There is an axiom that states, “Good things come in small packages.” Well, that certainly rings true about my book choice for this month. Mrs. C.H. Spurgeon, by Charles Ray, is only one hundred-twenty pages long, but what a surprise gift it was for me to read.
When I saw that it was first written in 1903, I was prepared for a trite yet over-indulgent description of a pious woman who could have little in common with me in today’s world. She lived in the 1800’s and was a famous pastor’s wife, for goodness sake. What could I learn from her? But oh, was I mistaken!
Every woman can learn from Mrs. Spurgeon’s pilgrimage beginning with a girlhood in London, to a marriage to one considered by many to be the greatest preacher ever to fill a pulpit, and all the responsibilities that came with that position. C.H. Spurgeon was a remarkable man and his “soul-mate” needed to be just as extraordinary.
Where do we ever get the idea that a pastor and his wife’s relationship has to be any different than our own? The Spurgeon’s lives illustrate beautifully what a marriage should be and the sacrifices that each should be willing to endure to make it so. It is not just for those in the ministry.
I also learned of the industrious endeavors of this selfless woman. Her founding of the “Book Fund” supplied countless books and sermon copies to those pastors who were not able to afford them personally. She was an example of the Proverbs 31 woman.
The things that touched me the most were the “love letters” written by Mr. Spurgeon to his wife during their many periods of separation and Mrs. Spurgeon’s journal entries of her thoughts toward him Both were filled with the purest of thoughts toward each other. “Dear purchase of a Saviour’s blood, you are to me a Saviour’s gift, and my heart is full to overflowing with the thought of such continued goodness.” (C.H. Spurgeon to Susannah before their marriage.) Oh, that our husbands could say the same about us!
This is a great book for all women; young, old, married, single, pastor’s wives or not. The reader will come away with a renewed spirit of respect, servitude, and love for the spouse that God has given them.
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