ANIMALS IN CHURCH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 22 April 1911, Page 3

ANIMALS IN CHURCH

SOME UNEXPECTED OCCURJRExVCEti.

There was an unexpected occurrence lately at one of our city churches, says the. "'Christ-church. Press"," when, ju-i-t before morning service, a stray opossum was found, .pleasantly curled up for his day*s nap amongst the altar i.ower-va-ses. Opossums are now well acclimatised at -Ltittle River, ,and some garden escapees are eaid to have established themselves in our 'own park, but it was not known that any of -them had acquired" a taste for church-going. The incident recalls some unauthorised intrusions already on record. In a Dunedin church, one Sunday, when the voluntary began, white feathers were observed floating up from behind the orga.n pipes and settling down upon the congregaticin's heads. A churchwarden made inquiry into this 'musical problem, and came down with a large white fowl. She had no doubt been very comfortalble in the organ-chamber urtt'jl disturbed by melody, when her anxious fluterrinic-j in a confined space bad caused the featheryshower. It was. in Dune-din, again, that, a grave ecclesiastical procession had its effect rather curiously spoiled. Choir and clergy, and Bishop in his robes, passed up the church, quite unaware that behind the Primate marched side by side, like -ch-ciir boys, his two faithful dogs. As the congregation made it clear to them that they had blundered, their attitudes 'became more and more apologetic, and their tails went dismally down; and not until they had duly reached the chancel and the episcopal chair, could these unorthodox attendants be induced to fall out °f rank. Bishop Neviil suffered, however, in goad company. The Bishop of Lot-i----don had as awkward a moment even with so well-trained an animal as "Watch," the dog who went daily to service", but remained, with the utmost discretion, at tihe far-west door. Only, o:i one occasion, the Bishop's clear voice gave out the text: "And what I say unto you. I. £iay.,.unto, all, watch!" At the last word, there came bounding up the aisle to his master a delighted, obedient dog. He had waited and been ignored through many services, but had heard his name called at last. A,r for country, sheep-dogs their comprehension of general good behaviour very frequently includes behaviour in church. One of Canan Piascoe's stories of early days refers to his surprise, as a new chum in a country district at the presence of these quietly attentive canines. But a still greater surprise was to -come-. While lunching after service witJi an important parisUioner, the new vicar w<as congratulated on his congregation. "If, was pleasant to see so'many cockatoos of the neighbourhood at church." "What, do they ibring their 'birds with them?" explained the strangles to colonial slang. "I saw a good many dogs, but I did,iiot notice- any cockatoo !""