DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17614, 19 October 1917, Page 2

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

YESTERDAYS SITTINGS. • The Christchurch Diocesan Synod resumed its sittings at Christ's College Library yesterday afternoon, the Bishop presiding over a small attendance of members. "MESSENGERS' " MEETINGS. The resolution moved by the Rev H. Williams, sen., at a previous sitting, recommending that in each parish where ''messenger" meetings were held a committee should be appo'nted to consider the report on the subject submitted to last, year's Synod, was discussed. In seconding the motion pro forma Mr F. Z. D. Ferriman (Ashburton) mnde a strong protest against certain influences which, he said, were affecting the' services and ritual of the Church to such an extent that it was impossible on occasion to distinguish a Church of England service from th*? elaborate ceremonial of another Church. It had got to ench a point ti'at the only apparent difference between the Church of Rome and the Church of England at present was that the prie«ts of Rome were eel'bate and those of England were not. Whatever the legal aspect of the matter might be, the speaker was convinced that several of the clergy were breaking the sp'rifc of their ordination vows, tie trusted that the Bishop would protect the Book of Common Prayer against further mutilation and alteration. The previous speaker bad referred to the "monotony" of the liturgy. It had become the fash'on nowadavs to disparage' the Church of England liturgy in comparison with the litu.rgos of the Greek and Roman Churches. Canon H. T. Purchas said that on occasions such as this it was necessary for the comfort and safety of the ship of the Ohurch that someone should act as trimmer, and he would do his best in that capacity. This little controversy arose out of a statement by the Rev H. Williams, sen., that iu the reign of Queen Annf matins were held at 6 a.m. Tho speaker was afraid that there was no historical warrant for saying that Sunday matins were held at that hour. The tendency in the Church to-day seemed to be to scrap the morning service and to place more and mora importance on Holy Communion. There could bo no question chat the original intention was to make Holy Communion rather a rare and especial celebration, or at any rate not very frequent. speaker qvoted authorities on the subject and protested against the tendency to relegate ihe matins service to an hour when very few worshippers were likely to be present. He concluded with an appeal for the tolerant discussion and examination of proposed alterations. The Church had to change to suit the times to some extent. The R>?v J. H. Rogers and Mr H. D. Andrews carried on*the discussion, which was interrupted by the adjournment for election of Standing Committee at 5.30 p.m.

EVENING SESSION. There was a good attendance at the evening session, the Bishop presiding. STANDING COMMITTEE. It was announced that tho election of the Standing Committee had resulted as follows:—Clergv—The Dean. Rev P. J. Cooks, Archdeacon Ensor, Rev F. P. Fendall, Archdeacon Gosset, Rev J. de B. Galwey, Canon S. Hamilton, Revs P. B. Haggitt and C. G. Mutter, Canon Purchas. Laity— M ssrs J. C. Adams. H. D. Andrews, H. M. Bannehr, W. C. Bean, O. H. Bridge, T. Hughes, E. G. Hogg. G. A. M. Macdonald, T. W. Rowe and R. W. Simpson. CLERGY, WIDOWS AND ORPHANS' TRUST FUND. The Rev S. Hinson moved:—"That the Bill to amend the regulations for the management of the Clergy, Widows and Orphans' Trust Fund be read a second time and considered in committee." Mr R. W. Simpson seconded the motion, which, after considerable discussion, was defeated on a division by a large majority of both clergy and laity. PRAYERS FOR MISSIONARY EFFORT. Mr H. M. Bannehr moved:—" That, recognising that prayer is vital to all missionary effort, this Synod urges that more prominence should be given to it both in private and in public worship." Th? motion was agreed to unanimously. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCTETY. The Rev F. H. Spencer, on behalf of the British and Foreign Bible Society, addressed the Synod, by permission, on the work of-the society. He said that the Scriptures had been circulated in all parts of the world, in £OO languages, the number of Bibles distributed being over 284 millions. He appealed for greater BUpport from all parishes. The Synod adjourned to 4 p.m. the following day.