A HERESY HUNT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4765, 4 October 1893, Page 3

A HERESY HUNT.

[Per Pbbsb Association.] AUCKLAND, Oct. 3. At a meeting of the Auckland Presbytery to-night the case of the Bey S. J. Neiil, of the Thames, whose connection with the Theosophical Society is viewed unfavourably in certain quarters, was discussed at some length. The report of the Committee was read by the clerk, the Eev Mr Somerville, as follows :— " Your Committee begs to report that immediately after the last meeting of the Presbytery it met and addressed a letter to Mr Neill conveying the request of the Presbytery^ thair he withdraw from the Theosophical Sooiety. The Committee considered Mr Neill's reply ao evasive that it addressed another letter to him asking for a definite reply to the Presbytery's request to withdraw from the Theosophical Sooiety. Mr Neill answered: —'This position you have taken up being new to me, it becomes necessary for me to put myself in communication with friends at a distance who may be able to help me as to a right course to pursue.' He also stated that it might be conducive to the interests of justice to refer the case to the General Assembly. The Committee regarded this as a request for time for consultation and consideration, and thought it undesirable to pursue the matter farther until reasonable time had been given to Mr Neill to consider his position. The Committee regrets to have occasion to bring under the notice of the Presbytery the seriouß departure from ecclesiastical procedure on the part of Mr Neill in publishing a portion of the correspondence that has taken place between himself and the Committee, and in expressing his intention of publishing the other portion. The Committee feels that Mr Neill's action is a violation of his induction vow to follow no diversive courses from Church doctrine, worship, discipline and government, and an injustice to all concerned. The Church has wisely enacted that all preliminary investigations shall be in private, lest an innocent man might suffer by publicity. The Committee acted in accordance with that enactment. It had no desire for secrecy other than that required by the law of the Church, and it regrets exceedingly that he should have so far forgotten his duty to the Court as to treat its legislation with indifference." The Eev W. F. Findlay moved the adoption of the report, and Mr Eamsay seconded the motion. Mr M'Kay protested against the action of the Preßbytery, and eulogised Mr Neill's life and conduct and ministry at Thames for many years. The motion for the adoption of the report was carried. Mr M'Kay recorded his dissent. A protest from Thames against the action of the Presbytery then came up for consideration, and was received and read after some discussion, the Eev W. F. Findlay recording his vote against its reception, as it had not come through the proper channel. He moved— "That the Presbytery, while strongly disapproving of the incorrect statements and disrespectful terms of the letter, considers it expedient in the circumstances to receive it ex gratia." The Eev A. Carrick seconded the motion, which was carried. The Eev E. Somerville mentioned that the protest was signed by 86 members and 98 adherents, and that S3 outside friends wished to sign it. It was stated that no one had been asfced to sign. A counter protest to this petition was signed by 20 attending members, 33 attending adherents, 25 non-attending members and 45 non-attending adherents. The Preabytery having considered the petition and letter of protest, resolved to appoint a Commission to proceed to the Thames and enquire into the cause of the division brought under the notice of the Court by the documents, with full power to call for parties, books and papers, and to resolve upon and do whatever in ita wisdom it may consider best for the interests of the church j this Commission to consist of the Eevs N. F. M'Nicoll (Moderator), A. C. Creek, J. Hill, G. B. Munro, N. J. Steel, S. Somerville, W. Ferguson and T. F. Eobertson. It was further resolved that the Presbytery also instruct the Clerk to formally cite the Eev J. Neill to appear before the Commission. .