Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the great English pulpiteer, was excited by the incidental requests made in 2 Tim. 4: 13. He preached from his text in London’s Metropolitan Tabernacle, November 29, 1863. His sermon had four major points. The first is: “Even an apostle must read.” Under this heading hear him eloquently ex­claim.

“He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has been preaching at least for thirty years, and yet he wants books! He had had a wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had been caught up into the third heaven, and had heard things which it was unlawful for a man to utter, yet he wants books! He had written the major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books! The apostle says to Timothy and so he says to every preacher, ‘Give thy­self unto reading.’ The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains proves that he has no brains of his own. Brethren, what is true of ministers is true of all our people. You need to read.”