DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 16060, 15 October 1912, Page 2

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

ANNUAL SESSION. The Christchurch Diqcosnn Synod re-. Gumed its session at Christ's College Library yesterday, Dean Harper presiding, as commissary for Bishop Julius. The adjourned debate on the Rev F. P. Fcndall's motion that £2OO should bo set apart for furthering the work of the Sunday schools of the diccese, especially with a view to obtaining an expert to train the Sunday school teachers, was continued.

An amendment had been moved by the Rev J. Rogers that the amount should approximate to £2OO. ■Canon Carrington said that he had intended to move an amendment that the bishop should bo asked to set up a commission to go into tho -whole matter of education in the diocese. There was only a small amount available for education and in tho circumstances the question of providing both for church day schools and Sunday schools war; a difficult one, apart from tho question' of providing representatives to conduct Bible-rending in schools, if tho scheme should become an accomplished fact. Mr IT. D. Andrews urged that tho work was one of diocesan importance, and should not be dealt with finally before the return of the bishop. Therefore he moved the amendment- .suggested by Canon Carrington—"That the Standing Committee should he asked to report to next Synod on tho best means of increasing tho efficiency of Sunday school work throughout the diocese and to take into sympathetic consideration the needs of both Sunday schools and day schools."

Canon Carrington said that ho was opposed to tho practice cf referring everything to tho Standing Committee, and he would vote against Mr Andrews's amendment, hoping that tho matter would still be referred to a Commission. He va-s opposed to a Sunday school expert, believing that ho could do little. Ho believed that education by tho Church would make unprecedented progress in tho next ton years, and ono or two good Church day schools would he the stronghold of tho whole position. . These schools would turn ont Sundav school teachers. Tho Rev H. D. Burton said that ho regretted any antagonism between day and Sunday schools. Nothing would, follow but shipwreck if the Sunday schools wero to bo kept up at- tho expense cf the day schools. Tn hi"! own parish it would be very profitable to drop tho day school altogether, but that would be a calamity. He regretted that any school should bo placed before another. Bather than that the day schools .should fall ho would beggar himself.

Mr T. Hughes supported the amendment, suggesting that a pclicy should br> laid down in regard to day schools and also on the question of Bible instruction in day schools if. the proposal should he adopted. Mr Andrews's amendment was carried.

Canon Carrington gave notice of motion : " That the Bishop should he requested to appoint a commission to report upon the whole question of religious education in the diocese." Tho dinner adjournment was then taken.

In the evening the Synod went into committee on the Clergy Widows and Orphans Fund Bill, but progress was reported at 10 p.m. without any clause of tbe Bill having been passed. The Synod adjourned until 4 p.m. to-day.