UNION OF THE CHURCHES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 268, 8 August 1919, Page 8

UNION OF THE CHURCHES

DISCUSSED BY ST: JOHN'S ANNUAL MEETING. At the annual meeting of St. John's Church on Wednesday evening. The qwestion of the proposed union of the Piresbyteriaiv Methodist, and 'Congregational Churches was discussed and voted Ml. . Mr. G. A. Troup moved the following resolution.—"This meeting of the con-'' | gregation of St. John's, Wellington, heartily approves of the suggested union of tho Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational Churches, provided a basis in doctrine and polity adequate to the needs, of the three churches is formed by a combined committee of these churches, and sent down for final ratification to the subordinate judicatories of tho Presbyterian Church. This meeting further respectfully urges the General Assembly, appointed to meet in Invoroargil.l in November next, to take such steps as shall give effect to tho suggestion of this resolution." Mr. Troup said that union was strength and illustrated his point in vari&us ways. They loved the church of their fathers, 'but it would be no small matter .for them to submit to the identity of their church being v lost in a new organisation. 'But he asked what was it they valued the Presbyterian Church most for? Was it not for its acceptance of, apd fidelity to, the great truths of the evousel, the Trinity of God, tho divinity of our Lord, salvation through faith; and did not the churches with whom they proposed to unite hold tho same doctrines and attach to them the Bame emphasis? lie felt, moreover, that tlie Presbyterian idea was bound in the circumstances largely to affect the creed nnd polity of the new, church. They need fear, the !oss of nothing really valuable in the prol- - union, and each of the three churohes had something to gain from the others. They musit, and would, of course, act according to thoir convictions, but it was bound to weigh with them | that their minister was leading in this movement, and that for many years the union of tlio churches had been an object that lay very close to Dr. Gibb's heart.

Mr. A. Howitt seconded tho motion. He had bfem a good deal about the country during recent months, and, always in favour of church union, his recent experiences had greatly intensified his conviction of its utter need. They did not realise the need in a city like Wellington, but lot them think of a parish like that of Mr. HoKoway's, one of their home missionaries in the Far North. It took that agent, three months to reach all his parish with services.

Dr. Gibb called fov a full' expression of opinion, or a counter-motion. Ho was not there to influeuoe them further than to state that the General Assembly favoured the idea of union, 'Irat would not enter into negotiations with any church till it know the fniml of its otvn pcoplo on the general principle. As they knew ho had in one or two sermons set forth the reasons why ho believe;! in and was working for this union. If anyone had any objeotlou to offer, let the objection now be made. They were there to eee what this congregation really thought of the issue.

No amendment being forthcoming, or objection offered, the motion'was put to the ilarge meeting. It seemed as if everyone present held up their hands in token of assent, but on the contrary being asked for two votes were recorded against the proposal.