SYNOD SKETCHES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 103, 2 May 1890, Page 3

SYNOD SKETCHES.

THE ELECTION OF PRIMATE.

A PICTURE OF THE ASSEMBLED

DIGNITARIES.

The following brief comments are made by ono who was privileged to be in Wellington during the special session of the Anglican General Synod, on the 23rd and 24th of April, 1890. The first object that attracts the attention of the spectator is the vacant presidential chair, now no longer to be occupied by the venerated prelate who has for twenty years so well and ably filled it. It is satisfactory to know that, although it is often cast in the teeth of Churchmen thab they underpay their clergy, yet in this case an honourable exception obtains, and an adequate pension to the late Primate has beeu provided by the Diocese of Christchurch.

Immediately below the chair is the Bench of Bishops, a quintette who preserve a demeanour of befitting solemnity and gravity. The central figure is he who by virtue of his seniority of consecration has latoly for a few brief weeks been Primate. Dr. Suber spent eleven years in parochial work in the heart of London before he came to this colony in 1866 as Bishop of Nelson. He is an ablo and fervent preacher, respected by his own flock and by all the Protestant sects in his diocese, and certainly esteemed by the majority of laymen in New Zealand ; but his views are of too evangelical a tone to euib tho majority of the clergy. Of his part in the late controversy, it has been well said that he adopted a wif»o and law-abiding line of action, to obviate any possible complication in the future. Had any serious contingency arisen (such, for instance, as another Carlyon caso), while the election to the Primacy was of even questionable legality, the consequences would have been most disastrous. The misfortune of Bishop Suter's position as Senior Bishop was, that it made him the next claimant for the Primacy, and herein lies the reason for the somewhat indiscriraiuating way in which he hae been abused.

His conduct in the chair, and the graceful tone of hia address to Bishop Hadfield when vacating the chair, were appreciated by all who heard him, but many thought it a pity that ab a later stage of the sitting, when returning thanks for a complimentary vote, he spoke as if there had been nothing bub courtesy and good feeling amongst the bishops. On the right of the President cits the Bishop of Dunedin. Brought up in the classic groves of Sr. Aidan'e Theological College, he afterwards graduated ab Cambridge, He did good work in Staffordshire living, and some twenty years ago, when Dr. Abraham resigned the Bishopric Of Wellington, Mr Nevill was accredited to this colony by the late Bishop Selwyn as an eligible candidate. On his arrival, however, ib was found that the vacancy had been filled. But at that juncture the newly-formed Diocese of Dunedin, having refused to accept Dr. Jenner, opened their arms to Mr Nevill, who graciously accepted tho proffered dignity, and assumed the mitre in tho Southern city. A man of considerable culture and undoubted ability, he nevertheless appears to have fallen among uncongenial surroundings, and bi3 episcopate has not been an unqualified succesp.

On hie right again sits the Bishop of Waiapu, who succeeded the beloved Bishop Williams, in 1887. After 25 years of missionary service in India, Dr. Stuarb has well earned the dignity of a bishopric in this more genial clime, and Waiapu seems to have made a happy choice. Bishop Stuarb is not a frequent speaker tri Synod, bub when he docs speak, ib is with an objacb, and to the point. Ho is avj eloquent preacher. If the bishops in New Zealand had to bo classed as High or Low, he would nob be found in the former category.

On the President's left is Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland, a man of dignified mien and commanding presence. It may be said of him, that in coming to Auckland he " succeeded ono whom it was not easy to follow," but he can contemplate with honesb satisfaction tho increase in the number o! his clergy, and it is no mere compliment to say thab he ie a very Father in God to them.

On his left again cits the Bishop of Wellington, so soon to be translated to the Primate's throne. A man who fifty years ago had to leave Oxford in consequence of what was thought to be a permanent breakdown in health, who ten years later bade a dying farewell to Biehop Selwyn, who ten years ago survived a fall of 20 feeb which would have killed ah ordinary man, must indeed havo some extraordinary powers in him. A prominent trait in his character ie that which " his friends call firmness, his enemies obstinacy." That this characteristic is unimpaired he showed in his first speech as iPrimate. It vis to be hoped that he will always exercise it in a right direction ; and, if he does* not even the laymen who opposed his election will regret his having received the " fitting crown to an honourable career." That important-looking divine Sitting just below the Bishop's Bench, with the patriarchal appearance, and more than patriarchal name, is Dr. Jacobs, the Dean of Chrisbchurch. It is true that he has a somewhat dictatorial manner, and jumps on young members, but that arises from the fact that for many years he was a head master. At this Synod he will not speak much, as he has lately, overworked himself in the Primacy controversy. No longer the only dean, he now enjoys the distinction of boing the only historian of the Church in New Zealand, and he is on the eve of a visit to England in connection with a further edition of that work. ~.,,, The decarial honours are now divided between Dean Jacobs and that remarkably correctly - dressed gentleman opposite, whose face, hair, demeanour, and attitude are bo suggestive of one of the figures in a painted window. One gazes fascinated at his brow, almost expecting to see a nimbus encircling it, but when he rises to speak one loses all sense of the peculiarity of hie appearance, for his speeches are as thoughtful and pregnant as those of any member of the Synod. There must be something in the atmosphere of St. Michael's parish, Christchurch, which is favourable to the production of deans, for both our deans were for some time in that parish. Dean Hovell was educated at St. Augustine's, Canterbury, which College contributes two other Synpdsmeri, Archdeacon Fancourfe, of Wellington, and Bey. J. Hobbs. The latter was for some years in theOtago Diocese, where he threatened at one time to develop ultra-ritualistic propensities, bub with age he has learned and his future career in the Diocese of Waiapu, whither he has lately been transferred, is likely to be a useful one. Hβ may be considered a coming Although the rank of archdeacon is not an indispensable qualification for a Synodsman, it would appear at any rate to give its owner a prior claim, for there are no less than eleven archdeacons on this Synod. Most prominent and the senior amongst them is Archdeacon Leonard Williams* of Waiapu, whose particular province it is to watch over the legislation of-the Synod. A few years stgo he undertook the almOso herculean task of reviewing all the existing statutes, and compiling a code of canons, and his workj though well begun, is by no means yet complete. ■ ..■■■•. • _ . . Most recent accession to the arcbidiaconal ranks is the Venerable T. B; Macleanj the youthful Archdeacon of Mawhera, and the exponent of the latesb developments in the archidiaconal costjume. Short of stature, bub by no means insignificanb, he W a powerful extempore preacher, and physically well adapted for the country in which his duties lie.

Foremost among the locally produced archdeacons is Archdeacon Dudley, of Auckland, who* can now boast of, with one exception, the longest continuous tenure of a New Zealand incumbency. During the quarter contury for which he has ministered to the spiritual wants of St. Sepulchre's, Auckland, he has gained the esteem of his flock as a faithful parish prieeb. Ho seldom speaks in Synod, but is none the less a thoughtful and useful member.

Archdeacon Mules has only spoken once this session, bub he has on occasions favoured the Synod with a specimen of his oratory, and one of his carefully-prepared speeches is an interesting etudy. They can only be described as oratorical mazes, and the marvel of the listener is that from the preniiseslaid down.the deductions therefrom the collateral illustrations, the parallels adduced, ana the consequences arising thereout, the thread of the argument can be followed, and the conclusion logically summarised in a manner intelligible to an ordinary comprehension. Leaving the archdeacons, we see among the other clerical representatives one or two who are more prominent in the Synod than their fellows. Aa a clerical secretary the Rev. C. M. Nelson is facile princeps, and none has yet surpassed him in so writing the minutes to give prominence to the salient matter and avoid surplusage. He is hot looking so well as when last here, but he has suffered a cruel loss in the demolition of his old church in Auckland.

The Rev. A. R. Fitchett, of Dunedin, whom the New Zealand University cuvns, as one of its alumni, was for many years a Wesleyan minister, but is one o* , ' Bishop i Nevill's " contributions to the unification of Christendom." He is now incumbent of All Saints' Church, Dunedin, and it ie a strange fact that his predecessor has forsaken the ranks of the clergy, and joined; thOBO of law and journalism.

Mr Fitehetfc ranks among the most fluent: preachers in the colony, and in his choice of subjects is always abreast of the topics of the day. He is perspicacious and incisive,; In Synod he is a frequenc speaker and a keen debater. Amongst his other accomplishments he numbers that of music. A rising member of Synod, who ra* another session or two will develop into , ] a very useful one, is the Rev. A. TwogoodJ of Marton, who with a considerable amount)] of oratorical ability combines a quickness! of perception and power of retort whichwill strengthen any movement with which he allies himself. The Jay representatives of this Synod are,| on the whole, well selected, but business engagements have prevented many from attending. At no time was the lay vote of so much importance, as the election of: Bishop Hadfield has depended upon ono layman's vote. In view of all the sur-| rounding circumstances, it is possibly the> best solution of the difficulty that that! small balance of power was used to confirm the action of the last Synod.