Ritualism in Ireland.

Manawatu Herald, 20 April 1899, Page 2

Ritualism in Ireland.

Ferious disturbances occurred od : Sunday February last at St. Clement's! Church, which has gained an unenviable notoriety in Belfast* as the centre of very disgraceful scenes, alleged to hive been provoked by the ritualistic tendencies of the rector, the Rev William Peoples. The rector and one of bis supporters endeavoured to preveut the rowdy elo* rasnt from going into the church » but they were unsuccessful,, and when the meeting began the church was crowded to the door. About every ten minutes or quartet of an hour throughout the service tramping of the floor with the feet was indulged in by a section of the congregation. On the rector's giving out hymn No. 252, •■ Weary of earth/ f.om Hymns, Ancient and Modern, the majority present turned to the corresponding number in the Church Hymnal, which was " All hail the^ power of Jesus' name." As soon asr the choir started singing the hymn announced by the rector, the other part of the congregation sang their hymn simultaneously, with the result that there was indesoribable discord. Afcer the collection had been taken up, and when Mr Peoples turned towards the Communion table, affairs assumed an extremely serious^ a^ppci. Previously tb:* disturbance. at this portion of the service had • consisted of "booing " and hissing; bub on this occasion the conduct +of the people present was of a much more threatening nature. A number of j cheers were indulged in, stud the rector found it necessary at this stage to proceed, clad in his surplice, to the street to call upon tb.e. ;.._■■:. police to take step 3in the matter. £ At the same tira°, the congregation o^mni'Qoed to file out, and the crush at the doors prevented Mr Peoples from entering until the number leaving the edifice had somewhat decreased. An outside meeting was held adjacent to the church, where an address wa3 delivered by a Mr Tresv and h 1 * supporters. About a couple of hundred persons gathered ti-re, and as Mr Peoples passed out M ;o his residence he was hissed by tb^pl bystanders. A stone was thrown at lie home where he reside*, broking luue of ifee window paaes. Tfce

church was again filled in the evening, the congregation being composed principally of the rowdy and •• cornerboy " class. There was also a good number of evident'y reBpectable people present. Similar scenp* were indulged in during the service as in the morning, and to wards the close, in consequence of thf» continued interruptions, it was necessary for the rector to cnll upon the polioo to olfiar th* 1 building.