Ray Rhodes Jr. - Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon, wife of Charles H. Spurgeon

This is, without doubt, the most detailed, historically accurate, and definitive account on the life of my great-great-grandmother Susie. Ray Rhodes has been meticulous in his research and yet has presented Susies life in a very readable and engaging way. I came away from each chapter wanting to live life like Susie did. First, and most importantly, to have that strong and abiding faith she had in God. Second, to have the complete devotion to my husband that Susie and Charles had to each other. Finally, to have the unwavering perseverance that she had to the end, despite prolonged illness and the many trials of her life. This book will encourage you to live life looking to Christ to supply and to be everything you need as you seek to serve Him for His glory.

SUSANNAH SPURGEON COCHRANE, great-great-granddaughter of Charles and Susie Spurgeon

I have long wanted to read a biography of Susannah Spurgeon, and Ray Rhodes has given me (and the church) a gift in this biography of a remarkable woman. If you long to know that your trials will be used by God, your weakness is the way to holiness, and your faithfulness in the ordinary and hidden work of ministry is valuable to God, then let Susie be your teacher and your friend. You will find a fellow sister in this book, and you will be encouraged. God will do His intended work in the lives of His people, and Susie is one faithful example of that work.

COURTNEY REISSIG, author of Glory in the Ordinary and The Accidental Feminist

I read the dedication and thought, This book will be a delight. On studying the timeline, I thought, This book will be very helpful. After the introduction, I thought, This book will be charming. Finishing Susies early life justified my presumption, This book is well-researched. Contemplating the vital intersection of Susies life with Spurgeon surprised me with the observation, This book opens up new light on the Prince of Preachers himself. When I came to the last remarkable month in Menton and Spurgeons death, I felt, This book shows the value of marriage in which two people have so sympathized that they have become virtually of one mind and heart. Looking at the ongoing theme of the Book Fund and the ministries it spawned, I thought, What an example of practical vision and persevering execution this lady was! Her independent usefulness in writing prompted the surmise, This could serve as an example for many a Christian woman in sharing the riches of biblical knowledge, deep fellowship with Christ, and edifying admonition. And men too, for that matter. The church planting venture and her part in the restoration of the Tabernacle inspired the conviction, That is just right. We should never till the day we die cease working for the glory of God and the extension of the kingdom of Christ. The universal lament following the death of this steel shadow sealed the conclusion in my heart, In a life matured by grace, she would not have been this person without Charles; and he would not have achieved such stature and received such love and respect without her; and, in fact, all of us need our mates, our friends, our churches, our trials, our triumphs, and the constant awareness of the goodness and wisdom of God to become what we should here and to prepare us for what we will be hereafter.

TOM NETTLES, retired and serving as Senior Professor of Historical Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; author of Living by Revealed Truth: The Life and Pastoral Theology of Charles Haddon Spurgeon

It has been way too long for the release of a full-length biography of Susie Spurgeon. Ray Rhodes has made it worth the wait! This book is a gem that has the same effect on the reader that Susie had on all the lives she touched: it draws our minds and hearts to marvel at the Lords goodness. As Charles Spurgeon referred to his wife, this bravest of women, strong in the faith was so focused on Gods glory that theology pulsed through her veins and out of her heart, mouth, hands, and pen. Susie Spurgeon, queen of the housewife theologians, treated the many obstacles and sufferings in her path as opportunities for the Lords strength to work through her weaknesses. And he worked mightily through Susie to bless her family and friends, and to minister to pastors, to orphans, and to us as well. Im thankful for how Ray has enriched my understanding of Christ through the life of Susie Spurgeon.

AIMEE BYRD, author of Why Cant We Be Friends? and No Little Women

Charles Spurgeon was the most famous name in Christendom in the latter half of the nineteenth century. He is still widely regarded as the Prince of Preachers in all of Christian history and is the hero of countless evangelical preachers today, including myself. What is much less known is how much Spurgeon loved and relied upon his godly wife, Susannah. Through both original research and new insights into long-dormant material, Ray Rhodes has restored Susie to her rightful place alongside her famous husband. Anyone interested in Spurgeon will enjoy this book, especially for its insights into the home life, family worship practices, and spiritual relationship of the Spurgeons. Anyone looking to read the life of a heroic Christian woman will find it in this biography of the remarkable Susannah Spurgeon.

DONALD S. WHITNEY, Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Associate Dean at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY; author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Family Worship, and Praying the Bible

Admirers of C. H. Spurgeon will be delighted to pick up this new biography of his wife, Susannah. Ray Rhodess carefully researched account of Susies life freshly illuminates the story of the woman who upheld the nineteenth centurys greatest preacher by her love and prayer. Susies story exemplifies trust in God in the midst of chronic illness and paints a sweet picture of married love. Readers will also give thanks to God for her Pastors Book Fund, which supplied thousands of volumes to equip needy pastors. We can learn much from the stories of saints who have gone before, and this book is no exception.

MEGAN HILL, author of Praying Together and Contentment; editor for The Gospel Coalition; regular contributor to CT Women and Today in the Word; and pastors wife

It is hard to believe that there has been no substantial study of Susannah Spurgeons life until this work by Ray Rhodes. Her husband and his ministry are so well-known, but for some reason, Susannah and her life have been but a chapter in his story. Thankfully Ray has now corrected this and given us a full account of her inspiring pilgrimage. I hope this book receives a wide readership among both women and men.

MICHAEL A. G. HAYKIN, FRHistS, Chair and Professor of Church History, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and author of numerous volumes, including Eight Women of Faith

As modern readers, its often difficult to relate to the saints of old. Ray Rhodes paints us a picture of a woman who devoted herself to personal pietyan inspiration for women in any age.

SARAH ZYLSTRA, senior writer at The Gospel Coalition

A well-worn adage states, behind every great man is a great woman; and its often true. Most of us know the great C. H. Spurgeon, but precious few know the godly woman to whom he was marriedthe woman who raised his children, who kept his house, who was his soul mate, and who helped keep him sane amid the boiling cauldron of local church ministry in Victorian England. In these clearly written, lively pages, my friend and fellow pastor Ray Rhodes brings Susie Spurgeon to life in bold relief and in full color, taking us inside the life of the woman who loved the Prince of Preachers. This is a unique, much-needed biography. Its the best kind of historywritten to serve the church of Jesus Christand it will serve as the standard biography of the delightful Mrs. Spurgeon for decades to come. There is literally something compelling here for every Christian. Read and rejoice that God gave the great Spurgeon such a lion-hearted helpmate.