METHODIST CHURCH

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1932, Page 5

METHODIST CHURCH

UNION REACHED ' I NOTABLES ATTEND CONFERENCE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, -September 20. Tho legal aspect of the union of the three Methodist Churches of Britain took place at the Albert Hall in the presence of a large congregation, which included the Duke of York, who represented the King, and he was accompanied by the Duchess. The Bishop of London and other Bishops and leaders of Nonconformity at home and abroad, the Lord Mayor of London, Mr Runciman, and several other Members of Parliament, Sir J. Stamp and other prominent Methodists were present The Conference of the WesleyanMethodist, Primitive Methodist and United Methodist Churches having given thgir separate and joint assent to the deed, Dr Scott Lidgett, President of the Uniting Conference, declared the Union accomplished. There are over a million adherents in Britain of the Methodist Church, which comprises about, twelve million members.

The Duke of York read a message from the King congratulating the uniting churches, viz., "I welcome, the Union as marking one step towards the unity of Christian people, a cause always near my heart.” The Duke of York said the Union marked tho opening of the greatest spiritual forces in the modern world. He regarded Methodism as a leading factor for world peace.