Unity.

As a Diocese, thank God! we know nothing of "Party" divisions. The life here is too strenuous and the conditions too hard for us to trouble much as to what particular "school of thought" a man belongs. So long as he is a Christian who tries to serve our King and Redeemer, so long as he is loyal to his Church, we are all fairly content. Agreement upon essentials is of more interest to us in the Colonies than consideration of nonessentials. The minds of the Laymen, with whom I have talked, are far more concerned with the fact that their Clergyman is a man dead in earnest than with the quite unimportant details that, apparently, provoke discussion elsewhere.

And thankful as one is for such general unity in the Diocese [being British, we can never have or expect uni-formity] one notes also with intense joy how the Christian Bodies outside our own Communion are drawing together. The best men, the deepest thinkers, the most faithful hearts, in Protestant Nonconformity all over the world are turning towards the consideration of Union among themselves. If, unhappily, sects increase in number, it is noteworthy that there is a drawing together of the older Denominations. At the Wesleyan Conference at Home a resolution to appoint a committee has been passed to consider how it might be possible to bring about "the closer association of the Methodist Churches of Great Britain.". In the United States leading representatives of Denominations have agreed to recommend the formation of a general council with page 43 a view to secure, among other things, "a closer fellowship among Christian Bodies thus uniting; to secure, as far as possible, the unification of kindred organisations now existing in the several Bodies; ........ to prevent the unnecessary multiplication of churches, and to unite weak churches of the same neighbourhood wherever practicable; to unite and encourage the affiliation with this council of the Christian Bodies cherishing a kindred faith and purpose." A most valuable contribution towards Unity has been published, in our country, by the Chairman of the Wellington District of the Congregational Union of New Zealand (a man who bears the honoured name of Newman Hall). From a pamphlet, rich in spiritual force and constructive in suggestion, I only dare quote a few words:—"To us all Christ is the soul and centre of revealed religion. His essential Deity, His real Incarnation, His sacrificial work are held as cardinal truths. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the observance of the two Sacraments, the exaltation of the Redeemer as only Head of the Church—these are beliefs held as of priceless value by each of us."

Brethren, Clerical and Lay, if the leaders of Christian Bodies outside our own Communion are thus thinking and speaking, we can hopefully look forward. "He that believeth will not make haste." The day will come, our children may see it even if we do not, when Unity will be possible. Until that day comes our duty is plain. We must not be faithless to it in any way. We must pray for Unity; we must study the history that concerns our own position as Churchmen, and also the history that concerns Protestant Nonconformity; we must, with this historical knowledge at hand, be prepared to understand the position of other people; we must, through knowledge of our own facts and history, be true to our own position and preserve unimpaired the heritage we have received. Let us think big thoughts and we shall be big men. Local sectarian bickerings are annoying and a bit painful; but, after all, it is the men who think big thoughts who will eventually help towards Unity; and it is to the Church of England that, as years roll on, thoughtful men will turn more and more as the home wherein they may find rest, freedom of conscience, liberality without vagueness, dogma without uncharit- page 44 ableness, certainty through growth instead of through the vice of compulsion, Apostolic doctrine, primitive order, the Catholic Faith unimpaired either by addition or subtraction. Let me end this section with words by one who belongs not to our Communion:—

"The Episcopal Church preserves a very high grade of dignity, decency, propriety and permanence in all her public offices. No transient observer can adequately value this treasure of a birth-right Churchman.

"To be using to-day the self-same words that have through the centuries declared the faith or made known the prayer of that mighty multitude, who being now delivered from the burden of flesh, are in joy and felicity:

"To be baptized in early infancy, and never to know a time when we were not recognized and welcomed among the millions who have entered the same door:

"To be confirmed in due time, in faith that has sustained a noble army of confessors, approving its worth through persecutions and prosperities, a strength to the tried and a chastening to the worldly-minded:

"To be married, by an authority before which kings and peasants bow alike, asking benedictions upon the cove-nant that without respect of persons binds by the same words of duty, the highest and the lowest:

"To bring our new-born children as we were brought, to begin where we began, and to grow up to fill our places:

"To die in the faith, and almost hear the Gospel words soon to be spoken over one's own grave as over the thousand times ten thousand of them who sleep in Jesus.

"In short, to be a devout and consistent Churchman brings a man through aisles fragrant with holy associations, and accompanied by a long procession of the good, chanting as they march in a unison of piety and hope until they come to the holy place where shining saints sing the new song of the redeemed. And they sing with them."

[Quoted in "S. Andrew's Cross," Sept., 1903.]