DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2662, 18 October 1882, Page 3

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The following is the conclusion of the Primate’s address yesterday after we went to press, and the subsequent proceedings There was a duty to be learnt by eveiy Christian, whether rich or poor, to give to God from their means what they oould spare. It was a thing to bo carried ont as a dnty before going into God’s house, a setting aside of a certain amount of their revenue for God’s service. Taking into account the number of attendants at their churches this dnty had not yet been thoroughly understood by the people. The Synod would join with him in thankfulness that the upper department of Christ’s College, under the newly appointed principal, Canon Stanford, was doing good work. Thera a course of theological studies and college discipline was carried out, which could not but result in good eventually to the Church. Since the opening of the Cathedral, in which not only their own clergy, but the Bishops and clergy from other parts of the colony, had taken part, a daily sacrifice of praise and prayer had been continued. This, no doubt, would be a source of satisfaction to tho Synod. Tho Primate concluded his address by expressing a hope that their deliberations in Synod for the good of the Church, the spread throughout the land of her influence, and the general prosperity of God’s work, would havo a rich blessing. At the conclusion of the Primate’s address, which was loudly applauded, The Yery Eev. the Dean of Christchurch said he had great pleasure in moving—“That a vote of thanks be accorded by the Synod to the President for his address, and that he bo requested to allow the same to ba printed amongst the Synodical documents.” Hon. H, B. Qresson seconded the motion, which was carried.

The following sessional appointments were then made: Clerical secretary, Bev. T. Flavell; lay secretary, Mr A. F. N. Blakiston j chairman of committees, Mr T. W. Maude ; dork to committees, Mr P. Q. Stadman.

The hour of meeting was fixed for 4 p.m. on all day* except Saturdays and Sundays, an adjournment to take place at 6.30 to 7.30 p.m. The President laid on the table a number of reports of committees and other papers. The fol owing reports were read by the clerical secretary --Report of Standing Committee, Report of Church Property Trustees, Report of Diocesan Board of Trustees. The Yen. Archdeacon Harris read his annual report as Diocesan Inspector of Sunday Schools. Prom this it appeared that he had made 107 visits and inspections during the year, mid fifty-one schools had been visited since laic session of Synod. The total number of children attending the Sunday schools of the diocese was 3722. Since September Ist, 1831, 1331 children had been examined. These had been divided into four classes or grades of efficiency, and some had also been marked but not yet classified. The report of the committee appointed to consider the subject of imparting religious instruction in State Schools in accordance with the Education Act, was read as follows:—“The commissaries appointed by the Most Bov. the Primate to enquire into and take evidence upon the host means of imparting religious education in the State schools consistently with the Education Act, beg to report os follows—Having regard to the groat number of the State schools in the Diocese, the great number of children attending these schools, the length of the hours devoted to secular instruction both in school and at home, the unwillingnes* of some of the school committees to grant permission to the clergy to enter the schools at convenient and suitable hours, and the difficulty of getting the children together where such permission is given, we are of opinion that although individual clergymen may be able to turn the opportunities that are afforded to good account, it is impossible to devise any means of gan err, I applicability for imparting religious education in the Htato school* consistently with the Education Act,”

Notices of motion having been given, the Synod adjourned till 4 p.m. this day.