RIOT AT A CHURCH.

North Otago Times, 24 October 1905, Page 1

RIOT AT A CHURCH.

TWO RIVAL SECTIONS. THE MINISTER RESIGNS, Brethern of the Church of Christ do not seem to work together in unity at Prahram (says the Melt ourne Herald). A great many things, it is true, happen in connection with all the churches which perplex the mind of the earnest layman and excite the unholy mirth of the cynical. But the necessity of invoking the presence of the gentlemen in blue to maintain order during a religious service is a startling novelty in this country. ■ At the morning service of the Church of Christ, Prahran, on Sunday the 3rd inst., a crowd of I yslanders were afforded the unedifying spectacle of the "outs" fighting at the the doors, like a pack of playgoers, and being bustled out by the stalwart members of the "in" section, The expelled members announce (hat their tactics will be, to use a theatrical phrase, "repeated until further notice." The disaffection broke into open violence at the evening service on the 10th inst, The dominant section proposed to exclude the disaffected, but the resistance was overcome by an organised attack, and the service had to be abandoned. Several attacks were made on the doorway, and it is claimed by the section in charge ihal the malcontents were dislodged, bul noservice was held. The excludec party, who form the oldest members o: the church, were ousted, so they say by recruits brought into the church through tent missions,. assisted by thi

votes: of women and children, / cording to one; of the , conseivativ M old church party viewed with alai attempt' to introduce instrumen music. .' Evangelist J. Pittman sent in 1 resignation- to the authorties of t ciitircli after the service bad to abandoned,