METHODIST UNION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 96, 30 April 1913, Page 5

METHODIST UNION.

SOCIAL AND WELCOME.

THE NEW MINISTER. Last evening the union of the Primitive Methodist and Wesleyan Churches was socially celebrated in Stratford, the occasions serving a dual purpose, in that it was a welcome to the Rev. Mr Bandy and Mrs Bandy who arrived in Stratford recently to take the position vacated by the Rev. Mr Metson and Mrs Metson. Previous to the evening function, a tea was held in the Regan Street Church, the long tables being well stocked with tasty edibles, and which were done full justice to by those present. An adjournment was then made to the Broadway Church, where Mr Jonas Masters presided over a congregation which filled every available seat. CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS.

In welcoming Mr and Mrs Bandy to Stratford, Mr Masters said that he wanted to impress upon them that the meeting was not merely a matter of form, but a hearty welcome to ii new minister and his wife. Air Bandy was not known to him personally, but. judging from a communication lie hac received from the circuit in which M. Bandy had laboured for tne last fou. years, Stratford was most fortunate in securing such a capable minister. Hie district was fortunate in having two ministers whoso preaching was undoubtedly above the average. Scili it was just possible that their ministry might not be successful, for tbt success of any man’s ministry depended to a great extent upon the members of the Church. There hac. been a lot of labour in bringing the two churches together. One conference had discussed it, synods hac laboured over it, quarterly meeting, iiad devoted their time to it, and ai last the two churches were united, lit had often wondered whether this anion would be a benefit to the church, foi if it was to be of no benefit to tht church, that labour had been in vain. Unity was strength, but it did not follow that numbers meant unity. 4 But it depended again upon the peoplt whether the union was, jtt) confer a lasting benefit. As they were aware there would be many little corners tc knock off, and there were many knobs that it would nob bo wise to knock off, but would just have to wear off. They must not he too rough; they must be patient with each otuer. In conclusion, Mr Masters wished All Bandy and his wife a long and happy j stay in Stratford, and. a successful ministry. -(Applause.) An excellently rendered anthem by the combined choir, the solo being taken by Aliss Cameron, was the next item. Air Kirkrnan presided at the organ, and the conductors’ baton was in tho hands of the Rev. Reader. A song by Air Nelson followed, and then the member for the district {.Air J B. Hine, ALP.) addressed the gathering. AIR HINE’S ADDRESS.

Mr Hine prefaced his remarks bj extending a welcome to Mr and Mr.Bandy, aiid said that he felt sure that jwhen their ministry in Stratford was ended, the district would pan with them with deep regret. Speak ing of the union, Mr Hine said that it seemed to him to be a step in tin right direction, and as an Anglican he offered his sincerest congratulations to the union. (Apiause.) No doubt there would be pitfalls to es cape, but ho had every confidence ii the leaders of the church and in tin members of the congregation them selves to escape the pitfalls, and ic the previous speaker had aptly said “rub off the knobs.” If they hac united confidence in the ministers ther were bound to have success. M. Hine went on to say that the Me thodist church played no small pan in carrying out the Christian faith ol the world, for their numbers wen close on six and a half million members, and twenty-five million adher ents. He trusted these number! would increase. The union of the two churches was a most hopeful sigr in the Christian world. Year after year there had been a breaking off but he trusted that this lead would lie continued, and that the future might see the consummation of union between the many and varied Chris tion faiths. (Apiause.) Mr B ernard then gave a splendid recitation, “Why Ho Would Not Sell the Farm.”

OTHER SPEECHES. From the Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Mr Pattison brought congratulations and good wishes for success, both to the union, and to the new min ister and his wife. Mr Pattison spoke hopefully of the day when it might bo possible for all the Christian churches to unite. He did not think they could meet on a basis of recognition of the supremacy of the Pope, nor with a section of their High Anglican friends on the principle of recognition of Episcopal ordination, but they could meet on a basis of recognition of Jesus Christ, “our Saviour and KiKng.” And the nearer every person got to Jesus Christ, the nearer they would get to one another. He believed that the secret of union lay in mutual recognition, mutual forbearance, and mutual co-operation. Ho reminded those present that there were many ways in which there could 1)0 a further union of churches of the Christian faith. Thov could all un-

ite, and stand shoulder to shoulder against a common enemy. The churches might have different associations and different traditions, hut did they not have a common task, and a common enemy (Applause.) A song by Miss Moon, quartette by Misses Everiss, and Messrs. Evoriss

| and Nelson, and violin solo by Aliss Hopkins, preceded an address by Air C. E. Bellringer Air Bellringer made an eloquent plea for a closer bond of sympathy between a minister and his congregation. He referred to the trials of a minister’s life, the hours of doubting, the moments of despair, ami urged his audience, if the occaI siou (.rose when their preacher’s words ! had given them comfort or dour them ( good, not to hesitate to let the preacher know of that fact. Air Bell-, ringer continued that the union had j been a thing which had always been I next his heart. Years ago lio hud advocated it, and now it was accomplished. There was great work in tho Dominion for Alethodism to accomplish, and he trusted that the day would come when, the spirit of unity would go further afield, and all churches would bo united under the banner of Christ, (Applause.) REV. AIR BANDY REPLIES.

Tho Rev. Reader sang a most enjoyable 'spng, after which tho Rev. Mr Bandy replied to the words of welcome spoken by previous .speakers. The Methodist people, lie said, had the warmest hearts, and the most generous purses of any 7 Christian community, and the welcome given him far exceeded his expectations. Air Bandy went on to say that he had been cradled in Alethodism, and the hymns and stories of the old Alethodists had always sounded in his ears. Continuing, he said that the genius hitherto exhibited in the two Methodist church when blended should prove the greatest power for righteousness that this beautiful land could possess But there were three characteristics of Alethodism that must not be lost hold of. They must hold tightly to the facts of experimental religion, must cultivate the gift of speech and

public expression of the deep things of God, and they must never be too modern or scholarly 7 for a revival. (Applause.) An anthem by the choir, and the pronouncing of the Doxology by the Rev. Reader concluded a memorable evening.