CHURCH UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17689, 29 July 1919, Page 6

CHURCH UNION

MEETING OF NORTH END LAYMEN. A UNITED FRONT WANTED. Ono of a series of meetings promoted by thoso interested in tho present movement towards union of tho Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational Churches was held in the United Congregational Church, King street, last night. Mr J. Aberiiethy presided over a gathering of some 40 laymen, representative of tho three churches concerned. The gathering opened with the singing of •' Onward, Christian Soldiers," altor which Mr Diuican Wright led the meeting in prayer.

Tho Chairman explained that ijioso meetings had no legislative powers, but they wero designed to crystallise and mako ideals on tho subject of union more clear before tho time for action and voting came. Ho suggested that even if tho union desired did not como about, yet very useful 'purpose might bo served by combined meetings of laymen of the various churches to discuss social and moral questions. Such meetings might bo able bo bring- tho laymon moro closely into touch with working men and make tho position of the churches bettor understood.

Tho Hon. G-. M. Thomson, who spoke as representing tho Presbyterian Church, said lio was honoured in addressing such a representative gathering of North-end laymen. Tho conviction had been growing strongly upon him that union was one of Ueir most urgent duties. From tho very first men had felt and expressed great differences, and tliat had been tlirough. all tho history of the church. Tho greatest rift and tho ono that interested us most was the ono that came when tho Roman Church broke up et the time of tho Reformation, and a groat number of churches and creeds sprang up because men began to use tho freedom and liberty of thought they had newly found. Thero always would bo divisions in tho Christian Church because every man who thought for himself would have his own individual opinions on matters of Christian doctrine. Tho trouble was that men who wore really one on great essentials became bitterly divided on matters of secondary importance. Many had hoped that this war would bring about some groat renaissance and revival of religion, but that faith had not so far been verified at all. Perhaps that was because we were still too near tho horrible conflict and tho minds of men wero unsettled everywhere. Ho could not but think that a tremendous revival of religion would yet come out of those years of war. We were on the eve of revolution in every sphere and department of -life. He had felt that our existing churches were too respectable. Poorly-dressed people would feel out of place --among our fashionable congregations. The churches had got out of touch with tlie proletariat to a large extent, and how wero these people to be won back? First of all they had to recognise that they had one common ground of faith and that the points on which they agreed were far more transcendently important than the points on which they disagreed. There was only one religious organisation, that held strong power in the community, and that was the Roman Churoh. Ho believed that was because it held first the doctrine of an infallible church and then of an infallible Pope. The Protestant Church had ;it one time held to an infallible Bible, but theiiground of faith in that respect had certainly shifted. The differences of opinion between the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational Churches were not half as great as the differences between the High Church and tho Low Church in the Church of England, which yet remained a united individual church. He did not think that the differences in the way of union were very great, and certainly not that tnoy wore insuperable. It was largely a matter of upbringing and opportunity which church each of them belonged to. Ho referred to a pamphlet brought out by Presbyterian leaders called " The Case for Union," and pointed out the bearing of unity at the home base on the progress of foioign missions. Advance was absolutely essential in tho church if it was to do the work it ought to do. Conditions were changing with great rapidity, and would continue to change yetmore rapidly. He concluded by expressing the conviction that they should proceed to do what lay in their power to bring about the union of_ these threo evangelistic r churches m this community. Mr W. Roberts, representing the Methodist laymen, said he wished to speak from what he considered the standpoint of the Christian layman. War conditions had made it very difficult to "keep the home (ires burning" in the churches, but a meeting like this so soon - after tho war was full of portent. The idea of union was in tho minds of men everywhere. No doubt outsiders would say that the churches, like the big commercial concerns, were forming a combine to protect and further their in° forests. But the spirit of tho movement was that tho Kingdom of God was greater than any one church. The question of organisation was of paramount importance. He referred to the largo number of churches planted within a stone's throw of one another in North-East Valley, and said this involved a great loss of money and energy. The union of Methodist and Primitivo Methodist churches had been a great success, and represented a great financial saving. Then there was the question of education. He believed the time was coming when there would be a great reorganisation of our educational system to place it on a religious basis, and this could not bo done without »a united Church. Ho concluded by showing the advantages of being able to act as one united Church m such matters as Sabbath observance and the drink traffic.

Mr J. H. Wilkinson, representing the Congregational laymen, said they all recognised the great need for some change in the methods of carrying on Christian work We wero passing through one of the greatest transition stages ,in history, and it was their duty' to seize upon tho" changed conditions and use them for the extension °/ i tl i e i , K i ngd ? m , of God - Tt ha d keenstated that only those favourable to union attended such meetings, and that they came largely under coercion. His opinion was that those who attended these meetings and heard both sides were tho best qualified to speak and judge. They rejoiced that the cause of union had many stron"supporters, not only among the laymen" but among the ministers of the churchc' If it was found possible to effect a suitable and satisfactory change it should be effected as speedily as possible. Ho presented the advantages.of the churches making known their message and carrying on their work as a united body, and referred to the baneful influence of denominational differences on the work of missions. The present opportunity for reconstruction might never offer again. In a brief discussion a number of the practical advantages of union were pointed ?W b ?u SeV i? ral B E eak °?- Xt was announced that the Executive Committee, responsible for these meetings would convene another cental gathering without set speakers, at which tho discussion might be continued and the question more openly debated A hberal supper was provided for all present Church. t€d