DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Southland Times, Issue 694, 10 July 1867, Page 3

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

(From the" Lyttelton Times," June 19.) ♦ "' • (Continued from last issue. J " COTJKT? OP APPEAL. "I am well aware that by the statute and common law of the Church in the earliest times, all ecclesiastical causes wereT determined in the Province to which they*belonged, in Synod or courts assembled under the presidency of the Metropolitan ; but then it must be remembered that the suffragan Bishops who formed with the Metropolitan the provincial Synods or courts, were many tn ore in number than- they are with us, and brought therefore to the decision of every case the ..authority of numbers, as well as .the judgment of many minds. It is evident that some time must elapse before the Provincial Church of New Zealand, even though it' may be represented by wise and godly pastors,can carry with it the weight of these ancient provincial Synods — such weight as will be needful to give full effect to the decisions of a court of appeal in New Zealand ; and it was doubtless on this account that in the sixteenth clause of the Deed of Constitution provision was made for the establishing of a court of appeal from the decision of any tribunal in New Zealand. It is not prescribed where such a court should be held, or how it is to be constituted ; but the clause evidently contemplates a court outside of our ecclesiastical province, and so removed from the local influences which might afi'cct the decisions of our New Zealand tribunals. It is but natural and dutiful that we should seek for such a Court of Appeal in our mother Church ; and it may not be impossible that a court of this character may be established, with the consent of the several Colonial Churches, and so contribute most'essentially to the maintenance of unity of doctrine and discipline in churches, and bind them in close communion with each other and with the church.from which they spring. I will not venture to point out of whom the court of appeal should consist; I would only say that, in my opinion, it should be a court brought into existence before any case for its decision may arise ; that it should represent as fully as possible the mind of the United Church of England and Ireland; not as it may be interpreted by the religious partizans of the day, but as it is expressed in the creeds and formularies of the Church. There is a certain latitude of opinion allowed by our Church, and wisely so ; but this latitude can not be permitted to extend to those sacred truths which the Church has received to hold from the Church universal in its undivided state, and which have been taught in all times as necessary to salvation. These truths our Church must still maintain and declare, whether the world be willing to receive them or not. And any court of appeal which may be establised in connection with our Colonial Church must speak on such matters with no stammering tongues. " CONFEEENCE AT IAMBETH. "On this point, as . well as in reference to the future relations of the Colonial Church to the Mother Church, either with or without any connexion with the state-questions of the utmost interest to the Colonial Clmreh, and therefore likely to be considered at the Conference at Lambeth, I shah 1 be glad to take with me some expression of opinion on the part of this Synod, though I must be permitted to hold my own opinion in one particular, viz., that if, as I have assumed from the judgments of the Privy Council, and the subsequent line of action pursued by Ihe late Colonial Secretaries, and as it would seem in its main points endorsed by the present Colonial Secretary, the Colonial Church has in law no connexion with the state ; in other words, that the Crown in the Colonies has no legal supremacy in matters ecclesiastical, and it is not expedient to seek to establish such a connexion. The Sovereigns, whose subjects we ai-e, and under whose dominion I trust we and our children and children's children may continue to be, cannot be in their capacity as Sovereigns the. nursing fathers and nursing mothers of our Churcb ; but we may be hampered in our endeavors to fulfil our mission among our fellow-subjects in the colonies by any connexion with the Crown, which may seem to place us in a position of privilege beyond that belonging to other religious bodies ; and still more so, if through that connexion we are subject to laws which, however suited to an established National Church, are in many respects inapplicable to Colonial Churches, and to courts representing the supremacy of the Crown, which cannot be approached by us without a wasteful expenditure of time and money. At the same time, there is need at the present time, and may be, I think,, for some time to come, of a common authority to which an appeal may be allowed on disputed questions of faith and discipline ; and such an authority, unconnected with the State, I would seek in the Mother Church, and it should have with us a binding force, though it might not carry with it the direct force of law or of a judgment of the ecclesiastical courts in England. " Other matters, no doubt, in which the welfare and progress of the Church are concerned, will be brought before the Crnference ; but as the Archbishop's letter has explained, the Conference ' will not be competent to make declarations, or to lay down definitions on points of doctrine ;' — most certainly none which might tend to narrow the present terms of connexion with the Church. But short of such declarations and definitions, there may be expressions of opinion that may help to reassure the i'aith of those whose minds have been disturbed by recent publications and judgments ; and measures may be suggested which, thought not obligatory as canons or ecclesiastical laws, may meet with ready acceptance in all parts of our communion, and contribute much to the preservation of ecclesiastical order, to the maintenance of union, and to the nourishment and development of the inner life of the Church. " DIOCESAN MATTEES. - . " Among matters of local importance which I should wish the Synod to consider, I desire to call your attention to the necessity of making some immediate provision for the spiritual wants of the -lunatic asylum at Suunyside, and, if possible, for those of the hospitals and gaols of Christchui-eh and Lyttelton. These institutions must not be overlooked by our Church in her ministrations. It seemed to be the opinion of the Synod at its last session that some special provision should be made for such institutions in Christchurch — that they should constitute in effect, a separate cure, and be dealt with as such, inasmnch as the duties connected with them, if fully carried out, would be sufficient to occupy the whole services of a clergyman. Accordingly, a grant of a similar amount to that allotted to other cures, was set apart for this purpose ; but it is evident that if the institutions are to be placed under the special charge of a clergyman, some additional paeans of support Bttifit to pbtain.B& y(m. it not; for the

present, depressed state _of the province, I should . hot hesitate to rely, in such, a case as this, on the voluntary contributions of the Church. There would be many, I am sure, ready to assist in providing the services and consolations of religion for the afflicted in mind and body ; and they would regard the institutions, though situated in Christchurch, as provincial institutions, and therefore having a direct claim on the sympathy and charitable aid of all parts of the province. \ . ■ ■• ■ ' "It will be for the Synod to consider whether, if an appeal to the Church generally would, Tinder present circumstances, be unseasonable., how the . spiritual wants of these institutions: may be otherwise supplied. , ' -. HOME ITISIOUV . . ; „^-ri.. : " Clergymen are still needed for the districts which, in the report of last Synod on the Home Mission, were mentioned :as being unprovided with clergymen. " . "T have visited since Easter parts of three of these districts, and have come to the conclusion that, with the usual aid from the general funds of the Church, sufficient means might be obtained fpr the support of a missionary clergyman in the Southern District, between the Eangitata and the Waitangi, not included in the cures of Timarau and Geraldine. . There are several centres of population (chiefly agricultural) on this side of Timai'au and in the country beyond it, in which the services of a clergyman would be gladly^ welcomed ; but in no part is the population sufficiently numerous to maintain, by itself, a clergyman. Enough, however, might I think be obtained for this purpose, by forming the whole district, with the exception of the cures of Timarau and Geraldine, into a missionary cure — and the station-holders would willingly assist. This missionary cure would be of considerable extent, and the usefulness and success of it would depend, not so much on Sunday service, which would, of course, be chiefly given where the largest* number might be able to attend, but on the periodical visits extending to all parts of the district. "It may be seen by the circular which I have laid upon the table, and which has been forwarded to the principal inhabitants of the two districts situated between the Wainiakariri and Kangitata rivers, how 1 have proposed to meet the spiritual wants of these districts. The plan which I would reccommend is that the two districts should ,be- formed also into a missionary cure ;' but I have not yet ascertained fully whether this would meet the wishes of the inhabitants. I know that there are some who are still of an opinion that each of the districts should have its own resident clergyman. But not to mention . the large amount of contributions . which would be required under that arrangement from each of the districts, an amount which perhaps there would be some difficulty in raising, I am satisfied that au active clergyman might fulfil with equal profit the duties of his office by his periodical visits, such visits as would bring him into personal communication with the residents of each house and station, and enable him, on fitting occasions, to collect them together for some religious service. And lam borne out in this opinion by several residents whom I have had the opportunity of consulting on this point. " There will be greater difficulties in providing for the spiritual wants of those parts of Banks Peninsula that are not included in the parishes of Akaroa and Governor's Bay, -not only because they cannot be visited periodically without great fatigue, but because however willing the inhabitants may be to contribute towards the support 0f..,. a clergyman, not much can be expected. J from them. It is a district which, for some time to come, must be largely assisted from the general funds of the Church ; and I trust that the Synod, in its financial arrangements for the curi'ent year will be enabled to make soms suitable provision for this district. It is most certainly one -which has an especial claim upon our consideration, and I refer to it more especially at the present time, because the incumbent of Governor's Bay, who i 3 well acquainted with the inhabitants of the several bays of the Peninsula, is willing to include them in his spiritual charge, and visit them from tune to time, if such visits should be found to be compatible with his duties in Governor's Bay. The cure of Governor's Bay is already included in the number of those cures receiving aid from the Assisted Parishes Fund ; but I should be glad if some additional aid could be given which might secure for the bays of the Peninsula the services of a second clergyman, acting under the direction of the incumbent of Governor's Bay, and co-operating with him in his missionary work. " DEAN AND CHAPTEB, " I propose delegating to the Dean and Canon during the period of my absence from the diocese, the exercise of "such functions appertaining to my office which are not necessarily limited to the episcopate. Any two of the Canons, in conjunction with the Dean of Christchurch, or in his absence with the Archdeacon of Westland, will be empowered to act in my behalf; and I would request that all communications on diocesan matters which would be addressed to me may be addressed to the Dean, to be by him referred to the Chapter on all matters of importance "especially those affecting the general welfare of the diocese. The Dean and Chapter will consult with the Standing Committee of the Synod. All documents and licenses' usually issued in my name, or under my seal, will bear the signature of the Dean or Archdeacon, and of two at least of the Canons. " I again express my willingness to lay before the Conference at Lambeth any questions relating to the general welfare of the Church, and the promotion of true religion and godliness which the Synod may desire to have considered. And I would ask not only of the members of the Synod alone, but of all the members of the Church in the diocese, their fervent prayers for an abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit on those who my attend the Conference, and for direct guidance in all their consultations and decisions ; and I trust, also, I may request, without presumption, the prayers of the Diocesan Church on my own behalf, that my attendance at the Conference may not be without some spiritual profit, and that if I 'should have a prosperous journey by the will of God to return unto you, I may return in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ, and be a fellow-woi-ker with you in setting forth the glory of God, and setting forward the salvation of the flock entrusted to our care." The Very Eev. the Deast of CHBiSTOHtrBCH moved that the thanks of the Synod should be given to the Bishop for his valuable charge, and that it should be printed and kept amongst the other Synodical documents. He concluded by expressing his hope that the attendance of the Bishop at the Lambeth Conference would be ; conducive to the best interests of the Church. The Eev, J, Wiison seconded, I;h,e, motion,

The Rev. .E. A. Lingard. was appointed clerical, and Mr A. F. N. Blakiston lay secretary. The roport of the Standing Committee was laid upon the table The Standing Orders, as observed at the last session^ were adhered to. - It was decided that the Synodfcshould meet daily, at 4 p.m., with the exceptio»of Saturdays and Sundays. , ,f. The Very Rev. the Dean of Ch||stchurch was elected Chirman of Committees.