The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-09-18
spurgeon.
Dc Appearanss and 1Ianner.

Owing to my early appearance I had
three-quartefs of an hour in which to
study building and people. The former
is simple in style and reminds one by its
Grecian front of dark stone, Corinthian
pillars, and plain pediments above, of
the Unitarian church on Franklin street
at Baltimore. Only by its exterior,
however. Within the walls are painted
white, within the faintest tinges of
green, tint which proves very restful
to the eyes. The building is we'll
lighted both through numerous win
dows and by skylights in the roof, none
of which are stained or otherwise orna-
mented Below, the seats appear to be
cushioned only as a matter of private
convenience, which causes diversity of
color and occasional barren spots pain
full in their suggestive hardness. There
seems to be much cordial intimacy
among the members of the congrega-
tion, who are in general a plain, decent
folk, apparently well 70 do, and quietly
dressed. Inoticed In a great many in
stances that on taking their seats they
would, after a moments devotion, turn
around and snake hands with every one
in the pew Immediately back of them.
This occurred IN so many pews that it
seemed to be the fashion. An old lady
Just behind leaned forward and hoped
we would be able to hear MIR. Sturgeon
to-day, but he had been livery hill on
Friday last. Finally, Spurgeon him
self emerged from some hiding place
aloft and settled himself deliberately
into plain red plush chair by the side
of the pulpit desk. At the other side,
and a little back, sat a modest little
man of that Notwithstanding, black
whiskered type which, as the French
say, never invented gunpOwder. J"
Spurgeon himself disappointed me. He
is quite short-not over five feet four I
should say-with a round face, little
longer than it is broad in fact, much
the egg-shape of the g Tabernacle" He
has q moderate amount of side whisker
and goatee, his hair is black, but not
very black. His chin seemed weak, but
was most concealed by beard. He has
a dark eye, rather full, and capable of a
great deal of expression. he cannot
use his facial muscles as Beecher can,
nor modulate his tones so perfectly.
But ne seems more thoroughly in earn
est, and has perhaps more magnetic
- 7..,-s-.-. I,--,,a- Abo Abo4so-l,t
without so much personal power. do
not know that I make myself under
stood, but you will readily comprehend
that man might fix his thoughts in
your mind without conveying Herewith
much respect or regard for the speaker.
Now Beecher always impresses me quite
as much with Beecher as his sermon,
and his whitening hair and noble front,
with his wonderfully rapid changes of
tone, all create an effect far more i'm
pressive than Spurgeon's regular fea-
lures and exceedingly mediocre express
sion. He does not look to be over forty,
and you could readily imagine that you
had seen that dark hair, fat face, and
squat figure on the steps of the New
York city hall. He begins with prayer
in loud, full tones which evidently come
from powerful lungs, 3 little weak by
illness. Although one sees the effort it
costs him to send his voice over the
house, there was none of that ladder
like shrieking, the build-yourself-up-
dually-and-t umble-down-on-the-o 9th
er-side sort of hortatiOn which obtains
so extensively with popular preachers.
Spurgeon relies for his effects upon the
greater or less fulness Of tone, rather
than upon changes in its pitch. After a
few ordinary remarks upon the privilege
Of being in his house to-day to offer mp
prayer for the people Of God, his prayer
turned to the subject Of salvation from
temptation with the words, few and
simple enough Grant, o Lord, that
we may this day be hedged IN from all
sim" Now you viii hardly believe that
the effect of that little petition, as he
delivered It, was beyond ali description.
AS be leaned far forward over the rail
and spoke the words with slow inten-
sity, the consonants Of the "h-e-d-g-g-
ed, " thrilled through that great audi
ence as must have done The famous
" disgorge" Of Webster.-Cor. n =
World