A UNITED CHURCH.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18874, 18 February 1933, Page 8

A UNITED CHURCH.

METHODIST LEADER’S VIEW SAFEGUARDING OF PRINCIPLES. (Special to Times.) AUCKLAND, Friday. The attitude of the New Zealand Methodist Church to the question cl the union of the churches was defined in the inaugural address last evening of the newly-elected president, die Rev. A. J. Seamer, at the opening ses sion of the church's annual conjerence, now in progress in Auckland. ’ After referring to the consummation of union between the three of the Methodist Church m the ou Country, Mr Seamer observed that the wider adventure in church unlo launohed in Canada in 1925. aftersome 21 years’ preparation, and Unking mp the Congregational, Presbyterian and Methodist Communions, had led to a spiritual forward movement in th Dominion. Reliable reports saxe very cheering data showing the great bene fits already derived. Having touched upon the failure o tentative overtures, initiated by the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand 30 years ago, towards union with the Methodist and Congregational churches, Mr Seamer said the attitude bf the Methodist Church to the question had been consistent, though someilimes misunderstood. They had - !been ready to co-operate in appointing a oommittee, should the other two 'churches desire it, to seek a posslb e •basis of union. They would on.y need to be assured that the of the uniting churches should be able to carry forward in the united chur-h those important aspects of truth, po - icy and culture, for the propagation and development of which each partner In the union believed its church to have been divinely raised. So Muoh In Common. Those three churches had so muoh in common, and were at heart so sincerely one in faith and purpose, that when God gave their rank and file, as well as their leaders, grace to see and acknowledge the facts —faots already so clearly appreciated by their youth leaders —they would respond to tho prompting of mutual respect and affection, and, recognising their common attachment to the safne Ideals, would seek and find a basis of union on the lines made plain by the faots. But until that stage was reached it was the dear duty of all the members within those churches to devote themselves enthusiastically to sustaining and developing the life and work of their own church, so that when corporate union did eventuate they would be able to bring into the United church suoh a full, "buoyant, and definite contribution of thought and life, that they would see within the united church the continuance of their best traditions. As to the question of the wider union, “ No cause can ever be truly served by failure to face the facts,” said the speaker. “ We are still Protestants, although we claim to be more Catholic in spirit and doctrine than some others. We believe that Christ, not the Church, Is the Vine, that all believers are branches, and shofTid draw their life direct from the- Vine. We should not permit ourselves to give the Impression to the thinker in the publio place that we could give serious thought to the question of union to-day with churches that treasure as fundamentals, in their creeds, rituals, and customs,- those elements that brought about the Reformation. Differences Of Interpretation. However regrettable the fact may be, it is absurd to deny that grave differences of interpretation still exist, and are held tenaciously, concerning such fundamental principles as the very nature of the church and her sacraments, the basis and extent of her authority, the status and function

of the clergy, and oonoomlng the lead the ohuroh should give on what to us £re great moral Issues.'’ It was open to serious the president observed, whether Christianity would necessarily benefit by the welding of all the different oommunions Into one great -organisation under one man, or a oommittee of men, who would probably' claim to be the Regents of Christ: history seemed *o teaoh the very opposite, incidentally demonstrating that so-oallod sohlsmatios and heretlos had often been among the most loyal to Christ, and the finest workers In His oause. Finally, said Mr Seamer, Methodism welcomed to her communion, and to the Table of the Lord, all who loved tho Lord, Irrespective of opinions, and it entertained • the fullest sympathy with proposals even for organio union with any ohuroh where external cleavages did not represent principles that offered an impenetrable barrier to union, and where union could be shown to be in the interests of true unity and service. In such a union, established on a worthy basis, with the necessary safeguards of vital principles, there would he strength.