Digital Logos Edition
One of Spurgeon’s last addresses, The Greatest Fight in the World attained wide circulation and was immediately translated into multiple languages. Using the metaphor of battle, Spurgeon divides his address into three sections—one on armory, one on army, and one on the strength of the church. This volume, as one of Spurgeon’s last, fittingly expresses his zeal for doing the ministry of God for the service of the church. The Logos Bible Software edition of The Greatest Fight in the World was originally published in London by Passmore and Alabaster in 1896.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon was born in Kelvedon, Essex, England on June 19, 1834. He converted to Christianity in 1850 at a small Methodist chapel, to which he detoured during a snowstorm. While there, he heard a sermon on Isaiah 45:22 and was saved—“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is none else.” He began his own ministry of preaching and teaching immediately, and preached more than 500 sermons by the age of twenty.
In 1854, at nineteen years of age, Spurgeon began preaching at the New Park Street Chapel in London. He was appointed to a six month trial position, which he requested be cut to three months should the congregation dislike his preaching. He gained instant fame, however, and the church grew from 232 members to more than five thousand at the end of his pastorate. Many of his sermons were published each week and regularly sold more than 25,000 copies in twenty languages. Throughout his ministry, Spurgeon estimated that he preached to more than 10,000,000 people. Dwight L. Moody was deeply influenced by Spurgeon’s preaching, and founded the Moody Bible Institute after seeing Spurgeon’s work at the Pastor’s College in London.
Spurgeon read six books per week during his adult life, and read Pilgrim’s Progress more than 100 times. In addition to his studying and preaching, Spurgeon also founded the Pastor’s College (now Spurgeon’s College), various orphanages and schools, mission chapels, and numerous other social institutions.
Charles Spurgeon suffered from poor health throughout his life. He died on January 31, 1892, and was buried in London.
“consciously and in very truth depend upon the Holy Ghost” (Page 58)
“Yes; and I may add, that to forego your Bible reading for the perusal even of good books would soon bring a conscious descending of the soul.” (Page 19)
“Preach that which will enable men to face death without fear, and you will preach nothing but the old gospel.” (Page 18)
“I would say, first, treat him as he should be treated. Worship him as the adorable Lord God” (Page 57)
“We accept the obligation to preach all that is in God’s Word, definitely and distinctly” (Page 37)