DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 735, 27 October 1876, Page 2

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Thursday, October 26. The Primate took the chair at 4 p.m. “THE church news.” The Rev Canon CotteriJl said, before the minutes were confirmed, be thought it 'would be very unseemly that the question and answer as to the Church News,' which fook place at their previous sitting.should appear on their minutes. The answer given )oy the manager of the Church Newa contained an accusation by one member of the Synod that he held unsound doctrine, and he ((Janon Cotterill) thought that it was not conducive to the dignity of the that, it should pn thsir

* Mr Malet pointed out that it. was not 6ompotent for any member to move the erasure of any part of the, minutes if they were, correctly taken and were a true record of what took place. Besides this, the question and answer were recorded by direct vote of ' the Synod. •• ' , v V f - ■ Mr Lee took it that the only course for the v Eev Canon Ootterill to take was to move, according to standing orders, that the portion • he objected to be expunged. Bev B. A. Lingard said that when he read the answer to Mr Malet’s question he distinctly asked the Synod if the question and answer should be recorded, and on putting It to the Synod the President declared that the Synod so willed it. Bev Canon Ootterill said that he felt what he had expressed, that the retention on their minutes of a charge of unsound doctrine by one member of the Synod against another, was undesirable and unseemly. He would, however give notice of a motion for expnngthe words complained of. The matter then dropped, and the minutes were confirmed. BOUNDARIES OF PARISHES AND PAROCHIAL DISTRICTS. i . . Bev B. 8. Jackson moved—“ That the Select Committee on the, boundaries of parishes and parochial districts consist of the Very Bev the Dean,, the Eev Canon Ootterill, Hon J. B. A. Acland, Messrs Lee, Stedman, and the mover.” Bev Mr Jackson obtained leave to substitute the name of .'Mr W, Oi Walker for that of Hon J. B. A. Acland. Bev Mr Freeman seconded the original motion, which was agreed to, • MEMORIAL FROM MEBIVAIiE, The President laid on the table a memorial ; .{tom certain parishioners of _ Merivale, praying to be included in parish of St Luke’s, which was read. The Bev B. A Lingard protested against the memorial being received, as it was against the standing orders, which stated that it should come through the clergyman and parish officers.

DIOCESAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE,

The Very Bey the Dean moved—1, “That the Synod, having considered the replies to the circular letter issued to the clergy ol the diocese, at the instance of 1 the diocesan education committee, with re* ferencc to the religious instruction of the children attending Government day schools, desires to express its satisfaction and thankfulness at finding that so much is being done

in various parts of the dioceoe to communicate such instruction, and its hope that further opportunities may be offered Vj other h local school committees, and further exertions made by the clergy, where it lies in their power, for tho promotion of the same object.” r; 2, “ That in view of the difficulties which, Inin all districts of the diocese, hinder more or less the commnnioation of religious instrnc-

tion to children on week days, the Synod

•i recognises the increased importance attach- ■ ing to the work of Sunday schools.” 3, “That a select committee be appointed to consider, and report to the Synod, the best measures to be taken for promoting the efficiency of the Sunday schools of the diocese.” 4. “ That the committee by leave of the Synod consist of eight members besides the Bishop, and that the following clergymen and laymen be elected to serve on the committee Yen Archdeacon Harper, Bevs E. A. Lingard, F. Flavell, H. 0. M. Watson, H. B. Cocks, Mr H. B. Gresaon, Mr H. E. Webb, Mr H. W. Packer, SirThos. Tancred, and the mover.” In moving the first resolution, the Dean said that twenty-one replies had been received, and in nine oases permission was given by the local ,< committees for the clergy to give religions instruction. There were three cases where the ministers, not having the permission of the local committee, had adopted other means of giving religions instruction. In addition to those enumerated hj him there were several districts in which, from the scattered nature of the population, the clergyman could cot, if the permission were granted, give the instruction required. Mr H. B. Gresson seconded the resolution, “ which was agreed to. ; The Dean then moved the second resolution. Bev Mr FlareU seconded the motion, which was earned. The Dean moved the third clause. The U>, Or Hampton seconded the motion* Tho Dean then moved the fourth clause, which was agreed to. GENERAL {STIPEND FUND.

Rev E. S. Jackson moved—l. “That it is desirable to reorganise the financial system of the diocese on the basis of a general stipend fund.” 2. “ That a select committee be appointed to frame a scheme on such basis." 3. “ Snoh committee to consist of the Ten Archdeacon Harper, Bev E. A. Lingard, Messrs Maiet, Mclntyre, Walker, and the mover.” In moving the resolution he wonld desire to say a few words. Under the present system they were fast drifting into Congregationalism, each congregation doing its best for itself, instead of all working together for the common good. The chnrch officers were obliged to go about as it were begging and praying for the parishioners to contribute towards the support of their minister. By peaking a general fund for the payment of stipends, the necessity for going round in this manner would be obviated, and the

church officers and clergymen spared great humiliation. If the Synod affirmed the desirableness of the matter being referred to a select committee, he would be prepared to submit to it o scheme for a general stipend fund. He drd rot expect the natter to bs decided this ration; Indeed it was by far too large ? ’abject, but ha wanted to ventilate the object, eo aa members of Gjnod might eomo prepared to discuss the subject. He would now move clause 1. Sir Thomas Taoored seconded the motion* In answer to a question from Mr Blakiston, Bev E. S, Jackson said that the apportion* tnent from the fund would he made according to size of parishes, length of time of the clergyman being in orders, and the work done by him in the diocese. The apportionment would be made by the properly constituted authorities, Bev Mr Freeman spoke at iqme length on the motion, and was interrupted by the adjournment. The Synod adjourned for refreshment, and on resuming Mr Mclntyre moyed—That the orders of the day be postponed until resolution 8 is disposed of." The Bey Mr Glasson seconded the motion. The President before putting the question doubted whether the 'Synod had'power to do this. ' ‘ ■’ Mbes- acme remarks from Mr Webb and the Hon J. n - Actettf,* the

power of the Synod to take this course by motion, it was decided to postpone the orders of thd day' until Mr Jackson’s resolution had been disposed of. The discussion of Mr Jackson’s first resolution then proceeded. After members had addressed themselves to the motion, Mr Nalder moved the following amendment which was accepted by Mr Jackson — “That it is desirable to consider the present financial system of the diocese with a Wew of ascertaining whether a better scheme than that now in force for the payment of the clergy can be suggested, and. that a select committee be appointed to take the question into consideration, and report to the Synod." The Bev Mr Watson seconded the amendment.

The question that the words of the resolution after the words “desirable” be omitted, with the view of substituting others, was put and agreed to, and the amendment became the substantive motion. After some discussion, Dr Donald moved—- “ That the debate be adjourned for three months.” Yen Archdeacon Willock seconded the motion for adjournment. By leave of the Synod, the words “ now adjourned” were substituted for “ adjourned for ‘three months,” and on being put the motion, as amended, was declared to be lost on the voices. The discussion then proceeded, and after speakers had addressed themselves for and against the motion, it was put and declared to be carried. No 2 resolution on the order paper was not moved. Mr Jackson moved resolution No 8, with the addition, by leave, of the name of the Bev H. B. Cocks. Mr Malet seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Jackson gave notice of his intention to move at next sitting the addition of two names to the committee. QUESTION, i Mr Preston asked whether the recommendation of the church work extension committee is binding upon parishes and parochial districts, vie—That offertories for the church work extension fund be held in every church and place in each parish and parochial district in the diocese where services are held by the clergymen os lay reader. The President: replied that the recommendation of the Church work extension committee—vie, that offertories for the fund of that committee be held in every church and place in each parish and parochial district where divine services are held by the clergyman or lay reader, is simply a recommendation, and not absolutely binding on all the places of worship within such parochial districts, but it is a recommendation which if fully carried out is likely to increase the funds.