A LIVELY HOLINESS MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Auckland, April 8.

Otago Witness, Issue 1989, 10 April 1890, Page 9

A LIVELY HOLINESS MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Auckland, April 8.

Mr Henry Varley, the evangelist, was -invited to attend the holiness convention at the Pitt street Wesleyan Church, on Friday last, and to speak at it. To the surprise of the holiness people he reviewed the chairman's speech and traversed the whoje of the statements put forth on their behalf, censuring a belief in absolute personal holiness and sinlessness as lamentable examples of self-deception. The holiness section were greatly annoyed, and pastor Birch, who presided, announced that the convention would be adjourned to the tabernacle, where a fresh counterblast would be made to Mr Varley's deliverance. Ittook place lastnightin the Tabernacle, a thousand persons being present. On the platform were the Revs B. Best, W. E. Salter, J. Dukes, and other prominent holme s people were in the hall. Mr Varley was not invited, and it was determined there should be no rift in the lute this time. The sequel will show how much such hopes were realised, as the scene was the most remarkable which ever took place in a tabernacle. Pastor Birch presided, and gave an address in favor of the dogma of holiness, and what is termed " entire sauctificatioD," in the course of which he quoted from a report of Mr Varley's speech at the holiness convention on Friday, which he proceeded to refute, more especially that gentleman's statement in which he said that it was impossible for any man to live without committing sins. The speaker got so emphatic in bis denunciation that at last Mr Douglas rose and protested against such treatment of Mr Varleyin his absence. Mr Douglas was informed that the meeting was a holiness meeting, and those opposed to such views had their remedy by going to another hall, or through the press. A few minutes later Mr C. B. Stone, a deacon of the Tabernacle), rose and said that Mr Varley was his guest, and though he loved his pastor he would not sit quietly and listen to such treatment of that servant of God by another servant of God. Mr Varley should have been invited to the meeting, and those things said to his face and not bebind his back. Mr Gage, an elder, endorsed Mr Stone's protest. He was sorry to see Mr Birch take such a stand.

Dr Kenderkine said that Mr Varley had been completely misrepresented, and what had been repeated was a caricature of that gentleman's sentiments. Talk about entire holiness and being without Bin. Why, there was not a man

in that building that night who kept the 10 •ommandments in their entirety.

The Rev. Mr Williams recorded his protest against MrVarley being attacked in his absence. At this stage, about a dozen excited individuals began to harangue in various parts of the building, and as the meeting seemed to be rapidly getting oat of hand, about 100 persons left. Mr R. B. Shalders, another elder, endeavoured to pour oil upon the troubled waters, but was wholly unsuccessful. It was quite evident that the meeting was in no temper to stand any more reflections upon MrVarley, and the chairman prudently dropped the personal part of his subject. At this stage Mr Varley came in by a side door, and, being immediately recognised, was greatly applauded. He walked up the aisle to a seat, but was subsequently invited on the platform. The chairman repeated to Mr Varley a summary of the personal part of his address, and that gentleman then took up his parable, and in an eloquent reply first of all gave a flat contradiction to the imputation which had been made, a direct denial of the sentiments imputed to him, and then proceeded to show in forcible and earnest language that only the Incarnate could justly assaume the title of the sinless one, and that the man who arrogated such a position to himself was simply self deceived. Apparently there was no one on that platform who felt inclined to deal with that masterly, argumentative, and impassioned oration in which the speaker carried the great mass of hiß hearers with him, and the meeting was brought abruptly to a conclusion. The holiness convention at the tabernacle, practically speaking, has yet to be held.