CURIOUS INCIDENT IN CHURCH.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVI, Issue 7648, 3 October 1893, Page 1

CURIOUS INCIDENT IN CHURCH.

A sensation was created at St. Paul' Church, Ballarat, on a late Sunday even ing when the pulpit was filled by the Rev Curzon Siggers, a visiting ministei While the preacher was explaining th text a member ot the choir commence) to peruse a religious periodical known a the 'Church Chronicle. , Mr Siggers turning towards the choir gallery, re marked that he was not qiite sure the the reading of a newspaper was conduc ive io the worship of God, especial! among ihe choir. He then resumed hi sermon, but before concluding he agai reverted to the alleged indiscreet conduc of the chorister in perusing tbe 'Churc Chronicle, copies of which are regularl; placed on the pews of the church. H regretted the defiance shown in the choi by the" persistent reading of a newspap* during service, and said that a so-calle nominal Christian who led an hones moral and pure life was no better than I Zulu, some of whose race led honest an i moral lives, and whose politeness sur passed that of some of the members c St. Paul's congregation. Later on, JM tiiggere stated that the majesty of Al mighty God had been outraged in S Paul's Church. A prayer had been se apart for such occasions, and he invite the congregation to join in it. Mr Sjg gers then recited a prayer from the Con minntion. Mutli-indignation wae ej pressed at the extraordinary action ( the minister, which was brought undt the notice of the bishop of the diocese Dr Thorn , on has communicated with it yiggere' in the following terms on tr matter:—"l have felt it due to th congregation to add an expression of th high esteem in which, as their bisho for eighteen year?, I have been led t hold the congregation ot St. Paul's, an my great personal regret that doubtles you from a commendable jealousy forr verence and order in church, but, in m opinion, with a great want of judgmet in this case as to the best means of pr moting them, should have «o actod as t give; unmerited offence to the congr gation, and particularly to the choi masters and voluntary choir, who rendi such invaluable service at St. Paul's, am no apologist for reading newspape: in church; but I cannot for a raomei ngree with you in presuming that in th instance iin insult tn God was intendei Moreover, per.-or al rebuke when call< for is bijst administered, as our Lord su{ gea'ts, in private, ami I may add Ib disciplinary fundi in- of this kiad at 8 Paul's, if requited, should be exercist by the vicar rather thin by n visitii clergyman. lam very glad you acce my views that you are in error, and ha l expressed soprnw for the pain which hi undoubtedly benii caused to loyal churcl men; also that you are not likely Bgain take the samocouise hi vindii siting the oause of religious reverence."