PROVOST DEPOSED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 278, 26 November 1935, Page 5

PROVOST DEPOSED

JOHN MURRAY OF DORNOCH, After being under a ban for six months I’iovo.-i Joun Murray, uf Dornoch, Seo; land, has been expelled from ■ the Free Presbyterian Church for all 1 time. This is the latest development in a controversy that has aroused amazing interest in Scottish Church circtes. Provost Alurray strenuously fought against the sentence of six months’ suspension which was passed upon him by the Evelix Chuch Session because he allowed young peoples’ dancing at a party in honour of his 20-year-old daughter in his horn®. In their judgment on his case the ciders of the Church stated that promiscuous dancing was “a means of fostering the lust of tihe flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life.” During the suspension Provc-st Murray ■each Sunday held revival services, which I attracted large congregations, in the

Birchen Library, a mile from bn lormer church. When requested by the session to appear before it to explain why he was holding opposition services he declined to do so until his suspension had been revoked. A meeting was then held by the Church Session to consider a further cose against J’rovu-st Murray for holding Ihe opposition services. Secrecy concerning the result of the meeting was broken when, following lhe service in Evelix Church, the Rev. Finlay AlcLcod, minister and Modern tor of the Free Presbyterian Church in the Kogart and Dornoch area, stated: “John Alurray, one of our members, who refused to meet Evelix Church Session on three occasions in regard to his opposition meetings in this parish, has had his name erased from our roll.” Air. McLeod went on to appeal to those who had drifted from the church to return. Provost Alurray, *when told of the decision, commented: “The Church leaders have been acting contrary Io Church law. Throughout my rx months’ suspension I have not been a member of the Church, and I cannot, conceive how they can depose anyone who is not a member. “I have not yet made up my mind whether to form a new sect or to become a member of some otlher denomination.” *