What They Said

“We ought to be such husbands that every husband in the parish may safely be such as we are. Is it so? We ought to be the best of fathers. Alas! Some ministers, to my knowledge, are far from this, for as to their families, they have kept the vineyards of others, but their own vineyards they have not kept. Their children are neglected, and do not grow up as a godly seed. Is it so with yours?”

Charles Spurgeon

“Many are foolishly apt to think that a minister is more spiritual than anyone else. But I am daily more and more sensible of the desperate wickedness of my deceitful heart, and my miserable ruined state as a sinner by nature and by practice. I feel utterly unworthy of the name of a Christian, and to be ranked among the followers of the Lamb. I have no desire to palm myself off on any church, as though I were anything. I am willing to take a low place.”

J.C. Philpot

“Ministers often seek great gifts—great eloquence—great congregations—great popularity. They are wrong in seeking these so-called great things. Let them rather seek real things, gracious things, things that will make their souls blessed here and hereafter.  ”

J.C. Philpot

"The true shepherd spirit is an amalgam of many precious graces.  He is hot with zeal, but he is not fiery with passion.  He is gentle, and yet he rules his class.  He is loving, but he does not wink at sin. He has power over the lambs, but he is not domineering or sharp.  He has cheerfulness, but not levity; freedom, but not license; solemnity, but not gloom."

Charles Spurgeon