DISTURBANCE IN CHURCH

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17221, 3 October 1927, Page 5

DISTURBANCE IN CHURCH

■ 4WOMAN INTERRUPTS NO CHURCH FOR 12 MONTHS. Unlawfully disturbing the Rev. H. E. Tilston, while he was preaching at St. Margaret's, Leystonstone, was the summons against Florence Partridge, a middle-aged woman, of the Oaks, Essex Road, Leyton, at Stratford, England. Mr Edward Mustoe, a churchwarden was summoned for assaulting Mrs Partridge on this occasion. The Rev. 11. E. Tilston said that he was formerly a priest at St. Saviour's I Walthamstow, and Mrs Partridge was a worshipper at St. Saviour's. She transferred to St. Margaret's a week before he went there, in May, 1924. On Sunday, August 7, Mrs Partridge occupied her seat almost in front of the pulpit. He preached from the text, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing." During the discourse he was conscious of a considerable amount of movement of the head and arms of Mrs Partridge, who also murmured and made running comments all the way through. The result was that he was seriously disturbed.. At the conclusion of the sermon, and while he was still in the pulpit, he addressed the woman, saying, "Madam, you have interrupted me and I think that out of reverence to God's Church you should leave it." Mrs Partridge replied, "I will do no 3iich thing."

"You Are a Disgrace."

He left the pulpit and went to his stall and then Mr Mustoe and another churchwarden went up to her, but she refused to leave. Mrs Partridge said to him (the Rev. H. E. Tiltson), "You are a disgrace," and afterwards faced the congregation and said, "This man has separated me from my husband." She heard that the police had been sent for and then she said, "I am going I now, and 1 shall go to the police myI self." Mr Howgate, defending, said that Mrs Partridge denied any intention of disturbing the service. If she did cause any disturbance she was willing to apologise, and give an undertaking not to attend the church again. The Rev. 11. E. Tilston: The apology could not be entertained, because of previous history. The Bench said that Mrs Partridge would be bound over in £25 to be of good behaviour for 12 months, with conditions that she did not write to the clergy or officers of the church, and did "not attend the church. The summons for assault against Mr Mustoe, the churchwarden, was withdrawn. :