

The next year he preached his first sermon in a cottage near Cambridge and served as pastor of a small Baptist church nearby. In April 1854, at 19 years old, Charles Spurgeon was called to lead New Park Street Chapel, the largest Baptist congregation in London. He preached to the common people in their own language and had a natural dramatic flair and style. His beautiful speaking voice had a melody, depth and resonance that could be heard by thousands.

In 1856 he married Susannah Thompson. Athough an invalid much of her life, she was a devoted helpmate.

When New Park Street Chapel’s building became too small for the congregation, it rented Exeter Hall, which seated 4,500. It soon outgrew the crowds. Charles Spurgeon then leased Surrey Gardens Music Hall, which could accommodate more than 10,000 people.

On Oct. 19, 1856, the building was packed when someone cried, “Fire! The galleries are giving away, the place is falling!” In the panic to flee the building, seven people died. Charles Spurgeon became extremely depressed over the tragedy and grief overpowered him. It took him two weeks to recover enough to preach again.

In 1861 the Metropolitan Tabernacle was completed. For the next 31 years he preached to an average of 5,000 people each Sunday morning and evening. He never gave altar calls but asked anyone who was interested in Christ to meet him at his vestry the next morning. People always came.

He published his sermons each week. They fill 63 volumes. He wrote numerous books. Today more of his writing is in print than that of any other Christian, past or present.

Charles Spurgeon made millions in his lifetime but gave it away.

He founded 66 ministries financed from sales of his books and sermons. Among them were two orphanages, many almshouses, nursing homes and a book fund. He also established a Pastors’ College in 1857 which was renamed Spurgeon’s College in 1923.

Last sermon

He preached his last sermon June 7, 1891.

Suffering many years from gout and Bright’s disease (kidney), he often recuperated at Menton, near Nice, France. He died there Jan. 31, 1892.

In London flags flew at half-staff. His body lay in state at the Metropolitan Tabernacle for three days as 60,000 people paid their respects. Around 100,000 people lined the streets Feb. 11 as a funeral procession two miles long traveled from the church to West Norwood Cemetery.

Samford University in Birmingham has a collection of original Charles Spurgeon sermon manuscripts dated from 1879 to 1891.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Joanne Sloan, a member of First Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, has been a published writer of articles and books for 30 years. She has a bachelor’s degree double majoring in history and English from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M–Commerce) and a master’s degree specializing in English from the University of Arkansas (1978).