Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92) was regarded as the “Prince of Preachers". Although he had no formal theological education, it has been estimated that Spurgeon preached to ten million people in his lifetime - often to crowds of more than ten thousand. As Spurgeon could not utilise electronic amplification is his day, this is an extraordinary accomplishment.

Vanity Fair, in its 10 December 1870 issue, described Spurgeon as having “fine natural oratory’, a “powerful voice... and a vivacity of diction". It is clear that Spurgeon was very well known in the nineteenth-century and, although he certainly encountered criticism, he was respected and well-liked by many for being “honest, resolute, and sincere".

Much at odds with contemporary practice, Spurgeon became the pastor of New Park Street Church at twenty years-old - only four years after his conversion. This church was formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian John Gill. Admirably, Spurgeon stayed with this congregation for almost forty years. So sought after was Spurgeon’s clear exposition of the Bible that the congregation rapidly expanded. With this, in 1861 the congregation eventually settled in a larger and more suitable venue: the Metropolitan Tabernacle.

Spurgeon’s emphasis on the centrality of Scripture brought controversy as well as renown, as he accused other Baptists’ of “downgrading" the Bible, and rejecting the principle of sola scriptura (scripture alone) one of the central evangelical pillars. Despite this, people of all denominations pay tribute to the life and work of Spurgeon.

Charles Spurgeon wrote extensively throughout his lifetime, communicating Gospel truths using a variety of media. The Treasury of David, a seven-volume study of the Psalms, said to be his magnum opus, is one of Spurgeon’s most well-known works. It was first published in weekly installments over twenty years in his church’s periodical The Sword and The Trowel. Spurgeon’s Daily Devotions are used by many today.

In addition to regular preaching, Spurgeon founded Sunday schools, churches, an orphanage and the Pastor’s College (which became Spurgeon’s College in 1923). He fully embraced the holistic Christian life of worshipping God in word and action. Speaking of Spurgeon, Vanity Fair said that he was a “hard worker in his vocation". Friend, contemporary, and biographer W. Y. Fullerton spoke fondly of Spurgeon: “he lived and laboured with such prodigious energy". Poignantly, Fullerton also appreciated Spurgeon for the personal impact he had upon him, leading Fullerton to write that he owes to Spurgeon “more than he can ever express or pay".