Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-04-29

TIE GREAT PREACHERS OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS,
B1NNEY AND PuEsHoN. I'll have reached London, and
heard Mr.. Spurgeon. These two facts are mention.
ed together not as necessary sequence, the one to
the other, nor even indispensable attendant,
one upon the other but as at least very desirable
one Arriving late last Saturday evening, the nec-
essary instructions were eagerly sought to enable me
to pilot my way to the Surrey Gardens, wherein
stands splendid musical hall capable of holding ten
thousand persons Being too late to secure ticket,
the day previous, you must 60 early SO as to
be near the entrance when it is opened to the UNI
ticketed crowd. As far back from the Gardens
London Bridge, steady current of people, general
ly grave and serious in demeanor gives the assur-
ance that you are on the right road.
As you near the Gardens, it becomes stream of
people, and they approach the place, the attrac
ton to get stronger and they start in trot,
boys and girls, seen in very fast walk. run,
all bending in one direction. Here is gaze; po
liceman cries tickets here;" you press up-"Wheres
your ticket? "Have none; but ] am all the way
from America-let me pass !" 'Pass sir!" You
fall into the current that flows in increasing vol
ume toward the reception room of the Hall. Though
hour is yet to pass before service begins the low
floor is filled, the dress circle is densely crowded.
so betake yourself to the second gallery, and feel
grateful that you geta front seat All has the bust
ling air ola concert room. No takes his hat off,
and the buzz ofhundreds of voices makes it difficult
worship But the Hall is filled to its utmost capacity
in all vacant spaces, hundreds stand patiently.
Now you see toward the stage movement and gen.
eral taking off of hats. The preacher is making his
way toward the pulpit A young man only twenty
two-with pale but full face, 6enignant vet seri.
Gus. enters and bows down over the Bible in prayer
Everything is silent as the grave. He rises from
his knees and thousands of hymn books over the
vast assembly are opened ''Let US sing the 3Oth
hymn of the Watts Collection" "Come We that love
the Lord" is spoken in clear, full, slvery voice
and you have heard the voice of the 'modern Whit
field" as he is now termed His prayer is fervent.
simple, humble. He prays most powerfully for the
ungodly and most touchingly for grace to aid the
speaker in his position of fearful responsibility But
how can he fail of fervour after the singing ofhe
beautiful hymn by ten thousand persons, for all sing
and the music is purely vocal.
Another hymn is sung "Grace," tbs charming
sound after the reading of the lesson which is the
Saith psalm. In reading the lesson, the speaker
makes few simple, and, on the whole, appropriate
comments but listen to the voice and observe the
well chosen gesture His voice fills the house, and
though you seated near the furthest end of the
hall, every word is distinctly heard His prayers
and comments indicate his general style of speech.
His sentences are simple. His prayer opened: 70
Lord, we want blessing this morning" His OPEN
ing comment, "In David's time there was but one
tabernacle. But now
Every where may grace be found
For where two or three are met together" ETC.
Yor are now not only satisfied that you will hear
the sermon, but also the text 1t is the 9Th
of the lO6th Psalm. Nevertheless he saved them
for his names sake" He proceeds announcing his
division, first, who saves them? secondly who is it
what difficulty is understood removed in the word
"nevertheless?" His discourse is as simple as may
be but throughout it the same silvery voice. and
the same striking action He gestures chiefly with
the left hand the hand closed, all but his forefnser.
Generally he passes his hand under his left arm;
keeping it there while using the left.
While he speaks not breath is heard, and at the
close of every division the audience cough read
just themselves in their seats, or they may other
wise place themselves at ease before he recon-
mences He is bold in his enumeration and denun-
citation of SIM and holds up the cross throughout
hearty note of praise to our God "Praise God from
whom all blessings Row," all sing-and you leave
the house with a thankful and improved heart Mr..
Spurgeon is a remarkable instance of the power of
voice and action. His sermons, in composition are
surpassed by several hundred ministers every Sum-
day in the city in which he now breaches but while
many of them fail to get tolerabe congregation,
house can be found large enough to accommodate
his audience.
At night attended the Independent Chapel serv.
ed by the Rev. Mr.. Binney. who is justly regarded
as one of the ablest preachers of the worlds me-
chapel being filled, and one cannot help wondering
if any of his audience could ever forget such
discourse. His text is John ill.,, IA, To- and verses.
His manner all his own he never could be imi-
tated. Without any of what are sometimes called
the charms of oratory, he enchained his audience
for an hour and half. 1t profound, logical
and heart searching discourse. In the course of his
sermon he gave most lucid, explanation on the en-
tire freedom of the will and the universally of the
atonement.
But this page is almost fu-and not word has
been written about Mr.. Punshon (Wesleyan) whose
lecture lastHght in Exeter Hail. to about four thou
sand hearers called forth the un5ounded enthusiasm
of his audience. Do not be alarmed at the rapid
consumption of superatives evident in these pages.
What is one to do when in London, and favored to
hear the great men of the world? To dispense with
superlaves will be to put the pulpit of London on
level with the rest of the world which it is not that
is in the referred to. The subject of Mr. Pun
shon's lectures was John Bunyan, apparently the
very subject to call out his genius: For hours
one stream of eloquence flowed from his lips.
Chaste, classical powerful he hurried along, pour.
ing forth perfect torrent of beautiful Smiles bold
figures and splendid clmaxes. He reminds you of
Bishop Bascom in the rapiditv with which he speaks,
but his action is very different. most delightful
feature in his lecture earnest and powerful
appeal to the young on the subject of religion. At
its close one prolonged shout of admiration broke
from the listening thousands, and for several minutes
after the speaker down. the cheers and waving of
hats and handkerchiefs testified the admiration of ALL
Charleston Adr0cate.
FRosTs AND FAMINE IN TExAs.-We have letters
from San Antonio and Indianola, Texas, dated re-
spectively on the 7,h and 9Th inst, from which we
make the following interesting extracts:
We hoped to have had fine gardens but this
year the frosts have been severe. On last night
april 6th) we had frost that killed every garden