CHURCH UNION.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17770, 23 May 1923, Page 9

CHURCH UNION.

SEVERE SETBACK TO MOVE-

MENT.

PRESBYTERIAN VOTES EN

AUSTRALIA. (fbom our own cohbespoxdext.) SYDNEY, May 16. The consideration of the proposed basis for the Union of the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational churches, \vhjch has been approved by the Federal Courts of the three denominations, and remitted to the State organisations, was undertaken' in several btate assemblies of the Presbyterian Church during the past week, and has resulted ia the most severe setback that the mo.vement has yet An aiung it lias ueeu conquered inat tue teiiuus nngnt wrecii tne movement owing to tne strong section wmch was uncompromising'}' uostue to it. The narrow victory lor uuion which was obtained in t"e General Assemoiy lor Australia was tne outcome of uie most strenuous battle of the cloth vet waged by Presbyterians in Australia, and it was a sumcient indication that the fight would ue carried to the last ditch, as represented by the State Assemblies.

Of the six states of Australia it was | necessary for affirmative votes to be j recorded in four in order that the pro- \ posed basis of union might be ratmeu, j and this the supporters of the move- , ment have failed to accomplish, but it is still possible that the assemblies may be equally divided, in which case the Federal Assembly of the Church will have to consider what action should be taken. The first trial of strength so far as the State bodies were' con- j corned took place in South Australia, where the opponents of union prevailed. In Victoria and Western Australia the result was the same narrow victories for non-unionists. Then the tables were turned, and in the Queensland Assembly the proposals were endorsed amidst a scene of enthusiasm. There yet remain the assemblies of New South Wales and Tasmania, and supporters of the movement are confident that they will be successful in each of these. The contest in the Victoria Assembly was remarkable for its extraordinary closeness, and its freedom from bitterness. Right up to tho announcement of the result, 148 against union and 140 in favour, neither side was sure how matters would go. Victoria, however is the home of the great opponents or the movement, and, as expected, Dr. Rentoul made an eloquent and memorable oration in favour of maintaining the individuality of the Presbyterian \ Church. Tho motion favourable to union had been moved by the Rev. John Mackenzie (late of St. Andrew's, Christchurch), who said that the sectional churches had fulfilled their mission, and should now come into a great Catholic Church. It was not optional for them to regard union as a matter of personal choice; there was no such thing in the teaching of the Church as the divine right of denominationalism. There could be only one justification for separation, and that was irreconcilable differences of doctrine. Repeated conferences had proved that these differences did not exist, and the proposals submitted contained all the elements of Christian faith. Refusal would impose a heavier burden on their people than they could bear. They must face tne'question of the revision of their doctrinal standards unaided. The way of safety was the forward way. Dr. Rentoul, in moving his amendment against union, which was carried, said that the manifesto contained amazing statements to the effect that denominational divisions had become religiously unhealthy; and in consideration of their state of unhealthiness they were to be bundled into one room and one bed, an. antiquated method of treatment. He believed that if the negotiating churches were in an unhealthy condition the advocacy of union was the cause. There neither time nor use in discussing the doctrinal proposals. With 800 Methodist and 200 Congregational ministers, mostly of poor parishes,- where would their 576 ministers be?

A leading unionist remarked after the vote had been taken that he felt that the disposal of Church propertie* was one question that had had a vital bearing on the result of. the debate.