ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Evening Star, Issue 12965, 9 November 1906, Page 3

ANGLICAN SYNOD.

-- AFTERNOON - SITTING. The Synod; resumed at four o'clock yesterday afternoon.' The den'u "presided, and there was a, full attendance.- ■ Leave was granted to the Rev. 1). Jamieeon. Stewart Island. —Faculty of Theology.—■ Tho adjourned debate on the Rev. R. A. Woodthorpe'* motion was resumed. Mr Woodthorpa moved—" That thi=i Synod respectfully commends the following resolutions to the consideration of tho General Synod:—(l) That as the. Senate 'of the New Zealand University have failed to obtain legislative .sanction for their recent proposal to establish a .faculty of theology, and to confer degrees in divinity, it is desirable, in the best interests of the higher learning, that further effort should be made by tho Church to encourage theological study and research. (2) That the Board of Theological Studies be reconstituted as a Senatus Academicus or Faculty of Tlieo!ogy, and be empowered by tho General Synod of this province to conduct examinations la theology, and to confer upon persons duly qualiiiod the degrees of bachelor, master, and doctor in theology." Mr W. Burnett seconded.

Tho Revs. Matthews and Wood spoko to the motion. The latter gentleman considered tho resolution would be much more satisfactory if the first portion of clause one were eliminated. He did not tlrink the New Zealand University was the. proper body to confer degrees. Mr Woodthorpe was asking tho Synod to pass censure upon the for throwing out Sir Maurice O'Rorko's Bill to empower the University of New Zealand to confer dedress in divinitv.

The Dean pointed out that the motion was not in any way a censure on the Legislative Council. It* merelv stilted a fact.

Canon Richards considered the point raised by Mr Woodthorpe was an important one. Ho took it that the Church had no intention of laying stress upon the failure of the New Zealand University Senate to obtain legislation empowering them to establish a faculty of theology. Dr Hocken said that a course, of higher learning should be carried out, a.s far a.s possible, with regard to theological students. It would bo in tho recollection, of the Synod that eomo years ago a proposal liad been made that all theological students should take tho degree of baohelar of arts before they were proceeded to the diaconate. If this matter wont to tho General Synod it went as a request that all students* should have tho B.A. degree at least before ordination, and afterwards could obtain the M.A. degree. Any degree received in a theological college, such as was proposed would he such as might call forth derision, although that might be. rather too severe a term to nee. It was tl>e function of tho University to confer degrees, and he would bo very sorry to see a theological college doing eo. Dr Marshall considered it was surely the University of New Zealand that should confer degrees of divinity or degrees in any other subjrect. A degree- was an academical status which should be conferred by a university. Ho failed to see that any body of the university status could Ixs created in the colony, and degrees other than those of a university would be to somo extent misnomers. Mr Woodthorpe had referred to tho fact thai thero was only one student taking Greek in tho Otago "University at the present timo; but there were the same facilities for the study of Greek as for Latin. The small number of students taking Gi«ek w;ui accounted for by the fact that Greek wan not taught in the schools. The number of marks given in Greek was lower than in eomo subjects, but not lower than in all, and it was his opinion that the junior university scholarship did not in any way penalise) 'Greek. Tho standard iii Greek was rather lower tlian the standard in Latin, and eonserpiontly tho fame number of marks would not be assigned to Greek as to Latin. It had been assumed that it was very necessary for divinity students to obtain some definite degree. This wa.s calculated to increase their prestige in the community, although a university degree should not always be considered the hall-mark of learning. It was usually supposed that a man with a degree was of vaster learning than a man without a degree. At one time the Bishop of Christ - chnTch had refused to admit anyone to orders unless ho had taken a B.A. degree at a New Zealand university. There were a. large number of students in Cantorbury Collego who went through the grades ;tnd also studied for the. B.A. degree, and later took other degrees. He failed to sec winit should bo difficult to combine the two. There were certain subjects required in both examinations—for tho grades and for the degrees. A little more energy on tho part of students would enable them to take a degree in theology without having a special establishment formed. It was impossible to constitute any body in New Zealand, apart from the New Zealand University, that would give sufficient standard for any examination that would hold with a university degree. If Mr Woodthorpe thought it was possible to establish such a body he would bo willing to do what he could to aid in passing the motion. However, he failed to sec tliat any such l»dy wonld have sufficient standing to confer theological dogrei«.

Canon Neild w;i.s forty ho could not accept Mr Woodthorpc's motion as a whole. There was miserably 100 little done for the study of theology in New Zealaj)d. Tlie real reason whv the general standard was not a great deal higher was simply that the Church as ;i, whole, did not cart- enough about it. Dr Hockon iuul said candidates for holy orders should havo university degrecß, and this was backed up by Dr Marshall; but Dr Hocken had not sakl one woitl about theology itself. It vt.if his opinion that the Board of Theological Studies should most certainly be reconstituted entirely. This was a difficult task, but it could be. done with jxiiicncr. A student passing through the lour grades of the Board should at least have a knowledge of the elements of theology, and something to help him in his advance to fuller knowledge. Dr Marshall apked why it was not more common for theological'students to lake university degrees. The student was often a man with limited capital, and in the three years' study he. was ablo to go in for he, frequently had to choose between the B.A. degreo and theology. Some of lire greatest saints of the past, would have been hopelessly wanting if required to take the degreo of B.A. All really worthy candidates for holy orders should receive every help and encouragement in their studies. He would be glad jo see. public recognition given to men who had passed examinations in theology, lie did not propose that the degrees of bachelor, master, or doctor in theology should bo conferred—they were rather ambitious terms. They might call it a diploma, or some such similar term. The Rev. 11. I?. Jones said the junior c'eigy were very much alivo to the importance qf holding some degree in divinity. They recognised theru was- some truth in the old adage that the learning of Uio clergy was the eighth sacrament of the Church, and they were anxious to boctmve learned men. The Dean «iid it would seem' that the Xew Zealand University wa*> the ono final and supreme authority in education in this country, and the Church would never accept the position now force* 1 on her. If the State would not grant the encouragement wanted tho Church must provide it herself. Forty-three per cent, of the population of the country was Church of Kugland. Out of a population of 771,000 there wore. 314,000 members of the Church of England. The next largest religions body numbered 176,000. The degree or diploma granted by any body that might be constituted need not be confined to those of their own way of theological thinking. Theology was much bigger than the Thirty-nine Articles. Tho Kev. Mr Woodtborpe, replying, said it was recognised that the strongest men v.cve clergymen in city and centr.il churches. ' This was the type of man thev wanted in the Church in New Zealand. Theology was a science, and should be taught in the University, as was done in the reconstituted universary and the universities of Liverpool and •Manchester. In place of the present Board of Theological Studies, ho considered they should create a body eamcUuna ppiiesKQodiaii

to the professorial element in University Senates. Xho iesolntion was carried unanimously..

EVENING SITTING. —Bills Pasred.— The following BilLs were parsed:—BUl to amend the Appointment to Pastors Statute No. IV. (Canon NeHd). Bill to amend Cathedral Statute No. VIII. (Dr Hocken), Bill to constitute the district of Port Chalmers into a parish (Rev. G. W. Christian). —Bishop's Pastoral.— Tho following Pastoral Letter to the diocese from the Primate (Bishop Nevill) was laid on tho table:

Dear Brethren in Christ.—A* it will not 1m possible for me to address you as I have done for to many yeais in tho representative assembly which meets annually, I think the best thing I am do will be to write a general letter, which, so far at least as it expresses my deep affection, I hope that each of my dear people, of wliatevcr degree, will tiike as addressed to himself or herself.

And liret I must express my best thanka to all those who have, by their letters, kept me informed of the movements within the dioceso, <ir at least cheered me with tho proofs that 1 am not forgotten. The sentiments expressed luive often touched me much, and made me long the more to be able to return speedily. I have privately expressed to my commissary, the Dean, my satisfaction with tlic appointments made to the vacant cores of St. Mary's, Moniington, and St. George's, Naseby, although I regretted very much the lofS to the diocese by the removal of the Rev. C. S. Bon-den, M.A.,

which rendered these appointments necessary. I am also very wrry that Mr Boavan has- retired from his mo* praiseworthy and valuable work in the Riverton cure. 1 think it will 1» increasingly more difficult from year v<> ye-.u- to get the best sort of clergymen from England, and I am correspondingly anxious that, our Diocesan School of Divinity at. Selwyn College fhoukl be more fully equipped for its allhnportant ta.sk. 1 am, on the: suggestion of our excellent warden, tvelring for affiliation with Durham, or perhaps ot&er universities, ski that our standard of instruction may Ire measured by men of the highest qualifications, ;ind that our alumni may have tli<sir efforts rewarded by representative degiees:. It will be a considerable time before I can report aa to nry success. Perhaps upon this subject I may disclose a little secret, which, I hope, will not make any-one conceited. T brought with me to Kngland photographic groups of our Selwyn men, and I have shown these, at Lambeth Palace, at Fullmin, to the Standing Committee of the S.P.C.K., and to individual bishops, with tho result that the most- distinguished persons have said that, judging from appearances, they would bo quito glad to accept such men as candidates ior ordination, in Kngland. One object of my action was to do something to dispel the notions which are brought forward as rendering the existence of the Colonial Clergy Act a necessity. So anxious am I to build up our Divinity School into an institution of sound learning, which should be a. blessing to remote generations, that with all my dosiro for a "cathedral I could tint! it m my heart to wish that Mr Harrop's bequest hud been for tho ostabUahment of lectureships in various subjects and scholarslups or bursaries for the students. If there l>e jjersons who decline, to give help to cathedral building as beine too much of a luxury, let them take mv hint.

I do hope to be back in Dunedin soon after Easter. It is the totally unexpected position in which I find myself in reference to private affairs wliich renders it. impossible for me to fix the timo of my return, my solicitors insisting upon my being within roach, to ansvwr certain allegations made on an appeal to the Court of Chancery against' mo.

It was my intention when I began this letter to have given you something of my impressions of the religious oncnxlttion of the English people at tho present timo. I must, however, leave such observations to a future occasion, should ono be granted V-i me, saying only that the analysis of tlinr. condition is full of interest and fraught with warning-. ISesides my private affairs, two great enterprises have occupied much of my timo and c.(l'ort--the raising of funds lor our cathedral and the promotion of a new bishopric for Polynesi;i. As to the former, I have not yet. done much, though I am lhoping hefore long to send you out a photograph of a design, a good chnrch person having promised to pay the expanses of the. architects in getting thia out. And as- to the greatly needed bishopric, I bopo that I have now secured tho co-opera-tion of the Archbishop of Canterbury, of tho good bishop of London, and that on tlioir return front the. holiday tiips on the. Continent this cutcrjiri.se, to include all U>e South Pacific lying to the eastwards of tho Mehuiewion. bishopric, will be vigorously pursued. 1 hesitate to suy how inuch of total misconception I have met with, but I am thankful to bo ablo to ;uld that I am (old that I have clearly proved my case, an<l 1 have been greatly assisted by letters from the church jreople of certain groups of jshuuL* complaining of neglect, and showing the. total inadequacy of other schemes' which have been proposed. May the Divine Spirit bless llteac- cfiorts to tho tinner establishment of pure rehgion. And now. dear jK-oplo, J must commit you to i!o»l and the loving care of His Son, and linking for the continuance of your prayers on my behalf, subscribe mysolf. ever your affectionate pastor, S. T. Du.vkdix. Pjimafe. —Reports. Ven. Arch. Robinson moved—"That tho report of the. Pension board Vie adopted." —Report adopted ; and the following were a"iointed to form tho Pension Board for the ensuing three years :■—The Bishop, the Verv Rev. Dean Kitchett. Canon Neild, Messrs .!. M. llitchie, C. 11. Sfatham, :uid A. -V- Finch. Reports of tho. Assessment Committee and of tho New Cathedral Jio;ird wore adopted. General .Synod. -- The. following Committee, were appointed to make preparations for the. approaching session of the General Synod : The clergy' of the City and suburbs, Dr Hocken. Messrs J. M. Ritchie, dames Allen. M.H.R.. C. C. Graham, S.M., Geo. Joachim. W. T. Talhovs, T. \V. Kempthorne, James Richardson. A. A. Finch. \V. Burnett, K. Herbert, L. Mi rams, T. S. Graham, C. H. Statham. H. Mander. Dr Frank Fitchett. and Dr Stanley Batchclor, v.ith power to add to their number. —General.

Tho Rev. ,1. (.'. Small asked the Very Rov. the Commissary whether hewouhl bo good enough to tiy to mate ;urangements, in the event of tho continued absence of the Primate, with some of the visiting bishops in January next to hold confirmations in tho'se parishes where candidates may be prepared. The Dean replied : If during the Primate's absence the services of any visiting bishop should be available, I will endeavor to arrange for confirmation services whero required.

Mr C. H. Statham moved the election of tlte Diocesan nominators :—Archdeacon Gould, Canon Richards Messrs .J. M. Ritchie, and R. Bent ham. Mr T. S. Graham was elected diocesan auditor. Mr C. H. Stalham was appointed diocesan secretary and diocesan treasurer for three years. On tho motion of I)r Hocken, a committee consisting of Messrs A. A- Finch, C. H. Statham, and the mover, was appointed to edit anil collate the statutes. It was resolved that the president be empowered to confirm the minutes of yesterday's sittings. Dr Hocken moved—'•Thai the Synod gives it sanction to the issue of debentures in connection with the exoenses about to be incurred for the building of the proposed new Selwyn School."—Carried,. Rev. J. Davics moved votes of vlianks to the O.tago Club, Athenaeum, and the Chess Club for the courteous invitations accorded to members of the Synod. On tho motion of Archdeacon Gould, a vota of thanks was passed to Rev. Canon Neild for the. sermon at the Synod's eveninc sendee. "'' /

Other votes of thanks vrere accorded, to the chairman, the Synod secretaries, the hosts, the lay readers, and the. Press, and The session was closed •with the Benediction. :