Experiences in a London Parish

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 288, 6 December 1890, Page 4 (Supplement)

Experiences in a London Parish

Tile Rev. A. Styletnan Herring, Vicar of St. Paul's, Clorkenwoll, who has just celebrated the 25th anniversary of his appointment as vicar, has printed some anecdotes and impressions. As an instance of a day's work, he Bays :—' When labouring in the notorious " Brill " (now swept away by the Midland Railway), I read, prayed with, and comforted 28 sick cases. Five died that day. Ono, " The King of the Drunkards," was a most popular character, tha head of tho London coatermongers, who had three miies of carriages following him to the cemetery ! Another waa a man inoculated with horse's " glanders," who exhibited his raosc repulsive and hideous body for pain up to tho last. The third was a poor coster, whom 1 taught " The Lord's Prayer" in his last days. . Under the heading ' A Critical Time,' he says, ' I was sent for late one night into an underground kitchen. The wife said, "Please, Mr H., I sent for you to try and soothe him, as he has two butcher's knives with him in bed, and he has threatened to kill me with them !" Well, I had been athletic in my early days ; I did throw a cricket ball 109 yards; played in the University football against Rugby and Eton; was captain of three cricket clubs, and could take a " header " and long dive in Byron's Pool; but this delirium-stricken milkman was a puzzle. By coaxing, I at last secured the knives, and had the satisfaction of seeing him hoisted on an ambulance and proceed to the Union just as the clock struck midnight,' Soon afterwards, in preaching in the open air on ' Give me, day by day, my daily bread, , he was speaking about; heavenly things only, and that we must get our spiritual tood daily, when a lean, lanky tailor cried out, 'I guess, guvnor, judging from your appearance, as how you, ab all events, gets your meals regular. . Once a crowd assembled in Euston Road round a little lost girl; the ladies gave her sweetie?, etc., and all tried to find out where the lost one lived, but could get no answer. Afc last, up comes a knowing policeman, who said,. * VVoII, my little dear", and where does your mother buy her gin? , 'Head, , was the whisper. 'All right 1' and tenderly he took her opposite the Saracen's Head, saying, • And now, my dear, hop off home, , and away she flew straight to her wretched home.

Hβ also tells a good story, of the most; married woman in London. A visit one day brought him a woman who delicately said ' she was not married, though with two children, , etc. He freely pub up the banne. The night before the marriage she said she had no ring, and wanted a few things. These were supplied, and they were duly married. He heard afterwards the ring was borrowed, and with the money eiven they had a grand jollification, besides flitting (cheating tho landlord) at midnight. The last ha heard of them was they had pone through this little game no less than twenty-four times ! Again, of public sympathy, he says :— * The British public, whenever there ia a real case of distress, are the moat generou? people in the world. I was a good skater, bub never neglected my duties, so after a right good skate on Regent's Park I visited in my parish. Meeting with some terrible casee of distress I wrote at once a letter of five lines and ahalf to the 'Times, , which produced £550 and 200 blankets. I had intended to skate next day, but money pouring in, I speedily covered-600 beds with blankets, etc. That same day, on the very spot where the best ice was on the previous day, took place that lamentable accident where many were drowned or injured, and but for the fruits of thab letter I should have been there ! After Overend and Gurney'a gigantic failure many of my people wore starving. I get to work and helped some out to Canada, etc. ; quite a battalion of 5,250 have been assisted out. A poor workhouse boy is now a successful lawyer. A humble preacher has a salary of 85,000 per annum. Two brothers came back with £200, and are now well-to-do tradespeople. Some have miserably failed, but the great majority have greatly improved their positions. , ■ Soice xvj»