AN UNORTHODOX MINISTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 133, 14 September 1910, Page 5

AN UNORTHODOX MINISTER.

RESIGNS FROM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

By Telegraph, —I'iess Association. Timaru, Last Night.

At a special meeting of the Tmiaru Presbytery to-day, the Jiev. J. fl. Chappellj minister of the St. Andrews' district, was called for an explanation of his conduct in repealing somewhat scornfully the requisition of the Presbytery for a private conference concerning: (1) His presiding at a lecture by Joseph stating that he did so as a protest against the absurdities of orthodox teachings; (2) his name appearing as a subscribing member of the London Rationalist Association, whose publications he publicly recommended; (3) Preaching in the Unitarian Church at Auckland, which was about to become vacant; (4) Inconsistency of such conduct and utterances with the solemn vows made on his admission to the Church.

Mr. Chappell read a long reply, contrasting modern science with theological dogma, to the disadvantage of the latter. The Presbytery considered the statement in private, and, on resuming, adopted a finding condemning such conduct and statements, and also various leters written by Mr. Chappell to the newspapers, in some of which he used contemptuous expressions regarding the Presbytery, and as he expressed no regret but adhered to the 'position he had taken up, the Presbytery advised him to withdraw peaceably from the charge of St. Andrews and the I Presbyterian Church, and gave him a fortnight in which to reply. Mr. Chappell immediately handed m his resignation of the charge and his withdrawal from the Church. The resignation was accepted, and Mr. Chappell declared to be no longer a minister of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. It was decided that the congregation should continue to pay his stipend for three months to come.