Semi-weekly interior journal., 1883-03-30
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE
Mr.. Barnes and Miss Marie Hear the
Great Spurge0n,
And Again Visit Westminster Abbey
AN UNUSUALLY INTERESTING LETTER.
"PRAIsE THE LORD"

102 SHAcKI.EwELL LANE, /
DALsroS, LONDON, L. q. Mar. IL, 'S3 !
Dear Interior
Again Marie and | are sitting up
with our sick brother-Dr. Stoddard-and
an opportunity is given to write up the
events Of the day.
We went TO hear Spurgeon in the morn
ing. A walk Of two squares brings US TO
"Kinesland Road" where we take the
"tram" (dni street carl and go by 1t to the
city limits, past which the tram is a forbid
den luxury. At that point, however, we
take bus, which crosses London Bridge
and lands US at the Elephant and Castle"
one Of London's best.known landmarks,
which is short block from Mr.. Spurgeon's
Tabernacle. The bus management is dif-
ferent from ours in this, among other
things, that instead Of driving through for
one fare, they have halting places and an
increase Of charge for the longer distances.
For example, we pay "tupence" each (4c)
from our "DAlston Junction" ITO Shore
ditch" where the bus halts for few min
utes. But il we go on over London Bridge
to the Elephant and Castle, we pay 'thre-
pence, t6c) and 80 on. AS we we're about
tn start from "Shoreditch" this morning we
heard shout in the distance, and the con.
ductor said TO the drive, II say Bill, look
w'sts cominr' Accordingly we joined the
driver in looking and saw coming down a
side street a fat old gentleman with the
funniest waddle imaginable, putting and
blowing to make the connection. The Of
6cials obligingly waited and he landed at
last on the cushioned seat quite spent. He
turned out nice old gentleman, going to
the Tabernacle, as we were, himself being
a member Of Surgeons church. He kind
ly undertook to guide us from the Elephant
and Castle, which, may say in passing, is
a very plain building, facing a triangular
open space where several streets Deet, with
no elephant about it, but four small cas-
ties in a row together on the centre Of the
front cave. 1t was doubtless one OF Lon
don's famous inns in the old times and it
is still an sle-house. 1t is a great stand
point for seeing the going and coming to
and from "the Derby"-a sight seen no
where in the world but in London. Our
kind old chaperope led us to the Taberna.
Gle and directing us how to get in, went of
10 a side door and we saw him no more. Sew
eral persons stand just within the iron gates
with their hands filled with little envel.
opes, in which one may put willing offer
ing, and drop them in boxes conveniently
arranged along the enclosing wall. These
facilities are again furnished inside the
house. One need never be at loss in Civ
ing at the Tabernacle, if only 80 disposed.
These boxes are in lieu Of the ordinary
collection" we are all so familiar with.
Entering the well-remembered audience
room, where % years ago l heard the
famous preacher. l found it quite un-
changed, except that the paint and gliding
were more dingy, and the pews bore marks
Of constant use. The house inside is a
beautiful oval, with two galleries running
all around, and the pulpit on level with
the first one. The speaker is visible from
every seat in the house, and the prodigious
room, which holds I, 900 people, is perfect
almost, in acoustic properties. AT IL o'c.,
promptly Mr.. Spurgeon came TO his place.
The passing years have made few marks
upon him. The thick-set form was the
sa me; the mellow voice unchanged; the old
FIRE and earnestness nearly unablted; only |
the hair is turning gray, though the beard,
which he wears full, save the upper lip, is
not SO, at least as seen across the imperfect
" lighted room; GOO gas-jets, half turned
on, help the struggling daylight to keep
all bright.
The great preacher has his elders seated
in semi.circle behind him, and precen-
tor standing besid him, starts the hymn
and leads the music without an instru-
ment Of any kind. The congregational sing
ing is very impressive. About 5000 peo-
pie were present, comfortably filling all
but the upper gallery. Mr.. spurgeOn Is
certainly very "plain man." like Jacob Of
old, with figure too slumpY for grace,
narrow brow and heavy cheeks-suggest-
ing nothing either spiritual or intellectual.
But here appearances are deceptive, for he
is certainly both, as all know. His hair is
cut half short and stands up stiiiiy. He
gesticulaies much with his left hand, hold
ing on TO the railing with his right and all
his arm motions are very graceful. He
never hesitates for word and his words
are wonderfully chosen, or rather wonder
fully given Of God. Ex. 30 z, s, were the
verses chosen, preceded by his admirable
running comment on the whole chapter,
after the frat song and prayer. He has
two long prayers and three hymns, occupy
ing, with the reading Of the scriptures and |
exposition, As minutes. The sermon is al
so AS. and he closes promptly at half past
II o'clock, with the DenedicliOn pTon0unc-
ed as soon as the sermon Is finished.
Mr.. s. invited his own people TO remain
away at night 10 give strangers the house,
and asked them 10 look in at some Of the
twelve chapels he gave list Of, and see
how lheY were getting along. The ehaPels