DR. HOSKING AND THE WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 508, 2 November 1899, Page 4

DR. HOSKING AND THE WESLEYAN CHURCH.

A statement was published recently in the Auckland papers that “ the quarterly meeting of the Hamilton Wesleyan Methodist Church circuit desires to re cord its pleasure at the position taken up by the Rev. Dr. Hoaking in being a candidate for the Waikato seat, and will render him all assistance possible to secure his return.” This statement appeared in the Southern papers in a Press Association telegram, and attracted the attention of the Rev. Dr. Wm. Morley, so well-known throughout New Zealand for his interest in the promotion of Wesleyan Methodism. He has written a letter to the Advocate, the organ of the New Zealand Wesleyan Methodist Church, under the heading of “ Methodism and Party Politics,” which will be of interest to many of our readers, as showing the attitude that the rev. gentlemen is likely to fake up when Dr. Hosking’s action in taking an active part in politics by becoming a candidate for Parliamentary honours, while in full ministerial work, will come before the Methodist Church Courts for consideration. Dr. Morley writes as follows :—“Your own report of the same quarterly meeting in this week’s issue substantially confirms the accuracy of the Press Association’s account of what actually transpired. I greatly regret that any member of a quarterly meeting should propose such a resolution, aud am surprised that a circuit superintendent should put it to the vote. It can only be regarded as an attempt to commit the Church to the advocacy of a particular political parly. I understand that the candidate, in this instance, is an avowed supporter of the Seddon Government; but the proposal would have been equally reprehensible, and just us pernicious in its effects, did he hvour the Opposition. There are in the Methodist Church, happily, men of all parties in politics, and hitherto they have found ample room to live together and work in harmony for spiritual ends. To ask thrm in a church meeting to endorse any political party will end this, and produce discord and strife. I beg to protest in the strongest terms possible against the prostitution of one of our Church courts to purposes for which it was never constituted, which is utterly opposed to our constitution and usages, and fraught with great peril to the Connexion.”