USE OF DENOMINATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20362, 17 September 1929, Page 9

USE OF DENOMINATIONS.

MANY-SIDED CHRISTIANITY,

MINISTER'S REPLY-TO BISHOP. . ' ' L _' f :V / "

Asserting that denominationalism had played a real part in tho history of the Christian, Church, tiro Rev. F.Milpe, a former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, in a recent address in Melbourne, criticised a statement made a few daysi earlier by the Anglican Bishop of liendigo, Dr. Baker, tliaV the division of the G(lurches was a plague. Mr. Milne was addressing a luncheon of delegates to the assembly of the Baptist Union of Australia. -

"People are becoming apologetic nowadays when they speak of the denominations," said Mr. Milne. "An Anglican bishop the other day said that they were a plaguet. It was not altogether a wise r speech. There is something different in each denomination that is deserving of a better predicate. There is plenty to bo dona by the old denominations, I do not believe for a moment that they are a plague. Behind all the denominations there is honest conviction which ought to be respected; There is also a loyalty to truth us we know it. Christianity is a many-sided truth, and with our many prejudices and limitations of understanding wo cannot see the truth as a whole. So each denomination and each individual emphasises that which best suits faifl needs. Each emphasises some aspect of Christian truth, an aspect-which but for that particular denomination or individual would be lost. Let us not talk of denomitiationnlism as* a plague. Denominationalism provides a spirit of competition that leads to efficiency and progress. There is room for all these things in Christian enterprise. "Many hopes are centred on some kind of Church union," continued Mr. Milne. "We must close our ranks if we are going to fight the forces of evil that assail us. There ought to be an understanding evolved among the Churches that will suit the present ago in matters of polity and creed. A unity is really taking place before our eyes. National distinctions in Australia are disappearing, and wc are fast' becoming one nation. It is for tho Church to lead this tendency to union and uot lag behind." : Mr. Milne referred to the failure of the last series of negotiations for union between (he Methodist, Congregational and Pres. byterian Churches. It was. the Presbyterian Church which let tho enterprise down. They shoulo really bo'sued for breach of promise. Whop the vote waft received in tho Presbyterian Assembly th<» proposals for union wore defeatedby ofilj' eight votes. An overwhelming emotion: . overcame the assembly at the last moment, and they felt they had "better bide a wee." Tho Presbyterian Church was onltf