DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3519, 18 October 1882, Page 3

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

TuESDAr, October 17,

The Synod met at 4 p.m. in St. John's school-room. Present: Tbe Bishop of Waiapu (President), Archdeacon Williams, the Revs. J. 0. Eccles, E. H. Granger, W. Goodyear, Deßerdt Hovell, J. Hill, C. Jordon, F. H. Long, H. Mac lean, H. W. St. Hill, S. M. Spencer, C. L. Luke, S. Williams, and Messrs H. A. Banner, J. J. Buchanan, A. J. Ootterill, H. Ellison, J. B. Fielder, T. K. Newton, J. Nairn, C. A. Fitzßoy, M. R. Miller, R. C. Pasley, G. A. Preece, T. Morrison, Montague H. Smith, and T. Tunks. The Synod having been constituted in the usual manner, the President delivered his opening address, in the course of which he referred at considerable length to some of the special hindrances that retard the growth and expansion of the Christian religion, one of the chief of which was " the generally diffused sceptisism that had penetrated to all ranks of society," resulting in indifference to supernatural revelation, and even, in many instances, " contempt for its claims." Another hindrance was a "wide-spread worldlinees" (the product of a " superficial civilisation,"; one direct result of which was " the drying up of the streams of liberality, which should be ever prompt to flow." Divine intervention in the shape of a spiritual revival was needed to remedy the condition of affairs described ; to " fill the empty pews in the churches " ; to give hearty fervor to the " languid devotion of a perfunctory service"; and to " submerge all those petty distinctions that at present divide Christians." Referring to financial matters tbe Rev. President said the anxious attention of the Synod should be directed to repairing present defects in that department. The changes that had taken place in the clerical staff of the diocese included the resignation of the Rev. John Spear of the parish of All Saints, Taradale, and of the Rev. Edward Williams, of the parish of the Holy Trinity, Gisborne, whose places had been filled by the Rev. E. H. Granger and the Rev. J. Hill respectively. The Rev. H. Maclean has also been appointed curate to the Rev. H. W. St. Hill, of Havelock parish. Regret was expressed tbat tbe efforts made in tbe legislature to obtain a modification of the Education Act in respect to Bible reading in schools was unsuccessful, and in connection therewith it was mentioned that " voluntary Bible classes" bad been conducted after school hours (with tbe consent of the committees) at Napier, Gisborne, and Port Ahuriri. The remaining subjects touched upon in the address were the local branch of the Church of England Temperance Society and the District Native Church Board, both of which were stated to be progressing satisfactorily. A vote of thanks was accorded to the President for his address.

An apology for absence, through an accident received, was read from Rev. F. E. T. Fimcox; and the resignation of Mr R. P- Williams as a member of the Synod was accepted. The Rev. J. C. Eccles was appointed clerical secretary, Mr Fielder lay secretary, and Mr Newton chairman of committees.

The following new members were appointed :—Mr W. Ellison, for Napier district, vice Mr G. E. Sainsbury; Mr Thomas Morrison, for Gisborne district, vice Mr R. Dobson, resigned ; Mr Henry Hill, for Waiapu district, vice Captain Preece, elected for the districts of Waiapu and Opotiki. Several reports were received, and a number of notices of motion having been given, the Synod adjourned to the following day at 4 p.m.