I love Charles Spurgeon. I have his portrait hung on
my wall. Sadly, Spurgeon died at the young age of 57 on January 31, 1892. However,
he continues to be relevant to our time. Spurgeon is “history’s most widely
read preacher, apart from the biblical ones,”[1]
writes Eric W. Hayden. Today is his 133rd death anniversary. I would like to
draw your attention to some online articles for your reading about him.
1. Three Reasons Spurgeon Died at 57. “What are some of the reasons why Charles Haddon Spurgeon died on January 31, 1892, at age 57? Spurgeon believed that all things, birth, health, and circumstances operate according to God’s sovereign design. Consistent with Spurgeon’s theology, we can rightly say that Spurgeon didn’t die one moment before God had determined and we can also assert that his death was the culmination of various causes.” This blog post is by Ray Rhodes Jr. He is the author of Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon, Wife of Charles H. Spurgeon.
2. The Secret of Spurgeon’s Success. “Most believe his success is easily explained by his obvious giftedness, prodigious abilities, and tireless work ethic. He often worked 18 hours a day. His sermons sold at a rate of 25,000 a week, were translated into 20 languages and every ship that left England carried his sermons. . . . But any biographical work that attributes Spurgeon’s success in ministry to his giftedness does a disservice to the facts. Those close to him said that Spurgeon himself credited his success to only one activity of his. It wasn’t preaching, or writing, or preparation, or study.”
3. John Piper has a short biography on Spurgeon (about 30 pages only). “You will face adversity. It’s only a matter of time. Likely you already have. How will you persevere through the oppressing moments of life? But the question for pastors is even more difficult: How do you preach through adversity? How do you do heartwork when your heart is under siege and ready to fall? This is crucial. Preaching great and glorious truth, in an atmosphere that is not great and glorious, is an immense difficulty.” The online format is available here, and the PDF format can be downloaded here. If you would like to listen to an audio version, the biographical sermon on Spurgeon by John Piper is here.
4. Morning and Evening: Daily Readings. If you are looking for a 1-2 minute devotional reading, Spurgeon has a daily devotional reading book. The audio version, PDF, and online version are all available for free of cost.
5. John Ploughman's Talk. “In John Ploughman's Talk, I [Charles Spurgeon] have written for plowmen and common people. Hence refined taste and dainty words have been discarded for strong proverbial expressions and homely phrases. I have aimed my blows at the vices of the many, and tried to inculcate those moral virtues without which men are degraded. Much that needs to be said to the toiling masses would not well suit the pulpit and the Sabbath; these lowly pages may teach thrift and industry all the days of the week in the cottage and the workshop; and if some learn these lessons I shall not repent the adoption of a rustic style.” An online version can be accessed here.
1.
[1] Eric
W. Hayden, Charles H. Spurgeon: Did You Know https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/spurgeon-did-you-know