WHAT WILL MR. IRVING DO?—The interrogative system has been much
in fashion of late, and we have had " What will the People do ?" " What will the Commons do ?" " What will the Lords do '?" " What will the King do ?" asked and answered in various ways, and at an extra- ordinary expenditure of paper. We have heard another question, touching the doings in Regent Square, of scarcely less importance, after the pro- ceedings of Sunday sennight ; and it is this, " What will Mr. Irving do ?" The answer is briefly given in the following extract from his "explanation" last Sunday morning. " This disturbance in the church last Sunday was caused by individuals not members of this congregation, who banded themselves together for the purpose—wicked persons who came here in hundreds; and the wonder is' that the Lord preserved us as he did preserve us. I then promised that the gifts of the Spirit should not be heard in the church this evening ; and it is not for man to break his word. What I then pledged I will stand to, and therefore I have requested that those persons who speak in the tongues should not come to the church this night. I have, nevertheless, examined the Scriptures : I have availed myself of the opportunity to see how the Holy Ghost would order their services, and I find it is his will not to confine what is wit- nessed by his word to the faithful in Christ, but that it shall be made to the scoffer, the hypocrite, and the unbeliever also. The gift of prophecy was sent not only for the refreshment of the believers, but for the wicked ; and though the worst and the vilest of the population—though Atheists, Deists, and reprobates, should assemble here—I dare not —I dare not for my life—say to the persons who are endowed with-the gift of tongues, You shall not deliver the commandments of the Lord to the people.' On this Lord's night, then, according to my pledge—however painful it may be to me—there will be no manifestations of the Spirit, but here- after the voice of the Spirit must be heard." Mr. Irving then pro- ceeded to lay down the following regulations for the morning service. " After having read a chapter, and expounding it, we will pause—it may be for a minute or so—and you will reflect ou that which you have just heard : and in this way we will wait to see whether the Holy Ghost wishes to speak unto us. If this be the case, receive it abankfully—be glad ; if not, let us proceed reverently and peaceably in the service. At the conclusion of the sermon, in like manner, we will wait for the manifestations of the Spirit, if the Holy Ghost be pleased to send his word amongst us ; and let us, I again beseech you, receive it with thankfulness and reverence." In accordance with the order of pro- ceeding thus laid down, the reverend gentleman proceeded to read and illustrate the lath chapter of St..John ; after which he observed, by way of introducing the ladies and gentlemen of the cloven tongue—"Ifit now please the Lord to speak to us, hear, I beseech you, in silence." A short pause followed, and then Miss Hall (we believe), pitching her voice at its highest key, proceeded in manner following—" 0 ubo ! 0 ubo !
0 ubo ! 0 ubo * * * * * * (Hiatus valde drylendus—we cannot master the tongues.) " You shall receive, you shall receive, you shall receive ; you need it, you need it, you need it," &c. Miss Hall having brought her manifestation to a close, Mr. Irving warmly congratulated his congregation on the very proper spirit which they had just exhibited—" You have heard, and you have heard reve- rently; take, then, the encouragement thus given, and bless the Lord that .you have heard hiS ordinance." The usual Psalm came next ; then the sermon ; Mr. Irving winding up with " And now, having fulfilled the office of pastor, if the Holy Ghost manifest himself amongst us, I beg you to hear the words in silence." But " they did not come when he did call them"—Miss Hall, Miss Carsdale, Mr. Taplin, spoke not, and the service terminated in the usual manner.—Morning Chronicle.
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