METHODIST AND PRESBYTERIAN REUNION Methodist Reunion.—The movement for reunion among the three branches of the Methodist Churches in England has reached a stage when it seems likely that it will soon be an accomplished fact. A scheme has been drawn up, and in 1924 the Wesleyan Conference, the Primitive Methodist Conference and the United Methodist Conference passed a practically identical resolution in the following terms : "The conference is of opinion that, provided the Methodist people desire the organic union of the three Methodist Churches concerned, the scheme now submitted (which is the result of prolonged deliberation and exhaustive inquiry) affords a basis of union which would ensure harmonious working without the sacrifice of any principle vital to Methodism. The conference therefore commends the scheme to the prayerful consideration of the Methodist people." In 1925 the Wesleyan conference took the further necessary step of declaring in favour of the union of the three Methodist Churches, provided that substantial agreement can be secured as to the measures to be adopted for effecting union. The re quired agreement was secured, and the necessary Act of Parlia ment passed; and the union was effected on Sept. 20, 1932.
The Churches of Scotland.—The first step towards union between the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland was taken in 1908, when the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland resolved "to request the other Presbyterian Churches to confer with them on the present ecclesiastical situ ation." Conferences followed, and in 1914 a constitution was drafted under which the Church would be both national and free. No further progress was possible till 1919, owing to the War. In 192o, the articles of the constitution were approved and in July 1921, an Enabling Bill was passed by Parliament. Certain questions connected with the property and endowments of the Church of Scotland remained to be dealt with by a depart mental committee appointed in 1922 and presided over by Lord Haldane. It reported in 1923, and its recommendations are embodied in The Church of Scotland (Property and Endow ments) Bill of 1924. (On reunion in Canada see METHODISM; PRESBYTERIANISM.)