A Good Start: A Book for Young Men and Women

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Throughout his decades-long ministry, Spurgeon's greatest aim was to lead people to Christ, and children were no exception. A Good Start contains messages on character formation and spiritual growth. He warns children against the dangers and pitfalls which can derail their faith, and offers accessible and practical advice.

329 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was England's best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London's famed New Park Street Church (formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian, John Gill). The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall. In these venues, Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000—all in the days before electronic amplification. In 1861, the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle.

Reviews

[Jessica Tanoesoedibjo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps one of the less heard-of Spurgeon gems that speaks to the soul. A book that Spurgeon addresses to young men and women to seek after his God. He tells his young readers to follow in the footsteps of their godly parents, and to love the Lord as their own. To walk, contrary to what is expected of a young man and woman in such a day and age, but to begin the ascent to eternal life early. He speaks highly of holiness, of presenting all of our lives as a holy offering before the Lord—to work, even if in “secular space” knowing that we serve a Master who is worthy of it all.

Perhaps one of my favorite parts of the book had been when he spoke of how people on this earth seek to do all things “because we must live,” but Spurgeon reminds us, “but we must die.” Such is the call of the Christian: to lay our lives down everyday for the cause of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, whom had died on our behalf, that we may have life eternal.

[Philip Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Well put together thoughts for younger people as they consider the stage of life they're in in light of Christianity. A little too pietistic at times, or at the very least, did give some advice about the relationship between religion and common life that I think needed further unpacking. The problem was more in what he didn't say than what he did. Thus, some implications one might glean from this section could be imbalanced if other principles are not kept in mind. In saying that, an excellent book. Classic Spurgeon.