A Minister’s Resignation

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1921, Page 4

A Minister’s Resignation

ALLEGED DISCOURTESY

DUNEDIN. Julv 5

At the June meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery tbe resignation was accepted of the Bov G. King, of the pastoral charge of Seadilf, who bad taken up a sheep run.

The clerk of tbe Presbytery (the Rev J. Kilpatrick) passed certain strictures on the way in which he alleged Mr King had treated the Presbytery and his congregation, and said he felt inclined to accept AJi King’s resignation from the date of tho meeting (June 7th), and not June 30th.

The Rev G. King forwarded a: lengthy letter to the meeting m tho Presbytery to-day, in which he stated in reference to the discussion and the motion at the June meeting: “I was., very much surprised and deeply hurt by tbe charges therein contained —that 1 have been guilty of conduct prejudicial to the interests of tbe congregation, the Presbytery, the Church, and the Kingdom of God within the hounds of tbe Dunedin Presbytery. 1 would like to point out to the. members of the Presbytery that the mouthpiece of that attack upon me, tbe Rev J. Kilpatrick, was quite wrong on some matters which in Presbytery be stated as facts.” ( After dealing with Air Kilpatrick’s - statements in detail, Air King concluded : “I am determined that the matter shall not rest where it is. T appeal to the Presbytery to give me bare justice. If tbe Presbytery fails me, then I shall seek it elsewhere.”

After considerable discussion this morning, it was decided to take up the matter at a meeting to be held on July 19th, and to ask Mr King to be present.