MOTION ON INTEGRITY

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31520, 7 November 1967, Page 1

MOTION ON INTEGRITY

Instead of accepting a proposal that it was persuaded of the Christian integrity and conviction of Professor L. G, Geering, principal of Knox Theological Hall, the Presbyterian General Assembly last evening referred it to a special committee set up to draft a pastoral letter.

The Very Rev. J. M. Bates, of Dunedin, sought to have the Assembly pass a motion similar to that he introduced when the debate on charges against Professor Geering began.

“Principal Geering has indicated to us that we have in the college a man of profound Christian conviction.” Mr Bates said. "I wonder if in many theological colleges of the world we could have had such a clear and lucid explanation. He holds his position in a way that is inimical of our time. We must be impressed by the urgency he feels that the Gospel must be taught to the people of today.” Mr J. T. McCaw, of Manawatu, complained that the motion was unnecessary and would be hurtful to some. The men who brought the proceedings did not do so

lightly or frivolously but because of their deep disquiet about the stage of affairs in their Church, and they had a good deal of right on their side. “For the benefit of the many and the solution of the few courageous men we should proceed no further,” he added.

A motion to proceed to the next business was lost by 176 votes to 152, after which it was agreed that the committee drafting the pastoral letter should consider the motion.