A MINISTER'S CONVERT WIFE

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6, 11 February 1909, Page 233

A MINISTER'S CONVERT WIFE

A CURIOUS SITUATION AND ITS SEQUEL

The Carnpbeltown, Courier (says the Glasgoio Observer) prints some interesting particulars regarding the resignation of a United Free Church minister in, Arran, who has been obliged to resign his position- because his wife has become a Catholic. The Unitod Free Presbytery is at least to be commended for its candor. The resignation of the minister, it is admitted- most' frankly, was occasioned sololy by his wife's change of faith. < One thing alone had come between them — Mrs. Grant's entry into the Roman Catholic Church.' The following is the complete report, as printed in the Campbeltoion Courier: — The resignation of the Rev. A. J. Grant, of Lochranza, Mas laid before the Presbytery. - Rev. «Tohn McQueen and' Rev. John Kennedy reported having met with the minister and congregation at Lochranza' in connection with the matter, and their inquiries had impressed them with the fact that the step taken was the most advisable in the interests of the, congregation. They had also been impressed -with the real sorrow manifested by the congregation at^the circumstances which had arisen to bring about the separation of minister and people, and were convinced that one thing alone had come between them — viz., Mrs. Grant's entrance to the Roman Catholic Church. Rev. Mr. Grant, who was present, made a statement regarding the circumstances which had necessitated the stop he had taken, and expressed tho grief he felt-' ; in resigning his stated work and charge over a people he loved, for work amongst poople whom he could not so well know or sympathise with, lie was deeply attached to his people, and it was with much sorrow ho found it necessary to sever the tie. Rev. Mr. McQueen having engaged in prayer, thereafter moved that the resignation of Mr. Grant be accepted. 'It was with deep regret the Presbytery concurred in the step he had taken, and with sorrow they prepared to bid him farewell. Of Mr. Grant's fellowship with the brethren and his work within the bounds of the Presbytery, they would have tho most pleasant recollection. It was with deep sorrow they viewed the action Mrs. Grant had found it necessary to take, especially after the good work she had done in Lochranza, and the fortitude with which she" had borne the ordeals of the recent trying years of crisis. Rev. A. McLaren Young, in seconding, also spoke of the excellent work Mr. Grant had done in Lochranza and 111 the Presbytery, and expressed his deep regret at the events which had arisen to interfere with that work. Other members of the Presbytery having spoken iv appropriate and feeling terms, the Moderator intimated acceptance of the resignation, and commended Mr. Grant and his wife to the guidance of God. The brethren afterwards shook hands with Mr. Grant and bade him farewell. Rev. J. M. Macnaughton was appointed interimmoderator of the Lochranza congregation, and Rev. John McQueen was instructed to preach the charge vacant on the 22nd inst. A Rothesay paper, in an article, 'The Arran Perversion,' writes: — ' The latest sensation in Arran is the perversion to the Church of Rome of the wife of the U.F. minister at Lochranza. It is stated that the " pervert," who is considerably youngor than her husband, is English, and that previous to her marriage she belonged to the Church of England and that her sympathies wero with the High Church party Hor husband and she, it is said, first met each other at Moffat Hydropathic, and marriage soon followed. During her recent absence in England' she notified her husband and the elders of the church of her intention to join the Church of Rome, and it is stated that the rev.- gentleman "wired" his wife to delay . confirmation until he would reach her, but on proceeding south he found that confirmation had been duly carried out. On returning to Arrau they continued to live together as before on tho most friendly terms, but the bulk of the congregation ceased to attend the church, and in consequence the rev. gentleman felt it incumbent upon him to resign.' A writer in the Glasgow Evening News bears testimony to the fact that Mrs. < Grant had done excellent work in connection with her husband's charge. The News writer says : * The minister's wife at the time of the churcn crisis by visiting the people and talking with them, did good service to her husband and his church, counteracting in not a few- instances strong "Wee Free "influences; but, despite that memory, and that of many years of cordial and helpful relationship with the people, the altered circumstances created an unbridgeable gulf between cot and manse the upshot of which is the resignation of the minister '