MEETING OF PROTEST

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 198, 19 May 1944, Page 3

MEETING OF PROTEST

Suspension Of Baptist Minister (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 18. A public meeting called for the purpose of protesting against the suspension of the Bev. Dr. A. Hodge, minister of the Baptist Tabernacle, as an accredited minister of the Baptist Union of New Zealand was held in the Tabernacle. The meeting was called by Dr. Hodge’s adherents, and at the same time members in opposition to Dr. Hodge were invited by the committee formed to represent them to attend the same meeting. The secretary of the Tabernacle read a declaration signed by 23 officers stating that thy were in full possession ot all the facts and desired to place on record their entire confidence in their minister and their determination to support him in the present crisis. They said bis integrity, doctrine and moral character were beyond question. Dr. Hodge then proceeded with Ins personal protest, his answer to the eight charges made before the Baptist Union’s commission of inquiry and an examination of the commission’s procedure. His statement was estimated to be of more than 8000 words. It was occasionally interrupted by critical interjections and by frequent bursts of applause by what appeared to be the substantial majority of those in the church. Cheers called for Dr. Hodge were responded to by apparently the large majority, and there followed cheers for the Baptist Union by a. minority ot the audience.