It is always difficult to successfully follow the ministry of an eminently God-blessed pastor. Time and time again, churches have been destroyed during the decade after the death of a long and God-blessed pastor.  And almost as often, the succeeding pastor has been hurt in trying to follow such a ministry.
On this day in 1856, twin sons were born to Mrs. C. H. Spurgeon. The boys were named Charles and Thomas, and it was assumed that one or the other would follow their father as pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle.   But toward the end of his life, Spurgeon’s brother, James, served as “co-pastor,” while the two boys were busy doing other things.  When C.H. Spurgeon died, the church appeared ready to split if James became pastor.  He wisely removed himself from consideration.  At the time A.T. Pierson had been filling the pulpit, but he had Protestant baptism and could not become the pastor.  The church then turned its eyes on the sons of Spurgeon. Between the two boys, Thomas was the least physically imposing.  He was certainly not the outgoing, robust man his father had been.  He did not consider himself capable or worthy of leading his father’s church.  But in 1894 he finally accepted the call of the church and successfully lead the congregation through some deep trials, until his poor health forced him to resign in 1917.  Between Charles Sr., Charles Jr. and Thomas, perhaps Thomas was the least gifted.  But he was God’s man for the task.  The ministry of the gospel is all about the will and power of the Lord, not the meager servant He might use.