Another Church Scandal

Observer, Volume X, Issue 621, 22 November 1890, Page 9

Another Church Scandal

Beligii>uß and social ( ircles have ot' late been considerably agitated over a grave church scandal whi"h ia continually coming to the surface and has at length reached a stage when its public ventilation is absolutely necessary in the cause of public morality. It has long been whispered that a somewhat elderly married clergyman, resident in our midst, has been carrying on an illioit intrigue with the wife of a prominent parishioner. This Don Juan has been under surveillance for some considerable time, and his flock now f^el that his departure from Auckland is the only method whereby the reputation of the church can be saved. Even supposing that matters are not quite so bad as painted, the congregation are ot opinion that their religious instructor should get a ' call ' elsewhere. The lady in question is equally well-known in church circles, and she has always occupied a foremost position in any movement likely to promote the welfare of the churcb. She was ever ready to lend a helping hand to her dear pastor, and the pair accomplished many good objects. The intimacy, however, began to be noticed by other church members, and the fire of scandal, once lighted, was soon fanned into a steady flame, until the present crisis was reached. The lady is married, her husband being a shopkeeper in Wellesley-street, but his wife's frequent visits to the clergyman's mansion awakened no thought of suspicion in his mind ; perhaps because he was so deeply engaged in his own illicit amours. It seems that the recreant hubby often had occasion to return to business after hours in order to clear up goods which had been disturbed during the day's confusion, and Hy a singular coincidence, a very pretty little lady managed to return to the shop about the same hour. This lady, by the way, was formerly employed in his shop, but has sinco entered the bond 3of matrimony. Friendship for her old master or perhaps a warmer feeling caused her to return in order to assist him in hia arduous evening duties. Now, one of the employes, finding the reins of government a trifle slack, indulged m a little peculation which grew into a very tidy amount. Of course this sort of thing could not go on for ever, and the disclosure was brought about by the annual stock taking. The shopkeep r, who figures as a saintly member of a saintly church, was naturally enough very indignant, and the aid of the police was about to be invoked right off ; but one or two remarks whioh chanced to drop from the culprit caused the employer to postpone all proceedings in that direction until after he had had a private interview. This was speedily brought about, and the young fellow's knowledge of his master's late working, in company with his lady friend, turned out to be so extensive that a compromise was gladly arrived at. Ifc was understood the lad's parents would refund the amount appropriated and no more would be heard of the affair, providing the transgressor shook the dust of Auckland off his l'eet, which he did. Such are the details of the scandalous affair, which are being whispered all over the town. I don't say that I believe them all, but readers will agree that when these things are talked of, with names, and dates, and other particulars given, it is high time for more definite action to be taken. The rev. gentleman's flock have, I hear, determined to take vigorous action to clear up the matter, and if the charges are proved, the paraon as well as the fallen members will be promptly expelled.