The Express.
London, England, 1868-08-31 00:00:00

BILlit&NO SPLTROISAM.

•Altivinegle• living within half-n-hosir'e ride of
the. Elephant and Oastle, I never until yester-
day beard Mr. Spurgeon. Disinclivation to
wander, and a strong aversion for the sensational,
onntinued to overpower a natural curiosity to
Lc or one who is constantly praised as the first
preether of the day. So much is now written
about Sermons that, although Mr. Spurgeon's
merits and defects have often been diseussed
before, I venture to submit my impressions, to
be takes for whatever they may be worth.
Arriving at the Tabewmete et fivo minutes
before the time of service, 4 saw a crowd of
about 500 waiting under the portico hi front of
the principal doors, Haying it ticiet"which gave me
admission et a side-door 1- entered and found the
itemenee building so fair that I think it would
nut have held another hundred people. Such
a tight, I believe, can be witnessed nowhere else
than in England. I bed teen in my sad in front
elatform about -

filled the building .vrithip
God in prayer." Accustomed to the habit of
worship in the Church of England, it was with
regret I found that there was nu provision for
kneeling, and that that appropriate attitude had
been renounced because the congregation pre-
ferred to stand. The eight of six thousand people
sitting during the worship of prayer is not pleas-
ing. Mr. Spurgeon, however, stood. He does not
pray so well as be preaches—his prayer was good so
far se it went. It was very high and mystical,
abounding with figurative expressions from the
Hebrew poetry. But it was defective in the ele-
ment which we all prize so much in the Litany—
a tender, lowly, human sympathy. Mr. Spurgeon
once referred to those present as a " chosen
people, " and there was too much of this
exclusive feeling throughout the service. The
confession of sin struck me as meagre and
general. In one of the Tracts fur the Times
it is said that the prayers of the church of England
are pitched in too low and plaintive a key, and it
is hinted that this ie a penal judgment on that
church ; for the first of thew opinions I think
there is some foundation. The prayers of the
Tabernacle, on the other hand, seemed to me
over-confident. The singing is accomplished
without instrumental aid, being conducted by
a precentor, who stands beside Mr. Spargeon.
Of course under such disadvantages only slow
tunes can be sung, but the voices were kept
.together much better than might have bean ex-
pected. No psalm was read, and only one lesson,
a portion of the Second Epistle to the Corin-
thians. Mr. Spurgeon is a good reader, and it was
satisfactory to hear him give the hymns out himself.
The sermon lasted just fifty-five minutes, and was
taken down in shorthand, as all this preacher's
sermons are, " to be scatteredby tens of thousands,"
as one of the brethren informed me, " wherever the
English language is spoken." The text was the
Apostle Paul's protestation to the Corinthians,
"1 die daily." An hour all but five minutes had
elapsed when Mr. Spurgeon began his sermon,
and during all that time he had been using his
voice, either praying, or reading, or giving out
the hymns, fur with the exception of the sing-
ing he performs the whole service himself.
Having read his text, he advanced from the side
table, where his Bible lay, to the rails, on which
he leaned with both hands while uttering his first
few sentences. He at once fixed the attention of
the vast audience by connecting his text with
common human experience, then set forth its
original, heroic sense in the life of the apostle,
and afterwards announced that he should treat it
as of general application. I did not think tho
sermon well organised—for instance, having
announced that his subject would be the art
of dying daily, he made certain preli-
minary requisites of that art the first division
of his sermon before he explained what
he understood by this daily dying. Probably,
however, there wore few in the building to whom
thin would he a serious objection. At all events
the people listened with breathless attention from
first to last, a fact which I commend to the atten-
tion of those who are telling us that sermons and
preaching are out of date. For my own part,
although I think I know where a brighter, more
vivifying, and truer gospel than that of Mr.
Spurgon is to be heard, I could have sat
twice as long with pleasure listening to this
rping. Having said so much lam per-
ePisbtund to state what I think are the
elements of Mr. Spurgeon's popularity as a
preacher. They are very simple, and may exist
in other preachers ; but it is their combination in
a high degree in him which constitutes the attrac-
tivenece of his sermons. In the first place, he has a
very definite and positive system of doctrine in
which he thoroughly believes. He does not tell
his hearers that different views have been taken of
this and that doctrine, and that on a balance of
opinions he has come to such and such a con-
clusion. There is only onetruth which all persons
are concerned to know. and it is his duty to preach
it. It is more than hie duty ; it is evidently his
delight. My experience is that the great majority
of people like to take their religion en a strong
assurance. In the second place, Mr. Spurron
is evidently a happy man. He bee good animal
spirits to begin with. If at any time these have
betrayed him into indecorum, certainly there war
no tinge of it in kis demeanour yesterday, •The
whole service was oonduoted most devoutly.
Nevertheless, it is appaernt that be is a happy
man, and happiness is, thank God contagious.
In the third place, and most important of all,
Mr. Spurgeon is a great master of the art
of direct address. I have no doubt he
considered the matter well before he abolished
the use of a pulpit and substituted a platform.
His sermon yesterday was delivered to the people,
not merely before them. The use of notes was
out of the question, unless he had held them in
his hands. Every word was spoken as from man
to man, and every word was to the point. There
was no resort to expletive, no use of padding.
Every sentence contributed something to the
effect which was constantly in the contemplation of
the preacher. No one, I think, could doubt
that Mr. Spurgeon wee expressing, in vir-
tue of his ready command of language, thoughts
which he had thoroughly worked out in
his study. I can no more believe that
yesterday's discourse was delivered memo-
riter than that he spoke on the Umpire-
tion of the occasion. To speak of the
substance of the discourse might lead me on to
debateable ground ; I will only say, therefore,
that his matter was as abundant as it was perti-
nent. He made considerable but not excessive we
of figure, introduced frequent illustrations from
legend, natural history, and fable, and quoted
George Herbert and other poets. At the close
of the service, which had lasted an hour and
fifty-five minutes, i thought he seemed fatigued
as well he might be. On leaving I i the building
found a box into which every worshipper is invited
to drop a penny for the support of Mr. Spurgeon's
college which is maintained at an expenditure of
6,0061. a year. A card over the box anneimeed
that on the previous Sunday 36/. had boon de-
posited in these reenptaeles.—Duily

BREAKFAST. EpPs'is Cocos. Invigorating,
riztvi;z: comforting. Prepared by Jamas Mg,. pa and Co..
olteniga, London. Made ninety with boiling water
1.4 La. .Gkl cull la WOW Lerida—lAslmrliscsaaat;

DRAMA.

LYCEUM.

Mr. E. T. Smith re-opened this house on Satur-
day evening with an American tragedian, named Fair-
clouph, who appeared in Shakespeare's play of Hamlet,
we believe for the first time in London. Su many desperate
attempts have been made during the last two months to
force new and incompetent Shakespearian actors down the
throats of the public, that Mr. Fairclough could hardly
have been surprised if be had been received with coldness
and suspicion. His merits are great but not striking,
and are more elocutionary than dramatic. He ie a
Ellett man with a dark, expressive face, a good
and not sepulchlual voice, and an easy =mice.. Hie
reading is somewhat conventional, with • few peculiari-
ties of emphasis which are trausatlantic ; but hie per-
fort:cane, is marked by great intelligence and coaisional
force, which seem to pmanio that ho will bo u•oful in
on.cr I,:anehee of the drums. In America, we behove, he
was nob very enceessfel, probably because ho ie more re-
fined than most American tragedians who have Cousin their
way to this country. Hie most prominent detect is a
idea ince of delivery. The tragedy is well put upon the
'Ye scenery and properties helix; used ;
I been strengthened by savors) Judi-
. Mr. Addison plink; roloothe
Asptiesy and hi li a eldest
ar-,lollFintramilmrr_ no*
F. Lawlor, good heavy, actor,

impressive as Claudius—see of those
kings that are only tolerated Because
Shakespeare wrote theca. The ghost was given to Yr.
Henry Marston, and Mr. Edward Terry, a dry' comic
actor, from the Surrey, distinguished himself as the First
Gravedigger—a part that Schkegel considers the best in
the piece. The general eempany includes those deserv-
edly popular favourites, Miss Minnie Sidney, Mies Caro-
line Parkes, and Miss A. Goodall, and there is a large and
effective ballet under the direction of Madame Ogler.

NAVAL AND MILITARY.

CpI7I.CAM, Amain: 30..

By direction of the Admiralty—, two of the
official/ connected with the mauler slupwrigbt's
meat are ordered to proceed from this dockyard to
farrow-on-the-Tyne for the purpose of superintending
the construction of the two ironclad ships, Triumph and
Swiftaure, which are ordered to be built by the Palmer
Shipbuilding Company for the Admiralty, from the designs
of Mr. E. J. Reed, C.B. chief constructor of the navy.
Each vessel will be plated with armour eight inches in
thickness, and will mount an armament of 10 of the
160-pounder 124 ton guns.
The paddle-wheel steamer Enchantress, 2,260 horee-
power, Staff-Commander Petley, left the harbour yester-
day, after being in attendance on the Lorda of the Admi-
ralty during their official visit.
The following troops have been placed under orders to
proceed from this garrison to India, to augment the service
companies of their respective corps: men and one
officer of the let Battalion of the let Royale ,• 76 men and
three officers of the let Battalion of the Bth Regiment ;
16 mew and one allow of the 2nd battalion of the 10th
Regiment ; and 86 men and three officers of the let bat-
talion of the 14th Regiment. Three silken and 70 men
of the let battalion of the 10th Regiment have Wee been
placed under seders to embark for Japan.
PORTSMOUTH, AITTUITT 30.

Bear-Admiral J. W. Torlotoa:C.l3. Controller-
General of the Coast Guard, 'd his annual visit to the
Portsmouth district on
The Cracker two, double screw composite gunboat,
Commander lawksworth Fawk fitting for abuth met
coast of America, steamed out of on Satorday, in
charge of Ca William C. Chamberlain, of the steam
reserve, and-made a trial of her speed at the measured
mile in Stokes Bay. She has taken m her powder and
shell, and is expaTted to sail about Tuesday or Wednesday
for her d:naton.
The crew of the Frederick William, 74, screw ship of the
line, Captain George G. Kennedy, C. 8., will be paid of
to-morrow, and her crew will be turned over to the 'Valiant
on Tueeday.
The Rierflyor 21, screw corvette, Captain Thomas U.S.
Feeley, will be Paid off to-morrow.
The Eak, 21, screw corvette, will be taken into the ship
basin to-morrow to be docked for breaking up.
The Rolla, 10, old sailing brig, was taken into dock on
Saturday for breaking up.

WOOLWICH, Auotter 30.

Every arrangement has now been mado for
launching the immense iron floating dock from the pre-
mises of the contractors, Messrs. Campbell and Co., at
North Woolwich. The dock has been in by their
Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duke of
Cambridge, and is to be visited by the Lords Commis-
sieners of the Admiralty, who will be oilmen the process
of docking and undocking, by working tuodely. The
launching ways are laid down and spread with a thick
coating of grease to facilitate the descent of the dock from
her cradle into the river. The launch will be held titittly by
eleven dogthores, all of which will be knocked awry by a
single blow, and it is expected that the operations will be
quite successful. For a work of such magnitude the con-
tractors are very desirous to avoid a crowd upon the
river,
_but a good view will be obtained either at North
Woolwich or from the oppceite shore. The launch is to
take place on Wednesday afternoon next, and if temoces-
tut the 'Doubter structure will be taken across the river to
moorings at the Royal Arsenal, and subsequently will be
towed saws the Atlantic by five steamers, to be used for
the repair, Ac., of vends onthe North American and West
Indian naval stations.

AowtRALTY, Auotrerr 29.—APPOMTIEENT8.--
Lieutenant Wm. L. Martins to the Hervey, for service in
the Griper. Navigating Lieutenant Hy. Aguilar, to the
Bristol. • Sub-Lieutenant Graham I. Bower, to the Star.
Navigating Midshipman WM. H. P. Buckner, to the
Forte. Assistant Paymasters George Liddell, to the
Forte ; Wm. H. Murly, to the Lades ; and (leo. A.
Michell, to the Fisgard, as supernumerary.
TIM FOOT OVAILDB.—The half-yearly change of
ERartersof the several regiments of Foot Guards will take
oe to-morrow, ea follows:—The Grenadier Guards:
a Ist Battalion from Wellington Barracks (new wing)
to Wellington Barracks (old wing) ; the 2d Battalion from
Wellington Barracks (old wing) to the Tower ; the 3d
Battalion will remain at the Curragh until the atange of
quarters in March next. The Coldstream Guards : The
Let Battalion from Windsor to Chelsea Barracks; the 2d
Battalion from Chelsea Barracks to Windsor. The Soots
Fusilier Guards : The let Battalion from the Tower to
W~ ,Barracks (new wing), and the Id Battalion from
Cb &Mika to Chekea and St. George's Barracks.

MEITING 01 -A . BIYLIAL 8o ETV.—
The St. Patrick's Barrel Society, Liverpool, which has
• attained an unenviable notoriety in consequence of the
squabbles in which it is perpetually involved, had a meet-
,mg of members on Friday afternoon at the Rope Hall,
to pass the annual accounts, kr., bet before the chairman
sad cdficials arrived the sooting was packed by. a large
nigabeT of men and women, who forced their way upon
the platform, appointed a chairman of their own, and the
urinal chairman and °films, when they ?eared, were,
attar some tough fighting on both sides, ex led. A new
chairmaaand officers were appointed, an a resolution
Mthat the balance-sheet, being very unsatisfactory.
oat yeas. The chairman and afloat* have protested
the decision of the meeting as illegal."CalitTrltfi i Rtissie.,.-31. Emile Andreoli, who
took pert in the last Poli.it insurrection, and on bang
captured by the Russianswas sentenced to twelve years
imprisonment in Siberia, has just published in the Revue
loam e the first part. of his pruion recollections. " I was
told," he remarks, • that on two or three 000adiona an
ehotric battery had been made use of by the Russian
police to loosen the tongues of the prisoners who refused
to answer the questions put to them, which shows that
the Russian (*Vermont is one of progress and knows
how to turn the discoveries of science to account After
all, this was not more cruel than the torture of the herring.
I knew several who underwent the latter, and they told
me that nothing could compass with the sufferings which
they endartid. They
.were confined in a well-warmed
apastment- ealted herrings with bread and water
fix the that few days ball* their • Only food.
U they, refused to answer - the questions of
the mining 001111111•1100ft11 the bread was aNt of all
withdrawn, and then the water, whereupon the torture of
adman thirst ooranssnced, 4aprtving the suffeser of all
morel. strength, and even ma him abeindon the reeo-
lobes which he lad formed to . Very rarely did Any
oat mania nett when breath,- behre the orimmissionere
• reread time. The sittings WON usually at night, in •
splendidly lightsd
enrtment with refreshments of all
binds temptingly displayedthe side tables. The mai-
dent would usually most gracious. 'l%y-4M-by, hs
would 'lto will, if you like, ask you. to have toms
thing to drink with us.' The fever and theivertigo caused
1-Ofe. Vaure to 1400 64.4' r.Molt, .tbity generally
) .
iesuit as thirst, which loosens the tongue even fair more
evtlily than drunkenness does."

HE CHAMBER or DEATH.—At a prominent
New Ycik hotel three men have lately died in one room.
It A m ~up roc ed that the gas was the cause of it, and a
dog waa placed iu the tame room. In eight hours the
U. 51.41 Twwily Aurtzt 13.

...._e___
of.. the platform about_ two minutes when Mr. stage, Mr. Irocbt4;' a i
Spurgeon entered. The photographs of . the and the company has b‘
skit) ' windows bad prepared me to expect Sous
IA wawa milk of ' not: y • .
ookitesiOnee, -"br.V." . '
original great injustice. Prec y a ill ' etfcctiveOplieba. Yr.
eleven, Mr. Spurgeon advanced to the railing of new to London, was in
the platform, and said, in a dear soft voice which ridiculous, villanous ki
filled the building without effort, " Let us worship shatepeeze wrote the,

lIIIMPI

JOHN BILOGDEWS BRACELETS.

'OHM BROODER'S BROOCHES.

JOHN BROGDRNB NEOKLACBS.

4OHN BILOGD_RN EARRINGS.

CIUE EN'S THEATRE, Long-acre.
NA psalm-11r. W. H. LISTON.
TEI LANCASHIRE LASS. try Henry J. Brun. hewing helm
Coestred thrum. hoot its performance with the greatest enthu-
siasm, by nrowdel and excited audierwes,
pyri.ll=eoted EVERT
NTENINCL at Quarter to concluding sit IL
RE LANCASHIRE LAMS, at a quarter to 8.
T The demonstrations U. favour of ' The Lancashire Law We
loud sad nminsinons."—Tinico.
LANCASHIRE LASS, at a quarter to 8.
_a. 11 .4 r Lou. the enibudann wound. nit Ind..' o.ntro_
and of planar, el and waving eimov,hini% lovctnu
lb. am., •of tie hero and herome."—The Schoen from the Club'.

/1111 E LANCASHIRE LASS, at a quarter to 8.
"The teem tluoughont was effectively meted. and the awn.
italgenal ;0.n.0. of the plot keeps the aattinnes to a perpetual state
of eiesit,ment."—MuM. nd London News.
-
riE LANCARLIIRE LASS, at a crarter to 8.
.On its second representation was wedged with even greater
miaow. than on the evening of prodteileo."—Dady Telegraph.

TI9tLANCASHIRE LABS, at a quarter
. to 8.
A loco run may to predictod for the p an& when
Loudon tills eosin, It will be ria great a kite the Colleen "
.-1/aily
MLLE lANCAKRIRE LABS, at a quarter to 8.
Altoic4hor, judging from the interest of the plume, the m-
oniker. f the moths, and the beauty of the scenery, to say
id the lance mid nipbtlythermaing audience& 'The
ire Lel,e Win form • @mires of attraetion !Ise= •
ported as any drama that Imo lately hem produced."
LYCEUM THEATRE. FAIRCLOUGH
havingrowle an extraordinary mows en his dretelosorse
to England, hew II have the honour of appearing Ei,T EVEN.
INA during the west in HAMLET. -very kind reception he
mot with to • fathionable end crowded home on Saturday will
never be effaced from his memory. nor the onthoidairtic calls that
be morivrd to-
the curtain. by ••kind and ducrimuuthi.
udience. entire drawn to him. and tow rely of whom heard at
hie Mimi attack of Mem on arrival in this eountry.

RAL ALHAMBRA PALACE.—Three
-LW Ballots. Pro:sena& Ooacart. Band of SO. Seen at 41.
open from 11 to 4-

WILLIAM CHURTON and SON,
1108t1218 and 8111/111WMA
LAMI2I' lINDLRCLOTSING•
al and 14. OXFORD-87'RM.

'OEN BIaiCIDEN'S CLASSIC JEWELRY.

paws FIRST-CLASS SILVER MEDAL, 188'

OILN BROODEN'S 18-carat GOLD CHAINS.

'OHN BROODEN'S GEM sad WEDDING
RING&

101NAL GOLD CHAIN MANUFACTORY.

No. 16, ILENRIETTA-81BILICT, Covent-
Orem

NEWTON WILSON
INEIL and Co.'s SEWING
IN•OH
PARIB EXHIBITION TWO PRI= MEDLIN.
NNW HANTS summing.
WHIM MAL CLEOPATRA.
HAND LocworrrcHimieht, DORCAS. AND PINSLOPE
The mar hearl.ewing nes that lave miss medehi. The
&mamma batton-hole, meiet.hole. overeeniaing machine, for the
Bret time. the complete oombinatton of a sewing and button-hole
=whine. Slams IN buttonholes per lour. end &awes in a
minute to plain sewing. IlluiOsted etteleasee tree.-114, High
Holborn: lit, MemiMe; sad 110, Rigenietreet.

I) AIL Y N B W S.
MOE ONE PENNY.