A CHURCH DIVED

Evening Star, Issue 25172, 11 May 1944, Page 7

A CHURCH DIVED

AUCKLAND BAPTIST TABERNACLE MOVE TO SECEDE FROM UNION (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 10. Following an internal dispute in the congregation of the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle and an inquiry conducted by the president and the executive of the Baptist 'Union of New Zealand, two meetings of the congregation were held to-night. At one in the Tabernacle, convened by the minister, Dr Alexander Hodge, and the deacons, it was resolved that the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle Church should withdraw from membership of the union. At tha other meeting, held in the Town Hall Concert Chamber and convened By the president and the executive of the union, a motion was carried censuring the minister, Dr Hodge, and the church officers for allowing a secession motion to be put to a vote without adequate notice. The following resolution was carried at thu Tabernacle meeting:—"Whereas the executive of the Baptist Union of New Zealand. hi the request or instigation of persons unknown and against the decisions of the omcers and members of the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle, has instituted an inquiry into the affairs of the church, has accepted unsubstantiated and unproved allegations by witnesses not subject to crossexamination and protected by pledged secrecy against the minister, officers, and members of the church, and further has suspended the minister of the Tabernacle from membership of Ihe Baptist Union, now this duly constituted meeting of Tabernacle members solemnly resolves that the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle Church withdraw from membership of the said union, from this day, and instructs its officers to tako all the necessary steps to implement this decision forthwith." At the Town Hall meeting, over which Dr J. J. North presided, the following resolution was earned unanimously, 195 votes bein" recorded:—" That this meeting of members of the Tabernacle registers its most solemn protest against the action of the minister and officers of the Tabernacle Church in permitting a motion severing the connection of the Tabernacle with the Baptist Union to be put without adequate prior and public notice of - intention to move such a drastic resolution.