STANDING ALONE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 31, 6 February 1913, Page 10

STANDING ALONE

rHE NEW ZEALAND METHODIST CHURCH UNION WITH PRIMITIVE METHODISTS Ho-'day two important steps for the Jleth'odisfc Church in New Zealand are to \be taken in Wellington, no less thgjjl.'th© -tinion of tho JVlethodist — commOtly' (Jailed Wesleyau jMethodist — Church with the Primitive Methodist Church, a union that had long been desired and indeed worked for for many years j and also the declaration of, the independence of the Methodist Church in New Zealand of the Australasian Church and its recognition within the Dominion and the Commonwealth also as a separate and self-governing Church- The Parliaments of tho six States of the Common■wealth and of New Zealand had to be approached in the matter, the Church as a whole having considerable property in both countries, of which it was desired to firmly establish the ownership— and there were other legislative precautions to take. Accordingly, notices appeared an due course in the seven Gazettes of the Commonwealth and the Dominion, in which it was set forth tha^ — "I, 'Henry Toungman, of Brisbane, in the State- of Queensland, Doctor. of Divinity.' president of the General Conference of the Methodist Church of Australasia, do hereby fix the first day of January, 1913, as the date on which the annual conference of the Methodist Church of Australasia in New Zealand shall be constituted an independent conference, and on which the independence of the said annual conference shall take effect." Last evening the retiring president of tfie conference of the Methodist Church in New Zealand, and first president of the Methodist Church in New Zealand (Bey. W. Ready), delivered an address ii£ Taranaki- street Church to a large attendance, there being present some 200 ministers and laymen representative of tite Methodist Church all over the Dominion. He assured Australian brethren that there would be no separation in Wul, life, and work, but both would remain one in sympathy, in faith, in ddetrine, in hve, and good works. The JJeW Zealand Church greatly appreciated the way in which the conferences of Australia noted that it should be invested with legislative power as well a^'administrative. This was done without any of the spirit of Ulster being manifested. ( As they in New Zealand were launching ov their own responsibilities as a legislative conference, they trusted that they might guard the grand iraditions, of their Methodist Church and CATty on its supreme work of saving lives; that they would prove worthy of the great confidence imposed on them by their brethren across the sea. Mr. Beady referred to tho notable ministers and laymen, who had diell during the year, and then touched upon Uio union with the Primitive Methodist Church. This. union, he said, had not been . brought about ' by force, but by both CB arches, manifesting the.spirit of, Sim' who prayed "that they all may ; foe one." - The* movement was not of men but of God. He assured opponents of the union that their conscientious convictions were valued, but th*y were led to, the hor>e that when the union became 'a realised fact those opposed to it would do all in their power to make the united Church work out for the glory of God and the advancement of Cnrist'e kingdom. The union would., mean, he trusted, a new Church, with the befit elements of both sections welded into one more perfect organisation. R&ietencee were ako made by tho president to the Theological College Building Fund, orphanage work, foreign missions; and the doctrines of the Methodißt Church; also to the coming niisfikttr of inspiration and appeal. "" * MAKING HISTOEY. Dj*.-Youngman (president Australasian Conference), speaking with some emotion, said the hour was one of the crowning hours of his life, and the man •would need to have a very etony heart and be very callous to be without emotion on such an occasion as that. They did not always realise 'when they were making history, but they were making liMory then, and very rapidly, too.' No t^ords of Dr. Morley and himself, as re |>resentatives of the Australasian Confereice, could be so eloquently .expressive t *# their feelings as was their presence' there that evening. The General Conference hoped that the step would indeed .prove to be a God-made movement. .Jxhe General Conference was assured •«f three things : That the Church, in iNew Zealand Was agreed among its members that the time had com© for the step to take place ; that the younger j $fortian of members of the Church and t those coming into it were almost entirein favour of a Dominion Church ; and at Methodieb union could only be itoade possible by independence being •#iven to the Methodist Church in New Zealand. The whole had been a most -elaborate piece of business, for seven annual conferences had voted on it, .teven Parliaments had discussed it and voted on it. He did not like the tone -of the word "separation." It represented an idea that the Australasian Conference did not like. He would cay that .ihere had been a, legal separation but no "Vital separation, a separation in form •but no separation in spirit. There was, -400, no difference in doctrine, and he moped that fraternal relationships would ;Temain unbroken. The New Zealand ♦members of the conference would be 'Igreatly missed in the future in Australia. They had .contributed much to the Australian Church. ~ AIM OF THE CHU&CH. ",', Independence was a strong word, another -word for freedom; but freedom carried Vith it responsibility. The aim of the should bo the building up of 'lofty characters. He exhorted his httoten to be faithful to the man who 'Dad laid the foundation* of the New Zealand Church co nobly and so well. ."Whatever their opportunities might be , ho trusted that their experience would ever be that God would be with them. Dt. Morley said that in granting New , Zealand independercn. *ho Australasian . Conference had no misgivings whatever 'or fears of any sort. He gave a most - interesting account of his experiences In -New Zealand when he came to the .colony in 1864, remaining here for - thirty-eight years. Mr. J. A. Mesher, convener of the legal committee, moved^-" That this, , the first, conference of the Methodist Church of New Zealand desires to ex'prens its gratification at the successful termination of the efforts put forth during a great number of years to secure independent legislative powers for the Methodist Church in the Dominion of New Zealand. It appreciates the manner in which matters' connected therewith have been facilitated by the General Conference and annual conferences of the Methodist Church of Australasia, Whilst feeling the great responsibility cast upon the Church 'in consequence thereof, this conference confidently believes that increased public influence and spiritual power, : greater glory of God^, and more rapid advanceJBenb of Christ's kingdom in this Dominion, will result therefrom. Ifc believes tho movement has been of God, and would record its devout thankfulness .to tlig Almighty, tor tig measure of

success He has been pleased to give." Rev. W. J. Williams (Oaniaru), formerly of _ Wellington, seconded tho motion, Avhich was carried Avith acclamation. Rev. S. Lawry was elected president j and Rev. C. H. Laws secretary of the ; conference. ! Special hymns Avere rendered by thej choir under Mr. Wells's direction. ]