Who's C H Spurgeon?

They are still at-large under the names, New Park Street Pulpit, and, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit. His followers are sometimes known by the alias of "Spurgeonites" - and there seems no end to their increase.

Also, one publisher: Pilgrim Publications (Pasadena TX USA) - is known to be engaged in the constant reprinting of his original books. Anyone who "finds" C. H. Spurgeon will be blessed by his many wonderful works.

"Who's C. H. Spurgeon?"

Outstanding publishers such as: Zondervan, Banner of Truth, Kregel Publications, William B. Eerdmans, Moody Press, Evangelical Press, Soli Deo Gloria Ministries, Christian Focus Publications, Ambassador-Emerald House, Baker Book House/Fleming Revell, Sprinkle Publications, Mt Zion Bible Church and others today have continually reprinted Spurgeon books.

Our Pilgrim Publications imprint has always published Spurgeon's works exactly from their original, unedited editions (as produced by his main publisher of the 1800s — Passmore & Alabaster).

Many of Spurgeon's works are also available here on the internet, also new accurate Spanish language translations, and with computer CD-ROM Software: C. H. Spurgeon Collection (comprehensive), Master Christian Library, Christian History Interactive, and The Online Bible, all excellent computer resources.

It is likely, that no other author ever has been published, distributed, or sold more sermons and books... than CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON.

C. H. Spurgeon made this observation about his own life — 

       My life seems to me like a fairy dream.
       I am often both amazed and dazed
       with its mercies and its love.
       How good God has been to me!

       I used to think that I should sing
       among the saints above as loudly as any,
       for I owe so much to the grace of God;
       and I said so once in a sermon, long ago,

SPURGEON'S INFLUENCE

C. H. Spurgeon is the most unique minister of the Gospel in English history. For many, many years he has been called "THE PRINCE OF PREACHERS!"

Since his first sermon in London, the crowds never ceased growing larger and larger. His popularity and fame was immediate. Thousands attended his early ministry in London at the New Park Street Chapel and then later in the new building, Metropolitan Tabernacle, spanning the years from 1854-1892. The term "Tabernacle" was selected as the name with Spurgeon observing, "We believe this building to be temporary, meant for the time in the wilderness without the visible King."

Millions more who never heard him preach read the weekly sermons as they went forth from the press to the world in many languages. Through these sermons, the respect of the Christian world for Spurgeon continues to grow from generation to generation. In addition to his preaching, Spurgeon founded a Pastors College (now called Spurgeon's College), orphanages for boys and girls, a Home for the elderly, "Ragged Schools" for poor children, a Colportage Association, and numerous Mission Chapels. He was a pioneer in many missionary, evangelistic, and benevolent efforts. There's a story that an American school boy was asked, "Who is the Prime Minister of England? — to which he replied, "C. H. Spurgeon."

American evangelists like the dynamic Methodist Sam Jones and the famous Dwight L. Moody were greatly influenced in their own ministries through reading Spurgeon's sermons. Jones said, "of course, my Bible was the book of all books to me, but I read and re-read that volume of Spurgeon's sermons until my soul was stirred with the spirit of the man. I owe much to this one volume of Spurgeon's sermons. If what a man does is the test of what a man is, Spurgeon was one of the grandest preachers of his century; and if I have directness and earnestness of style, I owe much of it to the sermons of this great man."

Moody himself heard and read Spurgeon's sermons before ever becoming a preacher. He said, "I have read everything by Spurgeon I can get my hands on," and advised his students to do likewise. Speaking at a Jubilee Testimonial Service for Spurgeon in 1884, he said, "You are never going to die... bear in mind, friends, that our dear brother is to live forever. We may never meet together again in the flesh, but by the blessing of God I will meet you up in yonder." His Moody Bible Institute was inspired and established after observing the work being done at Spurgeon's Pastors College and Colportage. The Moody Colportage Association's (known as Moody Press, and now as Moody Publishers) first and all-time best-selling book is Spurgeon's All of Grace.

Child Evangelism Fellowship, founded by J. Irvin Overholtzer, also owes its origin to the influence of Spurgeon. The book, The Indomitable Mr. O [written by Norman Rohrer], reveals how Overholtzer, when reading a sermon by Spurgeon, was startled by the remark, "A child of age five, if properly instructed, can as readily believe and be regenerated as anyone." Overholtzer could not get away from the grip of this statement. He met the challenge and decided to make a definite attempt at converting children to Christ and had success. He concluded, "child evangelism is real and Spurgeon was right!"

F. B. Meyer (1847-1929), was one of the most famous pulpiteers of England and a close friend of Moody. He said excitedly: "You may well print the Jubilee number of Mr. Spurgeon's sermons in gold! — Gold befits gold! I can never tell my indebtedness to them. As I read them week by week in my young manhood, they gave me a grip of the Gospel that I can never lose, and gave an ideal of its presentation in nervous, transparent and forcible language which has coloured my entire ministry. It is marvellous to notice, also, that the last volume, just published, seems to lack nothing in comparison with those that have gone before! What a blessed ministry this has been to myriads."

Regarding the sermon, "Accidents, Not Punishments," [delivered in 1861] Spurgeon said: "That discourse is to me the more memorable as I possess a copy of which Dr. (David) Livingstone had carried with him in his African Journeys, and on the top of which he had written, 'Very good — D.L.'  It was found, after his death, in the volume of his Diary from November, 1861, to July, 1863, and was sent to me by his daughter, Mrs. Livingstone-Bruce" [C. H. Spurgeon's Autobiography, Vol 2, pgs. 214-215].

Such stories and testimonies of Spurgeon's influence are unending, then and today. At a past convention of the Christian Booksellers Association, a well-known minister of a large metropolitan area visited the booth of Pilgrim Publications. He said he had traveled several miles just to visit our booth and say "Thanks" for our reprinting Spurgeon's sermons. He explained that he was university and seminary graduate, had a Ph.D. degree, had pastored for several years, but only a few months before he had obtained Spurgeon's sermons and been reading them for the first time. "My preaching has completely changed," he said. "My church has changed, and I feel like I am almost a new man, and have truly just begun to preach!"

At another Christian Booksellers Convention, the well-known, late British author Dr. Herbert Lockyer was being escorted in a wheel-chair around the convention floor. Coming down our aisle, he looked up and saw the large portrait of Spurgeon which we had on display and immediately stopped and turned into our booth. He spent time commenting about the famous Spurgeon and said, "I owe my own salvation and ministry to Mr. Spurgeon... I was converted under the preaching of Mr. William Olney, one of Spurgeon's deacons."

Then he went on to tell the story of how Mr. Olney had preached at a certain place and several were saved, including Mr. Lockyer, then a very young lad. Olney had been saved under Spurgeon, and now Lockyer was saved under the preaching of Olney. It would require a large volume to relate all of the known stories such as this, witnessing to the impact of Spurgeon's ministry and his published sermons.

In 1979, Pulpit Helps Magazine surveyed its readers and learned that Charles Spurgeon was one of the three most popular authors being read by their subscribers. The other two were Martyn Lloyd-Jones and Jay Adams, both of whom were living at that time. Adams and Lloyd-Jones were themselves admirers of the works of Spurgeon and often refer to him.

In preparing the jacket cover endorsements for the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit volumes, we asked some of the notable ministers, teachers and scholars of our age to write comments about Spurgeon. Along with Lockyer and Lloyd-Jones, among those who have freely written such articles are: Eric Hayden, B. H. Carroll, Wilbur Smith, Billy Graham, W. R. Criswell, John Walvoord, Oswald J. Smith, Stephen Olford, John R. Rice, Sidlow Baxter, Herschel Hobbs, Carl F. H. Henry, Harold Lindsell, Noel Smith, Henry Mahan, J. Harold Smith, William Culbertson, Estus W. Pirkle, Robert G. Lee, R. L. Hymers Jr., D. James Kennedy, Jerry Falwell, John Thornbury, Ted S. Randall, Curtis Vaughan, Robert Sumner, Charles Lee Feinberg, George Starling, John R. Gilpin, Eddie Martin, Darrell Robinson, Drew Garner, Peter Connolly, Ken Connolly, Craig Skinner, S. M. Houghton, C. Alan Stephens, and many more.

I know of no other book or set of books which comes with such high commendation from recognized Christian leaders. From reading these articles one is amazed at the extent of Spurgeon's influence on the lives of current Christians, especially outstanding ministers. It is doubtful that there is a handful of ministers of evangelical conviction, who have been preaching for a respectable period of time, who have not drawn from the well of inspiration in Spurgeon's sermons.

GREATEST PREACHER SINCE PAUL!

As Thomas Armitage stated [below], for over a hundred years, the name of Charles Haddon Spurgeon has been a household word among Christians. W. Y. Fullerton, his close friend and one of his many biographers, said: "To me he is master and friend. I have neither known nor heard of any other, in my time, so many-sided, so commanding, so simple, so humble, so selfless, so entirely Christ's man. Proudly I stand at the salute!"

B. H. Carroll, founder of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary at Fort Worth, Texas, stated: "Charles Haddon Spurgeon, by common consent, is acknowledged to be the greatest preacher since apostolic times. I have seen 2,500 of his published sermons. They are as plump as a partridge, and as full of meat as an egg!" By topical arrangement, Carroll said the sermons would constitute "a complete body of systematic theology. With whom among men can you compare him? He combined the preaching power of Jonathan Edwards and Whitefield with the organizing power of Wesley, and the energy, fire, and courage of Luther. In many respects he was most like Luther; in many most like Paul."

Thomas Armitage, who during Spurgeon's time pastored the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church of New York City and authored the classic work A History of the Baptists, said in 1887, "Charles Haddon Spurgeon, whose name is a household word the world over, is the most remarkable minister of Christ now living!"

William Cathcart, another notable Baptist historian of Spurgeon's time and the editor of the deservedly famous Baptist Encyclopedia, referred to him as "the most widely known preacher of the age." Russell Conwell, another of his many biographers and author of the immortal Acres of Diamonds, called Mr. Spurgeon "the world's greatest divine." "The life of Spurgeon contains so much that is strange, unusual, wonderful, and even truly miraculous, that it will require most careful statement and most conservative reasoning to convince the reader that the record is literally true."

C. H. Spurgeon began preaching near London as a lad of fifteen and in time gained the distinction of being called "The Prince of Preachers," "The Puritan of the Broad Brim," "The Heir of the Puritans," "Last of the Puritans," and like names. He himself only wanted to be a "John Ploughman," keeping his hand to the plough and ploughing a straight furrow. Like those above, many outstanding ministers of his own day — such as D. L. Moody, J. Hudson Taylor, J. C. Ryle, F. B. Meyer, the Bonar brothers, George Muller, William Robertson Nicoll — regarded C. H. Spurgeon as the most influential preacher of their time.

W. R. Nicoll (1851-1923), editor of the Expositor's Bible, is recognized as an outstanding scholar and theologian. He said: "Spurgeon was, in fact, one of the great doctors of divinity; he had an intuitive knowledge of the ways of God and of the needs of the human heart, and in all his preaching his one object was to commend God to men." Nicoll said that Spurgeon's great sermons comprised a "Body of Divinity" within themselves. Time has justified his prophetic opinion: "The continued life and power of his printed sermons show that his oratory, noble as it was, was not the first thing. Our firm belief is that these sermons will continue to be studied with growing interest and wonder; that they will ultimately be accepted as incomparably the greatest contribution to the literature of experimental Christianity that has been made in this century (19th), and that their message will go on transforming and quickening lives after all other sermons of the period are forgotten."

SPURGEON'S SERMON SERIES

Perhaps most Christians who have read Spurgeon would share the opinion of the late Dr. Wilbur M. Smith about Spurgeon's sermons. Dr. Smith, an authority in the field of Christian literature, considered Spurgeon's sermon series to be "the greatest collection of sermons in the English language. If I were given the choice of a set of sermons... I would certainly choose those of Charles Spurgeon." In a personal letter to the publishers, Dr Smith said, "I wish this entire set of Spurgeon was in every minister's library today. It is strange that there are really no printed sermons today to compare with Spurgeon — and I am not an idolater."

What is it about Spurgeon's sermons, many of them over one hundred years old, preached to nineteenth century London audiences, that still commands the attention of more readers than the sermons of any other man living or dead? There have been many answers proposed, perhaps all of them valid to a point. But the real answer for each person probably lies in the actual reading & experiencing the answer. In some respects, it is like the new birth — "better felt than telt."

Spurgeon was a genius, in addition to the impact of his Christian faith. He was a remarkable "speed reader" and had a "photographic memory," along the lines known as "total recall" which few human beings are so gifted. He was also a "natural" orator, a master in the use of Scripture, an artist with illustrations, a "wit" with humour and proverbs, carefree and extemporaneous. His voice was described as being "strong, clear, bell-like, which could be heard by an audience of very many thousands." Spurgeon lived a godly life, was a man of prayer, and an ardent student of the Bible. But as much as might be said about him by admirers, he must be read to be appreciated.

No preacher in the history of Christianity has had his sermons so widely printed, distributed, read, and blessed of God. "The chief difficulty in appraising the sermons is the number of them," said W. Y. Fullerton, who helped in the editing work on the published sermons during the closing years of CHS's illnesses.

From his sermon series and magazine, the printed sermons number close to 4,000, but there is no exact record available. His peerless and untiring private secretary, Mr. J. W. Harrald, had stenographically recorded the sermons and they were published weekly as a "Penny Pulpit" pamphlet, then released in book form at the end of each year. The first six volumes, called The New Park Street Pulpit, cover the early years of Spurgeon's ministry at the New Park Street Chapel, 1855-1860; then fifty-seven succeeding volumes were published under the title, The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit — sermons recorded during his thirty-two year ministry at the Metropolitan Tabernacle from 1861-1892. The many sermons preached here were sufficient in number to furnish yearly volumes through May of 1917, 25 years after his death! The entire series from 1855 to 1917 consists of 63 volumes.

Spurgeon's ministry at the commodious Tabernacle was attended constantly by capacity crowds of more than 5,000. The church found it practical to distribute free tickets to those who wanted to attend, assuring them seats in the very large auditorium. Many who came without tickets hoped to at least find standing room, else they would request tickets for another time. The members were encouraged to alternate their visits so as to accommodate the crowds of people anxious to hear the lively sermons delivered at the rate of 140 words per minute, 20 words more than the average rate for public speaking! Thousands of hearers testified to having been converted under Spurgeon's ministry, while thousands more told of being saved by reading the printed sermons.

Without the benefit of electrical noise amplifiers, the appeal of musical attractions, methods for crowd manipulation or any sort of "gimmick," and depending solely upon the power of the Gospel of God's grace in Jesus Christ, Spurgeon's ministry was unusually effective and he heard multitudes confess Christ as Lord. He said there was not a seat in the Tabernacle but what someone had been converted in it!

The Tabernacle was one of the largest church buildings of its time. A few years after Spurgeon's death, it was destroyed by a fire during the pastorate of one of Spurgeon's twin sons, Thomas. It was rebuilt, but in World War II it was again ruined, this time by bombs. It was rebuilt a third time and the ministry of the church continues to this day, currently under Peter Masters [since 1970].

In the 1960's, a missionary remarked: "Although many selected sermons by Spurgeon have been reprinted in various forms, the amazing thing is that these original, complete volumes have never been republished." Pilgrim Publications completed it — Praise the Lord! — the entire 63-volume series in the early months of 1980. In a review of the first volume released in 1969, Prairie Overcomer Magazine said we had "launched one of the most ambitious reprint projects in the twentieth century." The Banner of Truth Magazine called the project "one of the largest religious publishing ventures of this century." This series is the largest and longest sermon set by any one man in the history of Christianity. The purpose of the present, ongoing re-publication is to contribute to the fulfillment of the prophecy of W. Robertson Nicoll when he said —

"The sermons preached fifty years ago are a living message today, and one dares to prophesy, will not be out of date when this twentieth century is drawing to its close!"

C. H. Spurgeon's mortal frame was laid aside on January 31, 1892, yet in many ways he still lives and indeed his death has been followed by an enlargement of his influence. At his funeral many spoke of his life, including A. T. Pierson. Dr. Pierson said that, so far from the limitation to the one topic, "Jesus Christ and Him crucified," being the one blemish of Mr. Spurgeon's ministry, it was in reality the glory of it — "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever."

Spurgeon not only served his own generation, but by the grace and providence of God his printed sermons have perpetuated his work to the extent that it may indeed be said of him as it was of Abel, "He being Dead yet Speaketh."

As if Spurgeon knew that his own influence would continue long after departing this earthly life, a month before he died he said —

"Those preachers whose voices were clear and mighty for truth during life continue to preach in their graves. Being dead, they yet speak — and whether men put their ears to their tombs or not, they cannot but hear them... Often the death of a man is a kind of new birth to him — when he himself is gone physically, he spiritually survives, and from his grave there shoots up a tree of life whose leaves heal nations. O' worker for God, death cannot touch thy sacred mission! Be thou content to die if the truth shall live the better because thou diest. Be thou content to die, because death may be to thee the enlargement of thine influence. Good men die as dies the seed-corn which thereby abideth not alone. When saints are apparently laid in the earth, they quit the earth, and rise and mount to Heaven-gate, and enter into immortality. No, when the sepulchre receives this mortal frame, we shall not die, but live."

Written by Bob L. Ross in the 1990s

"What is to take their place, when the last of those well-known sermons disappears from village shops and cottage shelves? Is there any other gospel which will ever be so understanded of the people, or so move human hearts as that which Spurgeon preached in the best words of our own tongue?"

Charles Haddon Spurgeon
BRIEF TIMELINE

* BORN at Kelvedon, Essex England, June 19, 1834

* BORN AGAIN at Colchester, January 6, 1850

* Becomes a BAPTIST, May 3, 1850  (Baptized in the River Lark, at Isleham)

* Preaches FIRST SERMON, at a Cottage in Teversham, 1850

* Preached First Sermon at WATERBEACH Baptist Chapel, October 12, 1851

* Preached First Sermon at New Park Street Chapel, London, December 18, 1853

* Accepts PASTORATE at New Park Street Chapel, April 28, 1854, (232 members then)

* First Sermon in the "New Park Street Pulpit" PUBLISHED, January 10, 1855

* MARRIAGE to Miss Susannah Thompson (born 1/15/1832), January 8, 1856

* 10-Day WEDDING TRIP in Paris France by the newly married Spurgeons, Spring 1856

* TWIN SONS (not identical) Thomas and Charles Born, September 20, 1856

* METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE Building Committee Begins, June 1856

* Establishes THE PASTOR'S COLLEGE, 1856, and Expanded in 1857

* Metropolitan Tabernacle OPENS with a Great Prayer Meeting, March 18, 1861

* Metropolitan Tabernacle COLPORTAGE Association Founded, 1866

* STOCKWELL Orphanage (Boy's side) Founded, 1867, Foundation Stone Laid Sept. 9, 1869

* Foundation Stone Laid by Senior Deacon Thomas Olney for the Pastor's College Building, May 6, 1867 (with construction completed in March, 1868)

* Begins Annual Vacations to Southern France for Rest & Relaxation, December 1871

* 571 New Members Added by February 1873, now 4,417 Total Membership

* Foundation Stone Laid for a newer Pastor's College Building, October 14, 1873

* Mrs. Spurgeon's BOOK FUND Inaugurated, 1875

* Presentation of the Pastoral SILVER WEDDING Gift (offering) May 20, 1879

* STOCKWELL Orphanage (Girl's side) Founded, 1879, Found. Stone Laid June 22, 1880

* JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS and Testimonials, June 18 & 19, 1884, featuring guest Dwight L. Moody

* "Down Grade" Paper #1 Published in The Sword & the Trowel, August 1887

* Spurgeon's Mother ELIZA Dies, Aged 75 Years, 1888

* LAST SERMON Delivered at Metropolitan Tabernacle, June 7, 1891
-During his Pastorate, 14,692 were Baptized and Joined the Tabernacle
-As Year 1891 ends, Membership given as 5,311  (Tabernacle capacity: 6,000 people, with 5,500 Seated, 500 Standing Room; Tabernacle Dimensions: 146' long, 81' wide, 68' high)

* Suffers much pain and sickness during the months of June & July, 1891

* Travels to MENTONE France again (for the Last Time), October 26, 1891
-While there, becomes SEVERELY ILL from his long-suffering combination of Rheumatism, Gout and Bright's disease (Kidney)

* Still Resting in Mentone, he Finally TAKES TO BED, January 20, 1892

* Spurgeon's Flesh DIES, but His Spirit Enters Into GLORY, January 31, 1892

* INTERRED and BURIED at Norwood Cemetary, February 11, 1892

* His Brother (& Asst. Tabernacle Pastor) JAMES Dies, Aged 61 Years, March 22, 1899

* His Father (& Pastor) JOHN Dies, Aged Almost 92 Years, June 14, 1902

* His Wife (& Laborer) SUSANNAH Dies, Aged 71 Years, October 22, 1903

* His Son (& Pastor) THOMAS Dies, Aged 61 Years, October 17, 1917

* His Son (& Pastor) CHARLES Dies, Aged 70 Years, December 13, 1926