ST. PAUL’S PARISH, THORNDON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4842, 28 September 1876, Page 3

ST. PAUL’S PARISH, THORNDON.

Last evening a special meeting of the parishioners was held to consider several subjects. The Rev. B. W. Harvey, incumbent, occupied the chair ; and there was a larger attendance than usual. ST, 3fAKK’S CHUKCH, A proposition came up from the vestry, recommending that a sum of <£6o be guaranteed towards paying the rent of a temporary parsonage in connection with St. Mark’s Church. The Rev. Mr. Harvey explained that St. Peter’s was guaranteeing £6O to assist St. Mark’s, and that the grant was only intended to extend over the next twelve .months, by the end of which, time the Bishop fully expected the new parish would be able to meet its own liabilities. The proposition was agreed to unanimously. PROPOSED CHANGE, OF HYMNAL. The committee appointed at the last annual parish meeting brought up. the following report : / Your committee have considered—l. That It is undesirable to introduce any hymnal into the Church which contains hymns opposed to the doctrines of the Church of England. 2. That the hymnal which In other respects is,most desirable, does contain such hymns ; therefore, your committee beg to suggest that.these, matters be brought before the Diocesan Synod by the members for this parish, with the view to recommend it to the consideration of the General Synod at its next session. The Rev, B. W. Haiivky, in placing the report before the meeting, said it would be very necessary for the Synod to consider the

matter, because the hymnal at present used by the Church in New Zealand was out of print, and therefore he did,not consider it desirable for a parish to commit itself to any particular book. As to “ Hymns Ancient and Modern,” he must say he had a strong objection to . the book—an objection which had arisen . after he had examined the book carefully. At one time he had been in favor of its being used, but since there had been many objectionable additions to it, and since then circumstances, had transpired within the Church of England which must show to any thinking man the necessity of taking a very firm stand in relation to doctrinal matters. He mentioned the 309th, 97th,

64th, 65th, 450th, and others,, as teaching in direct terms doctrines contrary to the tenets of the Church of England. It was very well to say these need not be, used, but if they were contained in a book the use of which was permitted, the Church would be responsible, for them. If the doctrines contained in the book were admitted, Protestants would virtually throw away the benefits conferred upon them by the Reformation; and the work ,Of eliminating objectionable doctrines from the prayer book would have been a waste of time, for the same argument as to not using objectionable parts might have been' applied to the prayer book. He hoped that the Synod would take the matter up, and endeavor to get the publishers of “Hymns Ancient and Modem” to issue a new edition from which should be omitted the objectionable hymns. Probably the publishers would be glad to do so, as the feeling against these particular hymns was very strong both in England and the other colonies. Mr. C. Govett called attention to the fact that the “ New Zealand Hymnal” was not entirely free from questionable doctrine, and instanced the 233rd and other hymns. Mr. H. T. : Clarke moved, and M. W. Churton seconded, pro for ma.

That this meeting concurs in the recommendation of the Hymnal Committee, and that it be an instruction to the members representing this parish,to lay the same before the Diocesan Synod at , its next session. I

Mr. Clarke spoke strongly against “Hymns Ancient and Modern,” pointing,, out that Bishop Williams some time ago, 5 in.a charge to the Synod, had taken up.the, same ground as had been taken by the Rey.. Mr. Harvey, | Colonel Gorton then!’moved as an amendment—, ,' ■ " • ' ■ :

That tho meoting conoursin the first' paragraph o( the report, but not in the seednd: ’ '' ■ : That as it is desirable the opinion of the members of the congregation of St. Paul's Church, Thorndon, should be consulted as to the desirability, or otherwise,. of’ bringing the “Hymns' Ancient and Modern” into use in their church, the vestry be at once requested to send a circular to each soatholdcr of both sexes above the age of twenty-one, asking whether they would like, or otherwise, to have the “ Hymns Ancient and Modern," as now used in the churches in the Diocese of Canterbury and Otago, brought into use in dt. Paul’s Church, Thorndon, and requesting a reply may be sent within one week of receipt of circular. That the curate be requested to give notice in church to members of the congregation, who are not seatholders, that circulars consulting them as to the desirability of using the “Hymns Ancient and Modern” can be obtained on application to the churchwardens.

That replies received to this circular be opened by a committee from the vestry,. composed of the Rev. B. Wi Harvey, Messrs. Clarke, Govett, and .4110 mover.

That if the replies so received show that a majority of the parishioners desire that the “ Hymns Ancient and Modern” should be sung in St. Paul’s Church, steps may be immediately taken by the yestry ( to carry the wishes of the majority into effect. ■

He spoke at some length on the subject, denying that the hymns' contained anything objectionable, and urging that the collection was much more suitable as a whole than that at present in use. He pointed out that they were in general use in Canterbury and Otago and other parts of the colony (even in some Wellington country districts), and related as a fact that during a recent visit to the South he had found them used in 11 churches out of 13 visited. ‘

The amendment was seconded by Mr. A. M. Smith. ;

A long discussion took place on the subject, amongst those declaring in favor of the amendment being Messrs. G. S. Cooper, Bannatyne, and Bowles. A division was taken on the question that the amendment be agreed to, resulting as follows ; —Ayes, 16 ; noes, 25. The meeting then separated.