A HERESY HUNT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2316, 25 November 1914, Page 7

A HERESY HUNT

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

A LIVELY DISCUSSION (By Tslegianli—Preu Jtasociatton.) Dunedin, November 24. At the Presbyterian Assembly this morning, after the report of the Theological Committee had been adopted, the Rev. P. 11. Fraser walked to the 6tage, and said: "I desire leave to make a personal statement regarding my old-time protect in. a few . sentences. I/ike other members of the Assembly in another matter, I claim liberty of conscience, not, I believe, to subvert the law, principles, or doctrines of thi6 Church, but to stand by them. I desire the Assembly, without reflecting on its members, whom I hold in the highest esteem, to relieve me from the responsibility of serving on its oommittees, or taking part in its proceedings until suoh time as the Professor of Theology (Professor Diolcie) gives in writing in any way he pleases or as the Churoh may require, si frank and explicit de-' claration of his beliefs, convictions, and teachings on the fundamental doctrines of this Church. I have already raised a\note of interrogation in. the Assembly, and have waited a year for a. reply. I havo reason to believe, and publicly affirm, that the professor's teaching and the theology he "recommends are subversive of the fundamental faith of tho Church, .and I take this method as the best available to tne of renewing my protest anil of clearing my conscience and Vindicating my judgment, from all complicity in bis teaching, the true nature of which tho Churon at large and tho hulk of the.members of. the Assembly havo, I believe, no adequate and accurate knowledge." There was considerable discussion on , the question of procedure, and rauoh diversity of opinion. > Dr. Erwin said: "It is beneath the dignity of the assembly-to permit these statements to be made from year to year, and to take ii.o notice of them. If a member makes statements which he is not prepared to substantiate he is responsible, to' the disoipline of the Church. . Mr. Eraser must either substantiate his oharges or forever .hold •his tongue."

Professor Dickie said: "I claim the protection of this house. It 'is a shame and a scandal that any brother minister should treat me as Mr. Fraser does. I olaim protection, and the house, refuses me that protection if it passes from the matter in this way.". The Rev. A. Cameron: VI move that Mr. Fraser be called on to substantiate his statements or withdraw them." '! Dr. Erwin seconded the motion. In reply to a.question, the clerk,said the motion meant that Mr.. Fraser was called on to libel Professor Dickie, according to the lawß of the Church or else to withdraw his charge. •It could not be done in the Assembly, it must be done through the professors of the Presbytery of Dunedin. Professor Dickie: "Had it not been that my regard for. the honour of. the Church,is greater than my regard for my own dignity, I would havo before this demanded a libel from Mr. Fraser. I

now make that domaud." (Applause.) Mr. Fraser: "I have always held that a man against whom a charge is made is innocent until he is proved- guilty. I have also heard that a competent witness who makes a charge is held to be innocent ■ until - ho is proved guilty. Have I been held iniiocentP I believe the Theological Committee is the'only one that oan libel the professor, not a private individual;. but whatever the pToper method may be I shall be prepared, at the proper time and. place and ™n.proper]y guided, to take up my rightful position, and all the oratory here to discredit a competent witness is nothing. I claim as a competent witness that I shall not be prejudiced as I have been attempted to be by the friends of the professor." The motion _ that Mr. Fraser substantiate or withdraw'was carried unanimously.'

The Rev. A. C ameron "I move that the Judicial Committee be asked to consider the position, and report to the Assembly this afternoon." This was earned.

The Judicial Committee reported recommending that Mr. Eraser be required to state his charges against Professor Dickie in writing and the grounds for same, and to appear before the Assembly to-morrow to substantiate them. in the evening reports of the Maori rmssionary field wore taken. These disclosed the rapid state of the progressbeing mode. More, workers were required.

_ The fire insuranoo report showed: the' insurances in force on August 18 amounted to £212,857, distributed over 215 churches.

The New Century Fund report bliow<£jra?Js,to t' 1 ™ followingKolburn, £100 j Matamata, £225 j Otoroh&nga £150; Seatoun, £150; and To Kuiti, £9° 15b. 3d.; making a total of £715 15s. 3d.

During the -evening addresses wore given by Revs. I. Jolly and Gray Dixon ° n the• mission work of Samuel Marsden. The Assembly also carried a resolution expressing appreciation of the action of Britain in connection with the war, and hoping that the result would be that the enemy would be taught that might was not right.