CHURCH SECEDES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 179, 11 May 1944, Page 3

CHURCH SECEDES.

AUCKLAND BAPTISTS’ RIFT. UNION CENSURES MINISTER. (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 10. After an internal dispute in the con-»-egation of the Auckland Baptist Babernacle, and an inquiry conducted. Wy the president and executive of the Baptist Union of New Zealand, two meetings of the congregation were held to-night. At one in the Tabernacle, convened by the minister, Rev. Dr. Alexander Hodge, and the deacons, it was resolved that the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle Church should withdraw from membership of the union. At the other meeting held in the Town Hall concert chamber, and convened by the president and executive of the union, a motion was carried censuring the minister, the Rev. Dr. Alexander Hodge, and church officers for allowing the secession motion to be put to the vote without adequate notice.

The following resolution was carried at the Tabernacle meeting: “Whereas the executive of the Baptist Union of New Zealand, at the request or instigation of persons unknown, and .against the decisions of officers and members of the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle, has instituted an inquiry into the affairs of the church, has accepted unsubstantiated and unproven allegations by witnesses not subject to cross-examination, and protected by pledged secrecy, against the minister, officers and members of the church, alicl further has suspended the minister of the Tabernacle from membership of the Baptist Union; now this duly constituted meeting of Tabernacle members solemnly resolves that the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle Church Avithdraw from membership Avith the said union from this day, and instructs its officers to take all necessary steps to implement this decision forthwith.”

At the Toavu Hall meeting, over Avhich Dr. J. J. North presided, the folloAving resolution Avas carried unanimously, 195 votes being recorded: . ..at this meeting of members of the Tabernacle registers its most solemn protest against the action of the minister and officers of the Tabernacle Church in permitting a motion severing the connection of the Tabernacle with the Baptist Union, to be put without adequate, prior, and public notice of intention to moA r e; such a drastic resolution.”