WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:01:06.667 [music] 00:01:06.667 --> 00:01:09.000 (Spurgeon) I had never felt so wretched and miserable. 00:01:11.700 --> 00:01:15.533 Guilt and despair wrapped me around like a cloak, 00:01:15.533 --> 00:01:18.832 a heavy black stifling cloak. 00:01:18.832 --> 00:01:22.533 Aye, even though I was yet a lad of fifteen I knew well 00:01:22.533 --> 00:01:25.000 the sin and evil that lurked in my young heart. 00:01:27.799 --> 00:01:31.866 I sought relief, oh, how I sought it. 00:01:31.867 --> 00:01:34.767 I prayed, I read my bible, I went to church, 00:01:34.766 --> 00:01:37.099 twice every Sunday. 00:01:37.099 --> 00:01:39.332 But instead of relief I got the whip. 00:01:42.299 --> 00:01:46.266 Others could talk, tearful eyed of their Lord's forgiveness, 00:01:46.266 --> 00:01:48.632 I could not. 00:01:48.632 --> 00:01:51.099 He was to me a harsh taskmaster. 00:01:56.266 --> 00:01:58.799 I was desperate to find shelter. 00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:01.632 I'd been to most of the churches in Colchester, 00:02:01.632 --> 00:02:04.099 but not Artillery Street Chapel. 00:02:04.099 --> 00:02:06.966 It was Methodist but I was too cold to care. 00:02:10.532 --> 00:02:17.566 ♪...the trump of God shall sound, rejoice ♪ 00:02:20.832 --> 00:02:23.699 (Preacher) The text for the week is from the Old Testament, 00:02:23.699 --> 00:02:26.099 and the mighty prophet Isaiah 00:02:26.099 --> 00:02:28.432 and what a wonderful text it is, 00:02:28.432 --> 00:02:31.900 for it is the very gospel in a nutshell. 00:02:31.900 --> 00:02:35.300 Isaiah chapter 45 and verse 22. 00:02:35.300 --> 00:02:37.567 A dozen words dear friends, 00:02:37.567 --> 00:02:43.033 a dozen words that can save our souls if we pay heed to them: 00:02:43.032 --> 00:02:49.032 "Look unto me and be saved, all the ends of the earth." 00:02:49.032 --> 00:02:53.532 My dear friends, this is indeed a simple text. 00:02:53.532 --> 00:02:55.966 For it says "look." 00:02:55.967 --> 00:02:58.267 Now looking don't take a lot of work. 00:02:58.266 --> 00:03:01.067 It's not like lifting your foot or your finger. 00:03:01.067 --> 00:03:03.332 It is just, "look." 00:03:03.332 --> 00:03:06.733 You don't have go to college to learn how to look. 00:03:06.733 --> 00:03:09.900 (Spurgeon) Strange how God takes the most unlikely people 00:03:09.900 --> 00:03:12.500 and uses them for His purposes. 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:15.633 He was doing it with this preacher, bless his heart. 00:03:15.633 --> 00:03:17.400 And little did I know then 00:03:17.400 --> 00:03:19.367 that he was planning to do it with me 00:03:19.366 --> 00:03:21.766 in ways that my young imagination 00:03:21.766 --> 00:03:24.332 could never have dreamed. 00:03:24.332 --> 00:03:27.133 Many of you are looking to yourselves, 00:03:27.133 --> 00:03:29.832 there's no use looking there. 00:03:29.832 --> 00:03:34.966 You'll never find comfort in yourselves. 00:03:34.967 --> 00:03:38.833 You will only find darkness and despair. 00:03:38.832 --> 00:03:42.633 You need the light 00:03:42.633 --> 00:03:45.233 and there is only one who is that light. 00:03:45.233 --> 00:03:49.733 That is why Jesus Christ says "Look to Me. 00:03:49.733 --> 00:03:53.400 Look to me, I am all that you need." 00:03:59.400 --> 00:04:01.733 This is Artillery Street in Colchester, 00:04:01.733 --> 00:04:04.800 and down here is the chapel where our 15 year old teenager 00:04:04.800 --> 00:04:06.367 sheltered from the cold. 00:04:08.266 --> 00:04:09.966 What happened here would have an impact 00:04:09.967 --> 00:04:13.400 felt, not just across Britain, but across the whole world. 00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:16.399 An impact, whose ripples are still reaching us today 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:18.399 over a century after his death. 00:04:20.666 --> 00:04:23.332 Yet his story is bang up to date. 00:04:23.333 --> 00:04:25.000 It's one we're all familiar with: 00:04:25.000 --> 00:04:27.132 an unknown country boy who arrives in the city 00:04:27.132 --> 00:04:29.032 to find fame and romance, 00:04:29.033 --> 00:04:30.967 who struggles to overcome his weaknesses, 00:04:30.966 --> 00:04:34.399 and then is driven by his convictions to make a stand 00:04:34.399 --> 00:04:38.132 which leaves him isolated and ridiculed by the media. 00:04:40.833 --> 00:04:44.767 Charles Haddon Spurgeon was to become no ordinary preacher. 00:04:44.766 --> 00:04:48.666 Our teenager was destined to become the "people's preacher", 00:04:48.666 --> 00:04:50.299 and one of the most influential figures 00:04:50.300 --> 00:04:51.733 in Queen Victoria's reign. 00:05:19.333 --> 00:05:23.700 On June 19, 1834, in this cottage here in Kelvedon, 00:05:23.699 --> 00:05:25.866 nineteen year old Eliza Spurgeon 00:05:25.867 --> 00:05:29.333 gave birth to her first born son, Charles. 00:05:29.333 --> 00:05:34.533 Eliza had 16 children but 9 of them died in infancy. 00:05:34.533 --> 00:05:37.100 Eliza was a source of great inspiration to Charles. 00:05:37.100 --> 00:05:39.433 Indeed his younger brother James once said that 00:05:39.432 --> 00:05:42.800 "she was the starting point of any goodness, or any greatness 00:05:42.800 --> 00:05:46.766 which any of us, by the grace of God enjoyed." 00:05:46.766 --> 00:05:48.932 But his father John and grandfather James 00:05:48.932 --> 00:05:51.199 were also sources of great inspiration. 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:52.932 They were both preachers. 00:05:52.932 --> 00:05:56.033 In fact the Spurgeons came from a long line of preachers. 00:05:56.033 --> 00:05:58.932 So right from the start young Charles had preachers, 00:05:58.932 --> 00:06:03.132 Bibles and pulpits very much in his blood. 00:06:03.132 --> 00:06:06.032 But the family had financial problems. 00:06:06.033 --> 00:06:08.133 By the time Charles was eighteen months old 00:06:08.132 --> 00:06:11.766 they just couldn't cope so they arranged for his grandfather 00:06:11.766 --> 00:06:16.932 to look after him at his home in Stambourne 20 miles away. 00:06:16.932 --> 00:06:19.733 James Spurgeon was the minister of Stambourne Meeting House 00:06:19.733 --> 00:06:21.733 which was just next door. 00:06:21.733 --> 00:06:25.199 His 17 year old daughter Ann became like a mother to Charles 00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:28.567 and her influence was as great as a natural mother. 00:06:28.567 --> 00:06:30.600 And it was here, that he discovered something 00:06:30.600 --> 00:06:34.000 that was to become a major part of his life. 00:06:46.367 --> 00:06:47.432 (Spurgeon) Books! 00:06:47.432 --> 00:06:52.399 I loved books - the smell of them, the feel of them. 00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:55.799 My grandfather had hundreds written by Puritan writers 00:06:55.800 --> 00:06:57.900 of an earlier age and full of the theology 00:06:57.899 --> 00:07:00.666 that became my meat and drink. 00:07:00.666 --> 00:07:02.232 I could not yet read - 00:07:02.233 --> 00:07:03.533 it was the pictures that captured 00:07:03.533 --> 00:07:05.400 my childish imagination. 00:07:09.800 --> 00:07:13.000 One book in particular drew me again and again. 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:15.533 It was written by an unlearned tinker while in prison 00:07:15.533 --> 00:07:17.733 for preaching the Gospel. 00:07:17.733 --> 00:07:18.932 Next to my Bible, 00:07:18.932 --> 00:07:23.332 John Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress is my most read book. 00:07:23.333 --> 00:07:25.200 Its plain language and earthy characters 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:26.500 left their mark upon me. 00:07:32.632 --> 00:07:34.666 (Presenter) After five idyllic years at Stambourne 00:07:34.666 --> 00:07:37.032 the young Spurgeon moved to Colcester. 00:07:37.033 --> 00:07:38.199 He was six. 00:07:40.632 --> 00:07:43.567 Charles' father was well known as a local preacher, 00:07:43.567 --> 00:07:46.067 and when they moved to a larger house here in Hythe Hill, 00:07:46.067 --> 00:07:48.800 Charles was able to rejoin them. 00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:50.266 The original house has long gone, 00:07:50.266 --> 00:07:52.332 but some of the buildings still remain. 00:07:59.233 --> 00:08:01.699 Charles really missed his Aunty Ann and his Grandfather, 00:08:01.699 --> 00:08:03.199 they'd become very close. 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:05.733 But his new home, which was situated just here, 00:08:05.733 --> 00:08:09.033 was just as warm and welcoming, full of the warmth and security 00:08:09.033 --> 00:08:12.333 that all young boys need but rarely admit to. 00:08:12.333 --> 00:08:14.933 Charles was a hero to his younger brother and his sisters 00:08:14.932 --> 00:08:16.832 who were his adoring congregation 00:08:16.833 --> 00:08:19.200 whenever he played at church. 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:21.899 Did he ever dream that one day he'd be doing it for real? 00:08:27.666 --> 00:08:29.932 (Spurgeon) I was truly blessed. 00:08:29.932 --> 00:08:32.167 I was surrounded by love. 00:08:32.167 --> 00:08:35.333 My family all had a lively faith in the Lord. 00:08:35.332 --> 00:08:38.399 They knew Him, and I wished with all my heart 00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:40.932 that I could know Him too. 00:08:40.932 --> 00:08:44.799 But I was a sinner, and I loved my sin. 00:08:44.799 --> 00:08:48.599 No one knew of my despair, of the turmoil, the emptiness, 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:51.133 the blackness that possessed me. 00:08:51.133 --> 00:08:56.133 I kept it all to myself for five long years. 00:08:56.133 --> 00:09:00.466 I yearned, I so yearned for his loving embrace. 00:09:00.466 --> 00:09:03.500 But I feared his piercing eye that saw the sin in me. 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:16.867 That Sabbath morn, 00:09:16.866 --> 00:09:19.832 a battle was raging in my broken heart. 00:09:19.832 --> 00:09:26.866 Young man, you, yes you, you look very miserable - 00:09:26.866 --> 00:09:29.000 you always will be miserable - 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:33.866 miserable in life, miserable in death if you don't obey my text; 00:09:33.866 --> 00:09:38.533 but obey now, and you will find what you are seeking. 00:09:38.533 --> 00:09:40.466 All you need do is look. 00:09:40.466 --> 00:09:42.832 There is nothing else for you to do. 00:09:42.832 --> 00:09:45.432 He has carried away your sin. 00:09:45.432 --> 00:09:48.466 Look and live. 00:09:48.466 --> 00:09:50.633 I heard His voice. 00:09:50.633 --> 00:09:53.167 (Spurgeon) Aye, they may have been the halting words 00:09:53.167 --> 00:09:57.733 of a simple country preacher but I heard His voice. 00:09:57.732 --> 00:10:01.000 He was speaking to me - to me. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:03.366 I felt His arms wrap me around. 00:10:03.366 --> 00:10:06.132 I was enclosed in His love. 00:10:06.133 --> 00:10:12.400 Gone, gone was my despair, gone was my guilt, gone was my fear. 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:18.932 I was His, and He was mine, my blessed Jesus. 00:10:29.667 --> 00:10:34.966 (Presenter) Six months later Spurgeon came here - the River Lark. 00:10:34.966 --> 00:10:39.100 It was used as a ferry crossing for the people of Isleham. 00:10:39.100 --> 00:10:41.500 As he'd studied his Bible, 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:45.466 he'd become convinced of the need to be baptized. 00:10:45.466 --> 00:10:49.533 So, spurning his Independent Church upbringing, 00:10:49.533 --> 00:10:52.167 which didn't believe in adult baptism, 00:10:52.167 --> 00:10:55.100 he joined with local Baptists 00:10:55.100 --> 00:10:58.867 and publicly and nervously declared his faith 00:10:58.866 --> 00:11:02.899 and was baptized right here on May the 3rd, 1850. 00:11:08.232 --> 00:11:10.666 (Spurgeon) The wind blew down the river with a cutting blast 00:11:10.667 --> 00:11:13.600 as my turn came to wade into the water. 00:11:13.600 --> 00:11:15.899 But after I had walked a few steps, 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:17.632 and saw the people on the ferry boat 00:11:17.633 --> 00:11:19.466 and on the river banks, 00:11:19.466 --> 00:11:23.199 I felt as if heaven and earth and hell might all watch me, 00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:24.733 for I was not ashamed, 00:11:24.732 --> 00:11:30.066 then and there to declare myself a follower of the Lamb. 00:11:30.067 --> 00:11:32.133 My timidity was washed away. 00:11:32.133 --> 00:11:34.733 It floated down the river into the sea. 00:11:34.732 --> 00:11:37.232 Baptism loosed my tongue, 00:11:37.232 --> 00:11:39.132 and from that day it has never been quiet. 00:11:52.732 --> 00:11:54.432 (Presenter) Spurgeon was now living in Cambridge 00:11:54.432 --> 00:11:56.533 where he continued his studies. 00:11:56.533 --> 00:11:59.767 He was also doing some tutoring to earn some much needed cash. 00:12:03.767 --> 00:12:07.133 St. Andrew's Street Baptist church was his spiritual home. 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:11.600 He quickly gained a reputation as an excellent 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:13.200 Sunday school teacher, 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:16.600 so much so that his classes were full not just with children, 00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:17.700 but also with adults. 00:12:17.700 --> 00:12:20.067 He had a rare ability for being able to explain 00:12:20.067 --> 00:12:21.832 the deep truths of God 00:12:21.832 --> 00:12:24.666 in a way the man in the street could understand. 00:12:29.866 --> 00:12:33.033 Spurgeon was still to preach his first sermon on a Sunday 00:12:33.033 --> 00:12:35.300 but someone was very keen that he should. 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:38.832 James Vinter, affectionately known as Bishop Vinter 00:12:38.832 --> 00:12:41.699 was president of the local Preacher's Association. 00:12:41.700 --> 00:12:43.867 He was always on the lookout for new recruits. 00:12:43.866 --> 00:12:47.666 He had Spurgeon in his sights and he had a plan. 00:12:55.767 --> 00:12:57.100 Well my friend, 00:12:57.100 --> 00:12:59.966 I trust we shall have a good congregation this evening 00:12:59.966 --> 00:13:03.766 and I pray you will know the Lord's enabling as you preach. 00:13:03.767 --> 00:13:05.667 As I preach? 00:13:05.667 --> 00:13:09.932 You are mistaken my fiend, you are tonight's preacher! 00:13:09.932 --> 00:13:11.932 No no, not me. 00:13:11.932 --> 00:13:13.766 I am here to encourage you brother. 00:13:13.767 --> 00:13:16.533 Bishop Vinter told me - said you were nervous of speaking 00:13:16.533 --> 00:13:17.932 and would enjoy some company. 00:13:17.932 --> 00:13:22.500 He told me you were to preach - your first time. 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:27.167 He requested I come to support you and steady your nerves. 00:13:27.167 --> 00:13:29.399 The thought of speaking fills me with dread 00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:31.600 and anyway, I have nothing prepared. 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:34.399 And I also am not prepared. 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:36.732 If you do not speak, these good folks shall have nothing. 00:13:40.732 --> 00:13:44.632 Why not give them one of your Sunday school talks? 00:13:44.633 --> 00:13:49.267 Oh now I am in dread! 00:13:49.267 --> 00:13:53.367 Brother, allow me some quiet while I think of what to say 00:13:53.366 --> 00:13:55.966 and what I shall say to Bishop Vinter when I next see him. 00:14:12.067 --> 00:14:14.533 (Presenter) The service was to be held in a farmer's cottage 00:14:14.533 --> 00:14:17.600 at the village of Teversham near Cambridge. 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:21.067 The people waiting had no idea they were about to hear someone 00:14:21.067 --> 00:14:24.233 who was to become the most famous preacher in the land. 00:14:36.932 --> 00:14:42.466 My good friends, thank you for your very kind hospitality. 00:14:42.466 --> 00:14:45.766 We have enjoyed food for our bodies, 00:14:45.767 --> 00:14:48.933 now young master Spurgeon here is going to give us 00:14:48.932 --> 00:14:50.700 food for our souls. 00:15:00.232 --> 00:15:02.932 (Spurgeon) The folk gathered were kind and generous. 00:15:02.932 --> 00:15:05.266 They did not notice my shaking knees, 00:15:05.267 --> 00:15:08.067 or hear my pounding heart. 00:15:08.067 --> 00:15:11.733 But as I stood up to speak it was as though God himself 00:15:11.732 --> 00:15:15.466 stood by me and gave me a boldness and an assurance 00:15:15.466 --> 00:15:18.067 such as I had not known before. 00:15:18.067 --> 00:15:22.533 The apostle Peter in his second letter declares, 00:15:22.533 --> 00:15:27.533 "To you who believe, He, meaning Jesus Christ, 00:15:27.533 --> 00:15:30.233 is precious." 00:15:30.232 --> 00:15:33.399 He is precious! 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:37.667 I wonder what are those things that we hold as being precious? 00:15:37.667 --> 00:15:40.667 It is surely not those things that are merely valuable, 00:15:40.667 --> 00:15:43.367 or those things that are special 00:15:43.366 --> 00:15:46.067 but those things which are unique; 00:15:46.067 --> 00:15:48.500 those things of which there is not another 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:50.732 and not a better. 00:15:50.732 --> 00:15:54.032 Does that not describe our savior? 00:15:54.033 --> 00:15:58.200 There is none more valuable, none more special, none better. 00:15:58.200 --> 00:16:03.167 But most important of all, there is none other. 00:16:03.167 --> 00:16:06.500 In the book of Acts we read that there is no other name 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:10.633 given under heaven whereby man can be saved. 00:16:10.633 --> 00:16:13.367 Are these not wonderfully liberating words, 00:16:13.366 --> 00:16:16.932 words which free us from the shackles of religion? 00:16:16.932 --> 00:16:22.100 Think upon this my friends; if Jesus Christ alone saves us 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:25.600 then it follows that no amount of charitable works can do it. 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:28.133 No giving of all we have to the poor can do it, 00:16:28.133 --> 00:16:30.767 no church attending, Bible reading, 00:16:30.767 --> 00:16:33.300 not even our prayers can do it. 00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:35.832 Only Jesus. 00:16:35.832 --> 00:16:39.332 You may be the kindest, most righteous person 00:16:39.332 --> 00:16:40.466 in all of Teversham. 00:16:40.466 --> 00:16:42.899 But your good living cannot do it. 00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:45.899 You may be the greatest sinner, and repent of your sins 00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:49.966 every day, every hour, yet that cannot do it. 00:16:49.966 --> 00:16:52.167 Only Jesus. 00:16:52.167 --> 00:16:56.000 Only Jesus, the precious one. 00:16:56.000 --> 00:17:00.133 But, you might ask, how, how does He do it? 00:17:00.133 --> 00:17:02.167 How does He save us. 00:17:02.167 --> 00:17:10.932 The great prophet Isaiah tells us: "Look to Him, and be saved." 00:17:10.932 --> 00:17:14.200 Look, look, just look. 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:16.033 So simple. 00:17:16.032 --> 00:17:17.932 Anyone can look. 00:17:17.932 --> 00:17:20.267 The prince and the pauper can look, 00:17:20.267 --> 00:17:22.400 the sinner and the saint can look, 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:25.900 the grandfather and the grandson can look. 00:17:25.900 --> 00:17:29.800 A year ago I was such a one, who looked. 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:36.299 I simply looked, and trusted Him Who is precious, to save me. 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:43.067 Tonight in this cottage, you can look, and you can be saved. 00:17:43.067 --> 00:17:49.967 And as you look and trust, He will become to you precious, 00:17:49.967 --> 00:17:51.432 precious beyond measure. 00:17:54.333 --> 00:17:56.300 Bless your dear heart. 00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:57.767 And, how old are you? 00:17:57.767 --> 00:18:01.866 I am under sixty! 00:18:01.866 --> 00:18:04.966 Yes, and under 16 more like. 00:18:04.967 --> 00:18:06.733 Never you mind my age, 00:18:06.732 --> 00:18:09.932 just you think of the Lord Jesus and His preciousness. 00:18:09.932 --> 00:18:12.967 Now let us bring our service to a close as we sing that hymn, 00:18:12.967 --> 00:18:15.200 "Blessed be the tie that binds." 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:27.767 ♪ Blessed be the tie that binds...♪ 00:18:27.767 --> 00:18:30.366 All over Cambridgeshire, the teenage Spurgeon 00:18:30.366 --> 00:18:32.599 won people's hearts as he preached in chapels, 00:18:32.599 --> 00:18:34.299 villages, cottages, 00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:36.166 wherever people could get to hear him. 00:18:36.166 --> 00:18:39.599 Here at Waterbeach, the church has been rebuilt since then, 00:18:39.599 --> 00:18:42.000 he preached on two consecutive Sundays. 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:43.166 He was such a hit, 00:18:43.166 --> 00:18:45.399 the people asked him to become their pastor. 00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:47.133 He was just 17 years of age. 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:53.200 The village was notorious for profanity and drunkenness. 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:57.000 But, as Spurgeon himself was later to write... 00:18:57.000 --> 00:19:00.666 (Spurgeon) In a short time the little thatched chapel was crammed, 00:19:00.666 --> 00:19:02.399 the biggest vagabonds of the village 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:04.400 were weeping floods of tears, 00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:06.233 and those who had been the curse of the parish 00:19:06.232 --> 00:19:07.732 became its blessing. 00:19:07.732 --> 00:19:09.767 I can say with joy and happiness 00:19:09.767 --> 00:19:12.133 that from one end of the village to the other, 00:19:12.133 --> 00:19:14.333 at the hour of eventide, one might have heard 00:19:14.333 --> 00:19:16.867 the voice of song coming from every roof, 00:19:16.866 --> 00:19:19.532 and echoing from every heart. 00:19:19.532 --> 00:19:22.199 And it was here that Spurgeon won his first convert. 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:23.799 She was a laborer's wife, 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:27.567 and he saw it as God's seal upon his ministry. 00:19:27.567 --> 00:19:31.099 The final thing I want to say to you is Psalm 37. 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:33.500 Delight yourself in the Lord. 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:35.299 If anybody had said to me, 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:37.567 someone has left you 20,000 pounds 00:19:37.567 --> 00:19:39.767 I should not have given tuppence for it 00:19:39.767 --> 00:19:41.900 compared with the joy I felt 00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:45.932 when I was told God had saved a soul though my ministry. 00:19:45.932 --> 00:19:49.932 Lord Jesus thank you for this blessed woman. 00:19:49.932 --> 00:19:52.567 Thank you for what she has prayed today in her heart. 00:19:52.567 --> 00:19:55.400 I felt like a boy who had earned his first guinea, 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:58.233 or like a diver who had been down to the depths of the sea, 00:19:58.232 --> 00:19:59.500 and brought up a great pearl. 00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:05.366 Spurgeon was now preaching 3 times on Sundays, 00:20:05.366 --> 00:20:08.633 and 5 times during the week. 00:20:08.633 --> 00:20:11.467 For someone still a teenager, the respect and adulation 00:20:11.467 --> 00:20:14.833 could have gone to his head and he was aware of it. 00:20:14.833 --> 00:20:17.333 He well remembered the day that God spoke to him 00:20:17.333 --> 00:20:20.267 about the dangers of a proud heart. 00:20:20.267 --> 00:20:24.799 It's from Jeremiah where he asks Baruch, his ambitious secretary, 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:28.399 "Do you seek great things for yourself?" 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:32.100 And then he says, "Seek them not." 00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:35.966 The words struck right into his soul and he remembered them 00:20:35.967 --> 00:20:38.367 for the rest of his life. 00:20:38.366 --> 00:20:40.633 But for now, with his increasing success, 00:20:40.633 --> 00:20:42.866 some were jealous of him. 00:20:42.866 --> 00:20:44.399 If only they knew what lay ahead! 00:20:59.067 --> 00:21:02.732 (Spurgeon) God in His goodness blessed my time at Waterbeach. 00:21:02.732 --> 00:21:05.832 Oh yes, I blundered, I often blundered, 00:21:05.833 --> 00:21:06.900 but I was well loved 00:21:06.900 --> 00:21:09.833 by the people who readily forgave their youthful pastor. 00:21:16.532 --> 00:21:19.599 My young brother James became a Barnabas to me, 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:22.399 full of godly wisdom and encouragement. 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:23.400 I had much to learn. 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:29.766 (James) When I drove my brother about the country to preach, 00:21:29.767 --> 00:21:32.700 I thought then as I thought ever since, 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:36.067 what an extraordinary preacher he was. 00:21:36.067 --> 00:21:38.067 What feeling and power 00:21:38.067 --> 00:21:40.666 I remember in some of those early speeches! 00:21:40.666 --> 00:21:44.032 The effect upon the people I have never known exceeded 00:21:44.032 --> 00:21:46.132 in after years. 00:21:46.133 --> 00:21:49.500 He seemed to have leaped full grown into the pulpit. 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:53.000 The breadth and brilliance of those early sermons, 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:56.866 and the power that God's Holy Spirit evidently gave to him, 00:21:56.866 --> 00:21:59.166 made him perfectly marvelous. 00:22:09.432 --> 00:22:12.200 (Presenter) On the last Sunday of November 1853 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:14.833 a letter arrived which was to change Spurgeon's life. 00:22:18.866 --> 00:22:21.200 It was an invitation from New Park Street Chapel 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:24.067 in south London to preach with a view to becoming 00:22:24.067 --> 00:22:24.833 their new pastor. 00:22:28.467 --> 00:22:30.767 Surely it was a mistake. 00:22:30.767 --> 00:22:33.732 Did they realize how young he was? 00:22:33.732 --> 00:22:35.866 A second letter confirmed the invitation. 00:22:38.567 --> 00:22:41.067 Spurgeon had mixed feelings about going. 00:22:41.067 --> 00:22:42.467 He loved the country. 00:22:42.467 --> 00:22:46.432 But God was calling, it was a matter of obedience. 00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:58.466 London was the center of the world 00:22:58.467 --> 00:23:01.733 and home for its most powerful monarch. 00:23:01.732 --> 00:23:03.099 The young Queen Victoria 00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:06.666 reigned over a rapidly expanding empire. 00:23:06.666 --> 00:23:09.866 International travel was the latest thing. 00:23:09.866 --> 00:23:13.267 It was an exhilarating time. 00:23:13.267 --> 00:23:15.900 New inventions and discoveries were being made, 00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:18.567 almost weekly it seemed. 00:23:18.567 --> 00:23:21.932 The medical world was being transformed by the discovery 00:23:21.932 --> 00:23:25.532 of antiseptics and anesthesia. 00:23:25.532 --> 00:23:28.000 The Industrial Revolution was in full swing, 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:30.967 changing the lives of millions. 00:23:30.967 --> 00:23:33.932 But not always for the better especially in London. 00:23:38.532 --> 00:23:41.067 (Spurgeon) I hated London. 00:23:41.067 --> 00:23:48.133 I hated the noise, the rush, the crowds, and the stink. 00:23:48.133 --> 00:23:51.667 They told me 3 million people lived here 00:23:51.666 --> 00:23:57.399 and I saw some of them; the rich with their fine clothes. 00:23:57.400 --> 00:24:00.767 You could smell them coming with their fancy perfumes. 00:24:00.767 --> 00:24:04.232 And you could smell the poor beggars they passed by. 00:24:04.232 --> 00:24:07.099 But the sight that choked me most was the orphans, 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:08.966 thousands of them they said. 00:24:08.967 --> 00:24:11.267 No where to go except the streets, 00:24:11.267 --> 00:24:12.732 no one to care for them. 00:24:12.732 --> 00:24:16.899 Scrawny chickens they were, starving, filthy, wretched, 00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:19.800 begging and thieving to stay alive. 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:22.332 Where was the conscience of the people? 00:24:22.333 --> 00:24:24.932 How could they permit such evil to flourish. 00:24:28.967 --> 00:24:32.000 Oh how I hated London. 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:34.299 Had God called me to this? 00:24:39.366 --> 00:24:41.133 It was nearly Christmas. 00:24:41.133 --> 00:24:42.900 Spurgeon was lonely. 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:45.267 He desperately missed home and family. 00:24:45.267 --> 00:24:47.967 The church didn't offer him any hospitality. 00:24:47.967 --> 00:24:50.367 They put him up in a boarding house here in Queens Square 00:24:50.366 --> 00:24:51.799 in Bloomsbury. 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:54.932 It wasn't nearly so posh then. 00:24:54.932 --> 00:24:56.467 He was miserable. 00:24:56.467 --> 00:24:59.533 His room was the size of a broom cupboard. 00:24:59.532 --> 00:25:02.666 His fellow boarders taunted him cruelly about his appearance 00:25:02.666 --> 00:25:04.666 and his strange accent. 00:25:04.666 --> 00:25:06.799 Their boasting about London's wonderful preachers 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:10.000 made him feel even more depressed and inadequate. 00:25:14.267 --> 00:25:18.333 (Spurgeon) I had no friend in all that city full of human beings, 00:25:18.333 --> 00:25:21.267 and to escape safely to the serene abodes of Cambridge 00:25:21.267 --> 00:25:23.667 and Waterbeach seemed like Eden itself. 00:25:29.732 --> 00:25:32.067 I'm at the site of New Park Street Chapel, 00:25:32.067 --> 00:25:33.767 just south of the River Thames. 00:25:33.767 --> 00:25:35.432 It was one of the Baptist Union's 00:25:35.432 --> 00:25:37.833 most influential churches. 00:25:37.833 --> 00:25:40.500 For nearly 200 years it drew a good sized congregation 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:42.866 to its large sanctuary. 00:25:42.866 --> 00:25:46.200 But with the building of new roads and factories 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:48.133 its location worked against it. 00:25:48.133 --> 00:25:49.900 It was often flooded. 00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:53.400 As one of the pastors once said "A more depressing, uninviting 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:56.333 "and repelling region than where the chapel is situated 00:25:56.333 --> 00:25:58.867 I have seldom explored." 00:25:58.866 --> 00:26:02.200 The people moved out and the church lost its congregation. 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:05.799 It dwindled from about 1200 to just a handful. 00:26:05.799 --> 00:26:08.832 Its decline had become an embarrassment to the Baptists. 00:26:08.833 --> 00:26:11.833 It was hoped that Charles Spurgeon would stop the rot. 00:26:15.432 --> 00:26:19.067 And so on Sunday the 18th of December, 1853, 00:26:19.067 --> 00:26:21.000 a very nervous Spurgeon made his way 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:24.467 to New Park Street Chapel. 00:26:24.467 --> 00:26:25.932 It was far bigger and grander 00:26:25.932 --> 00:26:28.567 than anywhere he had preached before. 00:26:28.567 --> 00:26:31.532 Some of the great Baptists, heroes to Spurgeon, 00:26:31.532 --> 00:26:33.866 had preached here. 00:26:33.866 --> 00:26:36.099 He wondered how he could have had the temerity 00:26:36.099 --> 00:26:37.666 to accept the invitation. 00:26:41.232 --> 00:26:44.299 But the glory days had passed and on that morning, 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:46.532 he spoke to an almost empty church. 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:50.432 Good morning dear friends. 00:26:50.432 --> 00:26:54.267 My text this morning is from James. 00:26:54.267 --> 00:27:01.833 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, 00:27:01.833 --> 00:27:06.067 and cometh down from the father of lights." 00:27:06.067 --> 00:27:07.866 (Presenter) No one imagined that the preacher would become 00:27:07.866 --> 00:27:10.932 the perfect illustration of the text, 00:27:10.932 --> 00:27:14.666 least of all Spurgeon who just wanted to go home. 00:27:14.666 --> 00:27:17.666 And this verse speaks very clearly to us 00:27:17.666 --> 00:27:20.899 about Who we are to aim our thanks towards. 00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:26.500 Not to ourselves, not to our brothers, but to our Father. 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:28.166 (Presenter) But something happened. 00:27:28.166 --> 00:27:31.000 The congregation was riveted. 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:32.833 This was preaching the like of which 00:27:32.833 --> 00:27:36.467 they had never heard before and they loved it. 00:27:36.467 --> 00:27:39.700 Word went out, and that evening the church was full of people 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:43.000 hungry for God, and here was someone who could feed them 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:45.799 and he a mere teenager. 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:51.799 Psalm 37: "Delight thyself also in the Lord, 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:56.732 and He shall give thee the desires of thy heart." 00:27:56.732 --> 00:27:58.666 (Presenter) Urged on by the congregation, 00:27:58.666 --> 00:28:01.866 the deacons asked Spurgeon to come again. 00:28:01.866 --> 00:28:07.166 The key is not in chasing the desires of our heart. 00:28:07.166 --> 00:28:10.332 The key is in chasing the Lord. 00:28:14.333 --> 00:28:17.333 (Spurgeon) When I trudged back to the Queen's Square lodging, 00:28:17.333 --> 00:28:20.533 I was not alone, and I no longer looked on Londoners 00:28:20.532 --> 00:28:22.532 as hard-hearted heathen. 00:28:22.532 --> 00:28:24.266 My attitude changed. 00:28:24.267 --> 00:28:27.000 I wanted no pity of anyone; I did not care a penny 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:30.732 for the young gentlemen lodgers and their miraculous ministers, 00:28:30.732 --> 00:28:32.432 nor for the grind of cabs, 00:28:32.432 --> 00:28:34.000 nor for anything else under the sun. 00:28:39.333 --> 00:28:41.500 (Presenter) Within 4 months the church had decided 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:43.866 Spurgeon was their man. 00:28:43.866 --> 00:28:45.000 He was 19. 00:28:47.599 --> 00:28:51.399 In a letter to his grandfather at Stambourne he wrote: 00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:53.932 (Spurgeon) You have heard that I am now a Londoner, 00:28:53.932 --> 00:28:57.232 and a little bit of a celebrity. 00:28:57.232 --> 00:29:00.299 No college could have put me in a higher position. 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:03.767 Our place is one of the pinnacles of the denomination. 00:29:03.767 --> 00:29:05.600 But I have a great work to do, 00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:06.799 and have need of all the prayers 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:08.666 the sons of God can offer for me. 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:18.200 In just a couple of months the congregation increased 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:21.267 from 200 to nearly 2,000. 00:29:21.267 --> 00:29:24.432 They mostly from the middle class north side of the Thames. 00:29:24.432 --> 00:29:26.567 But neither the long distance nor the bridge toll 00:29:26.567 --> 00:29:27.732 put them off. 00:29:27.732 --> 00:29:30.200 At last, they had found someone who spoke about God 00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:32.432 in a way that they could understand. 00:29:32.432 --> 00:29:34.732 Most preachers of the day used the language 00:29:34.732 --> 00:29:38.067 of the intelligentsia - it was all a bit academic and dry. 00:29:38.067 --> 00:29:41.366 Spurgeon broke the mold with his down to earth style, 00:29:41.366 --> 00:29:43.200 using words that everybody could understand. 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:44.967 He made God real and relevant 00:29:44.967 --> 00:29:47.367 in a way few preachers of the day did. 00:29:51.866 --> 00:29:55.767 And what is the church but the bride of Christ; 00:29:55.767 --> 00:29:57.667 you and me dear friends. 00:29:57.666 --> 00:30:00.132 We are His beloved. 00:30:00.133 --> 00:30:02.600 (Presenter) But not everyone thought he was so wonderful, 00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:05.532 at least to begin with. 00:30:05.532 --> 00:30:10.032 Susannah Thompson was 22, 2 years older than Spurgeon, 00:30:10.032 --> 00:30:12.166 and was most unimpressed, 00:30:12.166 --> 00:30:16.399 but still came to hear the young man with the odd accent. 00:30:16.400 --> 00:30:19.167 Her presence didn't go unnoticed! 00:30:19.166 --> 00:30:24.399 And that is why marriage is such a sacred - 00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:28.867 such a sacred and honored thing. 00:30:28.866 --> 00:30:30.567 (Presenter) But she also had a problem. 00:30:30.567 --> 00:30:32.467 She had doubts about her faith 00:30:32.467 --> 00:30:35.867 and was uncertain if she was even a Christian. 00:30:35.866 --> 00:30:37.332 Spurgeon found out, 00:30:37.333 --> 00:30:40.500 and sent her a copy of Pilgim's Progress. 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:42.200 But he felt that they should get together 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:44.567 to "discuss" her problem. 00:30:47.532 --> 00:30:49.366 The occasion was the grand re-opening 00:30:49.366 --> 00:30:53.267 of the Crystal Palace on the 10th of June, 1854. 00:30:53.267 --> 00:30:58.567 And Spurgeon's interest wasn't only in her spiritual progress. 00:30:58.567 --> 00:31:02.732 My dear, I have been reading Tupper's 00:31:02.732 --> 00:31:07.032 "Proverbial Philosophy," very good I must say. 00:31:07.032 --> 00:31:10.366 I wanted to show you something. 00:31:10.366 --> 00:31:15.000 What do you think of the poet's suggestion in these verses? 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:17.599 Let me see. 00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:22.132 Ah "Seek a good wife from your God, 00:31:22.133 --> 00:31:28.000 "for she is the best gift of His providence; 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:31.833 "Yet do not demand that which He has not promised; 00:31:31.833 --> 00:31:33.267 "You know not what His will is, 00:31:33.267 --> 00:31:34.732 "so be submissive in your prayers, 00:31:34.732 --> 00:31:38.133 "and trust Him to answer your request as He sees fit, 00:31:38.133 --> 00:31:42.767 "assured that He will deal well with you. 00:31:42.767 --> 00:31:44.533 "If you are to have a wife of your youth, 00:31:44.532 --> 00:31:46.832 "she is now living on the earth. 00:31:46.833 --> 00:31:48.667 Therefore think of her, and pray for her." 00:31:53.732 --> 00:32:02.299 Do you pray for him who is to be your husband? 00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:05.067 I certainly pray for her who is to be my wife! 00:32:36.333 --> 00:32:39.733 (Susannah) The Lord surely has a sense of humor. 00:32:39.732 --> 00:32:42.133 That I should fall in love with this man, 00:32:42.133 --> 00:32:46.067 and with an accent that seemed more like an affliction. 00:32:46.067 --> 00:32:48.799 But that summer, as we went a courting, 00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:52.200 I knew in my heart I'd never find another. 00:33:00.032 --> 00:33:02.166 God knit our hearts together. 00:33:02.166 --> 00:33:07.799 He became to me my beloved and my pastor, for he delivered me 00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:10.200 from my doubting by his wise counsel. 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:36.467 We married the following winter, 00:33:36.467 --> 00:33:40.133 and ere long God blessed us with our darling twins 00:33:40.133 --> 00:33:44.133 Thomas and Charles. 00:33:44.133 --> 00:33:47.267 (Presenter) The twins were a great joy to Susannah and Charles 00:33:47.267 --> 00:33:50.467 who had the joy of seeing them enter the ministry, 00:33:50.467 --> 00:33:52.333 Thomas eventually becoming pastor 00:33:52.333 --> 00:33:53.900 of the Metropolitan Tabernacle. 00:33:56.900 --> 00:33:58.267 Spurgeon's preaching was attracting 00:33:58.267 --> 00:34:00.833 more and more people. 00:34:00.833 --> 00:34:01.932 NewPark Street Chapel 00:34:01.932 --> 00:34:04.467 was becoming dangerously overcrowded. 00:34:04.467 --> 00:34:06.867 Without proper ventilation it was also becoming 00:34:06.866 --> 00:34:08.233 increasingly unpleasant. 00:34:11.733 --> 00:34:13.833 The cramped and airless conditions were by now 00:34:13.833 --> 00:34:15.099 getting on his nerves 00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:18.132 but the deacons refused to do anything about it. 00:34:18.132 --> 00:34:21.166 Until that is, one particular Sunday. 00:34:21.166 --> 00:34:22.199 He'd had enough. 00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:24.500 He turned round and faced the wall behind his pulpit 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:27.800 and shouted, "By faith the walls of Jericho came down, 00:34:27.800 --> 00:34:31.533 and by faith this wall will come down too." 00:34:31.532 --> 00:34:33.266 The shocked deacons gave in, 00:34:33.266 --> 00:34:36.132 and readily agreed to extend the building. 00:34:36.132 --> 00:34:38.332 But now they had to find another building to worship in 00:34:38.333 --> 00:34:41.000 while the renovations were carried out. 00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:44.166 Their choice of location caused quite a stir. 00:34:46.632 --> 00:34:51.399 It was Exeter Hall in the heart of London's West End. 00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:53.200 Every Sunday, throughout the renovation, 00:34:53.199 --> 00:34:55.532 the streets around the hall were grid-locked 00:34:55.532 --> 00:34:59.299 with cabs and carriages taking people to hear Mr. Spurgeon. 00:35:04.266 --> 00:35:05.966 The place was packed. 00:35:05.967 --> 00:35:09.367 The people loved his populist style which many church leaders 00:35:09.367 --> 00:35:12.333 and the media regarded as vulgar. 00:35:12.333 --> 00:35:13.800 But he didn't care. 00:35:13.800 --> 00:35:16.733 If anything the by now, 21 year old preacher 00:35:16.733 --> 00:35:20.567 reveled in his new found notoriety. 00:35:20.567 --> 00:35:24.532 (Spurgeon) For myself I will rejoice, the devil is roused, 00:35:24.532 --> 00:35:26.532 the Church is awakening, 00:35:26.532 --> 00:35:29.932 and I am counted worthy to suffer for Christ's sake. 00:35:29.932 --> 00:35:32.333 Good ballast father, good ballast. 00:35:36.266 --> 00:35:40.132 I became that which I disdained - famous. 00:35:40.132 --> 00:35:42.199 I was in the limelight. 00:35:42.199 --> 00:35:45.832 It was a place of danger to my immortal soul. 00:35:45.833 --> 00:35:49.500 But God had his way of squashing my youthful pride. 00:35:49.500 --> 00:35:54.067 Whatever gifts I possessed, He had given me to serve Him. 00:35:54.067 --> 00:35:56.067 They were not mine. 00:35:56.067 --> 00:35:58.067 Oh there were some who saw my confidence 00:35:58.067 --> 00:36:00.000 as pride and arrogance. 00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:02.400 They did not see my trembling heart, 00:36:02.400 --> 00:36:04.767 so readily bruised by a harsh word. 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:10.599 I shall never forget when a slanderous report 00:36:10.599 --> 00:36:13.699 against my character came to me, 00:36:13.699 --> 00:36:16.132 and my heart was broken in agony. 00:36:16.132 --> 00:36:18.799 I knew that in preaching the gospel I had to be willing 00:36:18.800 --> 00:36:21.432 to become of no reputation. 00:36:21.432 --> 00:36:26.532 I said, "Master, I will not keep back even that from You. 00:36:26.532 --> 00:36:29.333 "If I must lose it, then I let it go; 00:36:29.333 --> 00:36:31.633 "it is the dearest thing I have, 00:36:31.632 --> 00:36:33.899 "but it shall go if, like my Master, 00:36:33.900 --> 00:36:36.599 "they shall say I have a devil and am mad; 00:36:36.599 --> 00:36:38.400 "or they accuse me like Him, 00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:42.666 of being a drunken man and a wine-bibber." 00:36:42.666 --> 00:36:45.532 Five months later, New Park Street Chapel re-opened 00:36:45.532 --> 00:36:47.500 now much brighter and roomier. 00:36:47.500 --> 00:36:50.266 The cabs and carriages did a roaring trade. 00:36:50.266 --> 00:36:52.266 On a Sunday morning they'd cruise around the city 00:36:52.266 --> 00:36:55.332 calling out, "Over the water to Charlie," 00:36:55.333 --> 00:36:57.400 and they very quickly filled up 00:36:57.400 --> 00:36:59.967 as did the 200 extra seats. 00:36:59.967 --> 00:37:04.599 By now they were back to square one with as Spurgeon said, 00:37:04.599 --> 00:37:07.666 a harvest much too rich for the barn. 00:37:07.666 --> 00:37:10.666 They put up with it for another year and then decided to do 00:37:10.666 --> 00:37:12.467 what they should have done in the first place, 00:37:12.467 --> 00:37:14.932 namely, build a bigger barn. 00:37:14.932 --> 00:37:17.666 So while the money was raised for the new building 00:37:17.666 --> 00:37:19.567 they moved back to Exeter Hall 00:37:19.567 --> 00:37:24.067 but even that couldn't cope with the increased crowds. 00:37:24.067 --> 00:37:27.367 So they then moved to the biggest indoor venue in London, 00:37:27.367 --> 00:37:28.900 the Surrey Gardens Music Hall. 00:37:35.000 --> 00:37:36.867 And it was here, that tragedy struck. 00:37:41.400 --> 00:37:42.367 This is near the site 00:37:42.367 --> 00:37:44.733 where the Surrey Gardens Music Hall once stood. 00:37:44.733 --> 00:37:45.567 It was enormous. 00:37:45.567 --> 00:37:47.733 It could seat 10,000 people. 00:37:47.733 --> 00:37:49.533 The news that Spurgeon was going to preach here 00:37:49.532 --> 00:37:51.866 spread through London like wildfire. 00:37:51.867 --> 00:37:54.432 It was October 19, 1856. 00:37:56.400 --> 00:37:58.467 All day long, people were gathering in the park 00:37:58.467 --> 00:38:00.200 waiting for the doors to open. 00:38:00.199 --> 00:38:02.799 The hall itself was actually packed to capacity, 00:38:02.800 --> 00:38:05.033 with thousands waiting outside. 00:38:05.032 --> 00:38:08.900 London hadn't seen anything like this in a hundred years. 00:38:08.900 --> 00:38:11.067 Spurgeon himself almost lost his nerve 00:38:11.067 --> 00:38:14.333 at the sheer size of the crowd. 00:38:14.333 --> 00:38:16.733 Spurgeon was just about to preach his sermon, 00:38:16.733 --> 00:38:20.133 when there was a disturbance at the back of the hall. 00:38:20.132 --> 00:38:23.000 Fire, fire, the place is falling, everybody out, 00:38:23.000 --> 00:38:24.532 the galleries are giving way. 00:38:24.532 --> 00:38:32.333 [yelling] 00:38:32.333 --> 00:38:37.800 So often we lose the meaning of this wonderful psalm, 00:38:37.800 --> 00:38:41.067 this wonderful poem written by a man in trouble. 00:38:41.067 --> 00:38:49.099 [yelling] 00:38:49.099 --> 00:38:53.799 (Presenter) The hall was so vast he had no idea what was happening. 00:38:53.800 --> 00:39:02.432 [yelling] 00:39:02.432 --> 00:39:04.199 (Presenter) Word eventually reached Spurgeon 00:39:04.199 --> 00:39:06.666 and he tried to stop the panic. 00:39:06.666 --> 00:39:08.732 Please would those nearest the exits leave first. 00:39:12.867 --> 00:39:16.667 (Presenter) In the stampede 7 people were killed 00:39:16.666 --> 00:39:20.166 and 28 seriously injured. 00:39:20.166 --> 00:39:23.266 Spurgeon collapsed when he discovered what had happened. 00:39:23.266 --> 00:39:26.332 It was even rumored that he had died. 00:39:26.333 --> 00:39:27.767 But there had been no fire, 00:39:27.766 --> 00:39:30.399 the galleries had not given way. 00:39:30.400 --> 00:39:31.767 It was the work of hooligans 00:39:31.766 --> 00:39:34.000 intent on disrupting the service. 00:39:37.067 --> 00:39:40.166 An already hostile press tore Spurgeon to shreds 00:39:40.166 --> 00:39:42.932 blaming him for the tragedy. 00:39:42.932 --> 00:39:45.000 It haunted him for the rest of his life. 00:39:48.632 --> 00:39:53.466 (Spurgeon) Only God Himself knew the anguish of my sad spirit? 00:39:55.266 --> 00:39:59.199 Tears were my meat by day and dreams of terror by night. 00:40:01.766 --> 00:40:05.132 My thoughts were as jagged piercing knives, 00:40:05.132 --> 00:40:06.632 cutting my heart to pieces. 00:40:09.867 --> 00:40:11.767 I could not be comforted. 00:40:11.766 --> 00:40:14.732 My beloved Bible brought me no light. 00:40:14.733 --> 00:40:16.267 I could not pray. 00:40:16.266 --> 00:40:19.266 I felt my faith had died and God had abandoned me. 00:40:25.132 --> 00:40:28.232 But then, like a flash of lightning, 00:40:28.233 --> 00:40:30.733 my soul returned to me. 00:40:30.733 --> 00:40:31.932 I was free. 00:40:36.132 --> 00:40:39.032 The iron fetter was broken in pieces, 00:40:39.032 --> 00:40:41.099 my prison door was open. 00:40:41.099 --> 00:40:43.599 I leaped for joy of heart. 00:40:43.599 --> 00:40:47.799 I was a man again and what is more, a believer. 00:40:58.000 --> 00:41:00.532 Within two weeks he was back preaching at Surrey Gardens 00:41:00.532 --> 00:41:02.699 only this time only in the mornings. 00:41:02.699 --> 00:41:06.567 The publicity had turned him into even more of a celebrity. 00:41:06.567 --> 00:41:09.400 Now people were coming from far and wide to hear him preach, 00:41:09.400 --> 00:41:14.000 many out of sheer curiosity. 00:41:14.000 --> 00:41:16.266 A year later many thousands of people 00:41:16.266 --> 00:41:20.532 were massacred in India, Britain's "jewel in the crown". 00:41:20.532 --> 00:41:23.732 The "Indian Mutiny was seen as a humiliation 00:41:23.733 --> 00:41:26.333 for the proud British. 00:41:26.333 --> 00:41:30.400 The nation was called to a day of prayer and fasting. 00:41:30.400 --> 00:41:34.432 Spurgeon was invited to preach to 24,000 people 00:41:34.432 --> 00:41:36.400 at Crystal Palace. 00:41:36.400 --> 00:41:38.900 He may not have agreed with the politics of empire, 00:41:38.900 --> 00:41:41.267 but he made sure is biggest ever congregation 00:41:41.266 --> 00:41:44.532 heard the gospel. 00:41:44.532 --> 00:41:47.467 Meanwhile funds had been raised for the new building 00:41:47.467 --> 00:41:50.633 and in the summer of 1859 the foundation stone 00:41:50.632 --> 00:41:56.399 was laid on land just upriver from New Park street Chapel. 00:41:56.400 --> 00:41:59.300 Eighteen months later, in March 1861, 00:41:59.300 --> 00:42:02.800 here at the Elephant and Castle the new church was opened. 00:42:02.800 --> 00:42:06.200 And here it is: the Metropolitan Tabernacle. 00:42:10.067 --> 00:42:11.599 It's still a thriving church today. 00:42:14.333 --> 00:42:15.733 It was enormous! 00:42:15.733 --> 00:42:18.900 It cost just over 32,000 pounds, 00:42:18.900 --> 00:42:22.666 about 2 million pounds at today's prices. 00:42:22.666 --> 00:42:26.400 It had three galleries and had seating for 6,000 people 00:42:26.400 --> 00:42:31.967 with room for another 500 standing. 00:42:31.967 --> 00:42:34.532 Admission was by ticket freely available 00:42:34.532 --> 00:42:37.000 and guaranteeing a seat. 00:42:37.000 --> 00:42:40.500 Those without had to stand in the aisles. 00:42:40.500 --> 00:42:42.632 They'd all come to hear Mr. Spurgeon 00:42:42.632 --> 00:42:45.799 and would continue to do so for some thirty years. 00:42:56.400 --> 00:43:00.267 (Spurgeon) The Sabbath was exhilarating and terrifying. 00:43:00.266 --> 00:43:03.399 Yes, terrifying. 00:43:03.400 --> 00:43:07.200 They said 6,000 people came to hear me preach, 00:43:07.199 --> 00:43:09.399 this country yokel from the fens. 00:43:11.599 --> 00:43:16.666 The weight of it and the honor of it often brought me low. 00:43:16.666 --> 00:43:19.666 Many a Sabbath morn my breakfast was vomited 00:43:19.666 --> 00:43:24.833 as Jonah from the whale with sweats and palpitations. 00:43:24.833 --> 00:43:28.300 But my good Lord never failed to strengthen me. 00:43:32.632 --> 00:43:37.166 The preaching of the word - His precious word, 00:43:37.166 --> 00:43:39.666 is what the people came to hear. 00:43:39.666 --> 00:43:43.532 And early they came, to be sure of finding a seat. 00:43:43.532 --> 00:43:46.266 And happily they waited until the hour: 00:43:46.266 --> 00:43:48.500 11 o'clock on the Sabbath morn, 00:43:48.500 --> 00:43:51.067 and half past six in the evening. 00:43:51.067 --> 00:43:53.733 The service was simple - an opening hymn 00:43:53.733 --> 00:43:57.033 sung without the assistance of any musical instrument. 00:43:57.032 --> 00:44:00.000 The reading of the scriptures, a second hymn, 00:44:00.000 --> 00:44:03.532 and then the preaching of the word. 00:44:03.532 --> 00:44:06.799 I could not have wished for a more attentive congregation 00:44:06.800 --> 00:44:10.533 as they listened in reverent silence. 00:44:10.532 --> 00:44:14.766 It only made me stronger in my determination to be faithful 00:44:14.766 --> 00:44:16.899 in my preaching of the word. 00:44:21.266 --> 00:44:25.199 The natural heart rebels against 00:44:25.199 --> 00:44:30.399 the simplicity of the way of salvation. 00:44:30.400 --> 00:44:32.532 What? 00:44:32.532 --> 00:44:35.067 Am I to do nothing but simply accept 00:44:35.067 --> 00:44:38.766 what Christ has already done? 00:44:38.766 --> 00:44:42.599 Am I to do nothing but merely look to Him who was nailed 00:44:42.599 --> 00:44:48.967 to the tree, and find all my salvation in Him? 00:44:48.967 --> 00:44:55.467 "Well, then," says the proud heart, "I cannot understand it." 00:44:55.467 --> 00:45:01.599 No. It cannot understand it because it does not like it. 00:45:01.599 --> 00:45:06.666 Now, if this be your difficulty, and I believe, 00:45:06.666 --> 00:45:08.532 in nine cases out of ten, 00:45:08.532 --> 00:45:12.000 a proud heart is at the root of all difficulty 00:45:12.000 --> 00:45:15.000 about the sinner's coming to Christ - 00:45:15.000 --> 00:45:18.266 if this be it which hinders you, 00:45:18.266 --> 00:45:24.599 then go to God about it, and seek wisdom from Him. 00:45:24.599 --> 00:45:29.866 He will show you the foolishness of this pride of yours, 00:45:29.867 --> 00:45:34.200 and He will teach you that simply to trust in Jesus 00:45:34.199 --> 00:45:40.399 is at once the safest and most suitable way of salvation. 00:45:40.400 --> 00:45:44.166 (Susannah) I oft pondered the reason Charlie is so well liked. 00:45:44.166 --> 00:45:46.500 Especially so as he never plays to the galleries 00:45:46.500 --> 00:45:49.032 for popular appeal. 00:45:49.032 --> 00:45:51.432 On occasion his message is hard, 00:45:51.432 --> 00:45:55.067 though delivered with a soft heart. 00:45:55.067 --> 00:45:56.367 I heard him once say, 00:45:56.367 --> 00:46:00.000 "We shall not adjust our Bible to the age; 00:46:00.000 --> 00:46:03.032 "but before we have done with it, by God's grace, 00:46:03.032 --> 00:46:06.266 we shall adjust the age to the Bible." 00:46:06.266 --> 00:46:10.466 He seeks always to please his God rather than entertain man. 00:46:10.467 --> 00:46:13.133 His honesty and integrity, 00:46:13.132 --> 00:46:16.466 his infectious confidence in the holy scriptures, 00:46:16.467 --> 00:46:20.133 these, I concluded, are what draw men to him. 00:46:20.132 --> 00:46:26.632 Ah! Poor heart, when you see the blackness of your sin, 00:46:26.632 --> 00:46:30.500 it is no wonder that you are driven to despair. 00:46:30.500 --> 00:46:34.867 When your sins come howling behind you, 00:46:34.867 --> 00:46:38.533 like so many ravenous wolves seeking to devour you, 00:46:38.532 --> 00:46:42.032 I can well understand why you should wish to lay violent hands 00:46:42.032 --> 00:46:44.799 upon yourself. 00:46:44.800 --> 00:46:49.267 It is no strange thing for men to lose all hope 00:46:49.266 --> 00:46:52.466 when under a sense of sin. 00:46:52.467 --> 00:46:55.400 You know not what to do. 00:46:55.400 --> 00:46:58.400 If only you could be calm and quiet, 00:46:58.400 --> 00:47:01.233 we could tell you the way of peace. 00:47:01.233 --> 00:47:06.400 But you are too much troubled to hear what we have to say. 00:47:06.400 --> 00:47:10.400 Y to everybody but you, 00:47:10.400 --> 00:47:14.333 because you are in such a worry and a turmoil. 00:47:14.333 --> 00:47:17.000 As John Bunyan used to say, 00:47:17.000 --> 00:47:21.599 you are much troubled up and down in your thoughts. 00:47:21.599 --> 00:47:26.000 And so I ask you then, pray - 00:47:26.000 --> 00:47:30.233 pray even out of the depths of your despair 00:47:30.233 --> 00:47:34.967 that God will open the eyes of your understanding. 00:47:34.967 --> 00:47:40.367 And I assure you, he will be pleased to instruct you 00:47:40.367 --> 00:47:51.467 and bring you out into a safe way, a way of peace and joy. 00:47:51.467 --> 00:47:52.599 Amen. 00:47:58.400 --> 00:48:03.166 God called me to feed His people with the choicest fare. 00:48:03.166 --> 00:48:06.732 But preparing it is no mere boiling of an egg 00:48:06.733 --> 00:48:08.067 for a few minutes. 00:48:13.400 --> 00:48:16.300 I confess that I frequently sit hour after hour 00:48:16.300 --> 00:48:18.900 praying and waiting for a subject, 00:48:18.900 --> 00:48:24.333 and that this is the main part of my study. 00:48:24.333 --> 00:48:28.467 Much hard labor have I spent in the working out of topics, 00:48:28.467 --> 00:48:30.932 thinking through points of doctrine, 00:48:30.932 --> 00:48:33.632 making skeletons out of verses 00:48:33.632 --> 00:48:35.266 and then burying every bone of them 00:48:35.266 --> 00:48:39.332 in the catacombs of oblivion. 00:48:39.333 --> 00:48:42.833 Every Saturday night I prepare enough outlines of sermons 00:48:42.833 --> 00:48:44.867 to last me a month. 00:48:44.867 --> 00:48:48.000 But I no more dare use them than an honest sailor 00:48:48.000 --> 00:48:51.067 would smuggle ashore a cargo of contraband goods. 00:48:57.532 --> 00:49:03.932 But when a text grips me, I have found the sermon. 00:49:03.932 --> 00:49:08.032 And when I have found the sermon, I preach it, 00:49:08.032 --> 00:49:10.032 assured it will speak to the people 00:49:10.032 --> 00:49:14.067 with power and authority. 00:49:14.067 --> 00:49:16.800 I never cease to marvel how it touches the people 00:49:16.800 --> 00:49:19.333 and meets their needs. 00:49:19.333 --> 00:49:23.467 And blessed be His name, it has nothing to do with me, 00:49:23.467 --> 00:49:26.767 I am only one who listens to his master, 00:49:26.766 --> 00:49:28.599 and speaks out what he hears. 00:49:38.932 --> 00:49:43.199 For tourists, going to hear Mr Spurgeon was a must. 00:49:43.199 --> 00:49:44.332 The Metropolitan Tabernacle 00:49:44.333 --> 00:49:47.432 became London's most famous preaching point. 00:49:47.432 --> 00:49:49.500 But it was also pioneering something the people hadn't 00:49:49.500 --> 00:49:53.266 heard before - preaching the gospel not just with words, 00:49:53.266 --> 00:49:55.699 but also with social action. 00:49:59.233 --> 00:50:03.233 It was revolutionary stuff, much criticized by church leaders who 00:50:03.233 --> 00:50:07.467 accused them of betraying God's command to "preach the gospel." 00:50:07.467 --> 00:50:11.000 Social action, they said, was not part of this. 00:50:11.000 --> 00:50:12.733 But Spurgeon, who was way ahead of his time 00:50:12.733 --> 00:50:14.200 and believed the gospel was for the body 00:50:14.199 --> 00:50:16.866 and not just for the soul. 00:50:16.867 --> 00:50:18.767 So the building was open from early morning 00:50:18.766 --> 00:50:21.399 until almost midnight six days a week, 00:50:21.400 --> 00:50:22.932 serving a very needy community. 00:50:26.333 --> 00:50:29.467 In fact over 60 ministries and charitable works 00:50:29.467 --> 00:50:31.400 were begun during Spurgeon's time 00:50:31.400 --> 00:50:34.133 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. 00:50:34.132 --> 00:50:38.332 Many of them were maintained by the royalties from his books. 00:50:38.333 --> 00:50:43.166 Some of those works have continued to the present day. 00:50:43.166 --> 00:50:44.400 This is Surrey Square Mission, 00:50:44.400 --> 00:50:46.599 just a mile or so from the tabernacle. 00:50:46.599 --> 00:50:49.432 It's one of twenty mission stations founded by Spurgeon. 00:50:49.432 --> 00:50:51.067 He visited them regularly. 00:50:51.067 --> 00:50:51.932 In these little chapels, 00:50:51.932 --> 00:50:54.733 the gospel was preached and practiced. 00:50:54.733 --> 00:50:57.000 Many of the chapels like these still exist today, 00:50:57.000 --> 00:50:59.000 as do quite a few of the works that he began. 00:51:04.000 --> 00:51:05.666 The plight of London's street kids 00:51:05.666 --> 00:51:09.000 weighed heavily on Spurgeon. 00:51:09.000 --> 00:51:10.333 They were mostly orphans, 00:51:10.333 --> 00:51:14.932 or from families too poor to look after them. 00:51:14.932 --> 00:51:18.000 They had to beg and steal just to stay alive. 00:51:18.000 --> 00:51:20.333 To many people they were no more than vermin. 00:51:23.500 --> 00:51:25.967 Spurgeon was a big fan of George Muller, 00:51:25.967 --> 00:51:27.267 who had already opened 00:51:27.266 --> 00:51:32.132 several dormitory style orphan houses in Bristol. 00:51:32.132 --> 00:51:36.000 Spurgeon's vision was for smaller family based homes, 00:51:36.000 --> 00:51:40.266 housing about a dozen children with their own matron. 00:51:40.266 --> 00:51:43.032 Thanks to a large donation from a clergyman's widow, 00:51:43.032 --> 00:51:45.266 these homes at Stockwell in south London 00:51:45.266 --> 00:51:47.466 were built for boys. 00:51:47.467 --> 00:51:52.200 Ten years later accommodation was added for girls. 00:51:52.199 --> 00:51:55.399 As in the Muller homes, children got a good education 00:51:55.400 --> 00:52:00.367 and were well prepared for the challenges of adulthood. 00:52:00.367 --> 00:52:02.533 Today it's known simply as "Spurgeons" 00:52:02.532 --> 00:52:05.232 helping vulnerable children and young people find hope 00:52:05.233 --> 00:52:08.033 and fulfillment in the 21st century. 00:52:08.032 --> 00:52:10.000 Spurgeons runs many projects, 00:52:10.000 --> 00:52:12.733 specially designed to meet the needs of each community, 00:52:12.733 --> 00:52:15.800 not only in the United Kingdom, but internationally. 00:52:20.867 --> 00:52:22.833 Spurgeon himself never had any formal training 00:52:22.833 --> 00:52:24.800 for the ministry. 00:52:24.800 --> 00:52:27.867 In those days you had to be an Anglican to go to university. 00:52:27.867 --> 00:52:30.600 But he certainly wasn't against training. 00:52:30.599 --> 00:52:33.666 And when some young men who were passionate about preaching, 00:52:33.666 --> 00:52:36.467 asked him for some, he started the Pastor's College. 00:52:36.467 --> 00:52:39.932 Once again he financed it from his own book royalties. 00:52:39.932 --> 00:52:42.233 Today it's known as Spurgeon's College 00:52:42.233 --> 00:52:45.833 and is held in high esteem by the evangelical community. 00:52:51.500 --> 00:52:54.400 Every Friday, the Guv'nor' as they called him, 00:52:54.400 --> 00:52:57.467 gave his lectures, many of them still published today 00:52:57.467 --> 00:52:59.200 including his series on preaching: 00:52:59.199 --> 00:53:01.966 "Lectures to My Students." 00:53:01.967 --> 00:53:03.800 During his lifetime he rejoiced to see 00:53:03.800 --> 00:53:06.467 900 of his students graduate. 00:53:06.467 --> 00:53:08.467 And today that tradition continues 00:53:08.467 --> 00:53:11.333 with men and women, of every Christian denomination 00:53:11.333 --> 00:53:15.666 receiving training to graduate level for service in the church. 00:53:15.666 --> 00:53:16.932 Today's college has been here 00:53:16.932 --> 00:53:20.699 in Upper Norwood in South London since 1923 00:53:20.699 --> 00:53:22.599 and it's only a stone's throw from where 00:53:22.599 --> 00:53:26.266 Spurgeon and his wife Susannah came to live in 1880. 00:53:28.467 --> 00:53:31.000 Westwood was well away from the pollution 00:53:31.000 --> 00:53:34.467 that had affected both Charles' and Susannah's health. 00:53:34.467 --> 00:53:38.000 It was in Upper Norwood, near Crystal palace. 00:53:38.000 --> 00:53:40.067 Spurgeon felt it was a bit grand, 00:53:40.067 --> 00:53:41.532 but discovered that he could buy it 00:53:41.532 --> 00:53:43.932 for the price of his London home. 00:53:43.932 --> 00:53:46.666 It was perfect and easily accommodated his 00:53:46.666 --> 00:53:52.666 12,000 book library, and the many guests that came to stay. 00:53:52.666 --> 00:53:55.866 (Susannah) Coming here has been such a blessing. 00:53:55.867 --> 00:53:58.432 The fresh air and sunlight has benefited our health 00:53:58.432 --> 00:54:02.132 considerably, and Charlie now has space to fulfill 00:54:02.132 --> 00:54:05.799 his expanding ministry much more efficiently. 00:54:05.800 --> 00:54:07.600 We have two secretaries to assist 00:54:07.599 --> 00:54:10.666 with the hundreds of letters that arrive every week, 00:54:10.666 --> 00:54:12.500 and researchers to help with the four books 00:54:12.500 --> 00:54:14.867 he writes each year. 00:54:14.867 --> 00:54:18.267 The royalties from his writings are considerable - 00:54:18.266 --> 00:54:19.932 they have enabled us to live without being 00:54:19.932 --> 00:54:23.132 a financial burden upon the church. 00:54:23.132 --> 00:54:26.932 And Charlie gives all he can to the Lord's work. 00:54:26.932 --> 00:54:30.067 These are certainly golden years. 00:54:30.067 --> 00:54:35.333 But my, he does work so and rarely takes any rest 00:54:35.333 --> 00:54:38.067 except when he visits his beloved Mentone. 00:54:46.599 --> 00:54:48.232 (Presenter) Mentone, on the French Riviera 00:54:48.233 --> 00:54:50.233 became a regular retreat for Spurgeon. 00:54:54.000 --> 00:54:56.400 The warm balmy breezes of the Mediterranean 00:54:56.400 --> 00:54:57.633 were the perfect cure 00:54:57.632 --> 00:54:59.332 for the stresses and pressures of ministry. 00:55:08.599 --> 00:55:11.199 He loved nothing more than to stay at his favorite hotel 00:55:11.199 --> 00:55:15.399 right on the sea front: the Beau Rivage. 00:55:15.400 --> 00:55:18.532 The hotel has long gone, but a block of apartments, 00:55:18.532 --> 00:55:23.232 built on its site, still bears it's name. 00:55:23.233 --> 00:55:26.600 But even here, he never really switched off. 00:55:26.599 --> 00:55:29.932 His secretary and trusted confidant Joseph Harrald 00:55:29.932 --> 00:55:32.199 often went with him to assist with his writing 00:55:32.199 --> 00:55:33.666 which he was able to do 00:55:33.666 --> 00:55:36.266 free from the demands of a thriving congregation. 00:55:42.532 --> 00:55:45.366 Susannah always remained at home. 00:55:45.367 --> 00:55:47.932 She began to suffer ill health 00:55:47.932 --> 00:55:49.932 and eventually required surgery, 00:55:49.932 --> 00:55:53.833 what for, no-one knows for sure, but it was serious enough 00:55:53.833 --> 00:55:55.733 that for a time she became bed-ridden. 00:56:03.932 --> 00:56:06.099 While Charles Spurgeon was preaching God's word 00:56:06.099 --> 00:56:09.067 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, another Charles, 00:56:09.067 --> 00:56:13.067 Charles Darwin, was preaching his theory of evolution 00:56:13.067 --> 00:56:17.599 through his book "The Origin of Species." 00:56:17.599 --> 00:56:20.000 The year the Metropolitan Tabernacle opened, 00:56:20.000 --> 00:56:23.833 Spurgeon then 27, responded by giving a humorous lecture 00:56:23.833 --> 00:56:28.367 called "The Gorilla and the Land he inhabits". 00:56:28.367 --> 00:56:30.133 The cartoonists went to town. 00:56:33.800 --> 00:56:37.000 Darwin's new theory, and the German Higher Criticism 00:56:37.000 --> 00:56:39.733 were having a profound impact on the church. 00:56:39.733 --> 00:56:42.367 Many of her leaders were losing confidence 00:56:42.367 --> 00:56:45.667 in the authority of the Bible - it was more and more 00:56:45.666 --> 00:56:48.866 being regarded as just a book of myths. 00:56:48.867 --> 00:56:51.267 The divinity of Christ was being challenged, 00:56:51.266 --> 00:56:53.199 and the gospel message of salvation 00:56:53.199 --> 00:56:56.632 through faith in Christ alone was being downgraded. 00:57:02.199 --> 00:57:04.666 Spurgeon urged his own Baptist denomination 00:57:04.666 --> 00:57:06.732 to make a clear statement of belief. 00:57:06.733 --> 00:57:08.467 But they refused. 00:57:08.467 --> 00:57:11.166 Many of their leaders had become liberal in their theology 00:57:11.166 --> 00:57:13.000 and had joined what would become known as 00:57:13.000 --> 00:57:16.400 the Downgrade Controversy. 00:57:16.400 --> 00:57:19.000 For Spurgeon it was a nightmare. 00:57:19.000 --> 00:57:22.099 He hated conflict, but he felt compelled to make a stand 00:57:22.099 --> 00:57:25.000 against the undermining of the authority of Scripture, 00:57:25.000 --> 00:57:28.132 which was fundamental to his evangelical faith. 00:57:28.132 --> 00:57:30.666 He wrote many articles in the magazine he founded, 00:57:30.666 --> 00:57:34.866 "The Sword and Trowel" pleading for an end to the downgrade. 00:57:34.867 --> 00:57:36.333 But to no avail. 00:57:36.333 --> 00:57:39.932 It all got very unpleasant with accusations and recriminations 00:57:39.932 --> 00:57:42.266 flying around all over the place. 00:57:42.266 --> 00:57:45.399 He felt he had to resign from the Baptist Union 00:57:45.400 --> 00:57:47.733 which he did in 1888. 00:57:55.266 --> 00:57:58.599 (Spurgeon) My heart is broken. 00:57:58.599 --> 00:58:02.467 I am in the depths of despair. 00:58:02.467 --> 00:58:07.532 Is there anyone who will stand for my Jesus? 00:58:07.532 --> 00:58:16.432 I am sick, sick at heart, and I am weary. 00:58:16.432 --> 00:58:20.432 Oh Lord, let me go. 00:58:20.432 --> 00:58:23.699 Give me rest from my labors. 00:58:23.699 --> 00:58:26.000 I cannot go on. 00:58:26.000 --> 00:58:28.699 And yet, I must. 00:58:28.699 --> 00:58:31.799 As long as there is breath in me I must. 00:58:39.867 --> 00:58:44.600 Oh, I have been lifted up, yet in your mercy 00:58:44.599 --> 00:58:50.666 your thorn keeps me low so that I am not a proud man. 00:58:50.666 --> 00:58:53.099 You chasten me in secret. 00:58:56.266 --> 00:58:58.299 The blackness. 00:58:58.300 --> 00:59:01.932 No one knows the awful blackness 00:59:01.932 --> 00:59:05.166 I can bare endure it when it comes. 00:59:14.467 --> 00:59:17.532 (Presenter) The press only added to his woes. 00:59:17.532 --> 00:59:22.866 His short rotund figure gave the cartoonists a field day. 00:59:22.867 --> 00:59:24.800 Sometimes they were humorous. 00:59:24.800 --> 00:59:28.100 Sometimes they were viciously cruel. 00:59:28.099 --> 00:59:30.299 They looked for any excuse to ridicule the world's 00:59:30.300 --> 00:59:36.000 most famous preacher. 00:59:36.000 --> 00:59:38.532 He used to smoke a cigar on his way to preach, 00:59:38.532 --> 00:59:42.333 a doctor of all people told him it was good for his health. 00:59:42.333 --> 00:59:46.133 The press lambasted him for it, and he gave it up. 00:59:46.132 --> 00:59:49.332 He never smoked a pipe, that was an invention of the media. 00:59:57.699 --> 01:00:00.567 (Susannah) On the 7th of June 1891, 01:00:00.567 --> 01:00:03.800 Charlie preached as usual at the Tabernacle. 01:00:03.800 --> 01:00:06.467 But I could not but notice how aged he had become 01:00:06.467 --> 01:00:09.099 in a few short years. 01:00:09.099 --> 01:00:13.400 The troubles had taken their cruel revenge on his body. 01:00:13.400 --> 01:00:17.467 What I would say lastly is this: 01:00:17.467 --> 01:00:21.133 How I long that you who have not yet enlisted 01:00:21.132 --> 01:00:24.866 in my Lord's band would come to Him 01:00:24.867 --> 01:00:30.033 because you see what a kind and gracious Lord He is. 01:00:30.032 --> 01:00:34.232 Young men, if you could see our Captain, 01:00:34.233 --> 01:00:35.767 you would get down on your knees 01:00:35.766 --> 01:00:41.332 and beg Him to let you enter the ranks of those who follow Him. 01:00:41.333 --> 01:00:45.567 It is heaven to serve Jesus. 01:00:45.567 --> 01:00:48.467 I am His recruiting sergeant 01:00:48.467 --> 01:00:53.500 and how I long to find a few recruits at this moment. 01:00:53.500 --> 01:00:56.766 (Susannah) How my heart went out to him. 01:00:56.766 --> 01:00:59.067 It would have broken if I but knew this was to be 01:00:59.067 --> 01:01:06.500 his last sermon after 40 years - 40 glorious years. 01:01:06.500 --> 01:01:09.099 These forty years and more have I served Him, 01:01:09.099 --> 01:01:11.400 blessed be His name! 01:01:11.400 --> 01:01:15.567 and I have had nothing but love from Him. 01:01:15.567 --> 01:01:20.367 I would be glad to serve him another forty years. 01:01:20.367 --> 01:01:27.400 His service is life, peace, joy. 01:01:27.400 --> 01:01:32.500 Oh, that you would enlist under the banner of Christ 01:01:32.500 --> 01:01:35.900 this very day. 01:01:35.900 --> 01:01:36.700 Amen. 01:01:44.367 --> 01:01:48.467 (Susannah) In less than a month my dear Charlie was barely conscious. 01:01:48.467 --> 01:01:51.500 His kidneys were painfully inflamed, 01:01:51.500 --> 01:01:54.699 a condition called Bright's disease. 01:01:54.699 --> 01:01:59.366 All this to add to the excruciating pain of his gout. 01:01:59.367 --> 01:02:04.233 Yet I never heard him utter one word of complaint or self pity. 01:02:04.233 --> 01:02:08.633 Oh wifie, will you read to me the shepherd psalm. 01:02:15.666 --> 01:02:20.666 (Susannah) I felt he had but a few months of life in him. 01:02:20.666 --> 01:02:24.866 All across the land people were praying for him. 01:02:24.867 --> 01:02:26.600 The newspapers were now generous 01:02:26.599 --> 01:02:29.866 with their daily reports of his progress. 01:02:29.867 --> 01:02:31.000 It was not good. 01:02:36.733 --> 01:02:39.167 Among the many letters of support 01:02:39.166 --> 01:02:41.266 one addressed to me showed the high esteem 01:02:41.266 --> 01:02:42.799 in which Charlie was held: 01:02:44.967 --> 01:02:47.767 (Gladstone) Dear Madam, In my own house, 01:02:47.766 --> 01:02:49.799 darkened at the present time, 01:02:49.800 --> 01:02:52.833 I have read with sad interest the daily accounts 01:02:52.833 --> 01:02:55.267 of Mr. Spurgeon's illness 01:02:55.266 --> 01:02:57.132 and I cannot help conveying to you 01:02:57.132 --> 01:02:59.932 the earnest assurance of my sympathy 01:02:59.932 --> 01:03:02.032 and of my cordial admiration, 01:03:02.032 --> 01:03:04.132 not only of his splendid powers, 01:03:04.132 --> 01:03:08.866 but still more of his devoted and unfailing character. 01:03:08.867 --> 01:03:12.333 May I humbly commend you and him to the infinite stores 01:03:12.333 --> 01:03:16.599 of the divine love and mercy, and subscribe myself, 01:03:16.599 --> 01:03:20.900 Faithfully yours, W. E. Gladstone. 01:03:20.900 --> 01:03:22.367 (Susannah) It was from the Prime Minister. 01:03:29.532 --> 01:03:32.333 (Presenter) Two months later and having regained some strength, 01:03:32.333 --> 01:03:35.767 Spurgeon returned to his beloved Mentone, 01:03:35.766 --> 01:03:38.067 this time under his doctor's orders 01:03:38.067 --> 01:03:41.333 who had prescribed an extended period of convalescence. 01:03:44.300 --> 01:03:47.333 His friend and secretary Joseph Harrald went with him 01:03:47.333 --> 01:03:50.367 and for the first time, Susannah. 01:03:50.367 --> 01:03:53.367 It was to be their last few months together - 01:03:53.367 --> 01:03:54.567 and they made the most of it. 01:03:58.166 --> 01:04:02.166 By the end of January 1892, his health had worsened. 01:04:05.067 --> 01:04:11.467 Oh wifie, we have had such a blessed time. 01:04:11.467 --> 01:04:16.900 God is faithful, so faithful. 01:04:16.900 --> 01:04:23.267 He took me, a short fat man from my beloved fenlands 01:04:23.266 --> 01:04:27.132 and made me a preacher of His word - 01:04:27.132 --> 01:04:33.666 His glorious, precious, wonderful word. 01:04:33.666 --> 01:04:43.967 What a Savior we have; and He gave me you, my precious wifie, 01:04:43.967 --> 01:04:47.599 my dear precious wifie. 01:04:47.599 --> 01:04:56.467 And He gave me you, Charlie, you dear adorable man. 01:04:56.467 --> 01:05:04.500 Yes, God has been good to us. 01:05:04.500 --> 01:05:10.733 Now you must rest my love, rest, and be at peace. 01:05:49.632 --> 01:05:54.032 (Presenter) Shortly after his death Joseph Harrald saw what he insisted 01:05:54.032 --> 01:05:57.400 had been angels above the hills of Mentone, 01:05:57.400 --> 01:05:59.467 waiting to take Spurgeon home. 01:06:03.432 --> 01:06:05.432 Spurgeon's death was headline news 01:06:05.432 --> 01:06:08.599 in all the national papers. 01:06:08.599 --> 01:06:11.266 Among the many tributes and messages of sympathy 01:06:11.266 --> 01:06:13.466 was one from the future king and queen, 01:06:13.467 --> 01:06:17.032 Edward and Alexandra. 01:06:17.032 --> 01:06:20.067 The funeral was almost a state occasion. 01:06:20.067 --> 01:06:22.400 Along the route from the Metropolitan Tabernacle 01:06:22.400 --> 01:06:24.400 to the cemetery at West Norwood, 01:06:24.400 --> 01:06:26.166 shops and public houses closed. 01:06:30.400 --> 01:06:33.200 At the untimely age of 57 01:06:33.199 --> 01:06:36.399 the People's Preacher was being laid to rest. 01:06:43.099 --> 01:06:46.467 In his lifetime he had preached to over 10 million people. 01:06:46.467 --> 01:06:49.000 But in his death, through his published writings 01:06:49.000 --> 01:06:51.967 and his sermons, he has spoken and he still speaks 01:06:51.967 --> 01:06:54.800 to countless millions across the world. 01:06:54.800 --> 01:06:57.300 But more than that, it can be said 01:06:57.300 --> 01:07:01.133 that his stand against the downgrade that cost him so much, 01:07:01.132 --> 01:07:02.567 stopped the churches in Britain 01:07:02.567 --> 01:07:05.132 from falling into liberalism and unbelief 01:07:05.132 --> 01:07:07.500 as happened elsewhere in Europe. 01:07:07.500 --> 01:07:10.032 Perhaps today's evangelical Christians owe more 01:07:10.032 --> 01:07:12.900 than they realize to this boy preacher, 01:07:12.900 --> 01:07:15.700 this people's preacher from the fens. 01:07:20.666 --> 01:07:24.799 (Spurgeon) My life seems to me like a fairy dream. 01:07:24.800 --> 01:07:27.733 I am often both amazed and dazed 01:07:27.733 --> 01:07:30.767 with its mercies and its love. 01:07:30.766 --> 01:07:34.567 How good God has been to me! 01:07:34.567 --> 01:07:37.833 I used to think that I should sing among the saints above 01:07:37.833 --> 01:07:39.800 as loudly as any, 01:07:39.800 --> 01:07:43.367 for I owe so much to the grace of God 01:07:43.367 --> 01:07:49.000 and I said so once in a sermon, long ago: 01:07:49.000 --> 01:07:52.867 "Then loudest of the crowd I'll sing, 01:07:52.867 --> 01:07:56.033 "While Heaven's resounding mansions ring, 01:07:56.032 --> 01:07:59.432 With shouts of sovereign grace."