The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-05-05
From the Charleston Advocate.
GREAT PREACHER OF LoNDo

Spurgeon. These two facts are mentioned
together, not as a necessary sequence, th'
one to the other, nor even as an indispen
sable attendant one upon the other. but a.
at least very desirable one. Arriving
late last Saturday evening. the necessary
instructions were eagerly sought to enable
me to pilot my way to the Surry Gardens
wherein stands splendid musical hall
capable of holding ten thousand persons
Being too late to secure a ticket the day
previous, you must make an early start sc
as to be near the entrance when it is open
ed to the unticketed crowd. AS far back
from the Gardens as London Bridge, @
steady current of people, generally grave
and serious in demeanor, gives the assur-
ance that you are on the right road.
AS you near the Gardens it becomes a
stream of people, and as they approach
the place the attraction soems to get strong
er, and they start in trot, and then in a
run-young men and young women, boys
and girls, are seen now in very fast walk
or run, all bending in one direction. Here
is gate-a policeman cries tickets here''
you press up: ''Where's your ticket 2"
| ''Have none; but I am all the way from
| America-let me pass" ''Pass on SIR"
You fell into the current that flows on in
increasing volume toward the reception
rooms of the Hall. Though an hour is yet
to pass before service begins, the lower
| floor is filled, the dress circle is densely
| crowded; so betake yourself to the second
gallery, and feel grateful that you get
front seat. All has the bustling air of
| concert room. No one takes his hat off,
and the buzz of hundreds of voices makes
it difficult for you to feel that you have
come for the purpose of worship. But the
Hall is filled to its utmost capacity-in all
the vacant spaces, hundreds stand pa
tiently.
Now you see toward the stage move
ment and general taking off of hats. The
preacher is making his way along toward
the pulpit. A young man, only twenty
two, with pale but full face benignant
yet serious, 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 as
sembly are opened. LET US sing the Both
hymn Of the Watts Collection''-
ye that love the Lord,'' is spoken in
clear, full, silvery voice-and you have
heard the voice of the ''modern Whitfield"
as he is now termed. His prayer is fer
vent, simple and humble. He prays most
powerfully for the ungodly and most touch
lngly for grace to aid the speaker in his
position of fearful responsibility. But how
can he fail of fervor after the singing of the
beautiful hymn by ten thousand persons,
for all sing, and the music is purely vocal.
Another hymn is sung, "Grace, tits
charming sound' after the reading of the
lesson, which is the 84th psalm. In reading
the lesson, the speaker makes few simple,
and on the whole appropriate comments;
but listen to the voice and observe the we'll
chosen gesture. His voice fills the house,
and though you are seated near the furthest
end of the hall, every word is distinctly
heard. His prayers and comments indicate |
his general style ofspeech. His sentences
are simple.-His prayer opened TINS: 80 |
Lord, we want a blessing this morning"
His opening comment was, ''In David's
time there was but onetabernacle. But |
now
Everywhere may grace be found
And every spot of earth is consecrated ground.''
For where two or three are met together"
etc. You are now not only satisfied that
you will hear the sermon, but also hear
the text. 1t is the 9Th verse of the 1O6th
Psalm: Nevertheless he saved them for
his names sake" He proceeds. announ-
cling his division; first, who saves them!
Secondly, who is it that is saved! Thirdly
why are they saved! Fourthly, what diff
Guilty is understood as removed in the word
His discourse is as SIM
pie as may be; but throughout it is the same
silvery voice and the same striking action.
He gestures chiefly with the left hand, the
hand closed all but the forefnger. Gen
orally he passes his right 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 audi
ence cough or re-adjust themselves in their
seats, or as they may otherwise place them
selves at ease before he recommences. He
is bold in his enumeration and denuncia-
ion of sin, and holds up the cross through
,ut. AS he closes he cries: LET Us send
1p one glad, hearty note of praise to our
God. Praise God from whom all blessings
1ow,'" " all sing, and you leave the house
With thankful and improved heart. Mr.
Spurgeon is remarkable instance of the
power of voice and action. His sermons,
n composition, are surpassed by several
hundred ministers every Sunday in the very
,ity in which he now breaches: but while
many of them fail to get tolerable con-
no house can be found large
enough to accommodate his audience.
a penny for your thoughts" said |
Gentleman to a pert beauty. ssThey are