The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-11 00:00:00

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.

The Doncaster Gazette says : " Doncaster seems likely to
J e threatened with a mystery something similar to the
Rev. B. Speke's disappearance, which recently caused so
much sensation, and begot so many wild and extravagant
stories of trap-doors and assassins. We only hope that
the present case may end with as satisfactory a sequel as
did its predecessor. The facts are as follows :—On Tues-
day, the 31st of March, a Young man, 24 years of age,
named William Ingram, a native Jf Doncaster, but at the
time of his disappearance in the service of Mr. J. W.
Childers, of Cantley Hall, as under gardener, came to
Doncaster for the purpose of buying some meat. While
he was here, he went to his father's house, where he
stayed till between ten and eleven o'clock at night.
From his father's residence he proceeded to the
Reindeer Inn tap, where he remained till about five
minutes to twelve o'clock, when he left, as was
supposed, for Cantley, carrying with him the meat.
When he left the public-house, he was in a state des.
cribed as ' half seas over,' and was seen to turn round the
corner in the direction of Hallgate. This is the last that
has been heard of him, and his whereabouts at the present
moment is shrouded in the deepest mystery ; and as no
cause can be assigned which would lead to the belief that
he has made off with himself, the most painful apprehen-
sions have been excited as to what may prove to be his
actual fate, if it ever comes to light at all. If he had
really intended to secretly leave the neighbourhood, we
can scarcely suppose it probable, or at all likely, that he
would come to Doncaster, make a purchase, and then
leave a public-house at midnight in a state of semi-intoxi-
cation. Of course the wildest rumours arc afloat, and
more than hints are suggested of foul play—in fact, there
was even a report that a man was in custody on suspi-
cion. This, however, we may state, is entirely without
foundation. There is also a report, and one from reliable
sources, that be had been suspected of giving information
against poachers, although we understand this is not the
case. Then again his state when he left the Reindeer
tap is pointed to as affording some prospect of a solution
of the singular mystery, and it is suggested that he may
probably have fallen into a drain and been drowned, or
precipitated into some of the deep pit-holes in a brick-
field, across which there is a short cut for Cantley. The
police, both the borough and the West Riding, have, how-
ever, made the most diligent search. The Common Pond
and the various drains have been dragged, and every
likely nook and cranny fully explored, without, however,
affording the slightest clue or prospect of bringing the
agonising suspense of his friends and the anxiety of the
public to an end."

A RITUALISTIC OBSERVANCE OF PALM
SUNDAY.

Though the recent decision of Sir R. Philli-
more, respecting the legality of certain rubrical
observances, would seem to have had a some-
what dispiriting effect upon the leading ritual-
ists of London, causing them to refrain from
many of those practices that have brought
them so prominently under public notice, their
brethren in the provinces threaten not to be so
easily deterred. In the Manchester Guardian,
on Tuesday, a very long account is given of
certain ceremonies observed in the Church of
St. Alban's, Cheetwood, the incumbent of
which is the Rev. T. E. Sedgwick. We
TVestininster Gazette) transfer a portion of the
report to our pages, as though much that was
done was evidently incomprehensible to the
writer, who has invested it with a ludicrous
air, it will, nevertheless, have an interest for
Catholic readers :

" At the conclusion of the sermon Mr. Sedg-
wick disappeared for a few moments, and as
the huge candles on each side of the gilt cross
at the back of the altar were lighted all eyes
were directed to them. These candles are
several feet long, and they are placed in mas-
sive gilt candlesticks of about the same length.
They appear to rest upon the raised ledge or
super-altar behind the altar proper, or com-
munion table. The large ornamented gilt
cross between the candles was on Sunday
covered with black crape or gauze, through
which the outlines of the cross and its orna-
mentations were distinctly visible. The method
of covering this cross appeared to be the same
as is adopted in concert halls and places of
public recreation to preserve mirrors and pic-
tures from damage. During the reading of the
offertory sentences Mr. Sedgwick reappeared
upon the raised stage or chancel, carrying a
long rod, at the top of which was fixed a light.
Turning his face from the people to the altar
he proceeded to light the candles before alluded
to. Before the celebration of the Eucharist
commenced, Mr. Sedgwick took the cup from
the credence table and carried it, in a raised
position, level with the crown of his head, to
the centre of the altar. There was not the
customary visible mixing of the cup ; but it
appeared to the on-looker that there was a
mixing, though it was probably done in a man-
ner not condemned by the Dean of Arches.
After the cup had been placed on the altar,
and before the consecration prayer, the curate,
who was the chief celebrant, removed it from
the altar, and midway between the altar and
the credence table a small portion of liquid,
which appeared to be water, was poured into
the cup by Mr. Sedgwick. There was a smaller
number of communicants than is usual at this
church—probably a score—but this may have
been caused by the frequent celebrations there
are at this season. Mr. Sedgwick, in announc-
ing the services for Holy Week, stated that
there will be two celebrations on each•pf the
four early days of this week and three' cele-
brations on Easter Day. Several novel services
were announced for this week. In additionito
the two celebrations, there are short sermons
for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; and
on Maunday Thursday services of a special
character will occupy nearly the whole of the
day and night. On Thursday evening there is
to be a ' meditation ' and an instruction '—
one at ten o'clock and the ether at midnight;
and the church is to remain open throughout
the night, when there will be what are called
watchings.' At the consecration of the ele-
ments, and again at the Benediction, several
members of the cong-regation not only knelt,
but made the sign of the cross on their breasts
in the manner practised in Roman Catholic
churches, and then prostrated themselves,
bringing their foreheads to within an inch or
two of the floor of the church. The custom
of carrying a branch of a tree on Palm Sun-
day, which is observed by members of the
Church of Rome, was adopted on Sunday by
some members of the congregation at St.
Alban's, with this difference, at the Roman
Catholic Churches the congregation assembled
without the branches, and received them after
the benediction of the palms ; while the
St. Alban's worshippers who carried branches
took them with them to the church. This cus-
tom was referred to by the preacher at the
evening service, the Rev. E. Allen, rector of
Sacred Trinity, Salford, who informed the
congregation that it was the practice of the
ancient English Church to have a benediction
of the palms immediately before the celebra-
tion of the Holy Communion. In every seat
in the church printed instructions " How to
observe Lent " were placed. It is addressed
from " St. Alban's Clergy-house," and points
out that " some people fast by taking nothing
till twelve o'clock, or three o'clock, or six
o'clock in the day, and then only one meal;
some by taking their food at the usual hours,
but leaving off before they have quite satisfied
their hunger." The docßment proceeds 'to
lay down that " you ought at this season to
abstain from all public places of amusement,
parties of pleasure, and from marriage." The
wearing of mourning or half mourning during
Lent is recommended as " a right and good
thing ;" and members of the congregation are
urged to " try to keep from your chief sin
entirely during each of these forty days."