DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 425, 22 October 1875, Page 2

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Thursday, October 21. The President took his seat at 4 p,m. f and opened the proceedings with prayer. RESIGNATION. The President stated that he had received from Mr Vigers his resignation as Synodsman for Governor’s Bay. He had, therefore, to declare the seat for Governor’s Bay to be vacant. ELECTION FOR THE PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST. Rev Canon Cotterill, moved—“ That a select committee be appointed to consider the validity of the election of Sir J. C. Wilson and Mr H. Thomson as Synodsmen for St John the Baptist’s, Christchurch, to which election a protest has been presented to the Bishop by Mr F. G. P. Leach, a candidate at the election, within one calendar month from the day of election.” Rev H. C. M. Watson said that the Synod could either decide the question at once or refer it to a select committee. He thought that the matter might be decided at once. He might mention that both the gentlemen objected to were communicants. After a slight discussion, the motion was agreed to. Rev Canon Cotterill moved—“ That the committee consist of Yen Archdeacon Willock, Messrs H. J. Tancred, R. J. S. Harman, Cowlishaw, G. L. Mellish, Hon J. B. A. Acland, and the mover.” The motion was agreed to. ELECTION FOR AKAROA, Mr Mclntyre moved —“ That Mr J. G. Hawkes be appointed Synodsman for the parish of Akaroa. Rev J. H. Wills moved—“ That Mr H. Slater be appointed Synobsman for Akaroa.’. Mr Hanmcr moved—“ That Mr Augustus Noel Blakiston be elected as Synodsman.” Archdeacon Willock moved—“ That MrT. W. Maude be elected.” Four ballots were taken, each resulting in no election, it being required that the person elected should receive a majority in each order of clergy and laity. Another ballot was taken on the following candidates—Mr J. G. Hawkes, Mr H. Slater, Mr A. F. N. Blakiston, and Dr Symes, and this also resulted in no election. A sixth ballot took place on the same four candidates, and the president ruled to state the. numbers voting for each candidate which were— Clergy. Laity. Slater 10 ... 4 Hawkes ... ... 11 ... 20 Blakiston 7 ... 7 Symes ... ... 0 ... 0 There was no election. Mr Hawkes had a clear majority with the laity but not with the clergy, eleven of whom voted for him and seventeen against him. The President then called for fresh nominations, when Mr J. G, Hawkes being the only person nominated, was declared duly elected. DIOCESAN CLERICAL PENSION FUND. The Synod then proceeded to consider the following motion, moved at the previous sitting by the Rev G. J. Cholmondeley:— “ 1. That a select committee be appointed, a. To consider the provisions and p*ospeots

of the Diocesan Clerical Pension Fund, with a view to suggesting such alterations as may seem necessary to give greater permanency to its arrangements, and to afford better security for its effective working, h. To collect information with reference to the working of any pension funds established in the various dioceses of the Colonial Church, c. To report upon the provisions of any scheme for a general pension fund, which may be proposed by the Pension Board appointed by the General Synod, and how far such Scheme is likely to meet the requirements of this diocese, d. To report to the Synod at its next annual session.” And also the following amendment, moved by the Bev Canon Cotterill:—‘‘That for the words ‘a select committee be appointed,’ be substituted the words ‘ the standing committee be inBtructed,’ ** The amendment was agreed to on the voices, and the resolution as amended was also agreed to. QUALIFICATION op church officers. The Dean moved—” That, inasmuch as it is required as a qualification for Synodsmen, and for several offices held under the Synod, that the holders of those offices should be Communicants, but no rule is laid down by the General Synod for ascertaining who are and who are not Communicants within the meaning of its Statutes, it is desirable, in the opinion of this Synod, that some means should be adopted for supplying this deficiency.” He said that the motion was put on the paper without having the slightest reference to the disputed election in St John’s parish. It was required that persons filling offices in the Church should be communicants, and the resolution affirmed the desirabiPty of some means being adopted by which it could be ascertained who were and who were not communicants within the meaning of the statutes. The rubric laid down that each parishioner should communicate three times a year, of which Easter was to be one; that definition prevailed in England, but would be hardly applicable in this colony, where it might be impossible for a man to communicate at Easter. Then, who was to say that a man had communicated three times in a year ? Was the clergyman of the parish to do this ? He (the Dean) could hardly see how the clergyman of a town parish could do that. He quoted from a letter from the Dean of Adelaide, who stated that it was there con Bidered that a person was in full communion when he was in the habit of receiving the holy communion. In a second resolution, which he proposed to move, he meant to propose that it should be sufficient if a person made a declaration, in writing, that he had received the communion not less than thrice in the year. The resolution, however, which he now moved merely declared that it was desirable some rule should be laid down as a guide on this important question, for if a laxity were allowed to grow up, and persons who were not in full communion with the Church allowed to hold office therein, they would be sapping their constitutions, and would present but a weak front to those opposed to them. Dr Donald opposed the resolution with regret, but he felt compelled to do so, because he feared that it would have a tendency to cause disaffection rather than affection for the Church. A man might be so circumstanced as to be prevented from communicating even three times a year, and should such a man be disqualified from office in the Church from circumstances which were probably not his fault. He, thought that at present the motion was unwise, as the necessity had not arisen for it. Bev W. H. Cooper supported the resolution, believing that it was necessary there should be some rule for determining who were communicants. R ev Otway also supported the motion, which was agreed to on the voices. The Dean moved—“ That, in the opinion of this Synod, in the absence of any satisfactory rule which can be laid down in this matter, it ought to be deemed sufficient that, in the event of a question being raised whether any individual is a Communicant or not, he should himself declare in writing that he is a Communicant.” Rev H, J. Wills moved an amendment to

• the effect that the party making the written declaration should declare that he had been E:.* communicant for at least three times • during the past year. Sir Cracroft Wilson expressed his intention tjf voting against the amendment, and in favor of the original resolution. Bev G, J. Cholmondeley would support the •original resolution, believing that if the - amendment were passed, it would not be i. effectual in procuring the end aimed at, Bev B. A. Lingard was afraid of both the amendment and the original resolution, •i‘ ifaecause no resolution the Synod could pass • would override the Prayer-book, or prevent < a parish priest from declaring a man ineligible lor an office because he did not communicate for at least thrice a year.

Bev F. Knowles opposed the amendment, believing that it would have a tendency to prevent frequent communion. The amendment was negatived on the

voices, and the original resolution agreed to. The Dean moved —“That the President be requested to communicate these resolutions to the Bishops of the province, with a view to their being laid before their Diocesan Synods, and, if approved by them, to their being recommended to the General Synod for adoption.” The motion was agreed to. ALTERATION OF FORM ULARIES

Archdeacon Harper moved—“ That a select committee be appointed to consider and report on the draft Bill sent down by the General Synod for the consideration of Diocesan Synods, in reference to alteration of formularies, and other matters required by the altered circumstances of the Church.

After a slight discussion the motion was agreed to on the voices. Archdeacon Harper moved —“ That the committee consist of the Ven Archdeacon Willock, Rev H. C. M. Watson, Rev W. E. Paige, Sir Thomas Tancred, Hon 5. B. A. Acland, Mr Hanmer, the Dean, and the mover.” The motion was agreed to. UNIFORMITY OF WORSHIP,

Mr Twentyman moved—“ That a select committee of the Synod be appointed to inquire into the manner in which Divine Service is conducted in this Diocese, and to report, with recommendations, as to the means best adapted to secure uniformity of worship, and obedience to the prayer book.” •He said that he approached this subject with wery great pain and reluctance, but before he eat down he trusted that he should convince the Synod that innovations had been introduced into the church which perhaps would

not have attracted much notice had he not been acquainted with the history of the church for the last forty-five years. He quoted from the British Critic of 1841, which was then the organ of the Tractarian party to shew that there was an attempt to unprotesfantize the English Church. Here, there was a similar movement going on by many very earnest men, some of whom perhaps only wished to make the service more attractive ; and with regard to this he would say that if the presence of the Master would not make the service attractive nothing of human invention could do so. He quoted a passage from th e Union of 1867, which, he was informed, was the recognised organ of a party called the English Church Union, the object of which was to promote a union between the Churches of England and Rome. He should like to see such a union on a proper footing, but he feared that such an attempt would alienate the Church from those Evangelical bodies Jwhich differed from the Church of England only in the matter of Church government. The passage he quoted advocated the gradual introduction of confession, and the nearer approach to Rome would soon follow. Rev W. E. Paige would ask by what authority Mr Twentyraan said that the Union was the recognised organ of the English Church Union ? Mr Twentjman had no particular authority, but he had been informed so. Rev W. E. Paige could state that the Union was never the recognized organ of the English Church Union. Mr Twentyman then quoted from the Church Times to prove that the rendering of the worship of a more ornate character, the turning to the east, and the wearing of a white gown for a black one, had all a tendency to break down the barriers between the Church of England and that of Rome. He stated that on going into the depot of the Christian Knowledge Society before it passed into the hands of the Messrs Bowden, he found there a book which was entitled “ Choke on Confession.”

Rev E. A. Lingard—No such book was ever in the depot. “Choke on the Catechism” was there, a very different book. Mr Twentyman resumed bis address, deprecating the innovations and practices which had been introduced into the service of the Church, as contrary to the rubric, and having a leaning towards the Church of Rome, He much feared that there was an attempt to inculcate the doctrine that the service of the Holy Communion was the offering up of a sacrifice, which was contrary to the teaching of the Church as set forth in the Prayer-book, He had dealt with broad, general principles, and he trustedthat such a spirit would be carried throughout the debate, and anything like personal matters avoided. Earnestness and sincerity might be very commendable, but if they were connected with the propagation of error they should be avoided —for instance, Matthew Arnold and Mr Voysey were both very sincere and earnest, but he hardly thought their views could be accepted as truth. With regard to the Dean’s amendment, he (Mr Twentyman) did not seek to impose new tests, but to enforce those which already existed. In conclusion, he would call on the Bishop as chief pastor, the clergy, and the laity, to preserve untouched that church which they had received as a precious heritage from their fathers. [ Applause,]

Mr Packer seconded the motion. On the motion of Mr Malet, the debate was adjourned until the following day. Notices of motion having been given, the Synod adjourned until 4 pm. next day.

NOTICES OF MOTION.

I. Rev E. R. Otway, to move—

“1. That the Sj nod do proceed to the appointment of a Synodsman for the parish of Governor’s Bay.” “2. To nominate Mr 0. Parsons to be the Synodsman.” lI.—ADJOURNED DEBATE (Mr F. de C. Malet to resume the debate') on Mr Twentyman’s motion—- “ I. That a select committee of the Synod be appointed to inquire into the manner in which Divine Service is conducted in this Diocese, and to report, with recommendations, as to the means best adapted to secure uniformity of worship, and obedience to the prayer book. *'2. That the Committee consist of the Bishop, Revs. J. Wilson, and H. 0. M. Watson, Messrs Cowlishaw, Lane, Harman, and the mover.” The Dean’s amendment—

“ That it is inexpedient to grant the proposed committee, inasmuch as, in the opinion of this Synod, it would be futile and mischievous to endeavor to impose new tests and rules for securing uniformity of worship over and above those which are already in force in this Diocese.”

111. Mr Acland, to move—- " That in order to aid the Pension Board appointed by the General Synod to draw up a scheme for a general pension fund, it is desirable that replies should be sent as soon as possible to the questions asked by the Pension Board.”

IV. Mr Malet, to move—- “ That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the regulation which defines the duties of vestrymen ; and contingent on leave being given that it be read a first time.” V, Mr Acland, to move—

“ 1, That a select committee be appointed to revise all such statutes as are not referred to any special committee, and to draw up analysis and side notes to aid in reference to the same, and also to revise the standing orders, and append side notes to same. “2. That the committee consist of the Very Rev the Dean, Rev F. A. Hare. P. Hanmer, Esq, 0. R. Blakiston, Esq, and the mover.”

VI. The Archdeacon of Akaroa, to move—- “ That the Synod proceed to elect two Church Property Trustees in the room of W. Donald and George Gordon, Esqs, who retire by rotation.” Rev J. H. Wills, to move (amendment) — “ That in the opinion of this Synod it is not desirable to proceed to the election of two Church Property Trustees until after the report of the select committee appointed to inquire into the position and management of the church property be presented to the Synod.” VII. The Dean, to move—- “ That Mr G, L. Mellish and Mr G, Gordon be appointed as Church Property Trustees, to fill the vacancies caused by the retirement by rotation of Mr G. Gordon and Mr W. Donald.” VIII. Mr Hanmer to move—

“ That the parcel of land comprised in a certain deed, dated the 19th day of January, I 86(!, and expressed to be made between Robert Luke Higgins, Esq. of the one part, and the Church Property Trustees of the

other part, and registered in the Registry of Deeds Office, Christchurch, and numbered 20589, which property was by the said deed vested in the Church Property Trustees, as and for a site for a parsonage house or residence for the incumbent or minister of the Church of England and Ireland, as by law established for the time being of the district or parish in which the said parcel of land is situate, and for glebe land to be held and enjoyed by such incumbent or minister as aforesaid, be with the consent of the said Robert LukeHiggins,sold to HadarezerCharles Henderson Knowles, of the Oust district, esquire, for the sum of two hundred and seventy-five pounds, and that the Church Property Trustees aforesaid are and shall be empowered to make such sale accordingly.” IX. Mr Tipping, to move—- “ That the sum of .£275 paid by Mr Knowles be handed on to the churchwardens of the Oust district, to be expended in the building of a parsonage, on the ground now set apart for that purpose.”

X. Mr Hanmer, to move “1. That the consent of this Synod be given to a certain lease from the Diocesan Board of Trustees to Messrs Gough and White of sixty nine and a half acres, being the rural sections numbered respectively 121 and 123, for fourteen years from 25th December, 18fi9,jat the yearly rent of £69 10s in accordance with the provisions contained in the schedule to the Bishops in New Zealand Trusts Act, 1871. “2. That the standing committee of this diocese be authorised to give the c onsent of the Synod required by the Bishops in New Zealand Trusts Act, 1871, to deed of lease which shall be approved of by the standing committee, to which the consent of the Diocesan Synod is by the said Act required to be given. That the members for the time being of the standing committee of this diocese be authorised to appoint a new trustee or new trustees in accordance with the provisions of the schedule to the Bishops in New Zealand Trusts Act, 1871.” XI. Mr P. H. Russell to move—

“ That the report of the commission, appointed by the Right Rev the Bishop, to inquire into the condition of the cure of St Mary’s Parish, Timaru, be read and laid upon the table, with any other papers relative thereto.”

XII. Archdeacon Harper to move—- “ That whereas the parish church of St Michael and All Angels is also the procathedral of the Diocese, it is expedient that whenever it is required for Diocesan services, the Dean and Chapter shall have the entire control of the church and the direction of the services for the time being.” XIII. Mr Mclntyre, to move—- “ For leave to introduce a Bill to amend Statute No 3, as follows : Clause B—To strike out all the words after the word ‘ vacant ’ in the fourth line, and substitute the following—‘A short adjournment of the Synod shall take place forthwith, for the purpose of enabling the lay members of the Synod to elect some person to fill the vacancy ; and any person so elected, upon his name being reported to the Synod by the lay secretary, shall be entitled to take his seat. Any vacancy which may occur during the session from any other cause shall be filled up in the same manner.’ ” XIV. Rev E. A. Lingard, to move—- “ That for the remainder of the session the time of adjournment be from 6.30 p.m. to 7 p.m.” XV. Rev H. Glasson, to move—- “ That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend Diocesan Statute No 3, schedule B, by substituting for the words ‘ the parish of Avonside one synodsman,’ the words ‘ the parish of Avonside two synodsmen ;’ and, in case of leave being given, that the Bill be read a first time.” XVI. Rev B. A. Lingard, to move—- “ That, in the resolution with respect to the 1 Extension of benefits of the Church Property Trust beyond the Canterbury block ’ (Synod Report, p 56), the words ‘ so far as the stipends of the clergy are concerned,’ be expunged.”