EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN A CHURCH.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2745, 10 January 1882, Page 2

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN A CHURCH.

The lives of some 200 persons, assembled for special service in Christ ■Church, Cearmurthen, wereimperilted the other night by the Hues of tjie heating apparatus being fouled by damp, which coming in contact with the fire, lit for the first time since last winter, gave out, almost imperceptibly * noxious fumes,; Several persons feeling ill without knowing the;cause, left the church,-and, then fainted. Some boys became stupefied,, and their removal causing commotion, the vicar requested all unwell to leave during the hymn before the sermon] but was himself immediately seized.; with partial atupefaction,-* and, hastily pronouncing the Benediction, he, together With the intending preacher, Mr Adamson, commenced hurrying; their lady relatives away. When seated' those present simply fell oppression and; an irresistible’ inclination to sleep, but; when moving lost all control over them-: selves. Strong men,tottered out leliningi against the walls, ;and ' while! ladies, staggered out in] two. and throes,; some of them going] .ihld hysterics. After) busying himself with the congregation, the vicar was so overcome as 1 to be’compelled ;the, not very dignified position of being helped home by a: stalwart policeman, who was fortunately at hand.. No serious after-consequences have been- reported. l —“ Home News.”