Reunion Conference.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XIV, Issue 1, 1 August 1923, Page 292

Reunion Conference.

The "Church Standard" gives a report of the Reunion Conference lately held at Cronulla, N.S.W. There were delegates from the Anglicans (7), Presbyterians (4), Methodists % 3) , Congregationalists ( 6) , and the Archbishop of Sydney presided.. Resolutions T were passed, adopting substantially the series of iesolutions agreed to at the Conference at the Anglican and Evangelical Free Church of England. The proceeding's were marked by the truest phristiaiL fellowship, and there was hot a';sMigle note of bitterness, notwithstanding that the ' discussions were frank and outspoken. It was agreed that the basis of reunion rested on the acceptance of Holy Scripture, the two Great Sacraments, and a Ministry acceptable to every

part of the re-united Church. The following resolutions were unanimously agreed to : — THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH. 1. The foundation, of the Church rests not upon the will; or '-consent, or beliefs of men, whether as indivuals or as societies, but upon the creative Will of God. 2. The Church is the Body of Christ, and its constitutive principle is Christ Himself, living m His members through His Spirit. 3. As there is but one Christ, and one Life m Him, so there is and can be but one Church. 4. This one Church consists of all those who have seen,, or are being redeemed by and m Christ, whether m this world or the "world beyond our sight, but it has its expression m this world m a visible form. Yet the Church, as invisible and as visible, is, by virtue of its one life m Christ, one. 5. This visible Church was instituted by Christ as a fellowship of men united with Him, and m Him with one another,, to be His witness and His instrument m the spread of His Kingdom on earth. 6. As a visible Church it must possess certain visible and recognisable marks whereby it can be seen and known by men. These have been, since. the days of the Apostles at least, the following:— (a) The profession of faith m God as revealed and incarnate m Christ; (b) The observance of the two Sacraments ordained by Christ Himself; (c) An ideal of the Christian life protected by a common discipline; (d). A ministry, representative of the Church, for the preaching of the Word, the administration of the Sacf aments, and the, maintenance of the . unity and continuity of the Church's witness and work. '