THE ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1095, 19 April 1883, Page 3

THE ANGLICAN SYNOD.

The Synod on Monday passed a resolution expressing sympathy with Bishop Selwyn and the Melanesian Mission to the Churchmen of New Zealand. There

was .id interesting discussion, in the course of which it was stated that the area of Melanesian operations would have to be reduced if subscriptions were not more liberal, and that the income from English sources is steadily declining. There was a rather warm debate uu the motion of Archdeacon Harper to appoint a Standing Commission to endeavor to obtain a modification of the present education system, especially iu ths direction of giants to denominational schools, one of the avowed objects of the Commission being to endeavor to influence legislation. The Bishop of Melanesia and others contended that its functions should be limited to ascertaining the feelings of the public, in educating public opinion, and organising an agitation against secular education. Archdeacon Stock’s Bill to define 4 * communicant ” now hangs between heaven and earth. At last sitting of the Committee it was shorn of the head, middle, and fail, and was reported with the express intention of committing it again to insert a clause proposed by Archdeacon Williams at the suggestion of the Primate. On the motion for its recommittal coming on, however, on a division it wag lost by an adverse vote of the laity. Probably the Bill will now be dropped, The difinition, “ licensed clergy” has also caused no little trouble. Dean Jacobs brought in a Bill in which occured the - term “ licensed clergy.” A committee was appointed to consider what i* meant. The Committee reported that 4 a licensed clergy” meant “ clergy licensed,” but this exceedingly broad transposition did not satisfy the Sjnod, as it agreed to define “ licensed clergy” as “ clergy holding a Bishop’s license.’’ The Bishop of Wellington pointed out that 41 Bishop’s license” required a definition, as there are several kinds of license, but a? this give prospect of definitions without end, the feynod made haste to p»«s the Bill.