The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1891-07-31
ghe Temple BAPTIST Church.

Dedicated TO the memory OF "RGth.4
One of the most attractive points of in.
terest TO the visitor to Philadelphia is the
new Baptist Temple, situated at the cor
ner of Broad and BeIks streets. This
wonderful church is primarily the erea-
ton of its wonderful pastor, the Rev.
Russell II. ConHell. A few years ago
when the cireumscribed quarters of Old
Grace Church, corner of Mervine and
Berks, became too limited TO accommodate
the vast congregations that thronged to
hear the words OF Mr.. Conwell, and the
pastor began to see the necessity of larger
| accommodations in which to worship his
| God, there was very little foundation on
which to build any hope of ever seeing
his ideas of a new temple embodied in
actual form. But while he was revolving
the question in his mind, not having yet
taken any decided steps toward perfeoting
his plans. a little girl died and bequeathed
her only Is cents as a nucleus for a fund to
build the new church. With this pittance
to start with, the eloquent minister, by
ceaseIess energy and undaunted persever-
ance. succeeded in raising, by voluntary
contributions from friends and by count
less lectures of his own, a sufficient fund
to warrant the laying of the corner stone
of the now beautiful temple.
The structure is row completed. and in
a little while probably will be entirely
free of debt. 1t is built of gray stone with
a main auditorium and basement below
for entertainments, prayer meetings, etc.
The auditorium has 3 seating capacity of
5000, having a gallery extending around
the building. 4 choir of l25 voices occu-
pies the gallery to the rear OF the minister,
aud is lead by one of the largest, If not the
largest, pipe organ in the city, manipu-
lated in the morning service by Adam
Geibel, and in the evening by that marvel
of musical talent, Prof. Wood. Both of
these gentlemen are totally blind. The
musical part of the services, especially in
the evening. has an effect that cannot be
expressed or imagined, but must be heard
to be understood. The hymns and Tunes
used are mostly old and familiar, and with
a chorus of over a hundred voices to lead.
comprising as it does some of the first
talent in the city, and a congregation Of
5000 swelling the harmony, the effect is
indeed wonderful. With two such men as
Mr.. Conwell and Prof. Wood no church
could fail to be attractive.
The pastor, Mr.. Couwell, is a preacher
of marked ability; practical in all his
teachings aud at times exceedingly elo-
auent in expression. His style is simple
and natural, never stiff or affected. He
speaks in a straightforward manner and
seems completely controlled by his sub
ieet. He uses no notes, and never ap-
pears to be at a loss for words. Every
thought is made perfectly clear, and as he
becomes warmed to his subject the words
roll out with such appropriate gestures
and fitting expression that the interest
ceases only with the end Of bis
He ii not & scientific minister, and never
makes a vain parade before his audience Of
his knowledge or ignorance of the dead
languages; he is peculiarly q lsrinq
preacher, and for this reason never fails to
draw a large congregation. Every word
spoken by him is recorded by two steuog-
raphers who occupy a desk immediately
10 front of the pulpit.
The seats of the temple are so arranged
thai they all face the minister. They are
not like those usually met with in
churches, but are similar 10 those seen in
theatres, having 9 flexible bottom hat
may be raised and turned back. They are