Susannah Spurgeon was the wife of the famous Baptist preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon, who was known as the Prince of Preachers for his powerful and prolific sermons. She was also a Christian author and a philanthropist who established a Book Fund to distribute theological books to needy pastors. But what was the cause of her death, and how did she cope with the many afflictions and trials that marked her life? In this article, we will explore the life and legacy of Susannah Spurgeon, and how she died of pneumonia in 1903.
Contents
Early Life and Marriage
Susannah Spurgeon was born Susannah Thompson in January 1832 in London. She was the daughter of Robert and Susannah Thompson, who were devout Christians and members of the New Park Street Chapel, where Charles Spurgeon would later become the pastor. Susannah was a bright and cheerful child, who loved reading and learning. She was also fond of music and poetry, and had a talent for writing.
Susannah met Charles Spurgeon in 1854, when she attended one of his services at the New Park Street Chapel. She was immediately impressed by his preaching, and felt a strong attraction to him. Charles was also drawn to her, and soon began to court her. They were engaged in August 1855, and married on January 8, 1856. They had a happy and loving marriage, and were blessed with twin sons, Charles and Thomas, born on September 20, 1856.
Supportive Wife and Mother
Susannah Spurgeon was a supportive and devoted wife to Charles, who was often burdened by the demands and challenges of his ministry. She understood that he was no ordinary man, and that his whole life was dedicated to the service of the Lord. She made the commitment not to ever become an obstacle to his kingdom endeavors, but rather to encourage and assist him in any way she could. She once said, “It was the ever settled purpose of my married life that I should never hinder him in his work for the Lord, never try to keep him from fulfilling his engagements, never plead my own ill-health as a reason why he should remain at home with me…I thank God, now, that He enabled me to carry out this determination.”
Susannah Spurgeon was also a loving and caring mother to her sons, who followed their father’s footsteps and became pastors themselves. She nurtured them in the faith, and taught them to love and serve God. She was proud of their achievements, and prayed for their ministries.
Author and Philanthropist
Susannah Spurgeon was not only a wife and a mother, but also an author and a philanthropist. She wrote several books of her own, starting with Ten Years of My Life in the Service of the Book Fund in 1886. She also served as coeditor and major contributor to her husband’s Autobiography, which was published in four volumes after his death. She also wrote articles, poems, and letters for various Christian publications. Her writings were marked by her deep love for Christ, her warm and gentle spirit, and her keen insight and wisdom.
Susannah Spurgeon was also known for her Book Fund, which she established in 1875, through which she distributed over 200,000 theological books to needy pastors, preachers, and missionaries. She was moved by the plight of many ministers who lacked the resources and the training to preach the gospel effectively. She wanted to equip them with sound doctrine and practical guidance, and to encourage them in their work. She personally selected and sent the books, along with a letter of blessing and prayer. She also received many letters of gratitude and testimonies from the recipients of her Book Fund, which she treasured and published in her books.
Afflicted but Not Crushed
Susannah Spurgeon’s life was not without trials and sorrows. She suffered from severe gynecological-related health issues, and was operated on by James Young Simpson in 1869. She spent much of the rest of her life as an invalid, confined to her bed or her couch. She endured chronic pain and weakness, and often had to miss her husband’s services and engagements. She also faced the loss of her beloved husband, who died in 1892, after a long and painful struggle with various illnesses. She mourned his death deeply, and felt lonely and bereaved.
However, Susannah Spurgeon did not lose her faith or her joy in the midst of her afflictions. She trusted in God’s sovereignty and goodness, and found comfort and strength in His word and His presence. She also used her sufferings as an opportunity to glorify God, to minister to others, and to grow in grace. She wrote, “I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.” She also said, “I have learned to love the darkness of sorrow; there you see the brightness of His face.”
Death and Legacy
Susannah Spurgeon died on October 22, 1903, at the age of 71, after a severe attack of pneumonia from which she never recovered. She was buried next to her husband at the West Norwood Cemetery in London. She left behind a legacy of faith, love, and service, that inspired and blessed many generations of Christians. She was a woman who loved God with all her heart, and who loved her husband and her children with all her soul. She was a woman who used her gifts and talents for God’s glory, and who gave generously and sacrificially to His cause. She was a woman who suffered much, but who rejoiced much more in the Lord. She was a woman who finished her race well, and who received the crown of life from her Savior. She was Susannah Spurgeon, the wife of the Prince of Preachers.
