A STORMY CHURCH MEETING.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 11204, 26 February 1891, Page 2

A STORMY CHURCH MEETING.

I DISCOURTESY OF .PASTOE BEBCH. A STEONG VOTE OF CENSUEE. [Per United Pbbss Association.] Auckland, February 24. There was a stormy scene at the ordinary church meeting of the Baptist Tabernacle congregation last night. At a baptismal service just previously two ladies who usually assisted at this part of 1 the church work, Mesdames Gaze and Batte, were told by Pastor . Birch that ) they need not busy themselves there anylonger, as there was a lady who would , take their places. The two ladies ob- : jected, and it is reported that the pastor ■ at last told them that if they did not go ? he would seild for- a policeman and .have them removed. The matter was brought up at the church meeting, when the hugband of one of the ladies asked Mr Birch > to apologise. , Mr Birch refused to make i an apology 1 After a heated discussion, , it was resolved,. "That' Pastor Birch having lefused to apologise, this church 1 pass aaevere vote of censure on him for his ungentlemanly and unchristianliko conduct towards Mesdatnes Gaze 'and Batts this evening." ■ The following motion, of which notice had' been /given, was '. carried :—" That seeing the proaching termination of . Mr4Birch's ■term of engagement aS'/pastJor'^'this' church take steps to provide for another pastor, and that Pastor Birch be at once notified that. his engagement tho church will terminate, on November' 9th." ; Mr Birch leaves for Australia by. the . Tarawera on Thursday/for a,h'olidayi! ■ ' February.2s.- „ i The report that the motion terminating Pastor Birch's engagement aa a minister > of the Baptist Tabernacle was carried at • the church meeting on Monday proves to ■ • be incorrect. It was only given- notice of. ____________