NELSON DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 252, 31 October 1878, Page 5

NELSON DIOCESAN SY NOD.

(Wednesday, Oct. 30, 1878.) The Synod was opened this evening, when the Lord Bishop of the Diocese delivered the following address :— My Brethren op the Clergy and Laity — I propose to relieve you from any necessity of acknowledging this address by resolution as has besn the custom. I make it in virtue of Standing Order If. An address from the President shall be in order at any time. It requires no answer, except on those points where I ask you to take action. We meet in rather diminished numbers, and are in a transitional state. After a few years, we shall, I hope, be a more united and compact Diocese, when the facilities for communication are increased. In the meantime, we must do the best we can to accommodate our organisation to our circumstances, and be ready for future development. I have two things to ask of you : Ist, That you will, before you separate, make arrangements for bringing your Trusts and Trustees' appointments into a better condition and system ; and 2nd, That you would endeavor to work out some plan for making church contributions more regular, not so dependent on the weather or personal advocacy or local organisation. There are various modes of contributing — impulsively, systematically, regularly at recognised intervals, or according to inclination, or in proportion to wealth. Ido not think there is lack of will in the Diocese so much as of method, and it should be a method which accompanies our members wherever they go, and not be a method which they have to learn whenever they make a change. Some Dioceses rest on a wealthy ceutre, we can never hope to do so ; but we have sufficient church members to support all our schemes if we can only unite or educate them into some uniformity of plan. Ecclesiastical Events of the Year. The year has been an eventful one ecclesiastically, and the events which have occurred are not without special interest to us in this Diocese. I allude first to Bishop Selwyn's death. George Augustus Selwyn, the first and only Bishop of New Zealand, afterwards for ten years Bishop of Litchfield has been called to his rest, after a life of unusual energy, diligence, and devotion to the cause of Christ, which he had so thoroughly at heart. A prominent and promising sphere presented itself to him when he entered upon his episcopate ; the great work, however, of getting a footing for the Gospel amongst the natives of New Zealand was already accomplished by the Church Missionary Societies' Missionaries, especially Archdeacons 11. and W. Williams, Hadfield, and Maunsell ; and ho was himself ever ready to testify to this fact. None, however, can doubt, but on the contrary must admire, the earnestness with which he entered upon his work ; none can hesitate to admire the zeal which led him to commence missionary work in the regions beyond, amongst the Pacific Islands, now so nobly and selfdenyingly carried on by his worthy son, the Bishop of Melanessia, though it should not, in fairness to others, be overlooked that the possibility of christianising the inhabitants of the South Sea Islands had already been previously proved by others. Bishop Selwyn shone in organisation, and, aided by many able advisers, drew up the present constitution and organisation of our Church, and if it were destined that the Lhurch of England should be rendered incapable of. transferring itself to other than Crown Colonies, then indeed such a constitution was specially needed for what was, as near as circumstances would permit, its representative here. Bishop Selwyu made no secret of his desire, as soon aspossisihle, to be rid of what lie considered the inconvenience of Church government as controuled by the State, and even in the modification of his own Letters Patent showed his desire to have a much more independent form of Church government in the colonies. It can scarcely be denied, however, that the present constitution was framed under the impression that certain prerogatives were binding, or modes of procedure effective, which have been proved or decided by the Law not to be so ; that the Church in the colonies should be quite independent of the State was no unwelcome view to Bishop Selwyn, and so it came to pass that when the circumstances came which he had done so much to bring about, the constitution was ready at hanJ to meet them. Admiration for his legislative and organising talent is not prevented by the consideration of what might have been the result had the same energy on his part and on that of some high in authority at Home been devoted to the extension of the Church of England as part of the JEnqlish constitution into the colonies of England as a part of their political constitution. As, however, events have turned out, the members of the Church of England when they come out have an organisation which, if not equally satisfactory with that at Home, is, at all events, the next best thing and the best possible, and for this their gratitude will for ever bear Bishop Selwyn in remembrance. A man of great courage, physical power, and thorough education, he exercised great personal influence, and inspired similar zeal and enthusiasm in others who could not follow him with equal steps. His University Sermons at Cambridge had a very great influence on the minds of hundreds of young men who date their first call to usefulness therefrom. I should like to see a material memorial of him in Nelson, not one erected by trafficking with bis name for some object we ourselves want, and ought to pay for on its own merits, but a memorial monument, suggestive to youth, stimulating to enquirers, and conducive to imitation of the same vigorous and self-denying conduct. New Zealand has but few associations, and the times are anything but heroic, and that is a reason why much should be made of this genuine and Christian man, whose memory will ever be a precious inheritance of this new country. With such views I think it likely that others, besides those of our own Church, would co-operate in some out-door and suitable memorial. Another Father of the New Zeal&nd Church, who had been been drawn aside from active work for some time, has passed away, Bishop Williams, first Bishop' of Waiapu, whose work was one in the best years of his long life, of faithful evangelisation, unsparing labor, and uncomprising adherence to the truth. Let it not, however, be thought that it is only those who are in the first command that are to be commemorated or that the Church values ; two valuable lives of those who were amongst us a i'ew months ago have been taken, Mrs. Selwyn and The Rev. R. S. Jackson, and though not of our Diocese, our recent intercourse with them and our fellowship with other portions of our Church seem to call for an expression of sympathy, or, at all events, justify a loving allusion. The Diocese of Waiapu, after a long interval, has, with the financial assistance of the Church Missionary Society, been able to provide itself with one who brings no ordinary experience and success as a. valuable contribution to the efficiency of the New Zealand Church, and the renewal of interest in the Diocese has justified the expectations of those who knew and valued the Bishop before his entrance on New Zealand life. Isolation' of tiik different tarts of the Diocese. One consideration 1 must put on record for .future years, and partly by way of my own defence, and that is, that much difficulty arises from the Diocese consisting of political and geographical elements of a most varied character. When the Diocese was formed by Letters Patent, the two provinces or settlements were one, but since that time circumstances have arisen, prior to my coming, which left me tlie legacy of finding

an utter want, of sympathy between one side of the Diocese and the other, and while the bitterness which formerly existed only now and then shows itself above the surface, as if to let us know it was not quite eradicated, yet there is an almost complete separation respectively between the West Coast, Nelson, Marlborough, Kaikoura, and the Amuri. I doubt not thai could I afford the time I might prevent this political isolation extending to Church matters, but I wish to. note it as one of my special difficulties, which seem to me more a feature of this Diocese than of any other. It is this isolation which is to be avoided or neutralised by our having leading lines of communication, and when we look back it is highly astonishing that, while there has been such material progress in other places, there should be no plain coacli road in and out of a settlement of twenty-five or thirty years standing. This neglect has a morally bad effect, it makes those who cannot travel entertain far too contented and high an idea of the state of things in which theylive and move. They are content in Church matters with services and buildings for them, and with a scale of contributions towards their support, quite different from those in more progressive places. I, therefore, anticipate for the future a happier state of things if rivers are bridged and roads are made, not that there will not be always, in this country, rough and difficult districts, but the main arteries of communication being so much stronger will quicken the circulation in smaller channels and restricted areas. At the same time, my engagements connected with tuition of students for the Ministry prevent my giving more at present than an annual visit, as so much of the time of a Sunday visitation is absorbed in travelling and intervals. It is not like an Inspectorship of Schools, where a visit of a few week day hours satisfies all requirements, and where every week day is available. I have tried to arrange for holding Sunday services on my visits, but it is evident that to confine my visits to Sundays would absorb a. great amount of time, and would clash with other duties, from which at present I see no escape, for I am persuaded iv my own mind, and I think I have the approval of all who have gone into the matter, that the work Avhich thus detains me from visiting more than once a year is one which must be done by myself, unless the Diocese furnish me with help to get it done by a clergyman who shall be able to give his whole time to it. I wish not to be misunderstood, I do not think that too frequent visitation would be desirable, but I do feel that the spirit of isolation, and separation, and absence of common interest is an evil which demands at the hands of the Church and its officers the greatest efforts to remove its ill effects. Use op Hymnals. At the last session of General Synod it was proposed to adopt one Hymnal for the Church, the General Synod declined to come to any resolution on the subject. It is not for us to say what it meant in so doing. The facts are simply as stated. Former General Synods had compiled and adopted but had not enforced the use of one exclusively. I think this is to be regretted, in the interests of such uniformity as might reasonably be hoped for, but uniformity must not be bought at a sacrifice of truth or of the testimony of truth. Very strong feelings are concerned iv the question of a Hymnal, and it becomes a serious consideration, whose influence should predominate in the settling of such a matter. If the doctrinal teaching of a hymnal be the most important part of it, it is clear the choice of a hymnal cannot bo decided on the merits of the music. If music is to settle it, then it need not be made a question of conscience at ail. I think it is scarcely necessary to point out in this assembly that doctrinal considerations ought to decide the matter. If so, it is not the prerogative of the congregation or vestry, but of those who are held responsible for the teaching communicated; I should myself prefer the verdict of the whole Church as to what should be the Hymnal, the voice of the Church when Bishops, Clergy, and Laity are joiued together in conference, even though that verdict were in favor of a compilation which I should not choose myself. The experiment of the New Zealand Hymnal shows that an unexceptional is possible. The objections to it were against its music and accidental belongings rather than to it as a compilation. But suppose that out of the way, the question presents itself, in whose hands is the responsibility placed ? Looking at the rationale of the case, at the constant and unwavering declarations of English Church law, the clergyman is solely responsible for the singing, music, and all matters concerning divine service, subject to an appeal to the ordinacy. And he is amenable to the authorities for the doctrine which he makes his own by using the hymns containing it. It may be said a clergyman is not compromised, but morally he can scarcely be held without responsibility for the collection as well as for the individual hymns. Some clergymen think they can remove the responsibility by not using the Hymns to which they themselves object,- but that can scarcely be regarded as a sufficient safeguard against the erroneous teaching of such omitted Hymns. I shall probably meet with universal assent when I say that no clergyman, is justified in acceding to the adoption of anything which in his conscience he disapprove?, and in a matter of choice when the selection is left entirely to the clergyman he ought to be unfettered, and not urged to violate his conscience. He is bound to give to his people what iv his conscience ho believes best for their spiritual welfare, and he would do wron°" if he acted otherwise. No clergyman would disregard any representation made to him on the subject either by the majority or minority of his people, but the feelings of a few might under such circumstances rightly weigh more with him than, those of the many. In these days when what is called Ritualism endeavors to spread itself by Music, Color, and a Sensuous Worship any approach to it has to be carefully watched. Nothing that can in any way deserve that name has found its: way into the teachings or ritual of our Church in this Diocese, and there must be a strong feeling amongst the Laity against it,' to judge from the following uuanimously carried resolution of the Vestry of All Saints' Nelson: — • " That this Vestry desires to place on record that in discussing the advisability of asking the Incumbent to introduce Hymns Ancient and Modern into All Saints' Church, they disclaim, on the part of the Minister and themselves, fall intention of introducing anything beyond pure Protestant Worship, and arc satisfied that no innovations whatever having an opposite tendency have been made in the services of All Saints' Church; and that this resolution be printed and circulated amongst the Congregation." If these be everywhere the intentions of those who are advocates for the introduction of the Hymnal mentioned, we cannot too highly approve of their intentions though we may still wonder at the mode they have adopted- of carrying out those intentions. Where the Hymnal is adopted I trust the character of the doctrinal preaching will be so definite and distinct as to prevent the ills which are almost sure to arise from the use of ambiguous words admitted to be capable of more than one moaning. It may be said by some, are you not frightened unduly at the possible effects of a Hymnal ,• and others will object that one cannot hope to stem the tide or arrest the stream of fashion in Hymnals more than in other matters. is made to the almost universal use and circulation of the book, a fact which is taken to nienn far more than it really does. Now, those who view the matter seriously feel that wide

circulation aud general adoption count for nothing in doctrinal mailers. Jn ascertaining what is right, questions of precedents or of consequences are out of consideration. Some of the congregations use, or have been informed by their ministers that they will use, a Hymnal which has not received the sanction which was sought for the one already m tho^ Diocese. lam quite sure (hat many use, and will use, with the best of intentions, and have derived, aud will continue to derive, the greatest possible benefit from hymns contained therein, but I fail to see how that justifies the introduction of a whole collection which is admitted by the parties recommending it to contain unsatisfactory elements. Suppose new hymns needed, they can be obtained in other Hymnals, winch arc not untried. The Hymnal Companion, for example, contains all the 216 Standard Hymns used by our Church iv all its Hymnals, and 64 out of 65 of the Second Standard of Hymns, so that, judging by these facts, it ought to be a representative book. It is adopted in more than a thousand parishes in England, and contains the greater number of those hymns which are the chief recommendation of other Hymnals without their drawbacks. It is quite possible, therefore, to have both new hymns and now or old times without going out of our way to expose the minds of the young, to the risk of error arising from language ambiguously employed. It is said the Bible and Prayer Book, employ language capable of two fold interpretation, as <o the Bible, its mode of speaking forms no reason for our imitating it iv our own human utterances ; as to the Prayer Book, on many points it is considered by many a blemish rather than a virtue that it does not speak out definitely, but employs language, which taken literally, would be error, and which requires a" key ever at hand to unfold its meaning. t The case would be different if toe were composing or choosing a Tmi/er Book for tic first time. The great mass of our congregations must always consist of young and impressible minds, aud the ignorant and those of limited education will always form, a large part of them, if si), we should surely give them, as far as we can, unambiguous teaching — teaching which does not require a guide against error always to be at hand. Perhaps in the very variety of Hymn Books we shall got a wider and iuller view, but one of my own objections to the hymnal referred to is that it narrows rather than widens the aspects and expressions of truth. In the meantime on this I am quite clear that the end ought to bo kept in view rather than the means. The full and personal apprehension of every available truth suited to the devolopemcnt of a fully informed and healthy piety— tins is the object to be held in view in the selection and use of any Hymnal. Great helps, valuable handmaids to religion are art, poetry and music, in their right places, but I have very grave fears for those who when they ought to be worshipping God in their hearts, are so much occupied with the iutervals or cadences as to have little or no thought of the solemn words which are being sung. My advice to choirs would be rather of this sort, practise *a great deal more, and only have in public worship tunes which all know to some extent, and which you yourselves are so familar with, as to save you all anxiety about the music, then, it appears to me, and then only, will you have congregational singing. Some perhaps will say, if you cannot do' anything by the exercise of authority about the Hymnal, why refer to it? I should be very sorry to think that I was only to touch upon those views or matters which I had the actual power of enforcing or forbidding. It is because the responsibility tests but remotely on myself that I thus speak. I recognise tlie fact of the adoption in other Dioceses of a Hymnal to which- I entertain objections, with all respect and hopes for those who have adopted it. I trust it will not have the effect I fear, and I would do the Christian community justice to refuse to credit ib as a whole with any ulterior design in the adoption, but I fear thousands will grow up under its tuition in the use of a sacramental and doctrinal terminology, which, to say the best, is ambiguous, to say the worst is erroneous. I can interpret it for myself and those to whom I speak, but I cannot ireach my successors or the multitudes who are at the mercy of passing impressions. • ° Ouce more, I repeat it, strongly, deeply as I feel about the matter as one whose office it is to guard and guide, as well as to feed, the flock of Christ, I am thankful to assure those of the laity who need such assurance that I have every confidence in the motives and principles of those who now form th.6 clergy of this Diocese. Whether with or without this Hymnal, and it is in their hands to settle it in each case, I feel confident that they are loyal to our reformed Church, and that if this movement for this Hymnal is here or elsewhere by some intended as an advance to what the Church of New Zealand as well as the Church of England has authoratively repudiated, it- is not so in thenhands. But Ido not say this to encourage any to take a similar step. I trust they will not, and I have indicated a way in which I would gladly see a desire for freshness and increasing breadth in hymns satisfied. I make the above remarks from a sense of the gravity of the subject, I should be distressed at finding myself in to the views of many in this Diocese or elsewhere, but I have this consolation that I have not changed my views, the position in which I find myself results from standing by old principles, and, it may be, old ways of expressing them, but I shall patiently wait, not following the wanderings of the stream, but waiting till the reaction comes, which any one who reads a few pages only of ecclesiastical history knows, will set in in such matters, in the meantime doing all I cau to prevent those who are bent on using what I consider a dangerous thing, from using it to their own hurt. The Lambeth Conference. You will remember that on a previous occasion I referred to and stated some of the reasons why I ventured to deprecate the meeting of such an assembly, at least under the tiile, and with the views which it pleased some to give to it of a Pan Anglican Synod. It is quite consistent with such objections and apprehensions to express satisfaction, even great satisfaction with the result. The objections made were to its assuming certain powers and taking up a certain line of action which seemed to threaten the liberty and independence of Provincial Churches. The things objected to and feared have been carefully avoided, or if referred to 'have been grappled Avith and decided, certainly in a sense quite opposite to that which was hoped for by the strongest advocates of what was called, but will not hereafter be known as, the 2nd Synod of Lambeth. I lay before you the following results which may be gathered from the resume of the reports of the assembled Bishops : — 1. The vague and visionary idea of a grand general council is regarded. in the present condition of Christendom unhappily but obviously imposible. 2. "The difficulties attending the assembling of a Synod of all the Anglican churches, though the difficulties arc different in character and less serious than in the former case are too great to allow of their recommending it for present adoption." This finding entirely confirms the opposition I have ever made to regarding the Lambeth meeting as a Synod. 3. The experiment, now twice tried, of a conference of Bishops, called together by the Archbishop of Canterbury from time to time, gives hope of some solution of the problem of combining together for consultation representatives of different churches. The Conference laid down certain conclusions to which, it came, such as the following : — 1. Each ecclesiastical province is to be regarded as indepeu-

cleat. The churches which have raorc or less emanated from the Church of England, or are of the same date, or even prior to it, would form a number of provinces, thus : The Provinces of Canterbury, York, Ireland, Scotland, America, India, Australia, New .Zealand, The Cape, Canada, Rupert's Land, the other Missionary and nncombined Dioceses being under some relation to (he Church of England, and being recommended by the Lambeth Conference to seek combination under a Metropolitan. 2. In iho Dioceses or Provinces of this description no' Bishop or clergyman of any other church should exercise his functions without the consent of the Bishop thereof. This applies to the Church of England and those churches which are in visible communion with her. 3. No Bishop shout d authorise to officiate in his Diocese a clergyman coming from another church or province, Unless such clergyman present letters testimonial countersigned by the Bishop of the Diocese, from which he comes. The next point of moment is the recognition of the independence of the Provinces in matters of discipline, each Province being responsible for its own decisions. The Conference, after considering the question, did not recommend any one central tribunal of appeal. This is one of the most important results; directly the reverse of what was anticipated and recommended at the first Conference, and by its Committees. It thus throws us back on ourselves as a complete Church. The sentenced of our Tribunals will be respected, the status of our clergy recognised, and the sense of responsibility in the maintenance of truth will be greatiy enhanced, and we shall deserve recognition and confidence just as long as we keep tho fundamentals of our Catholic Faith and no longer. 5. The Conference is not ashamed to raise a solemn protest against the usurpations of tho See of Rome, and against the novel doctrines promulgated by its authority. It does so in these remarkable words : — " We acknowledge but one Mediator between God and men — the Man Christ Jesus, who is over all God blessed for ever." Wo reject as contrary to the Scriptures and to Catholic Truth any doctrine which would set up other mediators in His place, or which would take away from the Divine Majesty of the fullness of the Godhead which dwelleth in Him, and which gave an infinite value to the spotless Sacrifice which he offered, once for all, on the Cross for the sins of the whole world. 6. " The principles upon which the Church of England has reformed itself are well known. We proclaim the sufficiency and supremacy of the Holy Scriptures as the ultimate rule of ' faith, and commend to our people the diligent study of the same. We confess our faith in the words of the ancient Catholic creeds. We retain the apostolic order of bishops, priests, and deacons. We assert the just liberties of particular or national Churches. We provide our own people in their own tongue Avith a Book of Common Prayer, and offices for the administration of tho sacraments, in accordance with the best and most ancient types of Christian faith and worship. These documents are before the world, and can be known and read of - all 'men. We gladly welcome every effort for reform, on the model of the primitive church. We do not demand a rigid uniformity ; we deprecate needless divisions ; but to those who are drawn to us in the endeavor to free themselves from the yoke of error and superstition we are ready to offer all help, and such privileges as may be acceptable to them, and are consistent with the maintenance of our own principles as enunciated in our formularies." 7. The Conference lays down the following direction as to diversity of ritual : — " Considering unhappy disputes on questions of ritual, whereby divers congregations in the Church of England and elsewhere have been seriously disquieted, your committee desire to affirm the principle that no alteration from longaccustomed ritual should be made contrary to the bishop of the diocese." 8. All were anxious to hear the opinion of the Bishops about confession, though their utterances have been clear and definite enough before, but it it gratifying to find views which we have advocated, completely and decisively endorsed by so influential a body as the hundred Bishops of our Communion. If any one wavered or was uncertain before, this living voice of the Church ought to be heeded. It speaks thus : — " Further, having in view several novel practices and teachings on the subject of confession, your committee desire to affirm that in the matter of confession, the churches of the Anglican communion . hold fast those principles which are set forth in the Holy Scriptures, which were professed by the Primitive Church, and which were reaffirmed at the English Reformation ; and it is their deliberate opinion that no minister of the church is authorised to require from those who may resort to him to open their grief, a particular or detailed enumeration of all their sins ; or to require private confession previous to receiving the Holy Communion ; or to enjoin or even encourage the practice of habitual confession to a priest ; or to teach that such practice of habitual confession, or the being subject to what it has been termed the direction of a priest, is a condition to the attaining the highest spiritual life. At the same time your committee are not to be understood as desiring to limit in any way the provision made in the Book of Common Prayer for the relief of troubled consciences." The report ends in a disclaiming of actual authority, and relies only on the intrinsic merits of what is suggested to enable it to find its way into action. "We invite to them the attention of the various synods and other governing powers in the several churches, and of all the faithful in Christ Jesns throughout the world." " We do not claim to be lords over God's heritage, but we commend the results of this, our conference, to the reason and conscience of our brethren as enlightened by the Holy Spirit of God, praying that all throughout the world who call upon the name of our ; Lord Jesus Christ may be of one mind, may be united in one fellowship, may hold fast the faith once delivered to the saints, and may worship their one Lord in the spirit of purity and love." CoNCLUSIOJf. This is the last meeting of this Synod; a new One will be elected next year, and I trust it will be as far as possible a real representation of the diocese. There will also next year be an. election of Clerical and Lay Representatives for the General Synod which is appointed to meet at Christchurch in 1880. ' That Synod will be a very important one. The first after the first public recognition of the independent position of our Church, and the Church will then have to grapple with the question which it lias hitherto evaded — how to make necessary changes in i?s formularies, etc., and accept proposed alterations, such as the Revised Version of Holy Scripture and Lectionary which may be expected to be before the. Synod shortly. The plan adopted last time of making recommendations for the Diocesan Synods has its advantages, several suggestions which emanated from this synod jfound their way into the ultimate legislation of the General jSynod, and it Would seem not \ an : unreasonable thing for one! Diocese to learn by the experience. ! and enquiries of other Dioceses, so far as there ; was similarity ; of circumstances. I . ,\ ,',-.. ■•, v We have prayed for the! Divine Blessing to rest on puv,.de-, ;■ liberations, and to grant us wisdom , to discover the ..right, qourse ' of action and self denying! patieftce to carry.it out," I,tijus|., w,e , '- shall be animated for the : time. ; we ; are here by ; ,a, spirit,, of ; s brotherly union ancj concofd, with one jmind, striving . together ,-.*) for the faith of th[o Gospel.- We are met here to. do Christian. „• work in a business like way. Let us proceed to do it, . '.'}' .. „