Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-03-05
Wafrhman & Journal
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1879.
Letters from LondOn---NO. 4.


the privilege OF being one of their ministers
have not yet learned enough of what has bee
going ON in the denomination to be able to NEE
such expectations.
That Congregationalism has not been statonar
dnring the last forty years, is ut once apparent
any one who has a remembrance Of what 1t wa
at the beginning of that period, and who at tn
same time can see and understand what it Is now
The number of the churches is much greater, TIN
denomination has become more influential in tn,
country, the wealth of the body has greatly in
creased, more men of culture and substance hav,
grown up in the ranks of those who have EN-
braced the Congregational system of church pol
ity The places of worship belonging to the Con
gregationalists, and especially those recently
built have been planned with a greater regard
to convenience and comfort in their internal ar
rangements, as well as to the demands of good
taste in their external appearance; and many Of
them are large and handsome buildings must
however, remark here, that there is still room for
improvement in these churches, in respect to pro-
vision made for the comfort of the worshpers.
The slips are commonly very narrow, their backs
are perpendicular, they are not cushioned, except
so far the holders of them choose for their own
accommodation to perform that work for them
selves. | think have not seen, even in London,
a single church fully cushioned and carpeted as
many Of the places of worship in America even
in small villages and rural districts, are.
| can very well remember that about the time
when came into Vermont, many curious notions
were INDUCED by individuals respecting the re-
strictions under which the dissenters of England
were held, in regard to the free and full enjoy
ment of religious liberty. There were those in
the state who believed and openly affirmed that
the dissenters were forbidden by law to have
steeples on their churches, to ring bells for the
purpose Of calling their congregations together
and there might he some ground for such an
opinion inasmuch as, in point Of fact, no Congre-
gational church in England that | ever knew,
had what could be called "a steeple, and but very
few used bells to convene their assemblies. But
now, whoever has ears to hear or eyes to see,
must ut once be convinced that either the law was
merely an imaginary thing, or that the dissenters
of England are the most notorious and persistent
law-breakers in the kingdom.
The Congregationalists of England have intro
duced some slight changes into their mode of
conducting public worship; they have now more
singing more instrumental music, than they had
while was among them; they are now in the
habit of chanting particular portions of Scripture
"A practice which in my time would have been
regarded as great innovation.
have not AS yet had many opportunities of
learning what is now the general character OF the
Congregational ministers of England, considered
Ms preachers, though have heard a few of those
who are regarded as the most eminent.
On the first Sabbath after reaching London
attended public worship in the church on Totem
ham Court Road, in which Dr. Bevan now of
New York, preached while he was in England
To that church the well known Matthew Wilkes
mnstered for many years; he was a man of
many pecnliarities, and many amusing stories il
Illustrative of his oddities used to be in crcua-
ton among his friends and acquaintance. DR..
Campbell, also a man of superior talent, and of
great influence among the churches, was for a
number OF years pastor of the church, after the
death of Mr.. Wilkes. 1t was during the time that
DIR. Campbell oflicated as pastor. that a party in
the congregation attempted to wrest the place of
Worship with all its appendages, out of the hands
of the trustees, and it was only by decision of
the House of Lords, before whom, as a court of
final appeal, the case had boen brought, that ,ho
church were enabled to retain the property, The
church worshiping in this place was originally
formed under the ministry of the celebrated
George Whitfield; the building in which it wor-
Whitfield Tabernacle
On another occasion visited as a hearcr the
church near Regent Square, where the once cele-
brated Edward Irving preached until, by the Pres
byteIy to which he belonged he was deposed
from the ministry Here also DIR. james llainil-
ton was pastor for II number Of years-his labors
in his own church and generally throughout the
community were eninently popular and success
fu 1t was in that church that the first manifes-
tatons of what was called the gift Of tongues
were made, but now everything there is quiet
and orderly; the congregation is large and Is con-
nected with the English Presbyterian church its
pastor is a man of note, not only in his own de-
nomination, but also, as believe, in the London
churches generally,
third minister whom had the privilege of
hearing was the Rev. Newman Hail. in his own
pHlpit; his name and fame long since reached
Vermont, and think may say all the states of
the Union every one of your readers has
doubtless from time to time heard or read of
him as a faithful and successful minister Of the
Lord Jesus Christ. He breaches, as all know, to
the congregation which was originally under the
ministerial charge of the Rev Rowland Hill The
discourse which heard was a plain, earnest and
affectouate piece of instruction, addressed to
large and attentive audience. 1t was ON the first
Sabbath of the year, and the regular day for the
communion of the church that ! attended there
embraced the opportunity, on the invitation of
the pastor of uniting with his flock in the obsery-
ance of the ordinance of the Lords Supper, and
highly enjoyed the pr vilege Of doing 80 At the
Al.
number of persons who had recently become
members Of the church; he read also brief obt-
uary notices Of those who had died during the
preceding year. | observed that though Mr. Hall
preached in a black gown, he put on the surpce
when he was about to administer the communion
did not understand what was the significance of
that change or whether any significance at all
was ~ be attached to 1t.
One Sabbath morning found my way to the
church Of DIR. Cummings minister OF the Scotch
establishment. For long time he occupied a
conspicuous place among the churches in London,
and by the frequency with which he made the
prophecies of Scripture the subject of his dis
COURSES in the pulpit, he drew together large audi
ences. The church stands In dark dreary spot
called Crown Court, few PAGES from DruTy Lane,
and IL inside and outside altogether the most un-
inviting place of worship that have seen in Lon
don His congregation is now reduced to mere
handful OF people
am sorry that have not had the OPT ortunty
Of hearing Mr.. spurgeon. lie has preached so
far rs can learn but once since came to Lon
don, and did not hear of his purpose to perform
that service until it was over The state OF his
health is snch that there is but little prospect Of
his being able to resume his duties in the iaber-
nacle while remain here.
10 name only two other ministers at this time
whom have heard, ! only add that on recent
| sabbath attended the Union church at Ising
ton, under the pastoral care Of Dr, Allan, and on
the following Lords day listened to the instruc
ton of DR.. Raleigh, of Kensngton; these two min
isters are considered as standing At the head o
their brethren in London, as regards their min
isterial and pastoral qualifications Both congre
cations were large especially the in lslington
Now it may be said, you have heard these min
isters you have formed some opinion of thei
preaching what is that opnon2 How do they il
your estimation compare with the ministers o
former times as preachers II might venture b
say what are my views ON that point, would re
mark, that while they are truly and eoniessed
learned and able ministers Of the gospel, they ar
not greater preachers than some Of those whom
knew half u century ago, such HI James of BIZ