BAPTISM OF MINISTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17256, 4 September 1919, Page 6

BAPTISM OF MINISTER.

QUESTION OF DOCTRINE.

A REQUEST TO RESIGN.

CASE OF REV. A. A. MURRAY.

A considerable stir has been caused in Presbyterian circles in Auckland on account of an effort which has been made to induce the Rev. A. A. Murray, ol St. Andrew's Church to resign, because of a proceeding alleged to be contrary to the •octane of the Church. It appears that some months ago Air. Murray was baptised by immersion at the Oospel Hail, Darnell, by the Rev. W. L. baiter, a baptist minister.

A recital of the facts was obtained from Mr. Murray last evening. fie stated that three members of tne presbytery—the Rev. J. W. Shaw, of Mount Lden, the Rev. G. Budd, of Devonport, and the Rev. G. B. Inglis, of Mount Albert, waited on him last Tuesday and astsed if he had been baptised by immersion. Mr. Murray acknowledged that this was so. The deputation then endeavoured to show that such action was not a proper one according to the doctrines of the Church, and they stated that Presbyterianism stood for infant baptism. Mr. Murray replied that the Church gave ministers some latitude in the matter. The deputation stated that the only honourable course for Mr. Murray to pursue was to tender his resignation as a Presbyterian minister. He replied that he had no intention of doing so. He asked what was the real object of the visit, and the reply was that it was to ask him to resign his connection with the Presbyterian Church. The ministers added that the case would be brought before the next meeting of the presbytery. Mr. Murray assured the deputation that he would refuse to resign. The matter was brought before the last meeting of St. Andrew's Kirk Session, and it is stated that aH the members ' expressed astonishment at what was considered an unwarrantable action on the part of three members of the presbytery. No resolution was passed by the kiik session.

Commenting on the matter last evening, I Mr. Murray said that in the circumstances the proposal made to him by the deputation was simply outrageous. The doctrine of the Presbyterian Church provided for several forms of baptism, including immersion, but expressed a preference for sprinkling. He was, therefore, quite within his rights, and had not violated the doctrine of the Church, nor had he acted dishonorably. Mr. Murray said it seemed that an attempt was being made to put him out. of the Presbyterian Church on account of his having commenced ser vices on Sunday evenings in the Tivoli Theatre. Efforts were apparently being made to make his ministry in Auckland intolerable. The Presbytery bad passed a resolution condemning his action in regard to the Tivoli Theatre services, but the theatre was in St. Andrew's Parish and the St. Andrew's Kirk Session had asked Mr. Murray to hold services there and had always upheld his action. When the matter was referred to Mr Shaw he stated that Messrs. Inglis, Budd, and himself had simplv formed a friendly deputation, without any authority whatever with the object of trying to get Mr. Murray to see their viewpoint. Thev considered there were certain consequence's of Mr. Murray's action from the Presbyterian standpoint. Beyond this, Mr. Shaw declined to make any statement, on the ground that nothing formal had been done nor would be until the matter had been brought before the Presbytery