THE CENTRAL MISSION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 461, 20 March 1909, Page 10

THE CENTRAL MISSION.

Sir', —My attention itas > been called to the report ,of the Central Mission in your issuo af yesterday. There are usually two sides to i question. It'might happen that majorities aro not.always right, and a little light on the Central Mission might removo misapprehension. _ . _• ' First, I desire to say that in my opinion thoso who differ from the minority aro per-, foctly sincere and conscientious in what thev aro doing, evon in deploring the action of Mr. W. ; Tonics and myself, and they may bo qiiito'right v and wo may bo quite wrong. 1 will at-oncovset. the minds of my friends at resti-with .respect to their fear . that _ Mr. Tonks or myself would., spend any mission money in what our opponents rightly or wrongly, spent as .factious opposition. _ Wo have never spent any money vet that belonged to tho mission, nor do I think wo could, even if we would, seeing that all payments must be passed by the council of the said mission (in which Vol are also a minority). ' Now, as to the grounds of our opposition. They aro these:—Tho Central Mission' was commenced about seven years ago, under a constitution and rules, by which it was governed, one of which is: That it is a "nonsectarian body." Members joined it, and contributed to it on that condition, so did tho public. Tho mission.did well, and did good'work, and our band is, and was, a very creditable body of ' useful . .workers., Tho Methodists havo .been, and still are, endeavouring, with some of. our members/ to get possession of the property and persons of the Central. Mission, and havo been, successful in their work as shown by tho resolution quoted id your issue: 75 for, and 6. against. I did not attend this meeting, knowing well that to.do so;wpuld.. be.', ; t0..: wastetime. Neither djd' oth.ers who think as I do. , That we aro in a minority is beyond a .doubt! Tho true' position-, is, that 70 odd aro for amalgamation!.while-only 20 :odd are against it. -wo w;ou!d "gladly go :vyitli,tho. majority if wo could believo it right'to'do so, and wo think wo are as sincere in'our ;belief as those who differ from us. We cannot see that it is right to take by. force of a majority the property which belongs a' 3 much to the minority, and hand it oyoc to tho Methodist Church. Nor do wo think it right to force tho minority out of tho Central Mission, or compel 'them to join the Methodists. ' I consider it immoral for any majority to tako . what. belongs to tho minority, and • I consider it immoral 'on tho part of the tyethodisfc bodj; to accept it. "Not that I, or-thoso who think with me, caro anything- for property. 'Wei rather take this position: "They take our-coat, let them have our cloak a150.".-Tho mission 1 is not ours. The work is-not .ours. The whole belongs to God, and was commenced with that idea: for' the good of all classes... Olieo it' is'.qmalgama'teci with tho Methodist body" it ceases ; ' to ' be -, nonsectarian, and'at oner, becomes a part'and parcel. 'of ." tho 'Methodist' . Church.'- • Now, if I read ! mv.Biblo aright,'the Gospel was tot sent-to the-Methodist'Church.alone,.'but: to overy hafe 'the narrow sectarian idea, or.to,;belong..to'.any sect. '"A man is a man for a' that and a' that," and the submerged dro more easily reached by thoso owning no sect but a deep feeling of Christian regard for all ; humanity. It wa« Mr: ffra,' Tonks who first hold tho option oyer, this very property, and it was principally him. that the' mission was commenced.-. But his wishes are not now considered.- -' Ip gpod; brother, who believes in amalgamation, is equally sincere in. hie belief that amalgamation should take place. Both these men were actively engaged in Christian work beforo-eitlier myself or any of thp Central Mission were'ever l heard ofj'and both they and-.all those who. think on each side of jhis position aro entitled'to respectful consideration.,. ■ ■ s ' When .we aro convinced of what is : right wo, aro prepared to do it, but we willyiot bo hurried, and it was for that' reason that I as one suggested putting, on this caveat. But, . a caveat can -be : easily removal, and if . two or three on eachfside were appointed to meet and - discuss the matter, I think an easy and amicable settlement' could bo arrived at,, oach sido to bo bound by their :dccisidn.,-::,Ayith-best-wishes for .my opponents,—l amy,-etc./! : ■ F: LOUDON. March 10. -•'i,--,-. ■ ■ ' f