This sermon was delivered on a national day of fasting called in response to the Indian Mutiny of 1857, where Spurgeon preached from Micah 6:9 about "hearing the rod" that God had appointed as judgment. He argues that while he doesn't believe every accident is divine punishment, nations do experience God's judgments for their sins, and the brutal violence and rebellion in India was such a rod from God meant to wake England up to repent of its many sins—including the government's toleration of Hindu practices involving immorality, the oppression of poor workers by wealthy factory owners, dishonest business practices, public prostitution in London streets, and the general spiritual apathy of churches and individuals. Spurgeon calls the nation to genuine repentance rather than empty rituals, warns that people will likely forget God's discipline as soon as the crisis passes (just as they did after previous cholera outbreaks), and urges his listeners to truly turn to Christ for salvation while encouraging them to give generously to help the victims of the violence in India.

Sermon delivered by Charles Spurgeon on October 7th, 1857.

In this sermon, Charles Spurgeon uses the Old Testament story of Moses lifting up a bronze serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21) to explain how sinners are saved by looking to Jesus Christ on the cross. Just as the Israelites were dying from poisonous snake bites and could only be healed by looking at the bronze serpent that Moses lifted up on a pole, Spurgeon explains that all people are spiritually dying because of sin and can only be saved by believing in (looking to) Jesus Christ who was lifted up on the cross. He emphasizes that salvation is incredibly simple—it's not about having great knowledge, doing good works, or being worthy, but simply looking in faith to Christ crucified, just as the dying Israelites only needed to look at the serpent to live. Spurgeon concludes by urging his listeners not to delay, not to trust in anything else, but to look to Jesus now, promising that "whosoever" believes in Him—no matter how great their sins—will not perish but have eternal life.

Sermon delivered on September 27, 1857.

In this allegorical sermon, Charles Spurgeon pictures salvation as a precious treasure being carried through the world by a great procession of spiritual forces and graces that guard it at every stage. He describes how salvation is preceded by God's eternal election and predestination (the distant advance guard), followed by the Holy Spirit's convicting work that brings terrible awareness of sin and a broken heart (the "Thundering Legion"), then the healing comfort of Christ's blood and forgiveness (the "Silken Legion"), then the development of Christian virtues like humility, repentance, prayer, and faith. Finally, for those who truly possess salvation, there follow gratitude, obedience, joy, sanctification, and ultimately death (portrayed not as a skeleton with a dart but as a beautiful angel with a key to Paradise), resurrection, and eternal glory with God in heaven—all these being the glorious "things that accompany salvation" from beginning to end.

Sermon delivered on September 20, 1857.

In this sermon on 2 Corinthians 8:9, Charles Spurgeon describes the amazing sacrifice Jesus made by leaving His glorious riches in heaven—where He owned everything, was honored by angels, and lived in perfect love—to become desperately poor on earth, living as a homeless carpenter who was rejected, mocked, tortured, and killed on a cross. Spurgeon explains that Jesus became poor "for our sakes" so that through His poverty we might become spiritually rich—receiving forgiveness, adoption into God's family, eternal promises, and a future inheritance of crowns and glory in heaven that Jesus purchased for us with His own suffering. He concludes by urging his listeners to examine whether they have truly been made rich through Christ's poverty by trusting in Him alone for salvation, and he invites sinners to look to the crucified Jesus and believe in Him, promising that anyone who does so will be saved forever.

Sermon delivered on September 13, 1857.

In this sermon, Charles Spurgeon mourns deeply over two causes of great sorrow: the brutal violence and atrocities committed during the Indian Mutiny of 1857, where British men and women were murdered and women were horrifically abused by rebel soldiers, and the widespread moral destruction happening across England through sins like drunkenness, sexual immorality, and spiritual apathy. He uses Jeremiah's passionate cry for tears as his text to urge Christians to weep not only over physical suffering but even more so over the countless souls being destroyed by sin in their own communities, families, and even congregations. Spurgeon concludes by calling Christians to move beyond tears into action—praying fervently, preaching boldly, caring for the poor, and doing everything in their power to win souls to Christ before they perish eternally.

Sermon delivered on September 6, 1857.

In this sermon, Charles Spurgeon argues that the growth and success of Christianity cannot come through human armies, political power, large denominations, or even the talents of individual leaders like great scholars or eloquent speakers, because God wants all glory to belong to Him alone. He uses examples from history—such as how British colonial rule actually hindered the spread of the gospel in India rather than helping it—to show that when Christians rely on worldly power or institutional prestige, God withdraws His blessing, and it is only when people depend entirely on the Holy Spirit that true revival and conversion happen. Spurgeon concludes with a passionate plea for Christians to stop relying on church structures, plans, and human abilities, and instead pray earnestly for God to pour out His Spirit, since that alone is what the church truly needs to accomplish anything meaningful.

Sermon delivered on August 31, 1857.

In this sermon on Ecclesiastes 8:12, Charles Spurgeon teaches that fear can either destroy us or help us, depending on whether it's the wrong kind of fear (like fearing people's opinions or worldly loss) or the right kind of fear (godly fear that draws us to God). He describes five types of godly fear that Christians experience: (1) the fear of an awakened conscience when someone first realizes they're a sinner deserving God's wrath, (2) the anxious fear of doubting whether one is truly saved, (3) the cautious fear of falling into sin and dishonoring God, (4) the jealous fear of letting anything besides Jesus take first place in our hearts, and (5) the reverent fear felt when experiencing God's awesome presence. Spurgeon encourages people struggling with these fears by assuring them that "it shall be well with them that fear God"—that these fears are actually signs of true faith, and God promises to save and keep safe all who genuinely fear Him and turn to Christ for salvation.

Sermon delivered by Charles Spurgeon on August 23, 1857.

In this sermon based on 2 Samuel 5:24, Charles Spurgeon teaches that just as David waited for God's specific sign (the rustling in the mulberry trees) before going into battle, Christians should watch for special opportunities when God is clearly at work and then act with extra energy and urgency during those times. Spurgeon explains that when we see signs of spiritual awakening—like people being deeply moved by a sermon, someone showing interest in spiritual things, children asking questions about God, or revival breaking out in churches—we should "bestir ourselves" by praying more earnestly, speaking boldly to those who seem open, and seizing the moment rather than letting the opportunity pass. He emphasizes that while we should always be faithful in serving God, there are special seasons when the Holy Spirit is particularly active, and during these times we must be especially diligent to work with God rather than missing the chance to see souls saved and lives changed.

Sermon delivered on May 31, 1857.

In this sermon on Philippians 1:21, Charles Spurgeon explains that a true Christian's life is completely centered on Christ—Christ is the source of their spiritual life, their daily sustenance, their example to follow, and their ultimate purpose for living. Spurgeon then addresses the second part of the verse, arguing that death is actually a great gain for believers because, though they lose earthly things like wealth and friends when they die, they gain far more in heaven—they're reunited with loved ones who died in faith, receive eternal riches and glory, gain complete knowledge of God's mysteries, and live forever in perfect happiness without sin or suffering. He concludes with a sobering warning that this blessed death only belongs to those who truly believe in Jesus Christ, while those who reject Him face eternal judgment and torment.

Sermon delivered on August 16, 1857.

In this sermon, Charles Spurgeon preaches on Jesus's command to "love your neighbor as yourself," explaining that a neighbor is anyone near us regardless of their wealth, religion, or behavior, and we must actively love them with genuine kindness, not just avoid hurting them. He emphasizes that this means treating everyone—rich or poor, friend or enemy, even those who sin against us—with the same care and concern we naturally have for ourselves, helping them when they're in need, forgiving them when they wrong us, and speaking kindly rather than harshly to them. Spurgeon concludes by reminding his listeners that since no one has perfectly kept this command, we all need God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and once forgiven, Christians should strive to love others as Christ loved us—sacrificially and unconditionally.

Sermon delivered August 9th, 1857.