VICIOUS PHARISEES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 23, 28 January 1937, Page 11

VICIOUS PHARISEES.

PARSON HITS BACK.

FINDS CHARITY IN PUBS

(Special.—By Air Mall.) LONDON, January 2. "I pro into pubs, have gone into pubs, niifl always will go Into pubs," shouted the Rev. James Wildman, assistant vicar of St. John's Church, Wembley. Middlesex, from the pulpit of the church this week. Mr. Wildman was making his farewell sermon to a congregation of 800 people that overflowed into the aisles. During the last week he had stated that he had been "sacked" from his office. During his sermon he reiterated that 'he had been kicked out," and hit back at "the people who had done the kicking." Mr. Wildman eaid, among other things: "I could go into a public house, say that I needed money If or tome eick children, and come back with £25. But if I came to the Church;..'people there would be a great jingling of coins and jiothing else. People come here and say the Lvd's Prayer, sing hymne, then go out and treat their neighbours and their servants badly. I no time for them. An uncharitable element met me when I first came here four years ago. It still persists. I defy it. I defy eoclesiasticisni and quibbles. I believe in taking religion to the common people."

Mr. Wildniiin's voice broke as he ended liU farewell address. Afterwards in the vi>«try ho aaid: "I don't want to withdraw'or (pialify anything I said. There's iin pood making a secret of it. I've got the *nck because of a vicious element tluit professes to be religious."