Diocesan Synod.

Manawatu Standard, Volume VIII, Issue 137, 20 November 1884, Page 2

Diocesan Synod.

BISHOP HADFIELD 'S ADDRESS,

The first Session of the tenth Sjnod of the <clfbce.se of Wellington was opened on Tuesday, when the President (Bishop Hadfield) delivered the following address : — Brethren of the Clergy and of the Laity, — By the goodness of Almighty God we are permitted, to meet ugaiu for the conaideration of the affairs of the Church m this diocesl. Having only very .recently, returned; home, I, have found it impossible to lay before you .anything like a reviow of what has occurred during; the past year, or even so carefully to consider the facts that have been brought under my notice as to be able to offer advice m. reference to them which could be of any value to you. Still, 1 have thought ifc inadvisable, m opening 1 a new Synod, to depart from the practice which has been usual here, however imperfect and inadequate ray effort may be. I shall hiako ouly a few brief remarks. It is even possible that my inability on the present occasion to lay before you any definite expression of opinion on matters which may come under your consideration, may have at least this incidental advantage— that it will devolve upon you the necessity of taking the initiative as to any work to be done, and will leave you altogether unfettered by any opinion of mine. Before I proceed, ,it is only due to you to say something as to my recent absence from the diocese. After recovering from my severe illness which confined me to a sick room for more than two months, I found myself to ue.l»th mentally and physically, totally un6t for work. In these circumstances I was recommended by my medical adviser to seek complete change and reat by taking a voyage to England. ; It was, for many reasonsj with considerable reluctance that I followed this advice. However, after an absence of rather more thau six months I hate; by the mercy God, returned'; with renewed health, which I trust may enable me presume, and- to a "certain extent efficiently discharge my duties m the diocese. My thanks are due to my right rev. brother, the Bishop of Nelson^ for- having come shortly after my ; departure/ to administer the right of confirmation of those places where I had been unable to do so myself. It was his promise, kindly given to me before I left, to undertake these duties that led me to hope that my temporary absence would not m this particular matter, seriously inconvenience any persons m the diocese. I have to return my hearty thanks to the Rev. Thomas Eancourt for 'having allowed me to impose on him the onerous duty of acting as my commissary, and of having discharged that duty to my thorough "satisfaction. He ii very kindly kept me informed/ while m England, all he thought it needful I should know concerning what was going on m • the diocese. I mention with much regret the death of Colonel Leckie, who was for some time a membei of the Synod and of the Standing Committee ; and: also that of Mrs Taylor — to whose personal kindnesH I have often l>een nmch-in»_ —t—^^t— «ro — muuw vi ' uTb laterCe?; K. Taylor, my earlieHt fellow-laborer m this part of New Zealand. J)uring the past year the Rev. F. T. Fahcourt has resigned the charge of St. James* parish at the Hutt, on being appointed diocesan secretary. I regret to say that during my absence the Rev. R.. J. Thorpe resigned, the charge 6f the parish of St. Paul m this' city. I received the resignation while m England. During the same period the following appointments have been made :— Rev. W. ¥. Western, to Greyibwn and Catertdn ; Rev. R. T. Batchelor, to Carteitori ; Rev. N. E. Copinger, to Palmerstoji; Rev/J. C Dodwell, to Bulls, Sanddn and Foxton; Rev» E. Whitehou'le, to Patea ; and Rev. E. S. Cross, to the parish of St. James and Christ Church, Hutt. In december, I aidmitted the Rev. E. J. Parkeg to the order of deacon. He has since resided m the district, which is under the charge of the Rev. Arthur Towgood, to whom my thanks are due fur his kind assistance, offered to me m various ways, m connection with Mr Parkes. The financial affairs of the diocese, which I hava not hitherto had time to examine, will be duly brought before' the Synod. I regret to learn that the special fund has not received much support while JL have been absent. I venture to hope that contributions towards it may yet be received, 1 aim! happy to learu that something like unanimity has been arrived at among the various branches of the Anglican Church m reference to a day of intercession for foreign missions. St. Ah. drew's Day is now agreed upon as the day for that purpose.' I hope to consult with the clergy as to the best mode of acting m this matter this year, though very little time is left' for its consideration. I hive received from the Primate a copy of a decision .of the Standing Commission m a case submitted to it from th»j diocese of Dunedin, which will be laid on the table. Various returns arid • reports will also be brought before the synod by the diocesan secretary. 1 venture to suggest that it would be convenient and highly desirable that notices of motion should be made as early ks possible m tb> Session. Time if sometimes lost for want of sufficient matter on the Order Baperi' I venture to think tl^at any subject which has not been 1 carefully thought over by a member of the Synod before its meeting cannot be of any pressing importance, and can hardly have had the attention given to it which matters brought before 'the Synod, 'ought to have hall. I think the ele<Jtibn' J of members for the Standing' Committee should not be deferred ; to the closing period 1 of the' Syno'B, when some members are occasionally, by unforseen cirenmstancs, obliged to leave for their homes. I must again apologise for meeting you with so brief and inadequate an address, 1 but ifry time was so occupied yesterday thafc-I found it impossible to attempt anything more. Perhaps I myself regret this the less because I fear that on some former occasions I have, by my prolixity, oundulyHa^d jfche, patience of the Synod. I trust .that the blessing of Almighty God will now rest on our humble efforts to do what we

can to promote the well-being of the Church,^attending to ite external organisation, and that, while giving free expression to our opinions on ■whatever matters may come befove us, "W shall all remember that it is by unity of purpose and hearty co-opera-tion, and by seeking, guidance and 'grace from the great Head of the Cbuwsh/that we shall best promote the extension of Christ's kingdom and ; the glory of God. „