CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON, THE PRINCE OF PREACHERS: The Nineteenth Century (pt.4)

In the nineteenth century, God used Charles Haddon Spurgeon to preach Christ and show the saints how to suffer for God’s glory. 

MEMORY VERSE. “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!” (Isaiah 45:22). 

MEMORY QUOTE. "God is too good to be unkind, too wise to be mistaken; and when you cannot trace His hand, you can trust His heart” (Charles Haddon Spurgeon). 

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Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Prince of Preachers

In an age of spiritual declension, theological liberalism, and growing skepticism, Christ raised up Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers,” whose extraordinary ministry proclaimed the gospel with unmatched power, filled the largest auditoriums in London, and influenced millions across the world. Through Spurgeon’s faithful preaching, prolific writing, pastoral heart, and unwavering commitment to biblical truth, Christ awakened sinners, edified saints, and extended His kingdom. 

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)

Charles Haddon Spurgeon was born on June 19, 1834, at Kelvedon, Essex, England, the firstborn of seventeen children (though only eight survived infancy) to John and Eliza Spurgeon, into a family of Nonconformist (Congregationalist/Puritan heritage) ministers—his father and grandfather were preachers (Dallimore 1984, 1–3). Spurgeon was born into a godly but humble Nonconformist home. Due to family hardships, he lived from age eighteen months with his godly grandparents in Stambourne, where he immersed himself in Puritan books like Pilgrim’s Progress and Foxe’s Book of Martyrs; he excelled in reading and spiritual matters early but remained unconverted until January 6, 1850, at age fifteen, when a snowstorm drove him into a Primitive Methodist chapel in Colchester, and a lay preacher expounded Isaiah 45:22: “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” Spurgeon later wrote, “I looked, and I was saved” (Spurgeon 1898, 23–25).

Soon after conversion he was baptized as a Baptist, joined a church in Cambridge, and, though self-taught without formal theological training, he began preaching at age sixteen in 1850; by 1851 he pastored a small Baptist church in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, growing it rapidly through plain, fervent gospel preaching (Dallimore 1984, 45–56). Everyone say, “God called a youth to feed His sheep early.” In 1854, at just nineteen, he was called to New Park Street Chapel in London, a historic but declining Particular Baptist church; his powerful, Christ-centered sermons quickly drew massive crowds, forcing relocations to larger venues like Exeter Hall and Surrey Music Hall, and finally to the Metropolitan Tabernacle (capacity 6,000), opened in 1861 (Dallimore 1984, 67–112).

In 1856 he married Susannah Thompson, his devoted partner; they had twin sons, Charles and Thomas, born in 1857 (Dallimore 1984, 156–167). Susannah became a vital partner in ministry, founding the Book Fund to supply pastors with theological books (Dallimore 1984, 178–189). Spurgeon suffered from gout, depression, and chronic illness, yet preached through pain, declaring, “I would rather wear out than rust out” (Spurgeon 1875, 78). He founded Pastors’ College (now Spurgeon’s College) in 1856 to train ministers, the Stockwell Orphanage in 1867, and numerous benevolent works (Dallimore 1984, 201–223). In 1864 he withdrew from the Baptist Union over baptismal regeneration, standing firm for believer’s baptism and evangelical truth (Dallimore 1984, 234–256).

Spurgeon died on January 31, 1892, at Mentone, France, aged fifty-seven. His funeral in London drew over 100,000 mourners (Dallimore 1984, 267–278). His son Charles wrote: “My father’s life was one long sermon on the grace of God” (Spurgeon 1894, 312).

Theological Lessons from Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Spurgeon’s life teaches four enduring lessons for Christ’s church.

First, Spurgeon taught us that preaching must be Christ-centered. He resolved, “I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist, although I claim to be rather a Calvinist according to Calvin, than after the modern fashion of those who call themselves by his name” (Spurgeon 1855, 12). He insisted, “The motto of all true servants of God must be, ‘We preach Christ, and him crucified’” (Spurgeon 1861, 45). Every sermon pointed to Jesus.

Second, Spurgeon taught us that the gospel is for all. He preached the free offer of the gospel with urgency: “Come, ye sinners, poor and wretched, weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, full of pity joined with power” (Spurgeon 1857, 78). He declared, “The gospel is to be preached to every creature; it is not to be kept back from any” (Spurgeon 1860, 112).

Third, Spurgeon taught us that holiness is essential. He warned, “Holiness is not optional; it is the indispensable evidence of true faith” (Spurgeon 1877, 134). He lived what he preached, rising early for prayer and study, and urging believers to pursue godliness.

Fourth, Spurgeon taught us that suffering refines faith. He endured depression, gout, and loss, yet declared, “I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages” (Spurgeon 1880, 156). His trials deepened his trust in Christ. 

Conclusion: Christ’s Victory in the Nineteenth Century

In the nineteenth century, God used Charles Haddon Spurgeon to preach Christ and show the saints how to suffer for God’s glory. From a teenage pastor to the man who preached to millions, Spurgeon’s Christ-centered ministry, evangelistic zeal, pursuit of holiness, and endurance in suffering left an indelible mark on the church. As Iain H. Murray reflected, “Spurgeon’s voice was the voice of God to a generation, calling sinners to Christ and saints to holiness” (Murray 1994, 345).

  Let us learn from Spurgeon: preach Christ crucified, offer the gospel freely, pursue holiness relentlessly, and trust God in suffering. May we spend our lives proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Christ. Christ is still building His church. He is still conquering the nations. Let us live boldly, knowing His kingdom advances, unstoppable, until it fills the earth. Amen.