The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-05-18 00:00:00

COMPLAINT AGAINST A SCRIPTURE-READER.

After the general business was transacted the com-
mittee proceeded to investigate a complaint made against
lir. Evans, a Scripture-reader, which was entered on the
report book as follows :—" Gentlemen,—l am sorry to
be again abliged to call your attention to Mr. Evans,
who still continues to read prayers and to lecture aloud
in the Ward No. 5 Men's Infirm Ward, and No. 3
Women's Medical Ward. Some of the Roman Catholic

inmates spoke to him, desiring him not to speak loud, as
they are thereby, contrary to their consciences and
wishes, obliged to hear a religion, which they do not
profess, publicly inculcated. I beg, gentlemen, that you
will not suffer the consciences of Roman Catholics to be
forced, and their religious feelings to be hurt.—(Signed)
—JamEs FIXETWOOD."
Mr. SCOTT then moved that Mr. Evans be directed to
confine his ministrations solely to inmates of his own
religious persuasion, and that he be not permitted to
address collectively such inmates when iumates of other
religious persuasions were present in the ward. Mr.
Scott said he thought Mr. Evans had no right to go into
the wards and publicly read aloud, when there may be
some of the sick patients there whose religious feelings
may be hurt. 3,,fr. Evans had gone a step further on

this occasion, although he had been complained of
before. If this man were permitted to go 04., hc (Mr.
Scott) would most certainly move that all persons be
excluded from the house, except the regular ministers
and the Roman Catholic clergyman, unless persons are
sent for by any of the inmates. No one should be
allowed in here except the members of the Protestant
church and Roman Catholic clergymen.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Oritchley, who
pointedly referred to the position of paupers in the
house, who had forfeited their liberty as one of the con-
ditions of receiving relief, and who, therefore, should
uat be obliged to listen to doctrines they may disapprove
of, as opposed to their religious convictions.
Mr. PECK said that he thought the resolution should
be to request that Mr. Evans should discontinue his
visits altogether to the Workhonse, and that he be pre-
vented from entering except on the special request of an
inmate.

The CHAIRMAN said he thought the first resolution
very vague. Mr. Evans ought to be directed to address
the inmates of- his own denomination, and not be at
liberty to interfere with the other inmates. If that
were understood, a breach of the rule would lead to Mr.
Evans's dismissal.

Mr. lirgiTTY said l p Wished, it to be understood that
he thought every persoii. s'hchild have f 44 an 4 4ee
access to the ministers of his own persuasion on all occa-
sions, and that the consciences of persons coming into
that house ought to be respected. He believed that was
the letter and spirit of the law.
Mr. SATCHELL observed that it was quite true he
may hkiye spoken aloud in a ward, and some may have
heard him ; but he ciia not think it was a great crime to
read the Bible, even if otheri 010414 have hear 4

After a considerable discussion, Mr. Scott's resolution
was carried by seven to two ; and the proposition of
Mr. Peck, not being seconded, fell to the ground, after
which the committee adjourned.