Charles Spurgeon lived to be 58 years old. He was born on June 19, 1834, and died on January 31, 1892. Then and now called the “Prince of Preachers”, he was of the British Reformed Baptist church. Charles wanted to help people all his life. He started an organization to help families and children called Spurgeon’s. He later started a theological college (for training preachers), today called Spurgeon’s College.
This Essex-born gentleman’s conversion to Christianity occurred when he was 15. After that he was baptized in the River Lark at Isleham.
Charles began preaching to audiences at the age of 16 or 17. His first pastoral post was a small Baptist church in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire. His first little writing attempt was a Gospel tract, published in 1853. He was 19 years old then.
In 1854 Charles was asked to pastor London’s famed New Park Street Chapel in Southwark. It was the city’s largest Baptist congregation. Charles was still only 19! Within a few months at Park Street, Charles’ success made him famous. His sermons were printed every week and had a high demand. They sold for a penny. At 22, Charles was one of the most popular preachers in the world. His voice was powerful and reached everyone in the audiences, which were often impressed with his sincerity.
Charles and Susannah Thompson got married in 1856 and had twin sons. On October 7, 1857 (Fast Day), Charles preached to his largest audience ever at The Crystal Palace in London. There were more than 23 thousand listeners.
For 31 years, from 1861 to his death, Charles preached at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. It was built for his congregation and could hold up to 6 thousand people. Hymn singing in Charles’ church was always a capella (without music).
Charles also started an orphanage for boys and girls. That home still exists today.
Charles became a victim of various illnesses as he grew older. He’d go to France sometimes to recuperate. He died near Nice in 1892. His body was buried at London’s West Norwood Cemetery, where you can still see his grave. In the end, it was amazing that Charles’ father was a pastor, Charles became a pastor, and his 2 sons became pastors. Maybe Charles didn’t have a handsome face. He didn’t need one. He had his beautiful heart.
