THE NEW BISHOP.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18426, 6 July 1925, Page 8

THE NEW BISHOP.

ELECTORAL SYNOD. TO RESUME THIS MONTH. Commenting on the recent Electoral Synod held in Christehurch, the July issue of "'Church News" states that the first Electoral Synod held in the Diocese for thirty-five years found itself confronted with an awkward problem of procedure. Contining the article states the broad lines for conducting such a conference were, of course, well enough established, but tho very freedom to devise its own methods opened the door to a flood of discussion of details which, seemingly small, might- yet have an important bearing on the result. It is a matter i'or congratulation that theso preliminaries ato up less than a day, and the real business of tho conference —tho nomination of clcrgv for the episcopal olJico was reached oil the first day (June 9th) late in tho afternoon. Although every point was thoroughly investigated in conference, the scheme evolved by the Committee °r Enquiry by a comparison and adaptation of methods adopted in other dioceses—the scheme outlined in these columns last month —cam© through practically intact. It is a striking tribute to the acumen and painstaking care of the Committee (who themselves gave much of the credit to Canon Cialwcv). Tho members of that Committed merited tho hearty thanks accorded to them by the conference not only for the voluminous information they had compiled, but also for their foresight in preparing tho scheme of procedure.

Nomination of Rev. C. S. Woodward. One feels an unreasoning regret, however, that tho conference was not able to proceed directly to tho ballots in the solemn atmosphere engendered bv tho Holy Communion and the Quieti Sour that preceded tho session. feemuch timo did elapse between those services of preparation and the final ballot: so much discussion of utterly unfamiliar persons; so much painstaking weighing of testimony and comparison of qualifications. But that is tho democratic way of tho overseas Churches of our Communion and tho inevitable consequence of having a vision of tlio Church wider than one s own island home. The trouble of tho conference was that to begin with there were a good many names to consider. Tho preference of the conference was ascertained by a sories of ballots from which no person nominated was deliberately excluded at any time during the conference. That is to say, there was no elimination by formal act of the conference. Gradually tho choieo of the conference narrowed itself down as the members sought to achieve unanimity. Etah ballot was preceded by spoken praver and silence, either in the Church or in tho hall, occasionally preceded by silent prayer alone, but always in tho atmosphere of prayer. Ono may not refer more particularly to tho proceedings, but we may bo entitled to say that after a long period of discussion and several ballots the mind of tha conference wasi concentrated upon the name of the Rev. Clifford Salisbury Woodward, M.A., Vicar of St. Peter's, Cranley Gardens, London, a priest most highly eulogised by tho Committee of Enquiry's correspondents for his general ability; his experience first in the slums of London and latterly in tho sphere of fcondon life commonly designated "Mayfair"; his attraction for men and his amazing charm for children. His views are classified in the biographical reference books as "Liberal Evangelical." An approach to unanimity was readied in conference on Friday afternoon (June 12th). Synod having formally resumed at 7.30 Mr Woodward was proposed by the Ven.. Archdeacon Haggitt on behalf of the clergy and seconded by the Chancellor (Mr H. D. Andrews) on behalf of the laity; and the vote which was then in accordance with the Canon taken by ballot, resulted in unanimity save for a. solitary dissentient. The Electoral Synod then adjourned sin© die after the customary rote of thanks ha 4 been recorded, including' ono from tho conference to Mr H. D. Andrews for liis impartial chairmanship. A cable was dispatched tho same evening (Friday) to Canon A. W» llobinson, ot Canterbury, one of the Diocesan Commissaries in England, through whom it had been arranged to communicate the invitation in caso any clergyman in England should be chosen. This arrangement was necessary because the intimate particulars regarding the Diocese would probably bo unknown to the chosen clergyman, and could not be given by cable. The cable evidently reached our Commissary in good time, for on Sunday tho Dean received a reply from Canon Robinson to the effect that Mr Woodward was unablo to consider the invitation. No further word has been received from him, although a Press cable curiously enough stated that Mr Woodward would probably accept tho invitation. Electoral Synod to Resume. Synod is therefore almost back to where it started. Not quite, however, for tho procedure has been- well thresiiC',,l out and will probably not need to be overhauled or even amended. Before Synod roso, it was suggested to the Dean that in tho event of Mr AY oodward declining the invitation, Synod should not ho convened again till somewhere about the annual time. The Dean however, us Commissary, can call Synod together at any time ho thinks fit, and it was so left in his hands. Tho iacfc that tho invitation was declined induced tho Dean to convene a. special meeting of Standing Committee on June 23rd to discuss the position with liiin, and as a result of that conference, the Dean has now decided to call tho special Synod back to its labours! ou Tuesday, July 21bfc. Tho sittings will be held at St. John's Hall, but as it is a continuation of the Synod after adjournment, there will not be any special services such as were held last month. Synod will bo asked to attend the early Communion at the Cathedral, and thereafter will assemble at St. John's at JO o'edock for a italf hour of quiet in tho church. Synod assembling at 10.3 Q. a.m.