METHODIST CONFERENCE
AM OUTSPOKEN MINISTER, PLEA FOR TOLERANCE.' Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, March 8. In his retiring- address at the Methodist Conference, the Rev. Mr Meek (exPresident) dealt with the question of fixed creeds and freedom of thought. He urged the necessity of tolerance in the matter of theological thinking, and of keeping abreast of the best intellectual life' and knowledge of the age. He said that could Wesley reappear to-day ono of the first things he would take in hand would be the complete adjustment of Methodism to present conditions and knowledge.
Mt Meck's utterances led to much heartburning in the press correspondence, and the conference last night discussed the matter at length ir. an earnest and sometimes warm debate. While agreeing with Mr Meek as to the necessity of freedom to think and the need of progress, and expressing confidence in'the soundness of Mr Meek's fundamental faith and doctrines, some of the speakers were of opinion that his pronouncement, being of an official character, might take the direction of. shaking the faith and loyalty of the Christian community.
Eventually a resolution was carried drawing attention to the fact that Mr Meek had intimated the views expressed, but that he voiced his own opinion, and not those of the church, and that the Methodist Conference was profoundly convinced that the doctrinal standards of the church were in harmony with the revealed Word of trftfl, but that it was legitimate to accept all that was consietent with the definite holding and preaching of the doctrinal truths on which their church was built.
Prior to the carrying of the resolution Mi Meek declared that his message was to the church, and he was going to stand by it. He was astonished that so many intelligent men should misrepresent him as lie had been misrepresented during the debate.
The President assured Mr Meek of the personal love and confidence of the members of the Conference,
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 15708, 10 March 1913, Page 5
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323METHODIST CONFERENCE Otago Daily Times, Issue 15708, 10 March 1913, Page 5
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