The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-05-22
The Great Preachers of London-Spur-
geon Binney and Bunshon.

| 'e"u"u', oIe upon Tic OtneT, OUT as at least
a very desirable one. Arriving late las,
Saturday evening, the necessary instruc.
tlons were eagerly sought to enable me to
pilot my way TO Surrey Gardens, where.
in stands Il splendid musical hall, capable
of holding ten thousand persons. Being
too late to secure ticket, the day previou,
aud you must go very early so as to be near
the entrance when it is open to the untick.
etcd crowd. AS far back from the Gardens
as London Bridge, steady current of peo-
pie generally grave and s'rin"s in demean.
or gives the assurance that you are on the
| right road.
As you near the Gardens, it becomes a
stream OF people, and us they approach the
place, the attraction seems to get stronger,
and they start i'll Il trot, and then in run
young men and young women, boys and
girls, are seen now in a very fast walk or
run, all bending in one direction. Here is
gate; policeman cries ''tickcts here :"
you press up-"Whcrc's your ticket g.
"Ilave none; but | am all the way from
America me pass ~ 'Pass, sir m
You fall into the current that flows on in
increasing volume towards the reception
room of the Hall. Though an hour is vet,
to pass before service begins the lower
floor is filled, the dress circle is denscly crow
ded SO betake yourself to the second ral-
lery and feel grca,ful that you get front seat.
All has the bus.l;ng air ola concert room. No
one takes his hat off, and the buzz of hun
dred Of voices makes it difficult for vou TO
feel that you have come for the purpose of
worshping. But the Hall is filled to its
utmost capacity-in all the vacant spaces
hundreds stand patiently.
Now you see towards the stage move
mcnt and general taking off of hats.
The preacher is making his way towards
the pulpit A young man only twenty two
with a pale but full face, benignant vet
serious, enters and bows down over the Bible
in prayer.-Everything is silent as the grave.
lie rises from his knees and thousands of
hymn books over the vast assembly arc
opened. "Lct us sing the 3Oth hymn of
the Watts Collection" "Come We that
love the Lord ! spoken in clear, full,
silvcrv voice-and you have heard the
voice Of the ''modcrns, s,Whi,ciicl,, as he is
now terned. His prayer is fcrvcnt, sim
pie: Lie prays most powerfully for the un-
goIly and most touchingly for grace to
aid the speaker in his position Of fearful
responsibility. But how can he fail of
tervour after singing Of the beautiful HYMN
by ten thousand persons, for all singing
and the music is purely vocal.
Another hymn is sung "Grace, It's a
charming sound," after the reading of the
lesson, which is the s4,l psalm. In read
ing the lesson, the speaker makes a few
simple, and, on the whole, appropriate COM
ments but listen to the voice and observe
the well chosen gesture. His voice fills the
house, and though YOU are seated near the
furIhcst end Of the hall, every word is dis.
tinctly heard.
His prayers and comments indicate his
general style ofspeech. His sentences are
simple. His prayer opens thus, 20 Lord
we want blessing this morning" His
opening comment was "In. David's time
there was but one tabernacle. But now,
Every where 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 the text.
1t is the sil verse Of the 1OGlh Psalm.
Nevertheless he saved them for his name
sakes.' He proceeds announcing his dvis-
ion, first who saves them 2 secondly, who
is it that is Saved thirdly, why are they
saved tou:thly, what difficulty is under.
stood as removed in the word "never,hc-
less 2" His discourse is rs simple as may
be /; but throughout it the same silvcry
voice, and the same striking action. He
gestures chiefly with the lelt hand, tile
hand closed, all but his forefnger Gener-
ally he passess 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-aljust themselves in their
seats, or as they may otherwise place them
selves at ease before he re-commences. lie
is bold in his enumeration and denuncia-
ton ofsin, and holds up the cross throughout,
AS he closes lie cries, "Let US send up one
glad, hearty note of praise to our God.
"l'ralse God from whom all blessings tiow,"
all sing-and you leave the house with a
thankful and improved heart. Mr.. Spur
geon is a remarkable instance of tho power
of voice and action. His sermon, in CONF
position, are surpassed by several hundred
ministers every Sunday in tho very city
in which he now breaches but while many
OF them failto get tolcrable congregation
no house can be found large enough to ac-
commodate his audience.
At night attend the Independent Chap
ell. served by the Rev. MI. Bnney. who is
justly regarded as one Of the ablest preach
ers Of the worlds metropolis. lie had a
large. audience, bis spacious chapel being
filled, and one cannot bel wondering #
any one Of his audience could ever forget
such a discourse. His text is John III, IA,
Is and 16 verses. His manner was all his
own he never could be initiated. With.
out any Of what are sometimes Called the
charms Of oratory, be- enchaiped his audi
ence for an hour and half. It was
found, logical and Misunderstanding discourse.
In the course Of his sefano6 he gaye a :. most
lucid ,explanaliont on the eptirs freedom t.o1
ment. - -t5sH,4 B.!NS "a 90 -
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