CHURCH UNION

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4530, 13 November 1930, Page 3

CHURCH UNION

IMPORTANT DECISION.

Audkland, Nov. 11. Far-reaching results are expected as the outcome of an important decision upon the subject of Church Union made by the, Auckland Presbytery at its meeting to-night. The Presbytery pronounced itself unahimously in favour of a union of the Protestant Churches, and passed resolutions embodied in which is the first general gesture for an amalgamation of interests that has ever been made in New Zealand. The move by the Auckland Presbytery followed upon the receipt of a .letter some time ago from the assembly, committee suggesting co-operation with the Methodist Church in the matter of church extension. 'Consideration of this matter was placed in I lie hands of the public questions committee, and as a result of its deliberations the Rev. W. Lawson March, convener, moved the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted: “Whereas the question of Christian reunion engages the earnest .attention of nearly all churches in the world find has been the subject of fervent appeals from various mission fields, and notably by Ihe Jerusalem Conference of 1928, !he General Assembly should: “(1) Declare itself heartily in favour of Christian reunion in New Zealand.

“(2) Invite the Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, and Congregational Churches forthwith to appoint their representatives to a. Dominion council to explore the possibilities of reunion. “(3) Recommend presbyteries to sol up local committees on similar lilies to promote co-operation and prevent overlapping.”