The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-02-25
WHOLE NUMBER 2O3
Mr.. Spurgeon-E1is Sermons.

Perhaps no div inc, and certainly none so
young, has occupied so much Of the public
mind within the past year or two on both
sides Of the Atlantic, rs has Mr.. Spurgeon,
Baptist minister of London. For some
time past he has been expected on visi:
10 the United States, and our readers will
no doubt be interested in the following by
one who heard him preach and visited him
at home. 1t is from the Foreign correspon-
dencc Of the North Carolina Presbyterian:
Since my arrival in London have had
the pleasure Of herring Mr.. Spurgeon twice,
and have also had the privilege Of n private
interview with him. first head him in
Music Hall, in Surry Garden, on which
occasion the congregation probably num-
bered nine thousand, and though the SER
vices lasted about An hour and half. saw
net n single individual leave the house until
they closed, though there were probably two
thousand or more standing the whole time.
Every eye seemed to he fixed upon the
speaker, and the vast congregation seemed
fully to realize that they had met for holy
purpose.
The sermon was not what would gener-
ally be called eloquent. 1t was not very
logical, nor did it abound in fgurative Ian
guase; aud there was nothing like vehe-
mence in its delivery. But have rarely
heard more impressive discourse. 1t con-
tanned the very marrow Of the Gospel, con-
veyeI in language that child could per-
fectly comprehend, and what seemed to me
Of the most importance, the speaker seemed
determined that his hearers should under
stand that he was addressing them individ-
ually. There is point of manner and
quiet earnestness in his delivery, combined
with some originality Of expression. which
arrests and holds the attention Of every
hearcr. In his prayers one cannot but feel
that he istaddressng present God. His
tone is subdued and conversational, rs if
addressing the Holy One, face to face, yet
full Of lowy reverence and deep humanity.
In the first sermon I heard from him,
there was nothing to create smile; but
in the second, which was preached to his
own people, large portion Of whom are
of the lower classes, there were some cx-
pressions which would be distasteful 10 q
more cultivated audience. For instance,
speaking of Christians becoming vain, he
remarked that number Of his people had
manifested good deal Of soicitude on his
account, and assured him that they prayed
that the 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 back
bones.
could not but feel thankful after hear
ing that God had raised up such a man
For three years he has continued to collect
a larger congregation than, perhaps, could
be drawn together by any one individual
in the world and yet it is generally conce-
dcd that lie is not man of very extraordi-
nary ability. Hundreds Of preachers of
the Gospel have 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 il
gi zen to the preparation Of pulpit essays,
that too great effort is made to preacl, fine
sermons, elaborate discourscs, and that
there is much too little Of simple clear and
straightforward Gospel teachinga
felt after hearing Mr.. Spurgeon as per.
haps many others have felt. What is to
hinder hundreds of clergymen from preach.
ing as great sermons as he? Let them lay
aside their manuscripts, and use as he does,
the simplest AngIo.Saxon words, and
deliver them in the same earnest and point
ed manner and I doubt not they will pro.
duce something Of the same impression.
PRIVATE INTERVIEW.
Twas very much pleased with what I
saw Of Mr. s. in. private. I was particular
y impressed by bis simple hearted earnest
piety, and much gratified to find him dis
posed to acknowledge that there was much
more zeal among other bodies OF Christians
his own, especially in the Established,
Church, Of which I bad been inclined to
think be had low opinion. He toldm
that most Of his sermons were prepared in
fifteen minutes, and that he rarely ever
spends as much as An hour on one discourse.
He says he makes great use of the old d.,
vines, and can sometime makes balfdoxsn
sermons out Of as many Of their pages. ~
lie has very agreeable manner in tEs
social circle and bright boyisb face. snd
seems to be blessed with splendid physi-
cal constitution. Ordinarily be feels strong
enough to preach thirteen sermons week
one of which is always published, being
: taken down at the time it is preached by4S
stanoprapher. He seems apxious To rnsia