Excerpt from Sermons of Rev. C. H. Spurgeon of London, Vol. 19

Mr. Spurgeon preached in the morning at the church, and in the evening at the hall.

All went well, under the new arrangement, but no one could fail to see that the evening service was working a far grander result, in numbers and in the class of non-church-goers reached; and so, after a two months' trial of this method, a movement began, looking to the building of a large tabernacle, fitted to hold the masses, and with abundant room, first, for habitual attendants to find a church home and, secondly, for the common people at large to find free we]. Come. Of course, there were those who opposed this project the idea of giving up a fine commodious church, recently enlarged and refitted, and undertaking to put up a building to hold five thousand people, was scouted as absurd. But the mass of the church felt that it was far more important to reach the people than to hold fast to the old or der; and so that building was abandoned. Unable to get control longer of Exeter Hall, on October 19, 1856, this heroic pastor and his people undertook a venture of faith. They hired the large Music Hall in Surrey Gardens, just built for M. J ullien's monster concerts, and held there the first Sabbath evening service. About per sons were assembled. Some evil-disposed persons created a panic, and in the rush seven persons were crushed to death, and four times as many were seriously injured. Mr. Spurgeon's nervous system was so terribly shocked that he was perfectly prostrated, but two weeks after was again able to preach. To avoid fear of further panic, the service at Music Hall was transferred to the morning, though the evening was regarded more favorable to large congrega tions. Yet for three years that immense hall was crowded by all classes. Thousands hitherto unaccustomed to attend church found their way to this free place of worship, and hundreds found a Sa viour. Often ten thousand souls were gathered there to hear that Simple gospel preacher. And it was no worldly bait that drew them. Even the singing was congregational, and led by a precen tor - Mr. Spurgeon lining out every hymn in old-time style.

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