Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) lived only 57 short years but is without a doubt the most famous preacher of the 19th century. Born in England, Spurgeon, known as the “Prince of Preachers” at the height of his famed preached regularly to crowds of thousands up to ten times each week. According to Randy Alcorn: “Spurgeon preached to approximately ten million people in his lifetime, often speaking ten times a week. His 3,561 sermons are bound in sixty-three volumes, and in addition he wrote many books.”1
While born into a Christian home, Spurgeon didn’t accept Christ as his Savior until age 15. His gift for preaching did not go unnoticed and by the time he was just 22 he was already preaching to some of the largest crowds in England. “He went on to preach in person up to thirteen times per week, gathered the largest church of his day, and could make himself heard in a crowd of twenty-three thousand people (without amplification). In print he published some eighteen million words, selling over fifty-six million copies of his sermons in nearly forty languages in his own lifetime.”2
Spurgeon was a man who loved life, was serious about joy, had a wonderful sense of humor, was intensely Christ-centered in his preaching, but sadly suffered from severe bouts of sickness and depression. What caused this major depression is not fully known but personal tragedies, illness, and stress certainly contributed to it. Based on everything I have read on Spurgeon if he were alive today he would probably be diagnosed as clinically depressed and treated with medication and therapy. I, too, can relate to Spurgeon and his depression, on a personal level, because back around 2004 I suffered for 18 months with a severe bout of clinical depression. (See my devotion – The Bible and Depression, from March 30, 2021). Thank God I was able to find the right medication (which I still take today) to totally take away my depression. Back in Spurgeon’s day these medications didn’t exist and many people had to suffer intense depression; with little hope of a cure.
According to Michael Reeves: “Spurgeon believed that Christian ministers should expect a special degree of suffering to be given to them as a way of forming them for Christlike, compassionate ministry. Christ himself was made like his weak and tempted brothers in order that he might help those who are tempted (Heb. 2:16-18), and in the same manner, it is weak and suffering people that God has chosen to minister to the weak and suffering.”3 In Spurgeon’s case perhaps his constant struggle with depression gave him more compassion for others and a special ministry to the depressed.
Below are some special quotes on depression by Spurgeon, that if you are dealing with this horrible illness, may bring some comfort to your soul:
“Before any great achievement, some measure of depression is very usual.”4
“The worst forms of depression are cured when Holy Scripture is believed.”
1 Encouragement for the Depressed from Charles Spurgeon – Blog – Eternal Perspective Ministries (epm.org)
2 10 Things You Should Know about Charles Spurgeon | Crossway Articles
3 10 Things You Should Know about Charles Spurgeon | Crossway Articles
4 All of these quotes on depression are from the following website: Charles Spurgeon Quotes About Depression | A-Z Quotes (azquotes.com)