A FIGHTING PARSON.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 171, 6 December 1912, Page 2

A FIGHTING PARSON.

KNOCKS OUT INTERRUPTERS.

Melbourne, November 26,

With most parsons meekness and mildness are generally the most prominent characteristics. But the Rev. John Hosking, of Fitzroy, is a Christian capable of teaching by the doctrine of muscle as well as by the doctrine of love. He does a good deal of work in the slum quarter of Melbourne, and has been the subject of more than ordinary attention from the larrikins of the locality. Windows have been broken in his church, interruptions have taken place, and Mr. Hosking has been jeered at and insulted.

The soft word failed to turn away wrath, and when, on Sunday night, they interrupted him again, and whistled and mado offensive remarks in response to his warning that they would have to go out, he quietly got down from the pulpit. He took his clerical coat off, and, walking up to the ring-leader, an athletic young fellow of 19, swung his right hand on to his jaw. ' Down went the rowdy party's leader, and they lost so much courage at this unexpected attackthat they were easily ejected from the building.

Out on the roadway they gathered [ their forces, and planned an attack in j force. But the fighting parson was eager for the fray, and he adopted offensive tactics, rushing into the midst of them, and pummelling them as though it was a pleasant experience. The enemy was dispersed, but they carried on a long-range ■bombardment with road metal until the police arrived. Then one man was locked up, and the defeat was completed. It transpires that Mr. Hosking is oxpert in_ the use of the gloves, and this fact being apparent to the rowdy element, it is not likely that they will visit the church again to scoff. "Oh, yes, I can use my hands, thank goodness," lies aid in an interview, "f was taught boxing and wrestling, and have not forgotten these arts. But I am a man of peace. Six years ago I purchased three houses, each with a bad reputation, and made this mission church out of them. lam supplied very cheaply with films, and I show pictures as an extra attraction at the church service. Women come bare-headed and children bare-footed to the services. They listen to the preaching, join in the singing, and enjoy the. pictures hugely. I tell you this church has transformed the neighborhood. But a number of young men—big hoodlums, I call them—have long annoyed me. In fact, I had to get an assistant to do the preaching, while, with the aid of a nice little baton a policeman gave me, I keep the gang down to something like decent behaviour.

"This might seem a strange way to conduct a church, but what "is a man to do? Must the neighborhood be deprived of those serviies bcMUs, 1 some 20 hoodlums choose to try to break them up? I have got to be a'detective and a pugilist as well as a preacher. There are men who come into the church with their pockets stuffed full of crackers, so that I have got to make a search when anything looks suspicious. I cannot keep a window in the church, or even a grating or a ventilator. They are all smashed, and I have to, take special means to prevent stones from falling on the heads of the congregation. The collection last night was 3s—above the average. It does not even pay for the electric light, to say nothing of the pictures or the money I pay in other ways. But I am determined to stay here for the good that I can do. I will let no gang of roughs shift me while I have got a leg to stand on."