PUBLIC MEETING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8348, 7 February 1913, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING

DEMONSTRATION IN TOWN HALL. CONSUMMATION OF UNION. The Town Hnll was well filled in the 'evening, when a public meeting was held to celebrate the consummation of the union of the two churches. His Excellency Lord Liverpool presided, and was supported on the platform by tho Hon. W. F. Massey (Prime Minister), the Hon. C. M. Luke (vice-presi-dent of the conference), Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P., Mr H. Holland (Mayor ot Christchurch), tho Revs. S. Lawry, O. H. Laws, Drs Youngman and Morley, Canon Garland, and others. The pro • ceedings were most enthusiastic throughout, and a strong choir from both churches participated in tho singing. GOVERNOR’S SPEECH. Lord Liverpool, who was received with applause, said he was very glad to preside at the meeting which was tho consummation of the negotiations which had led to tho union between these churches. “ Wo all belong to tho British Empire, bearing in mind the fact that we have carried to tho several dominions and colonies our institutions and customs, be they religious or bo they civil. Our forefathers never lost sight of anything which reminded them of the country from which they came. Some may belong to ono denomination and eome to another, but that matters little when wo consider this question from a broad point of view. (Hear, ! hear.) Each church has its own views, it is time, but none the less is each church carrying out the mission of Christianity, and doing its host in every way possible for those who have need of its ministrations. Let us for one moment still further broaden those views. In these dependencies there is being reared a population which is the younger generation of those men who first commenced and carried out the great work of the development of the resources of this Empire. They spoke the same language; they modellea our government on the same system which exists in the Motherland, and it is because of these ties that the basis of our unity between the Old Country and her children is being broadened. This must appeal to us all here to-night, and especially to this gathering. Wilde you are sealing this union, you must keep in view at the same time this other union of which I have spoken—-

a union which the churches cun do SC much to cement. It does not mean that it is the duty of ministers of religion only to inculcate these vieivs without co-operation. It is the duty of all in this Toivn Hall, and all who hold tho tenets of Christianity, to see that the younger generation is reared in these principles. (Hear, hear.) In this m-.iv will you not only further tho cause of unity in religion, but you will-bind all classes and creeds together in that spirit of brotherhood which alone tendt to maintain the great community of tlm Empire, handed together with common ties for the peace and happiness of tho world.” (Loud and prolonged applause.) THE DEED SIGNED The deed of union M-as then signed, tho text of tho deed having already been published, while tho names of tho signatories appear elsewhere. Lord Liverpool witnessed the signatures, and handed over the document to tho president of the conference, amid loud applause. FAITHFUL TO TRADITIONS. Tho Rev. S. Lan ry, president of the conference, tendered a hearty welcome to Lord Liverpool, and gave assurance of their loyalty and attachment to thethrone. (Applause.) Among tho people of Nom- Zealand, none M-ere more loyal than the Methodist people. In some respects, his (tho speakers) bean was too full for utterance, hut as representing the united Methodism ot Nom- Zealand, he M-as not disposed to look baokM-ards. The foremost qneslion M-as: What was to ho their futureand tho outcome of this union? The Methodist Church would he faithful to. ( the evangelical teachings and beliefs handed down to them. , (Applause.) They M-ere not breaking away from tha past nor throwing overboard the valuable inheritance from thcii; fathers. Tho union had not been effected without a prior severance; but these wera over geographical bonds, tho bonds of t sentiment and faith were as tight all ever. (Applause.) They M-ere bound by all the links of history, and would maintain unimpaired tho evangelical faith M-hch had -made them what they were. Not only were they hound to. tho past, but they Would endeavour to adapt their teachings to the ucm- age. Every age had its own problems taface, and the problems of to-day wera different from those which confronted, their forefathers. Their power and life depended on their adaptation to tho nen- conditions; if the church did not so adapt itself, it would deserve tc. perish. The needs of to-day cried for nCM- methods. . A largo amount of charity was required for this adaptation. In the sweep and swirl of modern times, tolerance was needed to thoso who could not move so fast as others. Let them learn to lovo a>. brethren, and charity would bo tho greatest solvent of their problems. This. Methodist Church would cultivate a missionary spirit at home and abroad. (Applause.) Their policy must lie progressive and aggressive, and there was need for the utmost energy th« united church, could put forth. Lot there he, no giving way to inglorious ease, hut a fuller consecration to the Divine Master. (Loud applause). FOR KING AND COUNTRY. Lord Liverpool thanked the audience for their kind welcome, and said it had been a great pleasure to meet them all. (applause.) : He quoted again the remark made by His, Majesty tho King just- prior to Iris ..departure far New Zealand: “Tell tho peoplo of New Zea laud I,take tho greatest interest in their country, and all their doings.” (Loud applause.) As a fellow-subject of the King, said his Excellency, ho had always held that the highest honour that could bo conferred on a subject was to be able in some degree, whether high or small, to do something for his King land his country, (Applause.) “I shall do my earnest test and whatever I can for tho good of this Dominion so long as I am hero. On that principle!—and I believe everybody in this room holds that principle, whether in civil or in religious work —if wo worts together we are working for the goon of the community.” RELIGION THE BINDING FORCE, i Dr. Youngman, president of tho Me. ! thddist Church of Australia, said that as tho years proceeded Christians of all denominations would come closer together and recognise tho tilings if. which they M-ere one. (Applause.) Some of them M-ere old-fashioned enough to believe that religion was tlu binding force of tho Empire and would yet bo the cementing force of tho world. (Applause.) Among tho Methodists of the world there was that kinship and solidarity that made them one huge family. (Applause). He had found belated individuals here using the name “Wesleyan” .which should have been dropped years ago. Metho. dists should glory in their name; they were loyal to their King and Empire, tApplause). LUXURY OF TO-DAY. Tho Rev. Dr. Morley , conveyed tin congratulations of the Australian Church on the union, and gave some interesting reminiscences of his early experiences in New Zealand. ihe Maoris were honourable in their warfare; would , not fight on .Sunday, and. oven sent provisions to their ojiponents on Sunday. He witnessed some of tho, earliest experiments in local self-gov-ernment, and people to-day wore Jiving in luxury; they had no idea of the toil of early colonisation. (Hear, hear.) Sir George Grey’s dream was a confederation of Pacific Islands, with New Zealand as the head, and he regretted that that dream had not been realised. New Zealand was far ahead of Australia in postal and telegraphic facUitics; and Auckland harbour was. next to Rio do Janeiro, one of the finest in the world, Sydney not excepted. New Zealand had given lessons, to the world in loyalty, and this Em- ■ pire rvas worth fighting for. (Hear, hear.) He urged the prosecution ot foreign missions, in which New Zealand had a fine record; vigorous social work, and the consecration of wealth, to Christ. (Applause). UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE, The Hon, C. M. Luke, M.L.0., called attention to the splendid union iu { Church and State, represented there,, (hear, hear) and tho wider Christian union. This Mas probably a unique, -adhering in the history of Methodism. Ho believed that by the consummation of this union they Mould bo able tc Achieve much better results in tho m- • crests of the Kingdom of Christ. Tho Church Mould not minimise the opportunities of the laity; the gains of tho inion Mould outweigh the sacrificesihe timo was ripe for sympathetic cooperation of all the Christian churches In the future, as they became united in service, they would find how small were the differences that separated ;hera. (Applause).