THE WOMANLY WAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3701, 8 October 1927, Page 1

THE WOMANLY WAY.

DISTURBANCE IN CHURCH,

UNUSUAL COURT ACTION RESULTS.'

Unlawfully disturbing the Rev. 11. E. Tils ton, while he was preaching at St. Margaret’s, Leystonstone, was the summons against Florence Partridge, a middle-aged woman, of the Oaks, Essex Road, Leyton, at Stratford,, England. Mr. Edward Mus'toe, a churchwarden was summoned for assaulting Mrs. Partridge on this occasion.

The Rev. H. E. Tilston said that he was formerly a priest at St. Saviour’s, Walthamstow, and Mrs. Partridge was a worshipper at St. Saviour’s. She transferred to St. Margaret’s a week before he went there, in May, 1924. On Sunday, August 7, Mrs. Partridge occupied her seat almost in front of the pulpit. He preached from the text, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing.” During the discourse he was conscious of a considerable amount of movement of the head and arms of Mrs. Partridge, who also murmured and made running comments all the way through. The result was that he was seriously disturbed.

At the conclusion of the sermon, and while lie was tsill in the pulpit lie addressed the woman, saying, “Madam, you have interrupted me and I think that out of reverence to God’s Church you should leave it.” Mrs. Partridge replied, “I will do no such thing.” He left the pulpit and went to his stall and then Mr. Mustoe and another churchwarden went up to her, but she refused to leave. Mrs. Partridge said to him (the Rev. H. E. Tilston), “You are a disgrace,” and afterwards faced the

congregation and said, “This man has separated me from my husband.”

Site heard that the poilce had been sent for and then she said, “I am going now, and I shall go to the police myself.” Mr. Howga'te, defending, said I hat Mrs. Partridge denied any intention of disturbing the service. If she did cause any disturbance she was willing to apologise, and give an undertaking not to attend the church again. The Rev. IT. E. Tilston: The apology could not lie entertained, because of previous history. The Bench said that Mrs. Partridge would be bound over in £25 to, be of good behaviour for 12 months, with conditions that she did not write to the clergy or officers of the church, and did not attend the church.

The summons for assault against Mr. Mustoe, the churchwarden, was withdrawn.