Review of the book `` Spurgeon: his life and his work ''

I must tell you that this is not the first biography of Charles-Haddon Spurgeon's life that I have read. I've read the one written by Arnold Dallimore, called "Charles Spurgeon, A Biography" before. Still, I would tell you that I much preferred my last read.

I wonder why I prefer this one. It's been a few years since I've read the previous bio, but I remember precisely two things that I want to share with you and which will partly answer the question of my inclination towards the present version.

First:

- That of G. Brunel is much smoother to read and the story is woven from a common thread that can be easily followed throughout. While in Dallimore's I felt like I was always being told in cut-outs, rather in the form of a report. He had less fluidity in his text and that made it much more difficult for me to maintain an interest.

Second:

- in this one it is obvious that we also talk about Spurgeon's disease since it was part of his life. Yet Brunel talks about it just enough to make us understand, but not too much to exhaust us. In Dallimore's book, I had to skip several pages because I had had enough! I understood ...

As you can see, I enjoyed reading this bio. It is well written, the details are relevant, there are no repetitions and we have the essentials to see the life of a man who influenced and who continues to influence our lives today.

If you like to read about real stories of people who have influenced by their life, their choice, their integrity, their humility, their very presence, and according to some people even their voice, you will surely know how to treat yourself by this collection. What is most impressive about this man is his faith in Jesus Christ, his Savior. He was a man of great reputation, it goes without saying, and that until his death. Charles Spurgeon stood out from many men of his time for his daring because of his faith and strength of character which made him an unforgettable man to this day.

This biography gives us the desire to know more about him in these deeper works on the Word, such as these sermons which are also available to us. In my opinion, this is just a good biography that makes our mouths water to discover a man whom God used mightily for his work. A man whose works are still frequently cited and used today because they are so deep and true. A reflection of man himself and his integrity in his life for the glory of his God.

I end with a nice quote from the book:

"I felt very tired then. Sad, dejected. My heart was sick and wondered if I was enjoying the truths I shared with others. It seemed painful, terrible, to be just a servant and not a guest at the Gospel banquet. I was then in a provincial town: on Sunday I entered a Methodist chapel. I later learned that the day preacher was an engineer. He read, prayed, and began the sermon. Hearing this, a great emotion seized me: every word, every sentence touched me, moved me deeply. I started to cry profusely. At the same time, my overwhelm and sadness vanished; for I knew now that the gospel was precious to me and it also exercised its marvelous, beneficent influence on me. When the service was over, I went to find the preacher to thank him.He asked my name, and learning who I was, he blushed right down to the roots of my hair

- But that's one of your sermons I preached this morning, he said.

- I know it, I replied, but this is exactly the message I needed: because it showed me that I know how to taste the word I preach to others.

Fortunately, Providence had so disposed of it, continues Spurgeon. No other sermon could have reassured me to the same extent. "*

* see Spurgeon, His life and his work, 1834-1892, G. Brunel, 2013, Éditions Impact, p. 159-160.