THEOLOGICAL BOARD OF STUDIES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 39, 14 February 1877, Page 2

THEOLOGICAL BOARD OF STUDIES.

The certificates awarded by the examiners were delivered by the Alost Rev the Primate in the Provincial Hali yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large assemblage of the public and the members of the Synod. His Lordship said:— Ladies and Gentle^ men— Advantage has been taken of thei present meeting of the General Synod to distribute the certificates of gained by the successful competitors at the examination held by the Board of Theological Studies in order that I may be able publicly to announce the names of those who have gained them, aud I hope this meeting will have the effect of exciting some interest in this institution. Other institutions there are for the promotion of scientific knowledge and other purposes, to which considerable advantage attaches iv that they tend to give us a clearer insight into the wondrous works of God, and thus they have a claim to be considered of great importance; but this institution in connection with which we are assembled to-day deals specially with subjects which are of the deepest importance to each one of us. It is not to be expected that all will enter deeply into the study of theology, but it is only right that every one of us should devote some attention to it, and that we should make ourselves acquainted with the truths contained in the Bible, that we should read it carefully, and endeavor to digest its contents. The object of this Board is to encourage such study, and to aid young persons, whether candidates for the Ministry or not, in entering upon and carrying it out to their own undoubted benefit. Our basisis that book which contains, that divine knowledge which we ought to strive to make onr own by careful study, and in order to do this we would encourage the studious reading of .other works which, throw light on the JVord of God, and enable us to understand something of the fulness of wisdom which is to be found in it, and so in mind and heart be brought into nearer confirmity with the mind of God. I would take this opportunity of reminding parents of the value of encouraging their children to offer themselves as candidates at these examinations, as, whether successful or not, it must lead them to look more deeply into matters of such deep and solemn importance, which might otherwise be passed by as of no interest; In this country we must of necessity be largely dependent upon those who are trained amongst us to undertake the work of the Ministry, and such a course of studies as that which we lay down must lead them to a greater knowledge of these subjects as, we trust, it assists them to grow in grace. They will have to go abroad and minister to their brethicn and therefore we desire to instruct them to the best of our ability in matters of which it is essential that they should possess" a considerable amount of knowledge. The report of the Committee will now be read, and tbe certificates will then be presented to those of the successful candidates who are present, and, on behalf of those who are absent, to the Bishops of their .respective dioceses. lam glad to say thajb, it will be my privilege to present the certificates personally to the two candidates who have been most successful in the highest grade as they are residents in this town. I will now call upon the Bishop of Nelson to read the report. The Bishop of Nelson read the following KEPORT. Two examinations have been held by the examiners appointed by the Board in the years 1875-1876. The Board desires to express its appreciation of the gratuitous labor undertaken by the examiners in preparing questions and looking over . the answers, a task demanding considerable time and attention. In the year 1875 the follow- . ing were examiners :— The Most Rev the Primate; the Bishops of Auckland and Dunedin; the Dean of Christchurch; Yen Archdeacons Maunsell, Pritt, Harper, Stock, and Williams; and the Revs Harvey and Stanford. Seven presented themselves for examination in Grade 1., of whom the following passed:- -Anne Lusk, Diocese of Auckland; A. H. Sedgwick, Diocese of Nelson; Annie Leighton, Diocese of Nelson. Two presented th mselves m Grade 11., but failed to satisfy the examiners. In the year 1876

the following were examiners:'— The Most Rev, the Primate;" the "Bishops of Nelson, Auckland, and Dunedin ;<the Dean of Ghrist|hurch- the Yen T Archdeacoris Mauhsell, Williams; Stock, and Harper; arid -the Revs .Stanford,- Dudley,; and Andrei. - Eighteen . rPassed^njGrade 1.,-two in.] Grade ll., five in Grade III.j three in GradeTV> (two for, the ' whole and one for a portion)— making a total of 28 in the second year of the establishment of the examinations, a fact which the Committee regards as most encouraging in reference to the probable success of the Board. The results :of the examinations were ;, that— •-.-•• :.- In Grade I. ten passed out of eighteen aa follows: -J. K. Davis, St. John's College, : of Auckland; P. S. Smallfield, St. John's College, Auckland; E. J. M'Farland, St. Jphn's College, Auckland; F. H. Spencer, Uishopdale, Diocese of Nelson; W. T. Knowles, Dunedin; John Haselden, St. John's College, Diocese of Auckland; Alfred O. Williams, Bishopdaje, Diocese of NelsonThomas A. Jones, St.: John's College, Diocese of Auckland; John G. Stanley, Bishopdale, 1 Nelson; E. A- Seaman, Auckland, r r- J n Grade! 11. two!entered, who passed— - ;A;. Sedgwick, Bishopdale, Nelson; W. T. 'Knowles,' Dunedin. ' _ In Grade 111. five entered but only two passed— Wyatt, Christchurch, whose papers were specially commended by the examiners; ; Jnwood, Christchurch.. ' In Grade IV. two entered for the whole nineteen ? papers, and- were specially com4 mended by the examiners— Rev John Pratt Kempthorne, Bishopdale, Diocese of Nelson; Rev Thomas Samuel Grace, jun., Bishopdale, . Diocese of Nelson. The Committee approve ; of the suggestion referred to in -the address , of the Primate, that special certificates of proficiency should be given to these two abo/e-meritioned. •••!'' i The Committee have Ascertained by returns from the Dioceses the following facts : That there is a considerable advance on the former numbers of those who offer themselves as students and candidates for Holy Orders, and specially in the case of those who arey. native-born, and they gladly hail the indications of a more widely spread desire on the part of the youth, born in the ; colony to enter the ministry. Several eligible candidates have necessarily been declined for want of funds to provide for their maintenance while studying. '.' The Committee find that at present in four institutions there is accommodation for a total of 29 students with resident tutors, aud there are 13 so accommodated at the present time, an increase being expected in Christchurch in the rooms -now completed, waiting the appointment of a tutor.