CHURCH NOTES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 27 November 1901, Page 2

CHURCH NOTES.

Presbyterian Union.

[By Amicus.]

One of the grandest victories in ecclesiastical procedure for New Zealand is the consummation of a Union, with the Presbyterian Churches of New Zealand. For many years the struggle has been evolving, and the tenacity with which each division has clung to its principles has been very marked. The Northern Church has perhaps been the more ready of the two to join issues, but the Southern Church held out doggedly until under the progressive spirit of the age it could resist union no longer, without very grave charges being laid to its consistency. United, the churches can do a grander work than when severed from each other's influence. The great champion for Union has been the Rev. James Gibb, the Minister of First Church Dunedin. His has been a splendid career. He had sole charge of the finest church in Dunedin at the early age of twenty-eight, fi'ght nobly has he filled the position, and to* day Mr Gibb holds one of the highest positions any country can bestow. Both with voice and pen he advocated the Union of the Churches, and for several years had to withstand violent opposition, and return from the Synods discouraged and dismayed. Each year he renewed his advocacy of the great question, and recently in Dunedin the imposing ceremony of Union has been effected. M o see visitors from all parls of the Colony present at the Union service was a foretaste of the grand union of Christendom that must assuredly come to pass ere Christianity will have accomplished its mission. The theme may seem distant and unlikely, but years work changes most marvellous, and perhaps in no domain so marked as the spiritual realm. To read. of the Dunedia meetings of Union is to get an inspiration that seldom comes to oneeelf when thinking of the isolation of many of the branches of the Church. Our friends have also given an insight into the service. One says "The crowd was simply tremendous—the largest ever assembled in any building in Dunedin. The seats had all been removed so as to allow the people to move about and chat with their frit nds. I feel sure you could not picture a more sociable, happy crowd of people. I have never seen anything to equal the happy good humor that seemed to beam on every face. The ministers seemed more like happy school boys as they laughed and joked with their friends, and shook hands (it seemed to me) with everybody and anybody." The position of Moderator has been given to Mr Gibb. His brethren recognised his splendid services and have honoured

hisdevotion to a,noble work. Gray-headed old fathers of the church must have felt feelings of joy surging in their hearts as they thought of the grand prospects of the united church. Now the union has taken place there will be a greater influence for good and when the Presbyterian Church of New Zealnrtd raises its voice, its prestige, its nobility, and its striking earnestness will command the attention of all who seek to promote the welfare and prosperity of our fair young land.