CHARGE OF HETERODOXY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 59, 8 March 1912, Page 9

CHARGE OF HETERODOXY.

AGAIN BEFORE CONFERENCE. ! THE FULL FISHING. The charge of heresy against the Rev. J. G. Chapman (Tararakvstreet Church, Wellington) was again brought under the notice'of the Methodist Conference last evening, when a delegate suggested that the full finding of the Conference be published, and that the discussion be I taken in open conference. A short discussion ensued during which it transpired that the original version of the affair' had appeared in a Chrwtehurch newspaper and had been telegraphed through to Auckland. The consensus of opinion Was that one of the member* ot the conference who had attended the committee proceedingß takd divulged the information to the Chrtatchurch journal. It was ultimately agreed to discuss the eharge in ■committee, and -the following information was afterwarfs handed to the reporters for publication: — As there appeared in the public Press a garbled report of an inquiry into eer* tain charges of heterodoxy, the Conference resolves to publish the true text of the finding: Your committee, having heard the charges preferred by Mr.. W. C. Burd against the Rev. J. G. Chapman, and Mr. Chapman's reply thereto, begs to submit the following findings:—

1. The charges of heterodoxy do not refer to doctrines peculiar to Methodism, and specially guarded itfoor constitution, but to doctrines held by the Christian world in the 18th century.

2. In regard to the Holy Scriptures, Mr. Chapman uses the well-worn formula that "they contain the word of God." and appeal to our moral sense to discover those parts that breathe an unchristian spirit. Wesley, also, in his preface to his version of "the Prayer Book, explains that he bad omitted the imprecatory Psalms as unfit for Christians to repeat. 3. Mr. Chapman believes in • and preaches future consequences of sin as "Wages" Or natural results, not as arbitrary inflictions or tortures. He does not deny the the eternal duration of these consequences, but regards "that as an open question, and the word as in definite.

4. If we Tegard Wesley's sermons apart rfrom Wesley and his history, we must frankly say that Mr. Chapman's views differ from Wesley's. By this we do not mean that they necessarily contradict Wesley's^ We beg to point <nrt:—

1. That Wesley's main doctrine, that of free grace, was a revolt and a strenuous battle fought in vindication of the -haracter of God from the awful reflections cast upon it by the earlier and contemporary puttings of the doctrine of election.

2. That the compassionate heart of Wesley was tortured by. the prevailing views of hell. ' He tells us that he sought diligently for a way of escape, and declares-, "weeping," that he found none. Here again Ms heart -was gJn -revolt against prevailing opinions of the Divine character. After ISO years, a loyal son of Wesley may feel the same heart revolt, and be in the true line of march. 3. The recent Ecutoeiuca! Conference sent a message to be read in every Methodist pulpit in the world. That authoritative message urges, "Let us unite steadfastness in the faith with complete inteOectttal- freedom »BjbV -eo«fl L dent ability to march with the times." 4. I* View of these things we cannot recommend the Conference to censure a frank and courageous man, whom we regard as loyal to all that is essential in the teachings of oar Church.

5. The evidence leads us to think that misconception as to Mr. Chapman's theological position arises mainly - from the manner in which he has sometimes expressed himself, the effect being to alarm minds unaccustomed to * Bew statement of old truths. In this respect your committee feel that Mr. Chapmen somewhat indiscreetly antagonised those who differ from him. At the same time we recognise that advanced thought and critical research necessitates «hang« of emphasis in the delivery of otrr message, and that we should thankfully reeerre aH the light that an intelligent study of the Bftde and the discoveries of science can pour upon those vital and'eternal truths of experimental religion that have ever been the strength and glory of the Methodist pulpit, and on which the salvation of the world depends. 6. Finally, we congratulate Mr. Burd ! on the admirable clearness, spirit, and temper with which he presented the case. It is also due to Mr. Chapman to say that he replied with quiet frankness to the charges, admitting the utterance of some statements, denying the use of some, and explaining or resetting others.

WILLIAM READY, President.