RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1144, 3 June 1911, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

. $ UNION OF THE CHURCHES. PRESBYTERIAN POINT OF VIEW. At the annual assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria on May 17, tho Rev. Geo. Tait moved:— "That the assembly expresses gratification that, at the instance of the General Assembly of Australia, negotiations for union between the Evangelical Churches havo been entered on, and that so much progress has been made with them; but that the assembly—in view of the fact that the General Synod of tho Anglican Church has appointed a committee to watch for and, if possible, tako advantage of any opportunity which may be offered for a further conference with the religious bodies, with a view to tho better understanding of our mutual position, and furtherance of union among Christians, and of tho fact that preliminary steps have been taken towards the beginning of negotiations for wider union than that contemplated ill the remit before the House —postpone consideration of the remit until next assembly." The speaker said that it should he mado perfectly clear that if Anglicans or any others were not included in tho union the fault was not theirs (the Presbyterians'). No true Presbyterian would ever bo content that- his Church should be tho Church of a small section of tho nation. Let them do what they could to make one Australian Church. Rev. P. J. Murdoch seconded the motion. Ho said part of the remit was tho crcdal statement drawn up by tho joint committees of the churches negotiating, and was intended to bo an expression of Christian faith as generally held throughout those churches. Regarding polity, a scheme of Church Courts, which had satisfied Methodists, Presbyterians, and Congrcgationalists, had been prepared. Dr. Rentoul moved as an amendment that all tho words after "that" in the motion bo omitted for tho purpose of inserting other words as follow: — "That this assembly, having an earnest desire for spiritual unity with all true churches and peoples of God, and yearning for closer visible fellowship and closer federated co-operation- with the other Protestant churches and people of our land, cannot look favourably upon the scheme of incorporated uniformity which obliterates the name and title and also tho central polity of tho Presbyterian churches. It deems tho scheme now put before it as at present impracticable and inopportune, and is of opinion that tho movement towards closer union should proceed along the lino of federated union for common Christian working, not along a lino of attempted co-operation." The Presbyterian Church was apathetic over the question, because it did not really want union. The progress had been to destroy a good deal of the spirit of Prcsbytorianism. (Dissent and some applause.) "I respect Methodism," ho said, "as much as any man, but I say there is a radical and absolute difference between Presbyterianism and Methodism. I am indignant and ashamed that the scheme put beforo you not only abolishes many things that are integral to Presbyterianism, but abolishes the principle" of eldership as well. That would mean a mongrel system of Methodism. (Laughter and somo applause.) How unstirring, how uninspiring is this bit of stuff they put forward as a creed! There has been no increase of unity of feeling since negotiations were started 10 years ago." The different bands and regiments marching along the Christian road did not mean disunion; they meant the march of forces, all striving together for the spread of the Gospel and tho glory of God. (Applause.) Rev. T". J. Smith seconded the amendment. He urged that, if tho scheme of union so far as it had gone wero adopted, it would practically mean that Presbyterians were to turn Methodists. (Hear, hear, and dissent.) After further discussion, Dr. Rentoul's amendment was rejected by 100 votes to G9, and the motion was carried.