Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-03-14
GWmtester 9allp Syn.
FRIGHTFUL RIOT IN A LONDON CHURCH



character that none who had the misfortune to
be present will ever forget it. The rioting
was most alarming, The violent conduct Of
the rioters completely eclipsed their efforts on
the previous Sunday, the circumstances con.
nected with which have been brought under
the notice of both houses of Parliament.
The morning service was performed by the
Rev. Bryan King, the rector, who was assisted
by the Rev. Frederick George Lee, who was
some time since prohibited by the bishop of
London from preaching in the metropolitan di-
ocese His lordship has, however, removed
the prohibition. During the prayers, which
were sad with the usual choral accOmpani-
ments, there was some coughing and slamming
of pew doors, but Mr.. Churchwarden Thomp-
son had ordered the galleries to be closed, so
that the whole of the congregation was III the
body of the church. Mr.. Lee was the preach
er. When he preached the sermon which led
to the order from the bishop that he should of
lciate no more, he wore all sorts of extraordi-
nary vestments, but yesterday he wore sim
pie surplice, and had neither stole, hood, nor
bands. He selected for his text the 10th chap
ter of Isaiah, 29th verse Gle giveth power
to the faint aud to them that have no might
he increases strength" He remarked that
these words contained a great law of the
Christian church, but he had scarcely finished
his opening sentence when between thirty and
forty persons rose in an insulting manner and
walked out of the church, making as much
noise as they well could. v,
Mr.. Lee made dead stop and waited until
silence was restored He then proceeded to
show that in the early history of Christianity
there had been persecution and opposition to
the spread of the gospel. The whole world
had, in ancient as well as modern times stood
IN array against the church of God, but these
prosecutions had always served the cause of
the church. With faith and patience those
who were the objects of persecution would gain
all they desired, and certainly more than they
deserved Moreover, all who faithfully bore
the name of Christians would be called upon to
suffer, but they might rest assured that any
amount of suffering they might be called upon
to undergo would bring its reward at the last
Anything was better than the stagnant waters
of calm indifference-better than these were
even the scenes and sights which the
walls of that church had ever witness
ed-better by far than utter indiffer-
ence in the great word of Christ. Com
ing down from the broad promises of the text
to individual cases, the Rev. gentleman re
marked that, while it was certain that God
would reward those who kept His law, He
would punish those who violated it. All those
who had been in that church Sunday would
have to account each for himself, except, per-
haps, those who were too young to know what
they were doing, and who were therefore not
responsible for their works. Their sins would
be laid upon those who had encouraged, or
perhaps induced them to congregate there for
the purpose of causing the dismay and trouble
which they had heard of so frequently in that
church.
AT the close of the sermon, which was deliv-
cred with much earnestness, there was some
slight coughing, but, taken as a whole, the
morning service was conducted with less in
terruption than has been exhibited there for
many months past.
The large cross at the altar, at which has
socks, cushions, prayer books, and bibles were
aimed on the previous Sunday night, has been
removed during the week, and some of the
Smaller altar ornaments have been taken
away
During the morning there was a large body
of police in attendance outside the church, I'M
der the direction of Inspectors Alison and Ho-
liway. None was allowed inside. Mr.. Church
warden Thompson, anxious as he has always
shown himself applied to Sir Richard Mayene,
that three police constables might be allowed
to be present, but the request was refused, al
though policemen are freely sent to the thea
tiers, which it has now become the, fashion to
open for religious services.
AT the close of yesterday mornings services,
a gentleman who represented that he was
clergyman of the Church of England, and
that he was the Rev. Thomas Atkins, for
many years chaplain of Norfolk Island and OF
Calcutta applied to Mr.. Inspector Alison 10
be allowed to preach from the steps in front of
the great western door of ST. Georges Church.
The Inspector who treated the reverend gen
tleman with great courtesy and good humor,
expressed his opinion that it would be incon-
Venient Tor him to address a congregation from
the steps at that moment and, acting upon
the hint, Mr. Atkins went away, promising to
return i'll the afternoon. This promise, how
ever was not fulfilled
The four O'Clock litany service was inter-
rupted i'll the usual manner.
BY o'clock the people began to assemble
for the evening service. Cannon street road
was almost impossible, and when the gates
were thrown open there were at least 1000
peopl. anXiousy waiting for admission The
rush was terrific, but no accidents Of any kind
are reported, owing to the admirable manner
in which the police who were stationed outside
managed the mode of admission. There was
no refusal to suspected" or other persons, and
all who presented themselves were allowed to
go ill., until the church was so densely crowded
that it could hold no more No sooner had
'the congregation" assembled than bowling
and yelling OF the most audaciOus kind was
commenced, and this was continued without
cessation until the priests and choristers walk
ed in procession to their accustomed places i'm
front of the altar. AT this time a perfect
storm broke out, cries of fire" were raised in
order TO cause dismay, and several of the gas
lights were simultaneously turned out.
Mr.. Churchwarden Thompson upon whom
the whole OF the coustabulary arrangements
inside the church devolved, obtained the as.
sistance of some of his friends, and forcibly
ejectei some of the ringeaders among the
rioters from the church, leaving them, when
they were thrust ontside to be dealt with by
the police. AT the time for reading the les
sons the Rev. Edward Stuart, M. A., incum-
bent of ST Mary Magdalen, Munster Square,
assembled the desk, and was greeted with a
terrific shout of "Of, off" "Puseyite," and
mo Popery." At this moment, too, a body
of men and boys in the north gallery began
singing "Rule Britannia" the chorus, "Brit-
ons never will be slaves" being taken up with
tremendous energy by persons in other parts
of the church. Others mimicked the reader,
whose style is certainly peculiar, and the
whole congregation was in a state of the high
est possible excitement Lucfer matches
were struck, orange peel thrown about in eve
ry direction, and there is reason to know that
fireworks were introduced into the church,
and would doubtless have been used, had ii
not been for the energetic and determined
conduct OF the churchwarden. Mr. +. u. Lee
was again the preacher, and when he assembled
the pulpit ne was assaulted by a perfect hurr-
cane of vituperaton and abuse. The most
hltliy epithets TO which the human tongue
could give expression were hurled at him, in
addition to the more polite recommendations
to Go down." and "Be off," "No Popery,"
ana 20 to Rome" He gave for his text the
words OF the prophet Isaiah, "Watchman,
what or the night?" but nothing could
be heard by those who were within half a
dozen yards of the pulpit. The people, who