The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-10-16
DR.. Talmage,s Church.

very interesting services upon eacn OaDoatn
day, make it an object well worth a visit,
even If it requires one to travel long dis
lance to do SO.
Having read for years with pleasure and
profit the interesting sermons of Rev. Dr..
T. Dewitt Talmage, Que of the greatest
living ministers of the day, which sermons
are printed not only all over this country
but in many countries and in many Ian
guages, and having watched the different
accounts of the building and completion Of
this great Tabernacle from time TO time, as
they appeared in The Christian Herald, we
looked forward with much interest and a
desire to visit il. This was our privilege on
the 10th ulto.
The old church was burned about two
years ago and DIR. Talmage undertook the
great task of rebuilding it at cost of one
hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The
task was a great one and was fraught with
many trials and difficulties. and we believe
it is still burdened with heavy debt.
The architecture on the outside is tasteful
and handsome. but does not strike one as
being a church edifce because 1t is SO widely
different in its general appearance. 1t
seems to haye avoided that sameness which
tells the ordinary observer that it is a
church. 1t is built of brown stone and
brick, is very bright and cheerful within,
being finished in natural oak. Its capacity
is five thousand persons, over one-third Of
them being accommodated in the gallery,
which extends wholly around the church
like an amphitheatre. The floors are ele-
yated, as they recede back from the pulpit.
Notwithstanding the rapid transit in New
York we were late to morning service,
having miscalculated time and distance
from our hotel.
five hundred persons standing. We were
fortunate TO obtain a pew for the evening
service in advance and presented ourselves
early. We found great throng around
the doors nearly one hour before they where
opened. Pew holders entered by side en-
trance on arrival, but if they fail to occupy
theiI pews by the time fixed for opening the
doors to the multitude they are then allow
ed TO enter and ell all vacant seats. The
pulpit is platform only, in the shape of a
crescent, the convex side next to the audi
ence the concave side filled by the great
organ. The only furniture thereon are three
chairs and one small book table placed
back against the organ. While speaking
DR.. Talmage walks the platform which is
at least twenty-five feet long and perhaps
eight feet wide at the centre.
The pipe organ is the largest and finest
10 the country and cost thirty thousand
dollars, and was made near New York city.
1t is located Immediately behind the preach
err and the immense pipes SO elegantly dec
GRATED form beautiful background in the
rear Of the preachers platform. The key
board is Immediately in front of the plat
form and the organist on level with the
audience faces the preacher and is in low
speaking distance of him. The church has
no choir. The singing is led blythe organ
and a superior cornetist. DR.. Talmage is
opposed to church choirs. AT the morning
service his discourse alluded to this subject.
Some of your readers can recall this fact,
who read this sermon published Sept. 23rd
in the Christian Herald. He said they
adopted the plan of having congregational
singing without choir in order that the
entire congregation wonld assume some OF
the responsibility of the service, and also to
avoid quarrels in the choir. He said three
quarters OF the church fights originated in
the organ loft. He then recalled that and
made il nine. tenths, and that many of our
churches were dying of choirs. That peo-
pie came many miles to hear their glorious
singing but he was mot SO sure about the
preaching" He advocated relocating the
choirs TO the church pews, and having
the whole congregation led by an organ and
cornet. We remember upon the occasion
of our visit to DIR. Surgeons church, in
London, the congregational singing is there
led by one leader, with no instrumental
music. AS a preacher DIR. Talmage NOT only
says eccentric things but he says them in an
eccentric way, but he always says forcible
things and in forcible manner. He deals
in short sentences and many periods. He
will stop, hang his head, put his hand to
his forehead and deliberately search for the
next thought. When be has it, he will
start across the platform and deliver bril-
liant idea that his audience can we'll afford
to mediate upon while he takes time Ia
coin the next one. You never get tired
: You enjoy the effect of the last remark while
; you await in pleasant anticipation of What
will come next. Again there is no question
r in regard to his doctrine among ORTHODOX
believers. To read his sermons is one thing
10 hear them is quite another. His text in
the evening was Prov. XVIII, 2l "If q
man would have friends let him be friendly
The song service consisted of: LIST, The long
meter doxology: 2nd, "Tell me the old old
siory;n Bird, "Hold the Fort" 4th, "a
Home over There The hymn book used
is called MANY Voices" and was compiled
. by DIR. Talmage himself. The general
character of the hymns are similar TO those
above mentioned. They are such as are
popular and inspiring. The music of five