GENERAL SYNOD

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1921, 21 April 1880, Page 3

GENERAL SYNOD

Tuesday, April 20. The Synod resumed at 4 o'clock. A number of notices of motion were given, and papers laid on the table. The H ynod then proceeded to business on the order paper. The Right Pev. the Bishop of Dunedin moved —" 1. That the resolution of the Synod of th ! > Diocasoof Auckland respecting marriage licences be referred to a special committee, to be conside ed and reported npon. 2. i-"uch committee to consist of the Bishop of Wellington, Archdeacon Maunsell, Archdeacon Williams, Mr Fitzherberfc, Mr Quick, Mr Acland, and the mover." Archdeacon Stock opposed the motion, on the ground that, as he understood, the question of marriage licences was not an open question requiring settlement: but marriage by liceace waa a law of tho Church of England apart from the State, and he thought, under these circumstances, the principle should be discussed before appointing a committee of the kind. He then proceeded to offer argamenta in snpport of his contention that the issuing of licensing by tho Ordinary of the Diocese was part of the prerogitive of the Bishop of the Dioceae, and that the matter was not an open question. A riscusaion ensued, in wbich it was pointed out that to refuse the committee asked for would be exhibiting a want of courtesy, whilst the arguments used by Archdeacon Harper against it wore not convincing.

The motion was then pnt to the Synod, and carried.

On the motion of Mr Quick, the following resolution was passed :—" That it he an instruction to the printing committee to have the Bishops of J>ew Zealand Trusts Act, 1871, printed in the appendix to the Proceedings of the present Synod." The Rev. W. P. Tanner moved—"l. That this Synod approves of the present system of maintaining schools in rural districts, and coneiders that free schools should be provided in centres of population for elementary education only ; but it is of opinion that further than this all the responsibility of education, both primary and secondary, should be left to private enterprise, with the offer of grants in aid to such schools as may submit themselves to public inspection. 2. That the Primate be respectfully lequested to send copies of this resolution to the Synods of the .Roman Catholic and Presbyterian Churches, and to the Wesleyan Conference, inviting them to assist in promoting this plan." In speaking to the motion the rev. gentleman said he knew that a gieat deal of dissatisfaction wa3 felt in reference to the present system of public education, and a general feeling existed that something further should be done in reference to the religions education of the young. He then reviewed the propositions advanced as to the introduction of the religious element—one was that the Bible should be read without comment, and the other that such instruction should bo imparted by a sort of moral exhortation without reading the Bible at all, neither of which, he submitted, would meet the object sought to ba attained. He desired to Bee education by association, and referred to a'i expression of public opinion in Duncdin, supporting the view of this subject embodied in the resolutions before the House. He would also advocate the promotion of a generous rivalry by introducing a system of public inspection of the private schools. If these things could be properly carried out, he thought the result would offer a satisfacto-y answer to the objections of various kinds that were offered by the supporters of what was called national education. The Rev. Mr Beaumont seconded the motion. Archdeacon Butt said the resolution opened up the qnestion of State education versus Denomi' ationalism, and it was recognised that the Utter form of instruction had a large unmber of opponents. Personally he objected to the State system, bat was afraid they could not he p thorn-elves at prosent. The Dean of Christehurch objected to a subject of such importance being discussed in dribbljs, particul »rly as they had three different representations from three of the f.ioeesan Synods in reference to it. Fe would therefore move as an amendment—" That in view of the fact that three Diocesan Synods of this ecclesiastical province have rra-le representa tious to this :-<ynod on the subject of public primary education, it is expedient that a select committee should be appointed to consider and report on the-e representations, that the Ifev. Mr Tanner's motion be referred to such committee, and that the committeo be requested to consider and report upon the whole question."

ihe amendment wai seconded by Mr Grigg, and the mover of the original resolution expressed his willingness to allow the matter to go before a committee. The Dean's amendment was then put and carried.

On the motion of the Dean of Ohristchurch, a Bill to amend Statute N'o. 7 for establishing a Standing Commission, was introduced and read a first time, and the Sfcond reading made an Order of the Day for Wednesday. Mr C. Hunter Brown moved :—" 1. That this Synod do request the Eight Kevorend the Bench of Bishops to prepare for nso (constant

or occasional as the case may require) in the the churches of this Ecclesiastical province such prayers as from time to time the circumstances of this IChurch and Colony may require. Such prayers to be laid before the next General Synod at it< first session. 2. And that this Synod do further respectfully! suggest the following as subjects and occasions which seem to call for such provision of prayer in the congregation :—Missions to the heathen, the Maori apostacy, the election of a Bishop, the choice of an Incumbent for a vacant cure, the choice of a Governor for this Colony, a general election, a Native insurrection. Famine in any part of Her Majesty's dominions or elsewhere." He spoke at some length in support of the motion. Seconded by the Vory Rev. the Dean of Christchurch.

A discussion on the question ensued, which was interrupted by the evening adjournment. On resuming at 7.30 the Synod proceeded to orders of the day. The Bishop of Dunedin moved:—"That a Committee be appointed to consider and ropott upon the desirability of taking step 3 to enable Ry members of the Church of Sweden who may reside in this country to be received into the communion of this Church, and as to the conditions under which clergymen of that Church may be affiliated to this one " In support of his motion the Eight Eev. gentleman spoke of the importance of preserving the unity of the Church, and referred the House to a resolution of the Synod, which would be found on page 197 of the General Synod reports, and which placed that subject before them in a very clear and emphatic manner, namely, that the Synod recognised the restoration of the unity of Christ's Chu-ch aa one of the principal objects to which their efforts should be directed, and he took this as a justification of his action in bringing forward this resolution. As to any objection that might arise to their holding communion with that particular branch of Christ's Church, from any defect or want of truth within itself, <hat question must be sett'ed by their making themselves better acquainted with that bianoh of the Church than the majority of them had had thi opportunity of doing up to the present. With this object the rev. gentleman proceeded to give, his exp >rlence and general knowledge of its constitution, with the object of showiv.g that a feeling of warm attachment to the Church of Knglau 1 was entertained by eminent theslogians and dignitaries of the Swedish Church with whom he had held intercourse; and he added, that hi-t own experience had shown him that the Swedish people were much devoted to religious observances, and that the Church was one quite worthy of their brotherly regard. In conclusion, ho said he did not wish to see any precipitate action taken; but thought some arrangement should be carried out by which one Church could communicate with the other, so that in due course such action might transpire as that indicated. There were possibly drawbacks in that Caurch. But if there were failings and bkts discovered there, let them not therefore be thrust apart, but let an endeavor be made to discover more about them, and give them an opportunity of better acquaintance with ourselves; fo that in Go'd's own time those failings might disappear, and they might really be incorporated in the truest sense a 3 one. The motion was seconded by the Rev J. C. Andrew, and carried ncm. con-

The following were the committee appointed: The Right Revs, the Bishops of Nelson and Dunedin, tho Dean of Christchurch, Archdeacon Williams. Archdeacon Harper, Rev. Mr Fancourt, and Mr Hunter Brown.

The adjourned debate on air Hunter Brown's motion re special prayers, waa resumed, and continued .'it some length, opinions generally beirg favorable to the proposal, but a difference arose on a question that presented itself, as to whether the p-ayers suggested should be compu'sory or optional. To tho first clause an amend nent was made, addine to it the words " for information of the Synod." Mr Brown asked leave to withdraw the second portion of his resolution, suggesting a list of subjects for prayers, and did so bscause the motion appeared to have elicited an extremely undesirable discuss ion, and one totally unexpected by him. Further, the Synod appeared to shrink from exercising its authority to direct a certain form of prayers to be used in the churches of the Ecclesiastical Province, and in that case sufficient hud already been taid to indicate the subjects for wk ch it was thought prayers should bs prepared, without runr.ing the risk of having an unseemly discussion thereupon. The request of Mr Brown being acceded to, the latter portion of the resolution waß withdrawn. The Ven Archde'.con Maunsell moved — " That this Synod returns its hearty thanks to the Right Rev. the Bishop of Nelaon, for the sermon that he preached bsfore its members on the evening of April 14th, and expresses a hope that, it will be printed." Theßsv. J. C. Andrew moved—" That tbe minutes of the proceedings of the Synod be printed in full." The motion was seconded by Mr Collins, and, after discussion, lost on a division.

The following motion was carried, on the motion of the Dean of Cbriatchurch—''That it be an instruction to the Printing Committee to append to the resolutions printed in tho report th<« dates at which they were severally adopted." The Rev. Mr Tanner moved "That no persona shall be entitled to receive the offices of the Church except those whose names are on the churchwardens' books as having contributed by way of offering certain optional amounts, to be called church duos. Provided that the services of the Church shall be at any time given at the request of any two members who may be at the time fulfilling the afore-mentioned duty." The motion was not seconded, therefore lapsed. The Dean of Christchurch moved—" That the President be respectfully requested to nominate Sessional Corrmitteos for the present session. 1. To tabulate Diocesan returns on the state of the Church, and 2. On the Home and Foreign Missions of this Church."

Seconded by Archdeacon Harper, and carried. Archdeacon Harper moved the adoption of the report of she Committee on Sessional Committees. Tho motion was carried. In connection with the above, The Bishop of Melanesia moved—" That the resolution be recommitted," and on the House going into committee was about to move certain amendments in clause 2 of the report, when It was suggested that the resolution ought to be printed before it could be considered, and also that the Synod should first decide whether the Committee should be nominated or elected by ballot. On the motion of the Rev. J. 0. Andrew, the chairman reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again. This concluded the business on the order paper, and after some notices of motion had been given, Thj report of the Committee on Trusts waa brought up, and notice given by the Bishop of Waiapu of a motion for its adoption. The Synod then (at 11 p.m.) adjourned.