WAIAPU DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 231, 12 September 1922, Page 3

WAIAPU DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The Synod resumed its session at 2.30 p.m. yesterday. REVISION OF PRAYER BOOK. Tile Rev. Canon Mclx-an moved: “That it be a recommendation-to the Standing Committee of General Synod to take what measures seem to them advisable witli the object of seeking freedom for the Church in this Province to adopt a revision of the Prayer Rook at its discretion without being dependent on the assent thereto of the Church of England.’’ He said that after fifteen years’ work the English committee for the revision of the prayer book had presented its report to the convocations. This report had been discussed and various amendments suggested, and the proposals had now been submitted to the National Assembly. When the Church of England had come to a. decision we should be faced with the responsibility of either accepting or rejecting the revised prayer book. For that event we were not prepared. We should, however, not be compelled to face such a situation. We should have freedom o adapt the English proposals to the needs of the Church in New Zealand. The fundamental clauses of the constitution at present barred the way.; his motion proposed that the Standing Committee should take measures to devise some means ofiovercoming this difficulty. Up to 3(X) years ago there was no such thing as an unalterable uniform book imposed on the whole Church Each diocese and portion of the Church had its own liturgical The present English prayer book contained a good deal of dead matter that should be deleted, and much new matter should he put in. Its language was obsolete and its contents were not at all suitable for the needs of the present time. The homilies issued by authority to be read in churches were quite unsuitable for modern use. The faith had not altered, but but the intellectual outlook had changed. Words had changed their sense and meaning. The inadequacy of the prayer book to modern needs was shown by the existence and use of large numbers of supplementary manuals. The discussions in convocation had shown that the men to whom had fallen the criticism and revision of the committee’s proposals were no more capable than a similar body of men would be in New Zealand, and were not as capable to deal witli the needs of New Zealand churchme'n as wo should be ourselves. \\ hy should the Church of New Zealand be compelled to accept a revision in which we have had no voice? Freedom from English control in liturgical matters was as possible and as desirable as our freedom in the patter oi ordinary legislation. He upubted the moral competency of those who drew up’the fundamental clauses to bind all their posterity in this matter. We should not make our own revision entirely. The work of the JSiiglish committee of liturgical experts could be accepted and used, and our own revision drawn up from it to suit our needs. Clergy oi practical experience could add to the work of liturgical experts much that was valuable and suitable for our own conditions. Ho gave seceral examples of the need of adapting the prayer book services to local needs. A great many nominal church people were not sufficiently instructed to understand the Archaic language and methods oi expression oi the present book. Christ taught m plain language, suitable for ordinary people. The modern churchman could not adopt Archaic forms as his < wn personal prayers. The motion was seconded by the Rev. G. B. Stephenson. Nature delighted in variety and growth and was always accompanied by change and new growths adapted to their environment.

Canon Butterficdd said the original excellent proposals of the revision committee had been so mangled and torn to pieces by the convocations that they had lost their value. Now they had been thrown to the dogs to tear up. The National Assembly were pulling them to pieces and by the time they had finished nothing worth having would remain. Let tho Church of New Zealand go back to the original proposals and use them as the oasis of a really valuable revision. Mr. G. C. Williams valued the prayer book as much as anyone, but it badly needed revision and simplification.

The Very Rev. the Dean wished to let tilings alone. We did not value the beautiful prayers we had at present and he knew of no modern episcopal prayers that could compare in beauty with the prayer book collects. The Church owed its continuity to the prayer book. The Roman Church found its fixed forms of service invaluable as a link between its members in all parts of the world. The Rev. A. Neild did not agree with the Dean. The question of revision was one of immense importance. At present every priest made his own revision. It would be far better for a satisfactory revision to be made by competent authority. The motion was carried.

COMMUNICANTS’ GUILDS. A short but interesting discussion took place on Canon Rice’s motion, “That on account of the loss to the cliurch of so many after confirmation the clergy be urged to establish communicant guilds in jjieir parishes.” Various members of Synod testified to the.value of communicants’ guilds tor keeping young people faithful till by experience they had become firmly established in religious habits. The motion was carried.

GENERAL BUSINESS. A select committee was appointed to consider and report on regulations concerning the publication of banns of marriage, the committee to consist of Ven. Archdeacon Williams, Canon Butterfield, Canon Rice, the Rev. G. D. Wilson and Mrs Ellery. A motion was carried requesting the Clergy Pensions Board to obtain actuarial advice with a view to the creation of a fund for providing pensions for lay workers. Permission was given to the Waiapu Board of Trustees to sell certain properties at Waipukurau and to hold the proceeds for the benefit of Waipukurau parish and to advance up to four-fifths of the proceeds to Waipukurau for the purpose of building a church. „ The motion of Mr. A. E. Turner Williams authorising the Standing Committee to make grants to the clergy to assis them in defraying the expenses of the education of their children was carried.

DR. JULIUS CONGRATULATED. The Dean’s motion congratulating Archbishop Julius on his appointment as first Archbishop of New Zealand was warmly received. 'The Dean briefly described the loveable and gentle character of the Archbishop and also spoke highly of his great ability. The Bishop of Waiapu said it was with feelings of the greatest joy that both he and other members of the General Synod hailed the appointment of Bishop Julius as Primate and Archbishop. He had the deepest love and respect for his old chief. He wished he could convey to the Archbishop the warmth of feeling that lay behind what seemed in words such a cold resolution. The motion was carried with enthusiasm.

EVENING SESSION. The evening session was occupied in considering in committee the report and suggestions of the commissions for consolidating and amending the statutes and canons.

The following were nominated as members of the Standing Committee ■ Canon Butterfield, Dean Mayne Arch, deacon Simkin. Archdeacon Williams, Rev. F. A. Burnett, Rev. A. W. State, Rev. F. B. Redgrave, and Rev. A. Neild. Laity: Messrs H. J. Bull, T. Ellery, J. H. KibblewJiite, A. G. PalGilson, A. E. Turner Williams, F. W. Williams. The number of laymen nominate*! i s Qie number required. An election of six clergymen out of the eight nominated will be held this evening.

NOTICES OF MOTION. 1. Archdeacon Williams to move:— That there be inserted after No. 8.3 a new Standing Order as follows: The report of a commission shall be treated in the same manner as one of a select committee. 2. Archdeacon Williams to move:— That Standing Order No 11 be amended by the omission of the last sentence thereof. 3 Archdeacon Chatterton to move:— That the Board of Nomination consist of two clerical and two lay members. 4. Rev. Canon Butterfield to move:— That this Synod emphatically protests against the high and increasing expenses of management of the Pension Fund, and requests the Board to take steps to effect a drastic reduction of the same. 5. Mr. A. E. Turner Williams to move:—That it be an instruction to Standing Committee to consider the whole question of fire insurance of all church buildings and their contents, and to take such action as may be necessary with a view’ to carrying out in the most efficient manner the terms of Title F, Canon 111., clause 14 of General Synoa, 6. The Rev. J. Pigott to move:— That this Synod respectfully requests the Dean and Vestry of St. John’s Cathedral to reserve seating accommodation at the Synod services for lay members of Synod.