DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Evening Star, Issue 3927, 25 September 1875, Page 2

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The Synod met at four o'clock yesterday afternoon in the City Council Chambers.

The Rev. R. L. Stafford moved—“ That the Synod expresses its regret at that clause in the report of the Standing Committee which speak*'of the apathy with which the project of a missionary clergyman visiting certain districts is regarded in those districts, and instructs the Standing Committee of this Synod to endeav r to set on foot a scheme for appointing at least one missionary clergyman in tue diocese ” It appeared to him that there must be always many districts which were not sufficiently ripe for resident clorgym-n, and could not undertake the total responsibility of his support and residence, yet wouid be glad to contribute towards that of a missionary clergyman.—*■'! he Rev. Mr Gifford, in seconding the motion, said that, though he could not wholly approve of it, it expressed much that he felt. He was aware that apathy had been shown in some of them.—The motion was carried. Mr Lubecki asked the representatives of Gaversham, Clyde, Invercargill, Palmerston, Queenstown, St, Matthews, I ‘unedin, and Waikouaiti why the recommendation of this Synod to give the offertories on the second Sunday of January, 1875 to the Bishopric Endowment I’ und has not been complied with —.Mr Brodkick (Caversham) said the tw Church Wardens in office were both out of town, so he was not able to eet from t hem the information required The Kev. iMr Granger (Waikouaiti) said the offertory had been applied t» the purpose recommended by the Synod.— Gibbs (Juveicargdl) said he had not been able to obtain the information required The R v. W, N. Leeson moved—“ That the petition from the Parochial District of Port Oaalmers to be formed into a parish be received and acted upon.” The Ven. Archdeacon Edwards and the Rev. Mr Beaumont opposed the motion and it was lost. Mr Ashcroft moved :—“ That, with a view to the uigent neces-ity or augmenting the parochial fund- in the parishes of the diocese, and the great advantages to be gained by a simplification of the mo es of raising funds for Ghurch purposes, this Synod respe tfully r> - quests that his Lordship will take such steps as he thinks fit to urge upon churchmen in the diocese the importance of the offert ry and the need which exists of a more liberal and constent recognition of its claims by the members of the church.” He thought if there was one mor '' objectionable practice than another, it was to charge :or a reasonably comfortable seat in tha House of God. He had heard that an effort was made by a Nonconformist body some time ago to rely solely upon i he offertory, and it proved successful. If a short pastoral were drawn up and printed, and distributed through the diocese, backed by a resolution of this kind, it might be productive of good.—Mr Wayne seconded, and the Rev. Mr Stanford supported the resolution.-The President said the system of reat-rents was one which he utterly and totally disagreed with. He would be thankful to members of Synod if the ♦esol ition was carried. T e m-ition was carried unanimously Mr Houghton moved-' That in the opinion of the Synod no appointment to parochial disH lc *o B in m l<^e unk-ss a minimum stipend of 1.250 and residence be guaranteed ; and that, in making such appointment where the stipend does not exceed this amount, a preference shall be to young unmarried ministers xhat in districts unable to guarantee such minimum, recourse shall be hid to lay readers the offices of the Church being supplied oy the nearest resident minister or missionary clergyman, should such an appointment be made.” His object in doing so was to prevent clergymen being sent to districts where there was not sufficient payment. It was better to pay a clergyman well than an inadequate layman. The Rev. Mr Stanford moved that the following clause be added : - “ And that clergymen should be as soon as possible withdrawn from those districts or parishes paying less stipend than the above.” The clause was permitted, and a Select Committee for the supply of clergy to the diocese, consisting of the President, Archdeacon Edwards, the Rev. Mr Granger, Messrs Hardy and Wayne was appointed to consider the motion on the following

iho Chairman said he had a pleasing duty to perform, namely, to announce to the Synod a gift from Mr H. F. Hardy— a gentleman whose liberality they had on former oco vsions known—of two sections of land, as a site for a church and parsonage. The land was situate m a township at Saddle Hill, and at some future time could be used for the purposes for which it was presented. They had a great number of persons in a position similar to that ot Mr Hardy, who might do equal good service to the < 'Lurch. Since he had been in the Diocese he had not had the pleasure of recording many such gifts, and he hoped that this example would not be lost sight of IVIr Quick asked the L)i cesan Treasurer what amounts were due on accounts of the assessments for 1873 and 1874 from the several pari hes and parochial districts, - Mr Hawkins said the total were—lß73, ) 35 19s ; 1874, L7O 7b lid ; grand totals, LlO6 6> lid. I'he Synod resumed the adjourned debate on the question of the adoptiou of the report of the Standing Committee, and subject to a few amendments, it was adopted. The adjourned debate took place on the Vea. rchdeacon Edwards’s motion—“ That in the opiuion of this Synod Statute No. 16 (the Statute, rt * ascertaining fitness of candidates tor deacon’s orders,’ should not be re-enacted,” and the original motion was carried. I he Registiation Bill was read a second time and committed. The Bill wa* entided “ Registration Statute, 1875 : to provide for the registration and revision of lists of persons qualified to vote for lay lepresennatives and Synodsmen.” It was reported, with amendments, and is to be read a third time on Tuesday. Air Hawkins’s resolutions rc General Clergy Maintenance Fund were adopted, with amendments, and the Synod adjourned till Monday.