CHURCH OF ENGLAND DIOCESAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4538, 6 October 1875, Page 2

CHURCH OF ENGLAND DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The seventh session of the Diocesan Synod was opened by divine service at St. Paul’s yesterday, at 11 am. The Holy Communion was administered. The Synod assembled at the Diocesan Rooms, at 2 p.m. The followin' 1 * members were present ;—Clerical : The Presb dent, Ven, Archdeacon Stock, Revs. B. K. Taylor, B. W, Harvey, A. Knell, J. Pancourt, W. Ballachy, A. Dasent, J. A. Newth, and J. F. Teakle. Lay : Messrs. E. Pearce, R. Hunter, G. Didsbury, H. Clarke, C. P. Powles, W. H. Quick, W. A. Fitzherbert, A. B. Sheath, W. M. Bannatyne, J, D. Cruickshank, G. Beetham, E. W. Lowe, W. A. Marchant, and Colonel Gorton.

The President then read the following address :

Brethren of the Clercjv and of the Laity,—

Hitherto in meeting a new Synod it has seemed necessary to make some allusion to the system under which our ecclesiastical business is conducted; but there are now so many members present who are not entering on their duties’for the first time, but have taken part in the work of former Synods, that it seems scarcely needful to do so. When, indeed, X reflect on the fact that this is the seventh Synod of this diocese, triennially elected, our chinch system can only be deemed a novelty by persons who have recently arrived from countries where there are established churches. I would rather on the present occasion express thankfulness to Almighty God for the blessed freedom which we enjoy, of worshipping Him without any let or hindrance whatever; and for the privilege we possess of making all such rules and regulations for the wellbeing of the Church, through the action of both the General and Diocesan Synods, as may be deemed expedient. I will, therefore, only express my confident hope, that our work may be carried on with an earnest desire to promote the spiritual welfare of the diocese: and that the same good feelidg, the same free and candid expression of opinion, the same harmony of action, that have hitherto prevailed in former Synods, may continue among us.

I have thought it advisable on occasions like the present to call the attention of the Synod to whatever of importance occurred in England concerning church matters having any bearing on the colonial churches. Very little of that character, so far as I am aware, has taken place since the last meeting of the Synod which demands our notice. There are, however, a few to which I will venture briefly to allude. I directed the attention of the Synod last year to the strange anomaly, that when the Metropolitan of the Church of South Africa was consecrated in England, he took the oath of canonical obedience to the Archbishop of Canterbury with a reservation, that is to say, in a restricted and limited sense agreed upon beforehand. It is satisfactory to know that since then, by a clause contained*in the Colonial Clergy Act, it is no longer necessary on such occasions that any oath of canonical obedience to the Archbishop should be taken by a Bishop consecrated for a colony. Clause 12 of the Act of the Imperial Parliament is as follows;—“It shall be lawful for the Archbishop of Canterbury or the Archbishop of York for the time being, in consecrating any person to the office of Bishop for the purpose of exercising episcopal functions elsewhere than in England, to dispense, if he think fit, with the oath of due obedience to the Archbishop.” I here notice also that the same Act of the Imperial Parliament prescribes the conditions on which clergymen ordained in any colonial diocese may be instituted to any benefice in England, or hold any other ecclesiastical preferment. As this Act has been forwarded to me (as well as to the other Bishops of this ecclesiastical province) by the Colonial Secretary, at the request of Lord Carnarvon, 1 take this opportunity of laying it on the table. While the Imperial Parliament has thus by legislation removed what might have been regarded as the last remaining legal connection between the Church of England and the colonial churches, it is satisfactory to be able to recognise the fact that it has at the same time afforded additional facilities for what is far more important than any legal ties, namely, that kindly feeling and brotherly fellowship which consist in allowing clergymen ordained in colonial churches to be instituted to benefices in the Established Church of England.

While on this subject, I must notice a strange misapprehension that still continues to exist in the Convocation of Canterbury as to the real ecclesiastical position of the Church here. It was proposed that a note should be added to a rubric In the service for the consecration of Bishops, which requires the Queen’s mandate to be produced. It is as follows“ Note, this demand need not be made in colonies or foreign countries in which the Queen’s mandate is not by law required.” In the report given in the Guardian of April 21st, the Archbishop appears to have said ‘'that the recommendation had been suggested by the Bishop of Lichfield in consequence of the peculiar circumstances of some of the colonial churches. It might be asked why the colonial churches, being free bodies, did not settle this for themselves. The answer was, that the colonial church in New Zealand, out of its extreme loyalty to the Church of England, had bound itself to make no alteration whatever in the service, unless the Church at Home should itself have previously made such alteration ; therefore, in order to enable the New Zealand Church to put itself right in this matter, the committee were quite willing that this addition to the rubric should be introduced.” The alteration was agreed to. This action on the part of Convocation was uncalled for. The Church of this ecclesiastical province had already in Statute nineteen, clause 1, enacted that—“ Those parts of the service for the consecration of Bishops which relate to the Queen’s mandate shall be omitted and discontinued. ” Its authority for this enactment is recited in the preamble of the statute. It is exceedingly interesting, as well as-instructive. to watch the present proceedings of the Irish Church in its endeavors to surmount the difficulties which its altered circumstances have occasioned. The attempts hitherto made by its Synod to amend the Book of Common Prayer can scarcely be deemed a success. None of the suggested alterations have yet received a final sanction ; and possibly very few of these will ever obtain such sanction. The difficulty that has been experienced in the attempted revision may at least have the good effect of affording additional testimony to the excellence of the book itself. Nothing is easier than to raise objections to much that is contained in such a book; but to substantiate their importance and validity in the presence of an audience both learned and highly qualified to deal with the subject-matter which they concern, is more difficult, and more frequently results in failure than might have been previously imagined. It is a subject for regret that some English clergymen occupying prominent positions at Oxford should have though proper hastily to condemn, in a most unqualified manner, the course of action which the Church of Ireland appeared to bo taking. Members of an established church like that in England, who neither have experience or responsibility in such subjects, should be very cautious in their criticisms and judgments on the efforts made by independent churches, after many years of constrained inactivity, to legislate for themselves. Taunts and threats of assistance in establishing a schism, are not arguments; nor are they at all calculated to influence for good the Synod of the Irish Church in its laudable endeavors, made under great disadvantages, to remove what appear to some to be grievances. I gather from what recently took place at the Convocation of Canterbury that it is contemplated to hold a Conference of Bishops at Lambeth in the year 1577. As this is the year in which our General Synod will meet, it is scarcely possible that any Bishop of the Church of New Zealand will think it consistent with his more urgent duties to absent himself from this country for the purpose of attending the proposed conference. But even should he entertain anv doubt as to what course he might to pursue In reference to the conllicting duties which might seem to claim bis attention, that doubt would certainly be dispelled from his mind by a perusal of the proceedings of Convocation. The feeling shown was, if not cold, at least luke-warm and discouraging. It certainly did not appear from what foil from Ilis Grace the Archbishop that any matters either of importance or even general interest will be brought forward for disexission. This is to bo regretted. There can be no doubt that a gathering together of Bishops, both from the American Church and the colonial churches, at Lambeth, might be made the means of giving expression to very decided opinions as to many matters bearing on the wellbeing of the colonial churches, which would be of very great assistance in helping their various synods to arrive at conclusions, which they might then feel fully convinced were not repug nant to acknowledged and accepted ecclesiastical principles and customs. But I now only briefly allude to this subject.

I would now direct your attention to matters of more immediate interest. During the last session of the Synod a resolution was carried which I hope may prove most beneficial to this dioiese—l allude to one passed, after considerable discussion, in reference to an extension of the order of deacons. It is as follows :—“ That this Synod concurs with what has fallen from the President during its session, that it is expedient to increase the staff of clergy in the diocese, more particularly in the outlying districts of it, by admitting to deacons' orders men of suitable character and attainments, who may be willing to devote some portion of their time to the work of the ministry, without requiring them to give up the secular occupation by which they gain their livelihood." I am of opinion that this is a step in the right direction, and that much benefit to the Church may follow from it, more especially under the safeguards which our church system provides against any abuse, one of which I may refer to, namely, Statute IG—“ For establishing diocesan boards for the purpose of considering the general fitness for the ministry of candidates for deacons’ orders." I will venture to offer to the Synod a few remarks on tliis subject, not having alluded to it in my address last year; an omission which I afterwards regretted. That omission on my part led, I believe, to an erroneous impression in the minds of some present, that the subject, when proposed to the Synod, was not in accordance with my views and wishes. I will here remark, by the way, that I sometimes experience a little difficulty on such subjects. I am always most anxious that every question brought under the consideration of the Synod should be dealt with in the freest maimer possible, and fairly on its merits. I therefore naturally abstain from placing my views before the Synod, at such an early stage of its proceedings, in such a prominent manner os might seem an attempt to forestall a judgment, or tend to check free inquiry. But to proceed. It may be needful at the outset to clear away one possible misapprehension on this subject. The Church has always recognised, and still does recognise, a broad distinction between the office of deacon and that of priest. This distinction is very clearly marked in the ordination service. Now, it is not contemplated that the rule laid down in the afore-mentioned resolution should extend beyond the office of deacon. Ido not think it needful to go into any historical examination of the position of deacons in the early Church. It would appear that in numerous Churches that position was in many respects very different. The Church of Romo limited the number of deacons to seven, from a mere servile following of what was recorded as to the original number appointed to the office at Jerusalem.

While alluding to this aspect of the subject, it is highly important to obtain, if possible, a clear conception of what the legislative functions of any

branch of the Church where an ecclesiastical province exists really are. Without venturing to pass any judgment on much that occurred in the external organisation of the Ancient Church, more especially as regards details (where there was great variety," of which we possess very inadequate and imperfect information) ; assuming, in fact, that this was all-wise and beneficial under existing circumstances, it in no way follows from such admission that each of the Church has not now an equal right, and. indeed, is not under an obligation to think for itself, and devise in practical matters what is the best course to pursue for the promotion of its own wellbeing and extension.

It would seem almost impossible that any person competently acquainted with both the Yew Testament and the remains of the early literature of the Church, could doubt the fact that when the Apostles passed away what they left behind them was a Church with a ministry consisting of bishops, priests, and deacons. - Whatever opinions might be formed, and, indeed,, have been formed as to the obligation incumbent on the Church, everywhere and always, to perpetuate this three-fold ministry, one thing, at least, ought to appear clear, that such a perpetuation of what had its origin under Apostolical sanction, if, indeed, it was not expressly established by the Apostles themselves, must be a wise, reverential, and safe course for the Church now to pursue. The Church of England has ever acted on this principle She has scrupulously acted on what she believed to be the Apostolical practice in reference to the three orders in the ministry of the Church. But it is a matter for regret that the circumstances in which the Church of England has been placed have not been altogether favorable to the full development of sound ecclesiastical principles. As compared with the Ancient Church, strange must appear the disproportion that actually exists between the relative numbers of both bishops and deacons to priests. This departure from very early precedent is beginning to be perceived. Efforts are being made to obtain an increase in the number of Bishops. But a Church established by law labors under restrictions tending seriously to impede the speedy application of a remedy. This has been very recently manifested in the objections raised in both Houses of the Imperial Parliament to a Bill introduced by Lord Lyttelton during its last session, for facilitating the division of English sees, and the increase of the number of Bishops. It has also been perceived that the efficiency of the Church has been materially impaired by the absence, for all practical purposes, of a permanent order of deacons. At present a deacon continues as such merely for one or two years at most, until he can be ordained priest. I expect, therefore, that, as an order with a defined sphere of duty in the Church, deacons can hardly be said to have any existence in the Church of England.. This deficiency was many years ago pointed out, and dwelt upon with much earnestness, by the late Dr. Arnold. It is to this that I would wish to draw your attention. Nobody would protest more decidedly than I should against any departure from the principles of the Church of England, as embodied in the Book of Common Prayer. But I do not think it needful for the Church in this country to adhere in any servile narrow spirit to what may have obtained in details of practice in the Church of England, existing as it does as an established church under circumstances very different from those in which the Church in New Zealand is placed. We do not pretend to claim any peculiar wisdom in these matters. Still, our position here may have enabled us to perceive wants that were not seen or felt in England, and, consequently, to suggest remedies that were not required in England. But this perhaps isnot an adequate representation of the real state of the case. It frequently happens that a want exists, and is recognised, and the remedy is suggested, but that the peculiar relations of the Church with the State preclude the possibility of obtaining the remedy which is proposed. As bearing very clcsely on the subject I am endeavoring to elucidate, I venture to make a brief allusion te what lately occurred in the Lower House of the Convocation of Canterbury. There is a part of Wales where the circumstances of the Church bear some analog)’ to those of the Church at the present time in this country. Prebendary Edwards is reported in tho Guardian, of July the 14th, to have said: —‘* In many parishes in North Wales, and particularly in the diocese of Bangor, the incumbent, together with a very small income, had three or four churches, which were in many cases a considerable distance from each other. Many years ago it was the custom, —and it was so still to some extent,—for one clergyman to endeavor to serve all those churches himself, going early in the morning to one church, riding thence after the service to another, and so on, until he had been in all.” He goes on to say:—“He knew a hamlet where, there having been previously only two or three small houses in the whole valley, in consequence of an enterprising coal-owner having opened a new pit there, there sprang up within a few years a population of more than 2000, The Church had hitherto remained entirely unrepresented among the population in consequence of its having been assumed that nothing could be done without a bishop, a priest, or a deacon. Within the range of his own experience, a clergyman having built a mission chapel in his parish, asked a layman to read the service. The layman did read it'; but the Bishop told the clergyman that he did not feel justified in allowing him to do so. The clergyman replied that the church was not consecrated ; but the Bishop’s answer was, that although it was not consecrated, yet in the minds of the people it represented the Established Church, and he wished the order of the Church to be observed with regard to it. The result was that the services of the layman were discontinued.” This really strikes one as an apt illustration of the words of the poet —Propier vifam rimuii perdcre causas, when the Church, for the sake of preserving her propriety and her dignity, fails to discharge an obvious duty, and allows her children to starve. As Prebendary Edwards remarked, thus “ people of a religious turn of mind were left without religious sustenance so far as their own churches were concerned, and if they wished for religious comfort had no resource but to seek it in dissenting chapels.” From these remarks it would appear that in England, what we have here found highly conducive to the welfare of the Church, and without which many of our people must have wandered irrevocably away from the fold, I mean the sendees conducted by layreaders, seem wholly alien to the minds of manyearnest churchmen.

. Let us now attend to the remedy which has already been suggested in England, which may probably be adopted when the suggestion has had time to work its way into men’s minds. It is precisely that which we have adopted, namely, that an order of deacons should be encouraged, who might continue their ordinary avocations in life, but who would be expected to give a portion of their time,- and especially the Sun* day, to the ministrations of the Church, In the debate to which I have just referred, the Rev. Lord Alwyne Compton is reported to have said“ He though that such cases as Prebendary Edwards had mentioned would be best met by the adoption and carrying out of a proposal of a committee of that House, which was sanctioned by a committee of the Lower House of the Convocation of York—that persons might he ordained as deacons without belonging to the clerical order. The difficulty of carrying out such a proposal depended partly on statute and partly ou canon law. He hoped the question would come before that House formally some day, though it was some years since the proposal had the sanction of the two committees.’* It would appear, then, that the only obstacle standing in the way of what for some years past has been recognised in both the Southern and Northern Convocations as a very obvious mode of supplying a much needed remedy in the Church, has been occasioned by; statute and canon law. Now, the statute law certainly does not apply to us here. As to the canon law, it cannot affect us, inasmuch as the Church in this country has full power to legislate for itself on such subjects. Having-thus endeavored to clear away what might be thought antecedent objectioas. it may be well to. inquire whether any practical benefit is likely to be derived from what has appeared to some a novelty or innovation. In other words, is it merely a gratuitous experiment which has been thoughtlessly ventured upon ? The action of the two committees of the twa English Convocations should be deemed a sufficient guarantee that it is not a novelty, and that it involves no danger to Church principles. As bearing on its probable practical utility, I will quote a short passage from a very interesting letter written by Bishop Patteson the year before Ills death to the Bishop of Nelson, which is calculated to throw light on that aspect of the subject. I alluded to this letter last year, while the question was under discussion in tbe Synod, as likely to have more weight than anything I could say. His words are—“ There seems to be good grounds for saying that a deacon need not give up his occupation, trade, &c., by which he obtained a livelihood before he was ordained. Assuming this to be so, I confess I should like to see men, young and old, of good report for their moral and religious character, ordained to the diacoaate; understanding by this, that the time they gave before to district visiting, to Sunday-schools, to the work of a lay or Scripture reader, was to be given still to much the same occupations, but with the additional grace and authority of the ordained minister. Our ordinal, as all well know, marks the difference between the offices of the deacon and priest in the strongest way,” Two years ago the West India Bishops met to take counsel as to the best mode of promoting the welfare of the Church in their diocese. This subject occupied their attention. That their meeting was of a formal character appears from the opening words of the document they circulated:—“We, the undersigned Bishops of the West Indian Church, having been permitted, in God’s good providence, to meet together for consultation upon various questions affecting the welfare of the said Church, desire to communicate the following resolutions to the clergy and laity of our several dioceses.” The resolution I refer to is as follows : —“The admission to holy orders of a person who intends to continue partially occupied with some secular pursuit must bo left to the discretion of each individual Bishop In all cases, unless of extreme urgency, such persons should act only in subordination to the priest in charge of the parish or district.” I now only think it needful to add, that before X took any part in the Synod on this subject, I submitted my views on the whole question to our respected Primate, and received from him his approval of what was proposed. Acting, then, on what I believed to bo a sound and healthy principle, and with the sanction of the Synod of tho diocese, on Trinity Sunday I admitted to the order of deacons two persons, whom, after due inquiry and examination, in which I was assisted by the archdeacon, I believed to be thoroughly competent to discharge the duties they were willing to undertake. I refer to the Rev. William Booth and the Rev. Charles t>. I>e Castro. The former—acting under the directions of the Rev. A. Kneil—is doing good service to the Church at Carterton, a populous township, situated on the main road between Grcytown and Masterton ; the latter has already rendered some valuable assistance to the Church in Wellington. I have not thought it advisable to summon either of the two new deacons to the Synod. I fully explained to them my reason for not doing so. Where any uncertainty exists, it is wise to delay until such time as it may become necessary to act. 1 trust the General Synod will, at its next session, legislate in connection with this subject. I look forward with confidence to much benefit to the Church by the extension of this order. I cannot but hope that when the subject is more thoroughly understood, i t may appear to some religouslay members of the Church, even at a somewhat late period of life, that their knowledge of Holy Scripture, combined with their knowledge of men and experience of life, might be fitly consecrated to the service of God by their entering the order of deacons, and assisting, within certain well-defined limits of action, the re gular minister of any parish or parochial district in

he discharge of his important duties. Meanwhile I feel thankful to Almighty God that I have had the privilege in this diocese of making a movement in what I believe to be the right direction. The Primate has called my attention to the following resolutions of the General Assembly :-HIJ “ That it is desirable to lay down distinctly in bt.ituu 5, for the appointment of pastors to parishes, that nominators must be communicants _(2.) lhat tins resolution as adopted be remitted to the serial Diocesan Synods tor their consideration, in connection with the other points raised "P°“ the reference to the first clause of this resolution, the opinion of the Synod of this diocese mule clear Vet 3, c. 4 having provided that every nominator chosen by the vestry- of a I"" 3 . 1 ' *;“ieed communicant resident in the diocese. It has, indeed, been contended that this is op l S - enae jg danse contained in statute u which J ' 0 { that—“ The nominators to be chosen by the v f jstry o the parish shall be elected annually. But I fail to perceive that the Diocesan Act is in any respect an infradion of clause 20 of the Constitut on. But Lowever tli-s maybe decided, it certainly is not repu,,Sant to' clause 21 of the Constitution, which was in force in S When the Diocesan Act came into operation Had Statute 5 expressly, stated that the nominators need not be communicants, the case would bo different; but the two clauses are in nosense ?epuenant to other. Nevertheless, it may he advisable for this Synod, either now or at its next session to pass a resolution on the subject for transmission* to the Primate, to be laid, before the General regard to the other points raised in the resolution referred to, it will be for you to determine whether or not vou will consider them during the present session I wish, however, to take this opportunity of expressing a general concurrence with the recommendations of the committee appointed by the Diocesan Svnod of Nelson to consider certain proposed changes n Statute 5, more especially those relating to the Board of Nominators. _. A subject for the consideration of the Synod will be a Bill for the purpose of carrying into effect Statute 15 “ For the election of lay representatives to the General Synod.” It will be in the recollection of some now present, that this subject came before the Synod at its last session, and that the draft Bill printed in the report occupied its attention. Possibly some improvements may be suggested to what was proposed last year, I trust that some member of the Svnod will now be so good as to take charge of the Bill While oa this subject I would remind you that n election of representatives to serve in the General mod in the year 1577 will probably take place before the next annual meeting of this Svnod. It should be borne in mind that grave issues will then be raised, which will require all the attention that churchmen may be able togive to such subjects The next session will be held at Nelson. It will, therefore, be most important to elect, if possible, such persons only as mav be able to attend the Synod. No doubt facilities for'travelling exist now that did not exist in the year IST»2 when the Svnod last met there. But I have a distinct recollection that only one lay representative (that one from Wellington) attended from any place ontside the diocese of Nelson. I trust that four competent lay representatives will be found who may have the leisure, as well as the will, to discharge the very responsible duties that now devolve on every member of the General Synod. There are questions which will he brought forward and must be settled. Whether they shall be settled wisely and satisfactorily must depend in great measure on the knowledge and practical wisdom displayed in dealing with them. What I mean to state very empbaticaUy is, that there are questions which will not admit of much fU In couneSion with this subject X would desire to call particular attention to the absolute necessity of impressing upon members of the Church m every district the duty of enrolling their names m the Register Book. It has been unaccountably neglected in some districts I must request my brethren of the clergy, those who have charge of parochial districts in the country to make, if possible, some fresh efforts to obtain a fuller registration of the members of our Ch lb?ccordance with a request made by the Bishop of Nelson I have forwarded to every member of. the Svnod a printed paper containing certain resolutions agreed to at the Synod of that diocese in reference to the draft bill for alteration of Formularies, which was by order of the General. Synod printed for general information in an appendix to the report. I feel unable myself to concur with the resolutions referred to Having very decidedly expressed my opinion in the General Synod on the various points involved in the resolutions, and having subsequently seen.no reason to alter mv opinion, I will not now enter on what is a large subject, which could only be explained satisfactorily by being treated at great length. If. however it should be the wish of the Synod to proceed with the*consideration of this subject during the present session, I shall be prepared to explain the opinions I hold in reference to it. The onlv part of the printed paper to which T * am now alluding with which X to a certain extent concur, is a notice of motion by the Bishop of Nelson, concluding with the words, •‘this Synod recommends the adoption of the provisions of the Statute of the General Synod, No. 20, as amply sufficient for the purpose” of regulating the mode in which all alterations should be proposed, considered, and agreed to. But whether this Synod may think proper or not to deal with these questions during the present session, I strongly advise the Synod to leave open their final determination until the next session, as additional light will most probably be thrown on them during the interval. A new distribution of members for electoral districts will he needed before another election of members for the Synod takes place. This was done three years ago, at the first session ol the new Synod ; but ifc subsequently appeared to bave been a mistake. During the last two years populous places have grown up. I need only mention Palmerston and Feilding, with their neighborhoods, whose present claims to representation obviously could not then bave been foreseen. -TVe have every reason to suppose that the future increase of the population of the diocese will, during the two ensuing years, be as rapid as during the last. It will, therefore, I think, be advisable ledelav until next session, if not to the following one, any changes which it may be thought needful to make in the electoral districts. As fuller reports from both the Standing Committee and the various parishes and parochial districts are now laid before the Synod than was usual a few years ago, it is not necessary that I should make many remarks upon the same subjects. There are, however, a few to which I will briefly refer. Since the northern boundary of this diocese was extended to Tipoka, near Cape Egmont, I'have visited the country bevond the line, or rather Paver Waigagongoro, which is the extreme limit of the district at present occupied by English settlers. I found there a large Maori population, who, since the war, have settled down into quiet habits of life. I was everywhere well received by them, especially at Pariaka. They have sadly fallen off in a religious point of view. I noticed with regret a widespread feeling of sullen discontent not unraixed with a feeling of resentment. Nevertheless, in several places I found there were a few who still met together for Divine worship ; and I also ascertained that many individuals whom I had known in former years both in "Wellington and at Waikanae held fast the Christian faith. It would be very desirable to place a Maori clergyman at the extreme limit of the diocese, who might minister to the people occupying the country where this diocese and that of Auckland meet. I have made a suggestion to that effect to the Bishop of Auckland. At the West Coast, I am happy to say that there is a gradual improvement taking place. The Rev. J. Me William has now nnder instruction an intelligent Maori of consistent Christian character, who, when a boy, was educated first at Otaki, and subsequently at St. John's College, and whom I hope before long to admit to deacon’s orders, if I can see a reasonable prospect of obtaining for him a moderate stipend. I would here venture to express my regret that offertories on behalf of the Maori Mission seem to have fallen off during the past I had confidently looked for an increase. The Maoris of the Wairarapa still remain without any regular spiritual ministrations. Since the Synod last met, the Rev. A. Dasent has ucceeded the Rev. 17. M. Kennedy at Patea. That gentleman, for whose travelling expenses a considerable sum of money was granted last year, after nine month’s residence in the district, resigned his charge without assigning any reason whatever for so doing; and left the diocese without obtaining from me a hene decepit. . , The Rev. J. Newth has during the year accepted the charge of the Porirua-road district, which had been vacant for a year ; and the Rev. XT. Bevls has taken charge of Palmerston and its vicinity. # The Rev. J. F. Teakle, who is in deacon's orders, is appointed to Masterton, and will for the present be under the directions of the Rev. A. Knell, who is in priest’s orders, and who has been many years in charge of the whole of Wairarapa. , j have already alluded to the rapidly-increasing population of Feilding and other townships between Manawatu and Rangitikei. Two or three additional clergymen are needed for that part of the diocese. At present the Rev. A. Towgood, who resides at Marton, periodically visits, for the purpose of holding divine service, both Bulltown and Sandon ; and Mr. Bevis will hold fortnightly services at Feilding. But I shall hope before long that such arrangements will be made as may enable me to locate clergymen at Bulltown, Feilding, and Foxton. Another clergyman is also needed to minister to the population between Wanganui and Patea. AttheEast Coast it would be desirable to station a clergyman at Wharcama or its neighborhood, to take charge of the population in that district, and from thence to the easternextremity of the diocese. It is obvious that for the purpose of effecting these contemplated arrangements local efforts towards raising funds must be chiefly depended on. I am happy to say that by means of the benevolent exertions and liberal donations recently made in an exceptional endeavor to augment the diocesan fund, assistance may be given to those districts where the want shall appear to the Standing Committee to be most urgent. But I would again remind churchmen throughout the diocese of an obligation incumbent on all besides giving to their own parishes, to make some ’regular annual contribution, however small, to the general fund of the diocese. The action of the Standing Committee is greatly hindered by the uncertainty of the amount to be relied on. I hope during the ensuing year to be able to organise a better system for promoting this object in future. It is with much satisfaction that I notice the progress that has of late been made at Wairarapa. Bast autumn 1 consecrated a new church at Carterton, which had been erected by the inhabitants on a very excellent site, liberally given by ftlr. Walker of that place. I at the same period also consecrated the church at Masterton, which had been enlarged and improved, I might almost say rebuilt, by means of local efforts. I am happy to say that a new parsonage has been built at Greytown In a much more convenient situation than that in which the clergyman formerly resided. I would also mention that at Palmerston, in the Manawatu district, a new church is in progress of erection. 1 hope that the new church now in course of erection in the Adelaide-read, in this city, will prove a blessing to the people of the neighborhood. It would be advisable for the Synod to take steps towards constituting that district into a distinct parish. I presume before long another church will bo erected at this end of the town. I lay on the table the reports of the various parishes and parochial districts, also a tabulated form of the trust properties of the diocese. I had intended to offer a few remarks to my brethren of the clergy as to the best mode of providing religious instruction for children in the out-

Iviag parts of the diocese, but I must abstain from doing so now. I shall hope to be able to do so in a less formal manner. Meanwhile, every effort should be made to enlist lay agency in the establishment of Sunday-schools, and in working them efficiently. * I would now only express my hope that under the Divine guidance we -shall continue our exertions in endeavoring to do what may most tend to the glory of God, the welfare of the Church, and the special spiritual wellbeing of this diocese. May the blessing of Almighty God ever rest upon our labors. The President then laid on the table various returns from parishes and districts. Mr. Pearce then moved, and Mr. Clause seconded, the following motion : —“ That the thanks of the Synod be given to the President for his address, and that he he requested to allow it to be printed.” Carried. The following officers were then elected ; Clerical Secretary, Aon. Archdeacon Stock ; Lay Secretary, Mr. Quick ; Chairman of Committee, Mr. Bannatyne ; Treasurer of the Diocesan Fund, Mr. Powles. The Synod then adopted the standing orders of the last session.

The Rev. B. W. Harvey obtained a committee to investigate and report upon the returns from parishes and districts. To consist of the Kev. B. W. Harvey, Kev. J. Fancourt, Rev. A. Knell, and Messrs. Powles and Bids ■ bury. Several notices of motion were then laid on the table.

The Synod then adjourned to 7.30 p.m. next day.