A MADMAN IN A CHURCH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9042, 18 March 1908, Page 6

A MADMAN IN A CHURCH.

THREATENS A CHRISTCHURCH MINISTER.

I AN EXCITING EPISODE,

An unusual experience befel the Rev. T. Tait, of St. Paul's Church, Christchurch, on Sundnv. Just as Mr Tait was finishing his morning sermon he noticed a young man coming in at the front door. The man wended his way quietly down the left aisle, hesitated for a moment when he got near the pulpit, and then walked over to the other side of it, evidently with a view to finding some means of getting on to the platform. Being unsuccessful in his search, he came right round the pulpit and mounted the steps. He was then, of course, lost to sight by the congregation, although visible to the preacher. Up to this point none of the worsnippers in the church had attempted to molest the man, but presently a couple of elders, recognising that some sinister motive was actuating his movements, arose from their seats with a view to finding out what had become of him. During this embarrassing interlude Mr Tait could plainly see the man mounting the steps and watching him intently with one foot on the platform. The intruder glared at the preacher for some couple of minutes. The situation was extremely perplexing to Mr Tait, but he continued his sermon, keeping an eye on the man till the elders came to the rescue and conducted him outside. During the afternoon the incident had a sensational sequel. About 5.30, jus*, as Mr Tait was preparing for the evening service, the man came to the manse in Latimer Square and demanded to see Mr Tait. He refused to give his name to the maid, and when Mr Tait went out he commenced to talk wi'dly. and to say he was endowed with power to work miracles. He was very earnest in impressing on Mr Tait that he had had a revelation on Thursday last, reiterating the statement that if the reverend gentleman persisted in preaching <hat evening he would shoot him, and it would be the last sermon he would ever deliver. The alleged miracle worker had blood on his collar and temple, and, pointing proudly to it, stated the Almighty had placed it there. When the stranger had departed Mr Tait rang up the police, but from another source the latter had been informed that the lunatic was in the vicinity of St. Paul's button-holing passers-by and beseeching them to come and hear him preach that night in Mr Tait's church. Accordingly Sergeant Bird went down and arrested him. He was taken to the police station, and yesterday morning was committed to the Sunnyside Mental Hospital on a charge of lunacy.