INTRODUCTION Commonly referred to as “The Prince of Preachers,” Charles H. Spurgeon is deserving of that title. Many have studied the work of Mr. Spurgeon, whether his sermons or his writing, in order to come to a deeper appreciation for the Holy Spirit inspired Word. It was a devotion to the Word that would begin and fuel the ministry that Spurgeon would devote most of his lifetime to. He was a preacher, a writer, and the founder of a number of great institutions. Each area of Spurgeon’s life continues to inspire and thrive today.

LIFE AND DEATH

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was born at Kelvedon, in Essex. His father, John, and Grandfather, James, were both Independent (Congregational) pastors and evangelical Calvinists. Charles’ mother Eliza bore seventeen children with only eight of them surviving through infancy. Due to the hardship that his parents faced, Charles was sent to live with his grandfather in Stambourne. It was in Stambourne where Spurgeon learned to walk, talk and read with the aid of his aunt Ann. During his early teen years, Spurgeon enrolled in an agricultural college with the aspirations of becoming a farmer. A year later, he transferred schools to Newmarket and there learned Latin and Greek but more importantly it was at Newmarket where he learned much about theology from the school cook, Mary King. Spurgeon and King often discussed the sermons they heard when they arrived back at school. “(I)t was from her that Spurgeon learned much about election, final perseverance and the necessity of godliness on the part of the converted.”[1] During family worship time at his grandfather’s house, Charles would customarily read the Scriptures and have the opportunity to ask any question that he chose on the reading for the day. On one occasion he asked a question that perplexed the circle of discussion during the family