CHURCH CONSTITUTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 56, 31 January 1852, Page 7

CHURCH CONSTITUTION.

At a meeting of the Church of England , Education Society at Wellington, on January 7, / in discussion upon the great question of Church I Constitution, the Bishop of New Zealand said, ) that the immediate occasion of this meeting arose out of a similar meeting at Adelaide, where the support hitherto afforded to the Church by the State in that colony had been suddenly withdrawn. In one respect they were not in the same position, no support had been withdrawn from them, for none had been given. It was

true that a selection had been made by the Governor, in his discretion, of a Colonial Chap-

lain to minister to the spiritual wants of those under the care of the Government in the hospital and gaol, but no specific Government aid was given to the Church, they were therefore in the same condition with their brethren at Adelaide, and their object then was to consider and adopt some such course that every member in the Church might know his own position, and all its privileges and duties. A question might arise in the minds of many as to the best course to be adopted ; his own private opinion was that a slight legislative enactment, which would give the power to pass bye-laws to be recognized as the compact between the members of the Church, would be the kind of constitution they required. The resolutions which his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief would submit to them, stated, Ist—the expediency of a Church Constitution ; 2ndly—the adoption of some provisional measure immediately: 3rdly —an application to Parliament for the necessary powers. They had met for the discussion of these objects, and he should be happy to hear any questions from any person present, which his position or his experience might enable him to answer. Sir George Grey said he had prepared for the consideration of the members of the Church a resolution embodying five heads, and would take that opportunity of stating that, personally, he was peculiarly anxious to see a form of constitution adopted for the government of the Church in this country which was the same as that which the Church in the United States, after the experience of half a century, had found, with some modifications, to be the best suited to their circumstances. Unfortunately, at first starting, the Church in the United States had adopted one or two rules which were mixed up with Church property, and which they now found it impossible to alter ; not having when they started, previous experience to guide them, they had, in as far as these few particulars were concerned, made shipwreck of their constitution, but the members of the Church of England in New Zealand were in a position to benefit by the experience of their brethren in the United. States. He felt so convinced of the necessity of doing something, that, foregoing wholly his own private much more extended views, he would ask them to assent to a few simple propositions which would bind them in one compact body, and which would provide funds for the support and extension of the Church. The annual payment which was proposed by the resolution established a rate of franchise, and furnished a constituency who would elect committees on whom would devolve the duty of managing the pecuniary affairs of the Church. These Committees might perhaps hereafter be required to consider and recommend some form , of Constitution for adoption ; but in the mean

- time they would form a nucleus from which such a developement of the Church as circumstances required might hereafter take place: even if their first steps should prove faulty, in some respects they secured the means of future and progressive developement, and he felt persuaded that having such holy ends in view, although they might make some first erroneous steps, still that ultimately they must arrive at a J form-of government under which the Church j would prosper. His Excellency then read the I resolution, briefly commenting on each head, and observed it was a disputed point with eminent authorities whether it was necessary to apply to the Legislature for further powers; but there being this doubt, it became them as members of the Church of England not to incur the slightest risk of setting themselves in opposition to the law, but rather to set an example of the

most scrupulous obedience by submitting the question, regarding which there appeared to be a doubt, to Parliament, and requesting, if it should be found necessary, that the requisite powers should be conferred upon them. He wished further to state, that he might not be considered too presumptuous, that he had fully communicated with the Bishop of New Zealand, and it was only on the understanding that his Lordship assented in thinking that what he proposed was the best thing that could at present be done for the Church, that he ventured to draw up the paper he would now submit to them. His Excellency then read the following resolutions:—

"That it is extremely desirable that some form of Constitution for the government of the branch of the Church of England in New Zealand should be established with as little delay as possible." "That all adult membtrs of the Church of England resident in the district be invited to enrol themselves as such, and to agree to pay a subscription of three shillings per quarter for Church purposes." " That the adult members of the Church of England so enrolling their names shall annually appoint a Committee from their own members, to determine to what specific purposes connected with ■ the Church, and in what proportions, the funds they subscribe shall be applied." " That such committee shall be authorised to receive subscriptions for Church purposes from any persons wishing to subscribe, either generally for Church purposes, or for some specific object connected with the welfare of the Church of England."

" That a committee shall be appointed by such enrolled members of the Church of England to prepare petitions to both Houses of Parliament, praying that any laws, which may be deemed necessary or proper for the purpose of enabling the members of the Church of England to manage their own internal affairs in the New Zealand Islands, may be enacted by Parliament." The resolution was seconded by Captain Rhodes. The Bishop of New Zealand said that, before putting the question as Chairman, he was exceedingly anxious to hear the opinions of some of the gentlemen present. In answer to a question from Mr. J. H. Wallace, His Lordship explained that an annual grant was given by the Government to the Church at Sydney, but that he considered the operation of this system unfavourable, and had never recommanded the introduction of the Australian Church system into New Zealand. After some observations by Mr. Raymond with reference to the Church arrangements at Sydney, The Bishop said that in England every person' was considered to belong to the Church, and had a right to vote who paid Church rates ; from this arose the difficulty of their position, as the ecclesiastical laws were inapplicable to the circumstances of the colony. His Lordship having requested Mr. Fitzherbert to state his opinion,

Mr. Fitzherbert said that, having been appealed to in so direct a manner by his Lordship, he must confess he had not paid such attention to the subject of church government as to justify the expression of his opinion on the question in so public a manner. As far as the resolutions were concerned, he thought they were so simple in form, and general in their character, forming the bases on which a fitting superstructure might hereafter be raised, as to receive his hearty approval, and he had no doubt would be generally concurred in. The details of the measure might be the subject of future consideration, and this appeared to be the object of the framers of the resolution, who shewed their wisdom and prudence in giving it this general character. Mr. Kelham thought the resolutions of such a nature as to give very general satisfaction, and to leave nothing to discuss, while they prepared the way for further measures. Captain Rhodes said he had shewn his entire concurrence in the resolutions by simply seconding them. Another point which should occupy their attention was the necessity of raising funds for extending in New Zealand the salutary influence and benefits of the church, which had hitherto been mainly supported by contributions from well-disposed persons in England. He had felt much gratification at the liberal and enlightened principles expressed by his Lordship, and he was sure this day's proceedings, when published, would stimulate the members of the Church to make additional exertions. The exertions made in Australia for the extension of

the Church in the Pacific, in which the Bishop of New Zealand had taken the lead, had attracted very general attention, and had obtained for his Lordship a world-wide reputation. He (Capt. R.), had recently received a letter from a relation stationed as a missionary in one of the most remote parts of India, who referred to the great sensation which the missionary proceedings at Sydney had caused in that continent. He (Capt. R.) thought that when they were blest with such a pastor, the least they could do was to second his views by every exertion in their power. (Applause.) The Bishop was glad to find that the resolution proposed by his Excellency was considered to hit the happy mean in stating neither too little nor too much. Whenever such a form of Church constitution should be established, as that proposed in the resolution, he should be happy to surrender to the general body every grant which he held as Trustee, and relieve himself at once from these responsibilities. His only reason for retaining them was his desire to prevent the multiplication of separate trusts for every Church purpose. He hoped that all Church Trusts would be held by one uniform tenure, and that separate committees would receive a delegated authority from the general convention for the management of churches, schools, and burial grounds, and every other kind of Church property.

The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously, and the proceedings were concluded by prayer.