American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-09-11
M0RGAN70WN h0l0NGALA CD, Va FRIDAY Sci SEPTEMBER RH

Slmllargatherings followed him in Bath
and Bristol, whittier his next excursion
was made. AS many as twelve serm.
ons weekly, had now become his usual
work. For year he continued this
enormous labor untiringly, sustaining
the regular services of his own chapel,
and at the same time traversing the
country during the week, and preach
ing to great multitudes at every point
to which he could stretch his flying yis-
its. In July, 1855, soon after the
opening of the enlarged chapel, he made
another visit to Scotland. In his sec.
ond preaching tour in the West, in the
spring of the year,o on one occasion the
evening congregation was so great,
and such numbers were disappointed,
that pausing only for a little refresh
ment, he preached second sermon for
them at 10 o'clock at night.
1t was now high time to make an end
OF the comparative waste Of Mr.. Spur
geon's best day in the week, by prca-
ching on Sabbaths in little chapel in
capable Of holding tthe of those who
wished to hear him. A great meeting
was called in September, 1856, to de-
libcrate upon the necessity of building
an adequte preaching hall. Mr.. Spur.
geon announced his determination to
devote himself hcnceforward to preach
ing IN the fields, unless he could have
a hall capable of holding as many as
, could and would hear him. 1t was
stated that within the two or three
years of his London ministry, 500
members had boen added to his church,
which now enrolled in all over 900
names. The determination arrived 1t
on this occasion, was to collect funds
for twelve months, before proceeding
to select site, in the expectation of
being able then 70 erect a hail for the
accommodation of about ., 900 persons.
Exeter Hall being no longer available,
the Surry Music Hall was engaged for
the Sabbath evenings, and the first SER
vice was held there on the 10Th of Oc-
tober, in the presence of $4,000 per-
sons. II was on this occasion that the
sad and well-known accident occurred
from all alarm of fire, by which several
persons lost their lives, and many were
seriously injured. Mr.. Spurgeon was
so completely prostrated by the occur
renee, that he did not appear again till
November I'd, when the second service
was held in the Surry Hall. From
that time to this, the attendance has
constantly increased, both in numbers
and intelligence, many distinguished
individuals being now at all times a
mong the curious or deeply interested
auditors.
That Mr.. Spurgcon is a remarkable
man, none can doubt. 1t is clearly
evident that his sermons were not stu
died and carefully prepared efforts de-
signed to captivate the critical mind,
but bold, of-hand presentation Of the
truth, Nor are we to regard his pub
llshed sermons as a fair representation
OF his ordinary ministrations; though
these would not bear close criticism.
But looking at his successful career, it
may well be Questioned whether the
effectiveness Of the American pulpit
has not been largely sacrificed to scho-
lastio rules. 1t is not the schools that
can make gospel preachers, nor can
scholastic essays so force truth home
to the heart, as to save a SOUL Ch.
Era.