UNION OF CHURCHES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 November 1941, Page 5

UNION OF CHURCHES

PRESBYTERIAN REPORT PLACED BEFORE ASSEMBLY LAST NIGHT. PROPOSALS APPROVED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) TIMARU. November 7. A long report dealing with the proposed Church union, signed by the Revs. J. M. Bates, Presbyterian, W. A. Burley, Methodist, and H. W. Newall, Congregational, came before the Presbyterian Assembly tonight. The reportcovered negotiations which have been conducted since November, 1939, and said that innumerable differences hrd been cleared up.

Out of the negotiations two documents emerged, the first being a sketch plan for a united Church, the purpose of which was to show how the differences between the separate churches had been settled in principle and the second a uniting act in which all relevant details had been worked out.

The report indicated that under the proposed union all existing rights between ministers and congregations at the date of union shall be conserved in existing pastorates. It suggested that the united Church shall be responsible for mission fields at present served by the uniting Churches and shall continue the present connection with the London Missionary Society. There shall be one theological college, suggests the report, on the staff of which the present theological colleges shall be represented, and at which all married students shall reside.

The report recommended that the assembly approve the basis of union for consideration and report by presbyteries and sessions, which should report by July 31 next on the following questions:— "(1) Is the session in favour of the proposed basis of union? “(2) Is it in favour, subject to amendments?

“(3) What are the,amendments?” The committee recommended that the Assembly continue with the committee, instructing it to appoint at the proper time certain representatives who shall be official Presbyterian members of a permanent union committee.

Mr. Bates moved the adoption of the report and outlined the negotiations leading to the proposals before the Assembly, Seconding, the Rev. A. C. Watson, Cristchurch, said that no difficulty had been experienced in regard to statement of faith, but difficulty came with the question of management. There was one matter which was not in the report and never would be, and that was with regard to that strained feeling or ethos which could not be put on paper. He urged all to look at the matter from the broader background of the Church. Mr. Bates mentioned one or two objections to union, one of which was that union was impossible, as it would involve ministers in unfaithfulness to their ordinated vows, but those vows, which included upholding the unity and peace of the Church, would not have been taken if they implicitly precluded union with another Christian Church. The second objection was to details, but these could be threshed out by committees. The Rev J. Steele, Duntroon, visualised the day when New Zealanders would have one church which they could love. The proposed union was a step toward this, and if they failed to grasp it then they would never attain the goal. After further debate the report was approved.