At the request of Bob L. Ross & Lennie R. Wilson, Eric W. Hayden graciously consented to answer a number of questions in the summer of 1992. Griff Williams, a Welshman who was a young man in one of Hayden's early pastorates, conducted the following interview.

[Free upon  request  — a single copy of this article in booklet form]

 Available Biographies  on C. H. Spurgeon are listed further below

Before we get to the questions about C. H. Spurgeon would you please give an account of your own conversion to Christ, your call to the ministry, your schooling, and of your pastorates?

Hayden — I went to school in my home city of St. Albans. For higher education I read theology at the University of Durham. My ministerial training was at Spurgeon's College, London. My pastorates were at: 1) Whitley Bay, Northumberland, 2) Shrewsbury, the county town of Shropshire, 3) Spurgeon's Metropolitan Tabernacle, London, 4) Leominster in Herefordshire, 5) Donnington Wood, once again in Shropshire, 6) and finally in the Royal Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.

I was brought up in a Christian home and an evangelical Baptist church, but I did not become a Christian until I went to a Crusader [Crusaders — an international Christian youth organization; today the fastest-growing evangelical youth movement in Great Britain] Bible Class Camp on the Isle of Wight at the age of twelve. My elder brother had been there the year before and had been converted, and I noticed such a change in him that I wanted what he had got. But first I had to see that my Christian home and church going were not going to save me. I had to be confronted with my sinful way of life; then, through God's gift of repentance and faith, I received Christ as my Savior.

How did you become acquainted with Spurgeon?

Hayden — When we had visitors to stay in my parent's home, I used to have to give up my bedroom to them and sleep in the "spare room" as it was called. This room also served as my father's study. The walls were lined with books, among them the C. H. Spurgeon's Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit and the Sword and the Trowel Magazine. On one wall was an impressive etching, almost lifesize, of the head and shoulders of C. H. Spurgeon. My grandfather and grandmother had been members of Spurgeon's Tabernacle, and my parents were married there before moving out of London. My father had been taken as a boy of twelve to witness Spurgeon's funeral procession from the Tabernacle, along the five mile route to Norwood Cemetery. My father was always talking about Spurgeon and as a lay preacher he frequently quoted him.

You pastored at Spurgeon's Tabernacle in the 1950's.  Could you give a summary and description of that post-war period and what you were able to do.

Hayden — The Tabernacle had been bombed in the London blitz during World War II. The congregation was worshipping in the basement premises that were still intact. They were disheartened after two short pastorates: one of two and one-half years, and one of four. Nothing much had been done in the way of preparing to rebuild. Owing to my past training in architecture and graphic arts, I was able to put together an appeals brochure and guide the rebuilding committee in talks with the architect. During the two years of rebuilding we worshipped down the road at Walworth Road Baptist Church.

When we returned to the newly built third Tabernacle, we saw divine blessing in many areas: an increase in Sunday School scholars and youth work; better attending congregations, a wider circulation of the Sword and the Trowel and over one hundred baptisms. More men began to worship at the Tabernacle and we were able to reform the eldership which had died out in recent years, leaving only a deacon's court.

Did you ever talk personally with any survivors from the age of Spurgeon, people who heard him preach?  What were their descriptions of him?

Hayden — Yes, as a student I frequently met the Olney brothers, two of Spurgeon's deacons. My own grandfather often talked to me about the "Gov'nor," as he called CHS. Two or three of the older members of the Tabernacle, including Mrs. Round, the daughter of Deacon Round, remembered hearing Spurgeon. They all agreed that it was Spurgeon's voice, like a silver bell, that they remembered best.

What do you know about the descendants of Spurgeon?

Hayden — Funny you should ask that for I am just working on a book for Bob L. Ross about the Spurgeon family (The Spurgeon Family, published by Pilgrim Publications, 1993, $4.00). I heard Harold Spurgeon, formerly principal of the Irish Baptist College, before he died. I have spoken to and corresponded with Mr. & Mrs. James Archer Spurgeon, (not Dr. James Archer Spurgeon, CH's brother, but the son and daughter-in-law of Dr. James' son). There are very few descendants alive today. Some of them of course are not Christians and have no interest in their illustrious ancestor.

click  HERE  for a sample chapter from The Spurgeon Family — found at the end of our Introduction to the Spurgeon 63-volume Sermon series

In your opinion what were any of Spurgeon's weak points?

Hayden — Merely smoking (cigars), I think, which has upset many evangelical Christians and has also been a bad example to many young ministers of the gospel. Besides that, I feel he was too involved in politics, for he was a great champion of the old Liberal Party and put his name to canvassing letters.

There are many tales about Spurgeon and smoking.  G. H. Pike, who worked for Spurgeon and wrote a biography of him, does not support the legend of Spurgeon's giving up smoking cigars.  Is there any written source that authenticates the story — a source that had "first-hand" knowledge similar to what we assume of Mr. Pike?

Hayden — When I was a student the College principal, Dr. C. W. Evans, used to say that Spurgeon gave up smoking for two reasons — 1) he was disgusted when he saw a sign for "Spurgeon Tobacco" in a shop window, and 2) he saw the harmful effect it was having on "old John," his coachman. I have never seen evidence in any biography that Spurgeon gave up "the weed." From Personal Reminiscences of Charles Haddon Spurgeon (Williams, pg. 77), note —

"Some twenty-five to thirty years ago, an excursion had been organized by one of the young men's classes at the Tabernacle to Mid-Surrey, and as Mr. Spurgeon lived at Nightingale Lane, Clapham, a call was to be made with the brake to pick him up on the road. It was a beautiful early morning, and on arriving all were in high spirits — pipes and cigars alight, and looking forward to a day of unrestrained enjoyment. He [CHS] was ready waiting waiting at the gate, jumped up to the box-seat reserved for him, and, looking round with astonishment, exclaimed, 'What, gentlemen! are you not ashamed to be smoking so early?' Here was a damper! Dismay was on every face. Pipes and cigars one by one failed and dropped out of sight. When all had disappeared, out came his cigar-case; he lit up and smoked away. Astonishment was now on every face. One of the party nearest to him said, 'I thought you said you objected to smoking, Mr. Spurgeon?' 'Oh no,' he replied; 'I did not say I objected. I asked if they were not ashamed, and it appears they were, for they have put them all out.' And he puffed away quite serenely."

There are "theories" about contributing factors to Spurgeon's relatively early death.  What was actually the "cause of death"?

Hayden — He suffered from rheumatic gout which is hereditary, and also Bright's disease, a disease of the kidneys. This latter is supposed to be the cause of his death. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones used to say that Spurgeon ate himself to death by consuming large suppers when after preaching there were insufficient digestive juices to digest such an amount of food. Today we would also lay emphasis on the stress factor. The "Downgrade" controversy surely hastened his death.

Spurgeon never visited America; if he had, where do you suppose he would have preached? Would he have preached in "open air"?

Hayden — I am sure he would have preached wherever he was invited:  in large churches and conferences like those arranged by D. L. Moody at Northfields, and especially in the "open air," his favorite site for preaching the gospel when mid-week he left the tabernacle and visited Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

It is said that Ira Sankey brought an organ to the Tabernacle for a memorial service.  What would Spurgeon have thought of this?

Hayden — I'm sure he would have allowed it for such an occasion. We must remember that he presented a silver trumpet to one of his evangelists to use in his meetings, Manton Smith.

Has care been taken in England for Spurgeon's memorials, buildings, artifacts, etc.?

Hayden — Local councils have cooperated in arranging for commemorative plaques to be attached to buildings connected with Spurgeon. For example, his birthplace of Kelvedon. Roads near where he lived have been named as Spurgeon Road. In the Tabernacle and the college there are "heritage rooms" housing Spurgeon memorabilia.

From a certain perspective, one might think the "Downgrade" in England seemed to mark a "watershed" for the predominance of conservatism among the evangelical churches.  Is this a valid perception, or is there too much "weight" attached to the significance of the Baptist Union's censure of Spurgeon and its after-effects?

Hayden — I'm not quite sure if the term "watershed" means "line of separation" or "a slope down which water flows." Both are given in the Oxford dictionary. Perhaps it's used differently in America. If the question means did the Downgrade cause a division between the evangelical and the modernist Baptist churches after Spurgeon's stand for the truth, then it has to be said that that division did not come until years later. The influence of the writings and preaching of Poole Connor and Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and the formation of the F.I.E.C., the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, did much to promote this division.

If the question means a quick slide down a slippery slope, then no — the slide was a slow one. Conservatism, again, is an English term and it's not synonymous with fundamentalism in America. Followers of Spurgeon have always regarded themselves as Conservative Evangelicals, not rabid fundamentalists. Their emphasis has been on the original documents as being verbally inspired, not the Authorized Version (or King James Version).

What year, or period, in Spurgeon's ministry would you have preferred to have been on hand as an "eye-witness"?

Hayden — I think the three successive years when Spurgeon founded the Colportage Association, the Stockwell Orphanage and the almshouses. That's 1866, '67 and '68; three glorious projects that astounded his critics who looked upon him as a mere red-hot gospeler with no social conscience. The Colportage Association showed his great love for the lost in outlandish country districts where there was no gospel witness; the almshouses, his love for the elderly; and the orphanage, his great love for children.

This was also a period of outstanding preaching [during 1866 (Vol 12)] — notably #705 A Voice of the Cholera (Amos 3:3-6), #690 A Lesson from the Great Panic (Hebrews 12:27), and #718 The Standard Uplifted in the Face of the Foe (Isaiah 59:19). It was also the year his sermons were first translated into Welsh. In 1867 there was a great crowd of people assembled in the Agricultural Hall to hear him, and in 1868, a year of great ecclesiastical excitement, the disestablishment of the Church of England was being debated, and he preached on the Head of the Church #839 (Colossians 1:18) [1868 (Vol 14)] and published a tract A Fable for the Times. Late in that year the American evangelist, Hammond, conducted a children's mission at the Tabernacle and Spurgeon preached on Do Not Sin Against the Child #840 (Genesis 42:22).

Lewis Brastow, a professor at Yale in the early 1900's, wrote that Spurgeon's sermons are "crude in thought and rough instruments of power" and they "will not live."  Just how far wrong was Dr. Brastow's "prophecy"?

Hayden — He was wrong about the style, language and matter of the sermons. The great literary men, like Ruskin, often went to hear him preach; actors, like David Garrick, went to listen to his voice; school teachers took their children to hear his oratory; and the Banner of Truth, housed in Scotland, and Pilgrim Publications in Texas, (and other publishers) supply the answer to "they will not live." More small publishing houses in Scotland, England and Ireland are also now beginning to republish Spurgeon's addresses.

What do you think was Spurgeon's greatest contribution, other than his sermons?

Hayden — His institutions, especially his pastor's college for the training of ministers and missionaries, and the published "Lectures to My Students," which have helped countless lay preachers who have never been to college.

Do you have a favorite Spurgeon book and favorite Spurgeon sermon?

Hayden — My favorite book has got to be Morning By Morning and Evening By Evening. I have in my possession my father's copy, which he bought in 1911 and had rebound when the covers became worn. Then I have my own copy, which my father bought me in 1947. This little volume is also the first birthday present I bought my wife, so it is a family favorite.

Since I've always liked messing about in boats, my favorite sermon is The Sea! The Sea! The Wide and Open Sea! #3291 in the MTP for 1912, page 97. It is an exposition of Psalm 95, verse 5, and preached on behalf of the British and Foreign Sailor's Society. The description of God's hand in nature, the vividness of the sea scenes, the simplicity of his gospel presentation, his appeal to the sailors in the congregation, his command of the English language, is all so superb. I hope Pilgrim Publications will put it out as a single sermon so that we can give it out for those who go down to the sea in ships (available: sermon #3291).

What can you tell us about T. W. Medhurst, the first ministerial student?  There was a report by E. W. Bacon of a decline and a sad end to him.  Is this true to fact?

Hayden — "Sad end" to us Englishmen means a failure in his last pastorate or even a mental breakdown or suicide. We would use the expression "gone off the rails." I don't know where E. W. Bacon got his information concerning Medhurst's going to America and becoming engaged with a sect. I have not seen this anywhere else. Bacon died a year or so ago so I am unable to contact him — unlike William C. Minifie! Minifie was a brilliant student of Spurgeon's who became one of his private secretaries. He, too, went to the U. S., obtaining several degrees, and then became a spiritualist and nature-cure expert. I have an article in The Greater World for May, 1959, in which Minifie claims to have had contact with C.H.S., through automatic writing, in which Spurgeon states he was wrong over the Downgrade. I met Minifie before he died — a most peculiar character. He finished up living in his very profitable Naturopathic Clinic!

What evaluation do you make of James Spurgeon, as to the "Downgrade" and the Baptist Union censure?

Hayden — I'm afraid I can only repeat what I've written in my book (A History of Spurgeon's Tabernacle [1962] re-published by Pilgrim Publications in 1971, with updates in current 1992 edition, $7.00) — that his part was confused and variable. Further research needs to be done on the subject.

What is the "average" perception of Spurgeon in England today?  Do you think he will ever attain, in history, the status of Bunyan, Wesley and Knox?

Hayden — The "average" Baptist merely looks upon him as a great Baptist figure of the past; a remarkable preacher and church planter. He is held in higher esteem by the non-Baptist church, the non-Baptist Union churches, and the Independent Evangelical churches. But many of these revere him, the strict & Hyper-Calvinism with which they have [wrongly] invested him. Most of the sales in England, since Pilgrim Publications began republishing his works, have been to non-Union pastors. I don't think he will obtain the status of Bunyan, Wesley and Knox because he was so much a Baptist figure; whereas the appeal of the other three was more to those outside their own denominations, as well as to those within.

Do you personally think that England ever had a gospel minister the equal of Spurgeon in respect to all aspects of the Christian ministry?

Hayden — No, I think Spurgeon was unique in that he was all of these things: philanthropist, educator, evangelist, activist, defender of the faith, as well as a great expository preacher. He was an "all-rounder" in the sense that no other gospel preacher has ever been. No wonder he wrote a book, a collection of addresses to ministers and students entitled An All Around Ministry. He preached the whole counsel of God, or as he termed it "a full-orbed gospel." His sermon titles and lists of texts to the index of the New Park Street Pulpit and Metropolitan Pulpit reveal that he preached on every book in the Bible, except Second John.

Americans sometimes receive the impression that some English Christians do not really appreciate the American "adoration" and "embellishment" of Spurgeon.  Are they mistaken, or is this perhaps a manifestation of some degree of "guilt" felt by these Englishmen who have lapsed in their dedication to the tremendous legacy left by their "home-born" leader?

Hayden — I once heard an American say: "You English buried Spurgeon, but we Americans keep him alive!" That's very true. In a later question I shall be commenting on the pathetic celebrations in this country during the centenary [1992] of his death.

I think many Baptists in this country do not know how to handle the "Downgrade" and so prefer to keep quiet about Spurgeon. On my lecture visits to various parts of the country during centenary year, many questions put to me have been about the "Downgrade" and how I think Spurgeon would view the Ecumenical Movement today. "Would he become involved in the inter-denominational talks, events, and much more that is so popular today?" All this is very embarrassing to the ordinary Baptist who does not know the real facts of the "Downgrade." I wish we had something of the American adoration without it becoming "man-worship," which Spurgeon would not have liked in any case. I begin each lecture with the words: "We are not here to worship a man, but to give glory to God for a man He used so mightily."

Who are the outstanding preachers in England, in the Spurgeon tradition, since his death?

Hayden — None, until the late Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones of Westminster Chapel, London.

What does the future hold for the Tabernacle?  Will the church eventually move?  What will become of the building?

Hayden — Who knows? At the moment the Sunday School and congregation are growing, but have not reached the membership number of the post-war Tabernacle opening. If there should be a sad decline and closure, then the building belongs to the London Baptist Property Board, or rather, the trust deeds do, so they will have the final say.

Did Winston Churchill ever make any comments about Spurgeon?

Hayden — None that I can find out. I have read Churchill's biography and also consulted an expert researcher into Churchill's life.

What services were held in England and the United Kingdom in commemoration of the centennial of Spurgeon's death?

Hayden — Very few. There was one ten-minute BBC radio program; a kind of studio religious service led by an Anglican, would you believe? There was another hour-length service, but it came from West Croydon Baptist Church, James Spurgeon's Tabernacle. The choice of hymns, the modern music and instruments did not go with the Spurgeon tradition. None of Spurgeon's own hymns were sung on the occasion. I have been giving talks and lectures from Shropshire and the West Midlands down to below London and across to Wales, and have used some of Spurgeon's hymns on acetates for the overhead projector. There have been more F.I.E.C. churches holding special commemorative meetings than Baptist Union churches.

Is there anything written by Spurgeon which you have not been able to either obtain or read?

Hayden — Only one — the little red-clasped book, his diary, about which nobody knows the whereabouts.

Are Spurgeon materials preserved in the British Museum?

Hayden — Yes.  All publishers are obliged to send copyright material to both the British Museum and the Bodleian Library, Oxford. If a book is published privately, then it is the responsibility for the author to do so.

What became of the Passmore & Alabaster Company?

Hayden — When I was pastor of the Tabernacle, the printing work was still going, but no longer a Christian firm. Today it is no longer in existence.

What or who was responsible for the 1856 Music Hall disaster?

Hayden — A cry went up: "Fire! Fire!", "The gallery's giving way!!" And in the general confusion a stampede followed. According to the church records of the day this was caused by "unknown, evil-disposed persons acting in concert." Their identity was never discovered.

What biographies are most worthy on Spurgeon?  Are there any areas of his life that are neglected, or what do we know least about him?

Hayden — The most reliable are those written by those who knew him and who wrote soon after his death. The best is his AUTOBIOGRAPHY, four volumes put together by Mrs. Spurgeon, assisted by Mr. Harrald, Spurgeon's secretary. Next I would say G. Holden Pike's six-volume biography is the best. Both have been recently reprinted unabridged — the former by Pilgrim Publications, and the latter by The Banner of Truth. A close study of the The Sword and the Trowel will reveal areas of his life so far untouched in any biography. Among recent biographies I would have to put in Searchlight on Spurgeon (currently out of print), since I did not so much write it as put together Spurgeon's own words about his life and ministry from his sermons.

also, another exciting biography (now available at Pilgrim's web-site) is Charles Ray's (1905) A Marvellous Ministry - The Story of C. H. Spurgeon's Sermons, published by Pilgrim Publications, 1985, $6.00

What would Spurgeon's reaction have been to Billy Graham?

Hayden — I think because, like Paul, Spurgeon was always glad when Christ was preached, he would have had him at his Tabernacle. After all, he had D. L. Moody to preach for him, and the American child evangelist Hammond.

How would Spurgeon feel about the Charismatic Movement?

Hayden — The best answer is to quote from the sermon Receiving the Holy Ghost #1790 Vol 30, Year 1884, pg. 386, (Acts 19:2) —

You know, dear friends, when the Holy Spirit was given in the earliest ages, He showed His presence by certain miraculous signs. Some of those who received the Holy Spirit spake with tongues, others began to prophesy, and a third class received the gifts of healing. I am sure that if these powers were given now you would all be anxious to posses them. You would want to be healing or to be speaking in tongues, or to be working miracles by which you would benefit your fellow men and glorify God. Now be it never forgotten that those works of the Holy Spirit which are permanent must assuredly be of greater value than those which were transitory. We cannot suppose that the Holy Ghost brought forth the best wine at first and that His operations gradually deteriorated. It is a rule of the kingdom to keep the best wine to the last; and therefore, I conclude that you and I are not left to partake of the dregs, but that those gifts of the Holy Spirit which are at this time vouchsafed to the church of God are every way as valuable as those earlier miraculous gifts which are departed from us. The work of the Holy Spirit by which men are quickened from their death in sin is not inferior to the power which made men speak in tongues. Why, sirs, men might have the gifts of the Spirit as to miracles and yet might perish after all; but he that hath the spiritual gifts of the Holy Ghost shall never perish: they are saving blessings, and where they come they lift the man out of his sinful estate, and make him to be a child of God. I would therefore press it upon you this morning that, as you would certainly inquire whether you had the gifts of healing and miracle-working, if such gifts were now given to believers, much more should you inquire whether you have those more permanent gifts of the Spirit which are this day open to you all, by the which you shall work no physical miracle, but shall achieve spiritual wonders of the grander sort. If we come to weigh spiritual operations, they are by no means secondary in the judgment of enlightened servants of God. Have ye then received the Spirit since you believed? Beloved, are you now receiving the Spirit? Are you living under his divine influence? Are you filled with his power? Put the question personally. I am afraid some professors will have to admit that they hardly know whether there be any Holy Ghost; and others will have to confess that though they have enjoyed a little of his saving work, yet they do not know much of his ennobling and sanctifying influence. We have none of us participated in his operations as we might have done: we have sipped where we might have drunk; we have drunk where we might have bathed; we have bathed up to the ankles where we might have found rivers to swim in. Alas, of many Christians it must be affirmed that they have been naked, and poor, and miserable, when they might in the power of the Holy Spirit have been clad in golden garments, and have been rich and increased in goods. He waiteth to be gracious, but we linger in indifference, like those of whom we read, "they could not enter in because of unbelief." There are many such cases, and therefore it is not improper that I should with all vehemence press home upon you the question of the apostle, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" Did ye receive him when ye believed? Are ye receiving him now that ye are believing in Christ Jesus?

What would be Spurgeon's reaction to Anglicanism today?

Hayden — It would have to be the same today as in his own time. The language has been modernized; The Book of Common Prayer changed to The Alternative Service Book — BUT, "Baptismal Regeneration" still rears its ugly head.

Benny Hill recently died.  What would Spurgeon have thought of him?

Hayden — "The Benny Hill Show" is supposed to have been a prime money-making export to America. The fact that it is mentioned in this question seems to point to the fact that perhaps Americans enjoy his brand of humor more than the English do. I do not think many born again Christians in this country would watch him and listen to his smutty innuendoes. Spurgeon might have been prevailed upon, if alive today, to have an interview with him, at which meeting he would surely have preached the gospel to him. I cannot think that Spurgeon, a man who was so against the theater, would bothered to have watched his TV show.

Has the republication of Spurgeon's sermons, by Banner of Truth on a limited scale, and with Pilgrim Publications more extensively, had any significant effect upon evangelicalism in Great Britain?

Hayden — These sermons have had an effect upon pastors in the Reformed tradition, mostly within the ranks of the Free Evangelical churches. It has hardly effected the Baptist minister within the ranks of the Baptist Union.

Do you personally have any more "projects" to produce that have to do with Spurgeon?  What more would you like to do, or would you like to see done?

Hayden — At the moment I'm working on a book suggested by Bob Ross on the Spurgeons past & present (The Spurgeon Family, published in 1993-$4.00). What I would like to see done, would be to produce a new biography compiled from the multi-volume and autobiographical Sword and The Trowel Magazine series (in the same manner I presented in Searchlight on Spurgeon, thru his sermons.) — Let Spurgeon speak for himself !   now available  (below)

Dr. Wilbur M. Smith once said to me when he visited the Tabernacle when I was pastor: "There is a large mine of untapped information and source material in The Sword and The Trowel, and no definitive biography will be written until it has been tapped." The book reviews, mainly written by Spurgeon himself, give great insight into Spurgeon's theological thinking. Some of them indicate that the "Downgrade" was inevitable long before Robert Shindler wrote his anonymous articles.

How about the 30-minute 1975 film produced by the BBC?  Was there a great appreciation for that in Britain?

Hayden — At the first showing in England there was quite a lot of interest. As a result of letters sent to the producer, it was shown a second time. Since then I've tried to get it shown for the ter-jubilee of his birth and again for the centennial of his death. On both occasions they said that the original film had been destroyed and there were no plans for another. (entitled — "Seeing & Believing:  The Calling of C. H. Spurgeon" — Pilgrim Publications owns a copy but it is not available for re-sale)

Have you seen the videos on Spurgeon by Craig Skinner and by Ken Connolly?  What is your opinion of them?

Hayden — Craig Skinner has stayed in my home on several occasions, especially while rehearsing his book Lamplighter and Son. He talked about his video and has often sent me the publicity material about it. However, a different video system is used in America from the one over here. I understand it's very difficult to transfer one to the other, so I don't know of anyone over here who has seen either video. If either could be transferred to our system, I should be grateful and would certainly make use of them.

See our  CHS VIDEO  page for Ken Connolly's excellent 1995 documentary — "C. H. Spurgeon, THE PRINCE OF PREACHERS!" Also available is Craig Skinner's 1-man performance play — C. H. Spurgeon TONIGHT!   Video

This interview is copyright (c) 1993. All Rights Reserved.

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Current  SPURGEON  BIOGRAPHIES
by  ERIC  W.  HAYDEN [all available from Pilgrim Publications]

NOTES  OF  INTEREST

by Bob L. Ross

NEW  HAYDEN  BOOK !

Many years ago, a book entitled The Forgotten Spurgeon by Iain Murray was published by The Banner of Truth. Now, just off the press, is The Unforgettable Spurgeon - Reflections on His Life and Writings, by our close friend of many years, Eric W. Hayden, now of Newent, Gloucestershire, England. It was my happy privilege to visit with Mr. Hayden in February of 1996, and part of our discussion focused upon this book, which we were working on at the time. (Later, we collaborated with  Emerald House  (Greenville SC/USA) to publish the book so as to facilitate an earlier release than we originally planned — it is NOW Available).

Mr. Hayden has literally scoured the writings of Spurgeon in The Sword and the Trowel Magazine for all of the details and information provided here. Now, a hundred years after his death, this book gives an in-depth look at Spurgeon, incorporating his own writings into an intriguing study of the man and his message. If Eric had done nothing else to bless this current and future generations, by writing many outstanding biographies, he has indeed helped make C. H. Spurgeon "unforgettable." It literally took him years of consistent research to accumulate and compile the information provided in this book. There are nineteen chapters, 239 pages, and many subheads to assist in identifying the subjects presented.

Spurgeon "fans" will love this book !

(Paperback)

ISBN  1-889893-05-6

$ 14  Plus  $ 2  Postage

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