Dare to Hope!
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Charles Spurgeon
Charles Spurgeon
(1834-1892)
“The one thing that the poor strengthless sinner has to fix his mind upon, and firmly retain, as his one ground of hope, is the divine assurance that ‘in due time Christ died for the ungodly.’ Believe this, and all inability will disappear.”
—Charles Spurgeon
More Online Resources
Sermons and other writings at Christian Classics Ethereal Library
Charles Spurgeon: Preaching to sinners
When Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) was 19 years old, he preached his first message at London’s New Park Street Church. At the time, 232 people were rattling around in a church built for 1500, but by the time of the evening service he was drawing a crowd. In a little over a year he was the most popular preacher in London. In 1861 he built Metropolitan Tabernacle that was supposed to seat 5,000 to 6,000 people, but they had to pack services with 7,000 and provide tickets to control the crowds. Spurgeon was raised a Congregationalist and became Baptist in 1850. He said, “I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist; I do not hesitate to take the name of Baptist; but if I am asked what is my creed, I reply, ‘It is Jesus Christ.’ ”
Highlights of his life and ministry
When Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) was 19 years old, he preached his first message at London’s New Park Street Church. At the time, 232 people were rattling around in a church built for 1500, but by the time of the evening service he was drawing a crowd. In a little over a year he was the most popular preacher in London. In 1861 he built Metropolitan Tabernacle that was supposed to seat 5,000 to 6,000 people, but they had to pack services with 7,000 and provide tickets to control the crowds. Spurgeon was raised a Congregationalist and became Baptist in 1850. He said, “I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist; I do not hesitate to take the name of Baptist; but if I am asked what is my creed, I reply, ‘It is Jesus Christ.’ ”
Highlights of his life and ministry
- Made the most of every day. Often worked 18-hour days.
- Stood for truth. Emphasized the cross and the Bible. Spoke out against error in the Church.
- Resigned from Baptist Union when they denied inerrancy of Scripture
- Evangelist. Souls saved every day, including Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest.
- Founded churches and ministries. By 50th birthday had founded 66 organizations, including an orphanage.
- Sold 25,000 copies of his sermons weekly.
- His books and sermons were translated into 20 languages and fill 63 volumes.
- He was primarily a pastor and trained pastors to persevere when all seemed against them.
- Pressed through adversity. Gout at age 35; also rheumatism, kidney disease, and depression. Wife became an invalid confined to the home.
- Endured criticism. Area pastors spoke out publicly against him, which hurt him deeply, but he prayed that “the Lord would give me a short memory for grudges.”
Stories about Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
“One evening he advised his people when they went home to get a sheet of paper and write on it either the word ‘Saved’ or the word ‘Condemned.’ A man whose wife and children were members of the church, who had only gone to the tabernacle to please them, took a sheet of paper when he went home and began to write the latter word. One of his daughters went up to him, put her arms round his neck and said, ‘No, father, you shan’t write that.’ Her tears fell on the paper; the mother came up and pleaded with him; they all knelt in prayer together; and when he rose he put another curve to the letter C which he had written, turning it into an S, and then finished the word ‘Saved.’ ”
Source: W. Y. Fulton, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a Biography
“One evening he advised his people when they went home to get a sheet of paper and write on it either the word ‘Saved’ or the word ‘Condemned.’ A man whose wife and children were members of the church, who had only gone to the tabernacle to please them, took a sheet of paper when he went home and began to write the latter word. One of his daughters went up to him, put her arms round his neck and said, ‘No, father, you shan’t write that.’ Her tears fell on the paper; the mother came up and pleaded with him; they all knelt in prayer together; and when he rose he put another curve to the letter C which he had written, turning it into an S, and then finished the word ‘Saved.’ ”
Source: W. Y. Fulton, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a Biography
