Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-02-07
THE GAZETTE.
MONDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY :, 1859


A correspondent of the Fayetteville n.
c. Presbyterian, writing from London under
date of Dec ~, gives an interesting account
of the Rev. Mr. Spurgeon, VIII" is now Great
ing so much sensation in England. Having
seen and heard Mr.. s., the Presbyterian's
correspondent says: -,
"Since nv arrival in London have had the
pleasure of hearing Mr.. Spurgeon preach
twice. and have also had the privilege OF a
private interview with him. l first heard
him in Music Hail. in Surry Garden, on
which occasion the congregation probably
numbered 1000 And although the services
lasted about an hour and half, | saw not
one single individual leave the house until
they closed, though there were probably
2,O0O or more standing during the whole time.
Every eve seemed To he fixed upon the
speaker, and the vast congregation seemed
to realize that they had come together for n
holy purpose.
The sermon was not what would generally
be called eloquent. 1t was not very logical,
nor did it abound in fgurative language; and
there was nothing like vehemenee in its de
livery. But have rarely heard a more inn-
preSsiye discourse. 1t contained the very
marrow of the Gospel, conveyed in language
that q child could perfectly comprehend. and
what seemed to me of the most Importance,
the speaker seemed determined that his hear
ers should understand that he was address
ing them individually. There is u pointed
manner, and quiet sort of earnestness in
his delivery, combined with some originality
of expression, which arrests and holds the
attention of every nearer. In his prayers
one cannot but feel that he is addressing u
present God. His tone is subdued and con-
yersational, as if addressing the Holy One
face to face. vet full of lowly reverence and
deep humility.
In the first sermon heard from him there
was nothing to create a smile, but in the Sc
cond, which was preached to his own people,
a large portion of whom are OF the lower
classes, there were some expressions which
would be dstasteful to more cultivated au-
dience. For instance, in speaking of chris
tians becoming vain, he remarked that a
number of his people had manifested u good
deal of solicitude on his account and had
assured him that they prayed that the great
attention he received would not make HIM
vain, though they were at the same time so
stiff that they could not bend their knees
without taking out their backbOnes.
could not but feel thankful, after hear
ing him, that God had raised up such man.
For three years he has continued to collect II
larger congregation, than perhaps could be
drawn together by any other individual Ill
the world; and yet it is generally conceded
that he is not man of very extraordinary
ability. Hundreds of preachers of the Cos
pei have probably equal powers, and yet no
one can draw such congregation from every
class of society Is there not much reason to
fear that too much attention is given to the
preparation of pulpit essays, that too great
m effort is made to preach fine sermons, ella
borate discOurses and that there is much too
little of simple, clear and straightforward
Gospel preaching?
felt after hearing Mr.. Sturgeon, as per,
haps many others have felt. What is to
hinder hundreds of clergymen from preach
ing as great sermons Us he? Let them lay
aside their manuscripts, use, as he does, the
simplest Anglo-SaxOn words. and deliver
them i'm the same earnest and pointed man
ner, and doubt not they will produce some
thing Of the same impression.
A PRIVATE ISTERvIEw.-l was very much
pleased with what saw of Mr.. S., inprivate
was particularly impressed by his simple
neirteu, ctrucSl piety, anu .AaNA ~
find him disposed to acknowledge that there
was much zeal among other bodies of chris,
tians than his own, especially in the Estab,
lished Church, of which had been Inclined
to think he had 4 very low opinion. He told
me that most of his sermons were prepared
in fifteen minutes, and that he rarely ever
spends as much as On hour on one discourse.
lie says he makes great use of the old d.
vines, and can sometimes make half dozen
sermons out of as many of their pages.
lie has very agreeable manner in the so
cial circle, and bright boyish face, and seems
to be blessed with a splendid physical cons
titution. Ordinarily he feels strong enough
to preach thirteen sermons week, one OF
which is always published, being taken down
at the time it is preached by stenographer.
He seems anxious to make Il visit to America,
but is unwilling to leave London until hls
large new church is erected. Some evenings
since he had tea-drinking in his chapel, on
which occasion about "a 900 were contribute
ted for the new building"