CHURCH UNION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 43, 20 February 1942, Page 7

CHURCH UNION

A JOINING OF FORCES

METHODISTS URGE ACTION

It was a hopeless task for the disunited churches to fight the ftvils that had arisen to oppose Christian teaching, the president of the Methodist Conference (the Rev. W. Walker) declared during his inaugural address at Wesley Church last night, when urging a union of the Protestant churches. Whatever had caused separation in the past, he said, had now passed away, and they rejoiced in an increasing friendliness, a warm cooperation, and the occasional

united efforts of the churches.

"But the torrent of evil will not be stemmed, or the powers of hell overcome by such feeble efforts as these," he said. "The clamant demand today is for a daring policy of church union and church federation. We need

church statesmen who are big enough, clear-sighted enough, and with sufficient of the grace of God in their hearts to see far beyond their own denominational barriers. There is] urgent need to plan and labour for a! 1 united church which would more fully I express the Holy Spirit and reveal to the world that inner unity and loyalty to Christ which already exists, but \ which remains fettered and bound- ' Quench not the tfoly Spirit* is an exhortation which the Church herself may well take to heart. Every denomination possesses much which is ' dear and precious to its members It" is justly proud both of his history and its heritage. It rejoices in its own distinctive witness to spiritual truth. It lis well satisfied rvith its efficient and democratic policy No one denominai tion has a monopoly of these gains. Most of these worth-while possessions could be brought into and greatly j flnrich the United Church. "PRACTISE REDEMPTION." "In some things, the way to church 1 union will be by way of the cross. But what is the use of preaching redemption by the cross in *he pulpit unless we are prepared to practise it in church courts? It is always easy to magnify little things into vital principles and thus defeat a good cause. If members and leaders would more fully contemplate the gigantic task of the Church, and study the tragic weaknesses caused by disunion, and then look into the face of Jesus, there would be no difficulty in knowing His will. "The way of approach to church union is through a*i intelligent and sympathetic understanding of each other. Following this, there is need for fellowship and a reasonable degree of interchange of pulpits. - Those groups which are nearest akin in doctrine and polity should first unite. After that a wider union would be possible in which there would be room for diversity of expression in worship and in polity.

"We rejoice that steps have alreadybeen taken to achieve this object. The invitation presented by the Methodist Church to the Presbyterian and the Congregational Churches was wel] received and a united committee was constituted. This committee reached agreement concerning T3asis of Union. 1 The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, by practically a unanimous vote, received it and sent it on to church sessions and presbyteries for ; consideration and report. It has yet to be considered by the Congregational Union." CONFERENCE TO DECIDE. Mr. Walker said that a proposed basis of union would be brought before the conference, and appealed to members to give it their careful consideration while guarding against any unwise or uncharitable wo^ds, for the question was one of utmost importance. "The task of the Church is the redemption of the worrd," he said in conclusion." "To her has been committed the preaching of the Gospel, which alone, through Christ, is able to save to the uttermost. Let her then close her ranks, let her unite her forces, let her in face of all the paganism and the secularism of this present age, fearlessly proclaim to all mankind: 'I believe in God the Father Almighty. Maker of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; and by the grace and the blessing of God the Church will save the world.'"