AFRAID OF THE MINISTER

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11949, 20 May 1933, Page 11

AFRAID OF THE MINISTER

A COUNTRYMAN'S WEDDING. REV. 3. PATERSON'S STORY. "i have berm in the ministry for SO years, and during that time I have experienced- many interesting episodes and met- many interesting people.” said the Rev. John Paterson, when addressing the Wanganui Horary Club. He recounted several true stones concerning weddings in AnstraFa. while he a’so told of a, maniac .who wished to preach to the people concerning the end of the work!, and vim nearly strangled him at ter the sc rvico. on© morning. ?. id Mr Paforson, he was si ting in lies study when tire deer sudderjv cv-vic-..; ami ■■■ man vn pushed through. -xaEng behind him as be “** on. me n-->or. Asked what he required, the mar. picked himself v.n and sVJ no wished to get married that- da--. With bride-to-be he had travelled 300 miles from the baekblacks. and. ns he hsc never seen a parson be 4 ore. he was tearful of what would done tn him when ho was being married. Mr Paterson told him that it would W . quite all right, and imoro--'d upon horn the fact, that he was to ?: h r “I ' v '’ r ' at the right time. “What arc you going to do to me* asked the man of Mr Paterson. “Nothing”. reiMod Mr Peterson. '“-Oh. yes. you are.” was the rop-y “Thev told me to watch out till the parson got ho d of mo, because be was pretty rough. BRIDE IN A LACE CERTAIN 3ir Paterson said he had replied hat the man would have nothing done to him, but the bridegroom. jptU! disbelieving. asked to be let off sightly. along a roll of notes cut ot his pockets as an inducement for Icnjcnt dealing. When Mr Paterson refused, he was asked -to buy the couple _some clothes, but he was busy, and re "erred them to the publican’s wile a.ud arranged to meet them p t the church. Arriving at the church dnriujt th<* pftcruoon. 3lr Paterson found tnatthe doors wore not- open, while outride there were hundreds of minors -woo had arrived “to see the cockles get married." They demanded to be -ct in and poured into the church as soon as the doors were open. Going <nte toe vcslrv 31r Paterson found the urine dressed In a lace m-rtniu with a roxxspi clous -piece of pink ribbon, wkiio the bridegroom was bedecked iwth long ‘frock coat, grey trousers and a wealth of orange blossom.

••I WILL.” When the pair entered tlio church there was a roar of laughter ‘rom the mjiuers, and -Mr Paterson had to warn them that unless they were quiet, he could not proceed with the wedding. He commenced the ceremony in silence, but had not said more than three or four words when tho bridegroom called out loudly. 1 "will* ® miners gave three lusty clieeis, anc Air Batersan had to remonstrate with the bridegroom. “Wo got through the service eventually, punctuated by “I (wills,” and the cheers of the'miners,” said Mr Paterson. “But- when I asked tho bridegroom domo, into the vestry with me he steadfastly refused, saying that I wished to -do something to him Finallv, 1 had to fetch the books from -tho vestry and get him to sign them in the church. When $ crave him the! certificate he inqnred: ‘How does bloke know when he’s married. I don’t (eol any different.’ He quite lmpcy, however, and the ne.Vt morning I saw him drive off wdh. 'lns wife for the backblocfcs”