222 A HISTORY OF LON-GRIDGE. [Chap. 10. 



The living of Wliitechapel is in the gift of the Dean and Chapter, 

 Christ Church, Oxford, and is returned at £250 per annum. 



EEV. E. D. BANNISTER, M.A. 



The Eev. Edmund Dawson Bannister M,.A., the present Vicar of 

 Whitechapel, is, without doubt, the best preacher in any of the country 

 districts about Longridge. A tall, well-made, clean-shaved man, of 

 about fifty, he has thoroughly familiarised himself with agricultural 

 matters. His sermons savour distinctly of the soil. Many of his 

 allusions are drawn from the land and the farm, and are of a very 

 practical nature, thus impressing his hearers more than usual. It 

 seems a pity that a parson with such qualities as Mr. Bannister should 

 be allowed to wear himself away in a small and obscure hamlet like 

 Whitechapel. He is very popular amongst his peoj)le, and is, we 

 believe, an energetic worker. 



EEV. T. SAUL, M.A. 



Eecently there came into my possession some very interesting 

 documents relating to the dispute between the Eev. T. Saul and his 

 parishioners, extracts fi-om which I publish in order that some light 

 may be thrown upon Church questions at Whitechapel during the 

 early part of the present century. 



I should preface the following letter by saying that Mr. Saul's 

 parishioners complained of his non-residence, and the matter was 

 placed by them in the hands of Wm. Cross, solicitor and prothonotary, 

 of Preston. Writing to Mr. Wm. Cross, from Lancaster, 20 Nov. 

 1810, Mr. Saul says: — " My flock is very small in number, consisting 

 of none but pew projjrietors, and there are only about 24 pews, there- 

 fore I consider the j)etition (complaining to the Bishop) so numerously 

 signed must be signed bj- many persons who have no interest in White 

 Chapel. However, they know my intention of residing when I can 

 meet with a decent house, either to rent or purchase ; and in the 

 meantime I have a resident curate who takes the duty when I do not 

 attend. I, of course, do not know the statements made in tlie petition 

 but if you rely upon the assertions of Mr. M., or even Mr. S., you may 

 perhaps not be very correct. 



