XXIII.—Of the Life Everlasting.

Finally, we believe in and desire the life everlasting in which the redeemed shall receive their inheritanee of glory in the kingdom of their Father, and be made fully blessed in the presence and service of God, whom they shall see and enjoy forever and ever. Amen.

Your Committee ask the Assembly to consider these articles seriatim, to adopt them provisionally, and to send them down to Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions with an inquiry as to whether they consider Union with the Methodist and Congregational Churches desirable on this or a similar doctrinal basis. It is not suggested at this stage that the articles should be sent down under the Barrier Act, or that Presbyteries and Sessions should express other-than a general approval of the proposal for Union on the basis suggested. In the event of the Assembly's agreeing to this course, the Committee, in pursuance of the resolution adopted a year ago, ask authority to formulate, in co-operation with the Methodist and Congregational Committees, suggestions towards a Basis of Union in respect of the polity of the Church.

The movement inaugurated by last Assembly for the Union of the Evangelical Churches of the colony is happily on a line with similar movements in other parts of the world. In Canada the question is being eagerly discussed. In Australia, at the recent meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, the recommendations of the Committee for a Union of Presbyterianism, Methodism, and Congregationalism were adopted by a very great majority. On every hand there are indications that the Churches of Jesus Christ are drawing together. The time is assuredly not far distant when not only in this colony, but in every land, the Churches that practically hold the same creed and follow the same methods of work will throw down their denominational barriers, and unite to form one grand victorious body, in which the desire of Christ for the unity of His people shall be realised, and by which the waste and strife occasioned by sectarian competition and rivalry shall be brought to a perpetual end. May God speed the day!