DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2669, 26 October 1882, Page 3

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Whbkhsdat, Ooxobbb 25.

Tho Most Rev. the Primate took his csat at 4.25 p.m. Mr L. Harper laid on tho table a petition from Anglican Church residents in the P.m dalton district against the proposed severance of that district from Riooarton pariah. Mr H, R, Webb brought up tho report of tho Commission appointed by the Synod to consider and report on tho proposed division of the pariah of Kicoarton, which favored the same, and defined its boundaries. The Ten. Archdeacon Harris moved, end Canon Ootterill seconded —“ That the Synod recommend tho Church Property Trustees to make a grant not exceeding £SO for the ensuing year, to be placed at the disposal of the committee of the Church Work Society, for tho purpose of promoting religious education.” The motion was agreed to on the voices. Mr P. de 0. Malet moved— “ That tho BUI to amend tho financial regulations for the collection and management of Diocesan funds for the maintenance of tho clergy be read a third time and passed.” The Rev. B. H. Wyatt moved—" That the Bill be recommitted for tbe purpose of expunging part of section 7.” The amendment being declared lost on the voices, a division was called for, which resulted ae follows Por the amendment— Ayes, clergy 12, loity 3 ; noes, clergy 18, laity 21. Tho Bill was then read a third time and passed. It was agreed that the resolution standing in the Dean’s name be considered in committee. The Very Rev. the Dean moved—" That the Church Property Trustees be authorised to dispose of the unused portions of reserve No. 20, commonly known as the Christchurch Cemetery Reserve, in such way as they may think most expedient, whether by sale, lease, or otherwise, provided that an acre, more or less, contiguous to the present burying, ground be reserved for burial purposes, pending the opening of the public cemetery.” This would leave about fourteen acres to be disposed of. The Rev. B. A. Lingard, as chairman of the cemetery committee, would offer no objection to the proposed sale. The motion was declared carried on the voices. The Dean also moved—“ That it be an instruction to the Church Property Trustees to take the necessary steps for the disposal of such unused portion# with the least possible delay.” Mr Grigg did not agree with tho latter portion of the resolution, and counselled delay. He would therefore move—" That the consideration of clause 2 of this resolution be deferred till after tbe consideration of clause 4 of the resolution before the committee.”

This was agreed to on the voices. The Dean then moved—" That it be an instruction to the Churoh Property Trustees to reserve suoh portion of the land, or the proceeds thereof, as may be necessary for the purpose of keeping tho portion of reserve No. 20, which has been used for burial purposes, in decent order, and for maintaining suoh portions for burial purposes in the future, so far as burial* therein may be legal. ’

The motion was carried on the voice*. The Doan moved further—" That, subject to the reservation made in the preceding resolution, it is expedient that the whole of the annual income derivable from the sale or lease of such unused portions be devoted to tbe establishment and maintenance of Ohuroh day schools,” urging that the formation of one good Churoh day school in Christchurch would be attended with the best results.

Archdeacon Harper read an amendment to the motion, but in deference to Mr John Grigg, who pointed out that it had better be considered after the fourth of the Dean’s series of motions, obtained permission to withdrawn same.

Mr O. B. Blakistou moved that the chairman report progress, as the time of the Synod waa being wasted. At least a year would elapse before any income would accrue, and he would suggest that the Primate appoint a commission to report to the next Synod as’to the best uses to whioh the annual income should be applied. The Dean hoped the Synod would not listen to Mr Blakiston, because if the commission was appointed it would take the work out of the hands of the Synod and retard the work.

the proposal to report progress was lost on the voices.

Tho Rev. H. O. M; Watson said it was probable tho General Cemetery would not be opened for three or four years, betides a tramway had to be made to the spot. He should support the suggestion of Mr Blakiston re tho commission.

The Bev. O. Bowen moved the omission of the words “ establishment or.” Mr H. B. Webb would like to see the word 11 primary ” insetted in the resolution before the word* " day school,*' He deprecated a lot of little schools being established, and thought one thoroughly good primary school to compete with the Government schools should bo established in Christohuroh.

Archdeacon Harris concurred with the last speaker, hoping none of tbe funds would be used for either Christ’s College or the Cathedral School*.

Mr B. J, T Ford spoke to the motion, when the hour of adjournment having some, the Chairman reported progress, and asked leave to sit again. The Synod then adjourned till 7.30. On resuming, the Synod proceeded to the Orders of the Day. In committee, Mr Maude in the ohair, Mr Willes moved—“ That the amount already accumulated as a sinking fund for re payment of the general debts on the Dean and Chapter Estate ba used for the purpose of paying off outstanding liabilities in connection with the Cathedral.” The sinking fund was not an obligation attached to the loan originally, but was voluntarily established by tho Dean and Chapter subsequently. The effect of his resolution would be to suspend the linking fund until, in a few years, tho increased value of the estate enabled it to be advantageously revived. After a long discussion the Synod divided as follows : —Ayes : Clergy 23, Laity 14; Noes : Clergy 15, Laity 9. Resolution carried. Mr Willes moved—“ That the balance of tho above amount (f any), together with sum of £3OO per annum, now appropriated to the purposes of a sinking fund, be applied to tho maintenance of divine worship in the Cathedral.” If the Cathedral services were to be kept up an annual sum of £9OO would bo required, and it would not be fair to ask the public to provide this amount without assistance.

Mr H. R. Webb referred to the services as carried on at the Cathedral, whioh he said wero not of a character acceptable to the people. They were twenty years ahead of the circumstances of the Churoh, and wore not intelligible to the mass of the people, As a compromise, it would be desirable to make tho evening service plain and intelligible to tho people. Even in the older cities of Australia the Cathedral services wero not of co florid a character. Many people wero deterred from attending the Cathedral because the service was not more congregational. Mr J, B. Parker maintained that the evening services at tho Cathedral were extremely popular, and that there was always a crowded congregation. The Rev. Mr Cocks spoke to the same effect, and said people were extremely thankful that they had the opportunity of taking part in services similar to those in which they had joined in the old country. [Cheer*.] Tho Most Rov. the Primate said tho responsibility of the services at tho Cathedral rested with him, and he was quite willing to taka the responsibility upon himself. Ho was quite satisfied with tho services as they were, and from what ho could judge they were appreciated by a very large number of people. The Rev. Mr Elton, in reply to Mr Webb, said the services should be suitable to a Cathedral, and not to a parish.ohuroh. Mr W. D. Mearea said the people who oomplaiced most of the services at the Cathedral seldom if ever attended there. The services were aooeptable to the members of tho Church, and the building had fulfilled tho work for whioh it wos designed. The Rev. O. Bowen and the Van. Archdeacon Dudley spoke in favor of the Cathedral services.

Mr John Grigg said tho question was, did the services tend to increase tho infla'noa of Christianity in tho community. His own feeling was that they did not. It woe a now doctrine that Christianity woe to be made attractive. History proved that as churches were made attractive their spiritual influence v as weakened.

Tho Ten. Arohdeaoon Harper took exception to this view. Although ornate, the ser•noes were distinctly instructive in tho way of dootrine. The Cathedral had attracted a class of people who ware not formerly in tho habit of going to church at all. Besides working men, people attended who were poor andill-dressed, and thU was a great thing to have attained.

The Rev. Mr Mortimer endorsed the remarks of the Rev. Mr Cooks and of the last speaker. The Rev. Mr Watson thought Mr Webb was justified in saying that the services of the Cathedral were not popnlar. There wero many who objected to them very strongly indeed. The Cathedral was well attended because tho services were novel. In his opinion the services did not help worship as the congregation did not join in them. The Rev. B. A. Lingard thought it had been clearly shown to-night that the Cathedral waa not only the church of the diocese, but the church of the people. Tho evening services, which were so well attended, were more available to tho working classes. Tho attendance at St. Luke’s in the evening had been reduced by about 160 since tho Cathedral waa opened. The fact woe that people left tho parish churches and went to services which were more acceptable. He had recently attended the Cathedral, and found the services most "uplifting.” Those who wished for plain services should go to the parish churches.

The Very Bev. the Dean, referring to the remarks of Mr Grigg, said that tho Cathedral Bsrvioes were calculated to meet the highest spiritual wants of our nature.

Mr Willes replied. The resolution was put and carried on the voices.

Tho other resolutions in Mr Willes’ name were postponed, and the committee reported progress and obtained leave to sit again next sitting day. The Synod adjourned at 11 25 p m. until the usual hour to-day.