BROKE INTO CHAPEL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8365, 27 February 1913, Page 2

BROKE INTO CHAPEL

PASTOR SMASHED GATES WHEN LOCKED ODT. “DISCREDITABLE GOSSIP.” LONDON, January 19. Tho case of the pastor who, with a sledge-hammer, broke into tbo church at which he had been accustomed to preach, was before Mr Justice Neville on a motion by the trustees of the Crane street Baptist Church at Pontypool, to restrain the pastor, the Rev. Daniel Hughes, from “entering, breaking into, or otherwise interfering with or officiating in tho church pending the trial of the action.” It was alleged that after the pastor’s engagement had been terminated by a church meeting, he htoke open the church gates and door on two Sundays in December with a sledge-hammer and chisel in the presence of a rowdy assembly, and proceeded to officiate. An interim injunction was granted on December 19th, the motion standing over in order that the defendant might make an affidavit in answer to the evidence. Mr Hughes read a long affidavit in reply, in which he that the dissatisfaction with his ministry was coincident with the appointment of Mr Benjamin Nicholas as secretary. Tho church held 660, and had never been filled before his time, but by means of lectures and Biblical expositions he made it a popular centre of worship. Defendant went in considerable detail into his grievances against the deacons, and complained that gossip was accepted discrediting his ministry, and it became a public scandal. Ho got up a bazaar of Dickens characters, which resulted in over £7OO being realised. During the bazaar ho was shocked to hear that his integrity had been brought into question, and that he was being accused of misappropriation. The deacons utterly failed him in this serious situation, and when the accounts were examined, and everything was proved to be right, although it was agreed that as wide publicity should bo given to the truth as had been given to the falsehood by an announcement from tho pulpit, this was not done. With regard to the other discreditable gossip, he had asked for an opportunity to answer it, and clear up all misgivings, and a meeting was he’d, at which a unanimous vote of confidence in the pastor was passed by the deacons. His Lordship continued the injunction until the trial of tho action.