Crossword

Across

 1 One girl I converted to the faith (8)

 9 Evergreen shrub available from no dealer (8)

10 Tidings from all quarters (4)

11 ‘God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your ___’ (1 Samuel 10:19, AV) (12)

13 Sounds like man’s passionate advertising literature (8)

15 Horatio endlessly spouting empty words (3,3)

16 Oats scattered in the porch (4)

17 Attractiveness of church member (5)

18 It took some days to build, possibly more (4)

20 Popular female given bad sort of housing? (6)

21 Epitaphs surprisingly most cheerful (8)

23 ‘He gave . . . their flocks to hot ___’ (Psalm 78:48, AV) (12)

26 Thought a bit less than perfect (4)

27 Behold one saint in church beginning to read in enclosed space there? (8)

28 It’s alien, somehow, producing special prayers (8)

Down

 2 Animal that was in the ark out of place in the plane? (8)

 3 Ceremony for new vicar maybe — in post hugging everyone (12)

 4 Old book is excellent — what joy! (6)

 5 Unacceptable to snobs, like some American spelling (3-1)

 6 Angels troubling me and parish (8)

 7 Tuber cooked — done partially (4)

 8 Keep jam? (8)

12 Interval in which to bury the lady no one upset (12)

14 Tutor every individual after the end of August (5)

16 Isaac troubled about twitching and neuritis (8)

17 Gets together for prayers (8)

19 Withered in the mud — have mercy! (8)

22 Pupil in trouble over time and place for preaching (6)

24 Some things of universe turning up (inexplicably) (4)

25 Knot which is not completely sturdy (4)

Last week's solution