THE CHARGE OF HERESY AGAINST THE REV. MR GIBB.

Otago Witness, Issue 1916, 6 November 1890, Page 18

THE CHARGE OF HERESY AGAINST THE REV. MR GIBB.

THE CASE BEFORE THE SYNOD.

At Friday night's sederunt of the synod, the appeal by certain members of the Dunedin Presbytery against the decision of the presbytery on Mr A. 0. Begg's complaint against the teaching of the Rev. J. Gibb was taken into consideration. There was a very large attendance of members of synod, and that portion of the chnrch set apart for the public was crowded in every part.

The moderator (the Rev. A. M. Finlayson)i being one of the appellants in the case, vacated the chair, which was then taken by the Rev. G. Hall, of Waihola.

The Rev. W. Bannebman (clerk) called the appellants (the Revs. J. Ryley, A. M. Finlayson, and R. R. M. Sutherland) and those who had been appointed to defend the judgment of the presbytery (the Revs. Dr Watt, W. Will, and A, Cameron) to the bar of the synod. The extracts from the records of the presbytery bearing on the case were then read by the clerk. These included the complaint whioh was lodged in the first instance by Mr Begg, to the following effect:—" That on Sabbath, the 25th day of May, at the morning service of First Church congregation, the Rev. James Gibb, in the coarse of his sermon made use of language to the following effect: — ( My very soul revolts against the statement of the doctrine of eleotion as set forth in the standards of the church, the Con' fession of Faith, and the Shorter Catechism, viz.: — 'God having oat of his mere good pleasure from all eternity elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace,' " &o. The clerk also read the minutes of the presbytery in which its decision regarding the complaint and the notice of dissent given by the Rev. A. M. Finlayson were recorded ; the minutes of a subsequent meeting at which were read the reasons of dissent from the decision of the Presbytery, which were signed by the Revs. A. M Finlayson, J. Ryley, and R. R. M. Sutherland ; and also the additional reasons given by the Rev Mr Sutherland, and the minutes of another meeting at which the answers to the reasons of dissent were given. After considerable discussion, The Rev. Mr Ferguson said he would make a motion to forward matters, and he did so not wishing in any way to prejudice the case. He would move — " That, inasmuch as the moderator has declined to rule upon the point of order raised, the synod now declare that the reasons of dissent given in by the Rev. R. R. M. Sutherland in his own name are incompetent, on the ground that specific reasons therein refer to matter whose documental or other legal support is not before the synod, and so far as the papers show was not before the presbytery." The Rev. J. Chisholm seconded Mr Ferguson's motion.

Dr Copland moved as an amendment — " That the synod receive -the papers as sent up by the presbytery."

The Rev. Mr Bannebman seconded the amendment.

After Mr Febguson had replied, a vote was taken, the roll being called over, and for the Rev. Mr Ferguson's motion there voted 28, and for Dr Copland's amendment 39.

The Acting-modeeatob declared the amendment carried.

The Rev. Mr Febguson: Then, Mr Moderator, in the interest of the subject I enter my protest in my own name, and in the name of those who support me.— (Applause.) After some further discussion, in which the Revs. Finlayson, Ryley, R. M. Sutherland, Will, and Cameron took part, The Rev. Mr Stobo moved the following deliverance— " That the synod sustain the appeal ; reverse the judgment of the presbytery ; find that Mr Gibb has publicly made statements inconsistent with the obligations of a minister of this church ; but inasmuch as he admitted to the presbytery that some of those statements were made in ignorance of the meaning of the Confession of Faith and Shorter Catechism,

appoint a oommittee to confer with him anent the said statements, and report to a future sederunt." The Rev. Mr Clabk seconded the motion. The Rev. Mr Chisholm moved, as an amendment — " That the syood dismiss the complaint and appeal ; affirm the judgment of the Dunedin Presbytery; having regard, however, to certain discussions that have arisen in connection with this matter, the synod deems it necessary to effectually urge ministers to be guarded in their statements of doctrine, and to avoid all unseemly reference to the motives of those from whom they differ ; so that the church throughout the bounds may have peace, and be edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost may be multiplied." The Rev. A. B. Todd seconded the amendment.

The Rev. G. B. Inglis said he could not agree either with Mr Stobo's motion or with Mr Chisholm's amendment, and moved in the following direction :— " Sustain the complaint and appeal ; reverse the decision of the presbytery ; regret that Mr Gibb used language inconsistent with the obligations assumed by ministers when taking offioe in this ohurch ; resolve that the matter now take end, and counsel all ministers and office-bearers of the church to seek those things which make for peace and the things wherewith one may edify another." He thought that if Mr Gibb would only rise and express regret for what he had said, he believed that nothing more would be heard of the matter, — (Applause.) The Rev. J. M'Cosh Smith seconded the amendment.

The Rev. J. Chisholm said that in tha interests of peace he would, with the consent of his seconder, withdraw his amendment in favour of that proposed by Mr Inglis.— (Hear, hear.) The Rev. A. M. Daleymple suggested that Mr Stobo should also withdraw his motion in favour of Mr Inglis' amendment, so that they might be unanimous, and that the matter might be amicably settled.

The discuasiou was continued by Mr J. Adam, the Rev. J. Ferguson, Dr Macgregor, Dr Copland, Mr E. Ramsay, and the Rev. J. U. Spence, after which the Rev. A. H. Stobo replied, stating he did not see his way to withdraw his motion.

The synod then went to the vote, Mr Inglis' amendment being put against tho motion, Mr Ghisholm's amendment being withdrawn.

Mr Inglis' amendment was carried by 43 votes to 19, the result being received with loud and prolonged applause. The following was the division list : —

For Mr Stobo's motion : Ministers— Revs Bannerman, Stobo, Alexander, J. M. Davidson, Clark, Steven, Dr Macgregor, and Wright. Elde-s— Messrs W. ftt'Caw, Johnston, Andrews, Christie, Shaw, Mail, Dr Copland, G. Sutherland, Taylor, A. Ross, and Robertson— l9.

For Mr Inglis' amendment: Ministers — Revs. Allan, Cbisholm, Skinner, Inglis, Spend, Dalrymple, Ourrie, M'Laren, Scorgie. Jolly, Taylor, Fairmaid, Bwen, Baird, Ferguson, Brown, Blaokie, Johnston, Lindsay, Neave, P. Ramsay, Thornton, Todd, J. A Will, Telford, M'Cosh Smith, and Lothian. EldersMessrs Smaill, Taylor, Smith, Somerville, Tapp. M'Hattie, Kelly, Hutchison, Adam, M'Leish, M'Neil, Matheson, Erskine, K. Ramsay, Johnston, and Moir— 43.

The presbytery of Dunedin being at the bar, its members did not vote. The synod rose at 1.5 a.m.