CHURCH UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26617, 13 November 1947, Page 4

CHURCH UNION

Sir,—As the question of the proposed union of the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational Churches in this Dominion was before the recent General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Christchurch, may I ask the favour of your columns to make known to your readers the exact terms of the motion which was adopted by a very large majority. As moved by myself, and seconded by the Rev. J. S. Murray, of Ashburton, the motion was as follows:—“ In view of the fact that, for the first time in the history of our Presbyterian Church in New Zealand. a pamphlet sett’ng forth the proposals for an organic union with the Methodist and Congregational Churches is being distributed to our entire membership, and in view of the fact that in the same interest the convener and other members of the Church Union Committee have toured practically the whole church, and because it is the inalienable right of the people to hear both sides of this momentous issue, the assembly, therefore, acknowledges the right of presbyteries and sessions to assist through the normal channels of the church, either in distributing a printed statement or by visitation to congregations, to set forth the reasons for our remaining a Presbyterian Church, while at the same time working in co-operation with our sister churches.” As this motion soeaks for itself, I need add nothing further.—l am, etc., Thomas Miller. Dunedin, November 11.