CLERGYMAN'S LOVE LETTERS

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 52, 1 March 1916, Page 7

CLERGYMAN'S LOVE LETTERS

THE REV. S. J. CAMPBELL'S RESIGNATION. CHURCH DEACONS' REPORT.

ADOPTED BY CONGREGATION.

A special meeting of the Onehunga .'ongregational Church was held last light to receive the deacons' report dealng with the minister's resignation and lie circumstances relating thereto. Mr. I. H. Blackwood presided, and there was i large attendance of members. The report was prefaced with a statement by Mr. J. Laking (secretary) to ;he effect that on Saturday, February 2th, a young lady member of the church, iccompanied by her mother, waited upon lim at his private residence to lodge a complaint against the Rev. S. J. CampJell. The young lady stated that Mr. Jampbell had been paying his addresses ;o her for some months and courting mother young lady at the same timo. tie had written her numerous love' letters, which she had retained and not iestroyed, as she was requested to do oy him. Both ladies asked for an inquiry nto the minister's conduct. Mr. Laking aid the matter before the deacons that 2vcning. The deacons reported that they took the constitutional course. They appointed Messrs. J. H. Blackwood and the secretary to wait on the parents of the second young lady, who informed them, when they did so, that Mr. Campbell had been courting their daughter twelve months since last October. The deacons resolved, "That, in the event of this statement being forthcoming from the parents, it should be communicated to Mr. Campbell, together with the first young lady's complaint, after the service the next evening, Sunday, February 13th, and that a special meeting of deacons be held later in the week, on a night to be appointed that would suit the convenience of all parties, to inquire into the matter." "The deacons had no other alternative" (the report continued). "They arc the executive officers of the Church. It is their duty to transact a.l business between the Church meetings, and to seek to promote the welfare of the Church, seriously and with fidelity, A Congregational minister is a membci of the Church like other people.' His office is that of a paid preacher, but h« is amenable to Church discipline, even a- J the other members.'' MR. CAMPBELL ENTERS. Mr. Campbell forestalled the deacon: in their intentions, as just stated, by handing the secretary the following let ti'.r before the service that Sunday evening:— "Mr. J. Laking,—Dear Sir, —Owing tc the unfortunate circumstances that have arisen in connection with myself and a member of our Church, 1 feel compelled to ask the Church to accept my resig nation of the pastorate to which 1 was called 12 months ago. I wish for no in tcrvicw. I deserve no mercy. I have acted unwisely, and must of neccsait) suffer as the result of my foolish behaviour. I will leave it to the officers to determine the conditions of my resignation. The agreement between us is three months, but if you allow mc tc move" out" 'quietly at' : 'onceU'l/u will be wise. Let mc thank you all Tor youi generous treatment at all times. No pastor ever had such a golden oppor tunily for preaching the Gospel, and 1 think no one could have acted more foolishly. Accept my gratitude for every kindly thought.—l am yours faitSfully (Signed) S. Jas. Campbell." ".MOVE OUT QUIETLY." | The deacons considered the resignation I after the service the same evening, autl I while deeply regretting that Mr. Camp- | bell had declined to meet them and ex- ' plain it as requested by the secretary [ they agreed to grant his request and ' allow him to movejout quietly. The secretary therefore replied to the letter of resignation as follows: — "Fcbruury -,14th.—Dear Mr. Campbell —The deacons accepted your resignation last night. We are all very sorry you have reason to leave us. It wa; (agreed to pay you £15, being one I month's salary, which you will receive from Mr. Kemp if you will call upon him any time after receiving this letter, I am instructed to convey to you the good wishes of the deacons for your future welfare.—l remain, your aggrieved friend. (Signed) J. Laking." WANTED A REFERENCE. "Mr. Campbell was entitled to one week's stipend. On Monday, February 14th, ho delivered to the secretary, at his house, the Church books, etc, usually held by the minister, and stated that he proposed to leave for Sydney on the following Wednesday (February 10th) if he could get a Government pcririt He asked if the deacons would give him a reference that would help him to get another church. The secretary replies that, in view of Mr. Campbell's lettei they could not do so, and more especially as he had refused to meet them and explain his reason" for resigning at v moment's notice, but wanted to quit the country in three days after giving it. A FURTHER EXPLANATION. "During the week following the resignation a report was circulated that the deacons had dismissed Mr. Campbcli at a moment's notice without giving any reason and without paying his salary The deacons therefore felt it was thcii duty to submit Mr. Campbell's letter tc 1 the evening congregation on Sunday ! February 20th, to remove all misapprehension; 'hension; also, as Mr. Campbell had no! " left for Sydney. Dealing with th« ! pastorate generally, the report stated that Mr. Campbell had said he was glad to accept the pastorate a year ago Soon afterwards things moved upwards ' under his ministry, and the evening conJ gregations filled the church and gallery ' All concerned felt that Mr. Campbell was ' the right man in the right place, and he r was appointed, six months afterwards 1 permanent pastor. When accepting the 1 appointment, he thanked the people foi it, and assured them that he hoped tc retain the position for some years. Al Christmas last, Mr. Campbell was giver a month's holiday on full pay. He took seven weeks. Returning to Onehunga he preached one Sunday, and resigned as stated. FOR THE FUTURE. 'f "With regard to the future supply ol 1, the pulpit, Mr. 11. J. Emerson has con x sented to preach each Sunday for the c next four months, with one or two exd ceptions. (Signed) J. H. Blackwood d (chairman), W. Bailey, W. H. Kemp, P. n Marks, H. L. Butler, and J. Laking i, deacons." Tlie report was adopted, and the d action of the deacons was confirmed, o The meeting also carried the followo ing resolution:—"That Mr. Campbell be 1. asked to supply the deacons with a i- statement, duly audited, showing the r-1 amount of money collected by him from members of the Church for the Patriotic

Fund, and the names of the subscribers, the amount of money received by him froth the choir to pay for the choir chairs, and how the surplus was disposed of; the amount of money received by him from the Churoh treasurer to purchase hymn books for the church while he was in Sydney, and which have not yet been delivered." iThe last resolution adopted was one instructing the secretary to supply a copy of the foregoing report and resolutions to the "Star" for publication. I . .