Nothing But Gout?
Poem★★★★“Charles,” said Grandfather Spurgeon, “I have nothing to leave you but rheumatic gout; and I have left you a great deal of that.” But Rev.
James Spurgeon left his grandson a great deal more than that. Charles went to live with his grandparents at age one. James, pastor of an Independent Church, had a “large head and large voice.” He wore breeches, buck.led shoes, and silk stockings.
He was a great preacher, and under his tutelage young Charles fell in love with the message and the ministry of preaching. As a teenager, Charles was once asked to preach at a church in Suffolk. His train being delayed, James began a sermon for him. When the old man saw Charles enter, he interrupted himself “Here comes my grandson,” he said.
“He may preach the gospel better than I can, but he cannot preach a better gospel-can you, Charles?” Young Charles took up the ser111on from Ephesians 2, right where his grandfather had left off. Nor did Charles ever forget Grandmother Spurgeon, sitting by the fire, an open Bible on her lap, speaking of the Lord. She taught him many lessons, and she was goodhearted and kind.
She kept a little shelf over the kneading trough where she placed bits of sweet pastry, low enough for the boy’s plump fingers. The old couple’s grandparenting ministry became the most important thing they ever did for the Lord, for it produced England’s greatest preacher.
The point
Charles Spurgeon's grandfather left him rheumatic gout but also pastoral tutelage; grandmother's faith by the fireside shaped Charles's call—their grandparenting ministry produced England's greatest preacher.