EXCITING SCENE IN A CHURCH.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1103, 17 April 1911, Page 5

EXCITING SCENE IN A CHURCH.

FIGHT FOR A. CROSS.

WICKLIFFE PREACHERS DISTURB A SERVICE, By Telecraph-Press Association-Copyricht (Reb'. April 16, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 15. The Wackliffe Preachers, headed by Mr. John Kcnsit, disturbed the- service of the Veneration of the Cross at Holy Trinity Church, Hoxton. Mr. Kensit, on approaching the chancel, shouted: "This idolatry in tho Church of England must cease." Tho choristers barred the way with a wooden cross. Loud words and a scuffle ensued, and ,tho clergyman, in endeavouring to seciffo tho cross, was carried oft' his feet and fell, the cross being snatched from its socket and broken in tho struggle. The police were summoned, but the. Wickliffe Preachers left the church voluntarily. Mr. Kensit subsequently telegraphed to the Bishop of London reminding him of his undertaking that the adoration of the crucifix would not be allowed,

The Kensit Crusaders give the following explanation of the Wickliffe Preachers' movement:—"lt may bo regarded as the distinctive feature of the Kensit crusade. These itinerating evangelists-like John Wickliffe's preachers of old—go into cities, towns, and villages to carry out their mission—to preach against Ritualistic errors and to proclaim the Evangelical ttospel. Tho Ritualistic practices they particularly crusade against are: High and low Masses, secret confessions, erectiou and adoration of graven images, Mariolatry, invocation of saints, doctrine of purgatory, unlawful ritual ceremonies, and all services, taken in whole or in part, from the Sarum and Koman Missals."