ANGLICAN SYNOD

Evening Star, Issue 19386, 21 October 1926, Page 4

ANGLICAN SYNOD

* THIRD DAY-WEDNESDAY

Th’e Dean took tlio presidential seat at 3 p.m. MOTHERS’ UNION. Mrs A. E. Falconer, Mrs R. V. Fulton, and Mrs A. L. Canter attended as a deputation from the Mothers’ Union, and Mrs Falconer addressed the Synod. vShe said that the objects of the Mothers’ Union were to uphold the sanctity of marriage, to awaken in all mothers a sense of their great responsibility in the training of their boys and girls, to organise in every place a band of mothers who will unite in prayers and seek by t-heir_ own example to lead their families in purity and holiness of life. This year the Mothers’ Union has celebrated its jubilee, and the King had granted it a Roj’al charter. The union stood to-day as the largest body of Christian women the world had ever seen united in a great purpose. It had half a million members. The purpose of the deputation was to seek the help and cooperation of the Synod in extending the movement into the country districts. This movement did not mean an extra, organisation, but rather a, linking up of organisations now existing. A sewing guild, for instance, might easily form the nucleus of a mothers’ union. An idea seemed to exist that the wife of tho clergyman should Ire the head of the union. That was not so. Too much was already expected of the clergyman’s wife. The object of tho Mothers’ Union was rather to assist the clergyman and his wife in their arduous parish duties. _ The League of Mothers was undenominational. To Anglicans the Mothers’ Union was essentially a church organisalion, aid every mother of the Anglican faith should be enrolled. Unmarried women might be enrolled as associates. In Dunedin there were ten branches, with a membership of 2G7. In Canterbury there were forty-eight branches, with a membership of 1,843. The Rev. J. A. Lush was appointed by the Dean to convey tho thanks of the Synod to the deputation, and tho Dean added a few words on his owa account. Rev. K. D. Andrews Baxter moved—- “ That the Church of England in the diocese views with thankfulness the work of tho Mothers’ Union during the past year, and trusts that the parishes in the diocese will give the Motheis’ Union their earnest support.” Rev, A. L. Canter seconded the motion, which was carried without opposition after Canon Nevill had spoken on the question of parental duty being adjusted to fit the times. CLERGY PENSIONS. Rev. C. H. Statham presented the report of the Clergy Penstens Board for tho year ended June 30. The surplus for the year is £1,046 11s 7d, which had been added to tho capital account. Capital account stood- 'n Juno .10, 1925. at £12.539 Gs Bd, to which add donation by Mr E. Price of £IOO and £1,046 11s 7d, surplus from income account, making the total capital account on June 30, 1926, £13,635 18s 3d. The board is much indebted to Sir E. Price for his generous donation, and regrets that his good example has so far not been followed. Revs. J. N. Thompson, G. N. Turner, T. Moore, and G. F. Seward withdrew from the fund on leaving the diocese. Rev. G. D. Wilson’s subscription was returned to him., as he was over the age laid down in clause 10 of the Pension Statute. Yen. Archdeacon Curzon-Siggors has been added to the pension list as from July 1, 1925. _ . Tu accordance with the resolution of Synod, 1925, the board has been in communication with an actuary with a view to an actuarial investigation of tho pension fund, hut he will not be able to undertake the work for some months, as he is at present conducting an investigation into the pension funds of the Christchurch and Wellington dioceses. The fee will be £s(h Pension Augmentation. Fund.—The surplus for the year was £l2B 3s 3d, which, on being added to the capital account, brings it up to £634 14s 9d. Report adopted without question. CHURCH RAFFLES. The debate was resumed on tho Rev. A. L. Canter's motion deprecating the lottery or raffle as a means of raising money for the church, and Mr L. Deans Ritchie’s amendment to that motion. Mr Canter replied to tho speeches against the motion, and remarked that one effect of the debate was to show that some members of Synod who had gone in for raffles wore a little uneasy in their minds.

Speaking to the amendment, the Rev. H. 0. Fenton said that personally he saw nothing morally wrong in a bet or a raffle, but it was inexpedient to use rallies for church purposes. Archdeacon Fitchctt said the Synod ought not to bo compelled to vote on what was a matter for every man’s conscience. Besides, if the motion were put and lost it would go out to the world that the church was advocating gambling. Rev. S. J. Cooper strongly advocated the amendment. He found that his parish could finance without raffles. The Dean said ho would regret it very much if the Synod started multiplying the Commandments. It was obvious that the Synod was not unanimous, and if a vote were taken it would mean nothing more than that certain members saw no harm in raffles. The Synod had no authofity in matters of conscience. Mr R. B. Williams moved that the Synod proceed to the next order of the day. This was declared carried on the voices. Mr Canter called for a. division, but when members filed to the right and left it was seen that the “ ayes ” outnumbered the “ noes ” by about two to one, so the tellers were called off, and the next business was gone on .with.

FUNDAMENTALS. Rev. C. H. Statham moved—“ That a coranfission be appointed to examine into the proposed alteration in the fundamental clauses of the constitution of the Church of England in New Zealand—alterations suggested by the General Synod of 1925—such commission to sit during the recess and report to the Diocesan Synod of 1927. The commission to consist of tho Dean, Archdeacons Fitchett Curzon-Siggers, Russell, and Whitehead, Chancellor Finch, and Messrs W. J._ Dawson, A. T. Newman, G. R. Ritchie, L. Deans Ritchie, and R. B. Williams.” The motion was accepted without discussion and passed, and that ended the afternoon session. STANDING COMMITTEE. The election of the Standing Committee at the evening session resulted as follows; Clergy.—The Dean. Archdeacons Fitchett and Russell, Revs. A. C. H. Button, C. H. Statham, and J. A. Lush. ' , ~ Laity.—Chancellor A. lurch, Messrs J. Ash, L. D. Ritchie, G. R. Ritchie, A. J. Newman, E. Price, and R. B. Williams. SOCIAL WORK. On the motion of the Rev. V. G. Bryan King, it was resolved—“ That a committee consisting of Archdeacon Fitchett, Rev. A. C. H. Button, Rev. G. E. Moreton. and Messrs L. D. Ritchie, A. A. Pinch, P. T. Priest, J. T. Dawson, A. F. Cheyne, and the mover he to report to next session of Synod in regard to the future of social work in tho diocese, with power to add.” THE CATHEDRAL. Extracts from the report of the Cathedral Chapter gfc. Raul’s has a double character, that of tho parish church of the cathedral district and that of the mother church of the whole diocese. The parish activities, both in organisation and in work, have beep fully maintained. In this connection the chapter, recognising the undue strain which has been put upon the vicar and the urgent need that hq has of assistance, has raised a special fund for an assistant curate, and notes with satisfaction that tho Rev. E. C. \V. Hassall has been appointed to the position. , .

The chapter has approved of a design for a memorial to the late primate, which should be ready and placed m position in the cathedral at no distant date. The fund for the memorial window stands at nearly £1,600, which brings within measurable distance the placing of a beautiful window in tho east end of the cathedral —a memorial to our soldiers, and a work of art of which the whole city may be proud. Tho vicarage in lieriot row has been sold, and the present vicarage in Smith street acquired. A residence for the verger has been built on tho cathedral ground. As the mother church, the cathedral has been used for diocesan services in connection with Anzac Day, Armistice Day, the Venerable Order ot St. John of Jerusalem, the Girl Guides, tho Girls’ Guild of Service, the Mothers’ Union, Memorial to Queen Alexandra. The bishop has attached the Rev. V. G B. King, the Rev. G. E. Morcton, and the Rov. J. N. Goodman to tiie cathedral in the capacity of social workers, thus linking the cathedral with the social work of the city; also tho Rev. 11. B. W. White on the cathedral staff as missionary chaplain at the disposal of the bishop. The chapter calls attention to the fact that the expenses of tho upkeep and caro of the cathedral are of necessity much greater than those ql an ordinary parish church, and it is gratifying to notice that the income for the year has exceeded the expenditure bv £59. This has been due partly to tho" increase in the offertories during the Exhibition, and to tho grant of £SO made by the Standing Committee from the one-fifth part of the general church fund. Through the benefaction of the late Mr Justice Pennefather tho chapter has been able to acquire the property lately owned by tho Von. Archdeacon Woodthorpo. this is a great advantage to the college, as it makes it possible to provide accommodation for forty students, and to establish a muchneeded common room. But the need for a new dining room and lodge is not less urgent than last year. The College Rebuilding Committee proposes to start to rase funds for these purposes in November next, as so far no good opportunity has offered. Report adopted.