UNITY AMONG CHURCHES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21409, 27 February 1935, Page 12

UNITY AMONG CHURCHES

SPEECHES AT METHODIST CONFERENCE DEPUTATION WELCOMED (PRESS ASSOCIA.TIOB TELEGRAM.) DUNEDIN, February 26. The Essential unity of aim of the various churches was emphasised today when the proceedings of the annual conference of the Methodist Church were halted for a brief space to welcome representatives from the Presbyterian Church and trie Council of Christian Congregations.

The speakers on behalf of the visiting deputation were the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand (the Rt. Rev. Dr. J. Dickie, principal of the Theological Hall at Knox College), and the president of the Council of Christian Congregations (the Very Rev. Dean Cruickshank), both of whom expressed the opinion that close relationship between various denominations was to be desired. Dr. Dickie said that if Christendom was to be reunited within the next few generations, it would be along lines of better understanding of one another's viewpoints, and fuller recognition of the right of each to his own viewpoint, provided always that it was for the glorification of God. Dean Cruickshank said that necessity for reunion was never greater than it was to-day. It was not by ignoring differences which undoubtedly existed, or ambiguous statements which synods were very prone to make, but by frankly facing those differences that unity would be attained. They sought unity not on a basis of compromise, but on that of comprehension. , , Replying on behalf of the conference, the Rev. Dr. H. Ranston, principal of the Trinity Theological College, Auckland, said that the churches were all united in the belief that the one hope of the world was the message of Christ, and the power that came when that message was received into the heart of man. The Methodist Church had a great deal m common with the Presbyterian Church, and he thought that the time was not distant when the question of closer relationship would be considered.