USE OF A TERM

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1931, Page 15

USE OF A TERM

EXCEPTION BY A MINISTER.

“NO NONCONFORMISTS.”

“I want to take exception to a heading which appeared in a report of the assembly’s debate on church union,” said tho Rev. J. Blanchard, at the Presbyterian General Assembly. “The heading to which I refer is the caption, ‘Nonconformists First.’

“As there are no ‘Nonconformists’ in New Zealand, the use of the term with reference to tho proceedings of this assembly was calculated seriously to mislead the public,” said Mr. Blanchard. “The term, with its usual implications, is foreign to the genius of Presbyterianism, the Church of Scotland, by the voice of its people and in official documents, having freely recognised the ecclesiastical standing of all other branches of the Christian Church along with itself. Furthermore, tho term carries with it associations which make its use liable to create an atmosphere prejudicial to the cause of church union, a cause difficult enough in itself without unnecessary hindrances ‘ being erected.- I make this statement in the hope that the public use of this term ‘Nonconformist’ will cease.”