UNION OF THE CHURCHES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 25, 24 October 1918, Page 6

UNION OF THE CHURCHES

MOVEMENT FAVOURING THE PROPOSAL. The movement for union of the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational Churches is proceeding apace. Most, if not all, of the presbyteries of the first-named Church have already adopted overtures in favour of union to the Genernil Assembly in favom- of union. The Assembly is to meet in Christchurch next month. With a view of promoting a spirit of unity, out of which alone union can come, an informal, but very interesting, meeting was held lost night in St. John's Church. Ths meeting was attended by l'2O representative ministers and office-bearers of the three Chua-ches concerned, who first partook of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, r.nd afterwards went into informal, conference on the question which, it was considered, would presently become a matter of very live interest in the courts of those Churches. The Rev. Dr. Gibb presided and dispensed the Communion. The Rev. J\ E. Glnsson 'delivered a brief but suggestive address on the words, "There is one God and one Mediator." The Eovs. J. Render, W. Shiver, and A. Hunt conducted the devotional part of the eervice. In opening the conference, Dr. Gibb fet forth the arguments for union and described the positi6n in the Presbyterian Church at the moment. While profoundly convinced that the churches must unite, he counselled caution, in making sure of each step towards the soal. Resolutions of assemblies and conferences might accomulish much, missions, open .schools, and orphanages could do many other things, but union could i only come if the people of the churches desired it. Their task for the moment was todiscovei , the minds of their conprobations and to instruct and inspire them with the great ideal. In the onsning discussion a number ot ir misters and lavinen took part, includiii" the Hon. .T. G. AV. Aitken, Moderator of the General Assem'hlv, who spoke strnnglv in favour of the proposal. Finally « motion was f-iibmitted expressing approval of the idea of union of the Presbvterian, Methodist, and Congrcational Churches, and affirming that the 0 time bad come to take active steps with a view of realisation of the same. The meeting was closed with the singin" of the Knlion.il Anthem nnd tnc pronouncement of the Benediction.