Original Correspondence. THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH in NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 269, 27 December 1848, Page 2

Original Correspondence. THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH in NEW ZEALAND.

LETTER 11. To the Editor of the New Zealayider. Sir,— -Labouring, as does the Episcopal System in this island, under defects which need immediate correction. I have long been accustomed to look to Bishop St-lwyn, not only as the so'e authority from which such corrections can emanate; hut also as one who has more than once stated views which, if carried out to their legitimate extent, would place us on an efficient and liberal basis. As far as I could understand his deliberately txpressed sentiments, I had formed the conclusion that he wai willing to step from the high pinnacle on which he was placed, and allow his opinion! and proceedings to be to far modified by those of the body over which he presided, as was necessary to protect our community from those violsnt swayingfi, those txaltations and depressions, that irregular and insecure motion, to which every system must be subject while under the uncontrolled administration of one pers >nHis views seem to have been clearly and satisfactorily slated in the following passages from hit late charge. He tays, page 70. " I believe the monarchical idea of the episcopnte to be as foreign to the true mind of the Church, as it is adverse to the Gospel doctrine of humility " Again, (page 71,) "The expressive ma in our native language I pray may be always affixed to my name, I would rather reiign my office, than be reduced to act as a single isolated being." On a more recent occasion, at a meeting in Auckland, he it reported to have said, and the report has never been contradicted, that the Church of England, in its pure state, it the purest form of democracy. I confess that lam not of the same opinion. Still luch a statement, with his published declarations, should be sufficient to shew that his abstract ideas are in favour of a modified government. A question now to be ailced ii, How far do Bishop Selwyn» acts agree with his theory ? Thank God but little occasion has at yet occurred for the infliction of ecclesiastical punishments. The only field, therefore, on which his views could be developed was, the construction of a system of eccleßiantical government. As far back as September, 1844, he formed a council of the clergy to " advise him in the exercise of the functions of his office," (Charge, page 72.) Since that dale, availing himself ot the only time in which a large number of his clergy had assembled, he held another meeting of this couutil, or •' synod," as he has denominated it. The year 1848 has seen a considerable progress in the carrying out of his views. He formed a council of the laity ; not, it is true, for the purpose of legislation, but to assist him to construct a scheme which might be piesented to the authorities at home fortieir sanction. The holding this latter meeting one could not but regard as a bold step, and one needing much wise care and patient perseverance to conduct it to a happy issue. For, as your correspondent of November 4, has truly observed, a meeting of the laity is a. far different thing from a meeting of the clergy. The truth is, clerical tynods at present are a mere namr. In such a small body in which the Bishop, even tl.ough he desire it, cannot diveit himself of his influence j in which nearly half of the members are " official;" in which they speak by permission, not by right, no in-

dependent debate, or vote, can be expected* ; and one cannot help thinking, that if (he iimgination of a late witty writer could trace in a hare lines of strong resemblance to « clergyman in thr presence of his bishop, the same abe caricaturist would have found in a conclave of mice proposing their bell in the presence of Puss, a not unlikely representation of a group of New Zealand pirsons, (if parsoni they may be called,) discussing before their episcopal president some restraint upon him, or some measure of security for themselves, In a lay meeting the case is totally different. From the heterogeneous materials, indeed, of which such meeting* are composed— Gompoted of men who feel that th j y are making a sacrifice in leaving their avocations and their ease to discuss most uninterest* ing questions — all must be prepared to expect many ■trange thingi said and done— many trials to the sincerity and steadfastness of the membeu. Still, much good wat to have been expected Laymen have the advantage ia many particulars over the clergy. Their habits of business are mare practical ; their condition it more independent ; and their views of government and of judicial proceedings more just and liberal. The views also that a Christian layman takes of things are for the most part those of common seme; and these, when enlightened by the pure and simple wordi of Scripture, will generally be found to be most correct. The mere churchman, on the contrary, is in great danger of bewildering himself and others in old councils, in obsolete canons, or in tome vague beau ideal of his own of a pure primitive system ; it but little disposed to modify his measures by the state of society • and too frequently holds in contempt anything that is modern. He is one Qui rfldit in fastos, et virtutem sestimal annis ; Miratur que nihil, ni i quod Libni'ia sacravif. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, A Clergymav. ' * The canons, as they are calhd, of the Synod of 1844, may be regarded as a fair specimen of the measures likely to be passed In such a meeting composed of such a very small proportion of independent pres~ byters. It is to be regretted that the decisions of the meeting of September, 1547 , which it was understood, were to be corrective of some of those canons, have not yet been published, and cannot, it is to be feared, be now expi cted in the course of things until the almanack «/"1850 appears.