Te Aroha AND Ohinemuri News AND UPPER THAMES ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1895. COGITATION.

Te Aroha News, Volume XI, Issue 1724, 23 March 1895, Page 2

Te Aroha AND Ohinemuri News AND UPPER THAMES ADVOCATE.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1895. COGITATION.

* Tk?« above all—to thine rwu aolf fee ferae, &nd it aiaat follow as the nigh't the day Thoa canei not then bo false to any iaaa.’ SUAttEai’KARS.

“ He that callefch a thing into his mind whether by impression or recordation, cogitateth and considereth ; and he that employeth the faculty of hia fancy also cogitateth.”. —-Lohd Bacon. Eor„the last fifteen years some of the leaders of the Wesleyan Church have been in a state of enthusiasm ovefr this question. Most of these

Methodist Union.

ardent Unionists hail from Canterbury, where each section of

the Church, has considerable interest and influence. After years of incubation, the New Zealand Conference in session at Nelson has given a seriea of resolutions which sound like the first chirpings of unity. The resolutions are not unanimous, for out of 65 there was a protesting minority of 11, or one-sixth of the Conference. This minority may bo a lair represen tion of public opinion in tho Church. All acknowledge there are difficulties to bo overcome, and one-sixth of the "Church has candidly and sincorely advocated 'delay. The last census return showed tho strength .•of’the different Methodists churches in this colony to be as follows :—Wes- | leyan, 53,061; Primitive, 5220; Undefined, 2071 p United Free, 1905; Bible Christian, 1095; Various, 89. Total, 63,415. The Free Methodists and Bible Christians together numbering 2974 accept the basis of union offered by tho Wesleyans, and after arrangement of details arc prepared to amalgamate, The Primitive Methodists, whoso strength is considerably greater than any other two of the minor churches, refuse to accept the basis. ‘ Union is strength,’ say the Wesleyans ; ‘.Marriage in on,’ ‘ I Vhich . one ?’ adroitly roply the Primitives. The basis submitted by the j| Wesleyan Legislative or (Tenoral Conference, and now adopted by the annual Conference At Nelson, does not concede sufficient in the opinion of the declin-,

ing party. This is, therefore, only tin first step towards the first instalment of union.

In Canada all the Methodists have been united since 1885. Glowing reports have been published concerning the results, but recently a well-known

Successes and Failures

Australian minister rereturned from a visit to the Dominion and said he had failed to see the rose colour on tho pic-

ture. In Ireland' several branches were united. In 1891 an attempt between two minor sections to unite was made in England. The parties had even met to sign the registrar, but at the very last moment threw to the wiuds all Conference and Committee resolutions. Doubtless the troad of Methodist thought is in the direction of a united Church. Old John Wesley would look aghast at the disisiens, but the Committees appointed to bring about union will have some difficult work. There will be churches to close, for a united Church will not want too buildings in a district. There will be financial difficulties to face, and in some instances liabilities will exceed means. There will probably bo a surpulage of ministers, but the enthusiastic Committee will, like Nelson, put the glass to the blind eye. • Still the end in view is a good one, and nothing of importance is ever accomplished without some obstacles to be overcome. The future of the movement will be watched with great interest among othor religious bodies besides those immediately concerned.