UNION OP CHURCHES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12603, 5 March 1903, Page 5

UNION OP CHURCHES.

DEPUTATION TO THE METHODIST CONFERENCE. (Br Ora SrEciAL Eepoeter.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 4. At 11 o'clock this morning in the Durham Street Methodist Church a deputation from the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, consisting of the Itev. J. Gibb (Duncdin) Rev. Dr Erwin and the Rev. Mr Stubbs waited on the Methodist Confercnco to place before it views on church union, the occasion being regarded as historical.' There was a large gathering, amongst them being tho senior member for Duncdin (Mr 11. D. Bedford). All rose to rcceivo the deputation, the members of which took scats oil the dais, Tho President (tlio Rev. J. A. Luxford) said tho conference had been looking forward in anticipation to thin visit. Wliat was said that da) would bo seriously, solemnly, and prayerfully considered. Whatever might be the outcome of this first approach, the bonds between the churches could not but be strengthened by the meeting, Tho Rev. j. Gibb, of Duncdin, ex-Modera-tor, said at tho outFct ho would explain that the deputation was n email one, because the bulk of the committee lived in Dunedin. Had-they lived in Christchurch the deputation would have l>e<m 50 strong. As tho chairman of tho conference had said, tho present, deputation from the great Presbyterian Church was unique. They were th-ero ta say that tho Assembly was of opinion that the time had come to seriously oojisidor whether tho union of these churches might not bo accomplished. Mr Gibb then read tho resolution passed at the last Assembly in Wellington, and went on to say that it affirmed with no uncertain sound tho desirability of Union, and they held that it could be accomplished without the raerifico of principle, and oven went further in the hope that union would result. They did not contemplate haste. Ho taid beforehand Hint it might bo possible to accomplish tho union of the evangelical churches in from eight to ten years. They knew tho difficulties that were in the way, and there might be many a stumbling block beforo the end was attained, but it to certain to bo accomplished—(Applause.) Tho separate existence of the churches did a great deal of harm to the religion of, Christ, and the man in the street was more interested. in the points of agreement. Harm was also done by tho multiplication of official?. With a. combined church they would have a great increase of power. It would make the heart thrill to belong to a great Church which could make itself felt and let it bo known that it could not be ignored and pooh-poohed, oven in tho political situation.* Union would produco a finer type of Christian, than was now produced by a divided Church. He was profoundly convinced that this union was in accordance with the mind of tho Master, ainl t it was the Spirit of Clod that was moving in the matter. Inward unity tlfoy had already, but it should find cxprtsion in outward pi_ety._ There were, he was aware, difficulties in the way of union, but ho recognised that the good which would result from union would quite outweigh the personal losses which each Church might suffer through thd sinking of its individuality. lie had onco been taken to (ask for speaking of tho bogies of Calvinism and Armininnism, but- he knew tlmt tho practical working creed of both the Prwbyterian and Methodist Churches was the fame, and that fhey saw eye to eye. There would be difficulties to face on the grounds of policy— the chief difference being (ho itinerant ministry of the Methodists and the fixed ministry of Presbyterians, according to the constitution of the ciiuro'ie-. Whether they all believed in the constitution on this point in their hearts was another thing. Tho methods of both churches might, lie thought, lie modified, and there ought to bo no real difficulty ill settling this question.. The deputation asked tho conferenco to give a generous approval of the decision of tho Assembly, and to say that it believed that tho timo lias como to seriously consider the question and to set u;> a committee to consider certain great lines upon which negotiations for union may possibly proceed. It might bo that only from the far' watchtowers in their itinerary that they who were present that day would see- their desire accomplished. But it mic;ht porno to them sooner, and _ it would come. Ho bad suggested that it might be called the National Church. The Methodists mifcht prefer tho titlo of the Evangelical Church; lie was sure there would bo no quarrel over that. His heart longed to see this great united ovangelical Church, and who was there among them who did not long for so goodly a thine? God speed the day! The Rev. Mr (ril)b pfit down prolonged tipplause. his fine speech having been listened to with the utmost attention. , The- Rev. Dr Erwin also spoke, expressing pleasure at the hearty manner in which the Rev. Mr Gibb's speech had been received. He felt that although it was unfortunate to be a second speaker and that their time was valuable, the matter was of such importance 'that ho might bo excused for fully expressing bis views. It was to be feared that they had not appreciated sufficiently the _ importance of unity' and had excused their differences. There was amnio room for variety even with a unity, which should not mean n dismembered body. There were two influences at work in the professing Church of Cod. v lie referred to the growi.i of sacerdotalism in the Anglican Churchy and in the drawing together of the great Evangelical Church to which they belonged. The popular opinion was in favour of union. There were great difficulties to be faced in the present matter. Both churches had noble traditions of the post, but both were drawing nearer to cach other, and the line of demarcation in the matter of doctrine was not tho same as it was a hundred years ago. Dr Erwin dwelt on the doctrinal points of difference which, had either disappeared or had beon agreed about, and to the snirit of liberty to think as God might enlighten them. The materials for a creed which would embrace t!m fundamentals lay ready to their bands. The difficullv of training ministers for their churches might bo pot over by the issue of text books which could he agreed upon. The speaker further referred to the question of policy, remarking that the, best church policy was the one giving the largest room to Christian experience and activity. Could anyone say they had practical unity now when ono looked at the nurtiber of churches one found in a township? There would bo in tho future a great struggle between the sacerdotal and the evangelical forms of religion, and if in the fufuro such a strugglo was to take place, would they not he better able to stand un for their great principles as a united church than as tho divided one they were to-day. Tho Rev. C. H. Garland (Auckland), in replying on be-half of the Conference, said that it was a most graceful action on tho part of tho senior and a larger church to thus approach the sister hody. In the past somo had interested themselves in the union of Methodism-, because they felt that it was ji step towards such a union as was now suggested. He believed that the Presbyterians and Methodists could effect the uition which would in no way damage the onward march of truth, for which all longed. Of course, there were difficulties in the matter of doctrine, but ho thought that a few prominent funerals would clear these away. He Was afraid ton years was too short a time in which to consummate such a union.—(" No, no.") Still, tho tendency of tho world was to generalise its creeds, and tlie Conferenco and the Presbyterian Church were one on the great point that •Tesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Ho hoped and believed that union would come.' Mr J. T. Smith (Christchurch), representing the laymen of the oonferenoc, said that lw could assure the deputation that be and Ills fellow-ministers appreciated deeply the service that bad bccin rendered that morning, Tho conference was in full sympathy with the proposals made, and whatever difficulties were in the way could he overcome. He felt sure that the suergcf'ted union would be fully considered with a view of bringing about tlra splendid ideal of a united evangelical church. The Rev. J. ,T. Lewis then gave notice of motion—" That this conference has received with much satisfaction the resolution of tho General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Neu- Zealand oil tlio great subject of the union of the evangelical churches, and has also liftcncd with pleasure to the fraternal sentiments expressed bv the deputation which presented the resolution. The conference gladly recognises the fading of mere sectarian _ di (Terences and the growth of inter-denominational amenities and cooperation. Believing thntr'the movement along these lines will bo accelerated year by year, it appoints a Central Commilteo in Christclmrch, with corresponding committee's in other districts, to sit during tlio 'year and consult with the committees of the other churches n.s to the basis upon which a comprehensive federation may bo carried out, the Central Committee to bo the president-, the Revs. 11. Bull, I.en, W. Baumber, and W. G. Parsonson. and Messrs W. Harris, J. T. Smith. G. J. Smith, J. C. Printline, and E. C. Brown." The occasion, was very fitly described as unique, and it is certain that it will prove historic. Tho conference itself, of which there was a very full attcn'dancc rf v.embers, was sympathetic and appr,"ci' | tire, whilst the utterances of tho two speakers (Rov. J. Gibb and Dt Eru'iii)' were received

with cntlmsiastio applause. Opinion amongst the members of tho confercnoo ia about equally divided as to the respective merits of tho addresses delivered by tho abovenamed ministers, but each viewed tho question from different standpoints. Mr Gibb is so well known over the colony as such an eloquent advocate of the principle of church union, and his work in connection with tho consummation of union between tho two Presbyterian Churches formerly existing in New Zealand, but now happily made ono, is also so well known that it goes without saying that ho is treading familiar paths in dealing with this question. Ho knows how to ap- . preciate tho difficulties that beset the movement, but his native enthusiasm and characteristic energy will doubtless wm for him another bright laurol when tho succes of the movement is actually realised. Dr Erwin'a address was exceedingly good, and_ was a strong presentment of tho difficulties on the theological side. These were faccd with admirablo courage, great discernment, and a graceful tact that won all hearts. Both speakers made a deep impression, and tho causo of union has inado a dceidoil advance. A warm discussion is anticipated when tho matter is beforo tho conference, but tlio conviction grows daily that the union ■must come, and tho sooner the better.