DR. GIBB AT HOME.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 276, 14 August 1908, Page 7

DR. GIBB AT HOME.

OPINIONS ON CHURCH UNION. THE HISTORIC EPISCOPATE. Tho "British Weekly" of July 2 publishes an interview with the Rev. Dr. Gibb, of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Wellington, giving what is,said to be tho first clcar statement that has appeared in England of tho effort to' unite Episcopacy and Presbyterianisni in Victoria, liio interviewer writes:

' "In an interview I had in* Glasgow last week with the Rev. James. Gibb, D.D., of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Wellington, tho leader of New Zealand Presbyterianism, tho difficulties of tho Colonial churches wero well outlined. Speaking of, the union movement in Australia, Dr. Gibb said:—'Union is, in my judgment, certain to come in Australia. Will it include the Anglicans ? That depends upon the Anglicans. : Tho -Presbyterian Church admits tho validity' of Anglican orders. Will the Anglicans admit tho validity of Presbyterian orders? That is tho question. Prosbyteriaiis must have a clear, unmistakable recognition of the.legitimateness of' their claim to churchniausnip, and tho acceptanco of this claim by tho Anglicans will carry with it an endorsation of all tho great evangelical principles for which tho Presbyterian Church stands. A sacrificing priesthood and baptismal regeneration on tho ono hand and the Presbyterian conception of tho ministry on tho other aro absolutely incompatible.' "Asked what difficulties will remain if tho Lambeth conforenco encourage union, Dr. Gibb remarked that the suggested basis of union was highly satisfactory, arid would bo thought so by a majority of Presbyterian ministers, and probably by a very large number of Anglican ministers. But tho people of tho churches had yet to bo consulted, and the Church courts could not movo against tho wishes of tho great bod- of laymen. - "'The Historic Episcopate'will bo accepted ?' ... " 'Yes, I think so. The recognition of the validity of Presbyterian orders involves a surrendov of those features of the Historic Episcopate which render it. objectionablo to Presbyterians. Presbyterians have no rooted antipathy to episcopacy as a mero system of church government; They seo tho defects of tho episcopal form. They arc by no means blind to tho defects of tho Presbyterian form. Walter Smith had told us that "grave cardinals bourgeon in all tiie churches—these crimson-stockinged,thoso clad in sober black, and as a matter of fact, every church has its leading men. To give some of these leaders the title of bishop and invest them with the power of superintendence would not bo a subversion of Presbyterian principles. But if by the Historic Episcopate is understood some mysterious supernatural power with which the bishop is invested—well, Presbyterians cannot away with it. But this conception of the bishop must surely be abandoned if the validity of Presbyterian orders is recognised.' "Dealing with other aspects of tho matter, Dr. Gibb said tho Niccne Creed would do very well as a basis of doctrine. The united Church would have to allow for free and propared prayer. Many Presbyterians already read all their prayers, but this would not become general. In tho Picsbytorian Church [ the tendency seemed to.be to have certain of the prayers free and certain—especially I the intercessory—fixed. At present it was left to the freedom of will of tho individual .minister, but tho way was prepared already for certain fixed prayers to becomo an ordinance of 'the Church. With regard to doctrine, the adoption of tho Niceno Creed would sot the 39 articles and the Confession of Faith aside." _

Asked for his impressions of religious lifo at Homo after an absence of thirteen years, Dr. Gibb said: "L liavo ,bccn profoundly impressed with tho vigour, alertness, and resourcefulness of tho churches. Tho Assemblies have a powerful grasp on the lifo of tho people. Tho situation may bo gravo, but tho Church is not afraid. She lias tho spring of an inexhaustible faith within hor, and is setting herself to face the problems of tho new day with a patience and stronuousness altogether admirable. Tho Moderator of the Irish Assembly, in his opening address, stated that thoro were 45,000 Presbyterians unaccounted for in that country. Ho regarded tho situation as, if not deplorable, at least calling for energetic action. 1, witii my colonial oxporience, exclaimed 'Only' 15,000!'"

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