MINISTER'S INDUCTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19142, 7 October 1925, Page 14

MINISTER'S INDUCTION.

VERY UNUSUAL INCIDENTS, IMPATIENCE OVER A DELAY. The proceedings at St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church in Sydney last week, when the Rev, Hugh Pa ton was inducted to the pastorate, were marked by unusual incidents. According to the programme the induction was to take place at 8 o'clock, and at that hour members of the Presbytery of Sydney were in conclave in the vestry. There was considerable delay,, and signs of impatience were manifest. At 20 minutes to 9 o'clock a member of the congregation rose and addressed the congregation. He said the authorities of the church had brought them there to witness the induction of the Rev. H igh Paton. If there were any differences in the Presbytery, they should have been settled before that night. Another member of the congregation also protested. "We were all unanimous in the call." he added, "and I don't think anyone outside the church has any right to stop the proceedings." At 9 o'clock the Rev, J. Fleming, Moderator of the Presbytery, entered the church from the vestry, followed by the members, and took bis seat on tho platform beneath the pulpit. The Rev. J. Edwards, clerk of the Presbytery after putting his usual questions, said: "I have to report that no objection has been lodged against the life or doctrine of the Rev. Hugh Paton." The congregation applauded by stamping with the feet. The Moderator: "I must say, as the Moderator of the Presbytery, thai I extremely regret this unseemly display. We are met here for a solemn purpose—to induct a minister. The scene which has occurred is quite out of place in a church where we are met, for worship and for a solemn setting apart of a minister for the purpose of ministering to .tills congregation. If there is any repetition, I, as Moderator, will leave the chair," In a subsequent statement on the subject Mr. Paton said that in the Presbytery meeting a little minority had held out on a certain technicality with regard to the church roll. The appeal of the minority was dismissed, and he thought nobody was deceived. No question of morality or principle was involved in the matter at all. He asked that the whole Presbytery be not judged by the littJa minority.