ARCHIDIACONAL CONFERENCE AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 133, 13 May 1897, Page 2

ARCHIDIACONAL CONFERENCE AT CAMBRIDGE.

A ro.vi kkkxci-: of the clergy and laity of the Archdeaconry of Waikato was commenced in St. Andrew's School at Cambridge on Tuesday evening, Archdeacon Willis presiding. There were also present the Revs. Uradbury, of Ngaruawahia, Marshall, of Ohaupo, Biggs, of Hamilton, and Katterns, of Katikati. Messrs 'J'. Wells, IS. V. Cox (Shaftesbury), R. C. Dyer, at the table. The audience consisted of several gentleman amongst them being the Rev. L. Hudson and Mr T. W. Hicks- and a number of ladies.

The Yen. Chairman read apologies from the Revs. Wilson, of Paeroa, and McFarlaue for non -attendance, after which he said they had amongst them a clergyman lately from the Old Country, Mr Hoyter Cox, sou of Mr E. V. Cox, of Shaftesbury, who did not belong to the Archdeaconry, but he was sure they would all welcome him to their deliberations. Mr Cox then took his seat at the table, and at the request of the Chairman he undertook the duties of secretary, during the absence of the Rev. Mr Wilson, who was unavoidably detained at Paeroa.

The first subject taken was : " Why arc so few members of the church regular communicants." The Chairman taid it was a sad thing to see so many leave the church instead of staying to take the Holy Communion. He thought the clergy were in a measure to blame for not questioning their parishioners as to their abseucc when paying parochial visits.

The Rev. Mr Kattcrns was afraid want of being properly educated in church matters was the; cause of so many turning their backs on the Lord's table. The great means of keeping up that spiritual life that was commenced at baptism was the Holy Communion. He could not imagine how churchmen could continually absent themselves from the Holy Table. He knew that seime contenelcd the sixth chapter of St. John did not refer to the Holy Communion, but it did, and it was only the early puritan teaching that had upset the church principles. He was glad to say that in his small district of Katikati, lie had a goael average of communicants, and he was giael to see that matters in England were improving in that direction. Rev, Marshall thought this was a part of a larger subject, viz., the Sunday attendance at places of worship. The difTcience of opinion as to bow the seventh day should be observed was the cause of the small attendance at church. The tendency of the present time appeared to be, spend the early part of Sunday in bed and the rest in amusement. Let them loojc rounel their churches and see how many young males there were in the congregation. They had an instance in that day's paper that brought disgrace upon the churches and made people sceptical. Then again he thought many who attended the Lord's table should not do so, and on the other hand some that should attend stayed away, considering themselves unworthy. The Rev. Bradbury thought there was almost an invitation to the congregation to rpiit the church before the communion by the pause that was made between the two services. In England in those churches where the Holy Communion was made the chief service the attendance, especially of the men, was very good. In one of his churches—a small one—the whole congregation stayed. The difficulty Mr Marshall had pointed out was a great one, and would, if cleared awaj, do much to increase the attendance at the Holy Communion. Rev. B. O'C. Biggs was afraid the true reason why so many stayed away from the Lord's table was that they did not believe the Lord's word.

Mr T. W. Hicks thought the reason was mainly due to the clergymen taking so much trouble to prepare candidates for confirmation and then deserting them by never asking them wdiy they did not attend the Lord's table. He then went on to say a certain matter hael lately occurred in Cambridge that woulel deter many from attending churches. Mr Wills rose to a point of order, and Mr Hicks resumed his seat, saying he should wait his opportunity to ventilate the matter he referred to.

Mr Wells thought it was very unfair that because a very fen' churchmen conducted themselves badly, the whole of them should be condemned. The discussion then closed.

The next subject was : " Are guarantees from parochial districts feasible." The Chairman said Mr Wells had brought this matter before the Synod, but ho wanted each district to rai-c the guarantees in their own manner. The standing committee had partial y taken the matter up and hid ordered collections to be made on certain Sundays for various missions, etc. Tlrs he found did not work well for the special collections were not larger than usual, and if you asked for subscriptions it was at once pointed out that collections had becu made for the purpose. The Rev. Bradbury bad not found any difficulty, but he admitted the special collections were not much larger than the ordinary ones. If there was loyal obedience to the powers that be all would work well.

Mr Wells pointed out that the Synod merely stipulated that four collections a year should bo devoted to diocesan purposes. He would like the amount of four ordinary oflertories guaranteed, and he felt sure that amount would be easily gathered, for many who never attended church would contribute to such a scheme. The scheme the standing committe had formulated he di 1 not agree with, and he had faith that the great body of churchmen would fall in with his scheme.

The Rev. Katterns said the levy for Katikati was paid out of the church funds.

The Rev. Bradbury agreed with Mr Wells' scheme.

Mr Cox was of opinion the special offertories should be held, as thin the minister had an opportunity of blinging the special missions before their congregations ; but he would supplement the offertories 1-y subscriptions.

The Archdeacon said Mr Wells wished to simplify the matter by hiving one col'cetion to pay the yearly contribution to the Diocesan funds. The Rev. Mar<hall thought Mr Wells' scheme ought be further simplified, but after he had explained his method, Mr Wells assured him it was part of his (Mr iVills' scheme. This matter was then adjourned. The subject, 1; Are the new Oral examinations a success ? " was then discussed. The Archdeacon explained the method of conducting the examinations, and sa : d he found, only nine certificates Ind been awarded in the Auckland Diocese.

Mr Biggs said the questions were excellent, "but he thought the fault lay with the teachers.

The JRev. Bradbury had found it utterly impossible to conduct the examinations in bis district. The Rev. Kattenis had made use of the papers, which he thought good, but he did not know he had to apply for certificates.

'J'he Archdeacon said the: country teachers were unskilled sis a rule. Last year the Cambridge papers had been very incomplete, but this year there was a market 1 , improvement. The following motion was moved by the Aichdeaeon, seconded by the Kev. Mr lliggsand carried : That the Sundayschool Hourd bo asked to assist further in the: oral examinations by sending out the (juestions a foitnight earlier and by supplying forms on which tc eliers can enter the name- ami marks.

It being 11) p.m., the discussion was adjourned till the next afternoon at 3 p.m.