A scene of great disorder immediately ensued, and the Lord Mayor sternly said, "I must ask you to resume your seat."
Mr. Charrington was quite unmoved. He said, "I contend that my two questions are entirely legal. We are cursed enough with strong drink without having any more introduced into this Palace, which is intended for the benefit of the public."
"You are out of order altogether," was the Lord Mayor's rejoinder.
"There is beer and gin enough already," said Mr. Charrington.
The Lord Mayor: "I must ask you to leave the hall. I will not allow this to continue."
Mr. Charrington: "Is this place to be opened on Sunday or not?"
The Lord Mayor: "Sir, if you persist in interrupting the meeting when I have declared you to be out of order, I shall have you removed." (Loud cheers and counter-cheers. Cries of "Bravo, Charrington!")
Mr. Charrington: "I have a legal right to speak."
The Lord Mayor: "I will take all the responsibility upon myself, and if you don't sit down, I will order the police to remove you."
Mr. Charrington still persisting, Sir E. H. Currie left the platform and swore at Mr. Charrington, who replied, "We've had enough of your gin shops; go back to the platform," which he did. A police officer having been sent for, he was directed to remove Mr. Charrington. Accordingly, the evangelist, who was loudly cheered, left the hall amidst great excitement, exclaiming at every step, "The curse of strong drink!"