CHURCH UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12212, 6 March 1903, Page 6

CHURCH UNION.

DISCUSSION AT THE METHODIST' CONFERENCE COMMITTEE APPOINTED. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Ckristcitorch, Thursday. The question of union between the Evangeli cal Churches was again before the Methodist Conference to-day, when a stirring addres, » was delivered by the Rev. J. J. Lewis of Auckland. In moving the motion, of wnid, he had given notice on the previous day with regard to the suggested union between the Methodist. Presbyterian, and Congress tional Churches, he said the committee would meet the committees of the other Churches and report to the Conference. _ far as creed was concerned, there was littls difficulty. The great minds of the Church were already as one, and it was onlv the smaller ones that made trouble. If the Method'sfc Church could combine with th« Presby'erian, the gain would be vast Tha sentimental objection should be respected but it should not be paramount. The Me'aodist Church would not, by union loss it;, great preachers and workers. At pre rent the great trouble of the Methodist ' ministry was insufficient stipends, and un< der these conditions it was impossible to get the best out ot a man. A minister should be relieved of all unnecessary anxieties. Moreover, there was a great deai in the stimulus of number. Give a man ■ great and powerful Church, and if he had any preaching power it would come out He looked upon the suggested union as tha r.eath blow to bigotry. He heartily agreed with those who said they were uniting against sacerdotalism. As a united Church they could make it impossible for an? Government to thrust on the people an Education Bill like that of Great Britain They were asked to sacrifice no principle' and he hoped the Conference would unani' mously carry the motion, and so hasten on the consummation which was so devout l * to be desired.

The Rev. Buttle (Timaru) seconded The Rev. H. Bull said there were of course, considerable difficulties in the 'wav of union, but none over which the Christian spirit would not ultimately triumph He felt perfectly sure that there need be no alteration in the policy or doctrine, which any sound Methodist could not readily accept. New Zealand had given many object lessons to the world, and he believed that this union would be her crownine glory. The Rev. P.. W. Fairclough said that ha approved of a federation, but he thought the idea of anything more simply Utopian Methodist doctrines were embedded too deeply to he removed, and the two generous bodies which were approaching the Church would also desire to keep to their own particular beliefs. There would have to be toleration on both sides. He hoped it would not be construed that he opposed the proposal, because he believed that it would be one of the greatest and most epoch-making events of Church History Several others spoke, after which the resolution was carried unanimously, and the following Central Committee was appointed—x he president, the Revs. H. Bull "W* «' W. G. arsonson, W. Baumber,' and Messrs W -Harris, G. J. Smith, J. T. Smith. J. C. Prudhoe, and E. C. Brown.