CHURCH UNION

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 10, 11 July 1918, Page 2

CHURCH UNION

DISCUSSION AT AUCKLAND

PRESBYTERY.

(BY. TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL 10 THE POST.)

AUCKLAND, This Day.

Church onion was the subject of disoussion by the Auckland Presbytery on Tuesday evening.

• The Eev. Isaac Jolly eaid there was a general feeling throughout the ChuToh in ! favour of union with certain other denominations, and presbyteries in all pa<rts of New Zealand had passed motions favouring tho proposal. The war had emphasised the need for Church union. Union did not mean uniformity. In tho '-Anglican Church one section was thoroughly High Church in its ideals and another was just as strongly evangelical. In that Church, therefore., there was unaminity, but not uniformity. Old tradition and historical grounds should not bo a. bar to Church union in the Dominion. At fjressnt in many country districts and suburban areas Christian Evangelical influence was being divided to the benefit of sacerdotal influence. If forces were united some of the financial difficulties confronting poor oountry parishes would disappear. Mr. Jolly moved: "That an overtuTO be forwajxied to General Assembly asking it to devise such means as may be necessary to ascertain whether tho people of the Presbyterian Church are prepa-Ted to consider sympathetically a definite movement aiming at the union of tho Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational Churches, and of such other Christian bodies as may find it necessary to unite on the basis of common oreed and polity." The Rev. J. W. Shaw, of Mount Eden, opposed the motion. He said it was obvious that there was overlapping and inefficiency in Church work in New Zealand, but the remedy was not in the manner suggested. He was firmly convinced that everything likely to be secured by Church Union could be secured in other ways, by a system of closer co-operation. Union at any time was a doubtful and problematical measure, while too much reliance-could be placed on tradition and historical record. The speaker said he was not certain that the people comprising the Presbyterian Church would be willing to throw their great a-nd glorious traditions aside altogether. Several other speakers toolc part in the discussion, which was " adjourned until next meeting.