Walsingham: the 'best ever witness' British Church Newspaper, 6 June 2008
In spite of the dire weather predictions the witness at Walsingham was able to proceed, albeit in windy conditions. The weather being quite cold, not many of the "pilgrims" hung around.
As the procession carrying the idol passed upward towards the abbey there was a silent interlude which enabled the speaker to address the clergy, decked in their ceremonial robes, as they passed by. He inquired of them as to where in the Scripture there was any mention of Christ or the Apostles dressing up in religious garb. He pointed out that there was a group of religious people who liked to dress up but the Lord was not impressed with their regalia. He further pointed out that where there is much outward religion there is little or no spirituality.
The return route for the procession was different to other years supposedly because of building work along the normal route. The police were not aware of the change until late afternoon. They arranged for those witnessing to stand at the end of a side street close up to where the procession was to pass. The police at the witness are usually very helpful.
People lined the route waiting for the idol. This afforded an opportunity to read appropriate passages from the Bible, especially from Hebrews. A debate concerning the Mass then ensured, lasting about half an hour. It was put to them that if Christ partook of the Last Supper it followed that He must have eaten His own flesh and drunk His own blood if transubstantiation had taken place. They were asked if unused consecrated wafers decayed. They acknowledged that they did. It was pointed out that if the wafer was the actual body of Christ, as they believe, then His flesh corrupts. This is contrary to the promise of God that He would not leave His Son's soul in Hell nor suffer His holy one to see corruption. They were exhorted to trust in Christ and His finished work.
While the debate was taking place a vicar approached one of those witnessing and said "How would you like it if somebody came and ***** up your day?" It goes to show what manner of people these false prophets really are.
Several other conversations took place and many tracts were given out. It was generally felt that this was the best witness that had taken place at this event, even though the number standing for the truth was low. In the providence of God the area where the witness took place for the return procession acted as an amplifier which meant that the few sounded like many. Even the police sergeant in charge remarked that we had out sung the Mariolators as they blasted out their Ave Maria. To God be the glory!
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