RONALD GRIGGS CASE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5418, 1 May 1929, Page 1

RONALD GRIGGS CASE.

METHODISM CLOSES EPISODE. ALL OVER IN TWO SECONDS. In two seconds the Methodist Conference in Melbournq disoosed of >hat the outside world regard's as the most sensational incident in the history of the church for a generation, the trial of Ronald Geeves Griggs, of Omeo, for the alleged/ murder of his wiftj by poisoning, and his admission of a liaison with Lottie Condon, his organist, says Smith’s. Weekly. But the incident did not halt for a moment the progress of Methodism in Australia. It was inevitable that the exposure of the real character of its probationary hon. missionary at Omeo should come up for discussion by thej ruling body—the annual conference —but it disposed of Griggs in passing, without e ‘V,en placing his name on record in the minutes. There was never any doubt or disagreement about what the church would do with him. It officially stayed its hand until the courts had dealt with him and a jury had brought in its, dramatic verdict of “ Not Guilty ” on the murder charge, because it was felt that any action that might be taken against him by the church before, his trial might prejudice him in the eyesi of a jury. NAMED REMOVED FROM MEMBERSHIP. But when the) Courts had finished with Grigg.s, the Home Missionary Committee, together witjh what is known as the Committee of Details, struck his name off the roll of home missionaries, expelled him from the conference, and. expunged his name fr.om church membership. To confirm this action a motion was placed on the agenda, on dealing with home missions, stating,: —“That married probationers be stationed at Qrbpst and Omeo.” This, was just pine of. a couple of hundred! recommendations. Having bqen read out and agreed to by tacit consent at the conference, it. was the accepted ruling of the conference, which went straight on to ileal with other business. Methodism’s practical answer tri the situation that arose at follow-, ing the murder charge laid against its minister there, was to send one of its most trusted men, the Rev. Addinsail, to take up the cause. Methodism in Omeo:, instead of suffering by reason of the notoriety of Griggs, has advanced and prospered since he left. A MONUMENT OF LIES. T.he Methodist Conference was not dependent pai the murder chargp ag,ainst Griggs. It expelled him on his unsuitability as Minister. Though he was convincng in the pulpit, when doubts arose about his morality, the conference wept to the painsi of taking Griggs’ own account of himself and searching it to find if it as a true one. In the words of onej of the senior clergy who made the investigation, it was. a “monument of lies.” As a candidate for the ministry he had told the story of htis supposed conversion with dramatic power and a ring of earnestneps that pro-, voked hallelujahs. He said he was a digger in an estaminet in France, and was brought to a sudden- realisation of the great verities when a woman rebuked a drunken officer for blasphemy. Walking out under the stars he added that he had an inward conviction of the universality of the forgiveness of sins and the. rejdemptiotn the world. The call tfo personal service came later on.

By courtesy of the Chaplain-Gen-, eral, the records were made availably and proved the story a fake so far as the geography of it was concerned. Griggs was not in Frafnee. The sins of which he almost boasted in his unregenerate days proved to have been more or less flctittious.

Early in his ministry the Metfhodist Conference expected great service from Griggs. But when t.he awakening came and he was unmaisked, Methodism wipe! him out at lepStt until he gave proof of a real loiientanc,e.'

Some time ago Griggs infer inefl Smith’s Weekly that he believed he would do well in the ehurch in Amierica, w;he>re a preacher, who. had bcien in the dock on trial for his life fol’ ■murder would dra.w bag There might, be difficulty in getting a visa for his passport for the draft, but spec.iaj exemptions aregranted for ministers of religion. !