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<html>
<head>
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
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Title = 'The Ceremony of Laying the First Stone of the New Tabernacle';
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<h4 style="text-align: center">
FOR THE CONGREGATION OF THE REV. C.H. SPURGEON<br>
Took Place<br>
On Tuesday, August 16th, 1859.<br>
</h4>
<br>
<br>
<p class="indent">
PRECISELY at two o'clock in the afternoon, Mr. SPURGEON,
accompanied by Sir MORTON PETO, Bert., M.P., and other friends,
ascended the temporary platform erected around the stone; and
the proceedings shortly after commenced by singing the
hundredth Psalm:—
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
Before Jehovah's awful throne<br>
Ye nations bow with sacred joy;<br>
Know that the Lord is God alone;<br>
He can create, and he destroy.
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
We are his people,we his care,<br>
Our souls and all our mortal frame;<br>
What lasting honors shall we rear,<br>
Almighty Maker, to thy name?
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
We'll crowd thy gates with thankful songs,<br>
High as the heavens our voices raise;<br>
And earth, with her ten thousand tongues,<br>
Shall fill thy courts with sounding praise.
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
Wide as the world is thy command;<br>
Vast as eternity thy love;<br>
Firm as a rock thy truth must stand,<br>
When rolling years shall cease to move.
</p>
<p class="indent">
Mr. SPURGEON then offered up an opening Prayer:—
</p>
<p class="indent">
OH! LORD God! thy throne is in heaven. Yet heaven and the
heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, neither can any among
the sons of men build a house for thy habitation and thy rest.
The temple of Solomon, however beautiful for situation glorious
for its splendor, and "exceeding magnifical," was not fit for
thy dwelling place. It is not possible that thou who fillest
immensity, thou who dwellest in light to which no man can
approach, shouldst confine thyself to temples piled with human
hands. Nevertheless thou hast said, "To this man also will I
look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and
trembleth at my Word." Jesus, Master of assemblies, where two
or three are gathered together in thy name, there art thou in
the midst of them. Blessed Comforter, without thy quickening
influence, the largest congregation is but a listless crowd,
the most gorgeous cathedral but a profane place. Thou hast been
pleased, O Lord, to increase this people and to multiply their
joy. We have had the joy of harvest, and the shoutings as of
them that bread the wine-press. Thou hast been greatly with us,
and thy right arm has been made bare in the eyes of all the
people. And now behold, this day we are come together to lay
the first stone of a house for thee, wherein we may meet for
thy sacred worship. Oh, give us the first drops of a shower of
mercy! Oh that this day every one concerned in the laying of
this stone may partake of the blessing of the Most High! Bless
the church that shall assemble in it! "May we find our richest
expectations far exceeded, and our firmest hopes far excelled.
Do thou, O God, bless the many thousands that we hope will
gather here, and grant that the Word may be quick and powerful
to their conversion! We know that places cannot be consecrated;
yet can there be consecrated associations connected with them.
Lord give us the fullness of thy blessing at the beginning, and
as we progress, and stone mounts on stone, may we come at last
to know that better is the end of a thing than the beginning
thereon God bless thy servant who is about to lay this first
stone! We thank thee for him, and we pray thee bless him
abundantly. Grant that the wealth and station thou hast
conferred upon him may be ever, as they have been, fully
consecrated unto thee. And do thou bless all the dear brethren
of the ministry now present! Oh, grant to every one of them the
fullness of thy Spirit, the joy of thy salvation, and the light
of thy countenance! And bless, we beseech thee, the assembled
congregation! This very day may sinners be converted and God be
glorified! And now, thou who dost bow thine ear to listen to
our requests, hearken to our prayer, while we beseech thee to
let this house be builded without accident, let, or hindrance.
When builded may it by the manifestation of thy presence to the
saints be filled with thy glory. And for many years to come,
yea until thy second advent, thou long-expected Messias, may
ministers of a full, free, and finished salvation, occupy its
pulpit! And unto Father, Son, and Holy Ghost be glory, for
ever! Amen.
</p>
<p class="indent">
Mr. SPURGEON then said: Before the stone is laid the deacons of
the church—or rather my esteemed brother Mr. Carr on their
behalf—Has drawn up a statement of the history of this
church. I was afraid that our revered brothers in the
deaconship would scarcely be heard. Mr. Carr, however is the
author of the statement to be laid before you, and he wiLL
therefore most properly read it himself. I can only say, if you
are as much edified and delighted in hearing it read, as I was
when I first perused it, you will not feel occasion for regret
even though it should occupy twenty minutes in its reading. I
have no fault to find with it, except I think it gives me a
little too much praise. If you think so, ascribe it all to God.
His praise can never be uttered in strains too loud or too
hearty.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The following statement was then read by Mr. B. W. CARR:—
</p>
<p class="indent">
WITH THE REMEMBRANCE OF GRATEFUL ANNALS IN THE PAST, WITH THE
TOKENS OF ABUNDANT PROSPERITY IN THE PRESENT, WITH GLOWING
HOPES AND DEVOUT PRAYERS FOR THE FUTURE, WE ASSEMBLE THIS DAY
TO LAY THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A NEW TABERNACLE.
</p>
<p class="indent">
THIS church of baptized believers in the Lord Jesus Christ is
not of recent formation. Its members hold a direct succession
from progenitors in the faith, for the space of two hundred and
seven years. The oldest Baptist church in Southwark, we trace
back our Commencement to the year 1652. After the death of King
Charles the First, and before the appointment of Oliver
Cromwell to be Protector of the Commonwealth, our pious
ancestors first associated in church fellowship. Their
spiritual compact was made in troublous times. While the
trammels of Popery had then recent been cast off, and
Protestant Christians had but lately emerged from Papal
darkness, full liberty of conscience was neither granted by the
legislators, nor understood generally by the people. The GREAT
PRINCIPLE OF UNRESTRICTED RELIGOUS LIBERTY was, at that time,
peculiar to the Baptists. They scrupulously maintained it, and
pioneered the way for its popular apprehension. But the sect of
Baptists was accounted schismatic. Their meetings were held by
stealth. Being unlawful for them to gather together for worship
in a suitable edifice, they were compelled to go from house to
house, observing the strictest secrecy. From Psalmody they were
obliged to refrain. They dared not sing the praises of God,
lest the sounds of their devotion should attract the notice of
informers. Persecution, in truth, they did not court, neither
did they shrink from enduring it with gentle patience and holy
boldness, when public indignation was aroused, and legal
indictments preferred against them. Benjamin keach, one of the
earliest pastors of this church, was convicted of asserting and
publishing his belief, <i>that believers only, and not infants
ought to be baptized—that laymen, having abilities, might
preach the gospel—and, that Christ should reign personally
on earth in the latter day.</i> In accordance with the verdict
obtained and the sentence pronounced by the judge, he was
imprisoned for fourteen days, fined twenty pounds, and stood in
the pillory twice during one week, in the market-places of
Aylesbury and Winslow, in the County of Buckinghamshire.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The times have changed—the gradual enlightenment of the
public mind has advanced—the face of the local district in
which our various meeting-houses were situate has been
transformed—the affinity of Christian denominations has
become more truly felt—and the broad relation of all
parties, whatever their religious opinions, to the general
state of the kingdom, has been recognized by the ruling powers,
while amidst the flowing tide of civilization, our beloved
church, in connection with the sect to which it belongs, has
maintained its original character. Owning but one rule of
faith—the pure unadulterated Scriptures; recognizing the
order of government or discipline no other standard than the
example and precept of the apostles as contained in the New
Testament, without alloy of tradition or modification, under
fresh phases of secular estate, the old creed has been endorsed
by each successive generation of believers, and is held intact
by those, who this day are gathered to transmit the testimony
they have received to a posterity yet unborn.
</p>
<p class="indent">
No novelty whatever led to the distinctness of our communion.
No factious spirit induces us to perpetuate it. As a protest
against an innovation still fostered in Christian churches, we
preserve the inscription of "Baptist" on our banners. By
"immersion" the converts to Jesus in apostolic times made their
public profession. In Godly and pious communities of the one
church of Christ, the primitive ordinance of discipleship has
been practiced through an unbroken succession. Holding in
common with brethren of other denominations the unity of the
<i>faith,</i> we desire now, as ever, in our own fellowship, to
mantain the pureness of that <i>polity,</i> which is formed
upon the model of the church at Jerusalem.
</p>
<p class="indent">
Within the first half century of its history, this church had
three Pastors—WILLIAM RIDER, BENJAMIN KEACH, and BENJAMIN
STINTON.
</p>
<p class="indent">
Under WILLIAM RIDER the church was formed of a few individuals
who had separated from one of the most ancient congregations of
Baptists in the city of London. They had the reputation of
being a people of solid judgment and substantial religion. Some
of them were in good circumstances as to the possessions of
this world. Mr. Rider died in the year 1667, after having taken
the oversight of this infant church for fifteen years.
</p>
<p class="indent">
BENJAMIN KEACH, chosen to the pastorale in the year 1668, was a
man famous in his day. He was born at Stokehaman in
Buckinghamshire, in February, 1640, and when eighteen years of
age was called to the solemn work of the ministry. In
controversy on the Baptismal question, the renowned Richard
Baxter was his great antagonist. Distinguished for literary
research and voluminous writing, he contributed forty-three
books to the Christian public, two of which—his "KEY TO
OPEN SCRIPTURE METAPHORS," and his "EXPOSITION OF ALL THE
PARABLES,—have been perpetuated in several editions, and
take rank in the libraries of the Christian student to this
day. During his time the church was prosperous, and a large and
commodious building was erected in Goat's Yard Passage, Fair
Street, Horseliedown. There he continued his ministry till the
period of his decease in 1704, having completed thirty-six
years of arduous ministerial labor.
</p>
<p class="indent">
After an interval of a few months, BENJAMIN STINTON, the
son-in-law of Benjamin Keach, succeeded to the pastorale, which
he faithfully discharged for fourteen years. Not lacking in
that indefatigable industry which has been ever characteristic
of the ministers of this church, he first projected a plan of
the Baptist history. The manuscript is still preserved,
although it devolved upon other hands to complete the
interesting work. It is further notable that in his time a
baptistry was constructed "for the more decent administration
of the ordinance." The Baptists had, like the Chlistians in
Primitive times, administered this rite in pools or rivers. In
the year 1818, at the cost of one hundred and sixty pounds, a
desirable change was effected, the <i>old baptizing place</i>
in Horeliedown being enlarged, a meeting-house built, and three
vestries of eleven feet square each being provided. The year
following Mr. Stinton died.
</p>
<p class="indent">
Through the singular providence and blessing of God, this
church was subsequently favored with the ministry of two
eminent servants of Christ for the protracted space of one
hundred and fifteen years; Dr. John Gill having been upwards of
fifty-two years, and his successor more than sixty-three years
their pastor.
</p>
<p class="indent">
JOHN GILL was born at Kettering in Northamptonshire, November
23rd, 1697, and ordained to the pastoral office over this
church, March 22nd, 1720, being then in the twenty-third year
of his age. A man of profound learning and deep piety, he was
notable as a divine for the exactness of his systematic
theology in which he maintained the doctrines of grace against
the innovations of Arminian teachers. His "BODY OF DIVNITY" has
long been held in the highest repute. As the fervent exposition
of an entire and harmonious <i>creed,</i> it has no rival. His
famous treatise entitled "THE CAUSE OF GOD AND TRUTH," obtained
for him the championship of the Calvinistic School of Divinity.
He likewise published a voluminous "COMMENTARY ON THE HOLY
SCRIPTURES" in nine volumes folio, remarkable for the
copiousness of its glossary, the brilliance of its argument,
his apprehension of prophecy, and the richness of his Hebrew
scholarship. His preparations for the pulpit having, as is well
known, furnished the materials for the press, we can but
reflect on the priceless value of his ministry. The eulogy
pronounced upon him by the Revelation Augustus Montague
Toplady, a well-known cotemporary divine of the Church of
England, was doubtless well merited. He says, "that his labors
were indefatigable, his life exemplary, and his death
comfortable if any one can be supposed to have trod the whole
circle of human learning, it was this great and eminent person.
His attainments, both in abstruse and polite literature, were
equally extensive and profound, and so far as the
distinguishing doctrines of grace are concerned, he never
besieged an error which he did not force from its stronghold,
nor ever encountered an adversary whom he did not baffle and
subdue."
</p>
<p class="indent">
In the year 1757, a new meeting house for the church and
congregation was built in Carter Lane, Tooley Street, which Dr.
Gill opened on the 9th of October in that year, "by recording
the name of the Lord therein," agreeably to his own
apprehension of that devout service, "preaching the doctrines
of the grace of God, and administering gospel ordinances as
they have been delivered to us." This venerable servant of
Christ fell asleep in Jesus the 14th October, 1771.
</p>
<p class="indent">
"Though we have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have we
not many fathers," but John Gill was a father of the true
apostolic order. When this hoary old saint, bending with mature
age, was gathered in, and came to his grave "like as a shock of
corn cometh in in his season," there sprung up in his place a
stripling youth, like a green blade, and so forestalled another
summer season, with a fresh crop of souls as precious grain for
a future harvest. A lapse of less than two years in point of
time divided the ministry of Dr. Gill from that of Dr. Rippon.
But the interval in a moral aspect looked rather wide just then
to the eyes of those who saw the pulpit vacated by the one and
occupied by the other. Of this no one was more sensible or more
apprehensive than young John Rippon himself. Once and again he
shrunk fromaccepting the solemn charge under an overwhelming
sense of its responsibilities. Making the invitation a matter
of daily prayer, he sought fresh proof that he had found favor
with God and acceptance with his people, before returning an
absolute and decisive answer.
</p>
<p class="indent">
Born at Tiverton in Devonshire, on April 29th, 1751, JOHN
RIPPON was in his twenty-third year when publicly ordained, on
November 11th, 1773, to the pastoral office in connection with
this church at Carter Lane Chapel. It had already appeared that
the mantle of a true ministerial succession had fallen on him;
the anointings of the Spirit of God had been fully manifested
when by the laying on of hands he received the open recognition
of his brethren. This thing came of the Lord of Hosts, who is
wonderful in counsel and excellent in working, and he wrought
mightily by his dear young servant. A great revival ensued.
Crowded congregations at the usual services, and joyful church
meetings to receive the converts into fellowship, gave evidence
that "the good hand of our God strengthened the hands of the
brethren for the good work." For nearly fifty years Dr. Rippon
was considered to be one of the most popular ministers in
London of the Baptist denomination. Pure in doctrine, and
pungent in style, his discourses were sound and savoury. In
preaching the gospel, he shunned not to declare the whole
counsel of God, zealous of good works, he failed not to exhort
and rebuke with all authority, knowing the dispensation that
was committed unto him. His lot being cast in times far
different from those his predecessors had ever known, he
diligently sought out opportunities, and heartily applied his
energies to the wide diffusion of the gospel of Christ.
Itinerant societies for the work of evangelising in this
country, and the Missionary Association for sending forth the
word of life to heathen lands, specially engaged his heart, his
counsel, and his co-operation. As the editor of the "Baptist
Register," he kept up an extensive correspondence with
Christians in all parts of the world. He enjoyed a high
influence in his own denomination, and acquired great esteem in
other sections of the church of Christ. His selection of hymns
has had a wide circulation both in the British Empire and the
United States of America, aiding the devotions and inspiring
the praises of myriads of our fellow-Christians, nor has it yet
been superseded by any volume that can rival it in popularity.
In the strange and inscrutable providence of God he was
permitted to survive his usefulness, but while the infirmities
of age paralysed his ministerial powers, he kept the faith and
maintained the unblemished reputation of a Christian to the
hour of his departure, which occurred on the 17th December,
1836, in the eighty-sixth year of his age.
</p>
<p class="indent">
There yet remain among us a few members of this church, who
recollect <i>the dear old Doctor</i> in the vigor of his middle
age, and in our memories, the urbanity and warm-heartedness of
his private manners are as fondly cherished, as the glowing
zeal of his public ministrations. If his life has not left
behind it such massive and enduring monuments <i>on earth</i>
as that of his predecessor, we doubt not that he hath full as
many trophies <i>in heaven.</i> These men of God, each of them
filled his allotted sphere. Gill shone more like a star of the
first magnitude amidst surrounding darkness: Rippon was one of
a splendid galaxy. The luminous association in which be stood
rendering his individuality less conspicuous when viewed from a
distance. "We have heard with our ears, and our fathers have
told us what work thou didst in their days," and we adore thee
O God for it. Our eyes have beheld greater things, and our
hearts are lifted up to thy throne for a more copious blessing.
"Let thy works appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto
their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon
us; and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the
work of our hands establish thou it."
</p>
<p class="indent">
An important event in our history as a church occurred during
the closing years of Dr. Rippon's life. On Lord's day, the 7th
of February, 1830, the church and caongregation assembled to
worship God for the last time at the old meeting-house in
Carter Lane, previously to its being given up to the
Corporation of the City for the approaches to the new London
Bridge. For three years were we compelled to seek accommodation
from the kindness of other churches, at various times
assembling in different buildings. This was a grievous
affliction. At length in answer to many an earnest prayer, we
were directed by the kindness of our heavenly Father to a piece
of freehold ground in New Park Street, where a neat chapel was
built, and opened free from any debt or encumbrance on the 6th
of May, 1833. Still did fresh anxieties beset our path. For
when we had secured a permanent home for worship, we were
constrained to seek temporary supplies for the pulpit, our
pastor being totally disabled from further service. In
reviewing our troubles, we do but recount God's mercies, for
the Lord hath delivered us out of them all.
</p>
<p class="indent">
During the eighteen years that ensued after Dr. Rippon's death,
three pastors successively accepted office and removed from
among us. This was a new experience in our annals. Hitherto
each servant of God who had been ordained over this church in
the Lord, continued unto his death in its fellowship.
</p>
<p class="indent">
For two years and a half from December, 1837, to July, 1840,
the Revelation JOSEPH ANGUS ministered with considerable
success. His piety and his talents commended him to our regard,
and his youth scoured for him our tender sympathy. We received
him with the heartiest welcome, we parted from him with deep
regret. He received more than a hundred and twenty members into
our communion, and increased the attendance on the public
services. The institutions in connection with the church
flourished under his presidency. It is worthy of record that at
his suggestion the communion of the Lord's supper was made
available in this church to believers in the Lord Jesus Chlist
who have not been baptized by immersion. At the earnest call of
the Baptist Missionary Society, he resigned his charge to take
the office of secretary and now fills the responsible trust of
theological tutor in the college at Regent's Park for the
training of young ministers.
</p>
<p class="indent">
For about eight years and a half from January, 1842, to June,
1850, the Rev. JAMES SMITH, of Cheltenham, was our pastor.
Under his ministry the hearts of the people were often moved,
and the pool of baptism often stirred. Feeling that London air
was unsuited to his health, and provincial labors had superior
charms for his soul he resigned his charge, and returned to the
scene of his early labors, not without leaving behind him many
grateful reminiscences, and many gratifying fruits of the
divine blessing on the testimony he was enabled to deliver.
</p>
<p class="indent">
For a short period of less than two years the Rev. WILLIAM
WALTERS, now of Halifax, took the oversight of the church,
acceding to an unanimous invitation, given him in July 1851,
and retiring in the month of April, 1853.
</p>
<p class="indent">
By reason of these frequent changes, the church had become
beyond measure unsettled, the number in attendance on Lord's
days being greatly diminished. There remained however a
faithful band, who besieged the throne of grace with much
earnestness. The prayer-meetings on Monday evening continued to
give evidence that these who were absent on the first day of
the week, had not ceased to hope that the Lord would revive his
work among us.
</p>
<p class="indent">
In December, 1853, our present pastor, by a surprising
providence, was first invited to occupy the pulpit of our
chapel for one Sunday. Having been born on the 19th of June,
1834, he was then only in his twentieth year. His preaching at
once gave signs of singular attraction. And on his repeating
his visits to the metropolis, each occasion witnessed the
increasing interest his ministry excited. In January, 1854, he
accepted the invitation to supply the pulpit for six months,
three months of which only had expired when he was unanimously
elected to the pastorale.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The antecedents of many generations, and the cherished
reminiscences of the older members, prepared for the Rev.
CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON that enthusiastic welcome with which he
was spontaneously hailed by this church. From the day he
commenced his labors in our midst, it pleased the Lord our God
to grant us a revival which has steadily progressed ever since.
Among the earliest additions to our number, there were not a
few disciples of Christ, who, after making a profession under
faithful ministers long ago departed to their rest, had
wandered about and found no settled home. Many such were
gathered into the fold of our fellowship. Here their souls have
been restored, while they have found the presence of the Good
Shepherd, who maketh us to lie down in green pastures and
leadeth us beside the still waters. But the greater work was
that of conversion. So did the Holy Ghost accompany the
preaching of the gospel with divine power, that almost every
sermon proved the means of awakening and regeneration to some
who were hitherto "dead in trespasses and sins." Thus our
church became an asylum for the aged, as well as a nursery for
the babes of our Saviour's family. Before the year had expired,
the limited accommodation at New Park Street Chapel for the
multitude that gathered at every service rendered it necessary
to enlarge the building. As a suitable place for worship during
the alterations, the large room at Exeter Hall, in the Strand,
was engaged for seventeen Lord's days, from the 11th of
February to the 27th of May, 1855. By this step our pastor's
fame became widely extended. The crowd that beset the doors
long before the hours of service impeded the public
thoroughfare. Frequent paragraphs in the newspapers helped to
make the preacher notorious. Slander after slander grieved his
tender heart; but the grace poured into his lips by his Master,
for the reclaiming of sinners (some of whom were of the most
abandoned order) afforded him the richest cordial. On our
return to the enlarged chapel, we soon discovered that the
place was too strait for us, and in the summer of 1856, we
again availed ourselves for a few months of the superior
accommodation at Exeter Hall, on Sunday evenings. In the autumn
of that year, we arranged to hire the larger and more
commodious hall of the Royal Surrey Gardens, for the Sunday
morning service. This arrangement has been continued for nearly
three years. Much of God's good providence is to be clearly
recognised in thus causing us to wander. Our dilemma forced
upon us a precedent, which others have followed, much to the
furtherance of the gospel—to God be ascribed the glory!
The prejudice against entering a Nonconformist sanctuary has in
many instances been laid aside by those who have convened
within the walls of an edifice, that is justly accounted
neutral ground; it being sacred or profane according to the
temporary use it is made to serve. Every week has borne
testimony to the saving influence of the gospel, as it is there
constantly proclaimed to an assembly of five thousand persons.
Still, with so large a family and so small a dwelling-house,
the inconvenience of a temporary lodging becomes more and more
grievously felt. There is, and has been for the past two years,
as fair an average of that large congregation, who are devout
persons, and regular attendants as in any sanctuary in London.
Yet not one-third of them can find a place under the same
ministry for more than one service during the week. The
church-members far exceed the extent of accommodation in our
own chapel to provide all of them with sittings. It is only by
having two distinct services that we can admit our communicants
to the table of the Lord. The necessity therefore for the
undertaking that we assemble to inaugurate, must be perceived
by all. Every attempt to trace the popular demand for
Evangelical teaching to spasmodic excitement has failed. The
pastor of New Park Street Church has never consciously departed
from the simple rule of faith recorded in the New Testament.
The doctrines he has set forth are identical with those which
have been received by godly men of every section of the church
since the days of the apostles. The services of religion have
been conducted without any peculiarity or innovation. No
musical or Esthetic accompaniments have ever been used. The
weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but they are mighty. The
history of our progress for fire years is patent to the world.
The example has been found capable of successfully stimulating
other churches in their aggressive efforts to save perishing
souls. With earnest individual and united prayer, each step,
has been taken. And to the exclusive honor and praise of our
God, our stone of Ebenezer is this day laid.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Pastor.<br>The Rev. C. H. SPURGEON.</p>
<p>Deacons.<br>
SAMUEL GALE.<br>
GEORGE WINSOR.<br>
JAMES LOW.<br>
WILLIAM P. OLNEY.<br>
THOMAS OLNEY.<br>
GEORGE MOORE.<br>
THOMAS COOK.</p>
<p>
London,<br>
August 16th, 1859.</p>
<p class="indent">
Mr. SPURGEON: In the bottle which is be placed under the stone
we have put no money—for one good reason, that we have
none to spare. We have not put newspapers, because, albeit we
admire and love the liberty of the press, yet that is not so
immediately concerned in this edifice. The articles placed
under the stone are simply these;—the Bible, the Word of
God—we put that as the foundation of our church. Upon this
rock doth Christ build the ministration of his truth. We know
of nothing else as our standard. Together with this we have put
the old Baptist Confession of Faith, which was signed in the
olden times by Benjamin Keach whose name is in this book. We
put also the <i>declaration of the deacons</i> which you have
just heard read printed on parchment. There is also an edition
of Dr. Rippon's Hymn Book, published just before he died; and
then, in the last place, there is a Programme of this day's
proceedings. I do not suppose that the New Zealander who one
day is to sit on the broken arch of London Bridge will make
much out of it. If we had put gold and silver there, it is
possible he might have taken it back to New Zealand with him:
but I should not wonder, if ever England is destroyed, these
relics will find their way into some museum in Australia or
America, where they will spell over some of our oldfashioned
names, and wonder who ever those good men could be who are
inscribed here, as James Low, Samuel Gale, Thomas Olney, Thomas
Cook, William Olney, George Winsor, and the like. And I think
they will say, "Oh depend upon it, they were some good men or
others, and they have put them in stone there." They are living
stones indeed they have served this church well and long.
Honour to whom honor is due. I am glad to put their names with
mine here; and I hope we shall live together for ever in
eternity.
</p>
<p class="indent" style="font-style: italic">
The Ceremony of laying the First Stone was then performed in
the customary manner by Sir S. M. Peto, amidst the loud
acclamation of the Spectators.
</p>
<p class="indent">
Sir MORTON PETO then addressed the assembly as follows:—My
Christian friends, I congratulate my excellent friend Mr.
Spurgeon, the deacons, the church, and all our friends
assembled on this interesting event. It is one to which you
have looked forward for some time. It is the commencement of an
edifice in which we must hope that the era of much usefulness
inaugurated with his ministry will be continued, and largely
increased. That admirable paper which was read before the stone
was laid, gave you a succinct, but interesting account of the
church up to the present time. We must hope that those glories
which have been so remarkably shown in the earlier history of
the church, may not only be continued in the salvation of a
larger number than has ever yet been known, but that in years
to come those glories may be largely increased, and that all
who live may have the happiness of feeling that the work which
has been begun to-day, was one which the Lord had eminently
blessed. It is well, dear Christian friends, in the
commencement of any large undertaking, to look warily and see
whether we are warranted in what we are about to attempt. I
could not but feel, during the reading of that paper; that the
fact there stated that the church at Park Street is larger at
the present time than can be accommodated in the building, that
there is practically no room in the chapel for the world, is
one which to every Christian heart, must show that there
remained nothing but for the church here to arise and build. I
know it may be said, that the Music Hall, and other large
places, might have given our friend Mr. Spurgeon an opportunity
of making known the unsearchable riches of Christ, but then
there are other institutions in connection with an edifice of
this kind, which are of equal importance with that to which I
have referred. We have not only the assembly of the church
within its walls, but we must have an opportunity of gathering
the young for instruction; and when we look to the fact that
this new edifice will accommodate above two thousand
Sunday-school children, and also place nearly five thousand
people in the position of hearing the gospel of Christ, we not
only feel that the world will be accommodated to hear, and the
church amply provided for, but the young will be trained up in
the path in which they should go. Then I rejoice, dear
Christian friends, to know that this church, though strictly
denominational, is in no respect Sectarian. Believing, as its
members justly do, that there is no other mode of baptism than
that which is figuratively set forth in Scripture by "being
buried with Christ in baptism:" while I am sure, my friend Mr.
Spurgeon will never, in coming across this truth (as he does
not in regard to any other) compromise its due weight, or give
it more than fitting prominence that the congregations may hear
the simple gospel; yet on all occasions, when the claims of
Christian usefulness are to be promoted, I am quite sure the
church will be rejoiced to lend this edifice to any, not only
of the denomination to which we are so ardently attached, but
to any other evangelical denomination that may ask it at your
hands. Then, dear Christian friends, let all the denominations
feel that if this is to be a metropolitan building, it has
large claims on them. While you have a large and a heavy
burden, which you are delighted to bear, because it is only one
of those things which enable you to evidence your love to
Christ, and one of those things which do so much good in
stimulating exertion, yet I cannot but feel that my friend Mr.
Spurgeon, and the deacons have a very strong claim on all other
churches of the metropolis and of the kingdom at large. And I
trust that this will be increasingly felt, and that you will
have the happiness of doing as good Dr. Rippon did. When my
excellent friend, Mr. Spurgeon—as I have no doubt he will
if spared, (and I trust he will be spared)—opens this
place, and declares the full, free, and finished gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ as the basis of his ministry to come, as it
has been the basis of his ministry past—that it will be in
a chapel free from debt. I know there is no testimony which his
loving heart would so freely acknowledge, as that testimony to
himself, or rather to his Lord through him, which would enable
him to feel when he first ascends the pulpit of this new
chapel, I am here speaking the gospel to a people who are
assembled in an edifice which has no claim whatever to
discharge. Now, dear Christian friends, I can but hope that my
excellent and dear friend, Mr. Spurgeon, may be something like
those two worthies of whom we heard—that he and the one
who is to succeed him may occupy the century between them. I
only hope that my friend's will be the larger half. I hope and
believe that whenever the time comes, he will not allow his
increasing years to give an evidence that he desires to occupy
a position which he is no longer able to fill, but I am
perfectly assured of this, that the divine blessing which has
so richly manifested itself in the ministry of his youth, will
enable him to feel with advancing years the truth of the
promise, and that he will find that he who goeth forth weeping,
bearing precious seed, shall find even to the hoariest age,
that he will return bringing his sheaves with him. Accept my
hearty congratulations on this event, my hearty prayers that
every wish of yours may be more than abundantly realised in an
the future; that my excellent and dear friend, Mr. Spurgeon and
his deacons may not only live to see this house completed
without accident, but that they and you occupying it together,
may have what after all is of the greatest importance, a rich
baptism of that divine influence, without which all that we
undertake is worthless. Dear Christian friends, I thank you
most heartily for having permitted me the honor of occupying
this position on this occasion; and I earnestly desire that as
brethren and sisters in Christ, you may find that what we have
begun, may be accomplished to your joy, and the enlargement of
the Redeemer's kingdom.
</p>
<p class="indent">
Mr. SPURGEON: My dear friends, this is not the first time that
I have borrowed light from Sir Morton Peto. I have often
cheered the darkness of a long railway journey, by a most
excellent lamp of his own manufacture, which he kindly
presented to me, that I might see to read by it as I was
traveling. I am very glad to see him blazing forth again today.
In the light of his countenance many of us have been made glad.
It is my earnest prayer that while God is pleased to bless him
with wealth, and rank, and influence, he may find it quite as
easy to serve his God in the future as he has done in the past.
We owe him much as Dissenters for his great zeal and wisdom in
having brought through the House of Commons an Act whereby our
chapels are well secured to us. I pray that God may give him
grace every day that he may know his own title to the kingdom
of heaven to be clearer and clearer as years come upon him. May
his course be like that of the sun, which goeth forth in his
strength and stayeth not till the full blazing noon. And now I
have to say a few words to you this afternoon with regard to
this great edifice. I never answer any slanders against myself,
and very seldom answer any questions about what I mean to do.
It is always enough for me to have my own approbation; I always
feel perfectly satisfied with the approval of my own conscience
without that of anybody else, and when I have done wrong it is
always enough for me to have the condemnation of my own heart.
I find that I am obliged to be a self contained man, just going
on my way, and letting other people do the same. If I am wrong
I will be accountable to my own Master, but to no flesh living
or breathing; and if I am right the day will tell it. God knows
how true are my intentions even when I may have acted most
foolishly. "This place," I said some time ago, when our
brethren were half afraid, "is to be built, and it will be
built, and God will fill it with his presence " There is no
doubt whatever about the money being obtained. I scarcely know
that I have asked an individual to give anything, because I
have such a solid conviction that the money must come. I
suppose that out of all that is now in our hands I have
collected more than half myself in preaching, and that is the
way I dare say the larger part of the rest will come, through
the kindness of the provincial and metropolitan churches who
have almost all treated me with the noblest generosity. I give
this day my hearty thanks to all that have helped me; and I do
not know but what I may as well add to all that have not helped
me. They many of them mean to do so, and so I will thank them
beforehand. There is one gentleman here to-day who is going to
make a speech, after Brother Dowson shall have addressed you. I
think (albeit that he can speak admirably well,) the best part
of his speech will be made with his hand, for he has three
thousand pounds with him to give as a noble donation from an
aged servant of Christ, long sick and confined to his house but
who loves Christ's ministers and desires to help Christ's
cause. He would not like me to mention his name, and therefore
I shall not do it. And now, my dear friends, as to the place to
be erected here. I have a word or two to say with regard to
<i>its style,</i> with regard to <i>its purposes,</i> and with
regard to <i>our faith and our promise.</i> It is to me a
matter of congratulation that we shall succeed in building in
this city a Grecian place of worship. My notions of
architecture are not worth much, because I look at architecture
from a theological point of view, not from an architectural
one. It seems to me that there are two saved languages in the
world. There was the Hebrew of old, and I doubt not that
Solomon adopted Jewish architecture—a Hebrew form and
fashion of putting stones together in harmony with the Hebrew
faith. There is but one other sacred language—not Rome's
mongrel tongue: glorious were that for a battle cry, but of no
use for the preaching of the gospel—the Latin! There is
only one other sacred language, the Greek, and that is dear to
every Christian's heart. Our fullest revelation is in that
tongue; our noblest names for Jesus. The very epitome and
standard of our faith is Greek; and this place is Grecian. I
care not that many an idol temple has been built after the same
fashion. So it may have been that Abraham and the ancient
Hebrews may have carried their architecture from some heathen
temple in Ur of the Chaldees. Greek is the sacred tongue, and
Greek is the Baptist's tongue. We may be beaten in our own
version sometimes, but in the Greek never. Every Baptist place
should be Grecian—never Gothic. We owe nothing to the
Goths as religionists. We owe our Scriptures to the Grecian
language; and a Grecian place shall this be; and God give us
the power and life of that master of the Grecian language, the
apostle Paul, that here like wonders may be done by the
preaching of the Word. As for our faith as a church you have
heard that already. We believe in what are called the five
great points commonly known as Calvinistic; but we do not
regard those five points as being barbed shafts which we are to
push into the bowels of Christendom. We look upon them as being
five great lamps which help to irradiate the cross, or rather
five bright emanations springing from the glorious covenant of
our Triune God, and illustrating the great doctrine of Jesus
crucified. Against all comers, especially against all lovers of
Arminianism, we defend and maintain pure gospel truth. At the
same time I can make this public declaration, that I am no
Antinomian. I belong not to the sect of those who are afraid to
invite the sinner to Christ. I warn him, I invite him, I exhort
him. Hence, then, I have contumely on either hand.
Inconsistency is urged by some, as if anything that God
commanded could be inconsistent. I will glory in such
inconsistency even to the end I bind myself precisely to no
form of doctrine. I love those five points as being the angles
of the gospel, but then I love the center between the angles
better still. Moreover, we are Baptists, and we cannot swerve
from this matter of discipline, nor can we make our church
half-and-half in that matter. The witness of our church must be
one and indivisible. We must have one Lord, one faith, and one
baptism. And yet dear to our hearts is that great article of
the Nicene Creed, the "Communion of Saints." I believe not in
the communion of Episcopalians. I do not believe in the
communion of Baptists. I dare not sit with them exclusively. I
think I should be almost strict communicant enough not to sit
with them at all, because I should say, "This is not the
communion of saints, it is the communion of Baptists."
Whosoever loves the Lord Jesus Christ in verity and truth hath
a hearty welcome, and is not only permitted, but invited to
communion with the Church of Christ. However, we can say with
all our hearts, that difference has never lost us one good
friend yet. I see around me our independent brethren, they
certainly have been to Elim to-day, for there has been much
water here; and I see round about me dear strict communion
brethren and one of them is about to address you. He is not so
strict a communionist but what he really in his own heart
communes with the people of God. I can number among my choicest
friends many members of the church of England, and some of
every denomination under heaven. I glory in that fact. However
sternly a man may hold the right of private judgment, he can
yet give his right hand with as light a grip to every man that
loves Jesus Christ. Now with regard to <i>our prospects.</i> We
are to build this place, and the prospect I encourage is that
it be paid for before it is opened. I think it is likely too;
because if we carry out our intention as a committee, we have a
notion that if our friends do not give us liberal contributions
we will put the carcase up and roof it in, and allow them to
come and stand. Those that want seats can buy them. I am sure
my people would soon get me a pulpit, and such is the zeal of
our brethren that they soon buy me a baptistry. I leave it open
for any generous friend here that pleases to do so, to engage
to provide some part of the chapel, and say, "I will give
that." Churchmen give painted windows, and if some of you agree
to give different parts of the chapel, it may be so erected.
Understand, our large expenditure is caused partly by the fact
that we have immense school rooms under ground, and also a
vestry for church-meetings holding between 800 and 900 persons.
This is necessary, because our church is of such an immense
size, and our members come out to every service if possible.
There is no church-edifice in London so well used up as ours.
They hack it to pieces. We must build this strong I am sure,
for the people are always with us. They love to be at the
prayer meetings. There is no people that take out their
quarter's seat-money so fully. They say, "We will hear all that
we can;" and depend on it, they never give me a chance of
seeing the seats empty. But our prospect is, after we have
fitted up our vestry, schools, and the like that we shall be
able to go on and build other chapels. Now, Sir Morton Peto is
the man who looks to build one chapel with the hope it that
will be the seedling for another. He has the noblest chance
that ever man had for getting this done. We will pretty soon
try our hands at it. Our people have taken to chapel-building,
and they will go on with it. They built a great chapel that
held two thousand persons in Horseliedown for Benjamin Keach;
then they built one in Goat Yard; then one in Carter Lane for
Dr Rippon, then one in Park Street; and now we have set about
building one here. "What are you going to do with Park Street?"
it may be asked. Why, my dear friends, we might get out of our
difficulties if we were to sell it, but that is what we do not
mean to do. Our motto is, "Go forward, and never step back."
You know if we were to build one chapel, and sell another, that
would be the "goose-step;" there would be no marching, it is
merely putting one foot up and the other down, but never
getting farther. Belonging to the Presbyterian order, we have
elders in our church, as well as deacons, and the presbytery is
capable of the widest extension. That church can be held in
connection with our own; two preaching elders can preach the
Word there, and the church still remain as one—not two
churches. God sparing my life, if I have my people at my back I
will not rest until the dark county of Surrey be covered with
places of worship. I look on this as the beginning of the end.
I announce my own schemes: visionary they may appear, but
carried out they will be. It is only within the last six months
that we have started two churches—one in Wandsworth and
the other in Greenwich, and the Lord has prospered them. The
pool of baptism has been stirred with converts. And what we
have done in two places I am about to do in a third, and we
will do it not for the third or the fourth, but for the
hundredth time, God being our helper. I am sure I may make my
strongest appeal to my brethren because we do not mean to build
this as our nest, and then to be lazy. We must go from strength
to strength, and be a missionary church, and never rest until
not only this neighborhood, but our country, of which it is
said that some parts are as dark as India, shall have been
enlightened with the gospel. Now I have laid out a grand
scheme, and I have no doubt some of my dear brethren, the
ministers of Surrey, especially Dr. Steane, will carry it all
out almost before I have begun. We shall be glad whoever may do
it so long as it is done. I always try to put my shoulder to
everybody else's wheel, though I have got sometimes a little
mire on my shoulders as the result of it; but I am ready to go
and give a heave at any time if they will only be kind to me on
this occasion and lift my wheel out of the mud. After Brother
Dowson shall have spoken, and our friend Mr. Inskip, of
Bristol, shall have made his three thousand pounds speech, we
shall sing a hymn. This gangway will then be cleared, and all
persons present will have an opportunity of placing an offering
upon the stone. And if any of you would like to try your hand
at building with a trowel you can lay a brick or two, or
twenty, at a shilling a brick. Some of our friends will pay a
guinea a brick to begin with, as they would not like to give
less; but you can begin with a shilling a brick afterwards. We
shall pay you nothing for the labor, but you will pay us for
the privilege of putting bricks into the wall.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The Rev, H. Dowson: I stand here this afternoon, my dear
Christian friends, as the representative of thousands of
brethren in the North of England, who love the truth, who love
you and who love your pastor, and who would be glad to be here
today to mingle their Hosannas with your thanksgivings, and to
congratulate you, and thank God upon an that is auspicious and
triumphant in the proceedings of this day. Notwithstanding the
prognostication of enemies, and notwithstanding the fears of
halfhearted friends, this tabernacle is now beginning to look
like <i>a great fact,</i> and we can entertain not the least
possible doubt of the success of this enterprise, promoted and
devised amidst the liberality and the prayers of the people
here. Where God gathers together his sheep, and increases their
number, he will surely amplify the fold; and when he gives
sinners hearts to hear, and hearts to pray, and hearts to
believe, he will give them in his providence a place in which
to worship. This is the Lord's doing, brethren. The hand of God
has been in this work from the beginning, and I doubt not will
conduct to a glorious termination. This vast metropolis of
yours is covered in various parts with
buildings—institutions of mercy, and hospitals for the
relief of almost all the maladies incident to our frail
humanity. What is the meaning of this grand edifice which is to
fill the place before me? It is to be a hospital, an infirmary
for the spiritually diseased. Here the deaf and the dumb, and
the halt and the lame and the lepers, are to be assembled
together, and they shall be pointed to the great Physician, and
they shall be told of the balm of Gilead; and in the midst of
it shall be the bath of blood, as well as the bath of baptism;
and the bath of blood shall take the precedence of the bath of
baptism, for it is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanseth
from all sin. When I listened to that interesting record and
sketch of the history of your church, so fostered by a merciful
providence and by a Saviour's care, I could not but rejoice
that the same great distinctive principles will be maintained;
and that, though there may be a change of position there shall
be no change in the doctrines preached and professed. We shall
dedicate this sanctuary to the worship of the
Trinity—Father Son, and Holy Ghost, we shall dedicate this
edifice to the proclamation of the doctrine of the divinity of
Christ, and salvation only through his cross; we shall dedicate
this edifice to the doctrine of justification by faith,
righteousness imputed, even the righteousness of God which is
by faith in Christ Jesus, the doctrine of sovereign grace, the
doctrine of the personality and agency of the Holy Spirit, the
precepts of Christ, the ordinances of Christ, and the free
proclamation of the gospel to every creature. The trumpet shall
give a certain sound, sinners shall hear the sound,
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
"Their thankful tongues shall own,<br>
That righteousness and strength are found,<br>
In thee the Lord alone."
</p>
<p>
As to your future prospects in the removal of this debt; My
dear friend and brother Mr. Spurgeon, has said, that if the
money be not raised there will be a probability that the place
will be left unfinished. I trust it will not be in the position
of a place occupied by a venerable predecessor of mine a
hundred years ago, when they commenced the Baptist interest in
Bradford, in a place galled the Cockpit, and the females
carried their stools under their arms, because they had neither
forms nor chairs on which to sit. Surely you will not wish this
great Tabernacle to be opened under such circumstanees. This
day the eyes of all the provinces of this country, my brethren,
are turned towards you. Many parts of the country—the town
from which I come to wit—is waiting to give a response to
what you do to-day, and that which you shall in your liberality
bestow, will give a tone and influence far and wide amongst the
provinces, the hearts of whose inhabitants beat with sympathy
for your cause and your enterprise. Brethren, we have laid the
foundation of a material edifice. There is a nobler "temple, I
need scarcely remind you, of which Jesus Christ is the chief
corner stone. This is only a tabernacle; these stones will
moulder and decay, or some great convulsion or earthquake
hereafter shall heave up the mighty foundations of this stable
edifice, but the temple of the living God, of which I hope many
of you are living stones, shall stand and stand for ever, the
memorial of God's eternal unchangeable compassion, and his pity
for the lost and the guilty. May God bless and prosper you,
cause his face to shine upon you, and give you peace evermore.
Amen
</p>
<p class="indent">
Mr. INSKIP, of Bristol: My Christian friends, after the
trumpet-tongued introductions which my friend and brother Mr.
Spurgeon, has given me, I am sure you must expect very large
things; but I do hope that you and himself will not go away
disappointed by very small things. But, however, large things
have their commencement from very small beginnings, and as we
see yonder ground covered with the sands of the gravel and the
stones about it, and as we see the bricks yonder piled, and
contemplate the lime which will have a large number of
component particles to combine and unite therewith, the
preparation for this building which is to be erected; so it is
that we have to look forward from small individual materials,
to the consummation of the glorious kingdom of our blessed Lord
and Saviour. I have, it is true, to appear before you to-day as
the representative but of one, and not of the multitude; but
well assured I am, that had my brethren in the West known that
I was to come here as a representative, or a delegate at all,
they would have sent me well furnished and well armed. And it
is only for my brother, Mr. Spurgeon, to make his way to the
West, and I know that he will find a very hearty response to
his warm appeals. However, the response which I have to make
to-day is one which comes from a single heart. It comes from
the heart of one who is confined to a sick chamber, and has not
seen the outside of the city for some years past. But that
chamber is enlivened and enlightened by the bright illumination
of the Eternal Spirit. That man's large wealth and large
fortune has been dedicated to his Lord. He numbers eighty-three
years of age, and has given away upwards of eighty thousand
pounds. And he has sent me here to-day to say he will give you
<i>three thousand pounds</i> and, what is more, if twenty
gentlemen will come forward with one hundred pounds a-piece
upon the opening of this chapel, I am prepared to put down
twenty hundreds to meet it. "It is not by might, it is not by
power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord." These things, as I
said, emanate from small beginnings. It was my honor and my
privilege this day three weeks to address a large concourse in
laying the foundation stone of a new edifice for the Church of
England, in the city of Bristol. The new church for our dear
friend and brother, Doudney, is now progressing, through the
same gentleman's bounty. There is one thing you will say, "Dear
me, he deserves great praise." But he says, "Give me none of
it, away with it, away with it, it is fulsome, it is annoying.
Lay it upon the head of Immanuel, for he gave it to me. He it
is that has induced me thus to give you assistance." It is not
for me to laud the man, and therefore I leave him it his
solitude—with an earnest prayer which no doubt many of you
will reciprocate—that the Lord will bless and grant to him
the bright shinings of his countenance in his last declining
hours. As regards this building which is about to be erected,
it is a matter of considerable delight to me to be able to
forward in the least degree the views of my friend Mr.
Spurgeon. With much true delight has it been my happiness to
hear of many sinners in the West of England having been brought
to a knowledge of Christ by his ministry. Let me now ask you
earnestly to supplicate that the same blessing may rest upon
his labors here, in answer to earnest and incessant
prayer—prayer inspired by the Holy Spirit of God who alone
is the inspirer of prayer. May the work of conversion proceed!
There are many things here to be considered. There are many
things to be talked of, but the time would fail me now even to
hint at them. I trust by-and-bye, if I should stay to the
evening meeting, an opportunity will be afforded me of saying a
few words which will be more audible. I leave now others more
able to address you than I can possibly be, and I shall be very
happy to place on this stone, in accordance with the mission
with which I am entrusted, not a painted window, but a printed
piece of paper.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The following verses were then sung:—
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
All hail the power of Jesus' name!<br>
Let angels prostrate fall:<br>
Bring forth the royal diadem,<br>
And crown him lord of all.
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
Let every kingred, every tribe,<br>
One thuis terrestrial ball,<br>
To him all majest ascribe,<br>
And crown him Lord of all.
</p>
<p class="indent">
Numerous donations were then placed upon the stone, after which
the assembly separated.
</p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center">
EVENING MEETING
</p>
<p>
A PUBLIC TEA MEETING was held in the evening in REA'S
Repository which was appropriately fitted up for the occasion.
About two thousand persons sat down to tea at five o'clock, and
at half-past six, the cloth having been removed, and the seats
re-arranged, the chair was taken by the Right Hon. the LORD
MAYOR.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The Doxology having been sung, the Revelation JOHN SPURGEON
(father of the Revelation C. H. Spurgeon) offered up prayer as
follows:—
</p>
<p class="indent">
OUR Father and our God, we supplicate thy blessing upon us at
this time. O may we feel thy presence to be in the midst of us.
May we realize thee as a God of love in Jesus Christ, and O do
thou send that rich blessing which shall make us all happy and
fill our hearts with joy through the precious Saviour who bled
and died for us. We thank thee that we have lived to see this
happy day. O our Father, may we never forget thy goodness and
mercy to us. Accept the free will offerings of thy people, and
O may that foundation stone which is laid to-day be blessed by
thee, and may that building be erected to thy glory, honor, and
praise. May we each be made living stones of that living temple
which is to adorn the world of glory, and may we live there for
ever with Jesus Christ. O bless us all; and bless thy young
servant. Do thou stand by him and keep him from the mighty foes
against whom he has to contend. Keep far from him the influence
of sin and Satan, and may he find joy and peace in God. O our
Father, keep him,O keep him, let him not be lifted up by what
he has seen, or by what thou hast done for him today. Oh do
thou keep his soul humble, and then he will always be strong to
praise thy great and holy name. Oh, may he draw from that
fountain which is full—which runneth over, and may he find
that the God of peace and love is continually with him. Bless,
his church and congregation, O Father smile upon them. We leave
them in thy hands; we seek thy favor and presence with us
tonight. Grant, great God, that sinners may be converted unto
thee. There are some in thy presence who are but a few steps
from the grave, some hastening on to the abyss of woe, walking
with the giddy multitude in the way which leads to death and
eternal destruction. God save them! Oh, pluck them as brands
from the eternal burning! May thine all-sufficient grace turn
their hearts, and thy name be glorified! Bless every one now
present. Prepare us for this service, accept our song of
praise, and fill our hearts with joy, for the dear Redeemer's
sake. Amen.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The LORD MAYOR said: My Christian friends, I do not think that
it is possible for me to be heard at the extremity of the
building, but, if you will have patience with me, I trust I
shall be able to get up my voice so that every one shall hear.
This is a happy day, a day long to be remembered in the annals
of the country, because here to-day, we are permitted to meet
in quietness, in order, with the guardians of the peace around
us to prevent any disturbance; a proof that civil liberty and
religious freedom have made great advances in this country. In
former days we had to meet in holes and corners and alleys, but
now we can meet in open day in the front of the high road,
inviting the assembled public to come and be witnesses of the
order of our ceremonies, and to partake of the benefits which
are to be derived therefrom. I therefore urge upon all, when
they have anything to do with the question of civil and
religious liberty, never to give up their efforts until they
see it extended far and wide. Our beloved young friend has,
through the providence of God, been raised up to gather the
largest congregation ever gathered together; he has dispensed
the truth as it is in Jesus to thousands upon thousands; and he
is a despised—no, an honored Baptist minister. He comes
amongst you, not in Episcopal guise, clothed in secular
authority, and robed in the habiliments of office, but he comes
amongst you a simplehearted man. He comes clothed in the
authority of his divine Lord and Master, speaking the truth in
simplicity and love, winning, not by human power, but subduing
by the power of the gospel. Evidently God has called him to do
a great work; and you are the people who ought to love and
honor him, esteeming him for his work's sake, and ever
protecting him against the calumnies of the world, to prove
that he is a true servant of Jesus Christ. I have said you
ought to adhere to the principles of civil and religious
liberty; but for them you never could have seen the thousands
at the laying of the foundation stone; but for them you would
not have been gathered together now in peace and safety and an
honor be to the men in church or state, who during the past
centuries have suffered advocated, bled and died, that you
might meet in peace and comfort. Well, when you hear of the
assumptions of church authority, remember that if they are not
sanctioned by the gospel of Jesus Christ, the world may fight
for them, but truth will prevail; and though our Episcopal
brethren have the authority of the state, and the wealth of the
state, tell them that you envy neither, because you can proceed
without the authority of the state, and you can raise money
without its power to compel. When they tell you that there is
no certainty in the doctrine taught in the Dissenting
congregations, that they have no creed, you can reply, they
have a creed—the best, the purest that ever man possessed.
Their creed is the Bible. They glory in the saying of one of
the churchmen, "The Bible, the Bible, the Bible only is the
religion of Protestants." We stand in an age when Popery is
making a large aggression upon the religious liberties of the
people—secretly, silently, openly, and boldly. They are
anticipating the time when they shall take possession of the
cathedrals and churches, and once more dominate over the
English people. But religious liberty is safe in your hands.
You will endeavor, I am sure, so to hold the word of truth,
that it may everywhere prove a barrier against the approaches
of error. The Tabernacle which is to rear its walls in the
adjoining ground is to be consecrated not by the authority of
men, but by the dependence of men upon the teachings of the
Holy Spirit. The gospel, and the gospel only, is there to be
preached: sinners are to be invited to Christ, and the full
sufficiently of his salvation is to be maintained. We do not
despise things in their proper order. The ordinances of the
church will be respected by its worshippers, and it will be
necessary therefore, not only that the gospel should be
preached, but that you who hear it are to be "living epistles,
seen and read of all men," of the power, the truth, the purity,
the holiness, enjoined by the gospel. It is a solemn charge
committed to your trust, and woe be unto you if you neglect the
sound, and swerve from the gospel. And then to maintain the
gospel it is not only necessary that you should love it and
have it, but that you should do all in your power to propagate
it everywhere—to rich and to poor, to learned and to
unlearned; to all classes and conditions of people the gospel
is to be preached. You can preach it as well as your
pastor,—he in the pulpit, you in your lives. There are
Missionary Societies which will require your aid, and though
you tarry at home, you have a power to prevail in earnest
supplication before the throne of divine grace, that all the
labors you undertake may be blessed. And then you have
something else to do with the work at home; the gospel is to be
preached in your Tabernacle, but that will not be sufficient,
if you do not go abroad, and carry with you the essential
principles that you have received, and tell the people that
they may see from your walk and conversation, that you have sat
under one of the most successful and useful of Christ's
ministers, and that you have learned from him to do your duty
to your neighbors. Remember "the poor ye have always with you."
What a blessed and happy thing that is that you have the poor
with you and that they are standing monuments by which you may
prove your faith in Jesus Christ. Let it not be said, that
while ye hear the gospel you have forgotten to practice it. I
beg to commend you and your work to the blessing of him who
along can make it prosper. May this be but the beginning of the
undertakings throughout the country, where the Dissenting
places of worship, like the palaces of our land, may stand as
landmarks to prove the onward progress of society, and that
among Protestant Dissenters there is loyalty to the Queen,
obedience to the laws, a desire to promote the wellbeing of
society, and to make this nation blessed, peaceful, and happy,
until, as from Zion, the perfection of beauty, the glory of the
Lord may shine upon all the earth.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The Rev. C. H. SPURGEON: I have but a word or two to say with
regard to the order of the meeting. I feel myself so extremely
ill just now that I must go away for a little time, I
nevertheless may say a word or two. There is a large amount of
talent here to-night, far more than we can bring out. Here are
dozens of ministers, all of whom could speak to edification. I
trust none of them will think that any invidious distinction is
made when we call upon one and not mother. For myself I have
this much to say—thanks, thanks to every one. My Lord
Mayor, I have to thank you sincerely for your kindness in
coming this evening. I hardly expected you, knowing how it has
pleased God to lay the heavy hand of affliction upon out I
thank God that you are able to come, and I thank you for the
will to come. May every blessing rest upon your head, and when
earthly honors shall fade before your eye, may you have the
more lasting glories and the eternal splendours which God has
prepared for his faithful servants! I have to thank a large
number of ministers who are not here for their kind letters;
especially must I mention the name of that honored father of
all the Dissenting churches, the Revelation John Angell James,
of Birmingham. There is no name I think just now that ought to
be more venerated than his. Long has he worn the harness, and
in the kind letter which he sent me he said his work was done,
and he could do but little more to serve his Master. It was
just like his humility. I had written to him sometime before
expressing my candid opinion concerning him, and my hearty
respect; and he told me that I was mistaken in him. I am quite
sure that I was not. I know that I could not think too highly
of him. My dear friend, Dr. Campbell sent me a note to-day,
that he read in the papers that this strike had put off the
laying of the first stone. He should have learned by this time,
as an editor, to believe nothing he sees in the newspapers
unless he himself knows it to be true. I confess I take a
tattle time to chew everything I read there; I am not clear
upon it the first time I see it. If I were clear upon it, my
dear friends, this chapel would need no subscriptions from you.
I only wish newspapers would make true what they say about
me—not in the abuse line, but with regard to this
magnificent fortune which they had the generosity to confer
upon me. I mean to distribute the dividends of this fortune
among the newspapers, and much good may the share do to each of
them. No one has left me a sixpence. The headache and the
sickness I now feel almost seem to say that somebody is
thinking of doing so. Don't do it. It is the ruin of many
ministers. It is no use your giving them money: give them a
right good income every year for their preaching. I can say,
with regard to that, that I have nothing more to ask, or to
desire, but I am afraid that if minister get money they will
have the bronchitis, and all the rest of it. It is such a
common thing that I hope no one will try me. I say again, I
have to thank many who are not here, and then I have to thank
the brethren that are here. I did not think there were so many
of them that loved me. I do feel quite beaten up to-night I
sometimes say some hard things. Well, I shall go on, but they
will have no reference to the brethren here, I dare say. I am
sure if they think that I should be hard or unkind towards any
of them, they do not know me. When all the world abused me I
just bent my fist and set my teeth together and said, "I'm a
match for you." But no sooner did the papers begin to praise me
some little than they brought tears in my eyes, for I began to
say, "No, I do not deserve that; I cannot take that credit to
myself." If any man wants to make me preach more vigorously
than I have against any doctrine, let him abuse me, and the
doctrines I preach, and I will soon come out strong upon it,
rest assured. The only danger we fear is—being thrown off
our guard by success. But this I rejoice to know, wherever God
puts his servants they are safe. I have sometimes met with some
minister who has an average congregation of fifty, perhaps,
whose back was as stiff as possible, and whose neck was never
bent, and he has said, "My dear brother, you are in a very
dangerous position; I hope you will not be carried away with
pride." Poor dear soul! I thought if he had kept his advice to
himself it might, perhaps, have been profitable to him. I do
feel myself crushed down by the weight of divine mercy; I am
bowed to the very earth by it, I know not what to say to you
to-night, nor how to express my thoughts and feelings. Glory be
to him that hath done all this! May he continue to bless! But
even should he stay his hand, if I were laid aside and could
never preach again, I feel I have such mercies that I must
praise him throughout eternity for what I have received. Again
I say, to him be glory! Yet I do thank my kind and loving
friends from many a fond expression of affection that I have
received this day. Oh, my dear friends, pray for all the
ministers of Christ, that God would make them more abundantly
useful. Ask for us more liberty in speech, more unction on our
heads and in our hearts; ask for us a greater intensity of
agony on account of the souls of men, ask for us greater
earnestness in prayer. Pray for us that we may be masters of
the sacred art of wrestling with God. Pray for us that a
revival of religion may come into this land. What is Ireland
that it should have a revival denied to us? What is Scotland
that it should be stirred, and we should sleep? God hath
blessed this nation first and foremost aforetime—why not
now? Let us cry unto him mightily, and he will hear our
prayers, and grant us his richest blessing. Before I sit down,
I would ask the Lord Mayor kindly to forgive me for being long,
but not to let any speaker speak more than ten minutes, as
there are so many to address us. Then I want to observe that
our dear brother, Mr. Joynson, the second most liberal
subscriber to our fund, would have been here, but that he is
sore sick, and has had to remove to Teignmouth. I wrote to him,
hearing that he was near death's door, and he wrote me a kind
reply, saying that he was not so bad as I thought, but he was
far too in to come. Pray for him that he may be restored. He is
a very prince in Israel in his generosity; he hath served this
cause, and may God Almighty bless him! I must also publicly
acknowledge my obligations to the Crystal Palace Company for
the use of chairs this day. I suppose I did them a good turn
once. I did it, however, out of love to those poor creatures
who were injured in India, and out of a desire to preach the
gospel to the great numbers assembled in that building. Still
it was very kind of them so to act. Some places of worship in
the neighborhood, have denied us the use of forms and the like;
the Crystal Palace Company have kindly done it for us.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The Rev. W. G. LEWIS, of Westbourne Grove. My Lord, ladies, and
gentlemen: I have been thinking since the commencement of this
meeting, if it were possible, that one or two of the humble
Godly folk, who two centuries since assembled with prayers and
tears in Horseliedown, to commence an obscure and almost
unknown Baptist church could have foreseen the gatherings of
this day, and the still further events in the future connected
with this Tabernacle, how marvellously overwhelming, how
astounding to the sense, how almost beyond the power of their
credulity would have been the prospect. Verily, this church
connected with New Park Street, has been a chosen object of the
divine regard. In the characters of the excellent men of God
who have been its pastors, in the wondrous success that they
have attained, in the conversion of sinners and the recovery of
lost souls to Jesus Christ, its past annals have been truly
wondrous, and nothing is certainly more wonderful than that
portion of its history which attaches to our beloved brother,
Mr. Spurgeon. I beseech you, Christian friend, who are
connected with the church as its members, to respond to that
appeal which God in his mercy makes to you today, to offer unto
him the sacrifices of thanksgiving and of praise. I say that
your experience and that of your ancestors demand to-day a
tribute of unwonted extent, both as to the feeling of your
hearts and as to the action of your hands. It becomes you
indeed to remember well those touching, those beauteous annals
to which we have listened already, and which I trust the
committee in charge of the operations connected with your
building, will print and promulgate far and wide. And oh, my
dear friends, when I look upon the vast extent of this meeting,
and reflect that very seldom, if ever, has there been such a
congregation, even in this metropolis upon such an occasion as
this, I feel constrained to address my brethren in the ministry
also to hear the appeal which God in his providence makes to
them, to be faithful, uncompromising, simple, and bold in their
declaration of gospel truths. What a marvellous blessing is
that which God hath poured out upon this stripling! How has he
been pleased as of olden time to select his own instrument
where men little thought—to call him forth, and try place
him before the eyes not merely of this million-peopled city,
but of our whole country, and I trust that when the reports of
this day's proceedings have gone forth on the swift wings of
the press, the country will feel that Spurgeon and his people
are in their hearts, and that they have a claim not merely upon
denominations, but upon all who love the Saviour. The man is
national property. They know it on the other side of the
Atlantic, and I, as I believe him not to be present, I say it
with the greater freedom—Mr. Spurgeon's conduct in
relation to that American proposal to procure his labors on the
other side of the Atlantic—his noble conduct upon that
occasion, wholly in harmony with all the other acts of his
public career, demands some acknowledgment from the Christians
of England. He might have money enough for his Tabernacle if he
would stoop to the course that men of the world would dictate.
Before my ten minutes have elapsed, I must be allowed to ask
the members of Mr. Spurgeon's church, as individuals, have you
done what you ought in contributing to this building? I ask
have you done what a congregation, I believe I may say of five
thousand persons, ought to have done? Do that and then I am
sure the country will share your feelings, approve of your
self-denial, and complete what is wanting. Oh, it is a blessing
even to have been present at the proceedings of this
day—we will cherish the memory of it to life's latest
moment. It is a greater blessing still to have had the mind to
work, and to put forth the hand in exertion towards the
completion of this undertaking. I beseech you, therefore, every
one of you, do your share, either in giving, or in collecting;
and fear not that God in his mercy, who has hitherto so
marvellously prospered you in days of darkness, in times of
peril and persecution—who has blessed you so much in the
person and ministry of your beloved pastor, will in the future
annals of this New Tabernacle, still more abundantly and more
wondrously shower down upon you of his heavenly favor and most
divine regard.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The Rev. EVAN P ROBERT of Bristol: My Lord Mayor, and Christian
friends, I cannot less than say, "Blessed are your eyes, for
they see: and your ears, for they hear," what your ancestors
desired to see and to hear. We must consider ourselves this day
highly privileged in being permitted to meet on such a very
important and delightful occasion. I need not tell you, because
your esteemed chairman has announced it, that I am come from
the city of Bristol—a city where your pastor is very
highly esteemed and beloved, a city ready to receive him with
open heart and arms; a city in which Christians of all
denominations hailed with gladness the approach of my dear
brother Spurgeon, and I have not the shadow of a doubt, from my
knowledge of Bristol, that the Christians in that city will be
ever ready to contribute their mite towards the erection of
that large building, the foundation of which has been laid this
day. The first time that I had the privilege of meeting with
Mr. Spurgeon, I felt that I loved him; and my love to him has
increased with my acquaintance with him. I feel this evening,
as I have felt before, a deep interest in the movement that is
now going on in this place, and I am sanguine as to its
results. I have not the shadow of a doubt that by the time the
last stone is to be placed upon the building, the money will be
forthcoming, and our esteemed brother will have to ascend the
pulpit and preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, in a
chapel out of debt. I could not less than think, Christian
friends, while our excellent chairman was addressing us on the
subject of civil and religious liberty, that we ought all to be
thankful, and not only so, but that we ought to be more zealous
to maintain our ground, and to make advances in that respect. I
rejoice that, notwithstanding all the oppositions that are made
to the progress of civil and religious liberty, it is going
forward—going forward in the metropolis—going forward
in the provinces—going forward through the length and
breadth of the land, in spite of the Puseyism, of the Popery,
of the infidelity, and all the power of that is brought to bear
to oppose it; it is a principle that must go on and prevail,
until it shall be felt throughout the habitable world. I am
afraid to trespass on your time. We Welshmen are very
dangerous: when we begin to speak and get the steam up a
little, we hardly know where to stop. You must tell me
therefore when my time is up, for I find I cannot trust myself.
I have been thinking with regard to the stone that is laid
to-day, that it stands there as a witness of the working of the
voluntary principle. Some people have told us that the
principle has failed. Where has it failed? Wherever it has been
exercised, wherever it has had fair play, it has done great
things. What has erected our chapels? What has erected, too,
some of the churches in our land? Why, the voluntary principle.
And what has moved my esteemed friend, Mr. Spurgeon, and his
beloved people to take this very important, this noble step,
but the voluntary principle working in their hearts? There is
no compulsion from the throne, all the compulsion they have is
the love of Christ in their souls. May God increase that
principle a thousand-fold! What has made my brother Spurgeon so
popular?—to use the term, for want of better? What has
given him such power with the people in this city, and wherever
he has gone? It is this; he has preached the full and plain
gospel, and the Spirit of God has rested upon his words. That
stone stands as a witness of the power of the gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ, as preached by our little stripling, our
little David, who has been the means of effecting such good.
And not only so, we see that stone as a witness of the
faithfulness of God to his church. God has said that he would
be with his people always, even to the end of the world. That
stone stands as a witness there, and stone upon stone as it is
laid upon it will give an additional testimony to the fidelity
of him who said, ''Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of
the world." That stone stands as a witness to angels to devils,
to infidels, and to the Christian church, of the zeal of the
people of God at Park Street. May that zeal burn as a vehement
flame! May it break out on the right hand, and on the left, and
may your liberality be exercised until the whole money for the
Tabernacle shall be contributed, and the building be completed,
and out of debt. I hope the blessing of God will attend this
meeting; that it will be the means of stirring up our brethren
in the provinces, and reviving religion in the land, that we
shall have some of the showers that are descending upon Ireland
and Scotland, and that this shall be the beginning of better
days. God grant that it may be so! Only let us retire from this
place imploring God's blessing and devoting ourselves to his
service, and the showers will come down, for God has said, "As
the snow and the rain cometh down from heaven and returneth not
thither, but watereth the earth and maketh it bring forth and
bud, so shall my Word be that cometh forth out of my mouth; it
shall not return unto me void, but it shall prosper in the
thing whereunto I have sent it."
</p>
<p class="indent">
The Rev. JOHN SPURGEON: My Lord Mayor, I am very happy to meet
you to-night. We are Essex men; we come from Colchester.
Colchester has something to boast of great men. The chief
physician of London comes from Colchester, the Lord Mayor comes
from Colchester; and I need not tell you who else. I have never
had the headache in my life, friends; but if I ever had it, it
would have been to-day. I feel nervous and excited. But I do
feel very happy to-day to acknowledge my fault; and when a man
confesses his faults, he has done a great deal towards amending
them. I always thought my son did wrong in coming to London,
now you see that I was wrong. I always thought he was wrong in
not going to college, I tried three or four hours with him one
night with a dear friend that loved him, but it was no use; he
said, "No, I will never go to college, only in strict obedience
to you as a father." There I left the matter; and I see that
God has been with him, though I thought it was a wrong step in
him to go to London. And I thought it was a wrong step for me
to come here to-night, but perhaps I may be mistaken again. I
can tell you it is one of the happiest days of my life. I feel
beyond myself when I think of the kindness that has been shown
to him when but a youth. I ascribe it all to God's goodness and
the earnest prayers of his people. He has been exposed to
temptations from every source, and even now, my friends, he is
not free from it. You have prayed for him, and God has
sustained him. Oh! let me entreat you to continue your prayers.
Every one here to-night go home and pray for your pastor. A
meeting like this is enough to carry a man beyond himself and
fill his heart with pride; but the grace of God is
all-sufficient. Several persons said to me—I do not know
what their motive was—"Your son will never last in London
six months, he has no education" I said, "You are terribly
mistaken, he has the best education that can possibly be had,
God has been his teacher, and he has had earthly teachers too."
I knew, as far as education went, he could manage London very
well. Then they said his health would fail; but it has not
failed him yet He has had enough to shake his constitution, it
is true, but God has been very merciful to him. I think if
there is one thing that would crown my happiness today, it
would have been to see his grandfather here. I should have
loved to see him here. He said, "Boy, don't ask me to go, I am
too old; I am overcome with God's goodness and mercy to me." He
is always talking about him. Old people like to have something
to talk about, so talks about his grandson. And next to that I
should like, my dear friends, to have seen his mother here. I
believe, under God's grace, his mother has been the means of
leading him to Christ. You are well aware that I go and talk in
the best manner I can to a few poor people on the Sabbath day,
and God has blessed my labors. I thought, however, I ought not
to go out on the Sabbath day, as God's people should train up
their children in the best way they: can, I thought I was
neglecting my children, and as I came home one evening about
seven o'clock, and went upstairs, I heard the voice of a mother
pleading for her boy Charles, and talking to him and the
others, and pouring her heart out in prayer in such a way as I
never did in my life, and as I never heard before. It is for
the encouragement of mothers that I mention this, that you may
pray for your children for God is a prayer-hearing and prayer
answering God. My heart is too full to say more. May God bless
you and keep you, and may we be brought together when this
building shall be finished, and entirely out of debt! I hope
to-night that some gentlemen will come forward and give each
one hundred pounds. You know we must work as well as pray, and
there has been a kind offer made to-night, that if twenty
hundred pounds are laid down, a gentleman will double it. I
trust, therefore, our good friends will come forward and make
their free-will offerings to that God who has done so much for
them. Oh, may God bless you all, for Christ s sake! Amen.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The CHAIRMAN: I have now to call upon the gentleman who made
the best speech this morning, and laid upon the foundation
stone three thousand pounds.
</p>
<p class="indent">
EDWARD INSKIP, Esq., of Bristol.—My Lord Mayor, and
Christian friends, as regards "the best speech" that has been
made to-day, I trust that any merit in the speech, or in the
donation will be laid at the feet of our covenant head. I was
thinking during the speeches to which we have listened, of a
line or two of one of the poets of the sanctuary:—
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
"Let party names no more, the Christian world o'erspread."
</p>
<p>
And when I tell you that this gift of three thousand pounds,
together with that which follows, comes from a man who was born
a Churchman, and who was brought to a knowledge of the truth
under a minister of the Church of England, and who is a
Churchman at heart, you will see that his liberality is
profound, and that he comes here in the true philanthropic
principles of the Christian religion. But since I had the honor
and privilege of laying that painted piece of paper, as I
termed it, upon the stone this afternoon, I have been going
round the boundaries of the proposed walls of this intended
sanctuary, and I was thinking as I mused upon the various
portions of the stones and gravel, cement, lime, ashes, bricks,
and timber—what would be the position which the multitude
before me would occupy in that better temple, where we all hope
to adore the Lamb. I was led to ask, is my name, however mean
and humble, inscribed there as a living stone? Believe me, if
you value his instructions there, and wish to see that building
the birthplace of souls nothing short of an earnest and
agonising entreaty that God the eternal Spirit will sanctify
that Word will ever promote your views, or bring about the
realisation of your wishes. Believe me, it has afforded me
great gratification to be the bearer of this honored man's
donation—my esteemed friend unknown to you. I said this
afternoon, there is something more to follow. Three thousand
pounds will not erect the building. I understand that it will
take no less than seven times as much again. Where is it all to
come from? I hear that the response to-day has realized only
about three thousand nine hundred pounds, and that about two
hundred pounds more is promised. Now, I do not pretend to be a
Goliath, but I come as a simple stripling, and ask, who am I
and what my father's house, that I am thus honored to ask
twenty other persons to come forward and give their one hundred
pounds apiece, or even forty persons their fifty pounds each,
with the promise that the sum shall be doubled when that is
done? This I am sure is nothing less than your pastor deserves.
He has devoted his time, his energy, his health, to this
matter. He has been incessant in his labors, and he has found
that they have been crowned with success. As for you, the fruit
of his labors, it behoves you to see that he has a place in
which he can address the multitudes who flock to hear him. This
afternoon he spoke of this building being erected and the roof
put on, and the Tabernacle being left seatless. Surely this
will not be permitted. Whether it be by the humblest mite or by
the large donation, I am sure that those who love the Lord
Jesus Christ will see that this thing is accomplished, and
speedily too. We were speaking just now of the living stones in
the temple above, and I was thinking of a scene which occurred
to me in the Music Hall yonder, some year or two since. When I
heard the sounds of the voices of the multitude there, I
bethought myself on that occasion, why, what must be the
heavenly choir; if such be the perfection of sound realized by
the humble few here upon earth?—what must be the sound
rising from immortal voices and from angelic tongues? Surely
while we contemplate the grandeur of that scene, we shall all
be in earnest in asking ourselves the one question—are we
heirs of the kingdom of God? We shall all be asking ourselves
that marvellous question, "Is my name inscribed on the walls of
Zion?" Remember, Jesus dwells there, and if Jesus dwells there,
we desire to dwell there too. See to it, then, my friends, that
this meeting conclude not without some large, some noble
response to that which I consider a noble offer I have been
permitted, on behalf of another, to make to you to-day. The
offer you have heard; it rests with you to accept it; and
whenever it may be accepted the money will be forthcoming, as
the three thousand pounds is forthcoming now, on the very day
when the two thousand shall be realized. But then I was about
to disclose to you a secret—although, perhaps, Mr.
Spurgeon may not like me to disclose it to you. I must tell you
that he was very desirous that I should come and bring a large
mass of feathers with which to line this beautiful nest. I
trust it will be a nest indeed, but not a nest in which you may
nestle yourselves into fatal security: I trust it will be a
nest which you will find the birds of the air, whose feathers
are of yellow gold, will set and brood over, and that there the
sweet influences of those heavenly scenes will descend into
your heart. I trust I shall be able to carry back with me
to-morrow the intelligence that the offer I have made has been
accepted, and that I shall shortly have the great pleasure of
presenting to you the additional two thousand pounds.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The Rev. J. A. SPURGEON: My lord, ladies, and
gentlemen—Your lordship said at the commencement of this
meeting, that it was a happy day. I am quite sure I can echo
that sentiment now from the depth of my spirit, and I think
that I have in my cup one sweet ingredient which must be
lacking in yours,—that of having such a brother as I have,
in your ministry. If ever pride can be a sinless thing, I think
it will be in my case when I say I am proud of my brother. But
I would desire to take that stand which the Apostle Paul took
when he determined "to know no man after the flesh." Though I
rejoice tonight most heartily in the success my brother has
achieved, I rejoice more profoundly in the success which has
attended the preaching of the gospel, and in the principles of
the cross of Christ which I see here to-night. Whilst I look
around me and see that every other religion is beginning to
fade—that every other system is tottering to its
fall—that everything that is of man seems like man to be
fading—Christianity is growing in strength, and seems to
have the dew of its youth upon it, and is going forth crushing
all things before it, and it shall triumph till it shall fill
the world with its knowledge, power, and glory. I rejoice to
think that whilst I come in to take up that standard which aged
hands must soon begin to let fall I see on it the "Excelsior"
motto inscribed, and I see that it is going higher and higher,
and it shall go so high till my Master shall be lifted up and
shall draw all men unto him. I rejoice most devoutly in that
divine dispensation which makes a luxury in doing good and a
blessedness also, so that he who puts forth his hand to bring
down a blessing upon others evokes the shower of divine
blessing on his own head,—that he who does good must get
good,—that he who serves the Lord shall never serve the
Lord for nought. I am sure in our meeting here to-day—met
as we are seeking the welfare of others—that there shall
be the richest blessing poured out upon our heads; and I trust
that there will be some departing from this place to-night who
will be made rich with those riches which add no sorrow
therewith. It has been said that there are sermons in stones,
and if ever there is one class of stones that may be expected
to have a voice, and eloquence, and depth of wisdom above
others, it would be that class of stones to which we refer the
one that has been laid to-day. Would that we could bring the
corner and foundation stones of some of our old chapels and
make them speak to-night! Methinks they would cry, "shame,"
upon some of our fearful trembling-hearted ones to-night. The
difficulties our ancestors had to encounter were far greater
than ours. The stones they laid were laid under far less
favorable auspices than our stone has been laid. This is an age
of panic, and of fears, but I rejoice to think that we are
putting our panic and fears in a practical way of building up
defences for Zion; and I hope there will arise many more mighty
arsenals, in which the great guns of our denomination may come
and fire with great success into the camp of our enemies. I
rejoice to think of the success that has already attended the
efforts of our friends in collecting money; and whilst we feel
very happy here tonight, I think we ought to give our happiness
a practical turn. I cannot leave this meeting unless we once
again raise our solemn thanksgiving to God for the great
goodness and the great love that he hath shown our brother. I
yield to no one in the profound respect I entertain for my
brother's peculiar talents, but I hold that it has not been so
much how he has said, as what he has said, that has achieved
his success. I hope that this meeting will take a practical and
that we shall go forth tonight determined that we will preach
more earnestly and simply, and then I trust with more success,
the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
</p>
<p class="indent">
Mr. JAMES LOW: The object of my rising is to call your
attention to the noble offer that our friend, Mr. Inskip, has
made. Our friend has given us a promissory note for two
thousand pounds, on one condition, that is, that we raise
another two thousand pounds in hundreds and fifties. This
morning I screwed up my courage to fifty pounds, but as soon as
that challenge was given, I altered my mind and made it one
hundred pounds. This is a large meeting, containing some
thousands of persons. I know there are some here who are very
rich, and who could pay the whole expense of this building out
of their own pockets and scarcely miss it, and I can hardly
imagine that you will allow my friend Mr. Inskip, to go away
disappointed. Let me beseech you to fix him at once. Now, I
have to ask that nineteen other gentlemen, or ladies, if you
please—for their money is equally valuable—to give a
pledge for one hundred pounds each, and that will make up the
two thousand pounds which our friend, Mr. Inskip, has promised
to double. If you would only do that this evening, it would
give such an impetus to our efforts to raise the whole of the
money required for this building, that I do believe we should
get enough, in a month, to complete it. But lest I should be
disappointed, our kind friend has given me a still greater
latitude. I do not want to check the nineteen friends from
coming forward with their hundred pounds; but he has very
kindly allowed me to say, that if a portion of it comes in
hundreds, the deficiency may be made up in fifties. Now, surely
with such latitude as that, we must succeed in getting the two
thousand pounds. And then he has done another thing which I
think was very liberal. If I fail to succeed after making this
offer, I do not know what sort of a character I shall be able
to give you. It is this: he will not only take it in hundreds
and fifties, but, if it is more convenient for you to pay
within three months, he will give you credit for that time.
Now, as an old tradesman, I have known in my time what it is to
be tempted by having a little credit offered me, but I took
care I would not take credit for any article that I did not
feel confident to be able to pay for in a given time. I feel
the greatest encouragement in asking you either to send up your
names for one hundred pounds each, or to those who cannot
afford so much, for fifty pounds, and those who are not
prepared to pay the money down, we will give three months
credit. Do not let me plead in vain.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The Rev. GEORGE SMITH, of Poplar: My Lord Mayor, ladies and
gentlemen, I have very great pleasure in taking some part in
the deeply interesting proceedings of this night. When I think
of the men who have already spoken with fervor, with pathos,
with eloquence, and with the intimate knowledge of your Master,
which justify them in honoring him as they have, and when I
think of the other brethren on the platform of your own
denomination, who will further vindicate the cause with which
you are connected, and advocate the great object which you have
in view,—I should shrink from the responsibility of
occupying any portion of your attention, but for the fact that
I belong to another denomination. I am with you in heart though
I am not with you altogether in practice. I am connected with
the Congregational denomination, as most of you if not all
know, and I am here to testify on behalf of myself and of my
brethren generally, to the very great regard we have for that
gifted young man, under thirty years of age, whose name has
become a worldwide reputation, and who everywhere has been
greatly honored of God in turning multitudes from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satan unto God. I never had any
doubt about him from the beginning. I never entertained a
suspicion of him from the commencement. I never uttered an
unkind word about him from the time when he commenced his
ministry. I always thought that he was raised up of God to do a
great and good work, and we might well rejoice if men are
raised up in a way rather different from that which we had
anticipated. There is a fact upon record of very great value in
relation to liberty of preaching. In the days of Oliver
Cromwell, many soldiers went to Edinburgh on the Lord's day,
and finding there was very indifferent preaching in the
pulpits, Cromwell's chaplain took possession of the churches
and preached the word of life. The Presbytery wrote a letter
complaining to the Lord Protector, that his soldiers—the
men connected with the iron-hearted regiment that he
headed—those iron-sides, who feared God and kept their
powder dry—actually had ventured to preach the word of
life in the regular sanctuary. Cromwell's reply was worthy to
be written in characters of living light, and handed down from
age to age. "What! doth that offend you? I would to God that
all the Lord's servants were prophets." And with that feeling,
my lord, I am sure that we have hailed the advent of our
beloved brother, Mr. Spurgeon. I hope his life will long be
spared, and that a great and important work will be carried on
by him. If there be a man under heaven that we might envy, and
if there be a man under heaven in whom we might glorify the
Grace of God, he is the man. I honor the man that he has never
pandered to the public taste. He has always preached the word
of life fully, faithfully, and effectually. I honor the man for
the large-hearted Catholicity which has characterized him. The
pulpits of the land have properly been opened to him, and he
has ever been ready to preach for his brethren of every
denomination. I have heard him preach in my own pulpit to
crowded and delighted audiences. And I am sure that we ought to
be prepared to help him in return, for he has been prepared to
help very many. I am sure I am only among a large number of my
brethren—and I mention it as an encouragement to
others—I proposed a short time ago to the deacons of our
church that, as he had often preached on behalf of other
objects for us, we should invite him to come and preach, and
give him a liberal collection towards this New Tabernacle. And
it only waits for the time to be fixed by him, and I trust we
shall all be prepared to do everything we can to promote the
common welfare of this great church and congregation. I
congratulate this meeting to-night most heartily and cordially
upon the fact that three beloved honored men, bearing one name
and related to each other, have taken part in this meeting. May
they be a three-fold cord that cannot readily be broken. In
expressing the largest desires for the welfare of the Baptist
denomination represented by Mr. Spurgeon, I am only giving
utterance to feelings that we all entertain. There is but
little difference between us, but a very little difference
indeed. Different sections of the church of God look at each
other in the distance through the mists of prejudice and
passion, and they think they are monsters; they get a little
nearer and they find they are men—brethren, related to one
common Father, related to one divine Redeemer who is not
ashamed to call us brethren, and whether we be Baptists or
psuedo-Baptists, whether we be Presbyterians or
Congregationalists, whether we be Arminians or Calvinists
(though I am not ashamed to call myself a Calvinist) if we are
good men and true, we are related to each other, and to the
Lord. Let us, then be limited, and angels shall look down from
the crystal battlements of heaven and say of our congregations
here—"Behold how good and how pleasant a thing it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity!"
</p>
<p class="indent">
The Meeting then sung the following verse, commencing, "Jesus
is worthy to receive honor and power divine."
</p>
<p class="indent">
JOSEPH PAYNE, Esq.: ladies and gentlemen, I am very glad to
meet you all upon the present occasion. I am one of those
Churchmen whom my Lord Mayor has been digging in the ribs in
rather an extraordinary manner; but I am not one that he would
find fault with, I am sure. We have been working together too
long and too often for any of his observations to be applied in
that way to my humble self. The late Rev Mr. Branch used to
say, that an old woman once asked him, "Mr. Branch, can you
tell me what Mr. Payne is?" "Why," said Mr. Branch, "he is a
Churchman." "No, no," said the woman, "I am sure he ain't."
"Why?" "Because wherever I go I sees him—at Wesleyan
meetings, at Baptist meetings, at Congregational meetings, and
at all sorts of meetings—well, if he is a Churchman he's a
rum un." The Revelation Dr. Archer was once speaking at a
meeting, (you see I am giving myself a character,) and he went
through the list of speakers, and said—"The first is Dr.
Archer, a humble Presbyterian; the second is Mr. Branch, a
sturdy Baptist; the third is Mr. Gladstone, an Episcopalian;
the fourth is Mr. Edward Corderoy, who belongs to the Wesleyan
body, and the fifth is Joseph Payne, who belongs to nobody;"
and he gave the reason—"he belongs to nobody because he
belongs to everybody." Now, I think I have said enough about
myself; I am aging to say a word or two about my excellent
friend, the Revelation Mr. Spurgeon. Among these decorations,
there is one that I do not see, but I have it before my mind's
eye—I mean the three letters C. H. S. [A voice: "It is
outside."] Then we have it outside and inside too. Now, what
does C. H. S. mean? Why, it means first, "Charles Haddon
Spurgeon." But I do not mean that. C. H. S. means a
<i>Clear-Headed Speaker,</i> who is <i>Clever at Handling
Subjects</i> in a <i>Cheerful-Hearted Style;</i> he is a
<i>Captain of the Home of Surrey;</i> he is a <i>Cold-Hating
Spirit;</i> he has <i>Chapel-Heating Skill;</i> he is a
<i>Catholic Humbug-Smasher,</i> he is a <i>Care-Hushing
Soother;</i> he is a <i>Child-Helping Strengthener:</i> he is a
<i>Christ-Horouring Soldier,</i> and he is a <i>Christ-Honoured
Servant.</i> Those are all the C. H. S's, and a very good set
of C. H. S's they are. Now I desire to look back upon the past,
to look round upon the vast, and to look onward to the last. I
desire to look back to the <i>past.</i> Our friend was always
popular, always clever, always active, but he was not always so
popular, he had not always the large number of friends that
gather round him now. I knew him and loved him, and admired him
from the beginning, therefore I look back upon the past with
great satisfaction to think that I had so much discernment,
that has been so admirably proved, and so magnificently repaid.
I look round upon the <i>vast.</i> It is a goodly and glorious
sight to see such a meeting as this, with the Right Hon. the
Lord Mayor in the chair. You know it is said there are four
descriptions of speakers to preside at public
meetings:—some who are able and not willing, some who are
willing and not able, some who are neither able nor willing,
and some who are both able and willing. Now the Lord Mayor
belongs to the fourth class. He is a first-class man in some
respects but a fourthclass in that respect. He has shown his
willingness in coming here, and he has shown his ability in
that splendid, magnificent, glorious speech that he made,
though he was a little too hard upon some of us Episcopalians.
I look onward to the <i>last.</i> Oh! what a glorious thought
that will be when all the instrumentality shall be at an end,
when we shall see the grand glorious gathering in the brighter
and better world above! The Lord Mayor will be there, Spurgeon
the grandfather will be there; the father—the
mother—the brother—and Spurgeon himself will be
there, and I pray God that you and I may be there also. I have
a high opinion of our excellent friend for four reasons: he is
a preacher that does not mumble, he is a preacher that does not
grumble, he is a preacher that does not stumble, and he is a
preacher that never will crumble. He is a preacher that does
not <i>mumble.</i> One of our celebrated authorities in the
law, old Seldon, says, that if a man were to call out murder in
the same tone in which he would make love, nobody would come to
his assistance. A minister of the gospel is calling out murder,
and it is to be called out in a loud tone; not in a namby pamby
style. He is also a preacher that does not <i>grumble.</i> You
heard him tonight say how pleased he was with the salary given
by the people of Park Street. He is perfectly satisfied with
what he gets; though he has not half that he deserves. He is a
preacher that does not <i>stumble.</i> Did you ever see a man
walk more firmly than he does before the world and the church?
He walks firmly, physically, morally, and religiously. Then he
is a preacher that will not <i>crumble.</i> The man himself
will die—many many years let it be before that
consummation is arrived at! We all must die, but the reputation
and character of a faithful preacher of God's free and glorious
gospel will never die. We may address the character and
reputation of such a man in the language of the poet, and
say:—
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
"The stars shall fade away; the sun himself<br>
Grow dim in age, and nature sink in years.<br>
But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth,<br>
Unhurt amid the war of elements,<br>
The wreck of matter and the crash of worlds."
</p>
<p>
I would say—<i>pray and believe;</i> then <i>persist and
receive.</i> In connection with the first, let me tell you that
there was a number of farmers somewhere in Essex, who met to
pray for rain in a large open field. The deacons were there;
the "Lows" and the "Olneys," and the good men of that stamp,
the five pounders and the fifty pounders, and the hundred
pounders were there for the purpose. It was a fine day but
there was a little Sunday school girl who came with an umbrella
under her arm. The minister, who was not so clever as Mr.
Spurgeon, said, "Why, bless you, my good girl, what do you mean
by bringing a great umbrella on such a fine day as this?" "Why,
sir," said she, "have not you all met to pray for rain? Don't
you expect to get it if you pray properly? I do, so I picked
out the biggest umbrella I could find." Well, there came a
heavy shower and the ministers and the deacons were all very
glad to get under the little school girl's umbrella. And the
ministers and deacons went out from under that umbrella with
their heads lower than they had been before, because they had
been shamed into propriety by a little Sunday school girl.
Pray, then, and believe. Pray that God will give you friends,
and believe that you will get them. The next is, <i>persist and
receive.</i> There was a clergyman in Ireland who met with a
ragged boy, and he took him to a ragged school. The boy was
very fond of using his slate and pencil; he never put sums upon
his slate, but drew ugly pictures of the boys and the master.
The master did not like it, because schoolmasters, you know,
are very uppish people, some of them; stuck-up people who think
they ought not to be caricatured. He sent to the clergyman,
saying "I cannot manage the boy at all, I wish you would take
him away." "Indeed I shall do no such thing," said the
clergyman, "I will come and see him, and talk to him. So the
clergyman came, and there was the boy in the school working
away with his slate and pencil. "Well," said the clergyman,
"bring up your slate let us see what you are doing." The boy
did not like to do so, but however he brought up his slate,
and, giving it to the clergyman, bobbed his head down to avoid
a box on the ears, which he knew he deserved and thought he
might get. But that was not the clergyman's plan. He looked at
the slate and he there saw the ugliest picture of the good old
clergyman himself, with long ears, very long hair, a hole in
his coat, and his white choker as dirty as it could be. He
looked at it and said, "You have a very good notion of drawing,
my boy, my daughter draws beautifully, and if you will come to
the parsonage house three times a week, she shall teach you to
draw. Well, she did teach him to draw, and that boy is now an
artist,—a capital painter in London. And the very first
thing he did, was to paint a beautiful picture of the good
clergyman and the daughter who had been so kind to him, and
presented it to them in a beautiful frame, as a token of his
respect and gratitude for their having saved him from
destruction, and putting him in the way of gaining a honest
livelihood. That clergyman persisted and received the end of
his perseverance. Now I want you to persist and go on with this
great work, and you will, in spite of all discouragements and
difficulties, be sure to receive. You will draw people in the
Tabernacle, and money to your funds, and then great things will
be done. Now I have to read some verses, and then there will be
an end.
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
My breath I will spend, and my horn I will blow,<br>
The claims and requirements to let the world know,—<br>
(Though my horn is not gold, but is only brass gilt,)<br>
Of the great Tabernacle that is to be built.
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
Sir Samuel, Baptist, and Baronet too,<br>
In handling the trowel to science was true,<br>
And charged it with mortar right up to the hilt,<br>
For the great Tabernacle that is to be built.
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
<i>Unconquered,</i> at present, friend Spurgeon is found,<br>
But soon he will hold <i>unapproachable</i> ground;<br>
For no one will dream with the pastor to tilt,<br>
Of the great Tabernacle that is to be built.
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
With wonderful talent all ranks to comprise,—<br>
The truth that he preaches to make people wise<br>
He'll spread o'er his hearers, just like a great quilt,<br>
In the great Tabernacle that is to be built.
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
The Englishman plainly and soberly dress'd,—<br>
The Irishman clad in his holiday vest,—<br>
Will sit, side by side, with the Scot in his kilt,<br>
In the great Tabernacle that is to be built.
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
Rich merchant of London, if such should be here,<br>
Thou, friend to a preaching sublime and sincere,<br>
Can'st not give too much, give whatever thou wilt,<br>
To the great Tabernacle that is to be be built.
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
Poor widow, neglected, distress'd, and forlorn,<br>
The prop of thy age from thy dwelling withdrawn,<br>
To cast in two mites will not fix thee with guilt,<br>
T'wards the great Tabernacle that is to be built.
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
Friend Spurgeon, the clearest of preachers I know,<br>
Look on to the time when thy language shall flow<br>
Like a beautiful stream, without thickness or silt,<br>
In the great Tabernacle that is to built.
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
And thousands deliver'd from sin and from hell,<br>
In mansions of glory for ever shall dwell,<br>
Who heard of the blood which for sinners was spilt,<br>
In the great Tabernacle that is to be built.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The Rev. C. H. SPURGEON: If our friends are not tired I should
like another brother to speak, and I have a few words to say
before I call upon my brother Bloomfield. I have been treated
somewhat severely by that class of brethren who are exceedingly
strong in their Calvinism. Many suspect me of being a great
heretic. Now, a great heretic I certainly am, if it be heresy
to judge of the Scriptures as God the Holy Ghost gives me
ability, and not to bend myself to the dictates of man. I am, I
ever must be, from my deep and terrible experience of the
depravity of the human heart, a high Calvinist, in the best
sense of that term. I am not bitter towards others; but I do
love to preach the fullness of the decree of God. I do love,
however, so to preach it that I may combine it with practical
exhortation and fullness of precept. There are many brethren
who believe the same. The stone has to be rolled away from the
spulchre of Calvinism yet. The Calvinism of some men is the
Calvinism of John Calvin, nor the Calvinism of the Puritans,
much less the Christianity of God. My dear brother Bloomfield
is one of those who hold the truth very strongly. I hope he may
hold it never less sternly. He has an affectionate loving
heart, and he is not prepared to condemn one who, in some
points, differs from the brethren. I do differ from some in
certain matters, those are but small matters compared with the
grand fundamentals of that holy faith delivered to us by
Christ, translated by Paul, handed down by Augustine, clarified
by Calvin, vindicated yet again by Whitfield, and held by us as
the very truth of God, as it is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The Rev. J. BLOOMFIELD: I rejoice to be with you to-day, just
to showmy firm attachment to that honored servant of God who
has been the means, under the influence and power of the
Spirit, of bringing you together. I believe that the preaching
of Mr. Spurgeon is in harmony with our good old puritan
divines. I cannot understand that Christianity which dries up
the sympathies of the human heart. I feel a strong sympathy
with one expression dropped by Mr. Spurgeon's father. He said
he thought his son did wrong when he first came to London. I
thought so too, but what made me think so was loosing a great
many persons from my own congregation. However, I am very glad
that so good a man has them, and I wish them well from my very
heart, and him too, and all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in
sincerity and truth. Any man that preaches the atonement in its
perfection is a brother that I am glad to shake hands with and
bid God speed. Whether or not he preaches the high and
distinguishing doctrine of divine grace in the phraseology that
I employ; whether or not he chooses to preach those doctrines
in the plain language in which I am bound to preach them,
because I can preach them in no other, I say I bid him God
speed, and trust the blessing of God will go with him wherever
he goes to preach the everlasting gospel of the blessed God.
Christ said, when on earth, "If any man serve me, him will my
Father honor." I ask any man to look at the vast numbers that
have testified before delighted audiences to the way in which
the ministry of Mr. Spurgeon has been blessed to them; and I
ask if God has not honored him; I ask if the Holy Ghost has not
honored his testimony, and if the Father in heaven, if the Holy
Ghost has sealed his ministry, where is the man that dares to
speak against the success which he has realized so largely in
his work. I love some of the friends that have spoken harshly
of him, but I have always hated their harshness; I have told
them so to their faces, as I would tell them again. I hate
their bigotry, while I love the truth they preach. May God
continue to bless the ministrations, of our excellent friend,
and honor him with increasing and abundant success, for his own
sake. Amen.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The Rev. C.H. SPURGEON proposed a vote of thanks to Sir Morton
Peto, for his kindness in laying the stone, to the Lord Mayor
for presiding, and the Lady Mayoress for coming to the meeting.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The motion having been seconded by James Low, Esq., was carried
by acclamation.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The LORD MAYOR: The best thanks you could give me would be
this, that you fill every box, and put your names to the piece
of paper until you have got two thousand pounds. I believe you
will have it tomorrow, if you do not get it to-night.
</p>
<p class="indent">
Mr. SPURGEON: The Lord Mayor has kindly said he shall
contribute fifty pounds himself. I am sure, with his very great
claims, it is far too much for us to expect from any Lord
Mayor. He has out-done himself in liberality and I heartily
thank him.
</p>
<p class="indent">
The Doxology was then sung, and the proceedings terminated.
</p>
<br>
<br>
<p class="indent" style="font-style: italic">
The Committee think it needful to add, that notwithstanding the
very great assistance afforded upon this occasion, their
enterprise is very far from accomplishment. The freehold ground
has been purchased and paid for, the excavation and throwing in
of concrete for foundations have also been completed; and when
this expense shall also have been fully defrayed, the Committee
will find themselves with about ten thousand pounds in hand.
The present contract for the erection of the building is twenty
thousand pounds, which does not include lighting, boundary
walls, and necessary furniture. The Committee therefore
earnestly appeal to the Church of Christ for help in their
arduous undertaking.
</p>
<p class="indent" style="font-style: italic">
Subscriptions will be joyfully received by the Rev. C. H.
SPURGEON; or by Mr. T. COOK, Hon. Sec., New Park Street Chapel,
Southwark, S.E.
</p>
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