The Shadow of the Broad Brim: The Life Story of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Heir of the Puritans

by Richard Ellsworth Day

About Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the remarkable British "Boy preacher," who came from a country pastorate to a church in London and is estimated to have preached to more than 10 million people. 3561 of his sermons have been preserved and bound, and they constitute the largest set of books by a single author in the history of Christianity, according to the author, an evangelist and widely-read writer of the column, "Beside the Golden Gate," in The Baptist.

Genres: Biography, Christian

236 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1934

About the author

Richard Ellsworth Day was born in the United States in 1884. In his early life he was an apprentice at the Terre Haute Gazette in Indiana serving as an associate reporter. His first book was a biography on the famous preacher Charles Spurgeon entitled The Shadow of the Broad Brim, which he published with Judson Press in 1934. The book was an immediate success which led to subsequent biographies on Charles Grandison Finney (1942), D.L. Moody (1944), and Henry Parsons Crowell (1946). Richard Day and his wife Deborah would begin each project with extensive research and study and then retreat to their little cottage in Sunnyvale, California to write. In his day he was a noted Christian biographer, and between projects, traveled around speaking in churches and schools until his death in 1965.

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a class and enjoyed it a great deal. Although I’m fairly knowledgeable about Mr. Spurgeon, there were some things that I’d not heard or it was unfamiliar.

Some of what I found most enjoyable was hearing about Susannah his wife. She had quite a large role in his life and from every appearance they had a deep love for each other.

Maybe the big lack in this book was I just saw wanted more of it. It was not an exhaustive biography. I wanted more details.

I would highly recommend this for anyone wanting to look at the life of this great preacher.

[Joe Cassada · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written, light biography and therefore a good introduction to the life of Spurgeon. If Spurgeon's own autobiography seems too large, I recommend Day's work.

I appreciate how the author divides the book into aspects of Spurgeon's life and character instead of approaching it from only a linear perspective. I was also intrigued at the brief mention of the author's interviews with those still alive who had sat under Spurgeon's ministry. Even more amazing was how they all remarked more on Spurgeon's praying than on his preaching - and there's the center of it, isn't it? We know the man for his sermons, but his parishioners knew him for his praying. Reading that alone was more instructive than anything else in the book.

[Luke Watts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was certainly a good read & filled with some great points & overall presentation of the ministry of Spurgeon. The writer does come across a little hagiographic, and it is certainly off putting to have Spurgeon often placed in the same company as the apostle Paul. He was a great man that God used mightily, but he was still very much a man! This book does place the emphasis in right places in regard to Spurgeon’s stand for truth, & that he always kept the Gospel central in his life & ministry were evident.

[Read1000books · Rating 3 out of 5]

No biography of Britain's most famous preacher,Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892), tells the complete story, but this one, written in 1934 when many were still alive who either knew him or had heard him preach, is a good one.

[Simeon Brazzell · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the most encouraging books I've read in a while. This is the second time through, but I gleaned a lot more this time. I'm not one for biography, but this is well written and holds your attention

[Tim Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are hundreds of biographies on Spurgeon; this one may be the best.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon was the phenomenal preacher of the 19th century. Spurgeon read ravenously, wrote prolifically and preached almost extemporaneously. Taking a half page of notes into the pulpit and yet preached forty-five minutes at a rate of approximately 140 words per minute. “Ha”, you ask, “did he have anything significant to say in that time?” A stenographer, on the front pew, jotted every word Spurgeon spoke. By Monday morning, the handwritten sermon was in Spurgeon’s hands for the first round of editing. By Thursday of that week, the sermon was typeset and 25,000 copies were sold weekly for 37 consecutive years. On a Sunday morning Spurgeon told his London congregation of 5,000, “There are dungeons beneath the castles of my despair. I am the subject of depressions of spirit so fearful that I hope none of you ever get to such extremes of wretchedness as I go through.”

[Philip Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally written in 1934, 100 years after Spurgeon's birth. Not the best Spurgeon biography out there, but is by no means bad. I would recommend Fullerton, Dallimore, or Bacon over this. In saying that, this is a super enjoyable, readable biography written for popular audiences. Really emphasises Spurgeon's personality and what he was like to hang out with, which I liked. Also really enjoyed the tracing back of the Spurgeon family to counter-reformation efforts in Holland which led to their move to Britain.

[Paul Frederick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a good book, but I don't think it's a great book. I'm thankful that it was reprinted, but overall I'm sure there are better works about Spurgeon out there. Day spends far too much time on some subjects, while glancing over others almost entirely. For instance, the Downgrade Controversy was given a few scant paragraphs while Susanna Spurgeon's pet name for her husband was explained in too great detail and referenced time and time again. This book left me wanting to read a good biography of the man instead of being satisfied that I read it.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful overview of Spurgeon's life, from his ancestry to death. I loved the look at his ancestry and influences, plus the quotes and more intimate details of his life. It left me almost in a daze, thinking of such a well-spent life and how little, in comparison, I use my talents for the Lord. How busy Spurgeon was in doing good and in loving others--all born from his love for God! I pray my life will be more deeply used, not wasted.
Great book!

[Jj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exhaustive for sure, but Jesus centered. As an intro to Spurgeon, sufficient. Slow beginning; awesome ending.

[Donna Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting for Christians who have heard about Charles Spurgeon and the power of his ministry. The language is a bit stilted for modern readers, but I still liked the biography.

This book is encouraging to those who wish to live their faith daily. I also found it interesting that Spurgeon suffered from depression, yet he was able to maintain his faith and ministry.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

His godly heritage, his topical messages, the financing of his gigantic church building--a few of the topics addressed in this biography of Charles Spurgeon.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me want to do more for Christ.