Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-01-27
Preaching to Ihs working Glasses q
IsOudon-
TFroa The London Pest, jan 81


IFrcz the London Pest, Jan- 81
II the working classes Of the metropolis arc
not greatly benefited in morals and religion
it is not for lack Of abundant preaching The
number Of special services for their exclusive
benefit is beyond al that was imagined u short
time ago was possible or profitable st. Paul's
aad Westminster Abbey present every Sunday
evening very satisfactory development of the
Cathedral system. Exeter Hall in an irregular
way represents what may be called the yereke-
rian type Of Christianity, and St James Hal IS
in possession, for preaching purposes, Of ''the
Dissenting terest These all contemplate TIE
gathering CT monster congregations Bot there
are others which aim at less but probably effect
more.
In various metropolitan parishes-Stepney,
St. Giles-in the Field, Spitalields and Depford
successive services are to be held, the people
are invited to attend in their working clothes,
preachers o: more or less eIninence are announc-
ed, and the energetic Bishop OF the diocese
takes his place among them. We are led TO
believe that this is only the beginning Of the
work, and tina; more will be undertaken as
soon as more hely is available. This important
movement, so far as it has gone, demonstrates
three things which we are glad 10 see-first,
opportunities; secondly, that the poor do obvi-
OCSly appreciate the efforts made for their good;
and, thirdly that the Church only can under
take the work on a large scale.
That the Church does appreciate the great
ness Of her opportunities may be seen ia the ef-
forts she is making to meet them. We speak
now of her legitimate efforts, as at St Paufs.
Westminster Abbey, and the large parish
churches. The services, as now conducted a.
Exter Hall, quite irregular, are OF party orr
giu, have party tendency, and can have only
an obstructive effect
It's satisfactory note that, on last Sunday
evening" the first Of the present series the at:en
dance very scanty, as compared with the
/ thousands that hocked thitber before the Abbey
and Cathedral were made available for evening
worship. The class Of persons that now attend
St Paul's is much the same as that which fire.
quents Exeter Hall, which seems toIshow that
the regular services have an attraction for the
/ people over the irregular, and that an intOned
service in its entirety, and the associations of
/ grand and cOnsecrated temple, are held 10 higher
estimation than mutilaGOn Of the Liturgy in a
concert room.
Last Sunday all the four great places we're
open, three of them for the first time since the
autumn. Yet there was no perceptible falling
I off in the numbers at St Paul's This is note
worthy fact, which must be most encouraging
to the Dean and Chapter, who have made such
praiseworthy efforts not only to have service,
but to have tins full and effective cireumstan-
ces would admit. The popularity Of these Sum
day evening preachings is great credit TO the
| Cathedral.
The reopening ofWestminister Abby was not
so successful in point of numbers.
But, as far as the very poor are concerned, we
arc inclined 10 believe that the Home Mission
services in parish churches, IL kept up, will be
the most effective, especially as first After 4
while, those who have been impressed By these
services may be led to go to the others, and
be even more impressed. Il is past doubt
that the poor will respond to the Invitations of
the Church when the Church is thrown open to
them free.
Tattered garments and faces stained with the
sweat and toll Of work, were everywhere visible
men, women and children, but especially men
l--Aocked by hundreds to hear their Bishop,
and seemed to forget for while that he was
one of class whom they were accustomed to
as the oppressors of the poor, as the bloatcd
pensioners ofa over-paid Church, which lived
by its undue share In the spoils OF taxation. II
these services can be multiplied great good will
be done; people viii be impressed, aud, that
done, the first step is gained