Dr. Chalmers of Scotland, arrived in London, on the 13th of May, 1817,
and on the following day preached in Surrey Chapel, the anniversary
sermon for the London Missionary Society. Although the service did not
commence till eleven o'clock, at seven in the morning the chapel was
crowded to excess, and many thousands went off for want of room. He rose
and gave out his text from 1 Cor. xiv, 22-25. He had not proceeded many
minutes till his voice gradually expanded in strength and compass,
reaching every part of the house and commanding universal attention.
His sermon occupied about an hour and a half in the delivery. A
gentleman wrote to a friend: "I have just heard and witnessed the most
astonishing display of human talent that perhaps ever commanded hearing;
all my expectations were overwhelmed in the triumph of it."
At an afternoon service he preached in the Scotch Church, in Swallow
Street. On approaching the church, Dr. Chalmers and a friend found so
dense a mass within, and before the building, as to give no hope of
effecting an entrance by the mere force of ordinary pressure. Lifting
his cane and gently tapping the heads of those who were in advance, Dr.
Chalmers' friend exclaimed, "Make way there, make way please, for Dr.
Chalmers." The sturdy Londoners refused to move, believing it was a
ruse. Forced to retire, Dr. Chalmers retreated from the outskirts of the
crowd, crossed the street, stood for a few moments gazing on the growing
tumult, and had almost resolved altogether to withdraw, as access by any
of the ordinary entrances was impossible. At last a plank was projected
from one of the windows very near the pulpit, till it rested on an iron
palisade, and the Doctor and others gained entrance. The impression
produced by the service which followed, when all had at last settled
down into stillness, was deeper than that made by any of those which
preceded it.
--_From Memoirs of Thomas Chalmers, LL.D._
By Rev. Wm. Hanna, LL.D.
191
What can be more foolish than to think that all this rare fabric of
Heaven and earth could come by chance, when all the skill of art is not
able to make an oyster!
192
Times change, and we change with them.
193
When you seek to change your condition, be sure that you can better it.
194