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The Prince of Preachers

Charles Haddon
Spurgeon

Explore over 3,500 sermons, lectures, and writings from the most prolific preacher in church history. A treasury of biblical wisdom spanning four decades of faithful ministry.

3,563

Sermons Published

63

Volumes

40

Years of Ministry

~14,000

Members

 

This Week in Spurgeon's Pulpit

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Morning & Evening

"Behold, he prayeth." — Acts 9:11

Morning by Morning — November 3

Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee, but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears; yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the lachrymatory of heaven. “Thou puttest my tears into thy bottle,” implies that they are caught as they flow. The suppliant, whose fears prevent his words, will be well understood by the Most High. He may only look up with misty eye; but “prayer is the falling of a tear.” Tears are the diamonds of heaven; sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah’s court, and are numbered with “the sublimest strains that reach the majesty on high.” Think not that your prayer, however weak or trembling, will be unregarded. Jacob’s ladder is lofty, but our prayers shall lean upon the Angel of the covenant and so climb its starry rounds. Our God not only hears prayer but also loves to hear it. “He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.” True, He regards not high looks and lofty words; He cares not for the pomp and pageantry of kings; He listens not to the swell of martial music; He regards not the triumph and pride of man; but wherever there is a heart big with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a penitential sigh, the heart of Jehovah is open; He marks it down in the registry of His memory; He puts our prayers, like rose leaves, between the pages of His book of remembrance, and when the volume is opened at last, there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom. “Faith asks no signal from the skies, To show that prayers accepted rise, Our Priest is in His holy place, And answers from the throne of grace.”

Read this morning
“
A Bible which is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't.

Charles H. Spurgeon

A Life of Faithful Ministry

The Spurgeon Story

1834

Born in Kelvedon, Essex

Charles Haddon Spurgeon was born on June 19, 1834, in Kelvedon, Essex, England, to a Nonconformist minister.

1835

Stays with Grandparents

Spurgeon spent formative years with his grandfather, a Congregationalist pastor, deeply shaping his early faith.

1849

Moves to Newmarket

Spurgeon moved to Newmarket to study at a school, continuing his voracious reading and self-education in theology.

1850

Conversion at Age 15

On a snowy January morning, a lay preacher's words on Isaiah 45:22 — "Look unto me, and be ye saved" — changed his life forever.

1851

First Sermon Preached

At 16, Spurgeon preached his first sermon in a cottage at Teversham and quickly became known for his gifts.

1852

Pastor at Waterbeach

At just 17, Spurgeon became pastor of the Waterbeach Baptist Chapel, transforming a small village congregation.

1854

Called to New Park Street

At 19, Spurgeon was called to the historic New Park Street Chapel in London. Crowds quickly outgrew the building.

1856

Surrey Gardens Music Hall

Services moved to the Surrey Gardens Music Hall, drawing over 10,000 — and marking a tragedy when a false alarm caused a stampede.

1856

Founding of Pastors' College

Spurgeon begins his pastoral training effort, which becomes the Pastors' College, leading to hundreds of pastors being equipped.

1857

Preaches to 23,000

Spurgeon preached to an estimated 23,654 people at the Crystal Palace — one of the largest crowds ever addressed by a single voice.

1861

Metropolitan Tabernacle Opens

The Metropolitan Tabernacle, seating 6,000, opened its doors and became the epicenter of his ministry for three decades.

1867

Stockwell Orphanage Founded

Spurgeon opened the Stockwell Orphanage, eventually housing and educating over 500 children at a time.

1865

Sword & Trowel Magazine

He launched The Sword and the Trowel, a monthly magazine sharing sermons, reviews, and ministry news.

1887

Downgrade Controversy

Spurgeon withdrew from the Baptist Union over doctrinal compromise, a courageous stand that cost him many friendships.

1892

Legacy Endures

Spurgeon passed into glory on January 31, 1892. He left 63 volumes of sermons, 135+ books, and a legacy shaping the church worldwide.

The Spurgeon Library

~6,000

volumes from his personal collection

Visit in Person

The Spurgeon
Library

Located at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, the Spurgeon Library houses one of the world's most significant collections of Spurgeon's books and artifacts — including nearly 6,000 volumes from Spurgeon's personal library, many containing his own handwritten annotations.

Scholars, pastors, students, and Spurgeon enthusiasts are warmly welcomed to visit, research, and experience this treasure firsthand.

Location

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
5001 N Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64118

Tours

Schedule your visit with Spurgeon Library staff

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Study Theology Where Spurgeon Is Celebrated

Deepen your calling through an MDiv or Doctoral program at MBTS, where the Prince of Preachers' legacy shapes pastoral formation. Visit campus and see for yourself.

Visit MBTS.edu