CHURCH UNION.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15000, 22 February 1919, Page 5

CHURCH UNION.

[Per United Press Association.]

Christchurch, Feb. 21

The Presbyterian General Assembly to-day carried a motion, proposed by the Rev. Dr. Gibb and seconded by the Rev. I. Jolly, adopting an overture in favour of union with the Methodist and Congregational Churches, and, in order to give effect to the suggestions, decided to submit the union proposal to presbyteries, kirk sessions and congregations for consideration. A report is to be made to next Assembly. It was decided to appoint a central committee with branch committees in every presbytery to give effect to the Assembly's instructions. No iinion is to be consummated^until Parliament has passed the legislation necessary to conserve to the united church its property now held by the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches respectively. At a luncheon tendered to members of the Presbyterian General Assembly to-day, reference was made to the subject of church union. The absence of representatives of the Methodist and Congregational Churches was referred to by the Rev. J. J. North (president .of. "the Council of Churches), who expressed the opinion that the invitations fiad gone astray in the post or otherwise. The Moderator (Rev. W. Gray Dixon) expressed gratification that Bishop Julius was present. Whatever steps were taken in the way of union, they would require sooner or later to take in the Anglican Church. Bishop Julius said he heartily rejoiced in the prosperity of the Presbyterian Church and the good work itwas doing. "I am glad to stand here, ho continued, "and say I at all events hope the day is not far distant when we shall be one." There were a few things which separated them, a few things that it would be a shame for them to treat as nothing. He believed that God was leading them towards union, and that they would come to look at things in a vejy different light from what they had looked at them m the past. "That time," said the Bishop, "must come as soon as you are < or.verted." The conclusion of Bishop Julius's remark was drowned in a burst of laughter. He went on to say that lie prayed God unceasingly that, the time, might yet come when tbere would be no division, and above all that the Presbyterians, to whom the Anglicans pnri other comir-unions owed s;o great a. debt of gratitude for their learning, hones and hieh ideals, would bo one with the Anglicans in the service ut fcbrnr Lord and Master. The Rev. J. J. North' said regarding union that history had shown that, tim-* made effete the troubles and trials of their forefathers, and that in these days the differences that separated Christians were diminishing.