AN INTOLERANT RECTOR.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4259, 19 January 1901, Page 7 (Supplement)

AN INTOLERANT RECTOR.

Bedford Noncomformist and Chureir of England circles are just now stirred to the depths in consequence of the action taken by the Rev C. A. Wells, vector of the parish of St. Peter Martin, against two members .of his own chnrcn °Thc Rov Mr AVells “some time ago objected to a certain lady serving on the local branch of the Church of England Temperance Society on the ground that she belonged to another religious sect. His objection was combated by a number of the other members of the _ committee, and, persisting in his attitude, the rector thereupon disbanded the so ciety altogether. Among the members of tbc commit tea who were against the rectors decision wore Miss Kassall and Mr R. *J. Payne, the former a teacher and the latter the superintendent of the church Sunday school. A few evenings ago Mr Payne and Miss Hassall assisted at a concert held at the Brcmham road Wesleyan Chapel. Naxt day Mr Payne received the appended letter • “St. Peter’s Rectory, Bedford, November- 3, 1900. Hear Sir, been brought to my notice that v. i : were joining last evening in the worship nf a community other than that of the Church of England. Such conduct i;. absolutely inconsistent with loyalty to the .Church of England and her tea cuing, and therefore incompatible.with the conduct of y. true Sunday school - superintendent and a member of the choir 01

St. Peter’s Church. I am, tnerefcrc, under the painful necessity of suspending you from any place in the cue r or in tho Sunday school for three months. If at tne end of that tim.j .your conduct- is more satisfactory ' v-m mav retain on approbation lor three months, and, if approved, I shall be plad co receive you back both in •c, Sunday school and the choir.—l am yours laithfully, diaries A. Wells, rector of St. Peter’s. - ’ Miss Hass ail received the following Utter : illy Diocesan Home, November b. li’oo. Dear Miss Tiassaii,—Uv/nig ;.o your having given your active suppers co the Wesleyan Methodist gathering livid on Thursday, I have received a note horn the rector -of Bt. Peter’s' with a request to suspend you from teaching in St. Peter's -Sunday schoooi fur three months. He considers such ah act inconsistent with loyally to the Church cf England, and therefore iucompatieie with me conduct of one of her Sunday school teachers. I quite agree vitu him, and must ask you, please, to return to nearer your c.ass icgister and any other books you nave belonging to tbe school. The- rector antis that ir at me end of three months you wish to ret-iru he will consider the question of receiving you back after T,aster. — lours truly, biisur Ada, Superintendent.” The action ol the Rev Mr Wells Ims given rise to great- indignation in Bcalord, and a great deal of very adverse comment has been passed on in.-, conduct.