INDEPENDENCE IN THE PULPIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20251, 10 May 1929, Page 14

INDEPENDENCE IN THE PULPIT.

Sir, —According ,fco your report of the Town Ilall meeting last Tuesday night, one ot the speakers is reported as having suggested to his audience that they should boycott their own minister if he preached evolution. This speaker's actual expressions I will not repeat, as I consider them degrading to what many peoplo regard as the most sacred calling in the world; but they suggest that the ministry should be subservient to the "money kings," or to the nearest approach to them attending our churches. They suggest that a preacher should ask permission from the wealthier members of his congregation before he preaches a doctrine which, however much he may be mistaken in holding, ho nevertheless is quite conscientious in believing. I hereby protest against such suggestions, and in doing so would make a strong plea that the minister's position as regards the subject matter of his preaching should be as independent as that of the Supreme Court Judge. No layman has any more right to dictate to his minister what ho should preach than he has any right to try to bribe a Judge. The preacher is responsible to God, and not to man. Everyone who, with myself, is jealous to maintain the purity and incorruptness of the Church must surely agree with the foregoing point of view. Better surely for him to preach straight-out-error than for him to be coerced into preaching tho truth through fear of offending people whole "pocket-books" are full! In support of this protest let me say I am not altogether out of sympathy with the purpose of Tuesday night's gathering. _ I myself know nothing about evolution, and although some preachers may know, or think they know, something regarding it, they should stick to their own pro-, vince and leave such matters to ths experts. All the same, no man should be persecuted if he thinks it his duty to preach it. Poor Parson. May 9

Sir, —The. old spirit of religious intolerance evidenced at the meeting held in the Town Hall on Tuesday is to bo deplored. When the Rev. A. A. Murray, for instance, is reported to have said, amid applause: "If your minister preaches evolution do not sit in your pew another Sunday. Hit him in the pocket-book and do riot sit in his church for one more Sunday,'" readers" thoughts will instinctively be reminded of that ur.-Christian Church history which records the burning at the stake of men who were unorthodox according to the dogmatists of the day. but who died that liberty of conscience might be won for all. Mr. Murray's advice to starve a man is unworthy of one professing a gospel of love and snch exhibitions of panic and fanatical disregard of the opinions of sincere fellow-Christians, who, while paying reverent tribute to all that is of essential spiritual value in the Christian revelation, still keep ths mind open to the light and refreshing breezes of scientific research, sre bound to drive away from Christian fellowship in Churches many who are earnest seekers after truth. Minister.