METHODIST UNION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1515, 10 August 1912, Page 9

METHODIST UNION.

THE DISCUSSION AT NORWICH CONFERENCE. , Not a word of opposition was heard at tho recent Primitive Methodist Conference, iit Norwich to the proposal to allow the New Zealand Church to amalgamate with the Methodist Church of that Dominion. Rev. J. D. Thompson moved a lonjr resolution, expressing maternal affection, milling tho splendid work of tho pioneers, recognising tho divine lending in the negotiations and desire for union, and giving sanction for the same, with tho Church's benediction. Mr. Thompson recalled his own experience in negotiating union in Australia in 18!)!). The new constitntion, ho thought, was like the land that had given it birth. The Canadian Constitution was least liberal, Australian more liberal, and New Zealand most liberal. It provided a capital working basis between the Wesleyan mid other' Constitutions.- To "clear his conscience," ho felt bonud to say that he fought for a more liberal constitution than that before them for Australia in IS!M. lie noted tho reserve of subjects in conference as between ministers and laymen, _ and also the place and power given to circuit stewards. New Zealand, however, had wrought out its own thought, and lie had no doubt as to the arrangements working out favourably; indeed, paper constitutions had a trick of working out bolter than they promised. Rev. A. T. Glittery was delighted with tho reasons put forward for union, chief anions: which lie noticed tho desire for greater missionary efficiency. Ho felt: a wrench in tho parting.' Primitive .Methodism in New Zealand had hnd men of enterprise and fino character, and a laynian had bc-ou "bishop" of the Church (here. Rev. 0. Bennett .feared that the now clothes of the Methodists and Primitives in New Zealand had made for themselves would, in places, be too tight for him, but they had cut according to their own figure and IVhion. Mr. Hcnnelt spoko on a high spiritual level, and closed amid deep stillness as he viehed for. the new Church increasing prosperity. Rev. .1. Ritson expressed tho mind of Conference when he said that the prineiplo of Homo Rule compelled their sanction. Primitive Methodism had held aloof from the earlier union from tho patriotic motive oi desiring a Dominion Methodist Church, and the Dominion had bren won to that idea. Speaking to conservative elements in tlifl constitution, Mr. Kitson pointed out the inadequate safeguards to prevent jiiiy Mich nbiiscs to the Dominion as nnd been known in Ili-itnin. . The unmiiinily and cordiality of Hie debate was largely duo to the. lucid and J convincing speech nf Rev. Ci. 11. M;uui.~ I "Christian. World, , I