The Anglican Church and Church TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2842, 2 September 1908, Page 58

The Anglican Church and Church TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — The interview with Dr Gibb, whioh. you this morning reproduce from the British Weekly (a Congregational paper) i», I venture to think, 6omewhat~ misleading and calculated rather to hinder than promote the cauee ii advocates. From the papers and discussions of the Pan-Anglican Congress, the cabled suTnmary of <-the Lam* beth Conference, and private communications. I fear that Dr Gibb h*s totally misconceived the situation. There is not the slightest probability of any fusion between the Anglican and Presbyterian bodies in I this, or even the next, generation. The j current proposals involve no more than a | conditional and limited working agreement j for the present, with the ultimate prospect of complete union ih years to come. Summarised briefly, such a ecbeme involves: — (1) Episcooai ordination for all future candidates for the ministry. (2) The "conditional reordination " of such Presbyterian ministers who mijzht, for the sake of unity, consent to receive it. Some .might do so^ just as some Anilioan clergy (while maintaining the validity of their own. rirders) might agree to conditional reordination were this the means of bringing about corporate reunion with the Greek or Roman communions ; but I apprehend the number would be very small. (3) The remaining Presbyterian clergj* would of course be unable to minister the sacraments in the Anglican Church, but tome plan for the " interchange of pulpits " would be quite practicable. From an Anglican point of view they wouid become in Anglican ohurches " licensed readers." To their own congregations, in their own buildings, they would of course continue to minister as at present. (4) A scheme for the joint sitting of Presbyterian and Anglican synods. Whether such limited proposal* for reunion would really commend themselve* to either side is more -than doubtful, but X believe thai when in a. few weeks fuller? details reach you, it will be found that these represent the maximum of agreement possible until one or other of us become* "of better mind." IneidentaJly, the interview with Dr Gibb credits him with a position which is theologically absurd. The doctrine of " baptismal regeneration " ha* nothing whatsoever <o do with any particular form of church government. It might quit* conceivably be held by Congrogationalists, though in practice thie ifl not usually the cafre. — I am, <*fc. ~G. W. Hardiitc. A walking-ctiok gun was produced in court, at an inquest held at Keneal road (England) on Stephen Harding, who "com; mitied suicide. Apparently a leatherbound top of a walking-stick, 12in long, the weapon had a small iron baftal projeotrion, which upon being twisted and pulled, revealed a cavity large enough to take a .333 bullet. 'By touching a smalt spring concealed in the handle, the weapon was dieoharged by Warding with fatal result*. The widow said the man found the weapon 12 years ago when clearing out' some rubbish from a gentleman's house.