REV. A. GOW'S RESIGNATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16202, 12 April 1916, Page 8

REV. A. GOW'S RESIGNATION

ACCEPTED BY CHURCH.

SEASONS ?o'i HIS ACTION.

[BT OV.'3 tORBESPONDENT.J Hamilton, Tuesday. The commission, consisting of the Revs. D. Hird (convener), D. T. Shaw, 0. Blundell, and J. Mclnnes, ana Kldf.i'S J. Fisher and W, N. Sturges, set up by the Waikata Presbytery, yesterday conferred with the session and congregation of St. Andrew's Church in connection with the resignation of the 'Rev. A. Gow. The commission met the session in the afternoon, when the session reluctantly concurred in the resignation. The congregational meeting wa3 held in tie evening, and was largely attended. Mr. Hird presided. A motion that Mr. Gow be asked to reconsider h-s resignation was received with tokens of approval, but was withdrawn at Mr. Gow's request. Another motion concurring in the finding of the session was adopted unanimously.

The reasons for his step were given by iur. Gow in an open letter to the congregation, at, follow(1) Hamilton was an important military centre, and recent unjust attacks upon him had &haken confidence in him. It would take a long time to re-establish himself in an important sphere, and his work would be marred. (2) There was i divide sessir, f«r elde.ahhr.a r . relied, '? tiii- yutafe o: court was out 0; harmony it would be impossible to meet difficulties ahead. . In a further statement, Mr. Gow denied having reflected on the whole body of the Main Expeditionary Force. He admitted leading an article in the Outlook, hut. did not kl'ew fe author ."u'-nt the whole body. he gave the charges made agaV4 fchr i :> unequivocal, straight-out. !l,v ' ■mi.

The bder <J v '- !! 'sss:on resign"'s i" Sjfiflpjvii. .vi'Ti iht, .ajustfc-, but >u'.! continue in <.fli:e until a settlement is 'acted, when their resignation will ta«e i.iect to enable the congregation to elect <» new court possessing its confidence. Sergeant-Major Purdom reiterated his denials of the truth of the Outlook article, and championed the cause of the soldiers clubt. He considered the . minister's strictures were unfair.

The moderator said he considered the Rev. Mr. Gow and Mr. Purdom were both sincere, _ but toot different view-points, Ho advised each to regard the subject from the other's view, and urged the congregation to follow in the paths of peace and work in the common cause.