The Express.
London, England, 1859-01-03 00:00:00

EXETER-HALL.

Yesterday evening Exeter-hall was again opened
for divine worship, the wake being the first of the third
eerie. for the working CUM, conducted by clergymen of the
Church of England. Am bad bens previa!), announced
there were no reserved seats, and no collection, the Lull being
entirely free; but two or three causes combined to make the
attendance f la than it generally was during the previous
services of the same kind. In the first place a dense fog
darkened the metropolis for two or three hours before the
service commenced, rendering it difficult, and even perilous,
to traverse the streets; thee, spin, the intention to hold
divine service win probably not so generally known en it
would have been had the series commenced earlier
in the winter ; and, above all, there was the (li-
mit:data attendance arising, not merely from the evening
service at St. Peas, which has proved so attractive to multi-
tudes, but also from the inauguration of two other eerie. of eve-
ning services on the same night,—one at Westminster Abbey,
. . .

and the other' originated by zionearforreista of different di:
nominations, at St. James' rltell. It can scarcely be neon-
eery to remark that the Exetev-hall service stands towards
all the others in the relation of parent; and whatever diffe-
rence of opinion there may have been at one time with regard
to the propriety of that innovation on ecclesiastical usage, at
all event. it has issued in a multiplication of services fur the
special benefit of those who were not previously habitual
attendants at any pleat of worship. Probably with four
specious places open in a central position, the crowding evils
which have marred such services hitherto will be entirely
avoided. . . . .

--The Suter-hall service oorameneed at half-Feat six o'clock,
whin the hall was more than two•thirds full. The otticiatleg
clergyman was the Rev. J. W. Reeve, minister of Portman
=44 who was stationed in front of the platform, with a
desk before him, having near him severalof the lead-
ing promoters of the service, among whom were observed the
Rom A. Etnnaird, M.P., Mr. Wilbraham Taylor, Dr. Craw-
ford, mad Mr. Baxter. The prayers consisted solely of the
Litany, printed copies of which were disperved about the hall,
and:printed hymns were provided for the meof all in ke manner,
the singing being accompanied with the playing of the
organ. The service commenced wi:b the lupin beginning
" Come, let us join our cheerful songs," which was followed
by the reeding of part of the 6th chapter of the Gospel of St.
Matthew. To this sucoseded the Litany, and the common-
tion then sang the hymn commencing " All hail the power
of Janet! name." After offering a short extempore prayer
the preacher gave out his that, which was taken from the
1011 verve of the let chapter of the Epistle to the Galatians,
the words being " The servant of Christ."
The sermon occupied about fifty minutes, and was listened
to by the congregation, which undoubtedly included a great
number of working men, with the most reverent and profound
attention. After its termination was sung the hymn com-
mencing "From all that dwell below the skies.' and the
benediction terminated the service, the entire duration of
which was an hour and a half. . .. . . .

- - -
The wirmon .ext Sunday evening is to be pretelied by the
Raw. E Garbett, minister of St. Bartholomew, Grey's-inn-
road.

ST. JAMES'S-HALL.

The dissenting body, in praiseworthy rivalry of
the Church of England, have inaugurated the Dew year by
sppeecial Sandy evening services for the benefit of the working
and commenced their labours in this direction at St.
James's-hell last night.
The admirable acoustic properties of the building which
has thus been engaged for the purpose render it admirably
adapted for religions services, as well as for the uses for
which it was more particularly Intended. At the moat ex-
treme corner of the (orchid gallery every syllable uttered on
the platform canbe distinctly heard; whilethere is no eornerof
the epiicious apartment from which the person of the vintner
or preacher cannot be a. distinctly seen. Whether the
fashionable locality of St. James's I. possibly that in which a
large congregation of those classes to whom these services
ere understood to be specially addresad is likely to be got
together, is another question. The eppeardes of the hall
last night would lead to the conclusion that ft I. not—for
although there could tin' be fewer than 3.000 ponds pre-
sent, every sod being filled and every spot that afforded
standing room being occupied, the eye wondered over the
multitude of worshippers In vain foe the greasy fustian
jacket and the plain (perhaps dirty and ragged) cotton gown
which mark that portion of the to classes who are
supposed to be the specially invited at times religions meet-
Inge, and who absent thetuaelves from the ordinary planes of
public worship under the influence of that natural sensibility
which Wads them to shrink from the contewpruous disdain
with which Dives in purple and fine linen is ever apt to
regard the too close proximity of Lawns in rags. The con-
gregation which was last evening assembled within the walls
of Sr. James's kinds-hall, if not exactly coming within
the category of " fuhionable." was certainfy for the main
part compered of the well-Redo middle class, who are the
habitual frequenters of churches and chapels, and who have
no occasion to avail then:melees of the "teats free and no
collection" which thepromoters of these eervions bed put for-
ward as an inducer:nano the poor to attend them. There were
some few persona who might belong totheworkingclaases; hut
they wore of those who can Mild to dress in good superfine
broad cloth as their Sunday attire; the only exception, if ex-
ception it can he called, was a guardsman, who with his
scarlet coat and Crimean medal formed • conspicuous ob-
ject in the seam of the principal gallery.
The preacher was Mr. Pnas • popular and talented
minister of the Wesleyan coanexion, and probably it wee
that popularity that indented the character of the audience
by drawing together many of his habitual or occasional
heaters, who were anxious by their presence to evince their
respect nod afford encouragement to the rev. gentleman in
the task he had undertaken. )is took for hie text the
nth chapter of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, let
and god verses Therefore seeing we have this ministry,
as we have received merry, we faint not but have re-
nounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in
creftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; bat by
manifeentien of the truth commending amend to every
man's conscience in the sight of God."

A CLEM:IRMA/I BUMMOBRD TOR CHURCH RATES.
—The Rev. A. Horatio Hellman, Moir of Heehaw, has
been summoned before the Seffrow Walden magistrates for
non-payment of la 9d. charged as church rates upon lands
belonging to his benefice. Tbs rev. gentleman not appeering
the case was proceeded with in his abeence, end the bench
made an order for the payment of the rate and 7.. ad. ex-
penses. Mr. Beaman publishes. • letter on the subject, In
which be observe..—" In the Lino piece, although I have
held preferment io Norfolk and &MX for some years, and
always occupied part of the glebe lend, I was never applied
to for a dearth rats until I.i year. Secondly. when the rate '
was demanded, I wrote to /drown Border and Donning, the
solicitors of the Bishop of Rochester, and requested their
opinion as to ray liability. Their reply was, that If I, u
vicar, occupied land vested In the church, sock land was
glebe, end not liable to dwelt mtgs.' Thirdly, I never pm-
▪ nor occupied any land which was not verged in the
chnredt. I have no reason to 614, fault with the decision et
the nescrieerstea as I onwidsr snob decision was the result of
my mdpablillY satiarating to Gamer to a summons for
ie. 9d., and not of opinion am to the liability of slerp-
mea pay elutroli rates when they occupy their own glebe."

___, _ „ ,
OICITT Or II ?MIL. TOR DISUSES or
.---
LONDON
ens CIIIIIIT, VICTOIIIA-PARX.—The number of patients
Mimed st dila institution duing last week wu 88., at
' winch 83 wan tow moos