ANGLICAN SYNODAuckland Nov. 21.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 319, 24 November 1888, Page 4

ANGLICAN SYNODAuckland Nov. 21.

TiLb Synod met as usual yesterday atiernoon, when there were present :—: —

Clergy. Yen. Archdeacon Clarke, Yon. Aich deacon Govetb, Yen. Axchdeacon Mainsell, Revs. Alloway, Bates, Beafcty, Burrows, Calder, J. K. l)avis, Fox, Gould, Haselden, Hill, Katteins, Long, McFarland, AJulgan, Nelson, O'Callaghan, Purchas, Richaids, Smallfield, Sprobb, Tebbs, Tobin.

Laity. Messrs Beere, Calder, Cochrane, Dawson, Doonin, Garrefct, Hammond, flaultain, flesketh, . Hills, Jackson, Lodder, Luke, Pierce, Rawlings, Rice, Speight, Upton, and Wild man.

St. John's College. The Chairman said he had an announcement to make with regard to Sb John's College. Mr Einile Aubin, one ot the students, had been awarded a senior scliolai - ship at the University College.

Ellerslie. Mr Garrett moved, in connection with the resignation by Rev. P. Sinallfield of his charge of Ellerslie, that Ellerslie and Epsom should remain as one charge and that no change should be made. B.ev. P. Smallfield seconded the resolution, to show that there was no irietion between himself and his people. He had presided at the meeting at which the iosolution was adopted, and he might say that he had been recommended by the Bishop to take this course about twelve months ago. JLtevs. 0. M. Nelson and Burrows pointed out that this was not a question for the Synod, and the motion was withdrawn on the motion of the Chairman.

Bishops Coukt, Yen. Archdeacon Maunsell moved that the Commitfcee appointed to consider the iepau-3 to Bishop's Court should proceed with the rooting of the building as far a& the funds would allow. Mr Pierce said that was a matter for the trustees, and they would proceed with the repairs when they had the fundb. At pre&ent they had no funds for the purpose. Mr Upton beconded the motion, but it was negatived.

Week of Special Pra\'ek. Rev. J. S. Hill moved, "That this. Synod begs respeccfully to suggest to the liight Ke\ . the Bishop that his Lordshiu should appoint a week of special prayer throughout the diocese for the promotion of the spuitual life of the Chuich, and the seeking: to awaken in the numerous nun-church attendants a deeper interest in vital godliness." He said there was special need for some method to awaken vital godliness in tho&e who were never touched by the regular services. Special services might be arranged for the Passion week. Unless his resolution commended itselt heartily to the Synod, he would prefer to withdraw it. Rev. Dr. O'Callaghan seconded the motion. Rev. Mr Beatty reminded Key. Mr Hill that there were two special seasons appointed by the Church for this very purpose. He sympathised with the remarks ii the public press with regard to the effects of these special efforts on previous occasions, and agreed that the results on the honesty, moral lite, and charity of the public had been nil. He believed that theie .was a terrible danger of these efforts beginning in sensationalism and ending in indiSerentism. Mr T. W. Doonin heartily sympathised with Mr Hill's motion, and said tho people wanted something new to stir them up. Mr Hammond, speaking tor St. Sepulchre's parish, said the parishioners! were never so dull as since the mis&ioners were here, and urged the Synod to pause, because the eiiect might not be what Mr Hill wished. Rev. C. M. Nelson was disposed to think it was just possiblo to have too much of a good thing. He aaked why tho non-churchgoers were not goers, and said they could get good Gospel in the city churches. He did not like this term " nonchurchgoers " and hoped it would be left out. No ouo desired more than himself a little life being thrown into the Church at the present time, but he was not &ure that the way suggested by Mr Hill was the be&t to secure it. It was hard to judge of the results of the late mission, but the effort now proposed could only be a , feeble imitation of it. Rev. W. Tebbs said the Bible showed them that when God desired an awakening of spiritual life, he did not wait for regular seasons, but sent a special messenger. If they did not believe in tho efficacy of prayer they might as well cease to call them-

selves Christians. Hb saw no harm in a season of prayer. If there were any means by which they could get bold ot nonchurchgoerfc, it behoved them to carry it out, and he would give the proposal his warm support. One reason ot the fiilme of the last mission was the inordinate length to which it was drawn out Rev. Mr Fox, speaking for the HowicU district, said that it had not been a failure there. Dr. Daw=on urged the advantages of a houeo visitation. Because this was a 1 ime of depression, it was no reason why they should sit down and do nothing. Rev. 1 Richards also supported the motion. Mr Lodder said he took it that Mr Hill only wanted the sympathy ot tha Synod with the resolution, leaving the details to the Bishop when he ariives. Rev. J. Bates did not think that these agencies that weie brought to bear were the best means of seeming an awakening ot spiritual life. For his part he did not wi.^h to interfere with others, but wished to be left out. The Chairman said that during his whole life he would thank God for the miss- ion of Boddington. He did not think Mr Hammond realised what he said when he told them the mis 1 ion did no good, but only did haim. The day of judgment alone would tell that words weie like dynamite, and did a great deal of harm. He did not agree altogether with the method of the mission, and admitted that they were cut and dried and tuo long drawn out. But it would be a sin if he did not raise his voice to declare the spiritual value of which that mission had been to himself and others. He suggested that the lesolufcion might be recast so as to evoke the sympathy of all. Rev. Mr Burrows sympathised with the motion, but rather than see a division on such a subject he would ask Mr Hill t3 withdraw his motion. Rev. Mr Beatty explained that if the motion came to a division, he would not vote against the resolution, even it ho did not vote tor it. Dr. Pm chat knew many instances where very great benefit had been derived from the late mission. Rev Mr Hill said that, at the suggestion of Re\. Mr Tebbs, he would accept an amend ment 10 meet the objection uigod to the term "'non-churchgoers." The Chairman t-uggested that it would also be desiuible to secuie an awakening ot spiutual life amongst those who did attend church also. Mr Rice tug^ested that the resolution should apply to all classes. Eventually the morion was postponed in order that the resolution might be drafted in a form acceptable to the Synod. Subsequently the motion was proposed in the following form : — That this Synod begs respectfully to suggest to tho Right Rev. the Bishop that his Lordship should appoint a week 01 special prayer during the season of lent for the promotion of the spiritual life of the Church, and the seeking to awaken in all classes a deeper interest in vital godliness. — Mr Pierce asked if they could not do without money on these occasions, because people seemed to have objection to have the plate or box confronting them at every time, aod many people were kept away from ordinary sorvices because of the money they had to give. Mr Speight asked why the term " nonchurchgoer " was objected to. It was a fact that non-churchgoers existed in large numbers, and he felt that they weie nonchurchgoers because of the inefficiency of the work ot rhe Church itself. Rev. Mi Hill, in reply, said he would never have introduced the motion had he thought it would have provoked a discussion on the labours of the two missioners referred to. The motion was put and carried.

Pensions. Mr Luke moved, "That the Special Committee on pensions, who-o report has been adopted, be ie-appoinbed for the purpose of assisting the Ponsion Board in preparing such amondments in the new pension system as may be necossary to bring before the next meeting of this Synod." Mr Upton pointed out that the motion was really intended to add to the Pension Board, and this could nob be done without notice, so that the motion was out of order. Ifc was really proposed in order to add Mr Speight to the Pension Board, but he had already been provided with a seat on the Board. Mr Speight said that; be objected, and would not consent to the arrangement referred to by Mr Upton. That gentleman desired to gratify a long-cherisbed desire to retire from the Pension Board, and he pro-

posed Lo have him appointed to the vacancy. That was not satisfactory. Eventually the motion was agreed to, and Mi Datger's name added at the suggestion of Mi Upton.

Incorporation. Mr Rawliners moved, "That the Synod do consent to the incorporation of the Diocesan Pension Board under the Religious, Charitable, and Educational Trust Boards Incorporation Act, 1884." Carried.

Standing Orders. Standing order No. 21 was suspended fo r the remainder of fche session in order that motions might be brought on without notice.

Hospitising Committee. The Rev. W. Tebbs moved, "That a hoapitising committee be appointed, consisting of the Rev. Dr. Purchas, Rev. C. M. Nelson, Mr Batger, and the mover." Tne Rev. Mr Beatty seconded the motion, which was carried, and it was further agreed that the Rev. Mr Tebbs be convener of the committee.