Spurgeon: A New Biography by Arnold Dallimore

He devoted himself to one overwhelming task—the declaration of the life-transforming message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Although I grew up in a Christian home, I didn’t grow up knowing Christian history post-70 AD.

So in my adulthood, I’ve been enthralled to discover the lives of great Christian men and women from the more recent centuries.

Charles Spurgeon is one such believer that I wish I’d known earlier.

Along with the group at Challies.com, I’m now reading Spurgeon: A New Biography by Arnold Dallimore (although it’s not so new anymore, copyright 1985) to learn more about this great man of faith who lived and died in the 1800’s.

Part 1: THE PREPARATION OF THE MAN 1834—1854
Chapter 1: The Boy and the Books

The interest Charles had begun to take in Foxe and Bunyan and other such writers while at his grandfather’s was enlarged during the hours he now spent in his father’s study. He became acquainted with several of the great Puritan authors and familiarized himself with their doctrinal convictions.

Chapter 2: Through Terrible Conviction to Glorious Conversion

From Spurgeon, c. 1890, Autobiography:

Too many think lightly of sin, and therefore think lightly of the Saviour. He who has stood before his God, convicted and condemned, with the rope about his neck, is the man to weep for joy when he is pardoned, to hate the evil which has been given him, and to live to the honour of the Redeemer by whose blood he has been cleansed.

The story of his conversion:

I saw at once the way of salvation. I know not what else he said—I did not take much notice of it—I was so possessed with that one thought [look to Jesus Christ. Look! Look! Look!]. . . .I had been waiting to do fifty things, but when I heard that word, “Look!” what a charming word it seemed to me. Oh! I looked until I could almost have looked my eyes away.

I’m already inspired to do more “looking” at Jesus in my own life because of Spurgeon’s story. I hope other faithful believers inspire you to greater faith as well!

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Next week:
Chapter 3: Joyful First Efforts in Serving the Lord
Chapter 4: The Boy Preacher of Waterbeach

Comments from other readers at Challies