DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 124, 23 October 1874, Page 3

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Thursday, October 22. The President took the chair at 4 p.m. THE SEAT FOR GOVERNOR’S BAY. The Clerical Secretary read a letter from Mr A. W. Bennett, stating that he was unab'e from press of business to undertake the duties of synodsman for Governor’s Bay, for which he had been nominated. The Bishop in answer to a question from the Rev F. Pcmber, decided that the Synod could at once proceed to the election of a representative without notice. The Rev F. Pember then proposed Mr Charles Parsons as synodsman for Governor’s Bay, The Rev H. C. Watson seconded the motion. The Rev E. A. Lingard moved—“ That Mr Thomas Pavitt be elected as synodsman for Governor’s Bay.” Mr Alington seconded the nomination. A ballot was taken, but no election resulted, there being no majority in the clerical order, as provided by the statute, for either candidate. A stcc ;,d ballot wrjs taken, when Mr Parsons wa. declared duly elected. CHCS'ja WORK EXTENSION committee. The Vat t ?tev the Dean brought up the report of Cft? Church Work Extension Committee, wl-vfu was read. PAPERS. The Rev Canon Cotterill laid several papers on the table, including return of guarantees and parochial returns. AMENDED FINANCIAL REGULATIONS, The Rev Canon Cotterill moved— That the following addition to the Financial Regulations be read a second time, and considered in committee —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 motion was agreed to and the Synod went into committee, Mr Blakiston in the chair. In committee the Rev Canon Cotterill moved the resolution, which was agreed to. On the motion of the Rev Canon Cotterill, the Regulation was numbered as No 2, clause 9. The resolution as passed by the committee, was then reported to the Synod. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Rev W. H. Cooper moved — That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make the following alteration in the Financial Regulations : —That clause No. 5 be expunged, and that it be replaced by Resolution entitled “stipend to clergy, 1873;” the following alteration being made in the wording of the Resolution : the words : “ in it use their utmost endeavours to ” being left out, and the word “will” inserted. These words occur in the first and second lines of the Resolution. Rev P. Pember seconded the motion. Dr Donald announced his intention of opposing the motion and dividing the Synod on the matter. The Revs H. C. M. Watson, W. E. Paige, Lingard, and Wills, His Honor Mr Justice Gresson, and Mr Blakiston having spoken on the subject. The Rev. C. Bowen suggested that the Rev Mr Cooper should withdraw hi? motion for the Bill, and ask for a Select Committee to consider the question of paying the clergy. After some further discussion, The Rev W. H. Cooper asked leave to withdraw the resolution, giving notice of motion for the appointment of a Select Committee to enquire into the question of the stipends of the clergy with a view to their augmentation. Leave was given and the resolution withdrawn accordingly. PLANS OF BUILDINGS, &C. The Rev J, H. Wills moved— That it be an instruction to the Church Property Trustees, to secure for the future the services of an architect to examine all plans ■of parsonages and other buildings to which iihey may make any grant of money. Mr Graham seconded the motion. The Revs W. W. Willock and W. E. Paige opposed the resolution. His Honor Mr Justice Gresson suggested an alteration in the resolution so that it would read as follows —“That it is desirable that the Church Property Trustees obtain the services of an architect, where practicable, to examine all plans of parsonages and other buildings to which they may make any grant of money.” Mr Bridge supported the motion. The Very Uev the Dean while agreeing that it was perfectly right and reasonable for the Synod to express their opinion that it was desirable, hardly thought it was proper that they should have the word “ instruction ” in the resolution. He hoped Mr Wilis would accept the suggestion of the Judge. Rev Mr Wills agreed to accept the suggestion of the Judge, and amend the resolution, as ho thought it was only a right one. The resolution was then put in the followform—“ That as a general rule, it is desirable that the Church Property Trustees, where practicable, secure the services of an architect to examine all plans of parsonages and other buildings to which they may make any grant of money,” and agreed to. PUBLICATION OP REPORTS. Mr Walker moved—“ That it be an instruction to the Cathedral Commission, Church Work Extension Committee, and Diocesan Education Committee, to furnish to the daily newspapers and the Church News copies of the minutes of the proceedings.” Mr Stedman seconded the motion. The Rev C. Bowen having spoken on the motion, Mr C. R. Blakiston moved that the words “ That it be an instruction ” be.struck out, and the words, ,‘ That as a general rule it is desirable that” be inserted in lieu thereof; also, that the words “ Copies of the minutes” be struck out, and the words “ Abstracts of ” inserted instead thereof. The alteration as proposed by Mr Blakiston was accepted by Mr Walker. Dr Donald opposed the motion, as being too general. After some further discussion, Mr Walker amended his resolution as -follows; That it is desirable that the Cathedral Commission, Church Work Extension Committee, and Diocesan Education Committee, should furnish to the daily newspayers and the Church News reports of thenproceedings, such as they may think ue--cessary to publish.” Mr Alington moved as an amendment — That it is desirable that fuller publicity should be givea to the proceedings of the

Executive Committees of the Synod through the columns of The Church News. Mr Walker’s resolution was then put and negatived, as was also Mr Alingtou’s amendment. Rev Mr Lingard moved as an amendment— That as a general rule it is desirable that abstracts of the proceedings of the Executive Committees of the Synod be furnished to the daily newspapers for publication. The Very Rev the Dean seconded the molion, which was put and agreed to. BOUNDARIES OF PARISHES, The Rev G. Cholmondeley moved — That the Standing Committee be requested to consider during the recess of Synod the question of the boundaries of the several parishes, and to confer with the respective vestries with a view to making any alterations that may bo deemed desirable. The Rev Canon Dudley seconded the motion. The Rev Canon Cotterill suggested the introduction after the words “ several parishes” of the words “ parochial dis Diets ” The Rev Mr Cholmondeley accepted the alteration, and also obtained leave to insert the words “church officers” after the words “ respective vestries.” The motion as amended was then put and agreed to. STANDING COMMITTEE. The Rev Canon Cotterill moved—“ That the Synod proceed to the election of the Standing Committee, which was agreed to. The table of attendance for the past year was laid on the table, and on the motion of the Dean the return was read by the Clerical Secretary. The following were then nominated : Clergy —Very Rev the Dean, Rev Canon Cotterid, Revs Lingard, Glasson, Edward, W. H. Cooper, Pffige, Watson, Cholmondeley, Willock, and C. Bowen. Laity: Messrs Hanmer, Hamilton, C. R. Blakiston, J, B. A. Acland, Malet, Slater, March, Mclntyre, and H. W. Packer. The following were declared elected on the ballot : Clergy : Very Rev the Dean, Canon Cotterill, Revs W. E. Paige, W. W. Willock, B. A. Lingard, and H. J. Edwards. Laity ; Messrs Hanmer, Acland, Blakiston, Hamilton, Slater and Malet. AMENDMENT OF STATUTE NO 3, The Hon J. B. A. Acland moved— For leave to bring in a Bill to amend schedule B of statute No. 3 for regulating the election of synodsmeu. This was to enable the district of Geraldine to have two synodsmen instead of one. The motion was seconded. The Very Rev the Dean thought that it was undesirable to take this subject piecemeal; it ought to be considered generally, and the whole question fairly and equitably discussed. He would move as an amendment “ That the Synod go into committee on the schedule of statute No 3.” Leave was given, the Bill brought in, read a first time, and the second reading and committal fixed for next sitting day. ADJOURNED DEBATE. The adjourned debate on Archdeacon Harper’s resolution—“ 1. That a Select Committee be appointed to consider and report on the best mode of maintaining the church diy 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 in the Government day schools. 2. That the committee consist of the Rev H. J. Edwards, Rev B. A. Lingard, Hon J. B. A. Acland, his Honor Mr Justice Gresson, Mr J. B. Marsh, and the mover”—was resumed by Mr Alington, who said that he had risen the previous night to move the adjournment of the debate, so that a large attendance of the laity might be present. He regretted now that both the Dean’s and Archdeacon’s motions were not brought on early in the session, as they were constitutional questions which should be discussed at length by the Synod. The Diocesan Education Committee collected various statistics, and also granted small aid to parochial schools which had been struggling for an existence. He thought the country had been bribed into a great expense on this scheme, and it ought to be their duty to bring it back. The parochial schools were obliged to be closed, and there were only about three in existence. St Luke’s parish had affirmed its wish that their parochial school should be kept open for the instruction of itschildrcn, to which the clergymen should have free access; but difficulties had arisen which might possibly compel its closing unless a grant were given to it, and he felt that grants should be given to all parochial schools. Any one who had watched the debates in the Provincial Council must agree with him that it was an understood feeling that no religious instruction was to be given whatever. With reference to upcountry districts, he was of opinion that the clergymen should visit occasionally to give instruction. He then referred to the act ion of some of the local committees in refusing clergymen the opportunity of giving religious instruction, and thought the question should have been faced long ago. He thought these schools should be kept open at any cost until the committees consented to permit clergymen to give religious instruction, or till they had established a diocesan system of schools. Before the bynod separated it would be its bounden duty to grapple with this question. Mr W. C. Walker said he had anticipated that the recommendations of the committee would be taken on this question, and he had not expected that any discussion would have taken place until the recommendations had been brought down. Religious education was no doubt at a very low ebb at the present time, but whose fault was it? Why, the fault of the members of the Church of England. At the March election was this question made an election question ? No. If the Ordinance was faulty, and he believed it to be, it was the people of the province, and the Church of England members principally, who were to blame, as they constituted the largest proportion. The elections had gone on as if the people were satisfied with the working of the Ordinance. If every man had done his best at such a time, it would have done more good than appointing Select Committees of the Synod. He agreed with the Rev Mr Bowen the previous night, that the Synod could not do much to affect the proceedings of the Provincial Council if they wore not backed upbythe people; and unlessthey could influence the people to take some action in the matter the result could not be satisfactory. Some of the members in the Council were afiaid that if the Ordinance were

touched it would fall to the ground, but if no one else moved in the matter, he would endeavor, in his place in the Council, to have that obnoxious clause remove 1, which left vhc option of religious instruction being imparted in the power of committees. [Hear, hear] The committees were chosen every year, ami if the people endeavoured to have persons on those committees who held the. view that religious instruction should oe given, the result was bitter strife, and for that reason he considered the clause a most obnoxious one, and would do bis best to have it removed.

Dr Donald said that the committee in bis district had set aside a portion of the week for religious instruction, and had the application been made to all the committees to allow religious-instruction, as it had been to the Lyttelton one, no difficulty would, in his opinion, have arisen. Ho thought it a pity that the resolution had been framed in its present fashion. Hud a portion of it been left out it would not have, read in the inimical spirit to the Ordinance that it bore then, as it was assuming a position to the Education Ordinance which he thought would result most unhappily.

His Honor Judge GuESSON agreed with those gentlemen as to the importance of the subject, but thought it was undesirable that the motion should appear as opposed to the Ordinance. Ho considered that the Ordinance was defective in the clause requiring that children should not have religious instruction imparted to them without a written order. f Hear, hear.] He had listened with pleasure to the intended action which Mr Walker had said he would take in his place in the Provincial Council. If the Ordinance intended that religious instruction should be excluded altogether, it was inconsistent with itself, and be did not think the majority of the members of the Provincial Council would think that secular instruction without a religion was education. [Hear.] He did not understand why the fear of so-called sectarianism should make the people afraid to allow ministers to impart religious instruction to children. There was a very great difference between proselytising and instructing the children in their own denomination. lie never could understand why there should be such a fear of sectarianism. If the Government would not treat this matter as a bull did a red rag, a great deal of good would be done. He would oppose anything approaching proselytising ; but ho could see no objection to ministers teaching children of their own denomination. He did not agree with the wording of the resolution, and would like to see Archdeacon Harper make some alteration in it.

Mr C. R. Blakiston said that he thought there was little more to say. He desired to refer to one remark of the Kev Mr Lingard’s, who seemed to think that St Luke’s Church was virtually disenfranchised, as the members of the Synod were opposed to the motion. He thought the Anglican Church should hold out the righthand of fellowship to other churches in trying to bring this matter before their people, so that influence might be brought to bear on the question of religious instruction being imparted. Let them one and all try to bring about an amendment in the Government Ordinance.

Mr Malet rose to say that it was not his intention to move his amendment, and would merely move it pro forma , as Archdeacon Harper intended, he believed, to amend the resolution. He hoped that there would be elected on the committee clergymen who had had experience of the working of the present Ordinance. The Rev W. W. WILLOCK seconded the amendment.

The amendment as amended was seconded by Archdeacon Harper, *Mr MTntyre gave notice that he would move an amendment at the proper time if Mr Malet’s amendment were carried.

The Rev W. W. vVTllock regretted that this question had arisen, for he thought the experience of members of the Educational Committee would support him on the assertion that, whilst there might have been refusal to permit religious instruction, the condition of many children showed that such instruction would have been useless. Let them, however, endeavor to remove the stigma from the Province of Canterbury that coteries, composed of tinkers and tailors and uneducated men, were permitted to prevent ministers imparting religious instruction in schools. In bis district (Kaiapoi) there had been no unwillingness to allow this instruction to be given. The Rev Mr Watson said that he could not understand how some persons could call the present system of education a Godless one. He agreed with what had been said about those committees who had refused to allow religions instruction to be given, but did not agree with the conditions under which it could be taught. He would like to see permission to ministers to impart religious instruction one half-hour each morning during the week. He did not believe the Legislature was opposed to religious instruction being taught by ministers, and felt that the prayer of the Synod would not be refused by the Legislature if backed up by the voice of the people. The Itev Mr Lingard said he approved of parents having to give written orders before their children could receive religious instruction. He had alw tys taken a great interest in the Education Ordinance, and had attended the meeting of the East Christchurch Committee on last Monday night, so that he might be elected on that Committee. Mr George Gordon said he felt almost ashamed that the cry of poverty should come from the parish of St Luke’s, as if the Church school were required there, many influential men would have come forward and supported it. Church schools had done good work, but they had had their day. He thought it would be a great mistake to vote a sura of money to support parochial schools, and if they intended to vote anv money, it should be to appoint an Inspector to look after their Sunday schools. Mr Bishop said that by the consent of all the parents in his district (Okaiu’s Bay), he was teaching the catechism tochildren attending his school. The Rev Mr Preston said that out of ten schools in the Geraldine district, the catechism was being taught in six. Mr Hawices said that if any member of the Synod relied on their proceedings influencing the next elections, they would be relying on a rotten reed. It was their church members they should endeavour to influence, and he would ask the committee to seriously consider what course they would take if their desire in this matter was not attained.

Archdeacon Harper having replied, Mr Malet’s amendment was put and carried.

Mr Mclntyre moved a further amendment, which Mr Malet accepted, and the amended amendment was then put and carried, reading as follows : —“That a Select Committee be appointed to consider and report on the desirability or otherwise of maintaining church day schools; and on the best mode of securing to the parochial clergy or others acting under them the privilege of imparting religious instruction to children educated in the Government day schools.” appointment of committee. The appointment of the committee was postponed until to-day’s sitting. ADJOURNM ENT. Notices of mo'iou h iving been given the Synod adjourned until 4 p rn. this day.