Quoted in the June 2005 “9news” e-letter from 9 Marks Ministries.

“I know what you would do, if some of us were fallen asleep, and the faithful ones buried if the Spirit of God were gone, you would say, ‘Well, we are still a large and influential congregation; we can afford to pay a talented minister, money will do anything;” and you would get the man of talents, and then you would want an organ and a choir, and many other pretty things which we now count it our joy to do without. Then, if such were the case, all these vain attempts at grandeur would be unsuccessful, and the church would ere long become a scorn and a hissing, or else a mere log upon the water. Then it would be said, “We must change the management,” and there would be this alteration and that; but if the Lord were gone, what could you do? By what means could you ever make this church, or any other church, revive again? Alas! For the carnal spasmodic efforts we have seen made in some churches! Prayer meetings badly attended, no conversions, but still the people have said, “it is imperative upon us to keep up a respectable appearance; we must collect a congregation by our singing, by our organ, or some other outward attraction;” and angels might have wept as they saw the folly of men who sought almost anything except the Lord, who alone can make a house His temple, who alone can make a ministry to be a ministration of mercy, without whose presence the most solemn congregation is but as the herding of men in the market, and the most melodious songs but as the shoutings of those who make merry at a marriage. Without the Lord, our solemn days, our new moons, and our appointed feasts, are an abomination such as His soul hateth. May this church ever feel her utter, entire, absolute dependence upon the presence of her God, and may she never cease humbly to implore Him to forgive her many sins, but still to command His blessing to abide upon her! Amen”

(Charles Spurgeon, Autobiography vol.2: The Full Harvest [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1962, reprint 1995], p.84).

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