TROUBLE IN A CHURCH.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 405, 14 January 1909, Page 9

TROUBLE IN A CHURCH.

. AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY. (BI TELEOUArIt —SPECIAL COHURSPONDEKT.) Auckland, January 13. The Auckland Presbytery, at its meeting last evening;. received'a report from a Commission of Inquiry concerning a request :from several members of tho Waipu Churcli : that "something bo done wheroby tho ordinances of religion, could be provided for those people of the district who could not attend viees conducted bythe Rev. William Thompson." In a voluminous report, tho Commission remarked:. "The people as a whole aro religiously:inclined, but party.spirit hinders progress and not a few arc careless of ordinances. There are 130 families connected with the congregation, and the attendance at'sor-> vice is nearly 200."- The; non-attendance or 'very, rare attendance of . between 20 and 30 families at ordinances was duo to the longcontinued strife and a settled opposition to the present minister. It was regretted that the minister's influence was being spoiled and progress hampered by the persecution and opposition of-a certain party. The "commission hoped the-Presbytery might be able to render assistance in the difficulty. It was satisfied that the iniiiister was discharging his duties faithfully-«nd "efficiently, and retained the respect of the large majority of the congregation._ A request for separate services for the minority was not- considered possible, Tlio commission recommended that tho~proposal of the petitioners be set aside, also that the Presbytery' assure the minister and congregation of their confidence and sympathy in the difficult situation. The Rev. Mr.- Simpson remarked that the petitioners had taken lip' a vindictive attitude, and appeared-to be quite unwilling to effect a compromise.. The Rev. R. ;Ferguson said none of the charges against Mr. Thompson would' hold water. It was said that lie had drunk out of a beer bottle with a. Maori. - (Laughter.) Investigation , showed that, the Maori was a coachdriver, and that the , bottle .contained merely a herbal beer. • - • _ A : for tho adoption of the commission's recommendation and, the forwarding to the petitioners; of that, portion 'of. the report, which' concerned themselves was genorlally-, discussed, the feeling of the Presbytery being decidedly in favour of Mn Thompson" while the action of the malcontents considered: to be the outcome of unjustifiable prejudice. ; Tho Rev. W. Gray Dixon urged a conciliatory attitude,-and moved "That the Presbytery aro unable to to the request for the removal of tho present minister, but would appeal to the petitioners not to forsake.' the Church of their:fathers; but, in tho event' of. their 1 themselves quite unable to-.avail .themselves of .the: present minister's services; to .take steps for the securing of services for. themselves ,in which steps the Presbytery will do all they can to meet their wishes." ■ The Rev. Mi\ .-Trotter, supported the adoption of ■ tho.' recommendations of the commission. Dissent ■in a Church congregation was- he said, strongly fob© deplored, and the' Presbytery should stand ; firm in'the.-.interests of peace and. order. It was better-to lose a minority of malcontents , if; , thoy< ■; were- .irreconcilable, than to i allow V - the work of tile Church to. become disorganised.. ' : The'amendment was lost,, and the .'.motion' for-.the -adoption of tho'commission's. .r.econK "mendations was-carrTecTby a substantial ma- 1 jority.': ■ ;■ ' .