CHURCH OF ENGLAND GENERAL SYNOD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4949, 1 February 1877, Page 2

CHURCH OF ENGLAND GENERAL SYNOD.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.) > Nelson, Wednesday. The General Synod met yesterday at 4 p.m., when forty-four members were present, several having arrived from Southern ports, including the Revs. J. C. Andrew, B. W. Harvey, W. P. Tanner, A. Penny, F. Fanoourt, and W. Ronaldson; and Messrs. Hamper, Darton, and Riemenschneider. Mr. Cableton moved his resolution,— “ That the Church of England in New Zealand and the Church of England are not two Churches but one Church.” He entered at some length into the history of the New Zealand Church, stating that the original idea of Bishop Selwyn and his followers was to make it a somewhat exclusive Church, some even contending that, only communicants should be considered members. This however was found! impracticable, and if carried into effect would in fact have reduced the Church of England in New Zealand tuaject of ~S,elwynites._ But a broader basis was adopted, and every person baptised into the Church of England in New Zealand is-a member of that Church. It was important that their precise position as a Church should be clearly understood. They were not a "branch .of the Church of England in New Zealand,” as stated in one place, but the Church of England in New Zealand. Just now. the Church : seemed somewhat to have drifted .from' her moorings and dragged her anchor. He thought there had been unseemly haste in the endeavors made to cut loose the moorings which bound them to the mother .Church 1 at Home. He hoped the Synod would pause before committing" the - Church irrovocably to a course certain to, load to what he assumed. There was an imminent danger of division in • their camp. ’ ■ Already * .the great body of the 'laity, held" aloof,' although they were thoroughly loyal both to the-Church and Crown.

|The Rev.-E. Williams seconded the morion. Archdeacon Harper too vedauamendment, — “That for the sake of having a full discussion on the principle involved in the resolution, the debate be adjourned until after that on the Formularies Bill-question " as-the issue was the same in both cases, and their action on resolutions to-day riiust be conclusive on their action as to Bill to-morrow. - ; The Dean of Christchurch moved as an amendment that as no such body exists as “The Church of England in Now Zealand,” it is impossible to affirm or deny the first resolution. , _ ■ ''■■■/■ ■ A long discussion followed," being interrupted by the orders of the day coming on.’

The Dean ’of Christchurch moved the second reading of ..the Communicants Bill, 1877, which provided that .any person who should make and subscribe A declaration that he was a communicant should~Be KeTd to be so lor the purpose of qualification for election to Church office. ; '

The Bishops of Wellington and Nelson, the Dean of Christchurch, Archdeacon MaunselF, Archdeacon Harper, the , 'Revs.' Messrs, Williams, LiUgard, Dudley, Fihcourt, Tanner, Penhy, Ronaldson, and Andrew, ; Mesas*. Brown, Lusk, Pickering, Lettj -Adams, Ac* land, Carleton,~ aid- ' spoke to the mofi«i for the second.reading, which'ultimately was carried on the voices. The Synod then went into- committee on the Bill, which was reported with several verbd amendments, wd the third, reading fixed next.' The'debate on Mr. Qarleton’s resolution was then resumed. The question—*? .That the words proposed'to <be omitted j(ftll after first word that) standpart of! first 1 reeslurion".. was then put, when the ■: Bishops

clergy 6, laity 10, Noes: Bishops 5, clergy 11, laity 4. The amendment was therefore DEAN then asked for leave to withdraw his amendment, as his object had been attained. , Mr. Carlbton objected, ' And it was ruled that leave be not granted unless with the unanimous consentof the Synod. The. resolution having been reduced to the word “ that," it was moved that that word be struck out, but. this was ruled out of order, as {hat word had been agreed to. Archdeacon .Maunsbll then moved as another amendment, —“That the Churches of England in New' Zealand were two Churches Independent .and distinct in government, but one in, constitution and common formularies. Mr. Cableton accepted this amendment. The Bishop of Wellington thought it undesirable to lay down mere pnnamendment was put and lost on the

Volccdi ‘ . ■ ■ The Synod then adjourned. . This afternoon a debate commenced on Archdeacon’s Harper’s motion, —That leave be given to bring in a Bill intitled * 1 A statute to imit and. define the. power .of :, the General Synod in reference to alteration of the • formularies, and articles of the : Church, and the authorised, version of the Holy Scriptures, and to settle the mode of procedure m referenca. thereto.” The mover spoke at great length, entering into, the entire history ef the New Zealand Church. The debate is still going on. .