The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-23 00:00:00

Yesterday evening the riots in the parish church
of St. George's-in-the• East were brought to a close
by means which were entirely unexpected, and
which had the effect of cutting off the service
soon after the first lesson had been read. The
church was thrown into a state of darkness, and
although many attempts were made to light it up
again they all proved failures. At first it was
supposed that the circumstance was attributed to
malice on the part of some persons who were
opposed to the Rector's services, but Mr. Williams,
a plumber and gftsfitter residing opposite, having
been called on to examine the meters, made it pretty
certain to the authorities that the darkness into
which the church was thrown was simply the re-
sult of an accident. Fortunately, it being only 20
minutes past 7 o'clock, some little light streamed
through the windows, enabling the people just to
see each other. Had it been perfectly dark the con-
sequence would probably have been serious. As it
was, the women and girls, who were present in
great numbers, set up a simultaneous scream from
all parts of the church, while from the galleries
there was a strong movement, and every now and
then fresh screams from those who were rushing
frantically down the narrow staircases. Mean-
while, men with loud voices called to the people to
keep their seats; others began to sign the Doxology,
whilst the organist endeavoured to drown all voices
by playing at the highest pitch of which his instru-
ment was capable. All this time there was yelling,
howling, shouting, and slamming of pew doors.
Attempts were several times made to light the gas,
and in some cases the attempts were successful, but
only for a moment, and then the church was again
in darkness. By means of tapers and lucifer-
matches, of which many of the boys in the galleries
appeared to have a plentiful stock, there was every
now and then a glimmer of light, by whish Mr.
King was seen still stand;ng in the desk, and Mr.
Lowder, one of the parochial curates running up to
him from amidst the choristers at the altar, unavail-
ingly persuading him to come down. In the midst
of this terrific uproar Mr. King left the desk, and
his choristers retired from the altar with him to the
vestry. Mr. Cook, the pariah clerk, shortly afterwards
made his way into the church with a lighted taper,
and announced that the service would not be con-
tinued, Mr. Inspector Alison at the time entered
the church with a body of police and commenced
clearing the place—a difficult process, it may be
imagined, the church being by this time in total
darkness and densely crowded. In about half an
hour the mob was got out into the street, and here
again the favourite amusement of singing the
Doxology up and down Cannon-street was re-
sorted to.
The morning service was attended by a large
number of strangers—more perhaps than have been
present on any previous occasion. The service was
performed by theßev. Thomas Dove, and there were
many interraptions during the Litany service, espe-
cially on the clause " From all false doctrine, heresy,
and schism," and in that, " That it Dray please to
illuminate all bishops, priests, and deacons." The
rector preached from the 10th chapter of St. John,
verse 11, "I am the good shepherd. The good
shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." There was
a slight titter at the text, and the usual slamming
of doors and coughing, but the sermon was unin-
terrupted.
The parishioners have subscribed, and paid the
penalty inflicted upon Mr. Rosier by Dr. Twiss the
judge of the Consistory Court, on Tuesday last.