ANGLICAN CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 241, 11 October 1929, Page 8

ANGLICAN CHURCH.

AUCKLAND SYNOD MEETS. REVISION OF HYMN BOOK. FORMAL BUSINESS TRANSACTED. Xo alteration is to be made to the form of hymns in Anglican churches. This decision was communicated to yesterday afternoon's gathering of clergy and syhodsmen at the twenty-sixth synod of the Auckland diocese. Last year, it was pointed out, Archbishop Averill suggested that a selection of hymns might be made from "Hynuis Ancient and .Modern*/', as many hymns at present in the hymn book were unsuitable. A committee considered the question exhaustively, and reported to synod that the expense that • would be involved in carrying the suggestion into effect made the publication impracticable. Yesterday's business of synod was largely of a formal nature. After Archbishop Averill had delivered the second portion of his charge at St. Mary's Cathedral, visiting clergymen were entertained at luncheon by'local clergymen. In the afternoon synod ashscmbled hi the library, when a number of reports on various works of the Church were read and adopted, and several bills were read in committee and subsequently passed. Headway was made with a bill revising the statutes, regulations and stand-in" orders of synod. The evening's session opened with discussion on the report of the standing committee. Complaint was made that some parishes had neglected to pay their] assessments for pensions fund fof some time, and the standing committee requested synod to instruct it as to what action should be taken in regard to the large amount outstanding. One parish was as much as £14 in arrears. After much debate as to possible means' of wiping out the arrears, the question was referred to a special committee. "The greatest need is the securing of a larger circulation," read the report of the "Church Gazette" committee. "Considering the number of Anglican families in the diocese, it is evident that the circulation of the 'Gazette' falls far short of what it should be." Archbishop Averill supported the advocacy of the committee for promoting- a 1

wider interest in the publication. There was something wrong, he said, when in a diocese the size of Auckland the circulation of the "Gazette" was. only 2700 a month. It should at least be 5000. It was resolved that vestries and church committees should make a special effort to increase the circulation. Feeling reference was made by tho Archbishop to deaths that had occurred during the year. These• included the Revs. W. E. Gillam, L. L. Cubitt, and E. T. Kerehoma. and Messrs. J. H. Upton. H. B. Morton, 11. P. Kissling, and T. Granger (Auckland), Mr. W. R. J. Moody (Whangarei), Mr. J. E. D. Kemp (Waimate Xorth), and Mi\s. Hugh Campbell (Auckland), who were all prominent church workers.