THE BISHOP OF CHRISTCHURCH ON THE POSITION OF THE CHURCH.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1886, 4 November 1874, Page 3

THE BISHOP OF CHRISTCHURCH ON THE POSITION OF THE CHURCH.

At the opening of the Diocesin Synod of Canterbury the Bishop of Christohurch, Primate of .New Zealand, delivered a charge, from which we make the following extracts -.—"The new table of lessons itself, which is now in general use in the mother Church and in our sister Churches of Australia and Canada, has been adopted by the Synod provisionally, that time might be given for the further consideration of the mode of procedure as regards such or any other similar alteration, and the bill to which I have referred details, this mode of procedure; and, though not yet sanctioned by the Synod, indicates her desire to admit of no alteration which has not been thoroughly examined, or which fails to carry with it the mind of the Church. A somewhat similar mode of procedure is now by her own law required in reference to any proposal for altering or repealing the nonfundamental provisions of the Church Constitution. From this it may be observed that the General Synod has acted with the utmost caution. Indeed, as yet, no alteration has been made either in the organisation or in the formularies of the Church but such as have been absolutely required by the facts of her position in this colony, and a due regard to truth. There are other matters of importance remitted to the consideration of the Diocesan Synods, which claim immediate attention; and of these perhaps the most important is that relating to the educaiion of the young. The resolution on this subject records its approval of the efforts to maintain and establish church schools, and express a hope that similar efforts will be made to secure to the parochial clergy, and others acting under them, the privilege of imparting religious instruction .in the Government day schools. A report of the Diocesan Education Committee will be laid before you, and it will be seen from that besides the I Grammar School of Christ's College, there are four Church schools now existing in the diooese; and the events of -the past year have shown the necessity of doing what we can to maintain them. It is indeed a question whether, without such schools, the Church can fulfil her duty of imparting in any adequate measure religious instruction to the children of her communion. In some of the Government schools, no objection is made to the teaching of the clergy; but in others, their teaching has been refused, or the permission to teach coupled with such conditions as virtually amount to a refusal. It is much to be wished that the Education Ordinance of this province, which sanctions the setting apart of either one whole day or two half days for religious -instruction, should have made this compulsory, instead of leaving it to the discretion of the local committees. As the clause stands at present, it recognises tho .responsibility of the ministers of religion in this matter, and ostensibly invites their, teaching, and yet practically puts it out of their power to give it—at all events, precludes them from muking any fixed arrangements for this purpose. It is, of course, impossible for the parochial clergy to give religious instruction iu ail the Government schools in the province—which are now, I believe, ninety-two in number -but in our town and more settled country parishes, we might reasonably expect that they should not be debarred from tho fulfilment of a duty which they are willing to undertake, and for whiclt the Ordinance has made some provision, The- Church, I need hardly say, cannot delegate to chance teachers the religious instruction of hor children; aud though circumstances may limit the exercise of her offices in this behalf to once or twice a week, yet a diligent use of these opportunities will uot only serve to show that she is ready to do her utmost for their spiritual welfare, but may contribute much to the formation of principles and habits affecting in no slight degree their character and conduct through life. This, unquestionably, is tho main object which she must ever keep in view, however she m»y aid also iu the cultivation of their intellectual powers, ami iu imparting to th,em all useful secular learning. A resolution recommending to the several Dio,Qittßtt fyuods- some iaorca^.i

efforts for the restraint of intemperance will, I hope, lead to some active measure* on our part. To be effectual, £ need hardly say those measures roust be based on Christian principles, and be in support of these obligations to sobriety and *■ habitual self-denial, to which we are already pledged by our baptismal tows. They must recognise also the absolute need of divine grace and the consequent necessity and efficacy of prayer. Provision, g must be made in them for total abstineuce, in the case of those, who by self-indul-gence, have lost or impaired their powers of self-coutrol; but a Church Association, for the promotion of temperance, such as ours should be, .should invite the membership of those also who can use their liberty without abusing it; for the union and sympathy of many in such a cause, though all may not subject themselves to those stricter rules which are needful in the case of- some, will greatly aid, under God's blessing, in restraining excesses which are so degrading to human nature and so unworthy of our Christian calling, and exercise a healthy influence over the general habits of society.