I was very confused. The position was for an assistant professor of early childhood education. My field is early childhood education. I'd already made a start with a published book review. To call an applicant to arrange an interview, to postpone that interview, and then not follow through with the interview at all is unprofessional and disrespectful behavior.
Applicants know rejection is part of the job-search process.
However, how an institution treats prospective faculty members during the hiring process says a lot the integrity of that institution. Applicants wish to be treated fairly and with courtesy. Don't say you want to interview an applicant and then blow them off. Even if a search committee has found a more-qualified applicant, it should honor its commitment and conduct the interview like it said it would. It seems as if these committee members have forgotten the golden rule.