ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, THORNDON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5018, 24 April 1877, Page 3

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, THORNDON.

A largely attended meeting of the parishioners of St. Paul's was held in the Sydney-street schoolroom last evening, to consider the muchdebated hymnal question. The Kev. B. %V. Harvey (incumbent) presided, and, after prayers, he explained what had been done by the parish up to the time of the meeting of the General Synod at Nelson, and also fully explained the proceedings of the Synod in reference to the hymnal question, expressing the deepest regret that the Synod had failed to recognise its importance, and had aB it were shirked a duty. Then as the Synod had refused to deal with the matterhad relegated the question to the decision of each parish for itself—the Archdeacon and himself had tried to consider what course they should adopt. Speaking for himself, he said he had como to the ■ conclusion to allow the introduction »f "Hymns Ancient and Modern" if desired, provided it were distinctly understood that the congregation used the book as a matter of convenience, it being used as the best available collection and that they were not committed to the doctrines promulgated in somo of the hymns. He therefore leftit to the meeting to say what should bo done. However, he must caution them to be careful. Twenty or thirty hymns in the book certainly did not teach sound doctrine. Thero was no pressing necessity for a decision that evening. Tho Auckland diocese were moving to get a supplement to tho New Zealand Hymnal selected from " Hymns Ancient and Modern." Perhaps St. Paul's would join t 1 em, although ho feared the Auckland people were in some little difficulty for want of unanimity. He must confess he liked the New Zealand Hymnal. It had been most carefully prepared. Thero were no extreme views in it; churchmen of all classes might use it, and there were musical and poetical beauties in it which' well fitted it to become the basis of a national hymnal. In "Hymns Ancient and Modern," on tho other hand, while undoubted'y it possessed merit, there was a very great deal of rubbish —a great; deal of what might be called "padding "—hymns brought in for a particular day witlout reference to poetry or aptitude,

Again, they might wait till other collections had been looked into. One lately published by Biekerstaff he mentioned as being au admirable hook. Or perh;iji3 ihe.y might negotiate for a soecial issue of " Hymns Ant ient and Modern,'' with the objectionable hymns excised, though he believed the promoters of that book would rather lose £SOOO than excise any one of the objectionable hymns, as commercial speculation had not been the only inducement for them to issue the hymn-ii. After

some further remarks, in which he counselled quiet argument and expressed confidence that no one present would do ought to bring dissension into the congregation, or to introduce a doctrine contrary to the teachings of the grand old mother Church, he invited discussion.

Mr. L. Stowe, after some few prefatory res marks, moved —"That this meeting having the 3 fullest confidence in the Chairman in this as in 1 all other matters with eference to the services ' of the church, leaves the hymnal question in f his hands for his decision thereupon.', * The motion was duly seconded. ; Mr Gakhaiid pointed out that the question ■ had been deferred time after time for the past ' three years, and urged that as it was now ; before the meeting for settlement, they should nt once come to a definite conclusion. He moved—" That owing to the supply of the New Zealand Hymnal being exhausted, it is the opinion of this meeting that ' Hymns Ancient and Modern—enlarged and revised I edition/ should be adopted for use in Divine service in St. Paul's Church. It being distinctly understood that as certain hymnsareobjected to as containing statements and sentiments contrary to sound doctrine, the book has no claim whatever to be regarded as an authoritative service book of the Church. Mr. G. S. CoorEK seconded the amendment. Mr. Johnson said both amendment and resolution simply tampered with the question, and he moved an amendment to the effect that the parish authorities should be requested to communicate with publishers at Home with a view to getting a suitable selection of hymns. He quite believed that " Hymns Ancient and Modern" contained pernicious doctrines, but could the evil effects of such a collection be prevented by merely putting a slip of paper in the book ? Certainly not. The best thing was to grapple with the question boldly. If the present hymnal did not suit them, let thern get one which would, and have no reservations as to particular hymns. The amendment was subsequently withdrawn, as was also one proposed by Mr. Wilson, instructing the chairman to write to England for specimen copies of hymnals and submit them to a future meeting. Also, another amendment, moved by Dr. Kemp, instructing the chairman to inquire what the Auckland diocese had done in the matter. Mr. Toomath next spoke at some length in

favor of the original motion, and expressing the opinion that the General Synod, by its re- | fusal to deal with the question, had risked a large stride towards dissent in the Church, over whose interests it was supposed to exercise the greatest care. If the Synod had acted boldly, it would have done better. He honored the Auckland diocese for its loyalty to the "New Zealand Hymnal," and thought St. P ill's honored it too, and should show that it did by offering to support the " New Zealand Hymnal." If other Churches in tho city had adopted "Hymns Ancient and Modem," he hoped St. Paul's would not. As for adopting it with a reservation, he thought that would merely lead to greater notice being taken of the proscribed hymns. Mr. W. H. Quick then moved as another amendment—" That 'Hymns Ancient and Modern' be adopted, and said if the Church in New Zealand generally did the same it would be following a course whieh would bring it more than ever into accord with the Church at large. The hymnal had been adopted very largely in England,. almost universally in Australia, and very freely in certain parts of New Zealand. And in dealing with the matter they must not only consider themselves. Large numbers were daily coming to our shores from the old country, bringing with them old memories and old associations

which should be respected, and it was not a small matter to consider that these people looked to use it in this the land of their adoption the same books as they had used in the land of their birth. Looking at the hymns in the book, he must say he did not consider them so very objectionable, though others perhaps might, and remembering that it had often been said of the Church " its width is its strength," he could not see any harm in adopting the hymnal. Mr. CHDRTON, speaking of Auckland, said he believed there was a strong feeling even there in favor of "Hymns Ancient and Modern." Mr. GutON considered St. Pauls would be guilty of self-righteousness if it were to set itself up to say that Auckland and Otago churches had been guilty of heresy, for that was the natural sequence of the arguments against " Hymns Ancient and Modern," —a hymnal which had been for a long time so generally used in those provinces. As for the limitation clause, if it were to be applied to the hymnal, it should also be applied to the prayer-book, perhaps to the Bible, and certainly to ministers' sermons.

After some further discussion, the amendments were put in succesion, that of Mr. Garrard's being eventually carried by a large majority. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.