PEW RENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 240, 4 July 1919, Page 8

PEW RENTS

DISCUSSION AT THE SYNOD

ABOLITION OF SYSTEM , URGED

CHURCHES SHOULD BE FREE TO ALL

An interesting discussion took place at the Anglican Synod yesterday afternoon regarding the question of pew rents. The subject was introduced by tEe Eev. A. W. Payne, of ICelburn, who, in the course of a vigorous epeech, for which he was heartily applauded, urged the abolition of the seat-renting system. Mr. Payne moved: "That this Synod considers that the 6ystem of renting seats in churches is wholly undesirable, and recommends that it 6liould be abolished throughout the diocese."

Alienating Workers' Sympathies. Tlie mover said the passing of the motion would mean, a reform which was lonjr overdue. ' The system of renting seats did a Rood deal of harm, and was one which only helped to alienate the sympathy of tlie working class from the Church of England. The system was instituted in 1318, and he could not understand why it should be perpetuated any longer. It had been chosen because the church had no endowments, and because there were no other sources of revenue. He considered it to bo entirely wrong to charge for seats in God's house. The present was a far moro advanced age than that in which pew rents were first adopted, find one m which reforms should be accepted without hesitation. The question was .bcinj forced upon them very strongly, and the system had been condemned by ttio Archbishop's Committee as an evil which should be abolished. Various reports hud been brought down in England, urging that all churches should be free. "To a great extent the Church of England has been a class Church in the past," said Mr. Payne, "but, thank God, we are breaking away from it in our own generation." No church that had abolished 'seat rents had ever suffered by its action. In one church iii Taranaki tho vicar's salary had bean increased .£SO per year after the eeat-rent-ing system had "been'done away with. (Laughter.) There were other instances which showed that there was no financial reason for 'maintaining the system any longer. He trusted that no rents would be charged .for the seats in the new Cathedral which was to be built in Wellington. No financial disaster would Mow the abolition of 'the system. "Why do we cling to this, old, bad, evil system?" asked Mr. Payne. "It is because we ciuinot break away from old customs and habits whether they aro good or bad. We cling to these systems at times, although we knew they are wrong." To perpetuate the practice only tended to emphasise the power of the cheque book. The working man could not see one vestige or touch of brotherhood in the church which charged for the u»fc of its seats. "God's honse should be the home of everyone, twhere ffo can feel the true spirit of brotherhood." added Mr. Payne, who eaid that the system of seat rents had been wiped out in nearly every part of the diocese except Wellington city. He strongly appealed to tho clergy nnd laity of the city to banish the system without further delay., (Applause.) The Itev. G. Y. Woodward seconded tho motion. He said that if there was one place which should Iμ free it was tho Honse of God. To commemorate the sacrifices that had been mado by tho soldiers who had died for the Empire, ho considered pew rents, which were absolutely against the teachings of the. Now Testament, should be abolished.

Labour and the Church, Tho liov. C. H. Grant Coven was also in sympathy with tho motion. It was a lamentable fact that tho bulk . of the people and the Church were entirely out of sympathy with each other. "It is just as well to face facts," remarked Mr. Oowen, "instead of living in a time or dream from which we may never waken. Labour and tho Church arc not only not working together, but are antagonistic to a very great extent. That is due, I think, to that medieval spirit _ which seems somehow or other to have impregnated our Church and come down to tho present day." There should bo no class spirit in the Church. "But," he went on, "the class spirit is undoubtedly present.' Those who can pay the biggest price can command the best seats, just as when wo go to tho Opera House iimi pay ss. or 10s. wo can get the best seals in tho house." If they were anxious that the great bulk of the people should attend their Church, they should show them that tho Church was not a class Church. Tho people should be welcomed and should not be told that unless they paid for their seats they were not welcome. Those Churches that had not abolished pew rents showed a want of faith. If they banished the system the services would be better attended and the work of God would prosper to a greater extent than it was doing at tho present time. "I can only speak for my own parish, said Mr. Cowen, "but I thank God for the day when we abolished pew rente. Tho Ven. Archdeacon A. M. Johnson wanted to know whether it to worth whilo passing tho resolution. If tho three principal city vestries refused to abolish seat rents they could not be forced todo so A number of tho front scats in St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral wore free already Ho was sure that the Churches coulld only bo filled by their showing that they had a feeling of brotherhood with tho people outsido tho Church. Mr R. G. Houso disagreed with the arguments advanced by Archdeacon Johnson. He could not conceive of tho Carpenter of Nazareth feelinj comfortable in a church in which a charge was made for the seats. He supported the Tho Rev. G. W. Dent expressed tho opinion that any man who was turned out of a seat for which a rent was charged would never venture into tliat church again. The Rev. H. G. Blackburne also strongly- urged that pew rent 3 ellmlkl lje , abt ?j ished, and that the House of God should bo made free to all equally. In Palmerston North pew rents nad been dono •',way with, and revenue i'rem that source til tiie amount of ,£3OO was thrown away, but no financial difficulties had arisen as ii. consequence. The Rev. \V. Tye said that tho abolition of pew rents would not encourage people to go to church. People who sioiwed away from church c.;d eo rot tea use rente worn charged for pews, but because they did not want to atArchdeacon Innes-Jones stated that in his parish pew rents had been abolished, and no harm had resulted. If pew rents were abolished there would bo no basis for the argument that the Church of England was "100 respectable." Mr. H. H. Webb raised the question of people having to wait for seats unlit the bell stopped. He disagreed with the practice because a man who was only ullowed a sent on such conditions would naturally fed that the church was not a church for the people, but a cmirdi for the man who could pay for a seat.

What Happens at St. Peter's. Thf Veil. Arclidenoon H. Wnlson snid that the principle Mr. Payne had afhriiicd was right. His own parish 01 ht. Peter's, however, had liabilities to meet, and pew rents were a means to that end. l.'ivo minutes 'before ihe service all souls wero free, and people could sit where thev liked. Sir. It. AVilberfosa raid 'hat Kt M. Peter's pew rents had been used to help to pay debts. Portion of the revenue from the rents had also been used to help the church at Kelb.ini. They could not do nwny with pew rents at S!. Peter's, and if such rents were abolished (lic>- would never gel: anyone to occupy the'position of chuHiwarJen. (Dissent.) The. "Rev. Mr. Bbckburne: lon would bo belter without Ihr-m. "A great portion of the new routs at St Peter's are paid by people who never Minn into the church."• ftlr. Wilberfea continued. (Laughter.) •'And they are sonic of (he oldest parishioners 111 the parish. (Renewed Sonn , ot you may lau?li, but wait a mimilA They would not give up those Feats willintr'iy. T know of one family who have live peats in tin's church. Thov have paid for those seats to my knowledge for l\vntv years, ji'id T liflv'n never seen one of tlipm in church. Tf you went, to that faniilv and asked for a' subscription for St. Peter's Church you would not got a jenny piece.

(More laughter and expressions of surprise.) In St. Peter's parish they were doing their very best, but they did not have very many wealthy people in the parish. It was his opinion that a parish wnicn was poor financially would also be poor spiritually. He Jid not think Hie motion should be. pressed. Tho .Vcn. Archdeacon il. Keevo said that every working awn in New Zealnnd was sufficiently well paid to meet the charge of .£2 2s. a year for (he rent of a pew. Mr. G. G. Bridges moved the following amendment:—"That this Synod affirms the principle of free and open churches throughout the diocese." Mr. Payne agreed lo accept the amendment in place of. the resolution he moved, and on.'being put to the vote it was carried unanimously.