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Show A THRILLING EPISODE. Spargeon has been staying in Rome, and on a recent Sunday preached in the Presbyterian church, outside the Porta del Popolo, the regular minister of which is Dr. Lewis. A correspondent correspond-ent of the London Telegraph, describing describ-ing the service, writes as follows: Perhaps the boldest thing Spurgeon ever said in his life was said in his running run-ning comments before the sermon, while reading a chapter of Scripture. Somehow or other he introduced Rome and Roman affairs into his discourse, and, raising his hands and eyes at the same time the hands clasped, the eyes turned up to the ceiling he broke out, without warning or preparation of any kind, in the following terms: "0, Victor Emanuel ! O, Emanuel of Heaven, thou true Victor! help the Italians ! Bless and sanctify their cause and make them prosperous!" I do not think the cry of "Fire !" or "Stop thief !" uttered in the middle of the sermon would have caused much more sensation than his prayer did; some of the congregation looked frightened, some indignantly, some painfully amused. A lew old ladies seemed as if they would rush out of the church, but being toe far from the door they kept their seats; others appeared bewildered, be-wildered, hardly knowing whether to laugh or cry, and quite beside themselves; them-selves; others again and they formed the greater portion of the congregation, congrega-tion, both as regards men and women sat, as it were, spell bound and devout de-vout looking, wondering what would come next. |