Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-02-05
Rev. Mr.. Spurgeon His Sermons

n correspondent OF tne FnvettevllIc IN. VI
Presbyterian, writing from London under date Of
Dec. ~, gives an interesting account of tho Row
MIR. Spnrgcon, who is now creating so much SEN
sat'on IN England Having seen and heard hr.
y. the fftsbyferidn's correspondent says:
Since my arrival in London Ihave had the pleas
ure of hearing Mr. Sturgeon preach twice, and
have also had tho privilege of private interview
with him, first heard him in Mu.ie Hall, in
Surry Garden; on which occasion the congrega-
ton probably numbered 1000 AL although
tho services lasted about An hour and half
saw not ono single individual leave the house un-
till they closed, though there were probably 1000
or more standing during tho whole time. Every
eye seemed to be fixed upon the speaker, and the
vast congregation seemed 10 realize that they
had come together for u holy purpose.
The sermon was not what would generally be
called cluqnont, 1t was not very logical nor did
it abound in iguratve language; and there was
nothing like vcliemence In Its delivery. But
have rarely heard n more impressive discourss It
contained the worry marrow Of tho Gospel convey
cd in language that u enid could perfectly -nom-
prchend. and what seemed to me of the most i'm
rortancc, the speaker seemed determined that his
hearers should understand that he was addressing
them individually. There is pointed manner.
aud quiet sort Of earnestnoss in his delivery,
combined with some originality of expression,
which arrests and holds the attention Of every
henrer. In his prayers one cannot but feel that
no is addressing present God. His tone ia sub
dued and conversational. w if addressing the Holy
One face to face, yet full Of lowly reverence and
deep humility.
In the first sermon heard from him there was
nothing to create SMILE but in the second, which
was preached to his own people, large portion Of
which are Of the lower classes, there were some ex
pressions which would be distasteful to more
cultivated audience For instance, in spea King Of
christians becoming vain. he remarked that
number of his people had manifested a good deal
ct soIclludc on his account, and Ind assured him
thntthcy prayed that the great attention he receiv-
cd would not make him vain, though they were
ut the Same time stiff that they rould not bend
their knees without taking out their backbones.
could not but feel thankful. after hearing him,
that God bal raised up such man. For three years
he hns cout nuod To collect larger congregation,
than prchaps coulh DO drawn together BY any other
individual ia the world; and yet il is generally
ceedcd that lac is not man of very extraordinary
ability Hundreds ofprcnchcrs Of the Gospel have
probably eqnal powers. and yet no one can draw
such congregation from every class Of society.
ls there not much reason to fear that too much at
enton is given to the preparation of pulpit essays,
TINT too grcnt an effort is made to preach 6ne SER
mons. elaborate dscourses, md that there is much
too little of simple clenr and straightforward Cos
pei pr hing?
felt after hearing Mr.. Spurseon, az perhaps
many others have felt. What is to hinder hun
dreds of ccrgymcn from preaching as great ser
hpun IN hc' iot ihcH iHy usiue tnctT uauuScripsS,
and Use rs he docs tho simplest Anglo oSaxon
words, and deliver them in the same earnest and
pointed manner, and doubt not they will pro-
ducc something of the same impression.
rEIvArE INTERVIEW.
was very much pleased with what saw of
Mr.. s. in private. was particularly impressed
by his simple-hearted. enrnest picty and much
gratifod to find him disposed to acknowledge that
there was much zeal among other bodies Of chris
tians than his own, especially in the Established
Church, Of which had been inclined to think he
had very low opinion. Tie told me that most Of
his sermons were prepared in fifteen minutes and
that he rarely ever spends as much hour
ON one Discourse. lie says he makes great use of
the old diyiues, and can sometimes make halt
dozen sermons out Of us many Of their pages.
He has very agreeable manner in the socinl
circle, and bright boyish face, and seems to be
blessed with splendid physical constitution. Or
dnarily he feels strong enough to preach thirteen
sermons week ono Of which is always published,
being taken down at the timo it is preached by
a stenographsr. He seems anxious to make q
visit to America, but is unwilling to leave London
until his large now church is erected Some even
ings since he had tea-drinking in his chapel,
on which occasion about four thousand dollars
,yara A. mt ri nm al f,r tk. nav hrild;ur