ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8721, 23 January 1907, Page 3

ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Per Press Association. Dunedin, January 22. ■ At the Anglican General Synod to-day important discussion took place on the potion of the Bishop of Wellington to the effect that the Synod is favourable to such modification of tho sixth provision of the constitution of the churches as will permit the Synod, with tho consent of the Diocesan Synods, to make alterations in tho first five provisions, provided no property held in trust for church purposes be jeopardised thereby, and that the Bishops be requested to communicate the foregoing resolution to the Synods of their dioceses and to communicate any expression of opinion, which may be made by those Synods, to the General Synod at the next session.

The Bishop of Wellington explained Jiis motion at considerable length. Tho Eev. W. Beattie opposed the motion, urging that it would be wrong, after accepting certain provisions as alterable, to at once proceed to alter them. Tho Bov. T. H. Spvott, speaking in favour of the motion, stated that the living church must have tho power to do shat was proposed or reform from within was impossible. A church which would pot adapt itself to its environment was doomed. Archdeacon Kobinson thought the church should pause before making such a grave change as that proposed. Church people were generally content with the present position. Tim ■Rishmi of Christchurch supported

Tho Bov. T. H. Spvott, speaking in favour of the motion, stated that the living church must have tho power to do shat was proposed or reform from within pas impossible. A church which would pot adapt itself to its environment was doomed.

Archdeacon Eobinson thought the church should pause before making such a grave change as that proposed. Church people were generally content with the present position.

Tho Bishop of Christchurch supported the motion, and thought there was much peed for minor alterations, hut the fundapicntal provisions of tee constituion would bo in their hands. Hu would sooner see tho power of making alterations in the hands of tho whole church than in tho hands of the bishops alone. He moved an amendment to omit the clause binding all ministers who have already signified their adhesion to the provisions of the constitution, to accept alterations that might ho made. Archdeacon Harper protested against being hound for ever arid ever by the dead hand.

Tl'u Bishop of Auckland moved as an amendment “ that the proposed modification of tl:o constitution cells for the earnest attention of the Church of New Zealand.”

The Primate expressed the opinion that the Synod had power to niter tho constitution, hut ho personally deprecated any sudden changes. Tho Church was inherently free, but they had tied thenhands in n certain way. However-, the restrictions they had placed upon themselves could he removed when they thought proper. 'Whether they- should remove these restrictions now was another question.