St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-05-04
London PulpitS and London Preachers
MR.. STURGEON AT THE METROPOLITAN
TABERNACLE

| TABERNACLE.
Mr.. Spurgeon long ago achieved the
distinction of being regarded as one of the
"sights" of London for his portrait model
is in Mdme. Tussaud's, and his vast Tia
bernacle at Newington butts is species
of Mecca to which flock pilgrims from
every part of the civilized world. The
demands of his own bewilderingly large
congregation leave but little accommoda-
ton for outsiders, and that little is eagerly
appropriated by country cousins and our
kin from across the sea, who would as
soon think of emitting visit to Paris in
their calculations as to fail in paying their
| respects to the renowned pastor of the
Metropolitan Tabernacle
Mr.. Spurgeon has sometimes been
spoken of as the last of the Puritans. He
fOl LARGELY that, however for while even
lie of the Puritan Fathers held that
rGlere was yet fresh light to break forth
from Gods Word, Mr.. Spurgeon stands
theologically to- day exactly as he stood, a
raw youth from the country, on the plat
form of Park street Chapel thirty. five
years ago. Mr.. Sturgeon is no believer in
the evolution of religious thought, and
holds tenaciously to the faith once delivered
to the saints, plus the dogmas of John
Calvin, which, if destined to fade else
where, will always find their refuge in the
pulpit of the Metropolitan Tabernacle.
Like many other leaders of men, Mr.
| Sturgeon is never troubled with doubt on
any subject whatever and herein lies
much of the secret of his power. Nor can
he understand how the verities of the
Christian faith can present themselves less
| clearly to other men s minds than they do
| to his own; and herein is a source of
weakness. Mr.. Sturgeon knows thing
because he does know it; process of
reasoning satisfactory enough to certain
order of intellect, but one that is scarcely
calculated to carry conviction to the minds
of those perpleXed with the Laureates
''honest doubt" Like Uzzah, Mr. Spur
geon occasionally trembles for the Ark of
the Lord, and, like him, at times seems
DESTROYS to stretch forth his hand to stay
it. No man will question the purity of
his motives in recently sending the fiery
cross round to summon the faithful to a
modern crusade against what he regards
as the 'down grade" in theology. But
whether his action was we'll advised is an
other matter and perhaps it may be ad
mitted even by Mr.. Surgeons friends
that, with all his great gifts, he does not
shine as controversialist. He has the
fortiter IN re, but scarcely The suauiter in
modo; and his i'll health unfortunately
compels him to trust too much to the eyes
F and ears of advisers who, rightly or
wrongly, are not believed to be greatly
distinguished by the possession of the
judicial faculty. AS an organizer, how
ever, Mr., Surgeons splendid powers are
seen at their best. Mr.. Sturgeon is
believer in committees of one-with him
self in the chair and scarcely conceals his
contempt for much of the 'stalkee- talkee"
which goes on In Unions, Boards of Man
agement, and so forth. A benevolent
despotism tempered with the slight dash
of democracy-such Is Mr.. spurgeon's
rule. His Orphanage, his Colportage, his
Pastors College, are all managed on these
lines the last named institution being the
mint from which are issued periodically so
many smaller copies of himself, stamped
with his own image and superscription on
the one side, and bearing on the reverse
warranty that the creed is orthodox and
duly in accord with the straitest tenets of
Calvinism.
1t was easy to see by the crowded state of
Newington -causeway on recent Sunday
morning that the "Guvnor," as Mr.. Spur
geon is Familiarity and somewhat irrever-
emily called by his congregat was at
home once more. In poured the people
from every point of the compass, until the
resources of the great building were taxed
to the uttermost, and from floor to ceiling
the Tabernacle was alive with human be-
iDgs alert with expectancy and in state
Of subdued excitement. The clock pointed
to eleven, when all eyes were turned to the
narrow gangway leading to the platform,
and Mr.. Sturgeon stepped on to the dais
with only slight limp, in his gait and
seated himself in his armchair. The
senior deacon, Mr., William Olney, then
advanced to the front and said he vas sure
it would be in accordance with the wishes
of the congregation that they should well
come their pastor home by rising and sing
ing the Doxolygy which was Immediately
done with fine effect, the familiar strain |
rolling through the Tabernacle in vast
volume of sound that was not little i'm
pressive. The opening exercises were
conducted in the usual manner, Mr.. Spur |
geon offering comprehensive PRAYER |
which contained the following characteris-
tic passage: "Lord, when Thou vast
dying, we read that Thou vert tended by
two thieves; truly Thou art not in much
better company when some of US are near
Thee"
The text was selected from the narrative
contained in the last chapter of John, the
actual words being Come and dine or
as read from the Revised Version, Come
and break your fast" Jesus Christ, said
Mr.. Sturgeon, was always solicitous alike
Of the bodily and spiritual welfare of his
followers. He had, on the occasion re-
ferred to in the text, to rebuke, to exhort
and to give them several great commissions;
but first they must break their fast. MANY
3 battle had been lost through the soldiers
having been insufhciently fed on the eve
Of it; and he had resolved, when away
from his flock, that on resuming his min
stry there, the first thing he would do on
his return would be to offer them "a good
feed" before they made fresh start. This
opening invitation to his congregation to
break their fast could scarcely be consid-
sred as in the light of compliment to
hose who had been supplying his lack of
service towards them during his absence,
the concentration of ideas, odd
IS 1t may SEEM was almost certainly un-
conscious on the part of Mr. Spurgeon.
The suggestion might be hazarded, that,
t the Metropolitan Tabernacle congrega-
ion could break themselves of the habit
# wheeling and coughing at every possible
opportunity sometimes in a series of
unning solos, but more usually in not less
chornses-the comfort both of
PREACHER and hearers would be materially
promoted. This by the way, however.
IL. spurgeon, in easy, colloquial style and
the terse and vigorous Saxon of which
70 IS master, proceeded to treat of 1.-THE