Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-07-26
From the New York Observer.
DR.. HUMPHREYS TOUR.-NO. Y.
LONDON.
Dissenting ChapeS.

Dissenting Chapels.
All the houses of public worship in Eng
land, not belonging to the establishment, are
called chapels. Many ofthese in London,
and indeed in all the principal towns are
very large. Some Of them, is said, viii
seat twenty-five hundred people. a few
present handsome exterior to tho eye; but
for the most part, they are very plain look
inc buildings, and not easily distinguished
from the private edifces by which they are
surrounded. They have neither bells, nor
steeples, nor any thing Ike tower or cupola,
to tell you at distance, or even to enablc
YOU 10 conjecture, where and what they arc.
These ornaments and convenienccs were
formerly denied to the whole body of Dis.
senters, under severe penalties. and in an
swer to my enquiries, | was often told that
the law is still in force. Others, however,
think it is not, and seem to be quite confident
that any congregation might raise spire
and put up bell, without peril or molesta-
ton. My impression, from al | could gath
or, is, that the arbitrary statute just alluded
to, has never been repealed--thatit it might
be enforced, and could be, in some o.! the
diocesses, should the Independents have the
temerity to vic with the Establishment, in
the construction oftheir chapels, bu, that in
most places the law has so far become Il
dead letter, that hardly any one would at
tempt to execute it. But even the obso-
lcte existence of such law, would be a re-
proach to any Christian government in the
world. The American traveller in his faith
er land,' cannot think of it. without feeling
his blood move quicker in his veins. What!
may not congregation Of as good aud
loyal subjects as can be found in the British
empire, build steeple, or ring 4 bell, to
call the people together on the Lords dny,
without exposing themselves to indictment,
fine and imprisonment How long would
any government stand, that should exact
and attempt to enforce such u law in the
United States We could do well enough
without steeples to our churches, no doubt,
as well as they; but we want the liberty Of
attaching them to our barns even, if we
please, and it is quite certain we should
please, if any body were to make a !aw 70
hinder US.
In shape and general construction, the
English chapels differ very considerably
from the prevailing style ofchurch building
inthis country. They are square buildings,
or nearly so, with very deep or wide gale
ries, often extending quite round behind the
pulpit, and so as to furnish nearly as many
strings, | should think, above as below.
Thehpulpit, of course, is advanced many
feet towards the centre of the house, and .
great MANY Of the audience arc behind the
Speaker.A1This is very bad arrangement,
any where, if it can be avoided. The
preacher Ought TO have the whole congrega-
ton under the glance of his eye, ard SO
seated that they can see his face as we'll as
hear his voice. And | am sure these ad.
vantages can be secured in church archi-
lecture, because they are secured in many
of our largest places Of worship. The fin.
ish Of most ofthe chapels which | saw in
London, is very plain; altogether palmer
than with US, especially in our large cities.
This, think, is rather in their favor than
ours. Neatness and comfort in house Of
worship, admire, bu. much ornament seems
out ofplace.
An the English chapels, so far as | had
opportunity to observe, have vestries attach
ed to them, either in the main building or in
4 projection. The vestry is a small room,
fitted up for the convenience Of the minis
ter. Whether there be any law against Dis
;scnting preachers being called clergymen, !
do not know; but they are always called
.ministers-the other title being reserved ex-
clusiyely for those who have passed under
the hands ofthe bishops. Instead of going
directly up the aisle and into the desk as we
do, the minister enters the vestry by a back
door. where there is fire, if needed, and
where he can res, himselfas long as he plea
ses, either before or after service. This
struck me as a very excellent arrangement.
When the moment for commencing the pub
lie exercises arrives. ffor they are relnarka-
bly, punctuaD the sexton comes in to give
the preacher notice-.akes up the great
Bible, and proceeds to place it in the desk.
The minister follows immediately, and the
firstthe congregation SEQ of him, he is in
his place, ready to begin. The clerk often
read the first Psalm, and sometimes this part
Of the service devolves entirely upon him.
rarely saw considerable choir Of sin
gers; and those few which did see kept
themselves rather in the back ground. The
clerk lines out the psalm, asst is called, and
all who can raise note, unite in carrying
the tune through, or being carried through
with il. bv those who are stronger and more