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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9261, 15 January 1889, Page 4

We observe with much pleasure that our suggestion of a general participation of all the religious denominations in the--reception and welcome to be accorded to Bishop Cowie on Thursday has been endorsed by the secretary of the Reception Committee; and in another column Rev. Mr. Nelson gives a frank and fraternal invitation to the ministers and members of other denominations to take part in the reception. Now we venture to think that suoh an opportunity of cementing the bonds of friendship and good fellowship among religious workers in Auckland should not be overlooked. It is a feet that rarely if in any other place in these colonies does so much of this spirit of co-operation and mutual assistance exist as in this city and provincial district, but ministers of religion hardly realise the influence they could unitedly exercise on this community if they worked yet more to one another's hand in the common cause. This is as wide as the-poles asunder from absolute unity. We believe that uniformity in religious organisations' would in the present temper of society simply lead to stagnation ; and with the irrepressible tendency which human nature has to difference of tastes, the division into different and differently equipped battalions is an absolute necessity. All nature itself is full of variety, and yet variety is the factor in the production of harmony, and to expect absolute uniformity in religious organisation would seem to question religion being from the same Hand that made the mountains and the plains and clothed them all in endless variety of forms of beauty. However this may be, there need be no apprehension of the differences in the forms of our religious organisations being merged in this fraternal rapprocliement of the churches; and for the furtherance of this good feeling there has never been a better opportunity than this. Bishop Cowie comes out fresh from the Lambeth Conference which has made such a noble appeal in behalf of brotherly love among the churches throughout the world. Hefcomes out as it were bearing: the olive branch ot peace, and with the official approval i of the highest council of the PanAnglican Church to principles which he has himself already exemplified It is indeed an occasion which every minister of religion in Auckland, and every layman interested in religion should recognise; and as personally Bishop Cowie is universally liked, and has not a trace of the " proud prelate in his being, there is neither pique nor jealousy nor envy to mar the cordiality with which every citizen may welcome him, and participate in an event tu». may not improbably mark a now era a, the fraternal co-operation of *» churches in Auckland. We sincerely trust that Thursday's meeting; y. 11 show a generous- recognition of his fraternal sentiment, and that it will be crowded with ministers and laymen 01 every religious denomination in Auckland. _____