CHURCH UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1918, Page 7

CHURCH UNION.

GOOD HEADWAY MADE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Oct. 24. A meeting of 120 ministers and officebearers of the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational Churches was held last night and conferred informally on the movement for the union of the three churches mentioned. It was stated that this union is now well on the way to accomplishment. Already a majority of Presbyterian governing bodies adopted overtures favoring union, which will be discussed at the General Assembly in Christchurch next month.

The Rev. Dr. Gibb presided last night and advanced arguments in favor of the proposed union. While he was convinced that the churches must be united, lie counselled caution, so that each step taken would be assuredly on firm footing. Resolutions by assemblies and conferences might accomplish much. Missions, open schools, and orphanages could do many other things. But union Could only come if the people desired it- The present task was to reach the minds of the congregations and- instruct and inspire them with the great ideal.

In the discussion which followed, the Hon. «]. G. W. Aitken, Moderator of the General Assembly, strongly supported tho proposal. Finally a motion was adopted approving the proposed union and affirming that J tho time has come to take active steps for the consummation of that ideal.