METHODIST UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 137, 10 June 1911, Page 11

METHODIST UNION.

TERMS OF AGREEMENT. REFERRED TO THE CHURCHES. CBv Telegraph.—l'ress Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The official report of the conference of the representative committees from the Methodist and Primitive Methodist Churches is now available. The object of the conference was the formation of a basis of union between the two bodies, the basis to be recommended to the conference of each Church, which will assemble early next year.

The basis of union was formulated after a conference in which the utmost harmony and good-feeling prevailed j throughout, tttie dpraisions being ultimately adopted by a unanimous vote. The voice of the individual churches will I have to be taken through their quarterly meetings and district synods before the point of ratification is reached. The main features of the basis of union agreed upon for submission to the courts of the respective churches are as follows: —The Church is to be known as the Methodist Church of New Zealand. Members in good standing in cither of the uniting Churches at the date of union shall be recognised as members of the united Church. Ministers and probationers shall hive in the united Church at the time of union the same status as that which they previously held in their respective Churches. The annual conference is to consist of an equal number of ministers and laymen, with the exercise of powers similar lo ihose now in operation in both Churches, except that in the united Church it is proposed that there be a committee ot" ministers for the examination of candidates and probationers. There is to he a mixed committee for the hearing of complaints and appeals. There is also lo be a committee, of ministers only, for enquiring into specific matters pertaining to ministerial character and efficiency. The officers of the conference are to be a president (who in all cases is to be a minister of the church), a lay vice-president, and a secretary, who also is to be a minister of the Church. Annual district synods will be held as at present, tbe representation to be substantially the same as that now obtaining in both Churches. Provision is made for a ministerial committee at each synod to deal with all questions affecting ministerial character and efficiency and tbe examination of candidates and probationers, their reports and recommendations to be sent direct to the conference. Quarterly meetings will continue to be the highest court in the circuits or stations, and will be representative of all departments of the Church, the superintendent minister to be chairman of this and all other official meetings of his circuit. Preachers-' meetings and leaders' meetings will be continued with substantially the same functions as at present in each Church. Church meetings, consisting of members in full standing, are to be held as at present. These will elect the stewards and other representatives to the quarter ]y meetings. ' Connexional funds of various character are provided for. In regard to the supernumerary funds a special committee has 'been appointed by each section to consider all matters relating thereto and to report to :the next conference. The children's fund, contingent fund, home mission and church extension tund, church building and loan fund, and the fire insurance" fund will be continued, the capital of the existing funds to be amalgamated. A foreign mission society will be established as soon as possible. All church properties will be vested under a common Trust Act as_ soon as the union is consummated. No property is to be sold without the approval of the circuit quarterly meeting and the committee of the church building and loan fund or the conference.

All matters relating to the organisation of Sunday schools and young people's societies are referred to a joint committee representing the two Churches. The Stationing Committee is to consist of the president and secretary of the conference, the chairman of the districts, and one minister elected by each district synod and an equal number of laymen, one of whom shall he the vice-president. No change shall be made in the basis of union afficting constitutional questions, or on the rights and privileges of the ministry or laity, except such changes shall . have been previously submitted to the | annual district synods and confirmed by a resolution of the succeeding conference, a 55 per cent, majority being required. Other committees have been set up to adjust the laws and regulations of the Church in hnrmony with the proposed basis, to obtain information in regard to statistics, properties, etc.. to provide against overlapping by neighbouring churches, to ronstteT the adjustment of circuit houndarips and aggressive work, and to cultivate a fraternal spirit preparatory to actual union by holding united conventions and other meetings. It is recommended that the conferences of 1912 make provision for the exam- | ination of candidate? and probationers in the following year by a combined comI mittee representing both Churches. If the basis of nnion is accepted by the two conferences of 1912 they are to be requested to make arrangements for acquainting each other with the decisions a rived at", and to provide for holding the fiT=it united conference as soon as pos-

sihle. The fnllowine figures, taken from the latest official returns, show the strength of the uniting Churches:-—Churches and other preaching places, 1121; members, catechumens and communicants. 26,512; ministers, probationers, and home missionaries. 217: local preachers. 935: class Wders. 209; Sunday school teachers, 3023; Pundav school scholars, 30,190:

adherents. 98.503: approximate value o: ChurVjh properties,' £570,741; present debt on properties, £94,055.