CHURCH UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26780, 25 May 1948, Page 6

CHURCH UNION

Sir,—ln reply to “Christian,”. I would like to know how church union in Canada can be a success when in spite of what he says it split the Presbyterian Church? He has heard, he says, from people who have visited Canada in recent years that the United Church is a . live and virile one, and the Presbyterian is cold and lacks spiritual warmth. Well, I have heard the exact opposite, and what I hear is just as good as what he hears. Those who, as “ Christian says, continued Presbyterian Church services in Canada do so to-day as a fully organised church consisting of a total membership of some 800,000, of which 174,000 are communicant members. .. I’m glad that Dr Baillie still thinks the Presbyterian form of worship is the best Well, let us keep the best. He also said that union with the Presbyterian. Methodist and Congregational Churches wouldn l do for Scotland, because in that country their religion was rooted in the soil, it won’t do for New Zealand either, because our Presbyterian heritage is in the very blood of the descendants of the pioneers who planted the Presbyterian Church in this land. We have just celebrated in a very enthusiastic manner the centenary of the church in Otago, and now we are asked to scrap it. Descendants of the pioneers must rise up and protect your church. —I am, etc., Always Presbyterian.

Sir,—" Christian ” in your issue of May 17 writes disparagingly erf the Presbyterian Church in Canada, Perhaps this will enlighten him. I quote from the Methodist pamphlet, “ Basis of Union —The Case Against the Basis!": “Nearly one-third the Presbyterian membership refused to go into union, so that there is a strong continuing Presbyterian Church with a present (communicant) membership of 175,000. During the past 18 months it has raised 1,250,000 dollars for a * Presbyterian. Advance Campaign.* The United Church is now one among sister churches, and denominational rivalry and overlapping persist."—l am. etc., „ , Bible Class Member.