DIOCESAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 893, 24 September 1866, Page 6

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The Synodical Council met on Saturday, in the J Bishop's Library, at 4 o'clock p.m. The Right • Bev. the President in the ehair. . The following members were present: — ] Clehot. —The Ven. Archdeacon Lloyd, Revs. ' B. Y. Ashwell, C. Baker, S. Blackburne, EN. ] Bree, T. Chapman, B. T. Dudley, F. Gould, B. A. Hall, E. H. Heywood, J. Kinder, V. ] Lush, Dr. Maunsell, A. G. Purchas, S. Tarawhiti, ' M. Taupiki. i ■ Laity.—Messrs. AV. Atkin. J. Cndman, C. Ewen, J. A. Gilfilbm, J. Gordon, S. W. Hill, ' E. B. Lusk, H. H. Lusk, B. Maclean, D. McKellar, A. O'Neill, G. P. Pierce, ft. O. Stewart, J. Tutin, P. D. Yonge, Drs. Goldsboro, Nicholson, Home, Major Heaphy, Hon. W Swainson, and Sir William Martin. EEPOUT OF AUCKLAND TRUST. This report was brought up and received. Besides the ordinar}' balance sheet, it was stated that the wall of the cemetry was in a very dilapidated condition, and that £80 were required for its repair, for which sum an appeal would be made to the public, further, that it was the intention to run a footpath across the cemetery, from Symond-street to Grafton-road, between the properties of Messrs. Holt and Beckham. CONDITION OF THE NATIVES. The report of the committee appointed to consider this subject was read by the President, and was to the effect that a committee of seven persons should be appointed for the purpose of promoting the religious and social improvement of the Native race, to consist of His Lordship the Bishop of New Zealand, Sir W. Martin, Mr. Pierce, Mr. Atkin, Rev. Mr. Burrows, Bev. Mr. Chapman, the Kev. Baker. It will be the duty of the committee tc co-operate with the Church Missionary Society to search out fit persons of both races, who are fit and willing to take part in the ministry (lay and clerical) of the Church, to raise funds towards the support of lay and clerical agents to promote education, and seek to ameliorate the social condition of the Maori race, to raise fands for the support of. such clergymen, lay renders, and schoolmasters, and generally to promote the religious and social improvements of the Maori people. HOME MISSION AIDS. Mr. Chapman moved that the Synod go into committee on the general question of the spiritual wants of the outlying districts, to inquire whether such aid may not be obtained. either voluntary or otherwise, to secure the visit of a clergyman to all parts of the suburb? of Auckland, at least four times a year. He said there were hundreds and thousands of people who were wholly destitute, and it was a neglect of Christian and public duties to leave them as they were. It was wrong in those who enjoyed all the comforts of whole religion to be indifferent to the claims of their f'ellow-christians in outlying districts. His Lordship in 1563. and many times since, had frequently directed the attention of the Synod to this subject. Several efforts had been made to procure the services of itinerating clergymen, and several recommendations were made by the Bishop in 1563 or 1804 to appoint at least three clergymen to the office of ministering to the outlying districts. There were places not visited for several years, and letters appeared in newspapers from " our esteemed correspondent," in which the wants of particular districts were set forth. Some sligLt attempt was made now and then; there was a sermon, people gave their shillings or their half-crowns, and that done, thought no more of the subject. He (Mr. Chapman) would, under permission of his Lordship, go to any place in the out districts on Sunday, if required. | The Synod went into committee on the subject. Sir W. Martin in the ehair. Eer. Mr. Ashwell said that he had some experience in this matter, and could testify to the spiritual needs of a great many of the outlying districts. He had himself always met with the greatest encouragement in his labours, and this circumstance afTorded the greatest encouragement to follow up any efforts that might have been made in this matter. Persons who ■only carried a prayer-book with them were always welcome, and warmly received. A word •of encouragement could also be given at the isame time to the native christians who were anxious to see a clergyman. He (Mr. Ashwell) was thankful for this motion. Bev. Mr. Blackhukn thought the Synod should be thankful for the subject being proposed. He could bear testimony to the kindness with which clergy are received in all parts of the country. The subscription to the Home Mission Fund was very small in proportion to the wealth of the community. The Synod owed a prior attention to spiritual wants of their own race. Archdeacon Lloyd said there was danger of wasting the time of the Sjnod in fruitless discussions upon a subject with respect to which <the Synod was unacquainted. It would be well jf tfae mover had himself concocted some plan. TheKev. Mr. Chai'mau said he had a definite >j)lan to propose, which he took leave to read. He would, with leave of the Synod, move that Ythe whole body of the clergy belonging to the Archdeaconry of Waitemata be requested to :meet and form themselves into a committee (under the sanction of the Bishop, and that they organize a circle to insure, as far as God may permit, the visit of a clergyman four, or at the least three times a year to all such outposts as he might appoint. Bev. Mr. Lush said the great body of the ,dergy were at present over-taxed. A better vplftu would be for the clergy to take upon themselves to collect for this purpose say £10 a-year. This weald give fully the £000 a-year that was Tasked for by the Bishop. Mr. Lc.sk said that this was a subject on •which he felt the deepest interest. The truth •avas that there was not manifested sufficient warmth and life on this question as to impart teat and activity to each other. It was contemptible to think of only £15 or £20 from a congregation for this purpose. It was said the times were bad. There was certainly no appearance of that in people's dress and so forth. '.There were sixty-three members of Synod, and •if ithey took it to heart it was ro great difficulty ifor everyone either to give or to get £10 for rthis purpose. That would be £'G3O. Mr. G. P. Pierce said Mr. Chapman pointed •Jto a temporary aid, but the Synod was equally interested in the permanent work. It was simply a matter of pounds, shillings and pence. Plan after plan had been made, amongst others one by himself. Have a public meeting, invite his Lordship to preside, invite the itinerating .clergymen from the districts, also the clergymen <of the various churches, and the churchwardens. 'There would be a large audience, and there vWOuld.be no difficulty in obtaining the money, ,once:the extent and character of the spiritual cdestitution are made known. If the right class of men could be obtained there could not be the slightest doubt about getting the money. Mr. Lush said .there was the real dilliculty. The Synod must have some money to start the 'Home Mission, to secure .the services of clergy--meo. He thought Mr. Lusk's plan was the most practical of any which he had heard. His Lordship said that £100 had been raised, •now amounting to £115, which, for a beginning ie thought very good. Dr. Puhchas said that a failure had occurred, .not'so much because no fuel could be obtained, :but rather because there were no stokers to put it into the furnace, so as to set the machinery .going. ■ Hon. Mr. Gilftllan suggested that Mr. Pierce's plan shouid be tried. If it were adopted there would be no difficulty in getting the money. .Major Heaphy also thought the Standing • Committee should organise a means of making iinown the necessities of th" ■ •;:-lying districts, I ~an& that they should, appoiuu a imblic meeting I

and under his Lordship a cycle of ministerial visitation. The reason of selecting the Standing Committee was because it met pnee a month in that place under his Lordship the Bishop, who it was known would not encourage them to any undue repose. He (Major Heaphy) had no misgiving whatever on the subject. Archdeacon Lloyd said the great question was the practicability of the movement. Nearly oil the clergymen of Auckland were fully occupied by their duties in the town on the Sunday. Major Heaphy said that the remarks of Archdeacon Lloyd would have great wvljit if ™}? TC were not a monetary proposition also. What was wanted of the clergy was, some temporary assistance. The clergy were, doubtless, hard worked. All the denominational clergy were also hard worked, and he had metthePapakura minister (Presbyterian) at the Waikato Heads, and the denominational minister of the Ircsbyterian Church in Auckland at Matakana and Mahurangi. ... Mr Sw vixson said, to avoid anything like dictation, the form of the proposition should be " that the clergy should meet together to consider the practicability of," &c. Mr. Chapman accepted the alteration suggested by Mr. Swainson. Dr. Maunsell said he had himself observed what had been referred to by Major Heaphy. The very fact illustrated the difference between the two systems. The denominational clergy went in circuils, and they met in conference, arranging for this district and that to be visited at stated times. There was a great want of conference with them. They met, they pulled each other this way and that, making provision tor unvisited districts. If the clergy were to confer often they might, perhaps, do a great deal more work, and might bring in the assistance of the stray clergymen who might visit the country. The motion of Major Heaphy was put as follows :—" The Committee is of opinion that the Standing Committee should organise a movement throughout the city, suburbs, and parishes, to represent the want of ministerial aid to the outlying districts, and to authorise the machinery necessary to collect subscriptions towards the supplying that want." The resolution was agreed to. Mr. Lusk said that each member of the Synod should make himself responsible to obtain £10 for the above object by the 30th of June, ISG7. He fixed the 30th of June because the accounts were made up at that date. The Hon. Mr. Swainson said it was something like killing the goose for the golden eggs. If it were to be thought that synodrnen were to give or to get particular sums of money, however laudable the object, there was danger of limiting the field of choice. The tvev. Mr. Bree thought it inexpedient to give ground for supposing that unusual responsibility was incurred. The Rev. Mr. 11 eywood said it was a grave question how far the vote affected those Synodmen who were absent, by imposing upon them responsibility they might be unwilling to accept. The Bev. Mr. Purchas said some men would rather give the money out of their own pocket than collect it. Some men were very bad collectors. Mr. Atkin said he would not pledge himself as a member of the Synod, but he would as a member of the Church pledge himself to get all he could. Mr. McLean said that it might press hard on some gentlemen from poor or thinly populated districts. He had no doubt every member would endeavour to get as much as he could. Dr. Nicholson thought the precedent a bad one. Mr Lusk withdrew his motion. The resolutions of Mr. Chapman and Majoi Heaphy then formally passed the Synod. DIOCESAN APPOINTMENTS. The following appointments were announced under the authority of statute of General Synod : Hon. Mr. Swainson, Chancellor of the Diocese. Sixday Assessoks.—Colonel Henry, Major Speedy, Major Heaphy, Air. Beader Wood. E. B. Lusk, lion. J. A. Gilfillan. Clerical Assessors. —Archdeacon Lloyd Rev. Dr. Maunsell, Kev. E. Nugent Bree, Bev J. Kinder, Eev. Vicessimus Lusk, Itcv. Samuel Blackburn. The Synod was called upon for their concurrence, but a dilliculty arose whether i veto could be exercised by the Council It was thought an invidious position for any member to be placed in to object to imy par ticular name, and it was resolved to ask the Bishop whether it was competent to select i number out of the six by ballot, or whether hii Lordship would be pleased to nominate a greate] number, from which six assessors might b( , selected. Sir William Martin, as chairman o the committee, having made the above representations, the Bishop sent a reply to tin committee that he nominated six assessor* because the number afforded greater latitude of challenge to any accused person, and tc guard against members of the standing com mittee who might be ex officio connected witL the inquiry acting assessors. If the Synoc preferred that course lie would permit that would elect by ballot four assessors of eael order out of the six persons nominated. The Bishop having retired, Sir William Martin was called to the chair. The Synod then proceeded to the election, 03 ballot, of four clerical and four lay assessors out of a list of six clergymen and six laymen nominated by the Bishop. The following were duly elected : — Clerical Assessohs :—Venerable Archdeacoi Lloyd, Eev. Dr. Maunsell, Eev. V. Lusk, Eev J. Kinder. Lay Assessors:—Major Heaphy, R-. B. Lusk Esq., J. A. Gilfillan, Esq., Reader Wood, Esq. The Synod adjourned at eleven o'clock unti four o'clock on Monday (this day).