Archibald G. Brown: Spurgeon's Successor

by Iain H. Murray

Archibald G. Brown (1844-1922), instead of following his father to wealth in commerce and banking, built a church to hold 3,000 in the East End of London while still in his twenties. Five thousand eight hundred were to join in 30 years. Almost simultaneously he led mission work among the poor, being described by The Daily Telegraph newspaper as possessing 'a larger practical acquaintance with the homes, and the social horrors of the foulest corners of the East of London than anyone who could well be cited.'

Genres: Biography, Church History, Theology

405 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

Iain Hamish Murray is a British pastor and author. He was educated in the Isle of Man and at the University of Durham before entering ministry in 1955. He served as assistant to Martyn Lloyd-Jones at Westminster Chapel (1956–59) and subsequently at Grove Chapel, London (1961–69) and St. Giles Presbyterian Church, Sydney, Australia, (1981–84). In 1957 he and Jack Cullum founded the Reformed publishing house, the Banner of Truth Trust, of which he continues to serve as a trustee.

Reviews

[Mark Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual Murray writes a brilliant biography with theological and ministerial reflections.

Some very interesting reflections on preaching; textual vs expository and the use of outlines vs manuscripts.

[Matt Pitts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably would have never picked this book up if had not been written by Iain Murray. I knew very little about Archibald Brown when I bought it, but anything written by Iain Murray is worth reading.

A well written book on a little known figure from church history. Recommended!

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this biography of C. H. Spurgeon's disciple and successor. It is an interesting sidelight into Mr Spurgeon himself and into what the East End of London was like in this era.

[Gabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

AGB, was an example of a faithful gospel preacher. An encouraging read for me. While I think it would encourage any christian, a few groups that Murray's biography would particularly encourage are men thinking about the pastorate, older Christians who are called to do ministry when they feel like their bodies are breaking down and Christians who have lost their spouses.

[Jon Delamarter · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a loyal fan of Iain Murray’s biographical writings, I have always said his bio of Jonathan Edwards was my favorite. I am now at a loss as to whether that it still true. This bio of Archibald G. Brown is absolutely superb. As usual, Murray finds that narrow path between too much and too little detail of the minutiae of his subject’s life and times, while weaving these “facts” together with many quotes and appropriate biographical anecdotes. And, as usual, he makes it look natural and easy; this is an attestation to the mastery of his craft.

Brown himself, as revealed to us by Murray, is a magnificent study. At once studious, sincere, and unbending in conviction, he was also alive with “animal spirit” and capable of deep consolation and hearty laughter; all of this flowed from a heart completely captivated by love for Christ, the watchword and power of his significant ministry. Brown suffered much, including the death of four successive wives. His suffering sweetened a man already lovingly devoted to his people and to those within his influence that he sought for Christ. And that influence was large. The East London Tabernacle, led by Brown, was known largely for its evangelistic forays into the largely immigrant slums surrounding the church, a legacy continued by the ELT to this day.

Brown inspires me to deeper pursuit of Jesus and to ever increasing reliance upon His power for ministry. May God continue to bless generations of Christians through Brown’s influence, just as he has done through the life and ministry of Brown’s dearest friend, Charles Spurgeon.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had only heard his name in passing in biographies I had read of Charles Spurgeon, but I immensely enjoyed this biography and would even put it on a plane with Dallimore's biography of Spurgeon, another favorite book of mine.

Mr. Brown was trained at Spurgeon's College, pastored another large church in London and showed a heart very similar to that of Charles Spurgeon's. The two men were close friends until Spurgeon's death and Brown even pastored Spurgeon's old church for a while. However, Mr. Brown did much more than that. He was not just a Spurgeon imitator though that would be quite an accomplishment on its own. In particular, after "retiring" in his 60's, he traveled for years throughout Africa and Australia preaching in churches to the blessing of many. His name in that day was almost as well-known as Spurgeon's and perhaps one reason that his name is relatively unknown today is that he didn't write as much and he didn't found as many institutions. If you enjoy reading about Spurgeon, I will be quite surprised if you do not enjoy this biography.

I was especially challenged by Brown's zeal and by his reliance on the spirit of God. I find it helpful to read biographies of people who are farther along than I am in the Christian life because they remind me to not be complacent but to keep pressing forward.

[Parker Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good bio on a faithful pastor that came out of Spurgeon's Pastors College. Crazy to learn of all the things going on in London during these times and the impact many of the English Baptists had. Most won't know who Archibald Brown is, but this is an encouraging read of a servant of Christ who dealt with so much in his lifetime (4 wives dying, periods of revival, controversy, etc.), and remained steadfast to the end.

[Kyle Huber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, encouraging and soul strengthening. It was all that a good Christian biography should be.

[Anson Cassel Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iain Murray (b. 1931) is unusual in being a writer who consistently approaches historical topics with an agenda yet one who also treats his subjects with scrupulous care and only after thorough research. Murray here presents Archibald Geikie Brown (1844-1922), a Baptist pastor who made his mark in the East End of London at the end of the nineteenth century but who today is virtually unknown even to specialists. In Murray's view, Brown serves as a model of how Calvinist evangelicals can remain faithful to the Gospel even when they do not experience revival.

Although Murray makes a strong case for Brown’s importance, his primary sources are limited. Murray makes excellent use of an inspirational biography written thirty years before Brown's death, but the records of Brown’s greatest success, the fostering of the East London Tabernacle into a spiritual powerhouse during the last three decades of the nineteenth century, were lost when the church was destroyed during the World War II. Unfortunately as well, there are few surviving records of Brown’s ministry during the last two decades of his life, the decades that include the few years he served as pastor of Spurgeon’s Metropolitan Tabernacle.

[Pieter Voorwinden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography of a man, no so well known perhaps as Spurgeon but a warrior for the truth and souls of men in his isn right. God used him powerfully, amazing how he always sought to lift up Christ.

I know the Scottish Presbyterian church so it wasn’t a surprise to read the author’s (and Calvin’s, Brown’s & Spurgeon’s) stance on avoiding musical instruments in church. I’m also grateful to read that for Brown and Spurgeon it wasn’t a great breaking point as long as it is supporting Gods praise in public worship (as is the case in all reformed Dutch churches for example). I have been in instrumental guided praise where the singing was phenomenal; I’ve been in congregations where you wish they’d use a organ cuz the a capella singing is either slow-droning, feebley-mumbling and/or out of tune due to tone deaf singers (leading thoughts away from praising God).

Anyway, an amazing account of Christ’s grace through his preaching.

[Tucker Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet book. Ian Thompson of Banner told me this was Murray’s best biography, and I think he’s right. Brown’s story makes me want to be a better pastor and a better Christian.

[Allen Tsai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A faithful man to a faithful God. Inspiring and encouraging to see a man who held fast to preaching the gospel and how God used that mightily for His glory.