Charles Haddon Spurgeon has been widely regarded as the “Prince of Preachers.” His sermons are loved and revered all around the world. He is probably quoted more often than any other preacher in Church history.
However, relatively few are familiar with the remarkable marriage that Charles Spurgeon enjoyed with his beloved wife, Susannah. Susannah and Spurgeon first met when he came to London to preach at New Park Street Chapel. Susannah’s family was well established in the city, and she was certainly a “city girl.” By contrast, Spurgeon was regarded as a country preacher. His strong Essex accent and his old-fashioned style suit made Susannah smile when she first saw him and heard him preach.
But spiritual troubles in her heart and doubts about her salvation soon attracted the attention of the young pastor. He recommended helpful books to the young woman and offered spiritual advice that encouraged her heart and fortified her faith. Before long, spiritual interest ripened into love. Spurgeon asked Susannah one day if she prayed for her future husband. Soon after, while they were walking together in her grandparents’ garden, he asked her to become his wife.
The Spurgeons shared ministry together
Susannah took an active role in her husband’s ministry. Interested in his sermons, she compiled and organized them. She also started a “Book Fund,” mailing helpful books to pastors all around the world. Susannah willingly assisted her husband as he directed, which enabled him to fulfill his heavy duties and obligations at the Metropolitan Tabernacle and the Pastor’s College.
The Spurgeons loved each other openly and fervently
Charles Spurgeon made sure that everyone knew how much he loved Susannah. When postcards first came out, he wrote Susannah love letters on postcards—unenveloped messages that the postman or anyone else could see and read! The couple interacted with joy and affection; Spurgeon loved to play harmless pranks on Susannah to make her laugh. For example, he would often hide behind the door at breakfast time and burst forth with kisses to surprise her and delight her!
He spoke well of her, often and lovingly, even when she was confined to home because of ill health. Likewise, Susannah publicly expressed her love and admiration for him and honored her husband in private as well as in public.
The Spurgeons prioritized their home and family
In spite of the heavy responsibilities that came with pastoring the largest church in London, Spurgeon and his wife made the rearing of their twin sons their first priority. Both Charles Jr. and Thomas Spurgeon grew up with tremendous respect for their Godly parents, and both boys grew up and served the Lord in the pulpit. Spurgeon conducted family worship with as much zeal and attention as he did when he was preaching to thousands in a packed hall.
In their final days on earth, both Charles and Susannah Spurgeon were plagued with ill health. Yet those who knew them intimately testified that the couple were just as much in love as they were on their honeymoon.
Susannah died eleven years after her beloved husband Charles entered glory. She wrote, “I am watching and waiting to see my loved one again, not as he was forty or even seven years ago, but as he will be when I am called to rejoin him through the avenue of grace.”
