Vol 01 - PUBLISHER'S FORWARD

PUBLISHER’S FORWARD The Pastor’s College began with one student, Mr. T. W. Medhurst, who first contacted Spurgeon about the matter of salvation. After his conversion, Medhurst wanted to study for the ministry under Spurgeon.

Spurgeon first assigned him to Mr. C. H. Hosken as his teacher, then later Mr. George Rogers became the tutor and the small beginning developed into a college for ministerial students. More and more students enrolled, and the Pastor’s College became widely known. With the help of Spurgeon, its library became a great asset to the student body. The early tutors of the college included James Spurgeon, David Gracey, Archibald Ferguson, and W. R. Selway. A later staff was composed of Fergusson, Rogers, Gracey, and F. G. Merchant.

Lectures were of course given in class rooms, but there was also “the Question Oak” a large tree at Mr. Spurgeon’s residence. Often the students would gather under the tree and ask questions of Spurgeon, and he would give the answers. On Friday afternoon, the students were usually asked to exhibit their own ability as preachers and that without prior knowledge of the subject matter.

Spurgeon called upon a student to give a message on Zaccheus. The student arose and said: “Zaccheus was little of stature, so am I. Zaccheus was up a tree, so am I. Zaccheus came down, so will I.” The students, as well as Mr. Spurgeon, applauded the “ingenious” performance. The College had an annual conference at which time many of the former students would gather for fellowship and preaching.