THE RED CHURCH, BETHNAL GREEN.
[To THE EDITOR 01 THE •• BPROTATOR.1 Sue,—In your review of Mr. Arnold White's "Problems of a Great City," you say, with reference to the marriage scenes described as taking place at the Red Church, Bethnal Green, "This should and could be stopped." I therefore write to let you know that, shocked by reading of these scandals, I went last Boxing Day to St. James's Church, Bethnal Green, commonly known as the " Red Church," hoping to find that the picture had been overdrawn ; and to my satisfaction, I found that the scenes described were of the past; that a new curate is in charge, and that on Christmas Day, 1886, fifteen couples had been married in the most orderly reverent manner, with as much decorum as could be found in a West-End church; that after the service it is now the custom for each couple to go separately into the vestry, where they are spoken to of the sacredness of marriage and of the duties of married life. When Mr. Snipe% the curate-in-charge, came to Bethnal Green a year ago, the church was almost empty at the Sunday services ; now there is a growing congregation, the Sunday-schools are increasing, sewing-classes are established, and progress is being made; but no help is forthcoming from the West End. May I take this opportunity of urging on your readers to help in this forsaken East-End parish ? The curate told me he was most anxious for help. There is a good Board school close by ; there are excellent improved artisans' dwellings near the church; these would all supply ample material for boys' club and girls' club, the only way of counteracting the great evil of the East-End boy-and-girl marriages. If a few ladies and gentlemen would come forward, this work could soon be set on foot, and I would gladly render what -assistance I could.—I am, Sir, &c., 40 Dover Street, February let. MAUDE STANLEY.
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