A MADMAN IN A CHURCH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1726, 28 December 1887, Page 3

A MADMAN IN A CHURCH

One Sunday morning In Ootober an extraordinary scene oconrred In All Satnti Ohurob, Woodford Welle, Essex. Ik wai tbe occasion of the usual harvest festival, and the ballding wsi very crowded. As soon as the service comstesoed, a tall elderly man, of gentlemanly •ppearanoo, jumped up from his seat •xoltedly, and pointing to a lady who was entering exclaimed, "Ob, what a bonnet." He continued muttering to himself and occasionally starting to hia feet daring the prayers, 8H well as beating time with hU handi to the music Tbe cnurohwardens (Mr Mead and Mr Martin) aod others endeavored to pacify the man, but when they approached him? be placed himself lo a threatening attitude, the consequence being ttat no one was »ble to lay hold of the dleturber and eiflot him. Meanwhile a good many of the worshippers left the church In a state of alarm. ', This mlaoonduot went on till tbe first hymn was given out by the vicar (the Rev X, O. Frzpatrick), who had been conducting the aervice with d.ffioulty owing to tbe confusion which prevailed. Before the congregation conld join m tho hymn, the man oealn jumped up suddenly, left hit pew, which had vow been deserted, and advanced towards tbe vicar. Everyone expected something serious to happen; | but instead of goltg to the reverend gentleman, tho man went op to a lady, pot his arnn around her, tnl embraced her affectionately, to her great coDetern*Afon. He then turned snd walked straight out o£ tbe church, and as no one followed him he got aw»y. He is a perfect stranger to the locality, and the supposition Is that he Is a lunatic who had somehow managed to escape from an asylum.