Locusts and Wild Honey

James Spurgeon

Friday, July 15th, 2005 | General

I picked up a few old used books this week including a C. H. Spurgeon biography by Russell H. Conwell. The illustrated 1892 work appears to be a first edition. The Reformed Reader web site has the text of Conwell’s “The World’s Great Preacher,” and I’ll probably post some of the illustrations. I particularly like the cool ones that go along with Spurgeon’s John Ploughman material. I don’t think I’ve seen them anywhere on the web before.

I thought my friend James Spurgeon might appreciate the portrait of C. H. Spurgeon’s grand-father, also named James Spurgeon. In chapter 2, Conwell wrote:

Certainly the Spurgeon families of Essex and Sussex which in these after days have been locally very influential and especially noble in their Christian character, have not taken great interest in the history of their ancestors, and appear to know but little concerning their achievements.

Through the three or four Generations with whom the reading public is now somewhat familiar, the Spurgeon families have been characterized for their plain common sense, sturdy industry, and stubborn adherence to certain Christian doctrines, and to have led a quiet, homely life. Neither his grandfather James Spurgeon at Stambourne, nor his father John Spurgeon of Cold-Chester and London were ever especially distinguished for their educational attainments. They were scholars of the old Congregational school, who read carefully a few standard books, who, thought deeply, but whose reading was not extensive.

While it is true that almost any man with the most ordinary powers may be able to preach a classical sermon and adorn it with quotations from Cicero, Demosthenes, Augustine, and Luther, and while it is also true that it requires both genius and most extensive learning to speak simply and clearly in plain English, yet his father and his grandfather exhibited those qualities as a result of a peculiar inherited character, rather than that of extensive education. They were not copyists, they were distinguished for their odd originality. They were often humorous and witty, presenting truth occasionally in a grotesque dress which could never be forgotten, and which more often accomplished the ends for which they spoke than the most polished essay could have done.

8 Comments to James Spurgeon

Kerry Kinchen
7/15/2005

Just writing to say I appreciate you and your blogging. I am also a Southern Baptist of the reformed persuasion. I have now bookmarked your blog spot for regular reference.

blessings to you in Christ,
KK

Steve Weaver
7/16/2005

I see the resemblance between the two James Spurgeons, don’t you?

Just kidding!

Steve Weaver
7/16/2005

Oh yeah, I blogged today a quote by Spurgeon on the proper subject matter of preaching. Just in case you guys are wondering what to preach tomorrow.

Mark Gstohl
7/16/2005

Don,
I noticed a previous post where you included a lot of Biblical references and they had links. Is there an easy way to do that or did you just put them in there (the links) manually?

Thanks!
I enjoy your blog.

Mark

Don A. Elbourne Jr.
7/16/2005

Mark,

I use the Wordpress Scripturizer plugin. It automagicly converts scripture references into links.

James Spurgeon
7/18/2005

Hey! I resemble that remark! LOL

Thanks, Don, for the post. I am always interested in Spurgeon. I wonder why.

Having that name gets me into a lot of interesting conversations. I remember when I was seventeen and struggling with the idea of whether to go into the ministry or not and a girl told me ‘with a love for God’s work and a name like Spurgeon, you have to be called to the ministry.

Often I am asked by other preachers if I am related. I always answer, physically - not directly, but theologically I’m a direct descendant.

Truthfully, if I am not mistaken, the American branch of the family tree predates Charles as far as when they crossed the pond and we were likely from the shadier side of the family. Rumor has it that all the Spurgeons over here are descended from two brothers who came over in the 17th or 18th century - to the penal colony of Georgia. Of course, they may have just been debtors, but who knows.

puritan
8/31/2005

enjoyed

The LOdown
10/8/2005

Scripturizer Remix

Scripturizer is a super simple WordPress plugin for automatically turning Scripture references in your WordPress posts into hyperlinks that refer to online Bible sites. My new Remix version makes Scripturizer easier to install and gives you the option…

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