I. In the first place, IS IT SO? Is it true that unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given? It is a fact that a child is born. Upon that I use no argument. We receive it as a fact, more fully established than any other fact in history, that the Son of God became man, was born at Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. It is a fact, too, that…
A Sermon entitled: “A Christmas Question” Delivered on Sabbath Morning, December 25th, 1859, by C. H. Spurgeon “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” — Isaiah 9:6. UPON OTHER OCCASIONS I have explained the main part of this verse—”the government shall be upon his shoulders, his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God.” If God shall spare me, on some future occasion I hope to take the other titles, “The Everlasting Father,…
He Faced Controversy in Standing for the Truth Ryle disturbed the hornet’s nest of lukewarm Christianity with his preaching and stand. Complaints were brought against him very early in his ministry when he spoke against late-night cricket matches on Saturdays. And when the young Ryle refused to join in cards, dances or parties, he was ridiculed as being ‘an enthusiastic, fanatical mad dog’. When Ryle was in Winchester, the third son of the evangelical politician William Wilberforce, Samuel Wilberforce tried…
He Knew Grief and Disappointments in the Ministry On the 29th of October 1845, Ryle married Matilda Charlotte Louisa in Helmingham Church. At 29 years old, he was considered late in marriage. This was deliberate as he would only consider marriage when he had sufficient financial resources. Everything was blissful for the couple until they had the first child in March 1847. Matilda became extremely ill and developed severe post-natal depression. Her physical condition worsened over time; before long she…
He Understood What Labouring for the Lord Means God providentially led Ryle to these circumstances and spiritual condition for a purpose. Being the eldest son in the family, he took upon himself the responsibility of providing for the family in this trying situation. His parents could not help him nor offer him any suggestions because of their devastated condition. Going into law would not bring them any immediate comfort as it would take at least four years before he could…
He was Taught the Cost of Being Christ’s Disciple The Lord Jesus told His disciples in Luke 14:27 – whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Those who walk with Christ will have their faith tested by trials and sufferings. His faith was going to be tried in such a way that (according to him) if he had not been a Christian, he would have committed suicide. What happened? After his time and…
He Experienced God’s Grace in His Conversion Having a father who lived ‘almost like the king of Macclesfield’ gave young J.C. Ryle advantages over other children like entering a private school and staying independent of his family at the 8 years old. In this school, he was “sturdy, very independent and combative… [and] had very strong opinion[s]…, and never cared… for being in a minority, and was ready to fight anybody however big if necessary. [He] left [the school]……
A Faithful Minister In the “Liverpool Review” dated 21st November 1885, the following was written: “Dr Ryle is simply about the most disastrous episcopal failure ever inflicted upon a long-suffering diocese… he is nothing better than a political fossil.” In 1887, another newspaper wrote: “His name will stink in history”. Despite these unfavourable views, J.C. Ryle was unashamed of his evangelical stand and love for Reformed theology and the Puritans. A minister under Ryle’s leadership testified: “He was great in…
Excerpt from George Whitefield’s letter to John Wesley regarding “God’s Election”: December 24th 1740 “… First, you say that if this be so (i.e., if there be an election) then is all preaching vain: it is needless to them that are elected; for they, whether with preaching or without, will infallibly be saved. Therefore, the end of preaching to save souls is void with regard to them. And it is useless to them that are not elected, for they cannot…