INCIDENT IN A CHURCH.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 65, 18 March 1908, Page 5

INCIDENT IN A CHURCH.

A LUNATIC'S THREAT,

An unusual experience befel the Rev. T. Tait, of St., Paul's Church, Chrust'churchj on, Sunday. Justus Mr Tait was finishing his morning sermon he noticed a young man coming in at the front, door. . The man wended his .way quietly down the left aisle, hesitated for a moment when he got near the pulpit, and then walked over' t<^ the other side of it, evidently with a 1 view of- finding some means of getting on^to the platform. Being unsuccessful in his search, b.6 came right round the pulpit and mounted the steps. He was then, of course, lost to sight by the congregation, although visible to the preacher. Up to this point none of the worshippers in the church had attempted to molest the man, but presently a couple of elders^ recognising that some sinister motive was actuating his movements, arose from their seats with a view to finding out what had become of him. During this embarrassing interlude Mr Tait could plainly see the man mounting the ste,ps and watching him intently with one foot ...on the platform. The intruder glared at the preacher for some couple of minutes. The sitnation was extremely perplexing to Mr Tait, but he continued his sermon, keeping an eye on the man till the elders came to the rescue, and conducted him outside. . During the afternoon the incident had a sensational sequel. About 5.30, just as Mr Tait was preparing for the evening service, the man came to the manse in Latimer Square, and demanded to; see Mr Tait: He refused to give his name to the maid, arid when Mr Tait went out he commenced'to talk wildly, arid to say he was endowed with power to work miracles. He was very; earnest in impressing on Mr Tait that he had had a revelation on Thursday, last, reiterating the states ment that if the reverend gentleman persisted in preaching that evening he would shcot him, and it would be tho last sermon ho would ever .deliver. The alleged miracle worker had blood on his cellar and temple, and, point-. ing-proudly to it, stated that the Almighty had placed it there. When the stranger had departed Mr Tait rang up the police, but from another source the latter had been informed that the; lunatic was in the vicinity of St. Paul's button-hoHiig passersby and beseeching them to come and hear him p?;each that night in Mr Tait's •church. Accordingly, Sergeant Bird went down and arrested him. He was taken to the police-station, and was committed to the Sunnyside Mental Hospital on a charge of lunacy.