METHODIST UNION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1509, 3 August 1912, Page 9

METHODIST UNION.

At the recent Primitive- Jlelhodist Conb ference at Norwich, England, the following resolution was carried unanimously:--"That wo receive, from tho New Zealand- Conference- (ho petition that they officially send to us to grant them t-opar.'.-tiou from tho mother Clinch at iiomo'in 1 order thai they may enter into nrganio unicu with the sister Methodist Church of the Dominion; together with a copy <?,£ the basis of union as agree 1 upon between the two bodies. We thank (h.->m for llm ' ).i»i'.'rical review they pK'jcnt <>t the movement, hogiiuii'i.r in 18SI, which has culminated in (nis rrmiest, -md recogniso with deep Kindness their spirit of hive and loyalty towards the Church of their fat iters 'vs,'expressed in (his document.' We on our part are proud of their history as a branch of our Church in New Zealand and of tho success they have won, especially sinco IS7O. We recall with'thankfulness and high appreciation tho personality and labours of the founders of t.tuv Church in that land, not at, all forgetting the way in which Ihe work of thee pioneers has been entered into and most faithfully prosecuted by their successors Of the later general ion. Wo also rejoice in tho fervent nltachmont to our Church, nnd in tho rich service they haw rendered to the wider life of the Dominion of many distinguished laymen. Wo cannot, how. ever, refrain from making- special reforenco to tho long and_ faithful servico of Jlr. David Gohlie, who for many years has been the official secretary of (ho Church in the Dominion. Having granted permission to the Primitive Methodists in Canada and in Au-lrnlia to enter into relations of union with the other Jlelhodist Churches in those lands, wo cannot withhold our consent in this case, (hough we cannot part without a. pnm;. However much we may feel tho severance of thot family tie, still, in view of Ihb unanimity of the Joint Coiumitteo tut 1 the overwhelming vote of the people in favour t£ such finduis's. we agree to this severance, believing that tho hand of God is in tho movement, as witnessed by i(« success in the other cases wo havo mentioned, Wo believe that Plimitivo Methodism, in New Zealand will contribute to tho new United Church elements of vital and permanent value. AVc recognise Hint the basis of union adopted after the friendliest discussion is one which will promote, tho general good'of Christ's kingdom in tho Dominion, and it has boon most earo'fully thought nut anil laid down. It breathes tho spirit of that land of higk experiment and noble ideas of progress in which it has lx>on bora. We. icto gkd to learn that (he members of tha initio:*, ity represented in tho'voting havo stated that when union is once realised they will loyally give themselves to mol;o it an assured success. Wo bid our brethren n loving God-speed in (he nomo of tho Lord, and of all that the Church means to huniamly and its welfare. Wo nolo with gratification the solicitude our Now Zealand brethren are manifesting (o eafeguard tho financial interests of tho older ministers of our denoiiiiiuitiou when union shall be consummated. Wo hereby instruct nnd empower tile General Com'mittco lo act for us during (lie year in nil mailers (hat may need adjustment, as to (ho properties, nuances, <."(c, so (hat (hi! union may be completed, as is desired, early :u 1913."■