ANGLICAN DIOCESAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4860, 19 October 1876, Page 6

ANGLICAN DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The annual session of the Synod of the Anglican Church'in the province of Wellington was opened on October 3rd. As usual, in the morning Holy Communion was celebrated by the Bishop, The Synod met in the afternoon, and was opened by Bishop Hadfield, who read the following charge :

Brethren of the Clergy and of the Laity.— I am not aware that anything particular has occurred in connection, with the Church of England or with the sister churches in the colonies to call for special notice. Nor has there, I think, been any legislation in the Imperial Parliament affecting even in any incidental manner the Church in this country. In common, I believe, with the other Bishops of this ecclesiastical province, I have received from his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury a communication in reference to a conference of Bishops of the Anglican communion which it is suggested should be convened at Lambeth in 1878. I lay on the table a copy of his Grace’s letter and of my reply. As a somewhat remote date has been fixed for the proposed conference of Bishops, I should not have done more on the present occasion than merely mention the circumstance were it hot that the General Synod, which will meet in January next, may take the subject into consideration; I will, however, how venture to say that the very vague outline of what it is proposed that the conference should do renders it exceedingly difficult to determine what course to adopt in reference to it. I can understand what is meant by a council of Bishops called together to deal with some new form of error that might have arisen, whose duty it should be to declare such to be an heretical novelty. But it is not now averred that any such necessity has arisen' for convening a council. Again, the Bishops of an ecclesiastical province, however large it may be, meet for the porpose of enacting canons for the due administration of Church affairs within the province. They then meet in a corporate capacity, and within the limits of the province their canons, when assented to by the . other orders, are tbe law of the Church. It is obvious that a conference of Bishops gathered from the English, Scottish, Irish, Colonial, and American Churches could not meet in such' a capacity, and that it could not enact any canons binding on all these Independent Churches. These churches in their respective ecclesiastical provinces have legislative functions of their own, and both enact canons and prescribe rules for their own guidance. I pass over the consideration of a Patriarchate, and of an assembly of Bishops within its limits, having on a former occasion distinctly stated my views on that subject. A further object contemplated in convening an* assembly of Bishops may be the benefit derivable from tbe mutual consultation and counsel of persons engaged in similar work in so many different parts of the world. This would, no doubt, in many respects, be most desirable. But however beneficial this might be, it can scarcely be regarded as an adequate inducement to a Bishop of a Church so distant from England as that of New Zealand to absent himself for many months front his diocese. It is possible that some object more definite than any hitherto set forth may be propounded before the next session of the Synod, which may bring the proposed conference under the notice of the Church in a different and more practical aspect than any in which it has as yet been presented. The General Synod in such case will no doubt express a definite opinion on the subject. A copy of a notice of motion, to be moved at the next session of the Diocesan Synod of Christchurch by the Dean of Christchurch, was forwarded to me last year. Dean Jacobs proposes that the Synod should memorialise the General Synod “ to make arrange* ments at its next triennial session in 1877 for the election of clerical and lay representatives for the next ensuing Synod, to meet in 1880, on this basis, namely, that they should first be with the Bishops a convention to revise the constitution, and afterwards the eighth Synod of the Church of the Province of New Zealand." My great respect for Dean Jacobs’knowledge and judgment induced me to give the proposal the most careful consideration. But I was unable to attach any distinct meaning to the proposal. I was unable, that is to say, to imagine how a duly organised Provincial Church,. which has for many years exercised its functions as such, having a General Synod and six Diocesan Synods, is to dissolve itself, apparently for the pur- : pose—though this is not very clearly stated —of relieving itself of some obligations,’ or escaping from some difficulties, and then forthwith reconstruct itself, and declare that nothing whatever had been done, by still claiming in its corporate capacity to exist in unbroken continuity under the; same organisation as beI fore, being represented by a body calling itself “the eighth Synod of the Church of the Province of New Zealand.” Under these circumstances, I thought it advisable to consult Mr, Sewell, an absent member of tbe General Synod, who took a very intelligent and active partin its last session. In his reply to my letter he says : —“I do not think the course-which Dean Jacobs proposes, of calling a fresh convention for revising the constitution, is, either necessary, or expedient.” He proceeds to give further reasons for the opinion he has expressed. Sir William Martin, also a member at that time of 'the General Synod, in a letter to Bishop Abraham, says:—“ As to the proposal of Dean Jacobs, I agree entirely with the view taken by the Bishop of Wellington and Mr. Sewell..” It appears to me unnecessary to say more now as to the proposed solution of what I deem an imaginary difficulty. I shall, of course, feel it my duty to oppose in the General Synod any revolutionary.motion of the kind. . I have received from the.secretary of the Bishop of Christchurch some resolutions of the Synod of-that diocese. He says“ The Bishop requests that your lordship will cause the above resolutions to be laid before : your Diocesan Synod at its next session,” I do not formally lay these resolutions on the table, though they are accessible to the members of the Synod, because I think to adopt'such a course would be an innovation, and one which might lead to inconvenience. Had it been the wish of the Most Rev. Primate that I should bring any .matter under your consideration,. I should certainly have endeavored to do. so; but I am not aware that the resolutions of the .‘Synod of Christchurch have any particular claim on the attention of this Synod. I should hardly have alluded to this subject had it not been that during the debates which took place in the lastGeneralSynod .it was more than once suggested that it would be advisable to constitute a Standing Committee of the General Synod, with whom the Primate might advise as to business either to be recommended to the various Diocesan Synods or to be brought bafore the General Synod.. I recur to this subject because it is one of urgent importance. There is a practical deficiency in the working of our Church system which requires a remedy. Previous to 1868 there existed a V* statute for delegating certain of the powers vested in the General Synod.” Under the provision* Of this statute a Standing Commission was appointed, of which the Metropolitan, the Bishop of New-Zealand, was a member and chairman. But in 1868 this statute was superseded by two new statutes. One of these. No. 6, provided the mode of procedure for the appointment of a Primate; another, No. 7, for establishing a Standing. Commission. By the terms of the last-named .statute, the functions ' of the Standing Commission were curtailed: it became little more then a courtof appeal; Tbe Primate was thus left without any committee in any way representing the General Synod, with whom he might take counsel in reference to important matters of business connected with the general wellbeing of the Church. The object of the change made in 1868 was to provide for the possible separation as to locality of the Primate and the. Standing Commission. I think a/emedy is required for this apparent anomaly: this is my only reason for alluding to the subject. Tim various Diocesan Synods in this Provincial Church will not be satisfied by the substitution ©f- the Synod ‘ of the Diocese of Christchurch for such a body as a Standing Committee duly elected by the General Synod. . You have already been informed by a circular, indicating some of the subjects which would be brought before you, that by a resolution of the General Synod, statute 5, on the appointment of pastors, and more especially that portion of it which relates to the Board of Nominators, is referred to the Diocesan Synods for consideration. I have no very definite opinion to express on this subject. It is' alleged that the nominators system has not worked satisfactorily in some parts of this ecclesiastical province. ’ But although this may have been the case in some instances which have indirectly been brought to my knowledge, the evil or inconvenience, such as it was, seems to have been occasioned, not so much by any defect in the statute, as by the want*of care exercised on the part ,of nominators.. No system which can possibly be devised will be able to preclude occasional mistakes being made by the appointment of unfit.persons to be nominators, or even unintentional mistakes on the part, of nominators most anxious’to discharge with thorough impartiality and sincerity the duty they have undertaken. It appears to me that as the statute now stands there is ample scope given to any Diocesan Synod to prescribe regulations for, the more perfect working of the system. However, I feel that it is a subject more especially; affecting the clergy and the laity, and I trust it will have the careful consideration of the,Synod. - ■ With reference ’ to another question, namely, the qualification of nominators,, which was raised during the last session of the General Synod, I must refer you to what I saldTast year. It will be found at page 7 of the report. I then,.also, at the .request of the Bishop of Nelson, distributed, some resolutions of the Synod of Nelson on the same subject. Statutes 9 and 10, which respectively establish courts and define ecclesiastical offences, became part of our Church law at the last session of the General Synod. These statutes were absolutely necessary to ouroxistence as an organised body. The unwillingness of previous Synods to give these statutes the force of Church law always appeared to me unaccountable. I do not tlunk that they supply all that is needed, or may not require amendment and improvement. : On the contrary, them can be no reasonable doubt that further provision must soon be made for the determination of differences which are sure to arise. But what I do maintain is, that our Church system 1 must be pronounced a failure,, unless-rin a country situated as we are, where the law of . the land takes no special cognisance , of church matters—it shall provide for the settlement of disputes as they arise, by moans of some prescribed mode of procedure clearly laid , down and thoroughly understood by all parties concerned. A primary and obvious duty or an organised body, such as the Church m this country, must be to enact such law’s as are needful for the due and'efficient exorcise of all the functions for which it exists; 7 and one of the chief of these must bo to keep the peace within its own limits. This, I repeat, can only bo done by means of its own laws, and through its own courts with a well-defined mode of procedure. I rogrot to say that there has always appeared to be in the General Synod a majority who have, for some reason or other, possibly the limited time at disposal, succeeded in deferring to a future occasion the necessity of thoroughly grappling w’ith this subject.. An attempt was made at'the last session of the General Synod to take into consideration the canons

of tbe English Church, and determine what canons should be deemed applicable to the present circum * stances of the Church in this country; but the attempt met wUh no success. It will be a matter, for serious regret if these subjects are either neglected or postponed until some grievous scandal shall arise for the correction of which no provision. shall have been made.

I called your attention last year to the draft of a _ Statute to limit and define the powers of tbe General Synod in reference to alterations of the services, formulanes, and Articles of the Church, and the authorised version of the Holy Scriptures, and to settle the mode of procedure in reference thereto.” By direction w*® General Synod it was ordered that the Bill should be printed and circulated for general information, and that the same be transmitted by the Pnmate to the respective Bishops and be made known to the respective Diocesan Synods. we last year decided to leave its consideration for this session of the Synod. It has now therefore become needful that the Synod should pronounce some opinion upon it. It has been drifted with great care and ability, and is remarkably clear I presume that the intention of the. General Synod in submitting . this draft statute to the various Diocesan Synods was in order that its main principle or principles should be sanctioned br the ? l, Tv. lt coul <? hardly have been intended that each Diocesan Synod should alter its details, as alterations made br six Synods acting independently wou!d most probably result in the production of con?lf. e w7 a t riety -, sm - “be the wish St the_ bynod to make Any alterations, these might be indicated, and it would remain for the General Synod 8 ® ikAi fr ? m al i ‘ho suggested alterations such as were likely to render the statute more perfect. .Jiii seems to contain two principles;which S° uld weighed and considered. The Uni S ene . ral Synod should be debarred from hasty legislation in reference to any alterations v“Son B of k the f &? n - P . n * er ' orin ‘he authorised version of the Holy Scriptures. The clear enunciation of this principle, and its embodiment in a statute can scarcely be deemed uncalled for when It if borne in mind that it was proposed in the last Synod to make an important alteration in the Prayer Bookflnal e «isiouof the old fn? f bl 1 nn?nn’J hl ? h had ,Prescription of centuries, J°ui th t ,P ur P° se ot . substituting in its stead the new table of lessons, and to do this, not even by statute to be carefully considered at several stages of its progress, but by a resolution, and that this resolution was only negatived by a majority of one In the order of lay representatives, and by an equality of votes in the order of Bishops, the other order having assented to it by a large majority. In order, therefore, to provide a safeguard against hasty alterations being made in our venerable Book of Common' Prayer, it is most desirable, and highly important, that the principle UshcT ed mthlS BiU Sbould be affirmed and estab-

The second principle which the Bill contains is one no less important, but one not so obviously neceasary. It provides that no such alterations as those mentioned above shall be made unless a majority Syn ? d ?, have expressly thereto, or if two shall have expressly dissented therefrom. This, indeed, is a principle which requires careful consideration before it is Anally sanctioned.- It seems into our Church system. W nether, if adopted, it is one ■which will be ultimately productive of good or not, I confess myself at present unable to foresee, and therefore feel reluctant to offer an opinion in reference to it until I shall have heard the arguments by which it is supported adduced. Some persons whose opinions are worthy of great respect advocate the adoption of this principle. Certainly, if our Church system is expected to work harmoniously and smoothly, provision ought to be made that the wishes of dioceses should not be disregarded in any general church legislation. But this scarcely touches the particular point at Issue. Because, as each diocese is equally represented in the General Synod—each diocese being represented by one B ls h°P, three clergymen, and four lay members—and as the Bill provides that no alteration can take place until it has been reconsidered at a newly-elected General Synod, it will be quite possible for any diocese through their representatives to give expression i? i i r . ss , e . nt P°, sucll proposed alteration; But what rather induces hesitation on my part in arriving at any deAnite opinion until I hear the subject more fully discussed, is, that the General Synod,containing representatives from all the dioceses, is the body most competent to deliberate carefully and deal satisfactorily with questions which require special learning, as well as knowledge of the actual working of the Church in the various parts of the eccleseastical province. Besides, there is every reason for thinking that the General Synod would attach great weight to any objections which might be formally made to any contemplated alteration by two Diocesan Synods, even though 1 such objections were not absolutely prohibitory .of its further action. I have given expression to these thoughts which occur to me; but I by no means wish it to be inferred that I have formed any such definite opinion on the subject that I am prepared to make any pos tive recommendation to the Synod about it. On a previous occasion I alluded to the want in this ecclesiastical province. of a Theological College adequate to the needs of the country for educating young men for the ministry of the Church. I believe that since then efforts have been made to place St. John's College, situated in the diocese of Auckland, on such a footing as might answer the requisite purpose. I am not in possession of such knowledge of facts as might enable me to form an opinion as te what progress has been made, or as to whether it is now in a position to meet some of; the more urgent requirements of the Church; but as independent steps are still being taken in various dioceses to educate and train young men for the ministry, it would appear that it does not as yet supply all that is required. * I mention this again, because I trust the time may not be far distant when an institution may be r iu existence which, by its unquestioned excellence and efficiency, may attract all the youth of the colony who may seriously desire to de--1 vete themselves to the ministry of the Church. From such ah institution might go forth men not only qualified for the work they may he about to undertake, but aware beforehand—which many clergymen who come from England are not—of the nature of the work they are about to engage in, and understanding the Church system they are expected to work under. Very serious difficulties’may be anticipated for the Church in this country unless some institution adequate to its rapidly increasing wants shall soon make provision for these. But I will not now enlarge upon a subject on which I fully, expressed ray views on a former occasion.

_ I venture to repeat what I said last year as to the importance of electing three clerical and four lay representatives, who may be able to attend the General Synod, which is to meet at Nelson in the third week of January next. Every session of the General Synod increases in importance, for subjects of greater moment, and questions of more difficult solution, necessarily present themselves as the Church enlarges her sphere of action. The elections have been delayed with a view of enabling probable representatives to ascertain whether they could, in case of their election, attend at the time mentioned for the session of the Synod..

Before proceeding to notice matters immediately concerning this diocese, there is one event affecting the Church generally which I cannot pass over in silence. The resignation of the Bishop of Waiapu from ill-health will occasion a serious loss to the Church. He was the first Bishop consecrated in New Zealand, his consecration having taken place in this city in the year 1859. His long residence in this coun-try-having arrived here in 1826, in connection with the Church Missionary Society—together with the fact of his haying been the first archdeacon appointed by Bishop Selwyn, who soon recognised his earnestness,'.energy, and zeal, enabled him to acquire such a thorough knowledge of all Church matters connected with both the English and Maori populations, that his opinions and advice were of very great value in the councils of the Church. 1 trust that under the Divine guidance the Church may be able to select a worthy successor to supply his place, I will not detain you long by any attempt to give a detailed review of the general state of the diocese. The report of the Standing Committee, which will be brought up, contains some interesting information. The reports and returns from the various parishes and parochial districts will supply particulars of actual work done. I will endeavor to confine my observations to what I have been more immediately connected with. In May last I consecrated St. Mart’s Church, situated in a part of St. Peter’s parish, iA this city, in which the population has recently increased very rapidly. The Eev., Richard Coffey, who has ministered for some years in the ' diocese of Dunedin, has accepted the spiritual charge of the now district, and is expected to arrive here this week. On the Ist of June I consecrated St. Luke’s Church, at Greytown. It had been much enlarged and greatly improved, in fact, almost rebuilt; It now, T trust, supplies the requirements of the township. The church at Carterton, which had been previously consecrated, has also been enlarged and improved. This has been done in a great measure through the liberality of Mr. Carter, of that district; The Eev. Mr, Booth holds Divine service there every Sunday. Much still remains to be done in the Wairarapa. But the great progress which the Church has made there during the few years that I have regularly visited it has been, under the Divine blessing, the result of the Eev. AKnell’s zealous and unremitting labors. I trust that the Eev. J. F. Teakle, who,, as deacon, has been officiating at Masterton during the last year, and who was ordained priest on the 21th of last month, will relieve Mr. Knell of a great part of his previous onerous duties. , . -

I held confirmation's during last summer in this city, at Karorl, tho Hutt, Greytown, Carterton, and Masterton, besides others at. Otaki- and Moutoa, where Maoris were confirmed. "While mentioning this subject I would desire to intimate to the clergy present that I should be glad before we separate to fix the time for the administration of the rite of confirmation in their respective parishes or parochial districts. This is the more needful this, year, as tho meeting ot the General Synod may probably occasion my absence for throe or four weeks from the diocese, thus curtailing the time at my disposal. ; Turning now to tho West Coast,! am able to say that a church has been built at Palmerston, that another is in progress and nearly completed at Foxton ; and that a third will, I hope,' soon; be begun at Sandon, where energetic efforts have been made by the inhabitants to have one erected, for which plans have been already prepared. Churches bath at Feilding and Bull’s are now required: but'hitherto, I believe, no actual steps have been taken to obtain theni. I shall hope to ascertain during the ensuing summer tho best mode of dividing this district, and of supplying it with clergymen. The diocese is much in want of additional help north ot Wanganui. Ido not as yet see any immediate prospect of obtaining either funds or clergymen to enable me to extend Church work in that district. I went last summer to the extreme limit ot the diocese, visiting, as far as possible, both the English and Maori settlements north of Patea; but such visits are unsatisfactory whore there is no'clergyman located in the neighborhood, and where it becomes almost impossible to gather people together at a short notice. My anxiety and concern for these and other outlying paris of tlie diocese compel me to allude again to the very inadequate funds placed at tho disposal of the Standing Committee for the purpose of church extension. While in many respects this diocese has not been wanting in liberality, 1 believe that in no other diocese is the amount raised for the Diocesan Fund or Homo Mission so small as in this. There are a few persons who for many years have given it their cordial support and have subscribed liberally. There are others who have occasionally made liberal donations. Only , last week a. lady brought me £IOB as a donation to the fund. But what I earnestly desire is

to see the duty recognised by ©very Church member . of giving annually And regularly some contribution, however small, to this fund. The pastor of a parish is not contented until he can reach every person committed to his charge. 1 confess that I shall continue to deem roy episcopate a failure so long as I shall fail . to stir up and enlist more zeal for extending the ministrations of our Church to all the outlying districts of the diocese. f The state of the Maori population also affords me matter for anxious thought. < A few years ago there appeared to be so much indifference on their part to , religion -that it was very difficult to approach them. Recently, however, a great change has taken place. Now the difficulty is to know how to supply the ministrations of religion to those who are ready to receive them. Those remarks indeed apply to some parts, only of the diocese; - The Rev. A. Knell has * furnished me with an interesting memorandum in .reference to the Maoris of Wairarapa, which I now lay on the table. Living in small detached parties as , they usually do, scattered over a largo area, it is not easy -i, to have frequent access to them. It may be interesting . to you to know that Mr. Knell has arranged that some of those i most anxioni to revive the work of the Church are to meet mo near Greytown in a fortnight . from the present time, when it is hoped that some i .practical measures may be devised for locating aMaorl clergyman among them. I believe that they will pro- ,, ride a large part of the stipend which will be needful for his support, residing as he will be away from his I own tribe. If any of the English in the Wairarapa I would assist for a few years towards this special object, it would facilitate the arrangement. ’ If our interview should prove satisfactory. I shall hope, to ordain a Maori now residing at Otaki. to whom I alluded last year, who has for some time been diligently studying, for the purpose of fitting himself for the ministry, under the instruction of the Rev. J. Me William. * Mr. McWilliam has also devoted much time to the instruction of two other Maori students, who . may. I trust, in due time be deemed fit for ordination, and may then be appointed to parts of most in need of their services. i I? o**' 0 **' increasing confidence to the benefit likely to folio „. from the labors of Maori own race. Hitherto the rcsults have beeD most en eourajtimt X feel much indebted to Mr- MoWiluara lorthezfalous manner in which he haa rarried out my wishes and furthered the object I had in view. His own district, in which two Maori deacons are his tellow laborers, has greatly improved. Dutmg the ■ last year I confirmed fifty-two Maoris there. With regard to the Maori population to the northern part of toe diocese, where there is no Maon speaking clergyman. except at Wanganui, I can se, no prospector doing anything until I can locate a Maori clergy man to the district. But where at present so little - interest is taken in religion by the Maoris, and where they are so poor as they are there, having not yet recovered to either respect from toe fatal effects of the »Wate war, toe difficulty of making provision for their /support will bo very great. ~ . . I have received a letter from his Grace toe Archbishop of Canterbury (which I lay on the table) in reference to a day of intercession for missions. Ine dav appointed to England is St. Andrew a day, the 30th of November. It is suggested by his Grace that the same day should be observed here. I should wish toe clergy of the diocese to act on this suggestion, so far as it mav be in their power to do so. The offertories collected on a similar occasion last year were sent to the Society for toe Propagation of the Gospel, for which the treasurer returned the thanks of the society in a letter, which I laid before the Standing ' Committee. I propose that this year any offertories may be sent to me, to bo forwarded to the Church Missionary Society. . . . . I row lay on the table the reports and returns of the various parishes and parochial districts, which will as usual, be submitted to the consideration of a select committee; also, a corrected schedule of the lands belonging to the Church, held in trust for the benefit of this diocese, , , , ~ It would not be desirable that I should occupy more of your attention to-day in connection with subjects which in due course of our proceedings will come imder your consideration. I shall be able to express my opinions on any of these matters if necessary at the proper time. Nor do I think it needful to dwell upon any-of the numerous topics which the present state of the Church, and the peculiar aspect of popular religious thought, more or leas prevalent, suggest I would, however, seriously caution my brethren of the clergy, whose time will be best occupied in. discharging those spiritual duties which de-’ Tolve on the ministers of the Gospel; against being led away from the plain teaching of Holy Scripture ' and the Church by shallow physical theories, which are supposed to be repugnant to what we accept as Divine truth. Science should be the pursuit of aIL Physlcal science, which deals with the manifold prp--1 cesses of natural things, has in recent years made rapid progress, and is indeed highly interesting. This; ‘ !s worthy of a clergyman's study as an occasional rec creation, and as tending to afford a clear insight into the marvellous and mysterious works of God. But mental science ought to be the study of every clergyman. To know the laws of thought,— to ascertain, that is, approximately at least, * what the human mind can comprehend, and what it must abandon as hopelessly beyond its power to comprehend ; to know that man can never attain to the same certainty of conviction as to external nature as he : has in reference to the primary facts of consciousness which imply his spiritual relation to God ; this is all important to one whose special mission is to direct the minds of men to what is moral and spiritual and eternal. But the study of what is an essential condition of all science, that is, of the laws which regulate the operations of the mind, the instrument by means of which all other knowledge is acquired, would seem to be altogether neglected by many prominent ; • writers on theology : hence their frequent weakness, inconcluriVeness, and failure. Such a study honestly pursued would not only tend to develope the powers of the Intellect itself, but would prepare men to expect ' in a Divine revelation much that is beyond their power to comprehend. I trust that the Divine blessing may continue to rest on our endeavors both to extend the ministrations of the Church and render them more efficient in this diocese.

Mr. Baskattne moved and Mr. Peabce M.H.R., seconded, that the thanks of the Synod be presented to the President for his opening address, and that he be requested to allow it to be printed.—Agreed to.