Mr Gibb on Presbyterian Union.

Otago Witness, Issue 2253, 6 May 1897, Page 23

Mr Gibb on Presbyterian Union.

TO THE EDITOB

Sir, — Thera is some danger that the true bearings of the union question have beau obscured by the very number of the anonymous letters which have been published on this subject in your columns. In *. lengthened controversy side issues inevitably como to the front, aud a quite unmerited importance is attached to them. I have, therefore, bec-n advised by a good many brethren to write a plain, unvarnished statement of the case as it appears to those who favour the proposal for an incorporating union of the two Presbjtsrian churcaes in New Zealand. It is not my intention to initiate a fresh controversy by this letter, and I shall not trouble you with any further communication on the subject. All that I aim at doing is, first, to give those of your readers who are interested in this question a clear outline of the argument for union relied on by the supporters ot" the present movement ; and, second, to deal briefly with the chief objections which have bec-n so far offered to the scheme aDproved of by the Synod at its last meeting. We support this scheme, then, because —

1. Union ia surely according to the mind of Christ. No one can doubt that it is the Lord's desire that, wherever possible, His people should ba oue in outward union ss well as in inward unity. There may be circumstances which demand the separation in different churches even of Christians who see eye to eye on questions of doctrine and government, but it has yet to be shown that such circumstances exist in the present case.

11 Union io in accordance svith tub genius of Presbyterianism. Even those who are opposing the present scheme admit this. In the immense territory of Canada the various Presbyterian denominations once existing there united some years ago, and novr form one large, vigorous organisation. The five Presbyterian churches of Australia and Tasmania are now in process of cementing union. The Free Church of Scotland and the United Presbyterian Church are at this moment negotiating for union. The difficulties surmouuted in Canada were very much greater than any we have to encounter in New Zealand. Yet they wore overcome. The obst*.cles in the path of Australian and Scottish Church union are much, more formidable than ours. Yet they will doubtless bs successfully surmounted. And if we face our task in a spirit of earnestness and enthusiasm, Presbyterian union in thia colony will be an accomplished fact in a year, or two at the utmost.

in. Uni'>n will grdatly benefit the members of the Northern Church. We are a mom compact and highly organised body than they, and union will put ifc in our power to materially assist in moulding the Preabyterianiam of the north on truly Presbyterian line?. Tho Northern Church is maintaining the cause of Presbjterianism in the face of difficulties of which we have little experience. In the rural districts of Ofcago and Southland we have tho field practically to ourselves ; the Northern Church is seriously handicapped by the pressure of other denominations. Taink of the assistance we shall be able to render' them in upholding the interests of PresbySeriauism in the large territory they are endeavouring to occupy. iv Union will greatly benefit the Otaco Church. As a merely provincial body, we stand in constant danger of becoming narrow and self-centred. Union will give vi a wider ontlook and larger interests. In the matter cf necuniary contributions to the cause of the Gjspel, Ihe Northern Church has much outdistauced v?. Union with it will help to quicken the spirit of a gceiter liberality in tha Otago Church. v. Union will give us a supreme court at t/east two-thirds lauger than either the Synod or the Assembly, lv a large court there is alwayß less danger of cliquism than in n email one. Whit is known as wire-rmllinjf and olhef undesirable methods of conducting tho business of the church will be almost impossible in the united assembly. "Packing" the supreme court will be a thing of ths past.

vr. Union w:ll give us greater theot.ogical stability than we at present possess. The doctrinal position of a larga church is uo; nearly so likely to be affected by the opinions of individuals as in the ea^e of a small church.

vii. Union will increase thk frvstige of Puksuyteiuanism in and influence with ' the community. Tae voice of a united Preaby terian Church will make itself heard with salutary effect on political queitions with a social aud religious bearing.'

vsir. Union will enable us before long to add another PROFE3&OR to the staff of tho Theological College, and thus increaso tbe efficiency of tha<, institution.

ix. Union will give a strong impetus to the mission work ov the church. There is at present a waste of effott, time, and money in the working of two scheme* and two committees where one would amply suffice. The missionary operations of the united church, being on go much larger a scale than either of the separate schemes, will escite a correspondingly greater interest in the minds of the members of the church.

x. Union will promote the cause of beligion in the community. Strengthen Presbyterianism and you strengthen religion. All true Presbyterians must think so. But this is not all. The spectacle of brethern agreeing to lay aside their difference?, and joining heart and hand in the common work cannot fail to impress the public mind and conscience for good.

xi. Union can be secured now on terms exceedingly FAVOURABLE TO THE OTAGO CHURCH. Tile Basis provides that the assembly shall come every second year to Dunedin, and that every other year Wellington shall be the plase of meeting. The Basis further guarantees to the Synod the exclusive possession of its properties and the administration of the same. With tho Synod will also remain the appoint-

menfc of theological and university professors. The Synod may also be used for the purpose of conference on religious and social questions.

xii. We are already in honour comjiitteb to union — not indeed necessarily on the Basic now under consideration, but on some basis. It is for those who are dissatisfied with the pro* posals before the church to suggest better. After committing ourselve3 by prayer and resolution of Synod, agnin and again repeated, in favour of union — after opening up negotiations with the northern church, after sending a large deputation to the Assembly three years ago with the express purpose of assuring our friends that we were ready to unite with them, can we ever again hold up our heads if wo should now refuse to consummate union ?

What have those who are opposed to union to say in reply to these reasons ? Very little thab is relevant. They have tried to obscure the issue before the church by raising a cloud of dust about the Declaratory Act and the legitimacy of marriage with a deceased wife's sister. What have these things to do wifch tho question of union ? The Basis proposes that the doctrinal standard of ths united church shall be the Confession of Faith interpreted by the Declaratory Act, and witfe liberty of opinion on the marriage question. It is said that this involves a departure from the original constitution of the Ofcago Synod. We do not thinkit doe", but that is not the point. The point is : Does ifc involve * "departure from the doctrinal position of fcha Synod of this hour ? The truth simply is thafi the doctrinal platform proposed for tha united church ia precisely the pkesent PLATFOBM OF TH3 OI'AGO CHURCH. If it is thought that the church's doctrinal sficurity will be increased by the addition of tke catechisms and the Book of Discipline to the Confession of Faitb, no objectiou will ba offered to the proposal. So far as doctrine ia concerned the CoDfes3ion amply covers all thab the catechisms contain, but there is no reason ia the world why thay should not be added to the subordinate standards. Another attempt xb obscuring the real isruo has been the insinuation that the church courts, notably tho Synod and the Dunedin Presbytery, hava been pursuing a policy of secrcoy and discussing the pros and cons of union in private. So far from desiring secrecy, the friends of union feel that; the wider fie publicity given to their arguments so much the bstter for the cause. The Synod and the Presbytery discussed the matter in committee in order that the ordinary rules or! debate might be suspended and that member* might therefore have greater freedom in giving expreseiou to their views. But "iv committee" does not mean "in private." In the Presbytery of Danedin I called attention to this beforo the debate began, and asked the reporter 10 make a note ot the discussion.

The fhieF relevent objections to union may now be briefly summarised and replied to.

i. It is said that the security or the proper!,? balongingto the OLago Synod will be endangered by union. HOW can it be endangered ? Th& Basis distinctly Bays that the " trust properties and funds shall jibmain the exclusive PROPERTY OF THE SYNOD, which Shall O.lßtinue in full possession of all rights peHaming to it in this respect." Who, then, 11 going to take the property from us ? No~ the Northern Church, for thoy hiiva agreed to this arfciclo of the Banis. Will any «>.«• satisfied msmbors of the Olago Oharch ati temps this ? It is (Rtionit lo imagine Anything of t.ho kiad. But gup)>i>tsu it was attempted. O'.s what ground would the attempt be mad« ? On the ground that the constitution of tho united church differs trom the constitution ox" the Ofcago Church ? But we hs.ve already s<vui that it does nothing of the kiuu*. To aiak<?, however, assurance doubly sur?, \b imn bewu determined to seek the sanction ov thk LEGISLATURE TO TUB PROPOSALS FOR UNION. If WH obtain this, toe peopcsrty will ha absolutely unassailable. If we do not, the consummation of the union will stand over for a time. In either case tLts pro;ieri.y is inviolably secure. 11. I!; ii objected io m;ion, under the preset scheme, fch*t the Syuotl of Ot,sgo will ceaao <-o esisfc «a an eoclo.-iasticai eour, In a senae this is true; jn anotkwh shvsb ir 's not tkuk. The Sjnod, as stated above, vj;H contiuntt to administer trust properties ; ib will appoint or remove tbeologioai profes-ora ; the appoint* rneut of professors to the univeriity ohairs will also remain in its keeping. It will thus have larger powers thtm belong to any provincial gynod of the Presbyterian churches at Herat 1 , and there is norhioj; to hinder the Sysiod being; used as tbcje provmc-ii l synods ara for tho discussion 01 reiigtoui end ecclesiastical ques'cior.:-. Indeed, it ,wouid b« an excellent thiug if tho ixieeting of Synod should be Qzed to take place in April, and arrangements made for the consideration of such themes as have been discussed at the various midwinter out'erKncei held fiom time to time uuder th« «u«pic9.i of the Sjnod. To bestow larger power.i ou fcho Synod than tho'.e now outliaed would make tlio uuion a nullity. iir. Tt ia Alfirmed that union will tend to tho centralisation of she church's work. So fa • from this happening, union wiil very nearly VUT AN END TO CKNTRAI/ISATXON. At preSfct'.'. Dunedin is inevitably the centre of thi J^yaod'js operations, in cho united obuwa' there ,wiil ha not one, but four lar^s oentros of population. Tho fear which hag been expressed that union will lead to the* neglect of the interests of the rural district /tud remoter parishes is equally imagjuary. Thi local presbyteries will continue to exifb aa a*; pressnt; and for the better supervision of church extension and all similar work, local committees of assembly wiil be appointed. Thus, for example, there will probably be on«i church extension committee for Otago and Southland, another for Canterbury aud Wetland, aud a third for Wellington and AuckUno. These considerations show that the suggestion that the interests of the country districts will sailer uegleot is deatitufce of any foundation m tV.ot.

iv. The last objection of any con«eqaeucti offered to fhe proposed union is that the brethren, especially of the eldership, will not be able, owing to the greater time and expenHe involved ia attending the meetings of assembly, to take as active % part as they at present fc&ke ia the business of: the church. But let ib ba again noted that the assembly will meet ever* second year in dunedin. Every second year, therefore, the ministers and elders of Ofcago and Southland will ba in exactly the sabib position as they now occupy. Moreover, the basis provides that every year the travelling expenses of one-half of the ministers and representative elders shall be defrayed by tha church, so that attendance afc the assembly, even when the meeting is held in Wellington, will not prove burdensome to the delegates. It is said that the providing o? the necessary funds will bs a heavy tax on the church. But tbe e3timated co3t has been grievously exaggerated. The saving which will be effected by having one supreme court, one set of minutes and of officials instead of two, will more than counterbalance the increased expense of sending men to Wellington every second year, instead of, as at present, to Dunedia every year. Moreover, what the Wesleyan Methodist, the Primitive Methodist, and the Congregational churches accomplish easily it

surely not beyond the power of the large and prosperous „ Presbyterian churches of New Zealand.

In conclusion, I would remind the officebearers and members of the Otsgo Church that the eynod at its last meeting, by a majority of 51 (77 to 26), resolved to go forward with this good work. For myself, 1 have little doubt that the influence of this decided action on the part cf the supreme court of the church, added to themerits of the scheme so cordially approved of by the Synod, will reault in an equally overwhelming majority of the sessions deciding in favour of union. While deeirouß of according the utmost respect to the convictions of brethren on the other side, I have no hesitation in expressing my belief that the path to union has besu opened up to us by the good providence) of God, and that it is the church's duty to press resolutely forward to the point at which the separation of the churches will cease, and the Presbyterianiam of New Zealand Bhall be one and undivided. — I am, &c, Dunedin, April 21

James Gibb