Birch Must Leave Here, Pro Bono Publico.

Observer, Volume X, Issue 623, 6 December 1890, Page 7

Birch Must Leave Here, Pro Bono Publico.

Mr Birch, by exceedingly great energy and industry filled a vory large preaching Hall at Manchester with burglars, thieves, and strumpets ; himself being, lord master, pastor, preacher, deacon, obucker-out, and bottle- waaher ; moreover he held the key of the position and locked and unlocked the place at' will. He often brags about his burglars, (per printed report by a hearer). Had he specially convened his auditors for' the purpose of electing managing deacons, they would have cunningly winked at one another, and broadly grinned at him, and asked, 'Is that anything to eat, master?' Ostensibly he himself contracted low, vulgar accretions. Some said he was a converted costermonger. This I doubt. Ho would likety clear by that enterprise .£l4 aweek net. Mr Birch came here, seemingly quite ignorant of the decent order of the free, self-governing, New Testament church'- a: ' Look ye out from among yourselves seven men of srood report to serve tables,' or temporals— to take the business department, charities, etc. ; and 'we will give ourselves to the word of God '—spirituals. And the saying pleased the whole multitude, and they chose,' eto., (Acts vi., 5.) It is understood he was at first an ingrained Arminian Wesleyan Methodist (sent so denominated in former hymn-booka • followers of the Dutch theologian, Arminius), and that lately he got uuder the wing of the celebrated Baptist divine, Dr McLaren. But instead of being sent out here raw. he should have had five or seven years' college say at Regent's Park. At present scandalous crisis, it is necessary he should : leave. The other day a superior lady with striking manner made the observation, 'If he remains much longer he will wreck that church.' Ay, it has really I come to this alternative : Destroy that church, or oust Birch. Now, very seriously, every respectable man in Auckland should come out in strong demonstrative protest. Doubtless, of course, most Salvationists and ! Methodists will reckon that this account redounds to the honour and glory of Mr Birch. Being fanatical, he might suit the Australian Salvationists. With them he would regain happiness.