PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 February 1919, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

CHURCH UNION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. At the luncheon tendered to the members of the Presbyterian Assembly, reference was made to the subject of church union. The absence of representatives of the Methodist and Congregational Churches was referred to by Rev J. J. North (president of the Council of Churches), who emphasised the opinion that the invitations had gone astray in the post or otherwise. The Moderator (Rev. Gray Dixon) expressed gratification that Bishop Julius was present. Whatever steps were taken in the way of union, they would require, sooner or later, to take in the Anglican Church. Bishop Julius said he heartily rejoiced in the prosperity of the Presbyterian Church and the good work it was doing. "I am glad to stand here," the bishop continued, "and say I, at all events, hope the day is not far distant when we shall be one." There were a few things that separated them; a few things that it would be r shame for them to treat ns nothing. He believed that God was leading them towards union, and that they would come to look at things in a very different light to what they had looked at them in the past. "That time," said the bishop, "must come as soon as you are converted." The conclusion of Bishop Julius's remarks wns drowned in a burst of laughter. The bishop went on to say that he prayed God unceasingly that the time might yet come when there would be no division, and, above all, that the Presbyterians, to whom the Anglicans imd other communions owed so great n debt of gratitude for their learnm;.'. bi.jies and high ideal", would be onn »i |lp < " Anglicans in the service of the" J-Q>"<l .and Master. The Rev <>■ ■■ Ni.rth said, regarding union, that liiati ;. ...cu_ diown that time made effete the n'-"«ei and trials of their forefathers, and that in these days j the differences that separated Christians I were diminish iDg. r