METHODIST UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15350, 13 January 1912, Page 4

METHODIST UNION.

THE ISASIS DISCUSSED. (PEn Uxitcu I'nEss Association.) CHMSTCIIUHCH, January 12. Al Hie I'l'inilive Methoilist Conference to-day the basis (if union with tlio Methodist (!lniri:li was discussed. The Rev. (!. Knowks Kinith (president) prcsidccl. The union secretary (.Mr C. E. Hellringer) reported mi Whalf (if the. committee on Methodist union, appointed by Hie las!. Conference, that the committee approached the important subject having in mind the very earnest and limp; continued consideration it had received at the hands of the Conference, as shown by the many resolutions passed from time to time. The Dunedin Conference of 1908 had passed a resolution in favour of union, and the Wellington Conference nf 1911 had reallirmed it. The committee had met the committee of the sister church at Wellington on Juno 7 last. The proceedings all through the sessions were of the most, harmonious nalurc. The points of difference were discussed freely and fully, and at the end a basis of union was unanimously arrived at. The basis of union was now laid before the Conference. The- secretary moved the adoption nf the roport, and that the basis of union be received to be considered j seriatim. "The principle of union," be said, "had been agreed to, and it was now for the Conference, to discuss the basis." .Mr W. King (Duncdin), who seconded the mntMin, said the question hud been before the .Methodist Churches for 28 years, and if was lime, it was settled. Mr 1). finldio (Auckland) opposed union on the ground that is had not been a success in Canada or Australia. He ipioled extracts in support of his remarks. Ho had been connected with the Church for 40j years. The* Hon C. M. Luke (Wellington) spoke strongly in favour of union. He answered many of Mr (loldie's arguments against union. The Rev. .1. Dawson (Wellington), said he considered there were 100 reasons why once more there should be one, Methodist Church in New Zealand. Whatever reasons there might have hcen why they should remain a separate church, those reasons could not exist now. Union meant better work in several places in New Zealand. Where there were I'rimitive Methodists there was no Primitive Methodist Church, and the result was that these Primitive Methodists attended the Methodist Church. They were asked to join a church which had shown the way in several large blanches of services. Mr T. Moor (Auckland) said that 100 years ago, before the church had secured a more settled position, it had secured far better results. He objected to the basis of union. Their sister church was at present not at all progressive, and they wanted to know why. He wanted to know whether they were going to improve themselves by joining the Methodist' Church. In the Auckland churches the union spirit was not very strong. There was a big body of people in the church, whose desire was to sco the Kingdom of Cod prosper, but still I hoy did not desire union with the sister church. Mr W. Dobbs (Christflmrch) advocated union, they would find that a great many concessions had been mado by tlio other side. The Rev. N. ITyde (Auckland) opposed union. The Primitive Methodist- Church had not received assistance front the fiovornmont as the Methodist Church had, otherwise- it '.night have done as much work as the Methodist. It was not a bit of good a minister coming to the Conference and voting for union, arid trying to shnvo it upon hi 3 people without their desiring it. The President said ho did not wish to interrupt his young brother, hut he was departing away from the basis of union. In reply to a question by Mr J. Pugh (Chrifilchurch) as to whether the basis should be submitted to a referendum nf members or merely to the quarterly meeting, tlio president said that it was to bo submitted to Iho quarterly meetings. Tho Rev. W. S. Potter (Wellington) said Methodism had increased 75 per cent, in 13 years in Queensland as a result of union. In view of that fact they could hardly regard union as a failure. Ho felt confident that the adjustment nf forces consequent upon union would have a. stimulating! effect upon Methodism. The Rev. C. E. Ward (Christehurch) considered that they would lose much of the effect of their useful work by union. Ho hoped, if union were brought about, it would not be tho means of closing up the small churches. Personally, he preferred to live and die under ,the Primitive Methodist flag. ' The Rev. E. Drake (Duncdin) advocated union. They were not to he absorbed, bill wcru to be united to a great church to inako a greater church. The Rev. (i. H. Mann (Ceraldine) advocated union, which meant increased efficiency. The President said ho was under no conditions prepared to enter Wcsleyan Methodism. He was also not prepared to enter Wcsleyan Methndist with the autocracy of their ministry, which was greater than some of them desired, but they were not discussing tho question of joining Wcsleyan Methodism, but tho creating of a new church from the two churches of Methodism. It did not put on him the coat of Wcsleyan Methodism, nor on his brother the coat of the ranter, but it would have the effect of creating a new democratic church. Mr (!. Kroggart (Invercargill) was in favour of union. Mr .1. Hawkins (Auckland) was opposed to union. « The Rev. .1. Guy (Wnimatc) said the proposed union was according to the New Testament teaching. The Rav. .1. lii'iining (Wiiikonaili) and the Rev. S. Henderson (Christehurch) believed in union. The Rev. ,1. Cocker (Wanganui) strongly upheld Hie |in>posetl basis. It would take the. church many yean; to recover from (be blow if it threw out the basis agreed to after many conferences. The President said there had been 18 speeches—l 4 for and four against union. If any further non-unionists wished to speak ihey should now get up. Otherwise, bo would call upon Mr Dellringcr to reply. There was "ci response. Mr liellringer. in reply, timed that the needs of the Dominion would he more fully considered by accepting the basis of union. He bad no doubt it would be accepted, but lie hoped it would be accented in a whole hearted manner. I'he motion was then put to the meetim: and carried unanimously. The hasiii of union was then pine through seriatim, and the various sections adopted. The Conference then adjourned. The first draft of stations was read.as follows:—New Plymouth, Ralph J. Liddell and Harold A. Sharp: Inglewood. one wanted; Stratford. linsil Metson; Kltham, (!. Clements; Wanganui,' Sunl. Railey; East Eginont. Fred. Frost: Saddlebag M'ssion. one wanted; Wellington (first), Percy .1. Possum. Harold Cotton, and JohuDiunbell (sup.): Wellington (second). William Scotter. Archer 0. Harris, and John Dawson (without pastoral charge); Wellington (third), Jam Sothrntn: I'oxUm, Thomas (Vnteworth. and one wanted; l'u!.liug. 'Joseph Sharp. Ermvl V. Itlisr, (home mi.-'sion), and Peter W. Jones teiipcrint"nd'.'iui; lhlcnnho. Herbert Daniel; Weil Ovist Mission, Charier, A. Sims and Peter J. Mair s (home mission): Auckland (first), .lauuv, Cocker and Medley White; Auckland (fto'iidl. Robert Rainc and John l'\ Dcherty (home mwsinn)Auckland (third). John Olphort and Thomas 11. l.yon; Thames. Ceo. V. Hunt: j Waihi, I'Ved A. Th'i:ii|tfnn; Hamilton, j Jam?* Clover; Cambridge. Herman | l'Vst.>r (homo mission); Christehurch j ifiret). Samuel Hendorcon. Charles K. j Ward (supple), and Writer Harris (home j mission); fliristchurrh (ceoond), one! wanted; Gromlale, Arthur Hardiiu:; Ashhurton, Thomjs R. P. Woolloxalh : Ceraldine. George 11. Mann: Waimatoand ! Oaiuaru. Jar-. Guv: Timarit, Jacob Feather'tmi; Temuka, John Harris; Dun- j edin Hirst). O. Knnwta Smith. J. It. Snokline. and James Chnrteris: Donedin I (fvcondl, Edward Drake and Edward I Rimlv: Tnvcro.Te.iil (lir--*), William l*iv- I c.v!" ]-".vr.--rr:!l t*-<-„rA\. Arthur IM>» : '.; I Bluff. IV Dudley: Waikonaiii. J,"Ren-1 niii;: Fdcndale. Norman Hyde. I