REV. LAMOND'S DISMISSAL

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 2 November 1916, Page 3

REV. LAMOND'S DISMISSAL

TO THE EDITOR

SfR, —On hehalf of some of the residents of the districts in which the Rev Mr Laraond has for the past three years lived and laboured, I wish to express our feelings of admiration for the stand which the reverend gentleman has taken in defence of his views, and our con T tempt for the way in which he has been treated by his Church authorities. Just at present I am not concerned with these views—though when analysed they appear broad and liberal—nor do I venture to criticise any body or society for dispensing with the services of an employee who no longer suits it. But the manner of doing so is justly open to criticism. In effect, Mr Lamond is told •'You are preaching damnable' heresies. You can go on doing so till April next, after that you preach no more for us." Now, sir, is there some peculiar atmospheric or other influence in the months between now and April, that altogether discount what a parson preaches? If not, why the months of grace? If so, why open the churches for these months? If Mr Lamond's heretical (?) teaching will be damaging to the souls of his hearers after April, by what process of reasoning can these teachings be deemed innocuous in the interim ?

The head and front of Mr Lamond's so-called offences are his preaching :— Ist—The desirability and need of a universal Church. Is one of his accusers and judges bold enough to stand in Mr l Lamond's pulpit and deny this wishedfor consummation ? 2nd (and most awful)— The hope of paradise for the souls of those who die " unconverted." Will one of his accusers or judges be man enough, if he denies the truth of this teaching, to go to a stricken mother and after offering > his condolences, tell her that her dead son's soul, is now in hell ? Till he does this he is worse than the man he haf accused, for Mr Lamond has at least the courage of his opinions. These opinions I do not confirm nor deny; with them I am not concerned. Mr Lamond's life of earnest, sympathetic industry for the ten years I have known him, is an' assurance sufficient for me that his heart is right at any rate. Many and long have been our disagreements, but I can honestly say, never at any time has he stood higher in the estimation, not only of myself, but of the very big majority of both sinners and saints among whom he worked. That such treatment should be meted out to a faithful worker by any Church, is sufficient to damn it in the opinion of all who are earnestly working for the grand brotherhood of man. Other bodies besides the Methodists may perhaps have done the same—l do not presume to say—but that Church cannot clear itself of the odium attached to thiß unjust, illogical and un-Christlike action —I am, etc., F. R. KOLLER. Kaukapakapa, 29-10-16.