METHODIST UNION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8344, 3 February 1913, Page 11

METHODIST UNION

A NOTABLE OCCASION

ADVENT OF NEW FORCE IN THE NATIONAL LIFE.

(Specially Contributed.)

Methodism in the Dominion will mark a new epoch in its history during the next few days in a twofold sense. Not only will the Primitive Methodists and the larger Methodist Church unite, but tho latter will celebrate the severance of its connection with the “Methodist Church of Australasia,” and the two combined will become a .self-gov-erning body. Hitherto tho Primitive Methodists have been attached to their mother church in England, but a few months ago permission was obtained to join in tho present union. In view of tho importance of tho occasion, it may bo well to give a brief sketch of tho history of those two churches. The Methodist Church is already a Union Church, for in 1896 tho Wesleyan Methodists, the United Methodist Free Church, and tho Bible Christian Church united to form the present organisation, and the 'combination has been of a most satisfactory character. FIRST METHODIST SERVICES. Tho work of tho Wesloyans in Now Zealand dates hack to the time of tho Rev. Samuel Marsden, when, in 1818, tho Rev. Samuel Leigh laboured amongst tho Maoris in the far north. Tho first services in what is now tho Wellington province were held in 1840 on tho Poton© beach. The Aurora arrived on January 22nd, 1840, and three days after the Rev. James Bullet went on board and preached the first English sermon. In December of tho Same year the Rev. J. Aldred arrived to take charge of tho first Wesleyan Church.

Tho United Methodist Free Church commenced its work in .1860, and tho Bible Christian Church in 1877. As aL ready stated, these three bodies united in 1896, and the first united conference was held in Wellington in 1897.

THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS. Tho Primitive Methodists began their work as far back as 1844, when the Rev. R. Ward, father of tho Revs. J. Ward, of Wellington South, and C. E. Ward, of Christchurch, was sent by the English Conference to open a mission in the then infant colony. Ho was a very- scholarly man. and a prodigious worker. He established missions in New Plymouth, Auckland, and Wellington. This church has always been noted for its aggressive spirit in all its operations. . Its polity has been the most democratic of all tho Methodist bodies, and it is to its credit that it has agreed to forego some of its distinctive features, in order to complete this most desirable union. .

Tie returns presented to the conference of 1912 were as follow: Forty-six Ministers, five home missionaries, 203 local preachers, 3362 members, 96 Sunday schools, 670 teachers, 6340 scholars, 82 churches, 50 parsonages and other houses, beside other property, the total value being £86,376, and the liabilities £23,281. STATISTICS OF LARGER BODY.

The returns presented to the Union committee oh behalf of the Methodist Church were as under: 359 churches, 611 other preaching places, 119 parsonages, 146 ministers, 56 homo missionaries, 727 local preachers, 18,550 members, 3451 juniors, 382 Sunday schools, 23,915 scholars, 82,743 adherents, £426,637 cost of properties, £72,145 debt on samp, £11,781 capital of loan fund, £3550 fire insurance fund, £SOOO annual home mission income, £2842 annual foreign mission income.

Both the union Of these churches, and the separation from Australia have been a long time under consideration. In fact, the former has been largely contingent upon the latter. As far back as 1884 the then Wesleyan Church asked to be released from Australia, but the General Conference refused the request. Since that time there has been a gradual growth of opinion in favour of separation, and the vote taken in tip conference of 1910 was so decisive that the General Conference of the same year felt it could no longer withold its consent to the proposal. THE NEW CHURCH. ,

The new church will bo known vs "The Methodist Church of New Zealand.” This is certainly preferable to tho angular, double-jointed designation, “The 1 Methodist Church of Australasia in New Zealand,” which has always been a source of wonder to tho man who is not a Methodist.

The combined church will represent a very Strong force, and while the Methodist Church will continue to occupy tho fourth position among the larger denominations in the Dominion, the union will bring to it a considerable augmentation of numbers and influence. Wellington has been exceedingly honoured in the part it has taken in Methodist union matters. It Was in Wellington that the United Conference was held in 1897. It was in Wellington, in 1911, that the committee sat which formulated the basis of union, and which proved to be a most remarkable gathering. Difficulties were expected, and difficulties were experienced ; but during the proceedings a marvellous spirit of unanimity prevailed, tho difficulties were overcome, and the differences of polity, that at first appeared almost irreconcilable, were easily adj listed. And now once more Wellington is to bo the place of honour in the gathering of Methodist clans, upon ad occasion which will be handed down, not only to tho Methodist heritage, but also to tho historian in general. Wo congraulate our city upon the singular distinction conferred upon it, and the Methodist people upon their good tasto.

Wo also express the hope that the union which, will he consummated on Thursday next may enable the new church to play its part with tho other churches of tho land, in tho. betterment of tho people and tho elevation of tho Dominion.