American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-12-20
The N1oacrn whi,ne,d. !,

The London correspondent of the
Banner and Advocate thus describes
MIR. Spurgeon: 81
have, ere now, given you brief
sketch Of Mr.. Spurgeon, the popular
preacher Of London at this hour. He
is not popular with the refined classes;
nor is he moulded at all after the Mel
vile model; nor is his aught but vio-
lent contrast, both in person and man
ner, to the gentle, elegant, yet earnest
Baptist Noel. Spurgeon is not yet
twenty four years old. He began, like
William Jay, to preach when almost q
boy. He has not been at college,
His fatheris Baptist minister, and he
has a younger brother studying in the
Baptist College at Stcpncy, who, they
say will be superior to himself. MIR.
Spurgeon is the middle size thick set
in figure, with deep capacious chest,
and throat and tongue, and lip, all
formed for vehement oratory. His
hair is black, over tolcrably wide fore
head; his eyes dark and deeply set
His manner in the pulpit is energy
from first to last-physical energy i'm
pclled by a vehement purpose, and q
determination to arouse from the be-
ginning. He reads the psalm abrupt
| ly; he prays with startling ropdity, u
you would say, sometimes with irrevcr-
cncc. And yet there is poaOer in it
and fcrvor and fullness, too, which
commands breathless interest. Ego
tism does come up; and yet you say he
is very young, and he could not speak
or pray thus, as an experienced Chris
tian, and with petitions for every class
without Divine teaching. Then comes
an exposition Of the chapter. What u
torrent Of words! What striking re-
marks, quaint and pithy! And how
| well he knows his Bible! 1t is not a
lecture. The English will not stand
that, But is drumming common
tary, which, in my mind, when we'll
done, is the perfection ofaE expostory
reading 6ejoro and as preparatory to
the sermon.
Next comes the sermon itsclf--say
that delivered in my own church The
text is ''There they crucifed Him. -
lst. The Place; 2nd the victim: 3d.
The Eyccutioners; 4th. The Punish
ment. How natural the division! What
vivid clcarness OF illustration and force
of application on each hcad Some
oddities appear. a story half humor-
Gus, bearing on religion, is told and the
people smile-almost laugh. Many
are shocked, but hear him out, and say
is not the effect of the whole good
extraordinary. Listen, too, to his Ian
guage. How thoroughly English, YER
nacular. scarce Latnized or Greek
borrowed term. Is it any wonder with
this, and the rich, full, old doctrine of
the Puritan age--election defended,
asserted, sovereign grace vindicated &
glorifed; Christ set forth as crucifed
and slain, pictures, anecdotes--that, in
spite Of extrayagances and much Of self,
tho common people hear him gladly.
! Look at him as he prepares to des-
cribe the crucifixion! Hear him lower
his voice and say, off you have toars:
prepare to shed them now!" Ali you
say that is from Shakespeare, and you
are shockedi So was /; but then
said, "Halfthree fourths Of this crowd
don't know it, and it is all natural to
them." That does not quite satisfy
me, or justify him. He goes on. How
thrilling the painting of the agony, the
physical dgony Of the crucifed victim!
Butts see how he turns round on the back
| slider, almost an apostate. "You cru
city him afresh," he cries in voice of
thunder, and with flashing eye. Then
placing one hand closed on thick
nail, against the back Of the pulpit, 4
with the other initiating the action off
man with a hammer, driving home the
spikes through the hands or feet, he
charges home on the backslider his aw-
ful guiltand thrills the whole assembly.
1t would be mere acting with ordinary
preachers. With him it is natural, or
almost entirely so. He does take lib.
critics with his audience; lie does deal
too much in stimulants; but any thing
better than these myriads of London
allowed to perish unwarned, and any
thing better than that miserable mega.
tion Of truth, which our younger proa-
chcrs are setting forth as new and
better gospel. Spurgcon breaches the
doctrines of grace with great courage
and falness; and like Paul, like Whit.
field, like Berridge, and Romano, he
ltreey invites aU to our Saviour. And
fruits have appeared, although tares
minglo with the wheat.
SpWyeon's 9 Sermons, a mew Vo1un,e.
Sheldon, Bakcman and Go. publish.