Scene at a Church Meeting

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 105, 26 February 1891, Page 3

Scene at a Church Meeting

(per united press association.) Auckland. February 24 There was a stormy scene at the ordinary church meeting of the Baptist Tabernacle congregation last night. At a baptismal service just previously two ladies who usually assisted at this part of the •church work, Mesdames Gaze and Batts, were told by Pastor Birch that they need not busy themselves there any longer, as there was a lady who would take their • places. The two ladies objected, and it is reported that the Pastor at last told them that if they did not go he would send for a policeman and have them removed. The matter was brought up at the church meeting, when the husband of one of the ladies asked Mr Birch to apologise. Mr Birch refused an apology. After a heated discussion, it was resolved, "That Pastor Birch having refused •to apologise, this church pass a severe vote of censure on him for his ungentlerhanly and unchristianlike conduct towards Mesdames Gaze and Batts this evening." The following motion, of which notice had been given, was carried, ,." That seeing the approaching termination of Mr Birch's term of engagement as pastor this church take steps to provide for another pastor, and that Pastor Birch be at once notified that his engagement will terminate on November 9." Mr Birch leaves for Australia by the Tarawera on Thursday for a holiday.