Marylebone Presbyterian Church (1860)
" Mr Radcliffe preached on Sunday evening at the Presbyterian Church, Upper George Street (Rev. W. Chalmers). He addressed himself first to believers, and then, after prayer and singing, to the unsaved. This is his usual custom, one from which many a preacher may learn a lesson. Sermons suitable only to^ believers are often preached to a mixed congregation, and all are addressed as ' brethren ' ; so that there is little wonder that mere formalists, who swing in and swing out of church or chapel as regularly as the church and chapel doors — and as unimpressed — regard themselves as true worshippers, and go home to praise the sermon and to admire the aptness of the application: never dreaming that if the preacher has told the truth, they are condemned already; nor the minister considering that he is helping to delude souls, whose blood will be required at his hands. "
After the preaching, the school-room was filled with inquirers; and we have not seen a more blessed sight in London. Little children in all parts of the room in tears; some crying very bitterly — others radiant with joy — here a little girl of eight or ten, with her arm around the neck of one still younger, speaking of the sweet love of the Saviour she had very lately found. There, a matron in years and grace, in the midst of a group of children seated at her side, or standing at her knee, and a very little one in her lap — telling them of the Lord, who has borne her these many years through the wilderness, and assuring them that the same God is nigh unto all that call upon Him in truth. We asked one little boy, certainly not more than six, if he was happy. 'Yes,' he said. 'And what makes you happy? ' 'I have come to Jesus.' 'When? ' Tonight.' Look at the agony of that poor girl; she hides her face in her lap, then raises herself up as if gasping at once for breath and comfort, while the tears stream from her eyes. Her companion, after trying in vain to comfort her, leads her to a lonelier part of the room; and while they kneel together, the little believer prays that her school-fellow may share the same peace in believing which makes herself so glad. And as they rise you see the prayer has been answered, and the sower and the reaper rejoice together.
"Nor is it only the little ones who are made happy in Christ. Many of maturer years enter the Kingdom which is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.
"This is the result of no exciting preaching. A hymn or two, a few brief prayers, and then quiet conversation, form the order of this after-service. The whole secret is that God is saving souls, and He uses feeble means, that no flesh may glory in His presence."
From 'Recollections of Reginald Radcliffe' by his wife.
Very young girls, as well as boys, have been recently converted, and the number of such is increasing constantly. At the Boatman's Chapel, Paddington, in connexion with evening services and addresses, this has been the case. The writer has conversed with several of these converts. The mixture of holy joy and of a thoughtfulness and wisdom far beyond their years were deeply impressive. Such converts become zealous missionaries to others of their own age. Thus, after an address by Mr Radcliffe, at the Presbyterian Church, Marylebone, on 3d June 1860, one, who was eyewitness, tells of " little children in all parts of the room in tears; some crying very bitterly—others radiant with joy —here a little girl of eight or ten with her arm round the neck of one much younger, speaking of the sweet love of the Saviour she has very lately found." And again he says, "Look at the agony of that little girl. . . . Her companion, after trying in vain to comfort her, leads her to a lonelier part of the room, and, while they kneel together, the little believer prays that her school-fellow may share the same peace which makes herself so glad. And as they rise you see that the prayer has been answered, and both rejoice together."
By Rev J Weir of Islington
From '‘Authentic Records of Revival, now in progress in the United Kingdom, published in 1860, re-printed and edited in 1980 by Richard Owen Roberts.
Additional Information
The building no longer exists but stood where the marker is.