AUCKLAND DIOCESAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9217, 21 November 1888, Page 6

AUCKLAND DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The sittings tho Synod were resumed | I yesterday afternoon, the Ven. Archdeacon I Dudley president. There were present :— Clerot. —Ven. Archdeacon Olarke, Ven. j Archdeacon Govett, Ven. Archdeacon Mauneell, Revs. Alloway, Bates, Boatty, Burrows, Calder,.). K. Davis, Fox, Gould, Hasoiden, Hill, Katterns, Long, McFarland, Mulgan, Nelson, O'Callaßhan, Purchas, Richards, Smallfield, Sprott, Tebbs, Tobin. Laity.—Messrs. Bcere, Calder, Cochrane, I Dawaon. Doonin, Garrett, Hammond, Haul- j ; tain, Hesketh, Hills, Jackson, Lodder, j Luke, Pierce, Rawlings, Rice, Speight, j Upton, and Wildman. The minutes of the previous day's sittings j were read by the Clerical Secretary, and confirmed. ST. john's college. The President had pleasure in announcing , that Mr. Emile Aubin, a student of St. John's College, had been awarded a senior scholarship in the University. The announcement was received with satis- I faction. ■ELLKE.SLIK AND THE REV. MR. SMALLFIELD. Mr. \V. Garrett moved, "That the President having announced that the Rev. P. Smallfield had tendered his resignation of the charge of Ellerslie, it is the opinion of this Synod that the charges of Ellerslie and Epsom should bo continued as at present under one charge." He urged that Ellerslie and Epsom should remain one charge, and he read a resolution of the vestry on tho sub- | iect. The Rev. Mr. SMAIXFIELD seconded the resolution, and did so in order to show that there was no friction between his late charge and himself. The Rev. Mr. Nelson asked whether this was a question for the Synod? It was a parochial district under the control of tho bishop, and not under the control of the Synod. The President said that he had intended to ask Mr. Garrett to withdraw his motion. He was quite sure the matter was safe in the hands of the Bishop. The motion was then withdrawn. BISHOI'SCOURT REPAIRS. The Ven. Archdeacon Maunsell moved, " That the committee appointed to consider the roofinsc, &c. , of Bishopscourt bo appointed to carry o~ut the rooting of said buildings as far as their funds will allow them." Mr. Pierce drew attention to the fact that tha committee had no funds. It was the trustees who had the funds, and it was their duty to carry out the resolution if the Synod, but the fact that two of tho members ot the committee were also trustees was a sufficient guarantee that the work would be carried out when funds were in their hands. Mr. Upton seconded the motion, and, on being put to the meeting, it was lost. WEEK OF SPECIAL PRAYER. The Rev. J. S. Hill moved. "That this Synod begs respectfully to suggest to the Right Rev. the Bishop, that his Lordship should appoint a week of special prayer throughout the diocese for the promotion of the spiritual life of the Church, and the seeking to awaken in the numerous non-church attendants a deeper interest in vital godliness." He instanced the success of such services in the Australian colonies, and the urgent necessity for them here. He felt that the consideration of such a subject would show that they had mot hero not merely to discuss money matters but to consider "the real question of spiritual life. Unless the motion should commend itself to the Synod he should beg leave to withdraw it, but he should now propose it. The Rev. Dr. O'Callaghan seconded the motion. The Rev. Mr. Blatty, though not a parochial clergyman, said he felt an interest in it, but he reminded Mr. Hill that there were two special seasons, Lent and Advent, appointed by the Church for these purposes, tie sympathised with what had been stated in the Press in regard to the special efforts made, and since the missioners were here there had been eight missions, but they had had no effect. These special efforts had a great danger of eudinK in sensationalism, and lndifferentism. He would be sorry to throw cold water on anything which would tend to stir them up, but he fully understood that they all needed it. His only object was to point out the danger. Mr. Doonin spoke in support of the motion, and referred to the good effect caused by the visits of the missioners. Mr. Hammond opposed, and said that at no time had they been so dull and apathetic in St. Sepulchre's parish as since tho visit of the missioners. It had never been benefited by the missioners—in fact, it had been positively injured by them. The Rev. Mr. Nelson said that so far as the work of the missioners in his parish was concerned he was unable to judge, for when ; they came to his parish a newspaper coires- ' pondence took place, and they were therefore ! debarred from any advantages which might arise from it. He objected to the term nonchurch goers. Why were they not church • goers, and why were special invitations held out to them? No one more than himscll ' would rejoice to sec life thrown into the Church, but he was not satisfied that the method proposed by Mr. Hill was the right one. It could onlv be a feeble imitation of what took place three years ago, and the 1 question was whether the present was tho right time for it. 1 The Rev. Mr. Tebbs spoke in support of 1 the motion, aud said in spite of times and seasons they should endeavour to get hold oi those who'did not attend Church services. 1 He believed one reason lor the want of success of the mission referred to was the inor--1 dinate length to which it was drawn out. ' He should strongly support the resolution. Dr. Dawson supported the motion. ; The Rev. I. Richards, while strongly in ' favour of the motion, believed with him that ■ unless it was tho unanimous wish of the ' Synod the motion should be withdrawn. At the same time he had a great deal of sym- , pathy with Mr. Beatty's remarks, but lie f hoped if they could see their way to coin--1 cide with Mr. Hill's motion they should sup- ; port it. The Rev. F. Gould, speaking in support I of the motion, expressed his deep and hearti felt satisfaction with and gratitnde for the ■ work of the late mission. f The Rev. Mr. Bates said if the motion ' was adopted he hoped he would be left out- ' side. , The President asked what was the test of 3 success, larger attendance, and offertories, or - more spirituality? Throughout time and j 3 eternity he should thank God for the benefit ' Mr. Bodington's mission was to himself. ' He did not think Mr. Hammond realisod ] what he said when he spoke of the mission. The day of judgment could only show what it had done. While admitting that some of 3 it was cut and'dried, and that it was too prolonged, it would he a sin if he did not testify to the good it had done to himself and others. He did not sympathise with every phase of the missioners' work, but there was a part of it which was blessed. The Rev. Mr. Burrows sympathised with the motion, but rather than have a division he would ask Mr. Hill to withdraw it rather 3 than it should go forth to tho world that 1 they were divided on a question of this kind. 3 The Rev. Mr. Beatty said if it came to a 1 division he should not vote for it, and ho should not vote against it. Dr. Purchas expressed his gratitude for " the benefit he derived from the services held ' by Mr. Mason. Mr. Hill asked leave to amend his motion • by adding after the words " special prayer" 3 the words "during the coming season of t Lent," and that the words after " awaken " 1 the words "in all" bo substituted for the . words "the numerous non-church attandants," &c. Finally Mr. Hill amended his ' motion, as follows :—" That this Synod begs respectfully to suggest to the Right Rev. the 3 Bishop that his Lordship should appoint a " week of special prayer during the season of • Lent, for the promotion of the spiritual life s of the Church, and the seeking to awaken in 9 all classes a deeper interest in vital godlid ness." After some further discussion the Rev. Mr. g Hill replied. He would never hav« intro■y duood tho motion, he said, had lie thought it g would have provoked a discussion on the late mission of the two Missioners referred to. The whole matter would have to be left to " the Bishop and clergy, but he sincerely hoped during that week that every person in every parish would be visited. The motion was then put and carried. SPECIAL COMMITTKK ON PENSIONS. Mr. Luke moved, "That tho special committee on pensions, whose report lias been adopted, be re-appointed for the purpose of assisting tho Pension Board in preparing such amendments in tho new pension system as may be necessary to bring before the next meeting of this Synod." Mr. Speight seconded the motion. Mr. Upton opposed the motion, as steps had already been taken to secure Mr. Speight a seat 011 the Pension Board, so that they d would still have his services. a Mr. SpBIGHT objected. The radical changes proposed should be carried out under the Board, who had so long had control of it. It was only proposed that the committee should sit with the Pension Board to complete the scheme, but not to take the ordinary work of administering the funds. Mj\ Upton pointed out the importance of Mr. Batger being added to the committee, d and Mr. Luke accordingly added the name. A The motion was carried. ■e INCORPORATION OF THE DIOCESAN PENSION " BOARD. *' Mr- Rawlinos moved, " The Synod do [.. I consent to the incorporation of the Diocesan ls I Pension Board under the Religious, Charitit I able, and Educational Trust Boards Incorpoo j ration Act, 1834." >e j Mr. Pierce seconded the motion, which

: STANDING ORDERS. I Standing order No. 21 was suspended for the remainder of the session in order that motions might be brought in without notice. HOSPITISING COMMITTEE. The Rev. Mr. Tkbbs moved, " That a hosnitisinir committee be appointed, consisting of the Rev. Dr. Purchas, Rev. C. M. Nelson, Me Bather, and the. mover. The Rev. Mr. Beatty seconded the motion which was crrried, and it was further agreed that the Rev. Mr. Tebbs be convener of the committee. EVENING SITTING. i CEMETERY BOARD AND CHAPLAIN'S STIPEND. i The Rev. W. Tebbs moved. "That the ! report of the Cemetery Board be considered in committee." The report had already been i read. In speaking to the motion Mr. ■ Tebbs referred to the miserable allowance for- the chaplain, who, for ten months, obtained only £11 for 70 funerals. He sug- , jested that the General Trust Board, and the Solwyn Memorial Fund Trust, be asked to contribute £10 each towards the chaplain's ; stipend. Mr. Hammoxd asked why a charge was not made for burying from the Government. The President said they might charge, but the Government would not pay it. They paid merely half-a-crown for rail fare, but the Government did not care whether there was a service or not. He thought it would be a faithful use of a portion of the Selwyn Memorial Fund to devote it to the payment of the chaplain who attended the funerals from Government institutions, hospitals, and J refuses. They must take it that the burials ! must bo conducted without services, or there must bo so/no provision for the payment of the chaplain. Mr. Rice seconded the motion. Mr. Pierce again objected to the misappropriation of the Selwyn Memorial Fund. It was originated to provide services for tho hospital, gaol, and lunatic asylum on a permanent basis. Why there were onlv twenty subscribers to tnis fund, and they should be consulted, not the Synod. He was sole treasurer of the fund, and if the resolution was passed he felt inclined to put it into the hands of the Supreme Court, and let those who wished take it out. He was not at the last Svnod, but when he returned he found that some £o0 had been taken from it, and he wanted then to resign thetreasurcrship.but the Bishop assured him that it was only temporary, and now he found another £10 asked. Why this fund was subscribed bv Jews and others outside the influence of this Synod, and why should they deal with the fund. But as long as the money was invested in the name of G. P. Pierce, the Synod might pass many resolutions before they touched the money. The Rev. Mr. Borrows considered the motion was out of order, and he hoped Mr. Pierce would carry out his resolve. Mr. Rice thought they should have some expression from the trustees. Thin fund had now been ten years in existence, and yet its object had not been carried out; and why, he asked, should they not devote a portion of the fund to this necessary purpose, so that something might be done? The Rev. Mr. Tebbs said they did not propose any spoliation of the fund. They only asked the denominational guardians to ask the trustees for a contribution. Tho Rev. Mr. Alloway said that during the last ten months he ought to have received £37, and he had not received £11. Tho motion was put. The first portion of it was carried, and the latter portion was withdrawn and the following substituted: — " That the Denominational Guardians be requested to take under their consideration the question of providing an adequate stipend for the chaplain, as well as of paying any sum due to him for his past services." The Rev. Mr. Hill considered there was serious fault in some direction in money having been promised by the Synod which had not been paid. It was a disgrace to them. Mr. Upton pointed out that tho Denominational Guardians had no funds and no means of raising money, and it would be absurd to pass such a resolution. They had come to the conclusion that there was no way of raising this fund except through the parishes, and the Synod should throw on them the responsibility of refusing to provide it. Either the clergy of the parishes must go out to bury the dead or they must pay a man to do it. The Rev. Mr. Tkbbs said the Guardians were only asked to turn their attention to the matter. If they had no money they ' could not pay it, but they might suggest something. At all events, something should be done to fix the responsibility. I Mr. Upton said the Synod should indicate some moans for raising a fund, and if they wished a charge made, they should give the iSynodical authority for it. Mr. Speight said that he thought it the ! duty of the Government to pay, amongst the ' other expenses, the tees for burial, but if not, it was the duty of the Church to bury its poor dead. If the Government did not pay, : j they must fall back on the parish clergy to S bury the dead of their parishes. Mr. Rawlisgs said an arrangement had ' been made that live parishes should pay £10 '■ each, and their clergy be relieved from attending burials. Whether that was a wise I plan or not he would not say, but some of ! the parishes declined to pay, and the Stand- '■ ing Committee told them they must bury their own dead. They were in honour bound to pay Mr. Alloway the amount now due to 1 him, but until some future arrangement was . made they should see to it that each parish , should bury its own dead. ■ The President said that the whole cost of burying trom Government institutions should not be thrown on one parisn. It did not prevent clergy from attending the funerals of the regular members of their congregations. The motion as a whole was then about to be put, but again interrupted. Mr. Pierce asked whether it was a fact 1 that persons had been buried in the Ceine- ; tery, and the service read by the man who ' drove tilt; cart out? - The Rev. Mr. Tebbs said the President ' might be unable to answer the question. ' One cist) had occurred in which the undertaker, who was a leader among the Plymouth Brethren, had read the service, but he had given no notice to anv clergyman. ' Tne President said that the only remedy ' he saw was for the clergy of the city to arrange fur Uking it weeK about. He suggested that the Cemetery Committee be ■ included in the resolution. The Rev. Mr. Tebbs agreed with this sug- . ge.ftion, and, as amended, the motion was carried. I ORGANISING CLERGYMEN , . The debate on this subject was renewed on the Rev. Mr. Beutty's motion, adjourned [ from a previous silting, it was an amend- i ment on other motions, and was as follows: | '■ —" That this Synod recognises the necessity i of such work as is being done by the. organ- , isiug clergyman and his assistant; it . considers that needy and deserving districts ■ ministered to by resident clergymen, have at , least an equal claim on the Koine Mission , Fund, ana recommend the Standing Committee to administer the fund in this spine.'' , This question had already been, discussed at . some length. The Rev. Mr. Hill, in speaking to the . subject, said ho feared this discussion would " have the. ell'ect of injuring the fund, and he ' doubted if Mr. Beatty motion would iinj prove it. The sympathies of some went with the missionary spirit to extend to the . scattered districts, but others again wished i to assist die country clergymen. The discussion would have a deplorable effect except they adopted something practical. He > regretted lii.it, Mr. Hammond's motion was c lost, an*; if anything could be done now. > (" No, lui. ) Well the Standing Committee , could, Hud Mr Beatty's resolution was a ' censure \>\\ them, as it implied that they had > not ma do tho best use of the funds at their 3 disposal. He believed the great drawback '-> Wits 11.1 two things for the same purpose, I and i wore perhaps weakening one f anorlir. Mad he known when he made the „ runiiu . . . did the other night what ue. knew j now, ;<...•■■ going through the minutes, he would iiw-v'er have made them, and ho sincereiy t>lll;(utilised with Mr. Haselden. Mr. 1. '.>iii:K said that it, was never too late ' to mund. Had Air. Walpoie and Mr. Hill k read the nimute-book before they moved the , other ■■;,'. it, there would be no necessity for '' the resolutions moved, and ltd suggested now 3 th.it 111.. . bu withdrawn, and the whole v matter left in the hands of the Standing I. UomuiilUic. He had 110 objection to tne resolution being passed as an instruction to the Standing Committee. Mr. Hammond contended that there was nothing practical in the resolution. It was '' simply a shirking of their duty and throwing I I it over on the Standing Committee. The Yen. Archdeacon Clarke regretted " that Mr. Hammond's motion for the. estabn, lishment 01 two funds had not been carried, but he would propose—"l. That the Home Mission Funds be devoted to the augmentation of deficient clerical stipends. 'I. That a . the funds of the Home Mission Sooity, together with any oti'ertones made at the service y of the organising clergyman be for the expenses of ministering to districts not under 3 clerical supervision. '6. That oiiertories be ? made throughout the diooese one Sunday in ,? each year for the respective funds." He believed that the falling or!' in the fund was * solely due to the depression of the times, not to any ill-feeling towards the Home Mission f ' Fund. Mr. Speight seconded the amendment be- !, causa Mr. Beatty's motion did not express what he meant, that too much money was spoilt on missionary work, and:too little in building up existing districts. That was what was in the minds of many members of the Synod. . I The Rev. Mr. Richards asked whether '" the motion was in order. The President read the standing order, l also Mr. Hammond's amendment, and that of Archdeacon Clarke, pointing out that, the

two, although similar, were vet distinct, as \ h the latter referred to the Home Mission j t Society. He ruled the amendment in order, i C The motion was then discussed ac some | t length. j a Mr. Haselden said he had been asked ' o whether he approved of Archdeacon Clarke's . f< motion, and lie stated distinctly that he did, j t believing that it would be satisfactory. > s Mr. Pox also supported the amendment, as i t it would tend to remove all friction. i o The Rev. Mr. Beatty's motion was then j I put and a division taken on it as follows :— i n Clergy : Ayes, 8 ; noes, 12. Laity : Ayes, 8; i a noes, 9. The motion was therefore lost, and c the amendment was put. This also was i s divided on, and the result was:—Clergy : t Ayes, 12; noes, 9. Laity: Ayes. 9 ; noes, 7. r J The amendment was carried, and it was then r carried as a substantive motion, and the S Standing Committee was requested to give v effect to the resolution. h HOME MISSION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS. C The Synod went into committee, for the t further consideration of the report which had J been under discussion at a previous sitting. t 'Die remaining clauses were taken as read, r and the Chairman reported progress, on the i motion of the Rev. Mr. Hill, f DIOCESAN ALMANAC. I Mr. Bates moved, " That the managers of » the Church Gazette be asked to print a 1 Church almanac." f Mr. Upton objected that it would cost £10 <■ to print an almanac, and suggested that the J information be printed in the Church Ga- ; f zette. < The motion was lost. — VOTJSS OF THANKS. « On the motion of the Yen. Archdeacon i s Claricl, seconded by the Rev. Mr. Boleb, j < a vote of thanks was accorded to the lay i 1 readers for their services. • < Votes of thanks were also accorded to the ! - Sunday School Board (especially to the j 1 Revs. Smalltield and Bates), the Most Rev. j I the Primate for his visit to Auckland on the ' occasion of the consecration of St. Mary's I Cathedral, to the Press for their reports, ; to Colonel Haultain, chairman of committee, to those who entertained members of the J Synod during the present session, to the ' olerical and lay secretaries. ' minutes. ! The President was authorised to confirm ' the minutes of the day's proceedings. l CONCLUSION. The Doxology was then sung, the Rev. Dr. Purchas leading, and the benediction was pronounced by the President, after which the Synod was prorogued.