PRIMITIVE METHODISTS

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 314, 15 January 1902, Page 3

PRIMITIVE METHODISTS

A FOUE DAYS’ DEBATE,

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, last night.

Never in the history of tho Primitive Methodist Church of this colony has there been such a debate in the annual conference as the one just closed upon tho question of Methodist Union. The discussion began on Friday morning, and was discussed each session until to-day at 6.30 p.m. Able speeches were delivered on each side during the four days’ discussion. Mr D. Goldie, in moving his resolution, and in his reply, spoke for three hours and fifty minutes. After several amendments bad been voted upon, the following was the final decision of the conference : “ That this conference heartily reciprocates the kindly spirit of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference of New Zealand in again inviting us to consider the question of Union. We do not see our way to accept the present basis, as no concessions are offered, and the distinctive principles of our Church are sacrificed, but we reaffirm our willingness to consider Union with a view to the formation of a Methodist Church for New Zoaland in the direction of tho basis drawn up by the Joint Committee of the four Methodist Churches in the colony in 1884, and that inasmuch as this question has not been formally brought before the notice of our officials, we submit the question and our findings thereupon to the March quarterly meeting for approval or otherwise ; and further that a committee of six be appointed by this conference to prepare a statement to bo submitted to the quarterly meetings.” Tho voting was forty-five in favor of the motion, and twenty-two against.