London Ministry

Monday, May 19th, 1873, was a great day in my history, for on that day Thomas Binney laid the Memorial Stone of the City Temple.

The scene on the site was very animating. A noble marquee covered most of the ground; banners and trophies adorned the canvas, through which the sunshine shed a genial blessing; and many hundreds of sunny faces filled the tent with a still gladder light. A more representative audience probably never assembled upon a similar occasion. The following list will give some idea of my meaning: —

Rev. Dr. Binney; Rev. Dr. Allon; Rev. Dr. Raleigh; Rev. David Thomas, of Bristol; Rev. Eustace Conder, M.A., Leeds; Rev.

»S9 J. C. Harrison; Rev. Dr. Macfarlane; Rev. Professor Newth, M.A.; Rev. G. W. Conder; Rev. Edward White; Rev. Samuel Minton, M.A.; Rev. T. W. Aveling: Rev. Clemeut Dukes, M.A.; Rev. A. F. Muir, M.A.; Rev. R. M. Davies, Oldham; Rev T. G. Horton, Wolverhampton; Rev. F. Stevenson, LL.B., Reading; Rev. E. Pax ton Hood; Rev. Thain Davidson; Rev. Dr. Geikie; Rev. Newman Hall, LL.B.; Rev. J. S. Russel, M.A.; Rev. V. Ward, Hythe; Dr. Underhill, chairman of Baptist Union; and a very large number of other ministers and students. There were also present during some part of the day, Mr. Deputy Fry; Mr. Deputy Lowman Taylor; Samuel Morley, Esq., M.P.; A.J. Shepheard, Esq.; J. F. Lockwood, Esq.; Andrew Common, Esq., J. P.; A. Fysh, Esq., Melbourne; A. Humphrey, Esq., Washington; and hundreds of others. About seven hundred seats were provided, so that a good deal of the discomfort usually inseparable from such ceremonies was avoided. Not fewer than two thousand persons attended the service, and so far as we can learn not one discontented voice was heard.

Before calling for the first hymn, I said: — i.oxDox ^rrxrsTRY “The church which is now in coiivse of erection upon this site is a church of the Congregational faith and order. Wo are sorry that we are not a little farther from the ancient episcopal church of St. Andrew, from which we are separated by something less than thirty feet. You have the distinct assurance of those who are directing the affairs of the City Temple that no effort has been wanting on our part to secure an equally eligible site elsewhere, and that all our efforts in that direction have failed. I cannot now enter into particulars, but it will suffice every Christian man to know that we are here in no spirit of sectarian hostility; on the contrary, most cordially do Ave unite in saying, Grace, mercy, and peace be with all them who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. I think it right to make this brief explanation at the very outset of our proceedings, so that all friendly strangers may be relieved from wonder and perplexity as they observe our nearness to another Christian edilice. If 1 refer to the fact that at an early pcu’iod of o Luentrance upon this site some difficulty arose as to our probable interception of the light admitted by one of the windows of the adjoining church, it is to do myself the pleasure, and to do others the justice, of saying that the difficulty was adjusted without the expression of one word which either party has the slightest reason to regret.”

The first hymn was given out by the Rev. W. Grigsby, of Whitefield’s Tabernacle, after which the Rev, Dr. Raleigh invoked the divine blessing upon the engagements of the day. The second hymn was given out by the Rev. and most venerable Edward Mannering, after which Mr. James Johnston, the honorary secretary, read a list of contril)utions, amounting to considerably more than six hundred pounds, which had been most kindly furnished by the ladies, and also a document which was to be enclosed in a bottle to be placed under the Memorial Stone. Mr. Johnston was specially introduced as a gentleman to whom the Church is under the deepest obligation, not only for the largest subscription on the congregational list, but for indefatigable and

LONDON ^riNISTRY most devoted attention and service — a statement which was properly received with unanimous cheering. I then introduced Mr. Deputy Fry in the following terms, Avliich were much applauded:

“I have now very special pleasure
in calling upon our honoured friend
Mr. Deputy Fry to take an interesting
part in our proceedings. I cannot
call upon Mr. Fry without saying
how deeply we have been indebted
to him for sympathy and counsel in
times of peculiar embarrassment and
trial. Besides this, the worthy deputy
seems to have a prescriptive right to
be identified with all the improvements which take place in this immediate locality; you will understand
what I mean when I tell you that
Mr. Deputy Fry was chairman of the
committee under whose direction the
Holborn Valley Improvement Act was
administered, and that he laid the
foundation-stone of the viaduct itself.
What Mr. Fry has kindly undertaken,
at our repeated and most urgent
request, to do he himself will now
explain.”

Mr. Fry then proceeded to present a silver troAvel to the Rev. Thomas Einney, who, on ascending the platform, was received with enthusiastic cheers. After a few words of personal explanation, Mr. Binney proceeded to lay the stone in a most workmanlike manner, to the great delight of old and young, who rcAvarded him with loud expressions of approval. Mr. Binney showed himself throughout the day to be the right man in the right place. We never knew him in a happier mood. He has always been pre-eminently the minister of the city. Other ministers have worked long and nobly there, yet not one of them would hesitate to assign the Avell-deserved supremacy to Mr. Binney. As soon as Mr. Binney had “well and truly laid” the Memorial Stone, the Dedicatory Prayer was offered by the Rev. Henry Allon, H.D. The third hymn was then given out by the Rev. R. M. Davies, Oldham. Immediately on the conclusion of this hymn I delivered the following address: —

“It has been suggested that as the minister of the church v hose memorial stone has just been laid, I ought not to be altogether silent on this important occasion. I hardly know how to act upon the suggestion, as the circumstances appeal so strongly to personal feeling and personal purpose. On the whole, I have thought it well to treat the occasion domestically — a decision Avliich I hope presently to justify. There is, of course, a strong temptation to take a Avide outlook upon the great questions which agitate all sections of the Church, and to state how they present themselves to an observer who occupies a Nonconformist standpoint. There is also a strong temptation to resent the impertinence of certain men who have undertaken to put down the Church with a sneer, and to set the Cross of Christ amongst the antiquities of an imperfect civilisation. Other temptations, equally urgent, also importune the mind; yet I have thought it best to tell you frankly why, as a Church and congregation, we are here; and what, being here, we intend to make of our opportunities and advantages. First of all, however, I must fervently thank Almighty God for the favours of a lifetime Avliich have this dav culminated in a manner which fills me with astonishment and hallowed delight. I see the good hand of God very distinctly, and therefore must pause awhile in reverence and thankfulness. In the next place, I wish to offer special thanks to all the fathers and brethren in Christ Jesus who have this day made myself and my friends glad by their presence and sympathy. We shall remember your kind answer to our request, and it shall cheer us in all the remainder of our labour and anxiety connected with this building. I am unwilling to leave the expression of our thanks to a later period in the day; for, whatever may be done then, I feel that now I ought to say that we thank you most gratefully in the name of our common Lord. For some reasons I am glad that my ministry is, God willing, to be exercised in the centre, rather than in the suburbs, of London. The City Temple will be emphatically a citij church. In removing from the Poultry Chapel we were at perfect liberty to choose any locality in the city or out of it for our new church.

There was absolutely no limitation. We Avisli this to be clearh understood, that we may not seem to be acting under compulsion. We resolved to do what, I trust, you will generally aj)prove — we resolved to remain in the centre, and to seek a constituency amongst young men, housekeepers, travellers, strangers, and poor people who cannot afford to leave the back streets of the city. Having decided the general question of locality, the special question of a site next came to be considered. This inquiry perplexed us not a little. We availed ourselves of the best mediums of advertisement. Inquiries were made in all directions, and everything was done that a deep sense of Christian stewardship could suggest or approve. The question arose. Shall we seek a site in a second-rate street, which strangers will have some difficulty in finding, or shall we build upon one of the main thoroughfares of the city? Shall we keep behind, or shall we move to the front? If we go to a back street we shall have money enough and to spare, and avc can dismiss all anxiety as to labour and jiayment; if Ave go into a leading tliorought’are we shall have to pay a great price for a suitable site, and we shall be bound to put up a building worthy of the character of the neighbourhood. In that event we shall probably have to ask for subscriptions from the Christian public, as well as to contribute liberally of our own means: what, then, shall we do? This was the question before us. We did not settle it hastily. The difficulties were obvious enough. We had not a rich constituency of our own to appeal to. We felt all this; and then quietly, yet hopefully, we resolved to occupy one of the most conspicuous and best-known sites in the city of London, and, in view of all difficulties, to put our trust in the might and love of God. It is under these circumstances that Ave meet you to-day. We are working for you as well as for ourselves. We are not working for one special neighbourhood. We are not surrounded by terraces, villas, and crescents. We are in the great city, and here we set up a standard for truth, liberty, and progress, as these terms are understood in Jesus Christ. With fifty thousand pounds at our disposal we could have made things comfortable for ourselves. By going into a suburb of London we could have erected a handsome structure for twenty thousand pounds, and endowed it with thirty thousand pounds: we need not have troubled ourselves or our friends for a shilling. Instead of this, we resolved to spend the whole sum we had in charge, and several thousand pounds in addition, in one great enterprise, not unworthy of the history of our principles or of the position which Free Cliurchism will be called to occupy in the years that are at hand. Under these circumstances you will not allow the cause to fail. You will say. This is a general rather than a particular work, and we must do what we can to bring it to a successful completion. Merchants who are making their fortunes in the City will feel that a movement like this has special claims upon them; they go out of the City themselves, but what of the multitudes of young men who are left behind in City lodgings? Large employers of labour in the city of London go away to their out-of-town residences, hut what of the men who must remain near the scene of action? Visitors to the city of London should help us, inasmuch as they require temporary religious homes, and we propose to offer them one in this building. In short, this effort presents a wide appeal for support; and we believe that appeal will not be presented this day in vain. If to-day we can raise, clear of all expenses, the sum of three thousand pounds, our anxieties will be at an end. The amount is not large. Whatever is promised to-day

may be paid at once; may be paid at twice; may be paid in four instalments. I should like it to go forth through the press that this day the whole sum required was furnished, and that Ave are left to pursue the great spiritual ends of our holy vocation without anxiety as to the payment of every man’s due. We ourselves, who are specially identified with the work, would do more but for the fact that we have to meet the very heavy expenses of the intermediate services Sunday by Sunday. As you are aware, we have no chapel to meet in. We hire a public hall in the City for our Sunday morning service, and we hire Exeter Hall for the Sunday evening service. The expenses of accommodation, of advertisement, and of such help as is required, are very great, beside the risk which we run of losing many old friends who are unable to follow us about from place to place, and whose loss means the Avithdrawment of considerable influence and support. Happily, Ave are not allowed to mortage the chapel property. We are working under the direction of the Commissioners of Charity, and they will not allow us to leave any building debt to be paid by our successors. Our duty, therefore, is clearly defined, and nothing remains but for us to do it with all energy and hopefulness. We believe that the work is worth doing. We are, in reality, building less for ourselves than for the generations to come; and, seeing that we are deprived of the oiiportunity of leaving them a debt as an appeal to their generosity, we must endeavour to leave them an example of devotedness which will be a perpetual challenge to their Christian zeal. Should I be spared to enter upon my ministry in the City Temple, I shall, in the strength of God, be faithful to those vital and glorious doctrines which are commonly known amongst us as Evangelical. Upon those doctrines I shall utter no uncertain sound. The more I look into them the more am I assured of their scriptural soundness and their adaptation to all men, in all lands, throughout all time. This is my testimony as a sinner saved by grace; and what I have known and felt and handled of the word of life myself, I shall lovingly and energetically declare to all who may come within the influence of my ministry. I hold that all men like sheep have gone astray — they have turned every one to his own way; there is none righteous, no, not one; all are dead in trespasses and sins: as, before God, man is born in sin and shapen in iniquity, and there is no health in his soul,

LONDON AriNISTRY I hold that there is no escape from this condition but one, and that is by the teaching, the sacrifice, the atonement, and the whole ‘mediation of Jesus Christ, the Sou of God, God the Son. He was delivered for our ott’ences, and raised again for our justification. He died, the just for the unjust, and His blood alone can cleanse from all sin; His Cross is set up for the whole world; His love goes out after all men in vehement and importunate desire. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should turn unto Him and live. I hold that the new life — the life that is heavenly and eternal — is the work of God the Holy Ghost. By His mysterious and gracious ministry Ave are born again. Not only have we new views, new habits, new impulses, we have new life, and the proof thereof is to be seen in our pureness, self-sacrifice, and charity. I hold that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative revelation of the will and love of God, and that in it, and in it alone, is to be found, not a merely rudimentary outline of religious truths, but the essence of the ultimate theology possible to us in the life that now is. These things I hope to teach in the church now in course of erection upon this site. I believe them with my whole heart. To them I look for the nourishment and comfort of my own soul, and to them I shall constantly direct the attention of all who hear me. This I say in the name and fear of God, upon whose good Spirit I rely in making all vows respecting the remainder of my ministry. I desire to teach all these holy truths in charity. I care nothing for mere uniformity in our methods of statement, provided we are true in our loyalty to God the Son and to His Cross. Every man must be left to his own way of putting the truth. Every man may have an accent more or less peculiar to himself. What of the individuality of the accent, if the speech be the universal language of the redeeming love of God? There is no cruelty so savage, so malignant, so diabolical as that which seeks to destroy the usefulness of a Christian minister by suggesting suspicions of his orthodoxy. If a brother has iri our judgment made a slip, if he has caught what we may believe to be an imperfect view of any doctrine, let us invite his confidence, let us ply him with the best arguments of our learning and faith; l)ut for Christ’s sake let us be careful how we speak the word of sectarian condemnation, or in any degree usurp the supremacy and prerogative of God. Such suspicions are sometimes lightly suggested, yet they grieve and wound the hearts of good men. Anybody can repeat them. They can be whispered where no defence is possible. They can be reported on hearsay; and yet all personal responsibility as to proof may be declined. There is no cruelty so damnable! “Thou shalt not steal” — thy brother’s Christian reputation! “Thou shalt not kill” — thy brother’s true, brave heart. I thank God for bold men, I thank God that some men amongst us are more speculative than others. If they go out from the ark of our common security and rest to explore the conditions of things beyond, and if they return because tho dry land is not yet visible, let them be welcomed back again with conlidence and love. Our strength is in our charity. There is, indeed, a time to condemn and avoid, and we shall know when it has come not because of some peevish excitement of sectarian prejudices, but because our hearts are afflicted and broken over the loss of a brother who has forced himself beyond the influence of our entreaty and care. Casting myself upon the love of God, I trust to preach in the City Temple the Gospel of salvation by Jesus Christ alone. I am more and more persuaded that every sermon should draw its whole strength, alike of

argument and pathos, from the Cross of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Christianity is something infinitely higher than a mere controversy within the limits of logical analysis and pressure. It is God’s appeal to the lost heart. It is the voice of His holy, passionate love. It is the majestic, yet most condescending and tender pleading of Justice and Mercy. Christianity must be preached in its own spirit. We preach it best when we feel it most.

When Ave cease to be mere controversialists and artists, when we feel the bitterness of sin and the infinite preciousness of the Cross, we are best prepared to turn our learning and our varied ability to the highest advantage. But without such feeling, genius and culture and power are utterly without avail in the sanctuary. I believe in the permanence of the institution of preaching. I rejoice in the growing power of the press, yet I have no fear of its rivalry as respects the pulpit. The living voice can never be superseded. It has a work to do which is peculiarly its Own. It sets truth to music; it loAvers itself to suit the drooping heart; it hastens, it lingers — it soothes, it alarms — it stimulates, it persuades — as no other organ or instrument can. Jesus Christ said, “Preach the Gospel,” and ncA er has the gracious command been revoked. It is our authority, our encouragement, our strength. We build this house that Ave may fulfil that command, and we cannot doubt that in honouring the AVord of Christ Ave shall receive many tokens of His blessing. As to the uses to which the City Temple may be put, I can but indicate my own feeling. We shall gladly show the most ungrudging hospitality to all sister Churches and to all Christian societies that have earned puplic confidence. To all Christian denominations I would offer a platform on which to plead the cause of God the Son. The Home Missionary Society and the Foreign Missionary Society I would welcome with most cordial love. I would not use our large space and conspicuous position for ourselves alone. Whatever advantage we have belongs to the common body. Consider this place a central home. It is not our private ground; it is our Father’s house! It is in my heart to make a collection in the City Temple for every chapel of our faith and order built in London which may require the sympathy and help of the Christian public. It is in my heart to throw open some part of the premises nearly every day in the week, and to provide Bibles for passers-by who may be glad of a few minutes’ rest and quietness. It is in my licart to meet students here from time to time, that we may talk together of the l)cst ways of doing our beneficent and most ghjrioiis work as preachers of the everlasting Gospel. It is in my heart to invite representatives of all sections of the Christian Church to meet here in earnest and friendly conference respecting matters which concern the various interests of the Kingdom of Christ, that we may know one another better, and understand that under all our differences there is a heart true to the crucified Son of God. It is in my heart to make the pulpit of the City Temple a terror to evil-doers, a tower of strength to all who are honest and pure, and a light to all who are asking the way to the truth and Ioa c of God. Lord, make me bold in Thy cause; deliver me from the spirit of the hireling; help me to speak the word of Thy judgments, and to breathe all the sweet promises of Thy love; specially help me to show that the Cross of the Son is the only hope of hearts that are dead in trespasses and sins! To these words I need not add. I thank you for your presence and help, and pray God to bless us all with the baptism of the Holy Ghost.