WELLINGTON DIOCESAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4848, 5 October 1876, Page 2

WELLINGTON DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The Synod met at 7.30. The Bishop took the chair. Proceedings were opened by the Synod prayer, said by the President. REPORTS. The annual report of the Standing Committee was brought up by the Secretary, Yen. Archdeacon Stock. Most of the points dealt with - had been anticipated by the address of the President. It stated amongst other things that for the present the idea • of - a general pension fund must be given up ; : the- Wellington fund was in a flourishing, condition. Various balance sheets were read, and the Secretary gave notice of his intention to move that the reports and balance sheets be printed. Mr. W. M. Bannatynb brought up the report of the Cemetery Trust, showing a balance to credit of £153 9s. 4d. The usual notice for printing was given. NOTICES.: Col. Gorton gave notice of motion to the effect that in the opinion of this Synod the use of the hymnal known as “ Hymns Ancient and Modern” is not contrary to the doctrine of the Church of England. Mr. H. T. Clarke, by permission, laid upon the table an extract from the minutes of a meeting of St. Paul’s parishiohers, held on the 27th September last; and: gave notice of motion to the effect that this Synod do take into consideration the resolutions agreed to by the meeting of parishioners of St. Paul’s held on 27th September, with a view to recommending the General Synod to ■ take into serious consideration the question of issuing an enlarged hymnal for use in the churches of this ecclesiastical province. NOMINATORS ACT. The Ven. Archdeacon Stock moved, — That the Diocesan Synod of Wellington respectfully request the General Synod to make the following changes in Statute V. : —(1) In clause 6, to strike out all words from “ to” in second line to “a” in fourth line, and to insert instead thereof the word “ vest.” (2) In clause 10, to strike out in first line the words “ shall not," and to insert instead thereof the word “ may and all words after “cure” in line two, and to insert instead thereof “ after six months from the stamped date of a' formal written notice forwarded to the Bishop acquainting him with such resignation. (3) In clause 11, to alter “eighteen” into “six.” (4) In clause 12, in line two, to strike out words a formal written ;” after “cure,” in third line, all words to “ the Bishop”, ’ in fifth line ; and all words after “Bishop” in fifth line to “shall” in sixth line. (5). Td introduce a clause requesting the board of nominators to consider the claims of clergy in the diocese to any vacant cure. He explained the resolution at length, the object of it being, first, to take from boards of nominators power to delegate their authority; secondly, to give clergymen the absolute right to' resign • after six ■ months' notice ; and, thirdly, to remedy as much as possible, thepractice which obtained of filling up vacancies in cures by going outside the province.—Mr. Wi A. Quick seconded.—-As an amendment the 'Rev. B. W. Harvey moved that the matter be considered in committee, whiohwas agreed to. In committee Archdeacon Stock gave aa additional explanation-in regard to No. 3». stating that it was intended by the amendment that actioishould he taken to fill up vacancies of six , months‘ duration instead of eighteen months. • All the sections down-to 4, inclusive, were-

agreed to without discussion. . To the sth the Bishop took exception, on the ground that it was peculiar to introduce into a directory Act a clause requesting ‘ persona to do such and such a thing; also, that if boards of nominators were to study 1 motives such as indicated in the resolution, it might tend to diminish the responsibility of the board.—The resolution, after discussion, was withdrawn. The resolutions agreed to were reported to the Synod resumed, and agreed to. DIOCESAN BOARD. Mr. Bowles moved,—That a _ Diocesan Board be appointed, in accordance with Statute 16, General Synod, for the purpose of considering the general fitness for the_ office of the ministry of persons who may desire to become candidates for deacons’ orders. The Board to. consist of Ven. Archdeacon Stock, Rev. B. W. Harvey, E. Pearce, Esq., and W. M. Bannatyne, Esq.—Agreed to. PENSION FUND. The JjAT Secretary (Mr. Quick) moved, — That , this Synod approves of the investments hitherto made by the trustees of the pension fund, and resolves that the trustees may in future, at their discretion, invest trust moneys belonging to the pension fund in the different Church debentures in the diocese (with or without personal security), or in mortgage of real property.—-Agreed to. OFFERTORIES. Mr. Didsbdry moved, —That whereas certain dates are fixed, under resolution 13, oa which special offertories are to be made for certain specified objects, and which dates are not generally observed throughout the diocese, it is expedient that the resolution be amended by the omission of the dates named. In the discussion which followed objection was taken that it was undesirable to change, and that if any negligence had occurred it should be remedied, not by destroying the law, but by more vigilance in future. —Motion withdrawn. NEW STATUTE, The Lay Secretary (Mr. Quick) moved,— That the Synod resolve itself into committee to consider the provisions of a Bill introduced at the last General Synod, intituled a Statute to Limit and Define the Powers of the General Synod in reference to alterations of the Services, Formularies, and Articles of the Church, and the authorised version of the Holy Scriptures, and to settle the mode of procedure in reference thereto. Mr. Quick sketched the progress of the feeling of the people of the Church since the Ven. Archdeacon Harper brought forward: certain resolutions at the General Synod some years since, and said he thought if the Bill referred to were approved and became law, it would act as a conservative safeguard really needed. He. considered no changes should be made except those first adopted by the Home Church.—The Rev. Mr. Towgood did not agree with the remarks of the lay secretary. Though connected with the Church at Home by sympathy and historical associations, the Colonial Church was entirely distinct from it, and placed, in very different circumstances, and therefore the Colonial Church was not bound in, its internal polity to follow literally the example of the Home Church.—After some few remarks from Mr. Buchanan, the Bishop, and the Rev. Mr. Harvey, the Rev. _ Mr. Teakle expressed himself as exceedingly jealous of any changes not sanctioned by ; the Home Church, with which the Colonial Church must always, ecclesiastically at any rate, be connected. Mr. Quick having replied. The Synod went into committee on the Bill. A discussion arose on clause 2—“ No alteration shall be made in the authorised services, formularies, and articles of the Church, or.in the authorised version of the Holy Scriptures, whether in their original or in any altered form, unless a majority of the Diocesan Synods shall expressly assent thereto, nor if any, two or more of the Diocesan Synods shall , expressly dissent therefrom.”—Messrs. H AK-ye?,-Nicholes, and the Bishop considered the ; clause too stringent.—The Rev. Mr. Towgood and Mr. Quick took an opposite view.—The clause was . allowed to stand. Progress was reported and leave to sit again obtained. The Synod adjourned at 11 p.m.