On December 18, 1853, Charles Spurgeon preached his first sermon at the New Park Street Baptist Chapel, later known as the Metropolitan Tabernacle. There were about 80 people present in an auditorium that could comfortably seat 1,200. The congregation was in great decline. But, once Spurgeon accepted the pastorate in March 1854, droves of people began attending the worship services. People were cramming themselves into the pews, standing in the aisles, doorways, and gathering at the opened windows to hear the sermons. The once hopelessly large auditorium was now too small. They began reconstruction which lasted from February 11 to May 27, 1855, and met at another location called Exeter Hall which could hold 4,500 people. The only problem was this location became too small, and the reconstruction was in vain. 3,000 people packed into the 1,500-seat chapel at New Park Street Baptist Chapel. They suffered through that for a year. On Sunday evening October 19, 1856, the arrangements were made to worship in the 12,000-seat auditorium of Surrey Music Hall. It is estimated 12,000 people filled the inside along with another 10,000 waiting outside in hopes of getting in. Spurgeon began the services like normal, but then things took a turn for the worse. Someone shouted, “FIRE!” Then, “The galleries are giving way, the place is falling.” In that moment, like a stampede, people began to rush out the doors, but as soon as they left others jolted in to grab a seat. Some people fell and were trampled upon. Historians estimate seven people lost their lives, twenty-eight were seriously injured and taken to the hospital, and many more were hurt. There will always be people opposing God, but they will one day stand before God to be judged!
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