Today, we pick up the narrative as Spurgeon faces a severe trial: being unjustly blamed for a tragic incident during one of his sermons. Despite grappling with deep depression, Spurgeon found solace in Isaiah 40:31 and returned to preaching with renewed vigor, leading to the remarkable growth of his congregation. On March 18th, 1861, the iconic Metropolitan Tabernacle was completed, becoming a beacon of hope for thousands in London. Spurgeon's sermons were printed and distributed widely, and mission work was funded across England. His innovative preaching style, including his famous "Wordless Book" sermon, left an indelible mark on Christian evangelism worldwide. Spurgeon's philanthropic efforts extended to establishing orphanages, supported by annual fundraisers that became must-attend events in South London. Despite facing personal danger and societal challenges, including the terror of Jack the Ripper's reign of terror, Spurgeon remained steadfast in his convictions, speaking out against social injustices such as slavery and theological deviations from Scripture. In 1887, Spurgeon controversially decided to leave the Baptist denomination due to theological drift, sparking intense backlash but refusing to compromise on core beliefs. Throughout his life, Spurgeon battled chronic illness, including gout, yet continued to preach and write prolifically until his passing in January 1892. Episode Sponsor: • Alexander Henry Coffee https://alexanderhenrycoffee.ca Use CODE: churchhistory for 20% off • Etsy Mug Store https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/ChurchHistory • My book “The church is born” is available! Order the book today! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BGLZ7C1 Canadian Link: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09BGLZ7C1 Links: https://linktr.ee/loreleesiemens If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well: Charles Spurgeon: The Making of the Prince of Preachers https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-34782810/charles-spurgeon-the-making-of-the-prince-of-preachers Charles Darwin: https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-17500307/charles-darwin Müller - A life changed: https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-17890883/muller-a-life-changed