by Ray Rhodes, Jr.
The air was cold and damp in London on January 8, 1856. However, the weather did not prohibit crowds from lining the streets, blocking the roads, and flooding into the sanctuary of the New Park Street Chapel. Over 2,000 people were turned away from the overcrowded building, and they then took their places with the rest of the throng who filled the streets and pressed as near to the chapel as possible. The people were gathered in hopes of catching a glimpse of London’s now-famous couple. Though the clouds hung low and the air was chilled, that Saturday in January was a day of great joy, for it was the wedding day of Charles Spurgeon and Susannah Thompson.1