WELLINGTON DIOCESAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4850, 7 October 1876, Page 2

WELLINGTON DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Thdksdat, October 5. The Synod met at 7.30 p.m. The Bishop took the chair. Prayers having been read, the minutes of the previous sitting were readand confirmed. NOTICES. Various notices of motion were given. DIOCESAN FUND BALANCE SHEET. This was read and laid upon the table by Mr. C. P. Powles. It was shown that the receipts for the year, including a balance from last year of some £BOO, had been £1657 Os. 3d. The expenditure had been £919 9s. 9d., leaving a balance of £737 10s. 6d. Of this £3OO was deposited in the Loan and Investment Society at 8 per cent.; £l5O was in the hands of the Masterton district on loan at 8 per cent, interest ; and £l5O was lodged in the bank waiting for investment.; CHURCH NEWSPAPER. Mr. Didsbury moved,—That, in the opinion; of this Synod, the interests of the Church in this diocese would be greatly promoted by the establishment of a periodical for the diffusion’ of Church news, and the free discussion of questions of general interest to Church members. (2) That a committee be appointed tomake the necessary enquiries as to the probablecost, &0., of such a publication. Such committee to consist of Archdeacon Stock, the Rev. Mr. Harvey, the Rev. Mr. Me William, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Powles, Mr. Halcombe, and the mover. To report within three days. In speaking to the motion, he said it was the general opinion that such a newspaper would be very acceptable, and referred to the fact that in most other dioceses in the colony such an institution did exist. Aschemewas sketched by which it might be carried on, and the Synod asked to. undertake the responsibility of publishing it. Not only would such a iournal be valuable by letting the people of the diocese know what was going on in the diocese, but it would also form a convenient channel for letting other dioceses know what we were doing.—Mr. H. T. Clarke seconded—The Bishop quite approved of the idea, and said himself, the Archdeacon, and Mr. Harvey had made efforts to start such a journal, the only diffcnlty being the editorship. Neither the Archdeacon, Mr. Harvey, nor himself had any time to take up the work of editing it.—The motion was agreed to. STANDING COMMITTEE. The Rev. W. Ballachey moved, —That a, standing committee be appointed, to consist of. Archdeacon Stock, Rev. B. W. Harvey, Rev. T. Fancourt, C. P. Powles, Esq., W. H. Quick, Esq., R. Hunter, Esq., E. Pearce, Esq.,, T, Buchanan, Esq., E. W. Lowe, Esq., H. Clarke, Esq., and G. Didsbury, Esq.—Agreed to. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP. The Rev. B. W. Harvey moved, —For leave to bring in a Bill to amend Act 4, by striking out of clause 4 line 3 the words “at least two months before such meeting"—the object of the amendment being to empower persons .who had subscribed a declaration of membership to vote immediately upon such declaration being made. In the discussion which followed Mr. Didsbury expressed a doubt whether the vestry of St. Paul’s was in legal existence, as it had been elected by the votes of persons who had not signed the declaration till they arrived in the meeting. The Rev. Mr. Fancourt spoke in favor of the alteration, and urged that the rule was ultra vires as being repugnant to a rule of the General Synod.—The Bishop considered under the circumstances the alteration was unnecessary, and explained that he had looked into the matter and thought the position of St. Paul's vestry was scarcely so precarious as Mr. Didsbury had made out.—Mr. C. O. Graham opposed the alteration as being most dangerous. —Mr. Robt. Hunter, Mr. Clarke, and Mr.. Quick having addressed the Synod on the subject, the motion was agreed to.—The Bill was brought in and read a first time, and second reading fixed for next day. TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. The Rev. B. W. Harvey moved, —For a committee to inquire into the desirability of establishing a Church of England Temperance Society in the Diocese of Wellington, to consist of Mr. Clarke, Mr. Powles, Archdeacon Stock, the Rev. Mr. Tudor, Dr. Kemp, and the mover. He stated- that since a previous discussion in the Synod he had gained certain, information- in reference to the movement in England, which-he should like to lay before a committee.—The resolution was agreed to. “HYMNS ANCIENT AND MODERN." Lieut.-Colonel Gorton moved, —That this Synod‘does not consiier the “Hymns Ancient and' Modern,” as used in many churches in England, in her Majesty’s army and navy, and in many churches in this ecclesiastical province, against the doctrine of the Church, and sees no- objection to any parish taking them into use in their church, if they so desire it. He . spoke warmly in favor of “ Hymns Ancient and Modern,” and said a great number of the people of St. Paul’s were in favor of the introduction of this hymnal, but he regretted to say the minister was greatly against it. It was regretful to state that when this matter was discussed at a late congregational meeting the curate of the diocese spoke strongly against the hymnal, more than that, read part of some of the hymns, and criticised them very minutely, but would not allow a discussion of the matter, or allow other people to express their view of the hymns. Some little discussion took place as to whether what occurred at St. Paul's meeting could be referred to, after which the President ruled against Colonel Gorton doing so. The motion was seconded by Mr. Powles. Colonel Gorton argued the question at some length. Mr. Quick raised a point as to whether the Synod could express an opinion on the matter of doctrine involved in the resolution. The President agreed with Mr. Quick. Mr. Twogood protested against peculiarly parish matters being brought forward year after year by St. Paul’s; but at the same time he must, if forced to choose between voting for this motion and that likely to be subsequently moved by Mr. Clarke, vote with Colonel Gorton.-

Rev. Mr. Harvey said the resolution as worded conld not be passed, indeed, it would place everj'one in'a very unpleasant position.Archdeacon Stock considered if the resolution were passed the Synod would be acting contrary to the will .of the General Synods

which had prescribed a particular hymnal for use in the churches of New, Zealand.*. i • -

Mr; Graham, in view .of the general feeling in the diocese, and seeing that the hymns were in such general use elsewhere, thought it would be a pity to oppose the wishes of the laity to have the book. He moved an amendment, omitting the part of the resolution dealing with doctrine, and said he thought no barm could possibly arise from the resolution if passed in its amended form. So far as the General Synod was concerned it had sanctioned the “ New Zealand, Hymnal,” but had not said no other than that should be used. He movedaaanamendment, — “That this Synod sees no objection to any parish or parochial district taking ‘ Hymns Ancient and Modern,’ into use in their church if . they so desire it.” Mr. Quick and Mr. Powi.es spoke in favor of and Mr. R. Hunter against the amendment. The Ven. Archdeacon Stock held that the word “sanction,” as used by the General Synod, almost amounted to a command, and should be willing to accept any book which the General Synod directed, though he had very strong opinions respecting certain of the hymns in “ Hymns Ancient and Modem." Mr. Didsbury moved the adjournment of the debate, and Mr. Quick seconded it, in the hope that the whole thing might be withdrawn before next day. A division on the motion for adjournment took place, and it was negatived. The President said there'had been no statute passed by the General Synod in reference to the “New’Zealand Hymnal;" but when the copyright for five years was given, it was generally understood that vestries would be bound to accept the hymnal. The General Synod had no power to pass a law on the subject ; and to his mind it was perfectly unintelligible that after passing an Act preventing the General Synod adding to or taking from the prayer-book, it should be placed in position to change the hymnal, which was part of the service as much as the prayerbook. If the laity claimed to set aside the law, they must not be surprised if the bishops took their course in the matter. He had not heard a single argument in favor of the book, and considered it very strange that a fancy for a particular hymn should induce persons to attempt to break the old established law of the Church. He wished to say, in referenee to the Use of the hymns in some parts of the province, that if he did not find fault it was not because he thought there was no reason for. finding fault; on the contrary, he deprecated an apparent tendency towards Congregationalism, and thought it wrong for particular parishes, without the consent of the General Synod, to adopt “ Hymns Ancient and Modern.” He did not wish to discuss the doctrinal question, but hoped nothing would be done till the assembling of the General Synod, which was to meet within three months, and at which he would guarantee the whole question should be raised. The Kev. Mr. Tudor moved, as a further amendment, —Thatthematterof a New Zealand Hymnal for the ecclesiastical province of New Zealand be referred to the General Synod of New Zealand. A discussion followed, the amendment of Mr. Tudor being recommended by various members on the ground that the unfortunate debate might thus be got rid of. Colonel Gorton having replied, the Rev. Mr. Tudor’s amendment was put and carried by U to 8.

FORMULARIES BILL. Mr. Graham having been moved into the chair, the Synod went into committee on the Formularies Bill. The principle of the Bill had been affirmed and the main provision agreed to in committee at the previous sitting. The remaining clauses were now agreed to without amendment and reported. The Synod adjourned at 11.30. Friday, October 6. The Synod opened at 7.30 p.m. The Bishop took the chair and read prayers. The ClericalSecretahy (Archdeacon Stock) read the minutes of previous meeting, which were confirmed. NOTICES. Various notices of motion were given by Ttev. Mr. Tudor, Mr. O. C. Graham, Eev. Mr. Harvey, Ven. Archdeacon Stock, Lieut.Colonel Gorton, and Mr. Powlea,” PENSION FUND. The Yen. Archdeacon Stock moved,—That it is inexpedient to proceed further with the attempt to establish a general pension fund for the whole Church of New Zealand; that should the General Synod not reconstruct a general pension fund, the Synod gives full powers to the Standing Committee of the diocese to construct a pension fund for the diocese, subject to the approval of the Diocesan Synod. He explained that there had been a desire to construct a pension fund, and Mr. Harvey and himself had taken a great deal of trouble to collect data upon which to prepare a scheme for a general fund; but there had been so much difficulty in getting the information required, in consequence of the little interest taken in the matter, that it was considered undesirable to go further with the matter. He regretted a general scheme could not be carried out, as its advantages were so manifest. —The Rev. Mr. Harvey seconded, and the motion was agreed to. FIRE INSURANCE. The Ven. Archdeacon Stock moved, —That should the General Synod determine to divide amongst the contributing dioceses the capital of the late fire insurance branch of the general pension fund, this Synod gives full power to the Standing Committee to organise a fire insurance branch of the pension fund of the diocese, subject to the approval of the Diocesan Synod. —A greed to. The Ven. Archdeacon Stock then moved, — That this Synod respectfully memorialise the General Synod to divide the capital of the fire insurance branch of the general pension fund among the dioceses that have contributed to it. —Agreed to. PRINTING REPORTS. Itwasresolved thatthe various balance sheets and reports should be printed. TRUST PROPERTY. Mr. Didsbuky moved, —That it is desirable the Synod should have placed before it annually a report by the Diocesan Board of Trustees on all trust properties under their control, together with their yearly accounts duly audited. The motion was agreed to after some explanations had been made by the Bishop, to the effect that most of the trusts were accounted for in the various parishes in the diocese. Mr. Didsbury asked the President whether all the original trustees of Church property in the diocese have sent in their resignations in compliance with the invitation of the Standing Committee, and if not, whether he will state the number who have refused to do so, and the particular properties of which they are The President replied : All the original trustees had with one exception, that of a gentleman trustee of property at Turakina, who had declined to answer any letters. It might be necessary to ignore this gentlemen in consequence of his continued disinclination to act. A board of trustees had been appointed consisting of Mr. Pearce, Mr. J. Kebbell, the Archdeacon and himself. PARISH RETURNS. On the motion of Mr. Harvey, it was decided to make certain alterations and additions to the parish returns schedule A. NOTICE OF COLLECTIONS. Lieut. Colonel Gorton moved, —That it is desirable that tho churchwardens in each parish and parochial district publish by notice on the church door, and by advertisement in a local paper, at least a week before Easter Day; that the offertories on that day are handed over to the clergyman of the parish, and that a copy of this resolution he forwarded to the churchwardens of each parish.—Agreed to. MAORI WORK. The Ven. Archdeacon Stock asked the President whether reports had been received by him from the Maori districts of the diocese lor the past year. The President said he had received two papers, one from the Eev. Mr. Knell and one from Mr. McWilliam, but these had been forwarded to him as private information to be used in his opening address. They might consent to read tho communications to the Synod.

Both these gentlemen read exceedingly in- * teresting* papers, * showing that* .there .was* an increasing desire on the part of the natives to avail themselves of the vaneus ordinances of the Christian religion, and to contribute towards the support of the ministry. Special references were made by Mr. Mo William to the appreciable results flowing from the late meeting at Otaki, such as decrease of drunkenness and gambling. Mr. Knell gave information in respect to the anxiety of natives to take some steps at the forthcoming meeting for the purpose of placing a Maori minister in the Wairarapa district. Archdeacon Stock suggested that the papers should be printed and attached to the report of proceedings of Synod, and Col. Gorton suggested that it was desirable for the Synod to send a special message of recognition and encouragement to the natives. Both suggestions were approved. FORMULARIES ACT. Mr. Quick moved, —That this Synod assents to a Bill held over from the last General Synod, intituled the Alteration of Formularies Statute, 1874.—Agreed to. POWER TO VOTE. The Bill doing away with the necessity of members subscribing their names in the churchwarden’s book two months before they could vote, was read a second time, passed through committee, and the third reading fixed for next sitting day. APPOINTMENT OP CLERGYMEN.

The Ven. Archdeacon Stock moved, —This Synod suggests that in dealing with the Act for the, appointment of diocesan nominators, the General Synod should take into consideration the claims of the clergy resident within each diocese to preferment within such diocese as vacancies occur.—ln a* discussion which followed, the President explained in reference to the Bishopric of Waiapu that Archdeacon Williams had been requested to allow himself to be put in nomination to the see; but he had declined, and assigned as a reason that he had an important work on hand at Turanga, and did not see how it was to be carried on were he to leave it. The great majority of the clergy and laity wished to have Archdeacon Williams for Bishop, but for the reasons given he had distinctly declined to allow himself to be put in nomination. —Mr. Powles, as a nominator, denied that the implication contained in the resolution was deserved. The resolution was rejected. The Synod then adjourned till Monday at 7.30 p.m. ___________