Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-05-07
THE GREAT STURGEON.
An Americans Idea of the Celebrated Londo
Pracher---A Visit to His Church.
Correspondence of the Courier-J ournal.J j
T.oynoN March Ok 1870

An Americans Idea OF the Celebrated London.
Pracher---A Visit to His Church.
Correspondence of the Courier-Journal.
LONDON. March 25, 1872.
A person visiting London would not be ex-
Sunday lions of the metropolis. To miss hear
ing Spurgeon is not only objectionable by
American friends, but it is really a mistake
Expecting much pleasure, and believing it a
duty. started one rainy morning to spend my
first Sunday in the city, Spurgeons s tabernacle
is situated on the south side of the Thames, in
that portion of the city which has always been
considered questionable. The building is
rather plain both from without and within. 1t
is the great church for the laboring classes; and
every Sabbath it is well filed with this class of
people. In its arrangement it reminds one of
a theatre, having two galleries, which encirce
the whole house, the pulpit occupying the place
of the STAGE Having procured a ticket from a
friend of the pastors | entered early at a side
door, leaving the crowd of two hundred and
more waiting before the main entrance, who
had not obtained tickets, and therefore could
not be admitted until few moments before the
services began.
At 1870 Mr. Spurgeon assembled the steps
of the pulpit and after having prayed silently
began the services by giving out a hymn-all
the congregation singing. The leader of this
immense number of voices is certainly man of
wonderful vocal power as his voice could be
distinctly heard at all times The singing is
somewhat slow to one who has been accustom-
ed to the singing in the American churches. =
In singing, as we'll as in everything else the
English are somewhat slower than my fellow
countrymeD.
After the hymn, Mr. Spurgeon read chapter
from the New Testament, explaining the pas
sages as he went along by quoting passages of
similar meaning from other parts OF the scrip
lures. A man not having the text before him
could not have told the interpretations from the
original, SO accurately were they brought in.
Then followed prayer and another hymn
The congregation rose as he stretched forth his
hands to pray In clear, deep voice he ad-
dressed the Almighty, his language being simple
and unadorned. A spirit of pure devotion came
from the mans lips, who seemed to feel that
far-sought elegancies of language would be out
of place on such an occasion. The prayer was
such as | have often heard before. but not from
the lips of those called great. Simple in its ex-
pressions, ever slow in it's delivery, earnest In
its spirit it seemed especially suited for the
understandings of his hearers. Having heard
so much of his eloquence l confess that by the
time he commenced his sermon was very much
disappointed. From report people generally
believe him to be man of great eloquence, and,
from the number of his congregation, think him
gifted in prayer and exhortation. If one goes
to hear him with such an idea he will certainly
be disappointed.
IF I mistake not, many believe him to be
such man as Henry Ward Beecher, but they
resemble each other only in being equally cele-
brated. His discourse was anything but bril-
| liant-no startling metaphors, no fnely-round-
ed sentences, no effort to produce an effect; but
ever modest and unassuming, 10 an earnest tone.
he talked to his congregation of four thousand
and more in such way that theyoungest child
within the building could understand perfectly.
he knows that his rhetoric would be thrown
| agay upon his congregation, even if he wished
.eit He seeS,s to feel that the people be-
to U.s. "' ~aaa =, he talked e. IN PLAIN manner
iOre tore dlm nm. b. way wnS;ch reaches r-
every m hearer. The people are attentive, anu
interested, and look as l. L. they came to church
from some other motive than enaI OF sense e. OF
duty Several years ago, many O. the nobility
were numbered among his coDgregatiHn. out
now they have ceased to attend The simple
style in which he breaches does not suit the ap-
petites of those craving for the sensational
In what does his great power and success
consist? If [ were to characterize it by one
word. [ should say, in his earnestness. 1t cam
not be that his person is so prepossessing since,
taken as whole, he is very common-looking.
[ have said that his language was not such as
to attract his immense audiences. He is rather
above medium height; has full round face,
which is neither winning nor attractive in any
great degree ruddy complexion for man of
his age, which may have been earned by his
late trip on the continent; heavy built, though
not ungraceful; very plainly dressed. In
America he would be taken for Methodist
preacher of moderate abilities. There is not
one intellectual feature in his face. No one meet
ing him in the street would turn to look back
at him as he passed. His voice is wonderful !;
pure and rich in its stone, sweet and mellow in
his loudest words it is so powerful that those
farthest from him hear distinctly every word
uttered. From the beginning of his career he
has shown himself to be man of great COM
mon sense, tact and shrewdness; and these
combined with that earnestness which so espe-
cially characterize him, make him SO we'll quail
/ ;God tn fill tho nositinn he now hOlda