Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-05-07
Moral and -ReLigIOsts.
Spurgeon.

opurSe0n.
The London correspondent of the Boston
| journal speaks of this remarkable clergyman
| and his place of worship as follows:
Without question Mr. Spurgeon is the most
popular preacher in London to-day. His church
will seat comfortably 5000 1t is always full.
Ali the seats In the vast edifce are rented. The
chapel Is rented by seats. The party who takes
receives as many tickets as there are seats in it.
These hold good for six months Each person to
occupy that pew presents ticket at the gate
and is admitted. Without such ticket no one
enters till ten minutes before services commence.
Then the gates are opened and the throng rush
IN and take all unoccupied seats.
Mr. SpurgeOn's church is an old one 1t was
formed In 1850. 1t was ministered to by DIR.
Gill Ruppon and other distinguished men. It
now numbers $500 members, every one having
to report himself at the monthly communion or
ne IS subject to discipline. Mr.. Spurgeon isan
open communion Baptist but allows no members
but those who have been immersed Other
Baptist churches are more liberal than his. Some
of the most important and prominent allow per-
sons not immersed to become members of the
church, and also deacons. Indeed, some of the
churches, should they become vacant, without
any change of articles or covenant, could as we'll
settle congregationalist as a Baptist pastor
The communion is celebrated in Mr. Spurgeon's
church every Sunday night, but only by a part
OF his church who believe in weekly celebra
ton. The regular communion is monthly.
Everything about this concern is gigantic
The chapel, as they call dissenting churches
here, is huge stone edifce, with a massive stone
pOrtico, supported by six columns and guarded
by an iron fence which would be sufficient for a
penitentiary. The interior is in cathedral style.
Two deep galleries sweep clear round the church.
In from. OF the gallery, opposite the main en-
trance is large platform filled with chairs, and
beneath the tables standing on the platform.
On the upper platform is sofa, with table
by its side. This is the pull pit of the famous
London preacher. The platform is surrounded
by railing, and this is all that keeps him from
the people.
During his preaching he walks the circuit of
the rails, grasping it at times with energy, smit-
ing it with the palms of his hands leaning over
1t, while he holds familiar colloquoy with his
people. Sitting on this upper platform the sight
is exhilarating. Every seat is full Every stand
ing place is crowded. The aisles can only be
known by the height of the men standing in
them. At precisely the time for worship bIr.
Spurgeon walks on to the platform from the
rear, attended by his elders and deacons, who
have seats provided for them in stalls He is a
short, chunky man, with genuine English look,
dark hair, expressive eyes and cheerful face
He has merry spirit, and cheerfulness and
humor predominant in his system.
He is very reverent in his manner. His first
act in the public service is prayer. His voice is
ringing and CHEEKY. His first words are full and
clear, and ring through all the chapel. There
is mouthing, shuffiing, whining, indistinct
mode OF speaking here to which Spurgeon is
splendid contrast The singing was very grand.
Each hymn was read twice-once through be-
fore the singing, and then verse by verse as it
is sung. A chorister steps out on the upper
platform and sets the tune, in which the whole
congregation join. No organ or musical instru-
ment is allowed in the chapel. While he preach
es, every inch of Mr.. Spurgeon is to be seen,
from his boots to hair. A small piece of paper
laid on the table by the side ofthe sofa, to which
he seldom refers, contains his notes A sermon
OF about forty five minutes is simple presenta-
ton of evangelical truth, earnestly, wildly and
sometimes graphically set forth. Mr. Spurgeon
has the power of putting himself In sympathy
with his audience, and aways them at his will
His Sunday-school is very large. and would
be larger if there were room for the children.
| One OF the Bible classes for young men has two
hundred members. A ladies Bible-cass has
seven hundred in attendance, and nine hundred
on the roll. Six hundred young men 60 out
every Sunday to preach among the poor and
destitute parts of London. The college connect
ed with this chapel has SO students, every one
of whom goes out every Sunday to preach in
| some neglected and destitute part of the city.
From this statement you may Judge somewhat
of the power of Mr.. Spurgeon's ministry in
London.
BURLEIaH