CHURCH UNION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 167, 12 July 1918, Page 5

CHURCH UNION.

DISCUSSION AT AUCKLAND * PRESBYTERY.

(United Press Association..*

AUCKLAND, This Day.

Church union was the subject of discussion 'by the Auckland Presbytery on Tuesday evening.

The Rev. Isaac Jolly said "there was a general feeling throughout theChurch in favour of union with certain other denominations, and pi;esbyteries in all parts of NeKv Zealand, had passed motions favouring tlii; pro- ; posiil. Tlio war had the n-cedi for Church union. Union did "not mean uniformity. In the Anglican Church one section was thoroughly High Church in its ideals and an' Other was just as strongly evangelical. In that Church, therefore, there was uri> amEnity, but not uniformity. Old tradition and historical grounds should, not be a bar to Church union in the Dominion. At present in many country. districts and suburban areas Chris-' tian Evangelical influence was. heftng divided to the benefit of sacardotal influence. If forces were united somi» of the financial difficulties confronting poor country parishes would disappear. Mr Jolly moved v "That an' overture - be forwarded' to General Assembly, asking it to devise tsnoh means as may be necessary to ascertain whether tb'b people of the Presbyterian Church are prepared to consider sympathetically a definite movement aimin lit the union of the Presbyterian, MHh.odi.st, and Congregational Churches, and of such. other Christian bodies as may .findi.it, .iwyjessary to unite on the ''basis of common creed and polity." The Rev. J. W. .Shaw, of Mount. Eden, opposed .fhe motion. Ho* Miid it was obvious that there was overlapping and inefficiency in Church work in New Zealand, but the remedy was not m the manner suggested. He was firmly convinced that everything lik.e'lv to be secured by Church 'Union c-uld be secured in other ways, by a sv; tern of closer co-operation ' Unioiv at any time was a doubtful and- problematical measure, .while too much reliance could be placed on tradition and hislciical record. The- speaker said he was not certain that the people comprising the Presbyterian 'Church would be williiM* to throw their great and glorious tradaturas aside altogether. several other speakers took 'part in the discussion, which was aSjoi'vued until next meeting. ■'■'•><