CHRISTCHURCH PULPIN INVARED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2818, 18 March 1908, Page 68

CHRIST CHURCH PULPIN INVARED.

THE ACT OF A MADMAN. (From Odh Own Coxrespoxdbnt.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 16. An unusual experience befel the Rev. T. Tait, of St. Paul's Church, yesterday. Just as <Mr Tait was finishing his morning sermon he noticed a young man sneaking in at the front door. The man wended his way quietly down the left aisle, hesitated for a moment when ho got near the pulpit, and then walked over to the other side of it, evidently with a view to finding some means of getting on to the platform. Being unsuccessful in bis search, he came right round the pulpit and mounted, the steps. He was then, of course, lost to sight by the congregation, although visible to the preacher. Up to this point none of the worshippers in the church had attempted to molest the man, but presently a couple of elders, recognising that some sinister motive was actuating his movements arose from their seats with a view to finding out what had become of him. During this embarrassing interlude Mr Tait could plainly see the man mounting the steps, and watching him intently. With one foot on the platform the intruder glared "at the preacher for some couple of minutes. The situation was extremely perplexing to Mr Tait, but he continued his sermon, meanwhile keeping an eye on the man till the elders came to the rescue and conducted him. outside. During the afternoon tfie incident had a sensational sequel. About 5.30, just as Mr Tait was preparing for the evening service, the man came to the manse, in Latimer square, and demanded to see Mr Tait. He refused to give his name to the maid, and when Mr Tait went out he commenced) to talk wildly and to say he was endowed with power to work miraoles. He was very earnest in impressing on Mr Tait that ho had had a revelation on Thursday last, reiterating the statement that if the reverend gentleman persisted in preaching that evening he would shoot him, and it would be the last sermon he would ever deliver. The alleged miracle-worker had, blood on, his collar and temple, and pointing proudly to it, stated that the Almighty had placed; it there. When the stranger had departed Mr Tait rang up the police, but from another source the latter had been informed that the lunatio was in the vicinity of St. Paul's button-holing passere-by, and beseeching them to come and hear him preach thai night in Mr Tait'e church. Accordingly Sergeant Bird went down and arrested him. He was taken to the police station, and this morning was committed to the Sunnyside- Mental Hospital on a charge of lunacy.