New-York tribune., 1920-10-17
From a Special correspomdent

From a Special Correspondent
LONDON, Oct 5.-"When we clergy
men reflect on our work in the villages
of England the furies seem to dance
on our midnight pillow, for every good
work we attempt to carry out seems
to be frustrated by the poisoned
tongues of local gossipers, backbiters
and scandalmongers."
Thus the Rev Edward FITZGERALD
Synnott, M. A., who says he has located
nell IN his own parish of Rusper, Sus-
sex. England, and describes his cxpe-
rlence therein in give Years He'll in
Country Parish"
When he accepted the living he
pictured sheltered rectory over which
the golden honeysuckle climbed. flock
of dear old English cap-doffinc and
curtseylng rustics, and squires and
gardeners and peasants and artisans
welcoming him as their friend. guide
and minister. "The music of the birds :"
ne said, would harmonize with nv
own carefree soul; for all would be
JOY and song within me-"
Poor Rector Synnott!
lie had not been in Rusper more
than a few days before the rustics
kl'led ms dog and sent him its tail bv
post; they stole twenty-one of his
chickens; local dealers sold him snav.
med horses, and the new-rich souires
were treating him "like q butler" and
the squlresses were writing about him
to the bishop. N' nun
Accused of Pinching Babies
En masse they framed up allegations
against him, saying he:
Sang too loudly.
tizcd them. "e zap
plnched them to make them crv.
Fut the wedding ring on a ladv's
thumb
Married the wrong people.
Lett bread on the holy table, and
thus sinned against the Holy Ghost.
~ DiaHh tne communion wine.
The rector, however, was a fighter
and came back at them in sermons. and
was not above giving two of the
crossed horse dealers "the soundest
orupolng they had ever had" Also. he
preached a sermon, "To the People in
the Pews." For many it was the first
time that they had seen themselves a.
others saw them"
q, He spoke to the "big purses" who sat
IN their cushioned pews, wearing their
SILKS and fine raiment, and listened TO
my sermon with an air of critical su
perlority, of the ideals of the Sermon
on the Mount" The "big purses" re-
torteu by inquiring whether he dared
suggest that it was Sinful to roll in
luxury. asking did he want to make
Rusper hotbed of socialism, demand
ing dld ne not believe in class distinc-
tlon, and they "forsook their cushioned
pews.'
Birds of Paradise"
or the Rusper ladies he writes;
There are no Helens of Troy in
husper. Yesterday ] saw two
OF our village birds Of paradise coming
down Rusper High (and only Street.
They arched their necks and spread
out their brilliant plumage. My dear,
how positively charming YOU look to-
day said Bird of Paradise No. i. and
then waited for her friend to saw the
same of her own stylish but unbecom-
ing new gown. And you look per
fectly lovely-absolutely exquisite ,
answered No. 2. They exchange the
latest piece of Rusper scandal. and
part, one sailing majestically down the
Faygate Road and the other sweeping
gayly along the Horsham Highway"
The worst thing about Rusper he
said, is it's slander, backbting and
gossip. adding: "Ruspcr probably will
become synonym for those gentle
arts in the English dictionary of the
future. The men (many of the men
in my parish are women) have the
gossipng instinct developed to as high
a degree as the women"
The women liked their rector to
wear dainty sanctuary shoes" in
church. He had only to come in in
heavy boots one stormy day for him
to be described preaching in sport
ing dress, Wellington boots and LIGHT
tweed suit the next. The predecessors
OF the Rev. Mr.. Svnnott seem to have
also writhed on the rack.
100000 Didn't Last Long
In the diary of one of them aDpears
the following entry:
"Faid from my own pocket S47.45 in
addition to the aims received for the
year Great God! And some have
actually suggested that | misapprorr
ated aims" -
"All your predecessors" a parish