Charles Haddon Spurgeon was the greatest preacher of the 19th century. By his mid twenties he was preaching to 10,000 people, and even William Gladstone went to hear him. It was rumoured that Queen Victoria attended a service in disguise. He personally established 187 Baptist churches, founded a Pastors' College, later to be Spurgeon's Bible College. However he was far more than a preacher. At the 25th anniversary of his ministry in London an offering was taken for him, it amounted to £6,233-a great deal of money in the 19th century. Spurgeon was greatly moved, but responded by saying, 'not one farthing for me, it shall all be the Lord's'. It was all given to charity!
It won't surprise you when I tell you that that after he died in 1892 tens of thousands attended various memorial services around the country. 800 policemen were needed to line the route to Spurgeon's final resting place.
More than a preacher? You bet! He was a true man of God.
I hope I'll be remembered when I die, but please Lord let be for what I was and not what I preached.