ACTION FOR REFUSING THE SACRAMENT.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1981, 11 May 1875, Page 4

ACTION FOR REFUSING THE SACRAMENT.

from Bell's Messenger of the °2&d* January that preliminary proceedings have been taken against a Bristol clergyman for refusing the Sacrament to one of his parishioners. A few weeks back a rule was argued in one of the Courts 6f Westminster in the case of Strange v. Doudney. The plaintiff was a Scripture-reader in Bristol, and the defen-dant-vicar of St. Luke's, Bedminster. Soon after the Bristol races, Dr. Doudney received, a' letter- purporting to have ibeeh •written by,two betting men, and enclosing a post-office, order for two guineas* which they desired might be given to " the young man who saved their souls," meaning Strange. It haying come to "the know|ledgo of the 1 Bristol Scriptur.e Readers' Society, as alleged, that' the plaintiff wrotp the letter himself, he was 'dismissed from their service, and broughfan action against Dr. Doudney to recover damages for the dismissal, and the argument was upon a rule calling on the rev. gentleman to answer a certain interrogation, viz., as to whether it was upon his advice and information that tho plaintiif was dismissed. The Court dismissed' the rule, and no'further proceedings liavo been taken in the case.- It ■ seems that in the course of the proceedings the nameof ; the,.Kev. S.. A. Walker, vicar of St. Mary-le-port, Bristol, was mentioned by the plaintiff in a derogatorymanner, arid as he refuses to retract his assertion,, oi' proceed ; with his actionj and endeavour to prove Its accuracy, Mr Walker has refused upon several occasions to administer to him the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Mr Strange; therefore,* forwarded his complaint to the Bishop of Gloucesieri and 'Bristol^ and applied for. a calling upon Mr Walker answer.fpr his.conduct in the Consistorial Court. . Acting upon legal j advice/the:Bishop'has refused to issue a ; citation, and there the matter ends at „ prespnt, though there igj a-rumour that- a barrister of the Western Circuit has been retained to prosecute the.case further on •behalf of Mr Strange. j