THE TABERNACLE SCHISM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9022, 29 October 1892, Page 5

THE TABERNACLE SCHISM.

THE BASIS OF RECONCILIATION. A member of the Tabernacle Mutual Improvement Society states the present position of the trouble between the elders and the young men in words to the following effect: The breach between the Auckland Tabernacle authorities and the Tabernacle Mutual Improvement Society has now become final and complete. It will be remembered that some time/ ago the Society felt itself constrained to remove its place of meeting from the Tabernacle to the Y.M.C.A. Rooms, by reason of the attitude assumed by the elders consequent upon the majority of the members of the • Improvement Society asserting the opinion, after an exhaustive debate, that theatregoing was not a mortal sin, but that in fact it had its benefits. The young men, however, were extremely desirous, if such could be accomplished upon reasonable terms, to avoid breaking away from the Tabernacle, and they continued to retain unto themselves the title of the "Tabernacle" Mutual Improvement Society even when in exile. More than this—-although only some eight young men out of a membership of about forty were members of the Tabernacle — they, with commendable magnanimity, set all feelings of hostility aside, and approached the elders, asking them to draw up a basis of re-union. This basis was duly supplied a few days ago, and a far-reaching and sweeping one it was. The principal clauses were: that all the members of the Society should be members of the Tabernacle church; and (2) that all should declare their belief in the inspiration of the Old and New Testaments. The Society naturally refused to entertain such proposals, the thirty and more who were not members of the Church refusing to be converted in this wholesale fashion: whilst of the other eight it is not likely that any will sever their connection with the Society, though some may withdraw from the Church. The rupture, therefore, seems to have become irrevocable, and at an early date a meeting of the Society will be called to decide upon a new name for the old organisation, amongst the names suggested being " The Auckland Mutual Improvement Society, " The Akaraua," " The Auckland Metropolitan, " The Tab." It certainly seems that the members of the Society had already given every consideration to the wishes of the elders. The programme for every session was submitted for their approval, and they were even at liberty to strike out subjects which they considered unsuitable or objectionable, and to substitute others. The subjecb of " Theatregoing " was passed by them, and they did not ! object to its being discussed, but only to the I conclusion arrived at. The Society, though : now standing alone, has no idea of allowing itself to be blotted out. The members feel | that it is futile to discuss subjects unless they are free to arrive at any conclusion that I commends itself to their reason.