William Lindsay Alexander. V.
William Lindsay Alexander loved the church at New College Street, and he had no thought of leaving. In 1855 the Government informed the church that they required the New College Street Church for part of the site of the Industrial Museum. The Church sought a new site, and they met for the last time in the old chapel on 28th October 1855.
The old chapel had seen all sorts of people under Dr. Alexander's (for Alexander had been awarded a doctorate by now) ministry. Many of the 'mixed multitude' of visitors tended to sit in the gallery, with the result that the gallery became the scene of a number of interesting incidents. A number of these called forth some of Dr. Alexander's more caustic rebukes. On one occasion he was reading the chapter in Acts recording the fall of Eutychus from the 'third loft' when one of the gallery doorkeepers, who had fallen asleep, nodded back against the panelling at the back of the gallery. The noise caused Alexander to start, and some young men in the gallery smiled. "You young men up there had better take care, or perhaps some accident of the kind may happen to you!"
It was not the doorkeeper's fault. His job kept him on his feet all day, and he had to work long hours. On another occasion he was so worn out that he fell against the door of his box-pew. It fell open, and he fell onto the gallery stairs. Dr. Alexander looked towards the startled man and said softly, "I knew it would come to that some day!"
Often umbrellas fell in the gallery, and on one occasion after one umbrella too many had fallen down.
"Might I ask those of you who are in the habit of going to sleep, before doing so to put your sticks and umbrellas in a safe place, so that those who are awake may not be unnecessarily disturbed!"
For six years the church were without a building of their own, and they met in the Queen Street Hall. Dr. Alexander was at the height of his powers, and the ministry was greatly blessed. Attempts were made to draw him off to a teaching post somewhere, but he was resolute. He was a preacher, not an academic. In any case, he had to look after his church while they built a new meeting-house. He remained with his people.
Next time we shall, God willing, look at Dr. Alexander's ministry in the new building.
The old chapel had seen all sorts of people under Dr. Alexander's (for Alexander had been awarded a doctorate by now) ministry. Many of the 'mixed multitude' of visitors tended to sit in the gallery, with the result that the gallery became the scene of a number of interesting incidents. A number of these called forth some of Dr. Alexander's more caustic rebukes. On one occasion he was reading the chapter in Acts recording the fall of Eutychus from the 'third loft' when one of the gallery doorkeepers, who had fallen asleep, nodded back against the panelling at the back of the gallery. The noise caused Alexander to start, and some young men in the gallery smiled. "You young men up there had better take care, or perhaps some accident of the kind may happen to you!"
It was not the doorkeeper's fault. His job kept him on his feet all day, and he had to work long hours. On another occasion he was so worn out that he fell against the door of his box-pew. It fell open, and he fell onto the gallery stairs. Dr. Alexander looked towards the startled man and said softly, "I knew it would come to that some day!"
Often umbrellas fell in the gallery, and on one occasion after one umbrella too many had fallen down.
"Might I ask those of you who are in the habit of going to sleep, before doing so to put your sticks and umbrellas in a safe place, so that those who are awake may not be unnecessarily disturbed!"
For six years the church were without a building of their own, and they met in the Queen Street Hall. Dr. Alexander was at the height of his powers, and the ministry was greatly blessed. Attempts were made to draw him off to a teaching post somewhere, but he was resolute. He was a preacher, not an academic. In any case, he had to look after his church while they built a new meeting-house. He remained with his people.
Next time we shall, God willing, look at Dr. Alexander's ministry in the new building.
Labels: W. L. Alexander
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