A STRANGE CLERGYMAN.

Evening Star, Issue 4015, 8 January 1876, Page 1 (Supplement)

A STRANGE CLERGYMAN.

A clerical scandal has arisen at Kaiapoi which has caused a sensation of indignation and disgust. The published evidence in the Kaiapoi-Christchurch inquiry is very strong against the Kev. Mr Carlyon. The principal charges are that in the Communion service the element have received adoration at his hands, and that he mixes water with wine; makes the sign of the Cross with the challice when handing it from one communicant to the another, and admits a layman as servitor or acolyte inside the Communion rails; also, that he administers the Holy Sacrement of baptism a second time to candi dates for confirmation; that young and old have been required to attend confessional ; that he has distributed books containing a statement that the minister has power and authority to cleanse away sin entirely; that he has placed two sevenbranched candlesticks within the conimuuion rails ; that the children are taught that the Virgin Mary was the greatest saint that ever lived; that he teaches a threefold state after death ; and that books of immoral tendency have been distributed to children and adults. The following is an extract from one of these books entitled “A Manual of Private Devotion,” given to a girl of eleven years of age:—“ There is also a great and grievous mistake abroad amongst the poor. They seem to think that if a man and woman have carnal communication before marriage it is atoned for by marriage afterwards, and they consider it no great sin if those intending to marry come together beforehand. Now, God forbid that they who use this book should have such dark and dangerous notions, and far be it from thee who read these words. ” The following are also extracts from a pamphlet distributed by him to young people, entitled, ‘ ‘ Plain words about self-examination”: —“Therefore, ask yourself: ‘Have 1 behaved and dressed with decency and modesty; have I given way to impure thoughts or committed impure acts ; have I read books or looked at pictures or kept company which were likely to encourage impurity. ” Here is an extract from a pamphlet entitled, “Examination of Conscience”: “Have you ever indulged in any immodest conversation ; have you begun it or joined and listened to it with pleasure ; have you ever had impure thoughts and given way to them ; have you looked at improper pictures ; have you sinned by gluttony or spending money merely to gratify your appetite ; have you indulged in too much sleep; have you been vain in your personal appearance ; have you tried to attract the admiration of the other sex ; have you loved to look at yourself or thought much of dress, &c.” The Rev Mr Carlyon denied the confessional charges, and said he would answer the other doctrinal points in writing. He said he had no reply to make to the charge of giving the first book referrod to above to a girl eleven years of age; he admitted distributing the other books.