SCENE IN AN EAST END CHAPEL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9380, 1 June 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

SCENE IN AN EAST END CHAPEL.

A discreditable scene was witnessed on Sunday, April 10, in the Congregational Hall, Midland-street, Ratcliff Highway. There has been a dispute for some years between the pastor and congregation of the church and the Congregational Union, who claim a right to the building on the ground that it was handed over to their care by the trustee (Mr. Thomas Scrutton). The Rev. W. H. Massey, pastor, and his congregation maintain that they have a right to use the building as a place of worship, as they hold the lease of it. It appears, however, that more than twelve months ago the building was closed at the instance of the Congregational Union, and from that time up to six weeks since, when I Mr. Masse}' was taken seriously ill, he and his congregation have worshipped on the steps of the hall. On this Sunday, for the first; time since the chapel was closed, the Congregational Union appointed one of their representatives to conduct service. Shortly before eleven o'clock Mr. Massey and a number of his congregation assembled outside the building. Mr. Mackay and Mr. Gates, of the Congregational Union, were also there. On the door being opened, Mr. Mackay and Mr. Gates rushed inside, followed by Mr. Massey, two of his sons, and his adherents. Mr. Mackay, hymn-book and Bible in hand, ran for the platform, followed by Mr. Massey, both reaching it together. Mr. Mackay took up his position at the preacher's desk, and immediately gave out a hymn. Mr. Massey did the same, and for an hour both continued giving out hymns, praying, and preaching. When Mr. Mackay announced a hymn, Mr. Massey did tI;o same; when Mr. Mackay prayed, so did Mr. Massey; when Mr. Mackay proceeded to expound a portion of Scripture, Mr. Massey started a short sermon. While this was going on, o:i" of j Massey's sons three times seized hold of Mr. Mackay, and endeavoured to remove him from the place lie considered his father should occupy. Mr. Mackay resisted by holding on to the railing in front of the platform. In the body of the hall several lights also took place between Mr. Massey's friends and those who side with the Congregational Union. At the evening service the proceedings were of the same disorderly character, several attempts being made by Mr. Massey's sons and friends to remove Mr. Mackay and Mr. Gates from the platform ; and what threatened to prove a serious riot was prevented by the presence of half a dozen policemen. One friend of Mr. Massey's was given into custody by the representatives of the Congregational Union on a charge of brawling, and, while lie was being marched to the station, an attempt to rescue was made by some of Mr. Massey's friends, but they were driven off by the police. The man arrested, Frederick Stevens, 50, a delivery clerk, of 6, Garden-street, Broom-head-street, Commercial Road, was brought up at the Thames Police Court on the following day, charged with brawling, but eventually Mr. Saunders adjourned the case sine die, with a view to an amicable settlement.