DISGRACEFUL SCENE IN A CHURCH.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3714, 11 June 1883, Page 4

DISGRACEFUL SCENE IN A CHURCH.

Probably tho most disgraceful scene ever oiiaotetl in an English church was witnessed at the Church of Holy Trinity, Bordesley, nn 11th March. Birmingham has lately achieved a lively notoriety in consequence of the Ritualistic disputes associated with the ministration of the Rev. Mr Enraght. A day or two ago the Bishop of tho diocese served Mr Enraght with a formal inhibit!* _, from officiating at Holy Trinity, and the living was offered to and accepted by tlie Rev. 11. Allen Watts, a. Low Church clergyman, of Sunderland. linnie liately it was announced Ihuf Mr Enraght had received notice to quit, and that a new clergyman would introduce a. different sort of ritual, the choir resigned in a body, and tho organist followed suit, ami all sorts of menaces were held out to tho uew-conier. On 11th March the now vicar underwent the introductory process of reading himself in. Extraordinary excitement was manifested iv the neighborhood, and in order to prevent abroach of tho peace, tho chief of the police, with a large number of constables, attended tho church. Immediately the vicar undo his appearanco in the vestry he was served with a protest by one of the Ritualist churchwardens, objecting fo his presence on the ground that ho was disposed to degrade tlie services and upset tho regular machinery of the parish. The vicar replied iv a conciliatory lone, und an assurance of his intentions to work harmoniously with both sections of the coi greg ition. On entering the church he was groJted with a storm of hisses and loud cries of ' Traitor.' The members of the old choir took up a position at the end of the church, aud were tho loudest in the uproarious manifestations against tho incoming vicar. A scratch choir had been organised for the occasion, but when they commenced to sing tho Litany the old choir set up a. counter demonstration with tlie object of drowning their voices. A sceno of indescribable confusion followed, and a number of timid peoplo, fearing a disturbance, got up and left the church. This produced something like a stampede, but the admirable polico arrangements prevented any serious consequences. The more decorous portion of tho congregation rebuked tho brawlers in angry tones, but this had only tho effect of increasing tho tumult. The crisis was reached when tho vicar ascended tho pulpit. He was pale and agitated, and amidst the Babel of sound his voice was scarcely audiblo. He began by saying he hoped those members of his congregation who had attended tho opening service with tho object of creating a disturbance would become quiet aud peaceful wjrshipper.s. He should bo glad to meet thorn in friendly conference ou the following day. Instead of conciliating tho malcontents, this " message of peace "caused tho uproar to break out afresh. Derisive laughter and unseemly shouts proceeded from various parts of tho building, and the supporters of tho vicar wero so enraged that a collision between tho two parties seemed imminent. The Chief of the Police pushed his way among tho rival sections, and entreated them to observe something like decency in a place of worship. Iv a few moments sufficient quietudo was restored to enable tho vicar to commence his task of reading himself iv. Ho had scarcely commenced tho Thirty-nino Articles, when the members of the old choir made a rush for the door, and their exit was followed by more of the Ritualistic faction. By this timo tho vicar was fully convinced that ho Lad nothing to do but continue his work of reading tho Articles, no matter whether ho •was hoard or not. At frequent intervals his voice was drowned by tits of coughing and other concerted interruptions. Some of the most systematic disturbers evoked bursts of laughter by shouting out a familar piece of "gag" from a local pantomime, which was followed by counter cries of " Shut up" and '' On in ." Towards (he end of <1 r v ■ ■ f-' , .--..,. ~r"n p.' Kfl < ;

that his voice scarcely travelled beyond the pulpit. He did not venture upon a sermon, but on finishing his formal task of reading himself in he abruptly left tho pulpit, and the proceedings were brought to a termination. Bnt the must disgraceful scene of all had yet to be enacted. Not satisfied Avith their unseemly interruptions inside the church, tho mob rushed outside to join their companions in the churchyard, with the apparent object of mobbing the vicar. Tho police formed a compact phalanx to escort the clergymen to a place of safety. The vicar plared himself in the middle ot his bodyguard, amidst a tumult of groans and shouts. Some of his supporters cheered liiin' and pressed fonvard to assist the police in clearing tho passage. But for the desperate exertions of the police there is little reason to doubt that the unfortunate gentleman would have been subjected to grievous ill-treatment. The mob folloAved the vicar and his bodyguard, hoAvling and pushing thorn about till the gentleman reached his residence.