Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-08-24
THE REV. MIR. STURGEON.

DESCRIBED By AN AMERICAN EDITOR
Mr. Fulton, editor Of that able journal, the Baltl-
more american, who has just returned from tour
in Europe, thus describes visit he made to the
Park street Chapel, in London, to hear the renown
ed preacher, the Rev. Mr.. Spurgeon. Mr.. Fulton
says:
In personal appearance, Mr.. Spurgeon has none
of those characteristics that would impress you with
an idea of extraordinary capacity as public speak
err lie is about five feet five inches in height
rather stout, with round fair smooth face
and low forehead. His hair is black, and is parted
in the C ntre, whilst his eyes blue and his COM
plexon fair His countenance.is mild and pleasing
and he wears no hair on his face except small tuit
under each ear. Indeed his face looks so smooth
that you would scarcely suppose that he was trouo'
led with any beard at ALL As to age, he does
not look to be thirty, though learn that nc Is about
forty.
The services commenced with reading hymn,
showing that he is beautiful and impressive reader,
and that his voice is attuned and capable OF the
most distinct and impressive enunciation. After
the hymn was sung by the congregation, he opened
the Testament and commenced reading portions OF
the 22d chapter of ST. Luke relative to Peters denial
Of Christ, commenting upon them as he proceeded
in conversational manner.
He occupied about fifteen minutes in this portion
Of the service, and after the singing Of another
hymn, he took for his text the cd verse of the
same chapter: And Peter went out and wept
bitterly"
The subject he proposed to eXpound to his hearers
was True Penitence and he would use the case of
Peter to illustrate LIST, its cause I'd, its object
3D. its nature; 4th, its signs 9Th, the place for
repentance, and Gth its effect lie took up each OF
these divisions of his subject separately, his manner
being that of person in careless conversation with
one or two friends. Most of his time he leaned
down with his elbows the Bible. but occasionally
rose as he fired up with his subject with startling
energy and thrilling effect. Still it appeared so
entirely natural that no could possibly accuse
him of any studied effort. In fact, his style and
language rather impress one with the feelings that
he speaks without preparation. and without caring
whether he plcases or dispeases his hearers
His easy and graceful conversational manner is
undoubtedly the great secret of his success, whilst
his earnest and impressive style must always carry
with it a conviction of decptoncd piety Several
times during his discourse he repudated secretaran-
ism, declared that it had nothing to do with true
religion-that men were wasting their energies and
throwing tisscntions into the Kingdom of Christ on
earth by the discussion and propagation of views
and doctrines that are of no Importance.
IperceiveG by notice on the wall that his con-
gregaton arc raising funds to build an immense tab
crnaclc capable of accommodating ten thousand per-
sons y portion of the funds has already been
raised and learn that if he visits America it will
he with view of raising sufficency to complete
the undertaking. The Surrey Gardens, in which
he breaches in the morning. full six miles from
his church. and it is the only place of sufficient
capacity to hold the crowds that follow him that can
be obtained at present.
His style Of preaching is more that of the Meth
odist than Baptist pulpit. and Methodist consrega-
ton under one Of his stirring dScourses would be
very apt to respond with all the enthusiasm that
usually accompanies the powerful exhortations of
Father Slicer