Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-04-09
NUMBER u.
vertising; altogether S2.160. On the 10Th
inst. this money was given to the widow
and her fatherless children-the result of
one instance OF advertising
DR.. Holland on Spmrgeom.


The rush to Mr.. Surgeons church is
so great that took an early start. on
bright Sunday morning, in order to be
served among the first strangers, ifpos-
sible. On alighting at the door of the
church, instead of being obliged to wait,
was met by some officer of the place
and day, who inquired whether would
like to go directly into the church and
wait my chance there. Responding in
the affirmative to his polite proposition,
he led the way, at the same time putting
into my hand u slip Of paper which he
begged me to read. II was a request for
a contribution TO Mr. Surgeons institu-
ton for the education Of clcrgymen. 1t
was very neat business transaction
one of which the practical and business
like Mr.. SpurgeOn is justly celebrated
The officer told gentleman that some
American friends wOuld like seats and
we-myself and party were soon invi-
ted forward, and seated in some of the
best pews the house.
Mr.. Surgeons church is very large
and well-contrivcd house, capable ofhold-
ing "a larger congregation. judge, than
that of Mr.. Beecher's, in Brooklyn. In
deed, it is claimed that il affords comfort
able sittings to five thousand persons
There were not more than five hundred
people in the church when entered, but
they came pouring in from that time for
ward, until every part Of the building
was crowded. The interior is oval, the
platform pulpit standiug out from one cx-
tremity, and permitting the seats to sweep
entirely around, an arrangement which
gives pretty good sized audience only
the chance of seeing the back side of the
preachers head. The personal appear
ancc of the great preacher has become so
familiar to Americans. through engrav-
ings and the descriptions Of letter writer's,
that need not say more than that he inn
pressed me. rs he stepped quietly upon
the stand, as hearty, healthy, powerful
man. After giving out hymn, and beg
ging the congregation not to sing it too
slowly. he joined with them in the music.
Then he read telegram he had Just re-
ceivcd from some distant part of the king
dom, from man who was dying, and
who found himself, in the dark hour, un-
sustained by the Christians hope. His
prayer for this stranger was one of the
most touching things ever heard. In
deed. the whole prayer, of which this
formed m episode, was marked with
great lervor, thorough spirituality, and
How and command of language which
much surpassed my expectations.
When he finished his preaching, | was
not left ut Il loss TO understand the secret
Of his power He is goodman, a strong
man. thoroughly in earnest. There were
reminded me of Beecher. The same di-
rectness, the same bursts of grand and
sweeping power, the same fclicities OF
dirtion which distinguish the perform
ances Of the American preacher. were
scattered through the sermon. Mr.. Spur
geon's vocabulary is not So large as that
OF Mr.. Beccher He is not SO completely
en- rapport with the world Of nature, and
is fancy and dramatic. understands hui
man nature, believes in Christianity Ca
good thing in prcacher). knows exactly
what he wants 10 do, and drives straight
forward to the end he seeks. do not
know that Mr.. Spurgeon is Mr. Beecher'S
superior in anything except il may be as
business man. His faculty of orgahiza-
ton, of setting other people at work as
To multiply his own personal power 4
thousand fold, must distinguish him, in
the results Of his life from Mr.. Beecher
Mr.. Spurgeon is doing by organization
and institution what Mr.. Beecher does oy
personal magnetism. Mr.. Beecher in
spires other olergymen; Mr. Spurgeon
educatcs them. and SO builds and shapes
the policy of institutions that he will be
producing preachers after his own kind
long after he has passed away. The
spirit of the man is kindly. His manner
towards his people is familiar and father
ly. Like the Brooklyn preacher, too, he
is not without his dash of humor. In
short, left his presence, Mt last, with a
good taste in my mouth, and the frmest
wish in my heart that the Lord would
send into the world and set TO work ten
thousand just such sensation fanatics ~
Mr.. Spurgeon.