CHURCH UNION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 17, 15 October 1918, Page 3

CHURCH UNION

CONSIDERATION BY BAPTISTS

RESOLUTIONS AT CONFERENCE

The subject of church union was considered at the Baptist Conference yesterday.

The Rev. J. J. North introduced the subject. Ha said it might have been thought that from such a radical body as the Baptists the suggestion of union of churches would have sprung. However, it was not so. The differences between the churches was becoming more and more intolerable, and the war had dissipated some' of the obstacles to union. The idea of uniting was largely the.note of the.century in which we found ourselves. In earlier years Christians divided themselves into many sects, but while the sects might have ( been justified at the time for their breaking away, many of t'he causes of the quarrels had now disappeared. Tho average man's outlook was irreligious. Union was not as easy as it seemed •from the outside. The difficulties were great indeed. Tho priestly and the evangelical churches were irreconcilable. To-day the Methodist and the Presbyterian Churches were approaching each other It' was "all Lombard Street to a china orange that within a brace of years these two churches would be one." The reason why the Baptist Church was not' included in the preliminary negotiations was because it was recognised that 1 there were differences which were not easily negotiable. The question of baptism, which divided the' Baptist Church from the Presbyterians and the Methodists was a question which needed looking at and not burking. . Any union Vhich involved a sacrifice of principles would be worthless. The R«v. F. Jones (Thames) agreed entirely with Mr. North. He thought his church singularly niisnamed. The English and the Catholic Churches considered baptism essential to salvation, and yet one particular body was called the "Baptist" Church.

The Rev. H. Hercus (Hamilton) said that in India he had worked in ii union church and everything had gone along harmoniously. The subject of baptism as a rite was left out of the church life to a large extent. He thought that before union was effected here the work would have to be taken up from _ a deeper motive —conviction —than convemenoe and expediency. s

Mr. C. Chant said that ho would much like to see a union consummated, and he thought if a frequent dedication service could be adopted that would go a long way towards bridging a gulf. The Rev.' R. S. Gray thought that if they could discuss matters with some of tho churches which were seeking < union ' some i'ood might bo accomplished. He passionately desired union, and thought that they, should go as far as possible and overcome all , the difficulties that could be overcome. He moved:— ' "

(1) That the Baptisi) Union of New Zealand expresses its gladness for the reunion of certain of the evangelical churches are everywhere being received with favour, and trusts that jn the Providence of God the negotiations may so issue as to promote the highest interests of the Kingdom of God, (2) That ■ the Baptist Union greatly desires thai; some basis may be found t'hat would make the inclusion of the Baptist' Church possible, and hereby expresses its willingness to enter into negotiations to this end.

(3) That the Baptist Union recognises a spiritual intention on the' part of evangelical ".churches that practice infant baptism, but would'affectionately urge thorn to., consider whether a solemn dedication' service would not contain tho meaning of the rite as they practice it, ■• thus leaving the ordinance of baptism for the expression of the faith of the believer. (4) Should no arrangement be in the meantime possible, the Baptist Union expresses its earnest determination on its part to avoid_ entering into unseemly competition with other evangelical churches in districts which are already sufficiently churched, and trusts that some definite understanJing may bo arrived at which will prevent this reproach to our common Christianity. The motion was agreed to. The Bev. J. R. Glasson, a.Congregational minister, who was present, said that he was sure the Congregationahsts .and others would be delighted to hear 'of the broad-minded discussion which had been held.