• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • Christian Forums is looking to bring on new moderators to the CF Staff Team! If you have been an active member of CF for at least three months with 200 posts during that time, you're eligible to apply! This is a great way to give back to CF and keep the forums running smoothly! If you're interested, you can submit your application here!

32 Things You Might Not Know About Charles Spurgeon

geetrue

Veteran
Site Supporter
Dec 16, 2006
2,375
451
Beach House
Visit site
✟96,276.00
Gender
Male
Faith
Pentecostal
Marital Status
Single
I was reading Spurgeon's daily bread this morning about the Blood of Jesus.

I don't read him everyday, but I looked him up and was astounded to find these facts about this great man of God.

Be blessed: 32 Things You Might Not Know About Charles Spurgeon

1. One woman was converted through reading a single page of one of Spurgeon’s sermons wrapped around some butter she had bought.

2. Spurgeon read The Pilgrim’s Progress at age 6 and went on to read it over 100 times.

3. The New Park Street Pulpit and The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit—the collected sermons of Spurgeon during his ministry with that congregation—fill 63 volumes. The sermons’ 20-25 million words are equivalent to the 27 volumes of the ninth edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica. The series stands as the largest set of books by a single author in the history of Christianity.

4. Spurgeon’s mother had 17 children, nine of whom died in infancy.

5. When Charles Spurgeon was only 10 years old, a visiting missionary, Richard Knill, said that the young Spurgeon would one day preach the gospel to thousands and would preach in Rowland Hill’s chapel, the largest Dissenting church in London. His words were fulfilled.

6. Spurgeon missed being admitted to college because a servant girl inadvertently showed him into a different room than that of the principal who was waiting to interview him. (Later, he determined not to reapply for admission when he believed God spoke to him, “Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not!”)

7. Spurgeon’s personal library contained 12,000 volumes—1,000 printed before 1700. (The library, 5,103 volumes at the time of its auction, is now housed at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.)

8. Before he was 20, Spurgeon had preached over 600 times.

9. Spurgeon drew to his services Prime Minister W. E. Gladstone, members of the royal family, Members of Parliament, as well as author John Ruskin, Florence Nightingale, and General James Garfield, later president of the United States.

10. The New Park Street Church invited Spurgeon to come for a 6-month trial period, but Spurgeon asked to come for only 3 months because “the congregation might not want me, and I do not wish to be a hindrance.”

11. When Spurgeon arrived at The New Park Street Church, in 1854, the congregation had 232 members. By the end of his pastorate, 38 years later, that number had increased to 5,311. (Altogether, 14,460 people were added to the church during Spurgeon’s tenure.) The church was the largest independent congregation in the world.

12. Spurgeon typically read 6 books per week and could remember what he had read—and where—even years later.

13. Spurgeon once addressed an audience of 23,654—without a microphone or any mechanical amplification.

14. Spurgeon began a pastors’ college that trained nearly 900 students during his lifetime—and it continues today.

15. In 1865, Spurgeon’s sermons sold 25,000 copies every week. They were translated into more than 20 languages.

16. At least 3 of Spurgeon’s works (including the multi-volume Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit series) have sold more than 1,000,000 copies. One of these, All of Grace, was the first book ever published by Moody Press (formerly the Bible Institute Colportage Association) and is still its all-time bestseller.

17. During his lifetime, Spurgeon is estimated to have preached to 10,000,000 people.

18. Spurgeon once said he counted 8 sets of thoughts that passed through his mind at the same time while he was preaching.

19. Testing the acoustics in the vast Agricultural Hall, Spurgeon shouted, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” A worker high in the rafters of the building heard this and became converted to Christ as a result.

20. Susannah Thompson, Spurgeon’s wife, became an invalid at age 33 and could seldom attend her husband’s services after that.

21. Spurgeon spent 20 years studying the Book of Psalms and writing his commentary on them, The Treasury of David.

22. Spurgeon insisted that his congregation’s new building, The Metropolitan Tabernacle, employ Greek architecture because the New Testament was written in Greek. This one decision has greatly influenced subsequent church architecture throughout the world.

23. The theme for Spurgeon’s Sunday morning sermon was usually not chosen until Saturday night.

24. For an average sermon, Spurgeon took no more than one page of notes into the pulpit, yet he spoke at a rate of 140 words per minute for 40 minutes.

25. The only time that Spurgeon wore clerical garb was when he visited Geneva and preached in Calvin’s pulpit.

26. By accepting some of his many invitations to speak, Spurgeon often preached 10 times in a week.

27. Spurgeon met often with Hudson Taylor, the well-known missionary to China, and with George Muller, the orphanage founder.

28. Spurgeon had two children—twin sons—and both became preachers. Thomas succeeded his father as pastor of the Tabernacle, and Charles, Jr., took charge of the orphanage his father had founded.

29. Spurgeon’s wife, Susannah, called him Tirshatha (a title used of the Judean governor under the Persian empire), meaning “Your Excellency.”

30. Spurgeon often worked 18 hours a day. Famous explorer and missionary David Livingstone once asked him, “How do you manage to do two men’s work in a single day?” Spurgeon replied, “You have forgotten that there are two of us.”

31. Spurgeon spoke out so strongly against slavery that American publishers of his sermons began deleting his remarks on the subject.

32. Occasionally Spurgeon asked members of his congregation not to attend the next Sunday’s service, so that newcomers might find a seat. During one 1879 service, the regular congregation left so that newcomers waiting outside might get in; the building immediately filled again.
 

geetrue

Veteran
Site Supporter
Dec 16, 2006
2,375
451
Beach House
Visit site
✟96,276.00
Gender
Male
Faith
Pentecostal
Marital Status
Single
34. Spurgeon was both overweight and a chain-smoker, an addiction that may have contributed to his death in 1892 at young age of 57 years, proving that all of our idols have clay feet.

In other words the devil didn't like Mr Spurgeon and the Lord took him home early ... well said Jim lol
 
Upvote 0

murjahel

Senior Veteran
Oct 31, 2005
8,768
1,067
✟36,887.00
Gender
Male
Faith
Pentecostal
Marital Status
Married
35. Charles H. Spurgeon was not well physically most of his life. His wife too was also very ill. He suffered from rheumatism, gout, and kidney disease. He gave up smoking cigars as he had for many years before his salvation, and never was a drinker of alcohol in the age of prohibition in England. The kidney disease caused great kidney pain, back pain, high blood pressure, acute inflammation... In those days, they often did blood letting to relieve high blood pressure. The bloating due to the disease made him look heavy, but his kidney disease had little he could do about it. Still despite these things, and a schedule of preaching to huge crowds, writing all his sermons out, then preaching from a short outline, then rewriting his sermon after preaching to have it printed, and doing so for 33 years of preaching, he departed to go be with His Lord. He crowded a lot of work, most of which is still being utilized and appreciated by many, in his years.

I love to read his sermons, and short quotations, as have many Christians. He is in heaven enjoying his reward... and to be critical of him would make his Lord, and my Lord, quite grieved. So, I admire his ministry.
 
Upvote 0

Simon Peter

14th Generation PROTESTant
Mar 4, 2004
2,486
258
America
✟4,491.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
34. Spurgeon was both overweight and a chain-smoker, an addiction that may have contributed to his death in 1892 at young age of 57 years, proving that all of our idols have clay feet.


I think this is the first time I've heard someone criticise a pastor for obesity, which is surprising because so many pastors are overweight.

As for the smoking, that was perfectly acceptable back in the 19th century.


peace,
Simon
 
Upvote 0

JimB

Legend
Jul 12, 2004
26,337
1,595
Nacogdoches, Texas
Visit site
✟34,757.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
I think this is the first time I've heard someone criticise a pastor for obesity, which is surprising because so many pastors are overweight.

As for the smoking, that was perfectly acceptable back in the 19th century.


peace,
Simon
Hmmm. I wonder if pastors will be smoking a joint in 25 years when it will be perfectly acceptable?

Obese pastors? Now you're meddlin'.
 
Upvote 0

Simon Peter

14th Generation PROTESTant
Mar 4, 2004
2,486
258
America
✟4,491.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
Hmmm. I wonder if pastors will be smoking a joint in 25 years when it will be perfectly acceptable?

Obese pastors? Now you're meddlin'.


Back in the 1800s they didn't know smoking was bad for you, the general population barely understood any health science; and besides, all heating and cooking was wood and coal fires where you breathed in smoke all day anyway.

As for obese pastors, hey you were the one to throw the first stone ;)



peace,
Simon
 
Upvote 0

Faulty

bind on pick up
Site Supporter
Apr 23, 2005
9,467
1,019
✟87,489.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Back in the 1800s they didn't know smoking was bad for you, the general population barely understood any health science; and besides, all heating and cooking was wood and coal fires where you breathed in smoke all day anyway.

As for obese pastors, hey you were the one to throw the first stone ;)



peace,
Simon

I believe it was also an implication that smoking is a sin and being overweight requires the sin of gluttony, therefore he was steeped in perpetual sin almost every day of his life. I disagree.
 
Upvote 0

like eagleswings

discovering
Dec 28, 2011
1,021
122
england
✟24,476.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
UK-Labour
33. God continues to use the ministry of Charles Spurgeon to be a blessing to my life.

(lol! I just couldn't resist the temptation ... I love reading Spurgeon's stuff!)

:blush1:

nothing wrong in that, infact much better than some of the itching ears stuff we get today, i like some of john wesleys stuff, very strong and meaty.
 
Upvote 0

JavaQueen2

On Christ the SOLID Rock I stand...
Feb 25, 2013
254
102
Home
✟16,144.00
Faith
Nazarene
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Conservatives
34. Spurgeon was both overweight and a chain-smoker, an addiction that may have contributed to his death in 1892 at young age of 57 years, proving that all of our idols have clay feet.


Amazing you had to take the low road...and be so negative. GOOD grief...:doh:
 
Upvote 0

JimB

Legend
Jul 12, 2004
26,337
1,595
Nacogdoches, Texas
Visit site
✟34,757.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Back in the 1800s they didn't know smoking was bad for you, the general population barely understood any health science; and besides, all heating and cooking was wood and coal fires where you breathed in smoke all day anyway.

As for obese pastors, hey you were the one to throw the first stone ;)



peace,
Simon
Really? My grandparents who were SDA on one side and AOG on the other, both born in the 1800s, never smoked for religious reasons, understanding it was bad for your health and your body being the temple of the Spirit and all, to smoke meant defiling the body. I was raised in that tradition and so was Spurgeon. I always thought, if you smoked here your would smoke hereafter. ;o)>

Of course, we preached that with a fried chicken leg in hand. :)
 
Upvote 0

geetrue

Veteran
Site Supporter
Dec 16, 2006
2,375
451
Beach House
Visit site
✟96,276.00
Gender
Male
Faith
Pentecostal
Marital Status
Single
Really? My grandparents who were SDA on one side and AOG on the other, both born in the 1800s, never smoked for religious reasons, understanding it was bad for your health and your body being the temple of the Spirit and all, to smoke meant defiling the body. I was raised in that tradition and so was Spurgeon. I always thought, if you smoked here your would smoke hereafter. ;o)>

Of course, we preached that with a fried chicken leg in hand. :)

Jim B has 32 things we didn't know about him too I see :D
1.Grandparents were SDA on one side
2. Grandparents were AOG on the other side
3. They never smoked and Jim B was raised in that tradition
4. Preached that with fried chicken in hand
5. Jim B is a senior citizen
6. Owns a Christian book store in east Texas
7. Has a granddaughter right here on Christian forums too

Only 25 more things left to know about you Jim ... :amen:

27. Spurgeon met often with Hudson Taylor, the well-known missionary to China, and with George Muller, the orphanage founder.

I like number 27 in Spurgeon's list for I really love Hudson Taylor and George Muller as everyone knows George Muller could have anything he wanted in prayer without asking any man for it, right?

One day he prayed for another orphanage and he got everything he wanted till the orphanage was completely finished with every item coming from donations and donors to complete the project without asking any of them personally.

Just one problem when the project was finished George had forgot to pray for the orphans to fill it and he had to go back on his knees and pray for those little orphaned souls.
 
Upvote 0

Simon Peter

14th Generation PROTESTant
Mar 4, 2004
2,486
258
America
✟4,491.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
Really? My grandparents who were SDA on one side and AOG on the other, both born in the 1800s, never smoked for religious reasons, understanding it was bad for your health and your body being the temple of the Spirit and all, to smoke meant defiling the body. I was raised in that tradition and so was Spurgeon. I always thought, if you smoked here your would smoke hereafter. ;o)>

Of course, we preached that with a fried chicken leg in hand. :)


The SDA and AoG may have held those beliefs, but we didn't have the the SDA or AoG in 19th century England.

We had quite a popular abstinence (alcohol) movement in some denominations, like the Baptists, but nothing like as popular as it was in the USA. Plenty of other UK Christians felt it was fine to drink back then, and most Christians in the UK still drink alcohol today.

Smoking was never targeted by any denomination in the UK that I'm aware of, but it's possible. In Holland all the men lit up cigars right after church, even well into the 20th century.

What makes you think Spurgeon was raised to think smoking was bad for you?


peace,
Simon
 
Upvote 0

Faulty

bind on pick up
Site Supporter
Apr 23, 2005
9,467
1,019
✟87,489.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
charles spurgeon was the first ever speaker when our church building opened its doors many many years ago.


Steve

That's cool. I think it is sermonaudio.com that has an audio of Spurgeons son speaking some part of one of his fathers sermons. It was said he had the same voice and inflection of his father, so in a way it's the same as hearing Spurgeon speaking again.

Edit: Found it.

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=61212024192
 
Upvote 0

like eagleswings

discovering
Dec 28, 2011
1,021
122
england
✟24,476.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
UK-Labour
Really? My grandparents who were SDA on one side and AOG on the other, both born in the 1800s, never smoked for religious reasons, understanding it was bad for your health and your body being the temple of the Spirit and all, to smoke meant defiling the body. I was raised in that tradition and so was Spurgeon. I always thought, if you smoked here your would smoke hereafter. ;o)>

Of course, we preached that with a fried chicken leg in hand. :)

dont come to London then, breathing in all the fumes, you be well defiled. :doh:
 
Upvote 0