BAPTIST DISPUTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 November 1944, Page 6

BAPTIST DISPUTE

SESSIONS-IN CAMERA

CHRISTCHURCH, November 3. The Baptist Union Assembly in Christchurch spent all day -to-day discussing in camera the suspension from the ministry of Dr. Alexander Hodge, of the Tabernacle Church. Auckland. The sessions began at 9 a.m.j official delegates being checked into the meeting by scrutineers. With intervals f<?r lunch and dinner the assembly sat until 10.30 p.m., and at that stage was still in camera. Discussions will continue in camera today. It is reported that Dr. Hodge left for the north last evening. The only statement issued by o the assembly was as follows:—“Reference was made in the Baptist Union Assembly to the report in the newspapers of certain remarks by the Rev. L. A. North in support of a resolution that the assembly go into committee when matters concerning the suspension of Dr. Alexander Hodge and the secession of the Tabernacle Church from the union should come up for discussion. The phrase ‘matters of a domestic nature’ and the reference to ‘family troubles’ were intended and understood in the figurative sense; but they were unfortunately ambiguous and appear to have caused a false impression in some quarters. During Wednesday’s session it was made clear that there is no ground whatever for any suggestion of domestic ox- family trouble in Dr. Hodge’s home. At Wednesday’s meeting Dr. Hodge was assured by Mr North that neither in his mind nor in the mind of the assembly was there any thought of referring to the family circumstances of Dr. Hodge or any other. The use of the word ‘domestic’ and similar expressions referred solely to the relationships and responsibilities of the churches in the Baptist Union of New Zealand.” .

Sessions for the reception and exit of students of the Baptist College and for the preaching of the union sermon were postponed yesterday. SUSPENSION CONFIRMED CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 9. The action of the executive committee of the Baptist Union in suspending Rev. Dr. A. J. Hodge, Minister of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Auckland, has been confirmed by the Baptist Assembly, which has also accepted Dr. Hodge’s resignation from its list of accredited ministers. These decisions were embodied in a resolution carried by the Assembly which this morning in committee completed its consideration of the position of Dr. Hodge and the Tabernacle Church. A motion was also passed offering the Tabernacle the opportunity of reconciliation with the Union.

The Assembly authorised the following statement on the part of the Union regarding the acceptance of Dr. Hodge’s resignation: “The decision has been arrived at by the Assembly presided over, by agreement with Dr. Hodge, by F. B. Adams, Dunedin. After full and anxious discussion and after hearing Dr. Hodge who addressed the Assembly at considerable length, the Assembly was satisfied that the executive committee acted with propriety in first appointing a commission to investigate the matter, that the commission conducted its investigation 'with care and discretion; that the privacy observed in connection with its proceedings was necessary and proper in the circumstances of the case and that every reasonable opportunity was afforded Dr. Hodge and all other interested parties to submit material for consideration by the commission. The Assembly regrets that Dr. Hodge did not take advantage of these opportunities and advised others to abstain from so doing. The Assembly is also satisfied that the subsequent proceedings before the executive committee were conducted with fairness and impartiality; that Dr. Hodge and his two counsel, while necessarily denied access to material which had been col - lected privately beforehand by the commission, were given full access to material which was actually placed before the executive committee by members of the commission; that Dr. Hodge and his two counsel were given every facility to consider and discuss the material so placed before the executive committee, and were fully heard thereon, and that the decision of the executive committee was based solely on the material placed before it including the evidence of Dr. Hodge and other witnesses called on his behalf, and the addresses of his counsel. The Assembly is aware of allegations since made by Dr. Hodge to the effect that he was condemned on evidence secretly takep, that he was not given sufficient time to prepare his case and that other' irregularities were committed, but is satisfied that these allegations are unfounded and that the executive committee acted throughout with justice and the fairness and with full sense of its responsibilities both to the Union and to Dr. Hodge. The Assembly is of opinion that no useful purpose would be served by the publication of its discussions on this matter and that on the contrary such publication might, only aggravate the damage already' done by the publicity given to this unhappy affair.” Its resolution with regard to Dr. Hodge read: Having considered the report of the executive with reference to the suspension of Dr. Hodge and also a letter from Dr. Hodge tendering his resignation as Ministerial member of the Union, the Assembly resolves as follows: That the decision of the executive in suspending Dr. Hodge be confirmed. That while completely repudiating the various statements contained in his letter by way of justification, Dr. Hodge’s resignation be accepted. That Dr. Hodge’s name be removed accordingly from the Union’s, official list of accredited ministers and that the Assembly records its deep regret over the circumstances which have led to the foregoing decisions. The motion relating - to the Tabernacle Church was that as the decision of the Tabernacle Church was arrived at before the position could be considered by the Assembly it is felt that the Tabernacle Church should be given an opportunity to reconsider its decision. It is accordingly resolved that the letter from the Tabernacle Church be remitted to a special committee consisting of Rev. L. _J. Boulton Smith, and Messrs G. E. Burt andH. T. Falla, in the hope that conciliation may be possible.