DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 123, 22 October 1874, Page 3

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Wednesday, October 21. The Synod met at 4 p.m., the Right Rev the Primate presiding. PAPERS. The President laid on the fable a list of confirmations from January hist to April Ist; list of licensed lay readers in the diocese ; and a list of ordinations, appointnnnts, and resignations of clergymen during the year. THE SERVICE AT ST MICHAEL’S. 'flic Yen Arch deacon of Westland said, before proceeding lo the business of the day he wished to bring under the notice of the Synod, (ho comments made upon the service ai. St Michael’s, on the preceding evening, which had appeared in one of the local papers. In that notice the service was called a complete failure, but he might say as a stranger, that ho had been very much pleased with the way in which the service had been rendered throughout. He was therefore astonished to find that it had been regarded as a complete failure. So far from this being the case, he would go further, and say that ho looked upon it. as a complete success. [Hear.] Of course the meeting of three choirs was surrounded with many difficulties, and of course it might be open to criticism, but he thought the remarks in the paper to which he had alluded were uncalled for. [Hear, hear.) Asa stranger, he must sny he was struck with what had appeared on this matter, as it seemed to him that the service had been rendered very successfully. [Hear, hear.]

The Very Rev the Dean said he wished to say a word or two in explanation of what had appeared in the paper. It was there said that the church had been given over to the Dean and Chapter to make the arrangements for the services. Mow, the fact was that they had done nothing of the kind. Of course, when the cathedral services were held, the Dean and Chapter would of course bo responsible for their conduct, but up to this time such was not the case, and the President would bear him out in saying that the Dean ami Chapter had nothing to do with the arrangements. (Hear, hear.) It was only right that the Dean and Chapter should bo exonerated from any charge of failure, nor credited with any amount of success, ns the Dean and Chapter really had nothing to do with it at all, as the President would bear him out.

The President said Unit; whether success or failure ho took the whole onus, us the arrangements were made by him. Ho had invited all the three choirs in Christchurch, and he must say that up to the time the choirs met he did not know how many would attend. There was hardly time for more than one practice, and of course there were difficulties in the way of collecting music, &c. He did not say that ho had any knowledge of music, but he might say that to see so many gathered together on such an occasion was a very great pleasure to him, and he could not at all "agree that the service was a failure, as had been said; on the coutrary, he took it that it was a success. [Hear, hear J The Rev E. A. Lingard said he desired to say a word or two on this matter. In his opinion, and as one possessing some knowledge of music, he considered the service was so far from being as the Press had stated a decided failure, quite the opposite. [Hear, hear.] Mr Vv. G. Brit tax, juu, wished to say, as one of the church officers of St Michael’s, that so far from conidering that tin; church officers had no responsibility in the matter, as was stated by the report in the Press, he, as churchwarden, had looked upon it that it was his duty to see on this, as on other occasions, as far as possible that Hie service was carried out decently. He did not know who wrote the report, but he might state that the service was, in his opinion, a success. He made the observations lie did, because, if he had not, it might be thought, he supposed, that the report had been written by one of the churchwardens [Hear, hear.] The matter then dropped. VISIT TO THE CHATHAM ISLANDS. The report of the visit to the Chatham Islands, by the Rev G. Boxen, was read by the clerical secretary, on the motion of the Vcu. Archdeacon Harper. The President said that it would be interesting (o the Synod to know that the friends of those on the islands in England, were bestirring themselves in the matter, and it was very probable (hat funds would be forthcoming for the object of providing the island with a clergyman. [Hear, bear.] The persons on the island were also collecting funds for the purpose, which would probably amount to some £7O. [Hear, hear.] THE DEAN’S SERMON. Mr P Hanmeu moved— I “That the thanks of the Synod bo given to the Very Rev the Dean, for (hesermon preached at St Michael’on the preceding evening, and that it be printed.” Hon Mr Acland seconded the motion. After some discussion, the motion was agreed toon the voices VACANT SEATS, The Rev Canon Coi’TERILL moved “That one of the seats for Timaru be declared vacant, Mr U. H. Rhodes being absent from Mm diocese. That the Synod proceed to 1 1n* appointment of a Synodsman for 'I imam. That (he Synod proceed to the a ipointraent of a Synodsman for the Malvern II distrVf. in the place of Mr A J. ('operill, resigned. That the Synod pro coed to the appointment of a Synodsman for Guverno’s Bay, in the place of Mr Vigors, resigned The motion was agreed to. and Mr George Mclntyre was appointed to fill the vacancy for Timaru; Mr A. Blakiston for Malvern Hills; aud Mr A, W. Bennett for Governor’s Bay. the Rev IT, J. Edwards moved “ That the Synod proceed to HU up the vacancy in the representation of the parish of St Michael’s, consequent on the resignation of Mr R. J. S. Harman.” The motion was agreed to. The Rev 11. J. Edwards obtained leave to postpone the election of a representative for St Michael’s. MEMBER OE SYNOD. The Very Rev the Dean moved—“ That the Rev H. Bromley Cocks he invited to take his seat as a, member of this Synod.” The motion was agreed to. RESIGNATION OP VEX ARCHDEACON WILSON. The Very Re v the Dean moved “That this Synod has heard with regret the announcement of the resignation by the Yen Archdeacon Wilson of all the offices held by him in.connection with the Church in this diocese, on account of failing health. The Synod gratefully recognises the zealous aud

able services rendered to the Church by the Yen Archdeacon during a long course of year , ns a representative of the clergy of the diocese in the General Synod, as a member of the Diocesan Synod, and of the Standing Committee, as a Church Property Trustee, and in various other capacities, but more especially as Archdeacon of Christchurch. The Synod requests the President to convey this resolution to the Yen Archdeacon, together with the expression of an earnest hope that his health may be recruited by timely rest, and that the Church may not be altogether depiivcd of the benefit of his services and ripe experience.” They would he was sure, all regret the reason which had necessitated the resignation of the Yen Archdeacon. He could testify perhaps better than many of the members of the Synod to the increased zeal of the Archdeacon in the work of the church. The Ton Archdeacon had taken an active and prominent part in the forming of the present system of Synods, and he felt that they would all miss the judgment and counsels of the Archdeacon in the varied matters which came before the Synod. He would not longer detain the Synod, because he felt sure all the members would join with him in deeply regretting the resignation by the Archdeacon of his scat as a member of the Synod and of his various offices. Ho begged lo move the motion standing in his name. Mr P. Hanmer seconded the motion. The Right Rev the President, the Very Rev the Dean, Revs W. E. Paige and C. Bowen bore testimony lo the varied and able services of the Yen Archdeacon to the diocese, and expressing their deep sense of the loss which not only the Synod, but the whole diocese, had sustained by the resignation of the Yen Archdeacon, and expressing a hope that he might be restored speedily to health. The motion was then put and agreed to unanimously. amended classification of parishes, ETC. The Rev Canon Cotterill moved—“ Classification of parishes and parochial districts to Dec. filet, 1875, A sum of £SO per annum shall be allotted from the Church Propeity Trust Fund to each of the following cures : Parishes—St Michael’s (Christchurch), St Luke’s (Christchurch), St John’s (Christchurch), Lyttelton, Hcathcote, Papanui, Merivale, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Governor’s Bay, Akarea, Riccartou with Halswell, Avonside, Prebbletou with Templeton. Parochial districts Lcithfield, Flaxton with Eyreton, Burnham, Ashburton, Ellesmere, Woodend, Oxford, Oust, Malvern, Fern side with West Ashley, Addington. Missionary districts—The Peninsula. Maori cure. A further payment at the rate of £25 per annum shall be made to the acting chaplain of the Lyttelton Gaol. The above allowances to be subject to a pro rata deduction in the event of insufficient income.” The Rev E. A. Lin gaud seconded the motion. After some discussion, The Rev Canon Cotterill obtained leave to amend Ids resolution by inserting the words “a payment at the, rate of” before the words “ £SO per annum ” and striking oat the words “ a sum.” After some further discussion the motion was put and agreed toon the voices. STIPEND OP THE CLERGY. The Rev Canon Cotterill moved—“‘That flic Church Property Trustees be requested to pay over to the Standing Committee the amount of £I6OO per annum, reported by them to lie available for the stipend of the clergy, in equal quarterly instalments.” Dr Donald seconded the motion, which was agreed to on the voices. AMENDED FINANCIAL REGULATION. The Rev Canon -COTTERILL moved—- “ That leave bo given to introduce the following proviso in the Financial Regulations :—All grants to cures are conditional on the residence of the clergymen within the limits of the cures, except in special cases where permission for non-residence has been given by the Bishop.” The Very Rev the Dean seconded the motion. Leave was granted, the proviso read a first time, and the second reading fixed for next day, JACKSON TRUST. The Very Rev the Dean moved—- “ That the report of the Commissioners appointed by the Synod in 1871, to ascertain whether the Dioceseof Dunedin is beneficially entitled to any, and what, part of the Jackson Trust Estate, be laid upon the table.” Dr Donald seconded the motion. The report was laid on the ta'ffie by Dr Donald, a>’d road by the clerical secretary on the motion of the Dean. The Very Rev the Dean then moved—- “ 1. That a select committee be appointed to inquire and report to the \vnod as to the appropriation of such portions of the Jackson Trust Estate now vested in the Diocesan Hoard of Trustees, as are, or have been supposed to be, in any way connected with the bishopric of the original diocese of Christchurch; that they be instructed to take into consideration the following documents, viz, the report of the Commission apnointed by the Bishop at the request of Hie Synod in 1862 to inquire into the administration of the Church Property Trust Estate, and the report of the Commissioners unpointed by the Synod in 1871, to asccrtdn whether the diocese of Dunedin is beneficially ■ •milled to any and what part of the Jackson •'rust Estate ; and that the President be re- ■ .< ct fully requested to furnish the committee Vith any letters or papers in his possession which may throw light on the subject of the inquiry. 2. That the committee consist of tin- Yen Archdeacon Harper, the Rev VV. W. Willock, the Rev G. J. Cholmonc'eley, the Chancellor of the Diocese, the, Hon J. B. A. Acland, Dr Donald, Mr T. M. Hassal, Mr W. C. Walker, and the mover.” The Rev W. W. Willock seconded the motion, which was agreed to after some discussion. The committee was ordered to bring up its report in a week. RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION TO CHILDREN. The Ven Archdeacon Harper moved—- “ 1. That a Select Committee be appointed to consider and report on the best mode of maintaining the church day schools at present existing in the diocese, and of securing to the parochial clergy, or others acting under them, the privilege conceded in the Canterbury Education Ordinance of imparting religious instruction to children educated iu the Government day schools. 2. That the committee consist of the Rev H. J. Edwards, Rev E. A. Linger!, Hon J. B. A, Acland, His Honor Mr Justice, Grcsson, Mr J. B. M irch, and the mover.” In moving this resolution he trusted (hat the matter would be regarded iu the light, it really occupied, viz., that of one of the most important that could be brought before the Synod. The

circumstances which surrounded it here were productive of a variety of opinions on the bestway to promote thereligious education of their children. In England this did no exist, and it was possible there to carry on a Church (lay school with aid from the State without provoking opposition (o them as was the case here. He thought that where the Church could maintain her schools she should be allowed to do so, and where she could not they ought to claim their right to have opportunities to impart religious education to their children While saying (his he did not intend, in any way, to oppose vexatiously the Government, but he was very much afraid that unless the Church took some steps to provide religious education for their children, they would have a generation growing up around them who would be far from grounded in the proper truths of Christianity. He looked upon Sunday schools, he might say, as only affording a very limited opportunity of affording religious instruction to their children, because, from their very nature, they only gave time to give the sentimental portion of religion. If they wished to give their children an education to fit them to combat it.fidelity or temptation intelligently, they would have to give them religious instruction day by day, as well as once a week. He found that they had five church schools in the diocese, and he might say that in Hokitika, the Provincial Government had introduced an aided schools clause under which church schools received a certain amount of the rates in the district wherein it stood, and he had hopes that it would continue for many years. The great question however, he took it, was the right to give to the children who were attending Government school religious instruction. If they were bound to accept these circumstances they would have to adapt themselves to it, but he believed that the local committee who had been applied to had replied in such a way as to prevent them attending to give religious instruction. Now he thought that it was not the intention of the Canterbury Government to quash religious instruction, and he would ask the S> nod whether it would not be able to put pressure upon the Government in a dignified way to obtain some means whereby they would be enabled to give their children religious education. He thought that they might use their churches for the present in which to assemble their children twice a week, bringing them from the Government schools, and that they might get the Government to allow them to have this concession. What he wanted to impress upon the Government was that they felt they could not educate their children in every place in secular matters from want of funds, &c, that they did not wish to offer vexatious opposition, but they felt that the left-handed gift offered under the present Ordinance was one not worth acceptance. They wanted to co-operate not oppose the Government, and to show them how important it was that religious education should be provided for their children. He would not detain the Synod longer, but would propose the resolutiou. The Rev Canon Dudley seconded the motion. He might say that he went into the Government district school freely, which had led perhaps to the Church school not being so successful. The Government district schools were splendid buildings, fitted with every comfort for the children, and it would be seen that they could not compete with the Government. He thought, however, that the visit of the clergymen of various denominations to the Government schools should not be dependent on the committees, a change which he thought might be effected by a memorial to the Provincial Council.

The Rev H, Freeman supported the resolution. The Rev H. J. Edwards said that he would point out to the clergy and laity their duty to see the children of their Church properly educated in religious matters. In West Christchurch, he found that the master of the school, who was a member of another denomination, had told children of the Church of England who were attending his (Mr Edwards’) Sunday school, thac they ought not to go there, but to go somewhere else. He thought that this should not happen. He again urged upon the laity the necessity of remembering their duty to see after the children of the Church.

Mr Mahch ;—May I ask the rev gentleman if he took steps to have the matter he has referred to respecting the master investigated ? Kev Mr Edwards:— l have. Mr March was glad to hear it, and hoped that it would go forth to the world. The Rev C. Bowen supported the resolution, and suggested that individual members of Synod should use their influence on the Government and Legislature to obtain the concessions desired.

The Very Rev the Dean strongly urged upon the laity to state their views on the subject. He agreed with the Rev Mr Bowen as to the best course to be pursued in regard to the Government. In fairness, he said that the option given to committees to admit ministers of religion should be withdrawn, and they should have the right of going into the schools. Under the present system the bias of the district schools was Church, Wesleyan, or Presbyterian, according to the religious majority of the inhabitants of the district, therefore the present system was not, he contended, a national one, but a thoroughly denominational one.

Mr Hassall said that he believed the so-called concession in the Ordinance was no concession at all. because the ministers of religion could net go to the school, but were dependent on the local committees. He thought the Ordinance was faulty, as they knew that their people desired their children to be instructed religiously on week-days as well as on Sundays. [Hear, hear.J Until the schools were opened to ministers of all denominations the system could not be called a national one. [Hear, hear.] The Rev E. A. Lingard supported the resolution, .and urged upon the Synod the claims of St Luke’s day school to a grant in aid of its funds from the Church property trust. The rev gentleman then proceeded to comment on the remarks made by the Rev H. 0. M. Watson at the opening of Bingsland school. He urged upon the Synod the making of St Luke’s a diocesan school. Mr Alington suggested the adjournment of the debate, as the laity were unprepared. He would move—“Tnat the debate be adjourned until 4 p.m., and be made the first order of the day.” Mr GORDON seconded the motion. Ultimately the debate was adjourned until 8 p.m. on the next sitting day. SUPPRESSION OF INTEMPERANCE.

The Very Kev. the Dean moved—1. That this Synod fully recognises the duty, earnestly pressed upon its attention by

the General Synod, of dealing with the subject of intemperance, and is of opinion that some special efforts should be made by the Church tocheck intemperance, and to promote habits of temperance among her members, and in the community at largo. 2. That, in order to give the subject the fullest possible consideration, it is desirable that a select committee be appointed to consider, and report to the Synod, the best means to be adopted in this diocese for the promotion of these objects. 3. That the committee consist of the Ven Archdeacon Harper, the Hevds E. A. Lingard, H. G. M. Watson, H. J. Edwards, His Honor Mr Justice Gresson, Mr G. Gordon, Mr Alington, and the mover. The Rev Canon Dudley seconded the motion. The motion was agreed to on the voices. NEW MEMBER. On the motion of the Rev H, T. Edwards Mr J. G. Hawkes was appointed as synodsman for St Michael’s. adjournment. Notices of motion having been given, the Synod adjourned until 4 p.m. this day.