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Show . Ancient "Public Penance." j? One of a number of ancient matin- , scripts which have Just come (o light .. t at Taunton, In Kngland, bearing tlio f date 1424, refer to "order of public ? penance," Imposed on poisons bohav I ing badly In church, calling each othor f name, and other offenses. The offnd- t r had to stund In tho middle nlalo of f tho rhurch during tho wholo sorvlco i and sermon, generally wenrltiB a white sheet and holding a white wand. Aftor g the aurruon a full confotslon had to ba P uiade and pardon UBkcd before tho f whnlo congregation. Ono lnBtau,co of k this form of punishment occurred at t Hklilgate In 1703. when Jano Webber . made a confession of quarreling and ;! fluhtliiB with another unman In :'f church tlurlni; borvlce. |