THE Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JULY 0, 1872.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3249, 5 July 1872, Page 2

THE Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JULY 0, 1872.

The Presbyterian Church in Victoria has undertaken a step of singular importance to the progress of the Protestant Churches. In answer to a raemorial from the members of that Church and the Church of England, a Committee has been appointed to consider some scheme by which, in scattered districts, the same building might, by arrangement, be used by either body as a church, and the sum of money thus saved be devoted to the support of the connenting ministers and others. In itself the idea is one which has long appeared desirable to the laymen of either body. With proverbial caution, the moving parties have said nothing which could scare the most dogmatic from any possibly still closer union ; and it seems as though so natural and common-sense a scheme needs nothing but a little reticence and sagacity to make it universally acceptable. 'Thedifferences between the various Protestant bodies in the essentials of religion are so insignificant' —to quote the Presbyterian memorial —that to the unecclesiastical mind, a consent to use the same building seems to contain within itself a practical union in all respects of the two churches, but it is doubtless wise to proceed cautiously in such a matter, and not ask too much at first. From a lay point of view, the absurdity of building four or live churches for four or five bodies, in the same little township, has long been apparent. When called upon for help, business men have long been accustomed to grumble, even while they paid, and they will hail with delight a scheme which promises to deliver them from an oppressive tax, or at any rate which will provide for their money being savingly and usefully applied. Perhaps no subscription is more willingly paid than that which goes to the support of a minister of even average ability, and none more unwillingly than that demanded for the fourth or fifth little place of worship in an outlying hamlet. At the same time we cannot conceal from ourselves that the mere proposition of such a temporary union is by no means the same thing as effectually carrying it out. Those who have studied Dr Binney's experiences in South Australia will be able to appreciate the difficulties which beset the effort; but the mere occurrence of such appeals to common sense lead us to hope that the day is not far distant when the present broad line of division between various Protestant bodies may be obliterated, and it is certain that the present practical movement in Victoria is a considerable step in the right direction. How long it will be before something of the same kind is attempted amongst ourselves, it would be difficult to say ; but it is plain that things here do not wear as favourable an aspect as in Victoria. The very numerical preponderance of the Presbyterian Church, to say nothing of the wealth of its cn T dowments, will render it difficult to crme to any fair terms of compromise here. Though it is beyond all doubt that popular opinion will support any effort in this direction, it is no less certain that there are serious difficulties both of pride and power in the way of even a temporary amalgamation. ]jn the best interests of religion.

we would counsel all patties to lay aside their prejudices, and give their best sympathies to a course which would smooth their path in many a district, and givo a scope to their endeavours which is now wanting. Late events in Scotland have shown- that there need be no hesitation on the part of the English Church in making use of Presbyterian places of worship, and w© must do tho sister church the justice of saying, that there has always been a readiness on her part to welcome the ministers of various bodies in her buildings. There are at any rate dozens of places in the country districts visited from time to time by the ministers of various denominations, in which efforts are made to erect two churches and support two ministers, although there are but enough people to need the services of one. By force of mere rivalry, two or three separate buildings are erected, each of which is plunged deep in debt, and each, too, shut up for something like half the year. It is plain that this kind of competition—this bricks and mortar rivalry—must have an end put to it somewhere, and the church or

churches which are the readiest in seizing the golden opportunity will reap the best fruit. Will no one step to the front amongst ourselves, and try and bring about a closer alliance between those various religious bodies which now Htancl watching each other with illconcealed jealousy ? That some such alliance is required at Home as well as in the Colonies is beyond disproof, and it 18 hardly a far-fetched notion which descries the religious denominations in these free Colonies teaching valuable lessons to the authors of their being, and leading the way by their example to something like religious union in Great Britain.

We wish the present movement in Victoria every success, and do not care how soon some similar movement is started in Otago. An exchange of pulpit and ceremonial, leaving all doctrinal difficulties in abeyance, should hardly offend the most orthodox ; but to those who know how very largely religious differences depend upon matters of dress and posture and ceremonial, it will be clear that such an exchange will go far to break down those barriers of prejudice which are more powerful than reason itself. A few years of such liberal intercourse will do much to bring about an association far closer, and will strengthen all parties, while it injures none.