CHURCH UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13136, 21 November 1904, Page 6

CHURCH UNION.

TO TH2 EDITOB.' Sm,—Having had the privilege of taking part in tho debate on "Union" in the Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and as the debate excitod keen public interest as on ono of tho great; questions of tho day, permit ino to remark upon 011 c of tho points raised. Tho party .-vsrainst union, by implication, claimed a pre-emptive right to tho namo "Presbyterian Church." Now, iuface of the" fact that, roif'.Nily speaking, somo 60 sessions reported in favour of union and SO against it, also i;i isco of the fact partly placed before them on the platform that some 60 years ago Dr Chalmers and Dr Guthrie pronounced themselves in favour of the union of all Christian Churches, ■ I would suggest that liie minority—which I trust shall becomo rapidly smaller—should christen themselves "Auld Lichts." Meanwhile tho other party, which represents tho founder of the Free Church, has an authentio right to the name Presbyterian Church until it is not given up but merged ill tho great namo Christian Church, which shall assimilate all -,y.ho worthily bear tho liamo of its Great Founder; and perhaps in the not' far distant suture, when tho New Zealand Auld Liehb havo been thus assimilated, some J. M. Barrio shall arise to do justice to their douf staying qualities. Mr Morlfly, in liia "Life of Gladstone" (vol. I, p. 231), give' 3 another indication of the fact that good men of all parties are looking wistfully for the time when divisions amoug Christians shall cease, for he quotes Mi' Gladstone a 9 caUiitg out from his High Chjirch eyrie: "Oh, for speed! speed to the wings of tliat day when this glorious unfulfilled outline of a church, etc.—l am, etc., J. UitE Mubbai. Eltham, November 16.