CHURCH UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11731, 13 August 1901, Page 6

CHURCH UNION.

THE NEW ZEALAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. : [by TELEGRAPH.PRESS association.], Wellington, Monday. Delegates from the Presbyterian Church of Otago and the Presbyterian Church of New i Zealand met in Wellington last -week, and made the necessary arrangements for the consummation; of the union of the two Churches at Dunedin in October next. They also prepared a programme of business for the first united assembly. [BY TELEGRAM.— correspondent.] Wellington, Monday. The Rev. Mr. Gibb has, I understand, been nominated at the recent Presbyterian Conference here for the office of first moderator of the United Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. * ADDRESS BY MR. G. ALDRIDGE. At the Church of Christ, West-street, on Sunday night, Mr. G. Aldridge delivered an interesting address on the question of Church reunion. There was a fairly large congregation. The . preacher, after* referring to the great amount of attention which this subject was at present receiving among Christian people belonging to different religious bodies, stated that the spirit of division made its appearance at a very early stage in the history of Christianity. He quoted passages from the Pauline epistles to show that this tendency to division was oresent tven in apostolic times, and stated that a considerable part of early Church history dealt with the numerous sects which grew up. Mr. Aldridge also referred to the causes which led to divisions among Christian people in modern times, and then proceeded to deal with the efforts which have been, and are being, made to reunite the different religious bodies. He quoted the fourfold basis on which an approach might be made towards reunion put forward by the Lambeth Conference of Anglican "Bishops m 1888, namely: (1) The Holy Scriptures as the standard of faith; (2) the Apostles' and Nicene creeds; (3) the two sacraments (baptism and the Supper, of the Lord), and (4) the Historic Episcopate. Mr. Aldridge thought that, generally speaking, the first three would be accepted by the great majority of Protestant Christians, but the Historic Episcopate was a very serious difficulty, and a great barrier to reunion on the part of Nonconformists. The first of the four clauses should, he thought, be sufficient by itself, and even if it were true many people objected to placing the fourth clause on the same footing as the other three. Personally, he was not at all sure that the union of all Christians in one organisation was a desirable thing when judged in the light of history, and he reminded his hearers of the fact that the period when one powerful Church dominated Europe was known as the Middle or Dark .Ages. fid believed that the. movement for reunion at the present time was partly due to that desire for priestly authority over their fellow men which. was so strong in some people, who naturally wanted to see a great, powerful, and united ecclesiastical organisation built up. -He believed that such an organisation, if it was ever set up again, would, as had been the case in the past, tend to crush out individual freedom. When Christ prayed that all His people might be one, He was not referring to one visible organisation in this world, but to the union in the future world of all those who loved Him. The address was listened to with close attention.

DISCUSSION AT THE NEW SOUTH WALES ANGLICAN SYNOD. At the Triennial Provincial Synod of the Anglican Church of New South Wales, on August 7, the Archdeacon of Tamworth moved, "That this Synod, believing that a divided Church is contrary to the will of God, and productive of infinite harm to the cause of Christ's religion, urgently prays the Australian Bench of Bishops to consider the necessity of approaching the various Christian communions '■ of the Commonwealth with a plea for unity, and with an invitation to their leaders for united prayer and deliberation upon the possibility of reunion." He said in Scotland the leading divines of the Presbyterian bodies approached the Episcopalian Church to set t&ide a day of prayer for the union of Christian Churches. The idea of union was growing apace. The Church of England was bound to take a prominent part in this movement for Christian unity, and she should seize the opportunity to make a generous offer in the matter. It was pitiable to see the struggles of small bodies of denominations in sparsely-populated districts, to raise even the stipend of a minister. The people in those places were divided, and there was a wicked waste of religious energy. With all their disputation and division what hope could they have of success against the world of evil? It was the most serious problem that confronted the Church of God in its mission work. One solid unbroken front was wanted, their energies should be consolidated, and the time was opportune for the action suggested in the motion. It might be said that there were insuperable difficulties, and he was not sanguine enough to think that the time for union was near. It was remote, but that was no reason why they should not work and pray for the great end. The great Head of the Church was for union, and any effort they might make to realise in this Commonwealth this hope and His prayer, that they all might be one, would have the help of that Blessed Spirit. He was stronger than all their differences, and He was ever working in the hearts and minds of men for-the growth and peace and unity of the divine kingdom, and the achievement of the purpose of God. (Applause.) . ' The Rev. Canon Boyce ' seconded the motion. The Rev. M. Archdall also cordially supported the motion. Archdeacon Neild thought there was a union at present, but that all present would welcome steps towards a closer union. • The Rev. S. S. Tovey pointed out that they could not approach the Nonconformists in a patronising way. : They must be approached on equality. He thought that in the meantime they might assiduously cultivate the spirit of tolerance and love and wait, for an opportune period of union. The Archbishop suggested that instead of the motion referring to a " divided" Church, it should be amended to read "unnecessary divisions in the Church." He believed it was impossible to have a reunion, but after prayer and . deliberation, they might find some scheme. Personally he recognised the validity of the Nonconformist ninisters. After further discussion, the mover amended his motion to read, "That this Synod, believing that the unity of the Church is in, accordance with the will of God, urgently prays, etc." Bishop Stretch thought they should first put their own house in order, and he moved as.an-amendment, "That this Synod, profoundly conscious of the evils of division, and believing that the unity of the Church is agreeable to the will of God, urgently prays the Australian Bench of Bishops to consider the whole question of Christian, unity, and to approach the v-arions" Christian communions, with an invitation to their leaders for united prayer and deliberation on the subject." Archdeacon Lewis withdrew his motion, and the above was carried unanimously.

A correspondent of the Spectator recently wrote in favour of apples, dwelling upon the benefit of. eating raw apples the last thing at night. Dr. Searles some years ago wrote to the Journal of Agriculture: — "The apple is such a common fruit that few are familiar with its remarkable efficaoious properties. Everybody ought to know that the very best thing they can do is tc eat apples just before retiring for the night. . . The apple is an excellent brain food, because it has more phosphoric acid in easily digested shape than any other vegetable known. It excites the action of the liver, promotes sound and healthy sleep, and thoroughly disinfects the mouth. That is not all. The apple agglutinates the surplus acids of the stomach, helps the kidney secretions. . . . and is one of the best preventatives known of diseases of the throat. Everybody should be familiar with such knowledge. Next to the orange and lemon it is the best antidote for the thirst and craving of the person addicted to alcohol or opium." , » .'■■■■• -' .' .-.'./' This evening Professor Thomas, president of the University College Debating Society, will doliver a lecture in the College Building:-, at eight o'clock, on " The Age of the Earth.' Students and friends are invited.