Meeting Ended In Disorder

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31188, 12 October 1966, Page 18

Meeting Ended In Disorder

(NZ. Press Association)

INVERCARGILL,

October 11.

A meeting called in Invercargill on Monday night by the Southland branch of the Presbyterian Laymen's Association ended in disorder.

About 700 attended the meeting, which was addressed by the national president of the association, Mr R. J. Wardlaw, of Auckland. The meeting was conducted quietly, with only one of two interjections from the floor until towards the end, a member of the audience was refused the right to ask Mr Wardlaw a question. The hall was immediately divided as voices insisted that the inquirer be heard. The man had stood to ask If he could ask Mr Wardlaw a question relating to the association. His request was denied by the chairman of the Southland branch, Mr F. Chisholm, who had just finished making an announcement Someone said: “Let him speak ... he is a Presbyterian layman.” Nothing was accomplished. Again a voice said: “Let! this man speak.” The man stood waiting.

The chairman of the meeti ing, Mr D. H. Malcolm, an I elder of the Wyndham PresI byterian Church, and chair--1 man of the Mataura branch of

the association, came to the microphone and asked the meeting to recite the Apostles’ Creed, the last item on the meeting agenda. Some stood, others continued to insist that the inquirer be heard, but slowly all joined in the recitation. When the prayer following the creed had finished, speakers rose from the floor, trying to get the attention of the meeting. The official party on the stage conferred, and the Moderator of the Mataura Presbytery, the Rev. P. Morreau, present by invitation, came to the microphone to say that Mr Wardlaw had agreed to answer questions from the floor.

Mr Morreau said it would be shameful and a dishonour to have the meeting end in confusion.

People returned to their seats and questions were asked and answered for about 20 minutes.

After the meeting, Mr Wardlaw said this had been the strongest reaction received at any meeting to date. Wellington The Wellington Presbytery agreed tonight to transmit an “overture”, or motion, on church beliefs to the General I Assembly which will meet in (Wellington next month. The overture will be transmitted “simplicitor”—without adoption as a Presbytery motion.

Moved by Mr R. B. Fowler, as session clerk of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Wei-

lington, the overture will ask the assembly to reaffirm belief in the Bible, in the Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ, and in the miraculous power of Christ.

He was profoundly disturbed by the overture, said the Rev. Dr. G. R. Ferguson. The theological hall was one of the finest in the Commonwealth. The standard, the work, the integrity and the personal commitment of the theological staff was beyond question. He was very grateful for the three years’ teaching he had at the theological hall, said the Rev C. L. Gosling. Unfortunately the situation there was now different, and theories were being put forward as acts of faith. The aim of the theological hall staff was never to indoctrinate but help the students to think, said the Rev. C. W. R. Madill. This was surely a very proper approach.

“I don’t think it’s true that the Resurrection or the Ascension have been denied either in the hall or by ministers,” said the Rev. J. G. S. Dunn. The overture was unfair and a misinterpretation of what was being taught in the hall.

Also opposing the overture, the Very Rev. Dr. J. A. Allan, a former principal of the Theological Hall said that the statements being proposed by the laymen were very amateurish.

After a ruling had been given that the overture could not be rejected unless it was frivolous or incompetent, the

Presbytery agreed to forward it without endorsement, Auckland The Auckland Presbytery tonight refused to discuss a motion urging it to give assurances that it does not agree with the controversial teachings of Professor L. G. Geering, principal of Knox Theological College. The Rev. R. Lange, proposed the motion for his session, Glenfield-Forrest Hill.

The Rev. F. W. Winton told Presbytery that sufficient assurances had already been given.

He proposed that Presbytery move to other business, the discussion then stopped.