Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon was possibley the greatest preacher of all time. He pastored the Metropoliten Tabernacle in London and gained fame for his dirct and powerful preaching style. His church grew to more than 6,000 members and he was labled the "Prince of Preachers" by 1861.
Early Life
He was born in 1834 Kelvedon, Essex to Dutch parents Mr. and Mrs. John Spurgeon. Spurgeon was converted in a Methodist chapel, but became a member of a Baptist church in 1850. An eloquent speaker and a hard worker; he grew into a young preacher. His first sermon was at the age of sixteen, and he pastored a church in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire by the age of only twenty.
The Spirit of God worked strongly through him; his congregation grew
Quotes
When asked what he thought should be done when lay people fell asleep in church, he replied, "Someone should wake up the preacher."
"Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom."
Sources
What Hath God Wrought!, Dr. William P. Grady, Grady Publications inc. (c.) 1996
Streans of Civilization volume two, Garry J. Moes, 1995