THE name of the “Free Tabernacle” and Mr. Varley are indissolubly united
in Notting-hill. The Tabernacle is a very plain brick structure, in
Norland-square, or rather in St. John’s-place, leading out of the square.
It admits of no architectural description; but on entering one is
impressed with the idea that it has been built with an object. It has
the appearance of a large hall, with a platform pulpit at one end, and a
choir gallery behind it. There is no other gallery at present; but the
ground floor is thoroughly pewed, and the whole is capable of
accommodating 1,000 persons, and, if necessary, 1,200 could find a place.
The original cost of the building was 2,200_l._, the responsibility of
which was entirely borne by the present minister and his father-in-law,
Mr. Pickworth, who undertook the work solely in the interests of the
spiritually destitute poor of the neighbourhood. Mr. Varley, who was at
the time and has ever since been engaged in business, first began to
preach nine years ago in the Potteries, in the Notting-dale Schoolroom,
where he speedily collected a congregation from the poor people of that
district, so large and overcrowded that he was compelled to find another
place. This led to the building of the Tabernacle, and to one of the
most valuable voluntary religious efforts that we have yet had the
pleasure of recording. Upon this basis, at the present time, an average
congregation of 800 in the morning, and 1,000 in the evening, assemble
for public worship. Upon special occasions the number is increased to
1,100 and 1,200, and it is interesting to note the respect and affection
with which Mr. Varley is regarded by all this people. He has succeeded
in establishing an influence undoubtedly for good over a class not to be
founds in many of the congregations we have yet had under review. It is
notorious that, as a rule, our poor do not attend our churches and
chapels, but the “Tabernacle” supplies an exception to the rule. In this
case the minister himself is an active tradesman, and appears to possess
that kind of talent which adapts him to the mind and circumstances of the
class to whom he ministers. Without even the shadow of lowness or
vulgarity Mr. Varley has a certain colloquial style and manner which
impart both pleasure and profit to his hearers, while it wins and retains
their respect. His preaching is to a large extent expository, as on the
morning of Sunday, the 23rd of September, the text (Heb. viii. 6) was
illustrated by frequent references to other portions of Scripture. There
was a peculiarity which we have not observed so fully carried out
anywhere as here, a great proportion of the congregation had their Bibles
in their hands, and regularly followed the preacher in his references
with manifest interest, very much after the manner of a Bible-class
following the teacher. They had evidently been well trained to this, and
did it as from established habit. Mr. Varley also expounds in the
reading of the lessons, and in so doing on this occasion denounced all
assumption of a _priesthood_ by men, and the pretended sacrifice of the
Mass, as a sin against God and a complete contravention of the
Scriptures. The hymns used are entitled “Hymns of Grace and Glory,”
arranged especially for the service of this congregation, and are sung to
simple melodies in which all can join. The singing is universal, lively,
and devotional, and appears to realise the great object of music in
public worship. The harmonium, however, it may be observed, is a little
too much heard. It is, perhaps, what some would term noisy, and is too
apt to drown instead of assist the congregational voice. The church,
which now numbers about 550 members, is Baptist by profession, but what
maybe termed an “open” Baptist Church, freely admitting Christian people
of all denominations to its communion. Amongst other peculiarities at
the Tabernacle there is a communion every Sunday morning after the public
service, except on the first Sunday in the month, when it is after the
evening service. It is the only case in a Nonconforming place we have
yet had to notice in which there is a weekly celebration. Mr. Varley
believes this to be the Scriptural order; and from the large number that
tarry to that service it would appear that his people are one with him in
this belief. The public services are on Sundays at eleven and half-past
six; Monday evening prayer-meeting at seven, and on Wednesday evening a
sermon at seven. There is a good Sunday-school attached, with about 500
children and a staff of 30 teachers. The church derives all its
financial support from voluntary effort. Weekly offerings are taken at
the doors, and all the sittings are free. Up to the present time, Mr.
Varley’s labour has been gratuitously bestowed. It is with some surprise
we learn that he has never yet received any earthly reward or testimonial
whatever for his valuable services. We do not know whether it would be
approved by Mr. Varley himself, but we would suggest that it is one of
the first duties of the church at the Tabernacle to set their minister
free from the concerns of worldly business, that he might devote all his
time to study and the discharge of his pastoral duties. Having, under
God, raised the church, he surely is its natural and fitting pastor; and
one cannot but think that his separation to the work would prove a
blessing to that people. At present, his Sunday labour is supplemented
by that of a missionary (Mr. Ashdown), supported by the congregation, who
does much pastoral work through the week, visiting the people and
striving to keep alive their interest in public worship. Although the
present building is a large place, it is thought not to be adequate in
space to the demands; and is, therefore, now about to be closed for some
weeks, pending important alterations. After these are effected there
will be an area of 74 ft. by 94, and galleries all around, affording
accommodation for over 2,000 people; and in addition to this there will
be several class-rooms, and one large room for general service,
calculated to hold 500 persons. It will easily be conceived that in “Mr.
Varley’s Tabernacle” (as it is now commonly called) there must be a
centre of powerful influence in dealing with a great mass of people not
reached by other agencies, and which circumstances have caused to
congregate around it. The exterior will be greatly beautified by the
alterations—a view of which, by favour of the architects, Messrs.
Habershon and Pite, we are enabled to produce.
[Picture: Mr. Varley’s Tabernacle, St. James’ Place, Notting Hill, W.]