A Spurgeon Tale

Once a young Charles Hadon Spurgeon (1834-1892) heard a visiting preacher declare from the pulpit the teaching of sinless perfectionism. Along with the explanation, the preacher -- demurely, and repeatedly -- claimed that he himself had achieved this holy status.

The idea fascinated Spurgeon. If this doctrine were true, it was worthy of diligent study and personal application. Imagine being perfectly righteous in thought, word, deed, and nature! Imagine never sinning either by commission or omission! Imagine loving God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind! Just living in complete compliance with that Great Commandment would be a wonderful thing! Spurgeon was excited, but being a thoroughly canny young man, knew he needed verification.

The next morning Spurgeon went to see the preacher at the hotel at which he was staying. Spurgeon found him dressed for the day, sitting at breakfast. He approached the table where the preacher was eating, and -- without a word of explanation -- poured an entire pitcher of milk on the man's head.

Spurgeon was disappointed to report that the theology of the visiting preacher failed the test.

Caveat: I have not been able to insure that this anecdote actually took place. It makes a good story. However, it probably should not be repeated without advising the listeners that it might be apocryphal.