MINISTER AND PRESBYTERY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 231, 23 June 1908, Page 9

MINISTER AND PRESBYTERY.

' SOCIALISTIC VIEWS. (by TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL correspondent) Ghristcliurch, Juno 22. : A ,meeting was held-at -St.' Andrew's, South Canterbury, last week, ■to hold ' an inquiry into some-differences; of opinion that were said to havo occurred between the Presbyterian congregation and their minister,' the Rev.' J. G. Chapplo. ' It was tinderstood that Mr. Chappie-.had been asked 1 to resign, and had not done so, and that many of the congregation objected to his Socialis-, tic views. Tho members of the Timaru Presbytery wore present to hear evidence, and the local 'congregation attended' in large numbers. '• ' ■ • ' ; . : Mr. 'Fraser, -:''on ' behalf of .tho' Minister,■ presented a petition from 116 members of. the congregation, asking that Mr. Chapplo should retain his position. ■ He.. asked on what' complaint 'tho Presbytery had acted.; : The Moderator, said at tho periodical visit to the congregation certain questions had nobbeen answered satisfactorily. Other reasons also had led to the v conclusion . that the church was not. being conducted in the best way. He also stated that-the Minister had announced his intention of resigning after six'months. . - Mr. Chappie denied that' Statement. Tho Moderator' gave instances of othor matters that, had not pleased the Presbytery and a somewhat heated discussion ensued, sovoral persons saying that it was common knowledge that the Presbytery had a grudge against the minister. \

The 1 Rev. A. B. Todd then road some letters bearing 'on the matter. Several writers tendered resignation of church offices,- and a letter from 15 churchpeople at Southbiirn objected to certain religious and social views expounded by Mr. Chappie. A numbor of the church managers then stated that they would- not resign, and were perfectly, satisfied with Mr. Chappie. : The Moderator, after some further heated' argument, said that ho had heard -from' worthy -members of the" congregation * some protty plain' expressions of 'dissatisfaction: ' None of those who wero said to havo made charges camo forward,'and a motion by a-mombor of the congregation, "that we aro satisfied with our' minister," having'' been carried by 101 votes to 13, tho Presbytery decided to take no further action in tho matter.