CHURCH UNION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1991, 7 January 1890, Page 3

CHURCH UNION.

TO THE EHITOU. 6ik, —l notice in your valuable organ a letter signed “ James Aitken,” which to mind seems a small attempt at aTe Deum for union. Before the

so-called dissenting populace and Presbyterian people accept as gospel these newspaper platitudes of this able gentleman let them consider on what terms union would be acceptable to the clergy and people of the Anglican Church. Not on the terms of equality m position, but only on the unconditional surrender of all the privileges for which Covenanters and Puritans alike sacrificed home, wealth, and friends, enduring expatriation, exile, and even death. Mr Aitken talks about brotherhood of all men, but he has much to learn if he really believes such to be the wish of the Anglican body. No, sir;

" they will never accord the status of brotherhood. Within the last few months a minister of the Presbyterian Church in goodwill wrote inviting his Anglican neighbor to be present at and address his annual social meeting. What do you think was the reply received ? “I cannot attend your meeting; nor as a minister of the Church of England can I acknowledge you as a Church, but only as a schism.”

Weak-kneed Presbyterians had better wrap around them the mantle of dignity handed down by the noble victims of “ Clavers ” and Dalziel, Stratford and Land, and maintain their self-respect by fostering the phurch of their fathers, and by extending its influence prove to the world that those who worship God in simple form are a power alike in Church and State. —I am, etc., H.P.W.Temuka, 4th January, 1890.