PAROCHIAL MEETINGS AT SYDNEY.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 631, 1 May 1852, Page 3

PAROCHIAL MEETINGS AT SYDNEY.

A meeting of the Pewholders and Renters of Sittings conveyed by the Ministers and Church-waidens of St. James's Church, "ior the purpose of taking inlo consideiation the circular addressed to the Minister of tho parish by the Lord BUhop of the diocese, on the subject of the establishment of the Diocesan Synods, and Conven ions of Laymen, in accordance with the opinion expressed by tho Bishops of this province assembled in Conference, in 1850," took place on the 31st of Match in the Veatry. Theie were about forty gentlemen present. '1 he Rev. Mr. Allwood who presided as Chairman, having read the letter of the Bishop of Sydney, stated the business which had brought them together, lla confes&ed that lie looked forwaid with great hope to tlie beneficial je-ults which would accrue fiom admitting the laity into the deliberations of tho Chuich, and granting it a voice in its decis'ons. Mr. Justice Dickinson had been invited to attend the present meeting, and had also been requested to move some resolutions connected with thp business winch would occupy their attention. The subject was to him comparatively a strange one, one to which he had never directed his attention previously. Theie never seemed to him any occasion. As a member of the Church of England, he had always appioved of its constitution and doctrines as confoimable to tiie Holy Sciiptures. When he landed upon these shores, he was lejoiced to find that tho Church in this colony was the sune as in the mother countiy. Its doclnnes and ordinances were (hose he lidd been accustomed to in England, and it never occurred to him that theie was any mntenai difference in its pavilion here from Kb position m Engl.ind. He confessed himself entnely ignoiant til ecclesiastical polity.it was a subject whuh had nevni much occupied his thoughts, but so fai as he was able to judge, he ccitainly did not see clearly the necessity of the pieseni movement. He thought theie was sufficient power in the Church to punish heteiodoxy in •any ot its. Cleigymen. Them was no necessity to <;o to the Queen for power to do tins; but, on theothei h.inil the Cbuich of England in this colony was not a bmnch of the Church of England, connected with the Colonial State in the same manner as the Chuicb was at home. .Spiritually it was a blanch of the Chuich in England, tempoi nnly, it was not. As tins was the cake, iheid was no impediment to its meeting in Synods and Conventions as proposed. He was mfoiined, however that a high legal authority in England had said that the Chuich could not moot heie in the rnnnnei pioposinl. For although theie was nothing tv hinder the l.nty from meeting, yet the clergy, bv then \ow& of o'dijntion, were piecluded fiom bo doing. Jhe cleigy thought that fie concunence and aid of the liity in the alhurs oi the Chu/c)) ymTe desiiabje. As there was no regular

Cliurcli Establishment in the colony, it certainly was desirable. In England, the Queen lep resented the laity, but hcie laymen weie unrepiesented. lie thought it was cet tii inly light that some steps should be taken to rectify any existing want or weakness in the chuich, but he iniiit say lie that had not wholly made up his mind as to the propnety of the present movement, and he wished it cleat Iy to be uii'lei stood, that he reset ved to himself the right of altering or changing his views, if ho i>hould see pioper. lie would now read the resolutions, which had been entiusted to him, and hoped that the meeting would give them serious consideration. "The Parishioners of St. James's having given their consideration to the important subject biought beLre them by the Lord Bishop, in his letter to their Minster aieof opinion, — (1.) That the Establishment of Dioci san Synods of Bishops and clergy, and of conventions of Laymen, to be chooen by election from the several congiegations, would be advantageous to the better regulation ol the affaus of the Church. (2.) — That the Members of the Synod and of the Convention should assemble and deliberate together, and that thp concurrent of both outers should be necessary to give validity to any act." Mr. Cape seconded the lesolutions. Mr. Piddington made some strictures on the proposed luannei of assembling Ihe clergy and l.u'ty, and the plan of voting. He condemned the pioposal of allowing the clergy to vote by proxy, as they would be able lo negative the voice of the laity. The Chairman here explained that this powpr of voting by proxy only referred to one meeting. As to the proposed meetings of the clergy and laity, they weie to deliberate together, as could be seen by the resolution, but were to vote separately, so that a majonty of each would be necessary to carry any mpasurc. Mi. Bradndge undei .stood the matter differently from the Chairman. It wasceitmnly pioposed that the meetings of the clergy and laity should be held sepalately, though now it appeared, by the resolutians read, that the clergy and laity were to deliberate together. Mr. Kemp: The plan proposed was similar to that adopted in America. It was quite reasonable to require a majority of laity and a majority of clergy. lie thought the best plan would be tor the meeting to adopt the resolution at once and not waste further time. Mr. A Campbell would say one or two words, although he, like all others, must plead ignorance of the subject. If the clergy and laity were to combine and petition the Queen, it must be for sonic thing definite. What could they ask for, only to delegate the authority to latify the power of assembling. If the superior power is asked to ratify measuies, it must know and approve of them. Before gi anting the power to foim a now Constitution, so to speak, the superior authority must approve of that Constitution. '1 hey acknon ledge the Queen as the Supreme head of the Church, it was therefore proper that they should appoint a committee for the puipose of getting all the information upon the subject, especially with reference to the Constitution of the American Church, and then frame a petition (o the Queen to delegate them the authority for holding assemblies. Dr. Douglas thought that they were all unprepared to dehbeiatc on the subject, that in truth in this matter of Church Polity they were all a set of ignoramu&es, — he begged of course to exempt Mr. Justice Dickinson, for his own part he was in utter ignoiance concerning it, and uiahed to get information. lie would just abk, in the event of a diUvrence of o, inion taking place between the clergy and laity, under the proposed airangement, who was to decide between them. Mr. Kiddle : Why, the question must drop. After some fuither discussion, the resolution was put by the Chairman and carried nem con. The Chairman then stated that the next thing was to consider what practical measures should be adopted to carry out the objects of the resolution just passed. Captain Browne then moved thestcond leso'ution, as follows : — " Wheieas doubts are entenained, whether the subscriptions made by all Bishops anil Clergymen, when ordained or cons°ciated to their respective oflices in ihe ministry, mny not prohibit their assembling (as is desired) in a Diocesan Synod, and a-, it appears that the Bishop and Clergy of this Dioce&e aie about to meet, for the purpose of prepannga petition to Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen to remove the obstacles which appear to oppose the execution of their design of meeting in Synod. The Parlobioners are of opinion, that in such petition, it should be lepresented, that it is desirable that the Clergy and Laity of the Diocese should meet together for deliberation, and that whenever a diffeienci j of opinion takes place, a majority of each oi tier should be lequisite to carry any question under debate." The resolution having been seconded, was, alter some discussion, put and earned. Thanks were then voted to Mr. All wood for his conduct m the eban, and the meeting bioke up.

A meeting of the congregation of the parish of Sf. Andrew's was held on the Ist of Apul, pursuant to advertisement, in the School-house of that paiiah, for the purpose of considering the recent letters of the Lord Bishop of the D.ocese, on the subject of the pioposed Synod and Convention of the Church. The Chair was taken shortly after four o'clock, by the Rev. George King. Dr. Collyer in an able speech, addressed himself to the general question of a constitution for the Chinch, showing' the necessity of a regular organization to ensure the carrjing out of that goodly discipline without which no Chuich could flourish. Other communities of Christians had no difficulty in oidaming such ruk's and regulations ns were found necessary for their edification, and it was most desirable that the Church of England in these colonies should have the same privilege. Those other bodies were flouii^hing" and spreading in every duection, and it was clear that they must have some inherent principle of oigaimation, which alone could bring about Mich a result. Dr. Collyer then st.ted his objections to the pioposed Synods and Conventions, which he thought were too complicated; the object being moie likely to be attained by a consiitution winch should as far as possible abolish the hoe of demaicitmn between tho onleia of clergy and laity. The practice of the Piiimtive Chuieh, I as set foitls in the Acts of the Aposiles, was the best piecedent for them to follow, and they could not do better chat be guided by theauthouty of the Sciiplures. I (Cheer's.) The speaker then referred to the pioceedmgs of the laity in the other dioce^w ( Tasmania and South Austialia) with reference to the minute of the six Bishops of the province, wheiein the clergy and laity had agreed that both orders should be joined " in all delibeiauons and judgments," and concluded by moving the follow ing resolution :—: — " That, in leference to the first question submitted to this Vestry Meeting by out reverend minister, it is 0/ opinion that the establishment of a constitution lor our Chuich is most desnable and necessary, but not such as is contemplated iv tho Bishops minute of Ist November, 11550. And that, with regaid to the second question, this met'tii q desue> iespectfully to express its opinion that no constitution for our Chuich is so likely to sectue peimanent unanimity of sentiment and suppoit from its lay membeis throughout this diocese as one which admits those who aie legulai communicants with it hv their delegates to an equal participation with the clergy in all dehbeiations, decisions, and votes, ntid winch do«s not aloo for that purpose assemble both m one •synod at the call and under the presidency of the Loid Bishop." Mr. Bellinghnm then addressed the meeting, expiessing Ins disappiobation of the manner m which this movement had beon oiigmateri, which lie contended should have been initialed by a geneial meeting of tlio clergy and Inity to deliberate on tho goneial question, and to ascertain the exact position of the Cbuich in these colonies. Mr. Hullinghum strongly urged the right ol the people to he th» depositories of all power which should be exercised by the clergy as the delegates and nunisteis of the people; and entirely lepudiated the idea that the Bishop should initiate the movement He had no confidence in the per*.ons who had drawn up the AJimites of Conference and the pioposed petition . 'Hie speaker also urged the obvious necessity of simultaneous action in the other dioceses of the province, without which tho metropolitan authority of the Lord Bishop of Sjdnej would be necessarily impaired, lie thought 1110 whole of the proceedings hitheito taken weie eironeous, and would be of no effect. He was above all jealous of throwing himself into the arms of the clen>y. [Mr. Bellinglmm w;is proceeding to invei»b against the piactices introduced into the Church, which he thought were inconsistent with the doctrine and practice of the Chinch of Englan I, when ho was called to older !>y tho Chairman, who warned him not to wander fioni the point hefoie the meeting.] Alter some /in ther olsei vations condemnatory of the. coui^e pin sued by thu bishop, ho concluded by becoii'ling ftli. Colljei's lejolutioi), which was put fiom the chair and earned unanimously, ami'l much appliuse. r lhe reverend Chamnnn then, /»" foi irtl, piopnsed tlie (|ii(stio[i — "Whit kmd of :i Syno I would the laity deMie?" which was liowevu an&H ctud by the pievious lesolution. Some conversation then ensued on the subject of the rao'le to be jmi^ued 111 electing delegate^ li 0111 the clergy

and laity to attend tho proposed Synod, whpn a resolu* Uon was proposed by Mr. Robinson ". — j "That this meeting cannot place confidence in any Synod formed of other than all licensed clergymen m full orders in this diocese." Tins motion having been seconded by Mr. Towel], was put andcairied unanimously. On the question of the deMiable number of delegates of the Jany, some conveisation ensued, but n was ultimately agieed that the meeting was not competent to discuss the question. Mr. Barker then moved, " That the thanks of this meeting he offered to his Lordship the Bishop for Ins liberal and praiseworthy intention of obtaining for the laity that important piivili>ge of self government which is the boast and privilege or all Englishmen, and that we most cordially agree with the objdet, and will be happy to support and assist his Lord ship in obtaining the pnvilege he seeks." The motion was supported by Dr. Collyer, and catried unanimously. A vote of thanks was jlien passed to the Reverend Chairman by acclamation, and the meeting separated shortly befoie seven o'clock. The proceedings were throughout characterised by remarkable earnestness. Upwaids of foitv gentlemen attended the meeting.

A meeting- of the Paiishioners of St. Lawrence took place m the School Room adjoining Christ Chuich, on the 2nd of April, at half -past 7 o'clock. There weie near 400 persons piesent, who seemed deeply interested in (he subject. The Reverend Alfied Stephen presided. Mr. Metciilfe, in moving the first resolution, stated that it was a very singulai thing that those who weie loudest in accusing the Bishop of wishing to monopolise the whole powei in the Church were now the ioiemost in opposing the piesent measure, which proposed to delegate a very considerable portion of that power to the laity. He moved — "That the congregation of Christ Church, bavmg given their consideration to the important subject brought before them by their minister at the request of the Lord Bishop, are of opinion that the establishment of Diocesan Synods of Clergy and ot Conventions of Laymen, to be chosen by election from the seveial congregations, would be advantageous to the better regulation of the affairs of the Church. That the members of the Synod and the Convention should assemble and deliberate together (or separately, should either order desire it,) but tb.it they should vote separately, and that a majority of each oider should be necessary to give activity to any act." Mr. Briellat, with a few observations, seconded it. The Chairman was about to put the resolution to the meeting, when Sir Alfred Stephen (tbe Chief Justice) said, tint before it wa9 put he would like to make a few lemaiks, both on the resolution itself, and upon the impoitant subject which had brought tbe.,n together that evening. The i esoluiion which had just been read did not meet bis view s, and although he was not prepared to proposo an amendment, he would state bow far he was compelled to differ from it, and what his own views on the subject were. No man, who had lived in tin's city and in tins diocese, who had paid the least attention, could but have observed tbe veiy gioat apathy which existed among the members of the Chinch of England. This reprehensible apathy was owing, be was sorry to say, in the first place to a lamentable indifference to the uiterests of the Cbuich and ot religion. In the next place, to a wide spiead selfishness, which prevented the people from ever regarding themselves as c<lled upon to aid the cause of religion. But the thiid, the last, and the chief reason, he considered, was that tbe laity Ivad hitherto been debaned from any direct share or influence in the affaiis of the Church. This he considered was the- chief cause of that apathy which was so much deplored. He rejoiced at this movement. Hitherto the laity had been accustomed to leave everything to tlio Bishop and cleigy, and never having been invested with any power or consuleiation in the Chinch never had di earned of intprfei<>rtce. It wns now proposed that thp laity should take an active pait m the aflans of the Cbuicb. But what was this active part? Aftci leading over the several documents in reference to the subject, ho found that the co-operation ol (he laity was asked, so far as regmded the tempoialtttesoi the Church only. (His Honor read an extract fiom the Bis Lop's lett-r bearing out his \iews.) Now he was of opinion that co opeiation to such an extent as this was but of little moment— it was not at all satisfactory. The laity must not merely have a voice m the insignificant matter of temporalities, but inuit have a general participation in all Chuich matters, not puiely spiritual. Great benefit would result to the Church >f tins couise were adopted. The laity would come forwaid to tlie assistance of the clergy, and if necessaiy — he said it with no de-ue to give offence, but such occasions might occur — for the purpose of controlling them, and to prevent any possible measures sub veisne of tho best mteiests of the Church, lie wished it distinctly to be understood that he regarded the laity as much a portion of the Chinch as tbe Clergy and the Bishop, and, except in spiritual matters, entitled to as much sliaie in the management of its affairs. As to the proposed Synods, ho must say he was entiiely averse to them. Ho did not understand what they were, their constitution and their poweis. lie objected to the idea and name of Synods There was no occasion for them. They had occasion only for Conventions, in winch the Bishop, the Clergy, and Laity could meet, deliberate and vote together, according to the plan which had been found to answer so well in Ameiica. There the whole Church was represented by a Generol Convention There were two houses, one consisting of Bishops, and the other of the Clergy and Laity united. They metin sepaiate houses, they deliberated and voted sepaiately. But they acted conjointly. Joint committees of both houses weie appointed for tbe purpose of taking important measures into consideiation. No plan could be better than ti>i-> to cause a united action. He hoped that when tbe Diocesan Conventions would be established, they would see a General Convention of all tbe colonies established also, holding their meetings, as in Anuiica, at one Uim> in this city, and at another in that. '1 lie General Convention in Ameiicabad power, however, to alter the Prayer Book, and even', if necessaiy, tbe Thnty-nine Articles. It behoved them to be circumspi ct in what they did, and not merely to go into geneial pi inci pies, but also into detail*, lie did not propose altering the Thirty-nine Articles constituting their standard of faith, although different men thought differently in lefiren c to them, and appealed to them os their authority. But it raight be necessary to reduce the numbei of the Articles, so as to allow of many other Christians being biought within (he pale of the Church, lie did not say that they should make such important changes, but they should reserve to tbe Convention the power of doing so. If they thought U desirable to shorten the Itubiicand the Services of the Chuich, it was proper that they pbould have tbe power of doing so. Tbe dioceses throughout Ameiica had much the snme constitution. There was no Synod, but there was a Convention of clergy and laity, presided over by a Bi&hop. Mr. Metcalfe thought there was no material difference. His Honor resumed. He thought tbeie was a very great (lifter "nee between the Sjnod and Convention. They undertood wh it was meant by the latter term, not what was implied by the lonmr. (His Honor then read some lengthy extracts, relating to the constitution of the F.pwopal Cluncli in Aivunica.) Now he was not accustomed to admire American institutions, but be must say that thoii system ot Cliurch Government was a most admit able one. If the Bishop wished to prosecute clerical offenders here, be had no power. His bands weie vntually lied, The Knglich statutes did not npply here. He did not mean to say that they were to piovide for tins, — it could only be piovided for by Parliamentary en.ictmcnt. They had to decide whether they would have a Convention of Bishop, Clergy, and Laymen far general purposes, for the transaction of ecclesiastical as rt'ell as economical business. It wa> important to cle.nly what it was they wanted, lie could not give tbe lesolution his support. Ho had no definite idea oi the term Synod, hut of the teiin Convention he had. His Honor then concluded by moving the t"ol owing amendment : — • "That instead of the words 'Diocesan Synods of Clergy and of Conventions of Laymen,' tbe following he .substituted, v>/., ' a Diueesan Convention, consisting of the Bishop, Cler«y, .md Laity, — tho latter, &c. :' and tint instead of the second paiagiaph, the following be substituted — 'Ihat the several inembeis of such Convention should meet, deliberate, and vote together, evcojiting that the laity may lie required to vote by congregations and not by individual voices, or to vote by uuleis of clui<>y and laity separately, in all which I'iises U»o concuiience of a majority of eacli order on all subjects, wbethi r ecclesiastical ci lempoial, slnll be necess ny lo giw validity to any act or measure." Mr. Graham M'con'lod the io«olutiun. bonie dibUisMi.ii tn>uo<!, when tlie Clinnman put the amendment anil tliu original mot'ori to the meeting. I'oi tbe foimer their appealed to ho li vo'es, t'oi the 1 ittet 10. A division was cilled loi, vv'ieu it was found that tbeie woie 112l l 2 AOtes foi the ouginal motion,

and 9 for tbe amendment, which was consequently lo»t Mr. fllackett, in moving tlie adoption of the Petition, must say that at first he was dissatibfiad with his Lordship's lettei, and to be satisfied m refennco to it, ho had called on his Lordship himsolt in refeienco to it. Singular enough, his Lordship's opinions weie precisely ! similar to those of his Honor's. lie said that in Amend j they might take upon themselves to alter the Praypr Book, but it would be presumption in the Chuich in , this colony to attempt such ath ng. He said, fuither- j moie, that tempoiali ties meant everything iv the Church ; that was not spiritual. lie also said, ia answer to a question as to who should elect the Bishops in case of a separation between the colony and the mother country, that the power of election mu&t reside in the people. j Mr. W. T. Pinhey seconded the lesolution. Sir Alfred Stephen, in suggesting an amendment in the resolution, said that the terms of tbe Petition were exceedingly indistinct, vague, and unsatisfactory. In fact, he was unable to say, after reading it, whether it did or did not give the laity the power of inteifering with the affans of the Church. | Alter some further discussion, it was ultimately j agieed that the resolution should be amended, so as meiely to lefer to a petition to be duwn up, and not to the petition already read, which it was decided not to adopt, in consequence of its disciepaucies, with the resolution foimeily passed. The resolution amended is as follows :— lt That tlii3 meeting recommend that in tbe Petition to be ptesented to Her Majesty the Queen, praying for the lemoval of all disabilities to meeting in byuod and Convocation, that may now exist, but decline pledging themselves to any plan defining the power of such Synod and Convocation other than those which shall bu hereafter agreed to by the clergy and laiiy in this colony." 'I he meeting then bioke up at about half-past ten o'clock.

A numerous and highly respectable meeting 1 of the members in connexion with St. Peter's Church, Cook' River, was held on Thursday evening, April 1, at thg residence of the Sheriff (Gilbert Eliott, Esq.,) for the purpose of taking into consideration the Circular of the Lord Bibhop to his clergy. The Rev. Dr. Steele, opened the meeting by invoking ajiblessing upon their dehbeiations, and then proceeded to read to them the above-mentioned ciiculai. As the proposed petition to Her Gracious Majesty the Queen contains nothing, m itself, to winch a Churchman can reasonably object, the piincipal subject that came before the meeting was the constitution, pi escribed by Austialasian Bishops, upon which it is designed that conventions shall be established in these colonies, and more especially that clause by which it is enjoined that the deliberations of the laity shall be exclusively confined to " Questions affecting the tempo) altties of the Chinch," — After a lengthened and animated discussion, conducted throughout with the utmost harmony, in which Messrs. Spark, Eliott, Univin, Peiry, King, Clialder, Way, Capper, amd Cannon took a pait, it was finally and unanimously resolved, on the motion of the senior Churchwaideu, A. B. Spaik, Esq., and seconded by Gilbert Ehott, E>q.— That, having duly con&ideied the communication of the Lord Bishop of Sydney to his clergy, which has just been read to us, we deem it inexpedient that the laity of this district should take any part in promoting the legal establishment of a synod or convention in this diocese, unless upon the following conditions: — 1. That such synod or convention, (or l>y whatever other name the assembly may be designated,) shali consist of two orders only. The clergy, with the Lord Bi&hop, as President, and at least an equal number of lay deputies. 2. That all matters concerning the well being of the Chinch shall be submitted to the decision of the l.uty as well as to tint of the cler»y, seeing that no pciplexing theological questions are likely to come before them, inasmuch as all such have long since been determined by the ;ti tides and lormuhiies of our Church. 5. That each oider shall have thu right of voting separately whenever they may consider it advisable so to do, and that, upon such occasions, no measure shall be deemed " earned," unless it be passed by a majority of each. Thanks having been voted to the Chairman the meeting was then closed.