THE GENERAL SYNOD.

North Otago Times, Volume XI, Issue 359, 30 October 1868, Page 2

THE GENERAL SYNOD.

For the following wo are indebted to the Auckland letter of the " Daily Timei :"—

The Bishop of Christchureh was declared to be duly elected ; and Bishop Selwjn, in making the announcement, said he did so with sincere pleasure, as he would reoign into the hands of one in whom he had the most entire confidence. It so happened that Bishop Harper and himself were ordained together, and began life as ministers of one church side by aide ,with one another. From him he receired the first impression of the admirable character of a parish priest. In his ministration at Eton a great change took place in the whole manner of conducting divine service in the college and in the parish church. It was for that reason that after many attempts had been made to procure a Bishop of Christchurch, and several attempts had failed, he said at once, at public meetings in Canterbury, at Christchurch, that there was one person he could recommend to that office with perfect confidence. He was quite sure, after many years' experience, that all the clergy would concur in the choice which Q-od's providence led 'him to make, and that the action was fully justified by the result. Now that he (Bishop Selwyn) had been called upon to resign, he was most thankfnl to be able to resign office into the hands of one in whom he had the most entire confidence. , During the sitting of the Synod, the clergymen in attendance have occupied the various pulpits of the Church in Auckland and neighborhood. On Sunday last the Bishop of Nelson preached a sermon on "The Unity of Protestant Churches," which has created a sensation, and is to be reprinted from the " Cross." It was an admirable discourse, but I sadly fear the Bishop's views are impracticable. If his Lordship had preached the sermon from a Primitive Methodist or Congregational • pulpit, I would have believed in him, and hoped for the best. But there seems no disposition on the part of the Bishop to move himself. He would have Wesleyan «nd Presbyterian Ministers ordained by the Church, so that they might have leave to occupy the pulpits of the Established Church, and so on. But the Bishop forgets that this very subject of ordination Involves principles that cannot be submitted to by many. I should like to see a practical expression of the desire for union on the part of the Bishop and Clergy of the .Established Church by their giving up an adherence to some of their own dogmas, and by less of that standing-off disposition that now exists. A lengthy discussion took place on Tuesday in the Synod on the subject. It originated in the following motion by the Dean of Christchurch : — " Whereas the Synod of the Diocese of Christchurch has prayed this Synod to memorialise the convocation of Canterbury, and such other bodies as itmay think fit, requesting them to take into thenconsideration the bases and conditions on which proposals for unity may be made to Christian bodies not now in communion with the Church of England : Besolved, that this Synod adopt* the subatance of this prayer, and respectfully requests the Primate, as Bishop of Lichfield, to bring this subject under the

consideration of the tipper House of the Convocation of Canterbury." After some minor amondmeuts had been suggested, the Bishop of Nelson moved an amendment. H» said if the matter, were referred to the Convocation they would hear no more of it. He would propose that a Select Committee bo appointed to consider the subject of the best mode of intercommunion between the Christian Churches in this country, aud to report on the same to the next Synod. The Bishop of Wai* apu secouded the motion. Dr Maunsell made an objection to the Bishop of Nelson's amendment which was received with laughter and cheers, " because it did not recognise the Queen's supremacy," no doubt a gentle rub at the Bishop's pet crotchet. The amendment was lost, and the Synod then divided on the original motion with the following results : — Ayes — Bishops, 1 j clergy, 8 ; laity, 6. Noes — Bishops, 5 ; clergy, 9 j laity, 13. I think the Synod is going on as nicely as could be desired. They seem as if they were desirous of reducing everything to practical tests. The question of altering the Ordination oath has been brought up; and a oommittee appointed to consider and report upon it. The Rev. A. GuTord has also moved, " That this Synod take into consideration the importance of providing a staff of auxiliary or unattached clergymen for the ecclesiastical province of New Zealand. And if the Synod make any definite recommendation in this behalf, that the Synod will determine the following points : — 1. The number of such clergymen at present proposed to be secured. 2. Their designation. 3. The amount of stipend. 4. The duties and services generally to bo discharged by them. 5. And under what authority to act." After consideration the motion was withdrawn.

J tishop of Christcburch „ Wellington ,, Waiapu Bishops. ( 5 0 1 Clergy. ] 13 2 1 Laifcj. ' 9 6 1 Tots 27 8 3

The election of a successor to Bishop Selwyn took place yesterday by ballot, with the following result :—