New-York tribune., 1902-10-09
JOHN KENSIT DEAD.
INJURY RECEIVED AT BIRKENHEAD
PROVES FATAL

Tiysrnool oct s-Iohn Kensit. the ant-rltua-
ustic crusader who was seriously injured Septem-
her q al Birkenhead. nesr Liverpool. by being
struck with a chisel thrown at him after he had
addressed a meeting, died this morning Of pneu-
rnopfa supervening from the wound His son,
who is participating In the anti-ritualistio cam
psign and who recently imprisoned for
fIsing 10 md bail 10 keen the peace by abandon
ing holding meetings. permitted BY the Home
Secretary 10 visit his father yesterday. Toung
Kensit was escorted by police 10 the hospital here
where the elder Kenst had been under treatment
since the dsy he injured After an affecting
meeting the son ned 10 prison.
The elder Kensit's protests against the conhrma-
tion Of rituaIsto bishops on several occasions
caused sensational scenes. Among the most prom
inent incidents OF the deceased mans career was
the disturbance ~n.ch ne created az 81 Cuth-
by his protest against "the alteration Of the
cross according TO the Roman Catholic missal.
John Kenslt vas London bookseller when he
began his snt-ritualistic agitation six or seven
years ago lercely denouncing every form OF ritual
ism In the Church of England and attacking the
Roman Catholic Church lie attained his first
notorety by scattering broadcast London and
other cities hooks which purported to reveal the
evils Of the confessional. and which regarded
as highly Objectionable He soon had A band OF
followers. whom he called the Wyclne Preachers,
and they created disturbances in many churches
goins far 20 resort to physical violence and
defy the civil law. On April .. 1ses. ha caused a
scene In -. Cuthbort's Church. London where part
% the service consisted in chanting St Johns story
oi the Passion. the same lines IS the Oberam-
mergsu play the officiating clergy taking the part
o. Christ, PLATE and Caiaphas. one OF the prin-
cipal features Is known the 'Veneration OF the
Cross the crueihx being removed from the altar
10 the steps whero the clergy. acoytes and congre
cation advance IN pairs. PROSTATE themselves and
kiss the figure OF Christ At the end OF the pro-
cession vas Mr. Kensit. surrounded BY a party OF
friends Hs advanced 10 the altar steps. but. in
stead OF kneeling he horrihed the congregation By
suddenly selzIas the crucihx. raising It aloft and
frsnticaIly rushing toward the door. shouting.
In TIE name ot God. denounce this fdolatry
and Popery IN tho Church % England Ny God.
help me-"
a painful scene followed A crowd OF people sur
rounded Mr. kensit. and people struck him ana
Wrestled with him. one man going so far as 70
thrust a handkerchief into nj. mouth In order 20
gag him. Finally the congregation rescued the
cruclhx. and the police entered the church and ar
rested Mr. Kenslt.
Riots were caused In various places by Eenzs and
his associates aud he protested publicly against the
conseSraton o; Canon Gore az Bishop of Worcester
scenes % disturbance. A writer In The L9ndO1
Daily News recently said Of kcnst:
With Mr. Kensit need not deal except briefly.
has played A vigorous part and acquired a ITomi-
nent position IN certain controversy without ever
was about. wandering Parses who happened 10
SEQ Mr. Kenst pulling down cruclhX IN a parish
church might very possibly suppose that Mr.. kensit
MAS feroeious atheist who bad 80 violent hatred
OF Jesus Christ that he couldn't keep his hands on
a picture OF Him. About the same amount OF
knowledge which the Parsee would have about the
reasons why Protestants pull down crosses Mr
kensit seems 10 me 20 have about the reasons why
Anglo-Catholics put them up