Christians You Should Know: Susannah Spurgeon - Enjoying the Journey
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” – Isaiah 41:10
A Snapshot of the Life of Susannah Spurgeon:
Born: January 15, 1832
Died: October 22, 1903
[The wife of Charles Spurgeon. Charles was] Often called the “Prince of Preachers.” He began to preach at age 16. Spurgeon pastored Waterbeach Baptist Church in Cambridgeshire (1852), then took a small church, New Park Street Church in London (1854). In a few years, it was the largest Baptist church in the world and a tourist spot, also. He married Susannah Thompson on January 8, 1856, who became an invalid at age 33. Moving from Exeter Hall, he began using Surrey Garden’s Music Hall in 1856, which seated 10,000. His Metropolitan Tabernacle opened in 1861 (age 27), seating nearly 6,000 and was filled. He wrote many books, founded a pastor’s college (1861) called Spurgeon’s College, then an orphanage (1867), published many sermons, and opposed liberalism all his life. He edited The Sword and the Trowel and published The Treasury of David (1865), an exposition of the Psalms. In 1887, contending for the truth of the Bible, he left the Baptist Union during the Downgrade Controversy (Spurgeon leaving the Baptist Union because of liberal inroads). He last preached at the Tabernacle on June 7, 1891. During his tenure there, he added 14,692 members to his church, and by his death, the church had 5,307 members (many had moved, died, or discontinued). His wife died October 22, 1903. – (Excerpt taken from the Reese Chronological Encyclopedia of Christian Biographies. Used by permission.)
A Spiritual Application for Our Lives:
Susannah Spurgeon was a remarkable woman. A true servant of the Lord and helper to her husband. Few lives could better illustrate a wife helping her husband be what God wants him to be. Susannah believed strongly in what God had called Charles Spurgeon to do. She wanted his preaching to be preserved and used for generations to come. She accomplished this work through her famous Book Fund. Richard Day records that she “saved every five-shilling piece got.” Upon the publishing of Lectures to My Students, Susannah had saved enough to purchase 100 copies of it and send them to various ministers at no charge – this was the start of the Book Fund. Over the course of twenty years, the Book Fund mailed over two hundred and fifty thousand volumes to thousands of ministers around the world. This enabled many preachers to begin a library who otherwise may not have been able to afford. Mrs. Spurgeon also sent thousands of Mr. Spurgeon’s printed sermons around the world – all this in varying states of invalidism.
Additionally, Mrs. Spurgeon was a constant encourager to Charles Spurgeon. Spurgeon suffered heavily from discouragement and even severe bouts of depression. Susannah was his constant companion and caring helper in those times. Sometimes she would simply weep with him. Spurgeon was enthralled with his dear wife and was greatly helped by her love and encouragement. During the toll of The Down Grade controversy, Spurgeon wrote to his wife as “an angel of God to me…Bravest of women, strong in the faith, you have ministered unto me.” This humble servant of the Lord labored with her famous husband to further his ministry and extend his reach. There can be no doubt she is sharing in the vast heavenly rewards with her beloved husband, Charles Spurgeon. The humility and earnestness of Susannah Spurgeon ought to spur us on to find and do God’s will in all things.
A Suggestion for Further Reading…
Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon – Ray Rhodes, Jr., 2018
