METHODIST UNION

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 334, 22 September 1932, Page 5

METHODIST UNION

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official ceremony in presence of big assembly

Rec. Sept. 21, 5.5 p.m. Rugby, Sept. 20. The legal act of the union of the three Methodist Churches of Great Britain, took place at i,he Albert Hall in the presence of a large congregation, which ineluded the Duke of York, who represented the King, and was accompanied by the Duchess of York, the Bishop of London (Dr. A. F. Winnington Ingram) and other bishops, leaders of non-conformity at home and abroad, the Lord Mayor of London (Sir Maurice Jenks), Sir W. Runciman, and' several members of Parliament. The conference of Wesleyan Methodist, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist churches gave their support and joined the agreement. Dr. Scott Lidgett, president of the Unity Conference, declared the union aceomplished. There are over 1,000,000 adherents in Great Britain of the Methodist Church, which comprises about 12,000,000 members. The Duke of York read the following message from the King congratulating the unitetl church : "I welcome the union a& marking one step toward! the' unity .of the Christian people, a cause always near my heart." The Duke of York said the union marked the opening of a new era in the life of one of the most spiritual forces of the modern woi'ld. He regarded Methodism as the leading factor for world peace.