MODERN METHODISM

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 57, 8 March 1913, Page 5

MODERN METHODISM

FIXED CREEDS AND FREEDOM OF THOUGHT TOLERANCE URGED - EX-PRESIDENT'S PRONOUNCED VIEWS. By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright. (Received March 8, 11.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. In his retiring address, the Rev. Mr. Meek, * ex-president of the Methodist Conference, dealt with the question of fixed creeds and freedom of thought. Ho urged the necessity of tolerance in the matter of theological thinking, and keeping abreast of the best in intellectual life and knowledge of the age. He declared that could John Wesley reappear to-day one of the first things he would taker in hand would be the complete adjustment of Methodism, its present condi4ions and knowledge. Mr. Meek's utterances have led to much heartburning and press correspondence. The conference yesterday evening discussed the matter. There was a lengthy, earnest, and, for some time, warm debate. While agreeing with Mr. Meek in the necessity for freedom to think and the need of progress, and while expressing the soundness of Mr. Meek's fundamental faith and doctrines, some of the speakerswere of the opinion that his pronouncement, being of an official character, might make for the direction of shaking the faith and loyalty of the Christian community. Eventually a resolution was carried, drawing attention to the fact that Mr. Meek had intimated that his views expressed and voiced his own opinions and not those of the Church, and " that the Methodist Conference is profoundly convinced that the doctrinal standards of our Church. are in harmony with the revealed Word of God, and that 1 it is all that is legitimate or that could be desired, consistent with definite holding and preaching of the doctrinal truths Upon which our Church is built." . Prior to the carrying of the resolution, Mr. Meek declared that it was his message to the Church, and he was going to stand by it. He was astonished that so many intelligent men should misrepresent him as he had been misrepresented during the debate. The president assured Mr. Meek of the personal love and confidence of the members of the conference.