SCENE IN A CATHEDRAL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9079, 20 February 1908, Page 3

SCENE IN A CATHEDRAL.

SOCIALIST ENTERS PULPIT DURING SERVICE. An amazing scene occurred iu Manchester Cathedral during the Christmas morning service, a local Socialist surreptitiously entering the pulpit and attempting to address the congregation on the subject Of the unemployed. The interruption took place at the close of the opening Christmas hymn “‘Christians, Awake! Salute the Happy Morn. ” The hymn had been sung with great heartiness, and the sound of the “Amen” was dying away, when a man wearing a red tie appeared in the pulpit. The intruder'was recognised by some of the congregation as Mr Stewart Gray, the leader of the Manchester unemployed. He had entered the Cathedral early, and taken a seat near the choir, so .that he had easy access to the pulpit. Evidently labouring under great excitement, Gray shouted to thelcongregation “I cannot understand you singing a hymn of this “kind when thousands are starving in the city! I protest against the birth of the Saviour being when there are so many poor people in, the world who are not helped. It is blasphemy, and in the name of God I protest. ” But the intruder could get no further with his harangue, for the Cathedral officials at once rushed to the pulpit and attempted to remove him. Gray, however, resisted and clung to the pulpit desk. A violent struggle ensued, and after a few minutes the man’s hold was released, and he was carried bodily down the windingjsteps"and out of the Cathedral by way of Derby Chapel. Gray continued to shout while he was being removed, and to drown the sounds of disorder the organist played a voluntary. The police were notified of the disturbance, and were asked to see that Gray did not enter the Cathedral again. He continued shouting in the roadway, and threatened to hold a public meeting near the Cathedral. He was not, however, allowed to do this. Happily, there was little confusion amongst the worshippers. Bishop Weldon was the preacher, _ but he made no mention of the incident in his sermon. Mr Gray has been identified with the land reform movement, and until recently was superintendent of the Manchester Corporation Farm Colony.