CHURCH OF ENGLAND GENERAL SYNOD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4954, 7 February 1877, Page 2

CHURCH OF ENGLAND GENERAL SYNOD.

(from our special .reporter.) ■ i' . Nelson, Tuesday. In the General Synod last night the Rev. Mr. Leightok moved, —1. That this Synod adopts the resolution of the Diocesan Synod of Nelson, with reference to religious instruction in public primary school?, and resolves to memorialise the General Assembly in accordance therewith; 2. That a select committee be appointed to draft petitions to both Houses of the Legislature, embodying' the views set forth in the resolution referred to, such committee to consist of Archdeacons Stock and Harper and the mover. The Bishop of Nelson seconded the motion. The Dean of Christchurch thought the motion did not go far enough, and moved as an amendment, —That the Synod petition the General Assembly next session that_ in any general measure for education provision be made for religious instruction being given by ministers of religion or other authorised persons. Mr. Hunter Brown seconded the amend, ment.. Mr. Lusk supported it. The Bishop of Nelson contended that they had better aßk for something they were likely to get ; something like the English _ Act, leaving much in the hands of local committees, who really represented the parents of the

children attending the schools, and who, if they wished for religious instruction to be given their children attending school, ought to be able to have it. Archdeacon Harper did not agree with the last speaker that they should only ask what they were likely to get. The local committees already had the power mentioned, but seldom exercised it. The religious instruction of the young was absolutely going back. He was amazed at the amount of ignorance of Bible facts he found on going to Timaru, among boys and girls even as old as 17. If something were not done, in 20 years the youth of New Zealand would be almost wholly ignorant of the Bible. Mr. Carleton supported the amendment. He always had voted for religious education, but without the hope of carrying it. The Rev. Mr. Tanner agreed with the Bishop of Nelson, and thought teachers should be empowered to give religious instruction. The Bishop of Ddnedin remarked that the resolutions said nothing about asking the Government to assist with grants towards such' schools as the Church of England might establish and conduct; this ought to< be added. He was convinced people generally did wish their children to receive religious education. Children were growing up in ignorance of the Bible ; and to the absence of religious instruction he attributed the growing spirit of insubordination which was becoming seriously felt under the form of " Larrikinism." At this stage the orders of the day were proceeded with. The Bishop of Nelson moved, —The Synod has listened with the greatest interest to the reference made by the Primate in his opening address to the resignation of the Bishop of Waiapu, and heartily endorses the estimate expressed of the value of his services to the Church during a long period, in which he has borne a prominent and useful part as a missionary and a Bishop ; and the Synod regrets the loss from its counsels of one who has- eminently contributed to the harmony of ite proceedings ; and trusts that his remaining years, though spent in retirement, may be cheered by the support of truth, which it has been the work of his life topromote. The motion was seconded by the Rev;. Mrv. Burrows, and supported by the- Rev.. E.. Williams and Mr. Lusk. It was carried unanimously, the Primate being requested to communicate the resolution to the Bishop of Waiupu. Mr. Carleton then moved the second of his resolutions od the statutes of the New Zealand Church, which was negatived on a division.. Ayes : Bishop, 1 ;.clergy, 10 ; laity, 11. Noes : Bishops, 4 ; clergy, 8 ; laity, 4. The Dean of Christchurch moved the third reading of the Communicants Bill, on which the Bishop of Nelson moved.as an amendment that it be recommitted for furtheramendment. This was done, and the Bill reported, but on the third reading it was thrown out, the division being—Ayes : Bishops, 4 j clergy, 7;: laity, 7. Noes : Bishop, 1; clergy, 12 ; laity, 10. The Nominators' Statute (amended) was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Wednesday. The Synod then adjourned. This afternoon the Rev. B. T. Dudley moved, —That the Synod requests the Primate to give the publishers of the "New Zealand Hymnal" twelve months' notice, terminating the assignment of the copyright, according to. the motion, which was carried. Archdeacon Harper moved, —That this Synod deem it expedient for the welfare of the Church in New Zealand not to give formal authority to any hymnal. Mr. Rons Marten seconded the motion, which was shelved by a motion to proceed to the next order of the day. The rest of the business was formal..