PASTOR GEORGE WISE "Protestant Stalwart"
Arrested
Meanwhile, Mr. Wise carried on his open air meetings for which he also was arrested and brought before the magistrates early in October, Mr. Wise had no desire to become just a "martyr" and as his summer campaign had ended he agreed to be bound over to keep the peace, which meant not holding meetings in the open air for a period of six months. This left him free to carry on his pastoral work during the winter months and to prepare his open air campaign for the spring Although his Protestant activities brought him many enemies, it also brought him many friends and amongst these numbered Bishop Ryle, Canon Lefoy, Archdeacon Taylor, Archdeacon Madden and Canon Woodward. All of whom appeared on his platform, recognising in him a valuable fighter on the side Of Protestantism and the open Bible. In the spring of 1903, Mr. Wise began his open air campaign and was warned by the Chief Constable, Mr. Dunning that unless his Protestant open air meetings ceased the law would be put in motion against him. This time Mr. Wise was bound over to keep the peace for a year. A peace he had never broken. Coming to the conclusion that the object of the prosecution was to stamp out all Protestant open air meetings and free speech. Mr. Wise on a matter of principle decided to go to gaol.
Gaoled
In sending him to gaol the stipendiary magistrate. Mr. J..Stewart, remarked: Mr. Wise does not go to gaol as a criminal, nor is he guilty of any crime or misdemeanor, but is simply placed in confinement as a matter of restraint, the alternative of his not finding sureties or giving an undertaking not to "break the peace" He was given three days to reflect on his decision not to be "bound over", but remained determined to speak at The Pit, situated in the heart of Protestant/Orange St. Domingo. He had some correspondence with the Lord Mayor on this matter and in a memorable speech at the Picton Hall ( now part of the Central Library in William Brown Street) he spoke on "why I go to Prison"
Mr. Wise said :- "I have spoken plainly, firmly and becomingly, not an unkind word did I say to his Lordship (the Lord Mayor) but I gave him to understand that we had taken a definite stand from which by all ties of conscience and of honour we could not recede. May I also make this statement- that the Lord Mayor is anxious to get things settled. I thank him for that, but given things are settled within a month, am I to remain in Walton Gaol. If I do, I tell this audience as plainly as I can possibly tell them, prison or no prison, I intend to speak at St. Domingo Pit, Islington Square is taken away from us because it is situated in a Roman Catholic quarter. I cannot understand that St. Domingo Pit which is situated in a Protestant quarter, should be taken away from us. If they take away St. Domingo Pit just because 400 0r 500 yards from the Pit there is a Bishop's house. where can we speak in the open air? You cannot go to Stanley Park after sunset, and the Pit is situated in a Protestant center which literally smells of Orange. I do not say the Battle of the Boyne was fought there, but I do say a battle for Protestants is being fought there at this moment, and we in the name of God intend to conquer.
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