MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE EIGHTH SYNOD OF THE DIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5473, 11 October 1878, Page 7

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE EIGHTH SYNOD OF THE DIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

The members of the Synod received the holy communion at St. Paul’s Cathedral Church, and met at the diocesan room at three o’clock p.m. on Tuesday. The President called the roll of members elected.

Members Present:—The President. Clergy —Archdeacon Stock, Rev. C. N. Nicholls, Rev. T. Faucourt, Rev. B. W. Harvey, Rev. W. Ballachey, Rev. J. F, Teacldo, Rev. R. Coffey, Rev. O. D. De Castro, Rev. H. Te Herekau, Rev. J. McWilliaxu, Rev. T. L. Tudor, Rev. A. Tpwgood, Rev. R. J. Thorpe, Rev. O. N. Gossett. Laity—Messrs. N. T, Clarke, R. Hunter, G. Didsbury, O. RousMarten, Colonel Leckie, J. A. Plimmcr, Captain Howett, J. Lockett, J. R. Lysaght, T. Buchanan, W. France, 12. W. Lowe, aud D. Porter.

The. President laid on • tho . table reports from parishes ami districts aud the minute book of the Standing Committee. The President read the address from which we make the following extracts Having mentioned Bishop Solwyn, I cannot refrain from saying a few words in reference lo him. His genius, energy, and devotion to his , work have recently been so fully acknowledged in England and elsewhere, that nothing need bo add in reference to those high qualities which ho possessed, and which made Mm so remarkable. I trust that the effort now being made to raise a memorial to him at Cambridge —-.the proposed Selwyn College, will bo speedily crowned'with success, I venture to hope that the need of having some suitable memorial to him In this country will not be lost sight of. To have neglected such a memorial to Bishop Solwyn would, I feel convinced, ho regarded in future ages as a sad reflection on thia'acncration of churchmen for their want of appreciation of one of the few great men of Tie ago. Possibly on the return of the Primate from England some practical suggestion on the subject maybe made. The Itcv. W. XT. Tucker lias undertaken to write lus life. This will doubtless include much interesting matter connected with his labors In this country among'both races, as well as Ids missionary visits to Melanesia. Having been myself fn • many years intimately connected with him in ecc I c‘dostical affairs, I avail myaelf of this opportunity of saying that during a long course of years I never met with anything irom him but the greatest consideration, accompanied with undeviating kindness and courtesy. It may appear almost like egotism on my part to say that in matters entrusted to mo ho always phicod unlimited confidence in my judgment; but it is only’due to his memory to say so. So early as 1814 ho appointed mo liis commissary and rural dean hero. In 181!) ho made mo Archdeacon of Kaplti, with au horxty to act for him on both sides of the Strait. ’ In 1854, while in England, bo recommended me tr> tho Archbishop of Canterbury and the Secretary of State to be bishop for-tho same part of his diocese. Being at that time actively at work among the Maori population, I declined this responsibility. If I have for a few moments reverted to these events long past, it is because the recollection of Ids high principle and noble example stimulated rne to some measure of exertion in days gone by. And I trust that the mention of hi? name and tho study of his life may act as a powerful motive to many in this country to practice his self-denial and follow fu his footsteps. , , . , t Notwithstanding the progress already made in what may bo called the formal organisation of tho Church, which In many respects is most satisfactory, much still remains to bo dono to promote and facilitate actual work. The present most pressing need of the Church is both to obtain nmro clergymen and also to devise some svstem by means of which, with the Divine blessing, a constant supply may bo provided. It may possibly occur to those who have not given this subject their special attention, that this is one which more Immediately concerns the Bishop. It Is doubtless a special part of tho Bishop’s duty to encourage and assl-t all candidates for the sacred ministry whoso qualifications for the cilice give promise of usefulness. and by solemn ordination to set them apart for tho office. But this aspect of the subject is not the particular one about which there Is any difficulty What is needed is to find men suitable for the work of tho minlstry—propcrly educated and duly trained to enter on the work to which at their ordination they may bo appointed. But before I offer any suggestion as to steps that mleht be taken towards making provision for tho present urgent want. It may bo advbablo to look carefully At tho .actual: state of tho subject under consideration, That many additional clergymen are wanted in this diocese (and I believe the same may be said of other dioceses), there can bo no doubt. It is no less certain to those wlio have taken pains to inquire, that there la no prospect of any adequate supply being obtained. It is important to bo fully convinced of this. Bo long as any doubt ,remains as to this fact, it will bo hopeless toi expect that effective efforts will bo made to organise any system whlcb-may meet the difficulty and make provision for tho future. X will now give a few reasons (for tho conclusion

have arrived at, that no adequate supply can be looked lor from England. It is true that the reluctance to take holy orders which was said to have existed in England a few years ago, arising from several causes which it is not needful to specify, has ceased: many are now being ordained. Cut the demand of the Church of England for clergymen, occasioned by tho increase of population, and the extension of Church work, corns to give occupation to a constantly increasing number. R has now become ncco sary to make these remark?. 1-I'mever thankf'il we ought to be whenever we ob ain any efficient olergynvn from England, I would sevlomly warn the Synod, and if possl lo tho whole e» olcsiasticvl province, that it would be a fatal mistake for the Chinch in tin- country to make to trust to any permanent supply of clergymen from England. }Ve have now reached a period when it has'become an imperative duty to face this subj ct boldly and r solutely. Five years ago, In addressing tho Synod. I alluded to tin's question, and expressed a very decided opinion that it ought to bo dealt with without further delay. N othinglmssince occurred t ; > alter or modify the Opinion then expressed. What is Wanted is one good theological college. lam not prepared to admit that tho Church of New Zealand is either unable or would be unwilling to make such an effort as would lead to the establishment of such an institution as is vequ'ved. My linn con iction is, that if the absolute necessity foiqsuch an institution were extensively known, a beginning might be’made towards obtaining it, which would before long meet with very general support. I trust that this subject will engage the attention of the Synod. It is ind-ed a matter which should be dealt with by the General Synod. Butin order that the General Synod may do so effectively some previous preparation should he made for its consideration. I will nob now repeat the reasons I gave five years ago against tho permanent establishment of diocesan colleges. Subsequent thought has only tended to confirm my conviction of their validity. 1 Sooner or later adequate provision must be made by moans of a good theological college for the preparation of students for tho ministry of tho Church. I can see no reason why immediate steps should not be taken to establish such a college, even though some time might elapse before the object desired could be actually attained. While mi this subject I feel compelled to allude to what ought seriously to engage tho immediate attention of tho laity. It has become absolutely necessary to provide better stipends for tho clergy, Xam referring more particularly, though not exclusively to the clergy in charge of parochial districts. I feel bound to state my conviction that the stipends now paid are inadequate, ami that new districts can scarcely expect to obtain clergymen until some definite arrangements are made to provide such stipends as arc actually requisite. A clergyman actively engaged in the discharge of his duties ought to have tho means of obtaining what for him arc necessaries of life without anxiety. Besides, in country districts considerable expense is incurred in travelling, which can 11 be afforded. This is a subject that the Synod might well devote, some time to consider, and about which it might make some practical recommendations. In connection with this .1 would take tho opportunity of saying that the work of the Church has been greatly assisted in this diocese by means of tho help afforded by those deacons whom I ordained, and who continue in their secular occupations. The diocese is also much indebted to tho various-lay readers, whose services have been given with great regularity, and with the best results in many places. T last year expressed an opinion to the effect that a system of public education, which not only absolutely excluded all religious teaching, but even all recognition of religion, was one with which it was impossible the Church could remain satisfied. It is not my intention to repeat what I then said. I ventured, however, to express some doubt as to whether the community at largo would long continue satisfied with a system which was repugnant to the feelings and convictions of nearly all who give the subject c ireful thought, or look forward to its probable effects. Since then I have had reason to believe that my opinions are shared,by many persons throughout the country. As I then mentioned, tho operation of the law in reference to Roman Catholics, who conscientiously decline to send their children to the public schools, is a palpable infliction of injustice. But there are many others who, though their objections are not so absolutely insuperable as those of tho Roman Catholics, nevertheless regard tho system as essentially unjust. There are, f believe, persons who profess themselves wholly unable to understand wherein the injustice consists. They allege that tho education afforded is what they call secular education; that this is avowedly desired by all, and th*t they leave religion to be taught elsewhere as parents may desire. Tho answer to this is, that the two cannot bo separated in the education of children without serious moral injury lo them ; that when their attention has been occupied with secular matters exclusively for five hours each day during five days in the week, no thno is left for religious teaching, even if children could bo got together for the purpose of affording it to them. But there is another'aspect of this subject which no wise state man ought to overlook. Public education, carried on at a very heavy expense to the community, ought at least to be effective. It ought, therefore, to be made compulsory. But how is a Government in these clays, when religious toleration lias become, as it were, a household word among us Englishmen—to compel the attendance of children at schools to which their parents, on religious grounds, conscientiously object 'i The right to object on such grounds is ulmitted ; no Government would venture to ignore it. To say that none but Roman Catholics object would bo an unwarrantable assumption. At present, indeed, the schools may not appear objectionable, But no one CiO pretend to foresee what the character of schoolmasters' -nutter such a system may become in the course o! a few years. Those who have given the subject long and patient consideration, can at least -foresee that a system of education which' IS essentially defective and faulty must eventually bear pernicious fruit. History must have been studied to no purpose by those.who entertain any doubt as to tho disastrous .result to society consequent on such a system. There is no imermediito position between religious educali >n and irreligious education. Were any doubt entertained on this subject, thoughtful consideration of waat is now going on iu Germany would tend to ill pel it. Although nothing very remarkable has occurred in connection with tho progress of religion among the Maori population, I feel that I am able to to say that steady improvement is gradually taking place. The native deacon who was located at Wairarapa two years ago, while speaking mode.stlyof what maybe the actual spiritual result of Ids labors, states that his ministrations arc everywhere well received, and that much encouragement 'is thus afforded him in bis work. Tins is substantially confirmed by tho report on the same subject which I have received from theRev. A. Knell, the rural dean, and which I now lay on the table. During the past year I ordained at Otaki another deacon (the Rev. Arena Te Nana), who is located at Wanganui. .Ho has visited many parts of that extensive district. Last summer ho accompanied me up the river, where wc, on successive days, visited several native settlements. We sp *nt Sunday at a populous place, where a large number assembled to partake of the Lord’s Supper*. We everywhere met with a cordial reception. The dilliculty experienced in travelling renders this an unusinlly laborious district to attend to. It is much to be regretted that there is no Maori-speaking English clergyman to minister to this district. In fact there is only one in tho diocese. I should bo very glad to ?ce my way towards extending Church work among tho Maori populat on. There are four deacons working in different parts of the dioceso. These are supported partly by local funds and partly by grants from the Maori Mission Fund and tho Church Missionary Society. Their stpemls are therefore rather precarious. The prospect of being able to obtain increased resources for the pu l pose of adding to their number is not very encouraging. It would be satisfactory if some pormanentsource of income could bo established from which apart at least of their stipends might bo provided. A proposal on tills subject has recently been made to mo by a clergyman belonging to another diocese. I allude to the Rev. S. Williams, who formerly resided in this neighborhood. Ho suggests that an effort should be made to establish an endowment fund in this dioceso for tho support of Maori clergymen here. lie thinks it possible that some of the Maoris might bo induced not only to give money, but also land for such a purpose And lie further ventures to hope that some English settlers might not bo unwilling to contribute towards tho fund. Mr. Williams o ’ers. conditionally at least on some efforts being made in the dioceso :o establish •such a fund, to give £soo‘towards it. Tt appears to mo that this offer is very important. It is significant, a* a convincing proof that a person well qualified from his knowledge both bf tho Maori character and the Maori languace to form an opinion on the subject, has a high appreciation of tho value of the work done by the Maori clergymen. This testimony is a complete answer to those who raise doubts as to tho real efficiency of their labors. Again, it is a substantial proof of his deep conviction that these Maori clergymen should not bo left to depend on uncertain and precarious exertions to supply their absolute wants. It is impossible to bo sure that some temporary phase of religious opinion might not place the Maori clergy in ft position of considerable difliculty, ami possibly in some cases in one of temptation, as it did a few years ago when tho llauhau fanaticism burst forth and influenced largo numbers of tho converts of the infant Church. I should feel thankful if the Synod would devote to this subject some portion of its time. It is possible that some stops might bo taken to establish such a fund. It would appo-u* to ho a fitting , pmctical subject for tho Synod to consider, aud make some recommendation upon. Tho antagonism, both real and imaginary, that existed a few years ago between tho two races inhabiting this Island has now, It may bo hoped, passed away for over. Englishmen who benefited during so many centuries from the wise forethought of those who wont before them, in making provision for religion, might graccfuMy set the example of helping the Maori Church to provide if possible permanent means for securing tho ministrations of religion. I trust that the liberal offer I have mentioned will ii.duco churchmen in this dioceso to respond to tho invitation to create the proposed fund. At any rate I hope the Synod will ,cmbod:.* its opinion in some resolution ou tho subject. E forts might then be made to bring it before tho Maoris in all p uts of the diocese in some practical form which they could deal with. I last year v’sHctl nil parts of tho diocese. I hold confirmations at Tlnui, Groyfcown, Marton, tho Hutt, luvrori, as well as In all tho three churches in this city. I was glad to And that there was no falling off ia the number of candidates. I also recently confirmed some natives at Pounia. It is to mo a matter 1 oT much regret that there Is not ft clergyman In tho f.Tauawatu-llangit'Uei district. I had reason to hope tkafc I had secured tho services of the Rf*y. W. W. St. Mill for that district. Although it is occasionally visited for the administration of tho sacrament, a resident clergyman* not only for ordinal y duties but to prepare young people for confirmation, is greatly 3*: •Med.. am thankful to say that the late Mr, W. B. left two sums of £<oo, iu aid respectively of ■'..10 Diocesan Fund and of religious education in this city; and further to add that through tho active exertions of collectors, chiefly ladies, subscriptions to tho Diocesan Fund have been considerably augmented. I have gratefully toacknowlego the efforts that have been liberally and successfully mad" to provide funds for tho purpose of erecting a now episcopal residence. 1 now conclude, with tho cam at hope that tho Holy Spirit may bo with us to direct and guide our deliberations, and that tho Divine blessing will rest upo" our endeavors to promote tho glory of God and tho efficacy of His Church In this diocese.

Moved by Mr, Buchanan, seconded by Mr. Clarke, and carried, —That the President be thanked for .his address, and that he be requested to allow it to be printed. Archdeacon Stock was elected clerical secretary, and Mr. Quick lay secretary. Mr, Bowles- was elected diocesan treasurer.

On 1 the motion‘of Archdeacon Stock the standing orders of the last session were accepted until otherwise ordered. The Re'v, T. Pancourt obtained leave to move, without notice—That a committee be appointed to investigate and report upon the accounts of the parishes and parochial districts, consisting of the Revs. T. B. Tudor and R. Goffey, Messrs. Hidabury, Powles, Plimmer, and the mover.—Carried.

Notices of motion were given by the Revs. W, B. Harvey, W. Ballachoy, .T. P. Teaoklo, R. ■ Coffey, A. Towgood, T. Pancourt, Archdeacon Stock, and Mr, Powles.

The Synod adjourned till this day nt Op.m,