CHURCH UNION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16263, 13 July 1918, Page 2

CHURCH UNION.

DISCUSSION AT ATTCKLAND

PRESBYTERY

Church, union was the subject of discussion by the Auckland Presbytery on Tuesday evening. jLue i.vev. i&aao Jolly said there was a general reeling tlie Ciiurcn in tavour 01 union vim certain otner uenomiuationSj and presoyienes in ail parts oi iNew Zou.iaua nua passed mouuns favouring tne proposal. Ine war Jiud emphasised tno need for Cnurch union. Union did not. mean unirorinity. In the Anglican, Church one section was tnorougiuy ilign Church in its ideals, and another was just as strongly evangelical. In that Church, thoreiore, tnere was unanimity, but not uniiorinity. Old tradition and historical grounds should not be a bar to Church union in tlie Dominion. At present in many country districts and suburban areas Christian Evangelical inthionco was being divided to the benefit of sacerdotal influence. If forcos were united some of the financial difficulties 'confronting poor country parishes would disappear. Mr Jolly moved: —"Thh.t an overturo bo forwarded to General Assembly asking it to devise such means as may be necessary to ascertain whether the people of the Presbyterian Church aro prepared to consider sympathetically a definite movement, aiming at the union of the* Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational Churches, and of such other Christian bodies as may find it necessary to unite on the basis of common creed and polity." Tho Rev. J. "W. Shaw, of Mount Eden, opposed the motion. He said it was obvious that there was. overlapping and inefficiency in Church-work in New Zealand, but the remedy was not in the manner suggested. He was firmly convinced that everything likely to be secured by Church Union could be secured in other ways, by a system of closer co-operation. Union at any time was a doubtful and problematical measure, wliilo too much reliance could bo placed on tradition and historical record. The speaker saiH he was not certain that the people comprising tho Presbyterian Church would bo willing to throw their great and glorious traditions aside altogether. Several other speakers took part in the discussion, which was adjourned until next mooting.