ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 4984, 8 February 1877, Page 3

ANGLICAN SYNOD.

[By Teleqbaph.] In the General j , Nelson - Feb - * • deacon Berner™ .? e7emn g. Arches Udwm it 'V' tho Synod authority to any hymnal’“a? S™* 1 c Jt;,mon hut a lama Dorti 8 !? 0^ 11 ? 8, practicable, Church had P nk ° tbe New Zealand *ay in thelat r ’ H nd . W ° Uld tako - itß there had ul ’ tt ° d wh6re th ig was done had been peace. Still there remained

the imputation against the South Island of disloyalty in having taken this course, and ho wished to remove this implied stigma. Mr Rous Marten seconded the motion on the ground that, as it was evident that a large proportion of the Church in the Province would not accept any one hymnal, to attempt to force it on the whole Church would simply court dissension and division. The Dean of Christchurch said the Synod already had withdrawn its authority from the New Zealand hymnal. The Rev Harvey did not see how the resolution could withdraw any stigma on those who had disregarded the express recommendation of the Synod in this matter. It amounted only to this, that the power of the Synod was not sufficient to compel obedience, and therefore disobedience was to be hushed up. He did not approve of this course. Mr Oarleton denied that there was any cowardice in abstaining from too much legislation. People in different parte of the Colony held different views on the hymnal question, but it was wrong to alienate any churchmen on euch a matter as this. There was very little difference between one hymn and another. Mr Lusk thought hymns had more effect in the long run than sermons. It was as desirable to have a common book of praise as a common book of prayer. The Bishop of Auckland still hoped the New Zealand Church would adopt one large and comprehensive hymnal. The Rev B. Dudley thought it a serious matter for the Synod to throw the responsibility on each clergyman. Archdeacon Maunsell complained that Archdeacon Harper persisted in flaunting the red rag before them. The Bishop of Dnnedin moved that the Synod proceed to the next Order of the Day, which was carried on the voices. The Dean of Christchurch moved, “ That a Select Committee be appointed to consider the best course for forming a body of canons for the Church of this Province." The Rev Mr Tanner’s motion “That Chancellors of the diooese have ex officio seats in the Synod,” was negatived. The Bishop of Dunedin moved, “ That this Synod of Bishops, clergy, and laity, Communicants of the Church of New Zealand, having heard with deep interest of the progress of the old Catholic movement, records its appreciation of the devoted efforts of the leaders of that movement to bring about a return to primitive doctrine, discipline, and unity, and respectfully requests the Primate to forward this resolution to the Bishops of the old Catholic Communion, and to Dr Yon Dellinger, ae an expression of Christian regard.” The debate was postponed. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time:—Bill to amend Statute No. 1; Bill to repeal Statute No. 4 and enact other provisions in lieu thereof; Bill to interpret and explain certain words and expressions in the Constitution Act, Statutes, and other documents of the Church as to which doubts have arisen; Bill for making certain necessary regulations with regard to the statue of deacons in Now Zealand; Bill to interpret and shorten the language of statutes in certain cases. The Synod went into Committee on the Nominators Bill, introduced by the Dean of Christchurch, and each clause was discussed at great length, the chief debate being on Clause 13. • Archdeacon Harper moved the following amendment:—“ It ehall be competent for the Bishop to attend the Board of Nominators, for the purpose of proposing to the Board the name of a clergyman for any vacant parish, and of stating bis objections to any clergyman who may be proposed by the Board previous to the final nomination being made by the Board.” The amendment was lost. The discussion was continued until 11 p.m., when progress was reported and the Synod adjourned. This afternoon the sitting wae occupied by the debate on Mr Pitt’s motion —“ That the names of those who voted in the division on the Formularies Bill be printed in the minutes.” The division resulted as follows Ayes : Clergy, 14; laity, 14. Noes: Bishops, 5; clergy, 3 ; laity, 1.