DIOCESAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9024, 1 November 1892, Page 6

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Is connection with the session, of the Diocesan Synod, which opened yesterday, a communion service was held in Sb. Matthew's Church, at half-past ten o'clock, and was very well attended. There were, besides His Lordship Bishop Cowie, 22 robed clergy present, an da considerable number in the body of the church. The Synodsmen and the laity generally were also well represented. The singing was led by some fifty surpliced choristers, assisted by members of the city and suburban church choirs. An earnest and thoughtful sermon was preached by the Rev. F. Gould, who took for his text, Ephesians iv., 15 and 16. The Bishop officiated at tho Holy Communion, the ante-communion service being read by the Ven. Archdeacon Dudley. Nearly the whole congregation were communicants. openisg OF the session. The Synod was formally opened at three o'clock in the afternoon, at Bishopscourt Library. The arrangements for the session had been materially altered. The Bishop's stand was removed to the eastern side of the building, the other side affording greater seating space and table accommodation. There were present: Clergy.— Archdeacons Clarke, Dudley, Willis, .Revs. Bates, Beatty, Biggs, Boler. Boyes, Burrows, Calder, Cubitt, H. S. Da vies, Du Rien, Evans, Gould, Hasolden, Hoete, Houchen, Katterns, Kidd, Kirkbride, Larkins, Mac Murray, Marshall, Maynard, Nelson, Outram, Papahia, Purchas, Raikes, Richards, Walker. Laity.—Messrs. Armstrong, Batger, A. Brown. Bishop, Burton, Calder, Cameron, Carnell, Choyce, Churton, Clarke, Clayton, Cochrane, C. Cooper, W. H. Cooper, Cox, Crispe, Duncan, Garland, Gordon, Green, Haultain. Heather, Hesketh, Jackson, Kensington, King, Luke, Lush, Mason, McCullough, Nolan, Pilgrim, Rice, Snelling, Speight, Templer, A. S. Thompson, W. Thompson, Thorp, Tibbs, Upton, Vickers, Walker, Watts, Wells, C. J. Wilson. THE BISHOP'S ADDRESS. His Lordship, after reading tho opening collect, read his annual address, as follows : Dear Brethren* of the Clergy and Laity,— Since our last meeting in October, 1891, the General Synod, the supreme governing body of the Church of New Zealand, has held its triennial session, and, as in past years, I shall begin my address to you to-day by stating the chief acts of legislation effected by that Synod during its session. Of the seven Bishops entitled to seats in the Synod two were absent, the sees of Nelson and Melanesia being at the time vacant, in consequence of the resignation of Bishop Suter and Bishop Selwyn by reason of illness. These two zealous and gifted prelates, whose counsel had been very helpful to the Synod for many years, ware greatly missed in its deliberations. Bishop Suter resigned his see in 1891, after an episcopate of twenty-five years, during which period every department of Church work made signal progress in the diocese of Nelson. To Bishop Suter, moreover, is mainly due the efficiency of our system of Theological Examinations, conducted annually by the Board of Theological Studies, under the authority of the General Synod. I know that I am expressing the feeling of every member of the Synod when I say that our deepest sympathy is with Bishop Suter in his continued infirmity, and with Mrs. Suter, who was ever the able and devoted coadjutor of her husband in many of his labours for the advancement of the cause of Christ. Bishop John Richardson Selwyn resigned his see in January, 1592, after an episcopate of nearly fifteen years, during which period the operations of the Melanesian Mission were greatly extended, and the Church in the islands of the South-West Pacific was increased and edified. Of the Bishop's energy, ability, and self-denial it is unnecessary to speak in this Synod ; or of the irreparable loss that the Mission has sustained by his resignation, for which he had no alternative, if his life was to be prolonged. It is not only in the Melanesian Islands that his loss will be felt, but in our own diocese also, and throughout this ecclesiastical province. Bishop Mules.—l had much pleasure in taking part in the consecration of the Venerable Charles Oliver Males, M.A., to the Bishopric of Nelson, on February 24, St. Matthias Day. Mr. Mules had been Archdeacon of Waimea in that diocese for twenty years, having come to Nelson in 186S, and been ever since then one of the principal coadjutors of Bishop Suter. No successor to Bishop Selwyn has yet been appointed. Legislation op the General Synod.— The Canons altered by the Synod at its last session are Title A., Canon 1., and Title C, Canon III. ; bat the alterations made are not of such a character that I need now specify them. Memorials to the General Synod.— The Memorials from this Synod to the General Synod were presented by me, and were duly considered. a. The Synod consented to onr recommendation that relief should be afforded to the parishioners of St, Mary's, in the matter of their purchase of a parsonage site from the trustees of the General Church Trust.

B. The Synod approved of the granting of mining leases involving waste under certain conditions. c. The Synod did not recommend that the General Church Trust and Melanesian Mission Trust estates should be held by the Auckland Diocesan General Trust Board. I). The Synod approved of our recommendation respecting the Taranaki Trust estate. Women's Suffrage.— the report of the General Synod, page 148, a Bill will be found, of which the purpose is to extend to women the right of voting at parish meetings. This subject requires our consideration before the next meeting of the General Synod, when it will probably be dealt with by that Synod. Members of the Synod should also consider another Bill printed in the same report, page 140, for the establishment of a Board of Missions ; a matter also to be dealt with by the General Synod at its next session, in 1895. Religious Teaching in Board Schools. —The General Synod did not adopt the resolution passed by this fciynod at its last session, respecting the saying of the Lord's .Prayer daily in our Board schools. The proposal met with the approval of the Synod; but it was thought inexpedient at that time to add such a recommendation to those agreed to by the Synod on the subject of religious teaching in the day schools of the colony viz., that the Education Act should be so amended as (1) to contain a provision for grants in aid of the maintenance of schools set on foot by private enterprise, provided that the secular instruction given in such schools shall come up to the required standards, and satisfy the Government inspector, and (2) to permit religious instruction to be given within school hours in the Government schools." Diocese of Auckland.— our own diocese we have sustained serious losses since our last session. Sir Frederick Whifcaker, K.C.M.G., Chancellor of the Diocese, died in December last, after many years of valuable service to the colony, as Attorney General, Premier, and in other high offices of Statu. lie was a member of the Standing Commission of our General Synod from 1868 to 1874, and again from 86 to the day of his death; and did important work for the CI - arch during those periods, by applying his acute intellect and sound judgment to the decision of questions that were submitted to the Commission. To his ungrudging devotion of time and thought to those questions, even after his bodily strength had become impaired by serious illness, I am able to bear grateful testimony, as chairman of the Commission. Three lay members of the Synod have entered into their rest. Of these, Major William St. Clair Tisdall, who died on April 8, had resided in New Zealand since .1862. During the whole of that tin;o he took an active interest in the work <A '.he Church; but it was in St. Paul's parish, Auckland, that his cooperation was chiefly riven— some years as a churchwarden, and for a longer period as a member of tin? vestry. By the clergyman and church officers of that parish he is, moreover, much missed as a bright example, in his regular attendance at public worship, of the rightful appreciation of the means of grace ; and by all who knew him he was greatly respected as a man of spotless integrity, and of great efficiency in the public service. Mr. John Watkin, who died on June 16, had not been very long in this country. He resided for several years at Russell, where his work as lay-reader and superintendent of the Sunday-school was very efficient and hiarhly appreciated. He was a man of deep religious feeling and consistent Christian life, and will long be remembered with affection % by those to whom he ministered in the Bay Islands district. : Mr. Albert Evelyn Dewes, who died on July 5, came to Auckland in 1881, During the last ten years he held several offices in connection with St. Mary's parish, and in each of them he did good work for the church. 'h He was a young man of much promise, and his place will not easily be filled on the staff of the Cathedral Church. I had intended, as a mark of my respect for Mr. Dewes, and of my confidence in his judgment, to nominate him to the Synod at this time as an assessor of the Bishop s Court. _ Mrs w Mary 'Anne Matthews, who entered into rest on August 18. was the wife of the venerable minister of Kaitaia, of > the Church i Missionary Society, and had been his able coadjutor for nearly 60 years among the

Maoris of that district. Her devotion to the interests of the native race, combined with a perfect * knowledge of their language and customs, fitted her specially for her position, and enabled her to benefit the Maori women of her acquaintance as few others have done, and to win, as she deserved, their gratitude and affection. Some important changes have taken place in our staff of clergy during the past year. The Rev. Thomas Henry Sprott, after five years of faithful and efficient work at St. Barnabas', Mount .Eden, left us in Januarylast for the city of Wellington, where he is incumbent of the cathedral church of that diocese. I was very unwilling to part with Mr. Sprott ; but did not deem it right to try to dissuade him from accepting that important charge, for which I considered him eminently fitted. In all such cases of loss, our consolation must be the fact that the Church is one, and that when one of our dioceses is strengthened the others are strengthened with it. The Revs. A. S. Fox and C. A. Tobin, after faithful and efficient work in extensive country districts, for ten and eight years respectively, have gone to the Diocese of Christchurch. The Rev. G. H. Preston, after holding the incumbency of St. Mary's parish for not quite two years, left us for England in April last. He was much and deservedly respected by his parishioners. The Rev. W. E. Mulgan left New Zealand for Europe in the month of June, on nine months' leave, for the benefit of his health ; which, the Synod will be glad to know, was very much benefited by the long sea voyage. New Clergy.—The Rev. William Hamilton Johnston, M.A., from the Diocese of Derry, has been instituted to tho parish of St. Barnabas'. Mount Eden ; the Rev. George Mac Murray, M.A., from the Diocese of Ballarat, has been instituted to the parish of St. Mary's, Parnell; the Rev. Herbert M. Maynard, 8.A., from the Diocese of London t has been appointed to the Mauku and Waiuku district ; the Rev. Launcelot Healy Outran), 8.A., from the Diecese ot Worcester, has been instituted to the parish of St. Matthew's, Auckland; the Rev. Henry • Puget Raikes, from the Diocese of Wellington, has been appointed to the temporary charge of St. Peter's parish, Ouehunga; the Rev. William Roualdson, from the Diocese of Christchurch, has received from me a preacher's license, and has already rendered much valuable help to the clergy of Auckland ; and the Rev. Frederick W. Walker, ; from the Diocese of Wellington, has been ; appointed to the office of assistant minister of St. Mary's parish. New Plymouth. To each of these clergymen has been given a 1 cordial welcome to the diocese ; «nd it is our earnest prayer that they may in their several vocations, make full proof of their ministry. More Clergy Needed.—We are in urgent need of two more clergymen for parochial districts, and of one for Home Missionary work. These clergymen should be without domestic cares, able and willing to accept a mere maintenance, and fitted for continual travelling. It is uot too much to expect that our junior clergy will, as a rule, remain single for some years, like subaltern soldiers and sailors, and beginners in other professions. The gratuitous ministrations of the Revs. J. K. Davis and W. Roper have been helpful to several of our clergy and congregations. - Lay Readers.— Considering the extent of the diocese, and the widely-scattered population in many of its districts, our staff of clergy is small; but, happily, their ministrations are supplemented by those of an increasing number of lay readers. During the past year licenses have been issued by me to Messrs. John Birnie (of Coromandel), James Boyer Brown (of Tuakau), Edmund Blachford Cox (of Taupiri), Herbert Cummings (of Kawakawa), Charles Arthur Lane (of Rawene), Charles A. Ogle (of Kihikihi), Arthur Short (of Harrisville), Thomas Wilkinson (of Pukekobe), and Francis H. Templer (of North- I cote). I have much pleasure in informing the Synod that excellent work is being done by our lay readers generally, and that their ministrations are for the most part highly appreciated by the congregations. It would be very gratifying to me to be able to report, year by year, that some of our lay readers had presented themselves for examination, in one or more of the subjects appointed annually by the Board of Theological Studies. Our readers are at liberty to choose their own subjects, few or many, from those appointed, and their names would not appear in the ordinary lists of those who have satisfied the examiners. The next examinations will be held in July and August, 1893. The parish clergy would, of , course, be glad to help candidates in their preparation; and the warden of St. John's College, whom we are glad to see among us again in good health, authorises me to say that he will be ready to afford any additional help in his power that such candidates may desire.

St. John's College.— scholars of St. John's College acquitted themselves well at the recent examination of the Board, two of them having obtained the highest places in the subjects of Grade 111. Of the others from this diocese who passed the same examination in August last one was a clergyman senior in years, who had great hindrances to overcome in studying the books prescribed. His success will, I trust, encourage others to do as he has done. Sunday-school Teachers.—All persons holding the office of teacher in our churches or schools should be encouraged to prepare themselves for examination in parts of the Bible, of the Prayer Book, and of Church History. In order that no one may be deterred from such preparation by the dread ot a formal examination, it should be made known, especially to our Sunday-school teachers, that certificates can be awarded to those who have acquitted themselves satisfactorily in any one of the subjects above specified. Few things would give me more pleasure at the next session of our Synod than to be able to report that a large number of our Sunday-school teachers had passed an examination in the Catechism, the Four Gospels, or the Reformation period of Church history. The Sunday-school Board might be instructed by the Synod to make the necessary arrangements for such examinations, in accordance with Resolution VII., clause 21, (a) of the General Synod. Teachers who attend regularly the parish preparation class would not find it difficult to acquire a thorough knowledge of the subjects of such examination; and I assume that every clergyman in charge of a parish or parochial district has a preparation class for the Sunday-school teaching. The Sunday-school that most distinguished itself at the last annual examination for the Bishop's prizes was that of All Saints' parish. The Rev. W. Calder is to be much congratulated on the efficiency of his teaching staff; and on the system by which he provides for this most important department of parish work. One of the safest tests of the efficiency of a Sunday-school is the number of children, arrived at the years of discretion, who from it are presented for confirmation, and the All Saints' School, like some others in the diocese, holds a distinguished position in this respect. Provincial Institutions.—The Hospital, the Home tor the Aged, the Lunatic Asylum, and the Gaol have regularly visited by the clergy, and public worship has been conducted for the inmates, at three of them weekly by clergy and lay brethren. At the Costlev Home our regular lay helpers have been Mr. Cochrane, Mr. Cox, Mr. Morton, and Mr. Pickmere; and the Home has been visited each week by ladies from the several Earishe3 in town, whose sisterly kindness as been much appreciated by the inmates. At the Hospital, Mr. Bridgewater, Mr. Charter, Major Lusk, and Mr. Tunks have been the regular lay helpers; and at the Gaol, Mr. Bridgewater, Mr. wing ton, Mr. E. Hammond, and Mr. E. # W. Williams. As the income of the Selwyn 'memorial fund now exceeds £100 a-year, I hope that a chaplain will soon be appointed to some of these institutions. Our Orphan Home now affords parental care and Christian education to 49 boys and 31 girls, all at present in good health, and reported well of by the matron and the head teacher. The Women's Home is still encumbered with a debt of £175, the balance of the purchase money of the property. A generous churchman has offered to contribute £25 of this sum if the remaining £150 is obtained from other friends before Christmas Day. The pension fund capital on June 30 amounted to £13,026 14s la, having increased by more than £800 during the year. The Diocese of Waiapu, which has for many years been united with us in the pension fund, has not yet joined us in our new scheme of pensions. A parsonage has been built at Stratford, in the Archdeaconry of New Plymouth, with two acres of glebe attached. The Maoris of the Diocese continue to be unrepresented in this Synod by lay members of their own race ; and the General Synod, at its recent session, did not adopt the recommendation of this Synod, that lay members of the native race should, by special provision, be elected to seats in this Synod by the Maori population of the Diocese. The Native Church Board of the Diocese held its annual session in January; and was . "-.tended by twelve Maori clergy and twentysix lay representatives, of whom some had travelled 200 miles to be present at the meeting. Since then three deacons have been admitted to the order of priests, and a new deacon has been'made, bringing up our staff of Maori clergy to thirteen in number. Two more at least are needed for the work of the church in the country south of Cambridge and Te Awamutu. In reference especially to the native population of those parts of this island the General Synod passed the follow- | (ff) Q, S. Jtepwt for 1892, p. M,

I ing resolution : —'* The Synod regards with anxiety the ; present | state and prospects of Christianity among large portions of the Maori, population, and'earnestly*commends to the sympathy and intercession of Christians throughout New Zealand the efforts that are being made for the recovery of those portions of the country which have lapsed from tho faith ; and with a view of giving practical effect to this sympathy, the Synod respectfully requests the bishops .... to set forward efforts towards raising the' sum required, to meet the special grant conditionally promised by the Church Missionary Society with the view of reclaiming the lapsed Maoris." .'>'■• Such missionary work as this is a paramount duty of the Church. We have recently had a visit in Auckland from two accredited officers of the Church Missionary Society, to which this diocese is very greatly indebted; their object having been to stir up the missionary spirit among our people, in the hope that we may be led to take a deeper interest in missions to the heathen in other parts of the world. Our home Christianity must indeed be in a feeble condition, if we are not interested in the spread of the Gospel among those who are ignorant concerning it in all parts of the world ; but, as the apostles were commanded by their Master to begin their work as evangelists among their own couutrymen at Jerusalem, so it is the heathen in these islands who have the first claim on our resources, as true Churchmen, members of the original and permanent Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign lands. St. Andrew's Day.—l will here remind the Synod, and our people generally, that St. Andrew's Day, November 30, or the Sunday following, is the day on which I have asked the clergy to bring specially before their congregations tho responsibility and privilege ot Christian people in the matter of missionary work. Last year I requested our people to give their offerings on our mission day to the native pastorate fund of thediocese, in accordance with the recommendations of the General Synodthat a collection for the Maori Mission should be made annually in every church of the diocese. In response to my urgent appeal, that fund received £60 15s Ba, including contributions from only five Auckland churches, whose collections amounted to £9 12s 2d. I cannot think that the sympathy of all our Auckland people with the work of the Maori clergy is Fairly represented by that sum ; and I trust that an opportunity will be afforded to all our congregations, on the coming Mission Day, of proviug by their liberality that I am not mistaken. In token of the good work that is being clone by our native clergy in charge of districts, 1 have much pleasure in informing the Synod that, since our last _ session, I have received 253 Maories to the rite of Confirtna- , tion. r At St. Stephen's Native School there are at present 53 youths. The behaviour of the school has been very good, as usual ; and the progress made in studies highly satisfactory. Two of our boys obtained the highest places at the recent competitive examination for McLean Scholarships; the senior scholarship being awarded to one of them who is a grandson of our senior Maori clergyman ; the total number of our own Maori people being estimated at 9500. Melanesian Mission.—Next to the lapsed Maoris, the heathoujpeople having the highest claims on the Church of New Zealand, as trustees of the good news of God, are the inhabitants of the islands of the south-west Pacific. Our mission to these Melanesian Islands at the present time calls for all the support that we can give to it; being not only without a Bishop, but with pecuniary means quite inadequate to the work that the Mission would carry on. Happily the acting head of the Mission, the Rev. J. Palmer, in whom all have complete confidence, is able to report hopefully of tho general progress of the work; and his staff of coadjutors has been strengthened by the addition of the Rev. C. W. Browning, and by the ordination of the \ respected doctor of the Mission, Mr. H. P. ! Welshman, I would remind the Synod, and our people generally, that much of the pecuniary help that the Mission would otherwise have received from parts of Australia is now devoted to the Mission to New Guinea, which is rightly regarded as a special responsibility of the Church of Australia. The population of the diocese, according to the last census, is approximately 133,000, as | calculated by Mr. H. G. Seth Smith, M.A., and the Church population 61,000; not including the Maories, whose total number is approximately estimated at 22,000.

Confirmation.—The total number of persons confirmed during the year has been 4578. It has been calculated that 2 per cent, of the population annually reach the age of 11 years, the age at which I am willing, as a rule, on the recommendation of the clergy, to receive young people to this rite. According to this reckoning, the total number of persons confirmed in the diocese during the past twelve months ought to have been not less than 100!). This is a very serious consideration, apart from the fact that those who do uot come to confirmation forego the strengthening of a rite to which, from the earliest times, the greatest importance lias been attached by the Church. Many of our people have come to New Zealand from English dioceses, in which, owing to the vastness of the population, the administration of this rite in particular districts has been comparatively infrequent, and young people who would have been candidates for the rite have left their homes without being presented for the laying on of hands. Such persons when become men and women have often assumed that the rite was not for them, inasmuch as the opening address of our Prayer Book seems to contemplate only " children, being now come to the year 3 of discretion," and those for whom "their godfathers and godmothers promised" certain things in their baptism. This preface was only inserted in the service in 1602, and is doubtless inappropriate to the case of adults and of those who have not had sponsors at their baptism. This fact, however, should not hinder any from coming to confirmation, inasmuch as the preface and the form of the question addressed to the candidates are not essentials of the service. It is to be regretted that an alternative preface and question have not been provided in the service, the Bishop being obliged, as these now stand, to substitute other words when receiving to this rite persons whose circumstances were not contemplated when the existing forms were drawn up. " In the early Church," says the learned Bishop Barry, "confirmation was looked upon as a kind of completion (b) of baptism." Tertullian, writing probably in the ye.-.r a.d. 198, says—after stepping forth fr»rn the font and being anointed, " the (c) Hand is laid upon us, in benediction and inviting the Holy Ghost;" and Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, writing (d) in the year 2:10, says— "A man is not born again through the Imposition of the Hand when he receives the Holy Spirit, but in baptism, so as to be born first and receive the Spirit after, as was the case with the first man Adam/ 1 St. Augustin, speaking of the baptism of a child, says: "He was baptised, he was consecrated, ho was anointed, he received the imposition (e) of the hand." The writer is evidently describing baptism as lie was (J) accustomed to Eerform it, and as Tertufiiaa described it two undted years before him. He nowhere seems to imply that in his time baptism was ever separated from the laying on of hands. As rime went on, however, find the Christian communities increased in number, the laying on of hands became separated from baptism, as the bishop could no longer be present on every occasion. Moreover, infarct baptism became the general rule of the Church, and it seemed more fitting that the laying on of hands should be deferred, until the recipient of the rite was ot an age to appreciate the grace signified thereby. _ Calvin did not object to Confirmation being called a Sacrament, so long as it was not classed "inter ordinaria (g) Sacramenta." Accordingly, those who neglect Confirmation, for themselves or their children, must not suppose that they are disregarding a rite held to be of little value in the early days of Christianity ; and still less that it is a mere bye-law of the modern Church of England—that, before coming to the Lord'j Supper, the Laying on of Hands should 'be received by all, where it may be had. But, independently of the importance of the rite itself, as it is administered in the Church of New Zealand, there are attached to it contingent advantages, which none but the thoughtless can under-value. Before presenting to the Bishop for Confirmation the young men and women of his charge, the clergyman is required, to the best of his ability, to take care that they "can say the Creed, the Lord's Piayer, and the Ten Commandments," and that they purpose " faithfully to observe," in their daily lives, the commands and the principles therein contained. Is there an earnest Christian parent among us, who does not welcome any aid he can obtain, in fixing these truths in the minds and hearts of his children ? And what aid has proved more . effectual to this end than the careful instruction of a competent minister, during the weeks or months of prayerful preparation of his candidates, generally at a most critical time of their lives It is thus \vith those young people who have been brought up ia the nurture and admonition of the Lord, who have lived all their days in homes where God is honoured, and where the parents dwell in uninterrupted communion with the Saviour. What, then, musa it be to others—to the great majority, in whose homes the Bible is rarely opened, family prayer is a thiug un(6) Teacher's Prayer Book. (c)Dehinc raanus imponitur, per benedictionem advocaus et inuitans Spiritum sanctum.— De Baptismo. (<Z) Epiat. lxxiv. 5, foil, (*) Serai, ccauciv. (/) A. J. Mason, D.D.; : (?) Inst, iy„ xiy., 20,.

known, and the first principles of Christianity aire ignored in conduct, if nob left altogether untaught? M"?;; v>- •■ ""■■ ;•■ ' ■■'■■ ; *■ ' The due preparation of our young people for the rite of Confirmation is indeed a unique opportunity—afforded to parents and clergymen— of bestowing a priceless benefit upon them; and we thank God that advantage is often taken of it. r ' . ~ Family Religion.—lf New Zealand is to become a nation exalted by righteousness, now is the time, when the population is comparatively small, to begin the exalting work. And that work is not to be effected mainly by our public educational institutions of whatever kind, or whatever efficiency for their own special purposes. Universities, secondary and primary schools, public libraries, and museums are all most desirable for the increase of knowledge, and the cultivation of the intellect ; but it is in our homes that the main work of training citizens of the highest type is to be carried on, by developing and strengthening the moral faculties of our children, and teaching them to love that which' God commands and to desire that which He promises. It is in their own homes that our sons and daughters are to be taught the principles and practice of Christian unselfishness, —of self-control, for the sake of themselves and others. Anti-Selfishness.—We hear much complaint at the present time of the multiplication of societies and organisations, for the suppression of particular vices and the formation and cherishing of particular habits of virtue. It is hard to say a disparaging word of any benevolent endeavour to induce the young or the aged to cease to do evil and loam to do well; but there is connected with some of them a real danger, namely, lest parents should think that they can make over to others the responsibilities that can only be rightly discharged by themselves — in the moral and Christian training of their children. Gambling houses and other haunts of vice may be suppressed by Act of Parliament, and some of the enticements to evil may be removed; but the root of the mischief will remain, and other noxious growths will perpetually appear, until Christian principles—principles of brotherhood aud anti-selfishness— are instilled into the hearts of our children in their own homes, and the practice of them exemplified in the daily lives of their parents.' Children are, on the whole, what their teachers make them; and their principal teachers are their parents, whether they intend it or not. It is by example more than by precept that principles ot conduct are taught; and the parents' example is ever, surely, if unconsciously, impressed on the character of the children. Believe as we may in the principle of heredity, the surroundings of the young are as influential on character as inherited disposition. We cannot bequeath to them fortunes in self-control, truthfulness, honesty, and purity, and still less of love to God and man, as we can leave them an estate in land or money •or railway debentures. They must grow in these graces as they increase in years and in stature. It is easy to say, " Follow the light, never mind the lantern;" but, not being infallible, wo cannot, like the head of one large section of Christendom be teachers of faith and unselfishness, whilst our own lives are worldly and self-pleasing. The Greatest Good of the Greatest -Whatever differences of opinion there may be as to the proper f unotions of the State, there is perfect unanimity among us as to those of the Church, namely, to promote the greatest good of the greatest number ; and there is as little disagreement as to what that summum bonum is, namely, the love of God and the love of man. To help men to attain to these graces is the unchanging purpose of the Church throughout the world—of the Church of a province, a diocese, a parish, or a household ; aud all our organisations, provincial, diocesan, and parochial, should be more and more adapted to the attainment of this end. A Chapter.—Onp such organisation, venerable and ordinary, we do not yet possess in this diocese, though provision has been made for its institution when we shall see fit to do so, by a Canon (h) of the General Synod, namely, a Cathedral Chapter. The Chapter should be the permanent council of the Bishop, especially in the more spiritual part of his duties, "for the more efficient prosecution of the work of ,the Church;" and each member of it 'should be a diocesan officer, charged with \ some special work for the benefit of the diocese. Chapters have been formed in two of our New Zealand dioceses, and in several of those of Australia; and, so far as I have been informed, every such Chapter has proved a valuable accession to the organisation of the diocese. I think the. time has come for us to institute an Auckland Chapter ; and I shall be glad to know the mind of the Synod on the subject. Chancellor of the Diocese.— with the Chapter, in nearly all the English dioceses, is the responsible office of Chancellor, the duties of which are not the same in every case. With us the Chancellor is the officer who presides in the Bishop's Court; and the office has been held by two of the most distinguished lawyers of New Zealand, namely, the late Mr. William Swainson, first Attorney-General of New Zealand, and Sir Frederick Whitakcr, lately deceased. I have much pleasure in informing the Synod that another distinguished lawyer, to whom the province is already greatly indebted for his services on the Standing Commission, has accepted the office of Chancellor namely, Mr. Edwin Hesketh, the representative in this Synod of the electoral district of St. Mark's, Remuera. Our chancellors in this diocese have, so far, not been called upon to exercise their judicial functions; inasmuch as, owing to the uniformly law-abiding character of our clergy aud lay officers, there has never been a case for trial in the Bishop's Court.

Bishop's Examining Chaplain.— Rev. Jame3 Marshall, M. A., has been appointed one of my examining chaplains. St. Paul's Church, Auckland.—The Synod will be gratified to learn that the parishioners of St. Paul's parish, Auckland, have now a near prospect of seeing their church rebuilt, on a site preferred by them to the site of the former budding. Commendatory Letter.— desire to call the attention of the clergy to a form of commendatory letter, recommended by the Lambeth Conference and approved by the General Synod, which will be found on page 145 of the General Synod report for 1892. It is very desirable that the clergy should furnish members of their charge with such a document, when they are moving from one parish or district to another. Standing Committee.—The report of the Standing Committee will now be laid upon the table; containing a summary of their proceedings during their year of office, and a list of the business to be brought by them before the Synod. I pray that, during tins our session, as at other times, all of us, being ready, (t) may cheerfully accomplish those things that Almighty God would by us hav<i done ; through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. His Lordship's address was listened to with earnest attention. His references to Bishop Selwyn in his illness, to the death of Sir F. Whitakcr, Major Tisdall, Mr. A. E. Dewes, and others were much appreciated, and on several occasions portions of the address were especially applauded. When ho announced the appointment of Mr. E. Heaketh as chancellor of the diocese in succession to the Hon. Mr. Swainson and the Hon. Sir F. Whitaker there was loud applause The Ven. Archdeacon Wills moved that a cordial vote of thanks be accorded to His Lordship for his address, and that he be requosted to allow it to be printed. The motion was seconded and unanimously carried. secretaries. The Rev. Mr. Da vies and Mr. J. D. Jackson were appointed clerical and lay secretaries on the motion of the President. chairman of committees. The Hon. Colonel Haultain was on the motion of the President elected Chairman of Committees. %; treasurer. On the motion of the President Mr. J. Bather was re-elected treasurer. a VISITOR. On the motion of the Rev. Mr. Beatty, the Rev. Mr. Devinish, a visitor from Wellington, was invited to take a seat at the Synod. THE REV. MR. GIFFORD'S CASE. His Lordship presented the report of the Standing Commission arrived at on the 14th of October, at which there were present:— The Bishop of Auckland, Colonel Haultain, Messrs. E. Kssketh, T. Kissling, and H. G. Seth-Smith. The case submitted to the Standing Commission of the Church of the province of New Zealand by the Rev. Algernon Gifford, of Oamaru, in the diocese of New Zealand, was that a difference of opinion had arisen between the Bishop of Dunedin and himself, as to the meaning of "licensed clergy" in clause 1, Title B, Canon 2. He was a clergyman of the Church of England of 42 years standing, and held the cure of St. Luke's, Oamaru, till the beginning of 1890, when owing to failing health he resigned the cure, bub continued to officiate a3 minister within the meaning of the Marriage Act, and at times assisted in the services of his old church. • After his resignation on the 20th " October, 1890, he received a license from the bishop containing the words, " This license does not entitle to a seat in the Synod." These words did nob.appear in the form contained in the General Synod report, 1889, and seem to have been added (A) G. S. Canons, 1892, p. 47. CO Collect for 20th Sunday after Trinity

wibhoub authority, and in contravention of clause 1, Title B, Canon 11., which distinctly provides thab the licensed clergy of the diocese' shall be entitled to seats on the Synod. He did nob receive a summons to attend the .Synod that meb in Dunedin on 3rd November last, bub he went and sab without the bar of the Synod till some decision should have been come to as to his right) to a seat. The Ven. Archdeacon Fenton moved, and the Ven. Archdeacon Beaumont seconded, " That the Rev. A. Gifford be asked to take a seat ab the Synod." It was contended thab the resolution was unnecessary, as the Rev. Mr. Gifford, being a licensed clergyman, was en* titled to a seat by right. This the Bishop* would nob allow, and saichhis ruling musb bo accepted. He would only pub the motion on the distinct understanding thab it was nob to confer the right of voting on the Rev. Mr. Gifford. The motion was carried unanimously, bub Mr. Gifford did nob take his seat, owing to the condition imposed by the bishop. Mr. Gilford believes he is the first clergyman in the diocese holding the bishop's license who has been debarred from taking his seat in the Synod, and he is informed thab in all other dioceses unattached clergy have seats in the Synods of their respective dioceses. The case for the Standing Commission was (1) whether the Rev. A. Gifford is a licensed clergyman within the meaning of clause 1, Title B, Canon II.'; and, if he be so (2) whether he is entitled to both a seat and a vote in the Synod of the diocese of Dunedin. The reply of the Rev. A. Gifford to the reasons given by the Bishop of Dunedin for nob being a party* to the case were considered, and the reasons given by the Bishop did not appear satisfactory to the Commission. The Commission decided, "Thab the Rev, A. Gifford, while holding the license attached bo his statement, is a licensed clergyman within the meaning of clause 1, Canon 11, Title B, and as such is entitled to sit and vote on the Diocesan Synod of Dunedin, notwithstanding the restriction intended to be imposed by the words, - This license does nob entitle to a seab in the Synod,' which restriction the Commission decides that the General Synod has nob authorised a bishop to impose." STANDING COMMITTEES' REPORTS. Mr. Batger said thab he had been appointed to move several resolutions in regard to the Standing Committee's report and accounts, but he would move that these be allowed to stand over until next day. Mr. Chcrton had given notice to move, "That the accounts laid on the table be referred to a select committee for examination and report, the committee to consist of the Rev. L. H. Outran), Messrs. H. W. Bishop, Gilberb King, Rfc Walker, and the mover," and the Rev. Mr. .Beatty now moved that the standing orders be suspended to permit of this motion being taken. Mr. Upton, Mr. Batger, and the Rev. Mr. Doßieu objected, and the motion for the suspension of the standing orders conequently could not be put. The President ruled thab Mr. Batger'a motion was in order. Mr. Speight moved as an amendment, " That a special committee of five be appointed by the Synod to go into the accounts." Mr. Upton opposed the amendment, as he was sure the postponement asked for by Mr. Batger motion would nob waste the time of the Synod, but the contrary. Mr. Speight spoke in support of his amendment, and expressed his belie i: thab the closest scrutiny into their financial affairs was necessary, so that all possible information might bo before the Synod. Mr. Batger said the reports had only now been distributed, and his object was that they should be in the hands of the members until next afternoon, so thab they mighb have time to consider them, and then they could appoint any committee they thought proper to inquire into them. A division was taken on the motion, resulting as follows :— Ayes, Clergy, 19 ; noes, 9. Laity: Ayes, 30; noes, 14. The motion was therefore carried. church GAZETTE. The Rev G. Mac Murray moved, "Thab in the opinion of this Synod the value of the services of the Church Gazette would be largely increased if its popularity was enhanced and the price reduced, and that tho Vens. Archdeacons Dudley and Willis, the Rev. C. M. Nelson, and Messrs. Cochrane, Upton, Speight, and the mover be appointed a committee to report." He suggested means of improving its circulation and decreasing tho price. He believed much might be done to make the Gazette more popular in its reading matter, and he indicated certain ways in which this could be done. As to the price, he said, instead of being 4Jd as ab present ib should only be a penny, and he saw no difficulty in getting a guarantee of 2000 subscribers. Surely there was sufficient interest in the clergy and laity to get the necessary guarantee, and it ought to be issued in its improved form and at its reduced price in January. The Rev. Dr. Purchas seconded the motion, and it was approved by the Ven. Archdeacon Dudley, the right rev. president and others, and was carried without dissent.

The report of the Committee of Management of the Church Gazette was then submitted. It showed that the receipts for the year were £238 13a lOd, and the expenditure £286 Is sd, showing a deficiency of £45 7s 9d. A motion that the standing orders be suspended, in order that the report might be now considered, was lost. women's nOME. The President?, referring to the debt on the Women's Home, said chat the clergy aad contributed, and he had just been handed a cheque by v a layman for £25 towards this fund. The Synod then adjourned until four o'clock on Tuesday afternoon. NOTICES OF MOTION". The following notices of motion were given :— Mr. Kensington to move : 1. " That in the opinion of this Synod it is desirable that all the clergy who are not the incumbents of parishes should have their stipends paid in full monthly by the Diocesan Secretary, and that all contributions and assessment* from parochial or country districts shall Inlaid direct by the local treasurers to the Standing Committee through its secretary, and that the Standing Committee is directed to bring this into force as soon as possible." 2. " That in the opinion of this Synod the time has arrived that a scheme should be formulated for the merging of the whole of the funds and debts of the town parishes, parochial, and country districts into one common diocesan fund, from which all stipends would be paid by the diocesan secretary or treasurer, and all claims for interest or debts met ; and that for the purpose of drawing up such a scheme as shall be acceptable to the diocese, a committee shall be elected by ballot, and to consist of five clerical and five laymen, to sit during the recess and, bring up a report to the next Synod, the Bishop being ex-officio chairman." 3. That it is desirable that the proposed scheme for a ' central fund ' laid on the table with the above resolutions be printed for information and consideration of members of Synod." Proposed scheme for Diocesan Fund, to be considered by committee during recess (suggested by Mr. Kensington) :— " That it is desirable that all the clergy holding cures of souls, or being assistant curates should receive their stipends from one central fund. 2. That every parish—parochial and country district (i.e., the whole diocese) shall pay into the central fund month by month the amount assessed upon them by Synod. 3 The Synod shall assign to the clergy stipends, varying between £120 and £450 per annum , according to the work their cure demands. 4. The Synod shall fix the assessment of the parishes and districts, as well as the assignment of stipend, and adjust the same if necessary at any session. 5. The stipends of the clergy shall be paid monthly from the gross receipts of the central fund on a, pro rata scale according to the nominal fixed amount of each stipend. 6. The assessment made by Synod may be greater than the amount assigned for stipend in any parish, or it may be equal thereto or less than it, as the Synod shall see fit. 7. That all the debts owing by parishes or districts be brought into one general fund, and that the Synod have power to make special assessments upon those parishes or districts in proportion to their debt, together with such further assessment as shall provide a sinking fund for the gradual extinction of the debt. 8. The assessment shall be taken to cover all pecuniary responsibilities each parish or district has to its own incumbent and the diocese in general. 9. Contributions, either in way of endowments, bequests, or subscriptions to the central fund, are to be encouraged from individual churchmen. 10. Any parish or district failing to pay its assessment shall forthwith be visited by the Bishop, Archdeacon, or any delegate, and the local vestry or churchmen be warned to meet him for the I purpose- of special inquiry into the circumI stances of the default, 11, The income from

any endowment given to any special pariah shall, so far as it is used for stipend, be paid to the curate through the central fond, but only the balance between it and the gross nominal amount of stipend, shall be subject to the pro' rata scale of j-j payment. 12. It shall be incumbent on the curate or visiting clergyman to admonish the people of their duty in regard to the whole diocese, esEecially the poorer and more scattered parts, ut there shall be no special collections for the ordinary work of the diocese except the Bishop, advised by the Standing Committee or Synod, ; shall order one i for the general good of the fund, and this he; may do in respect to any one or more parishes or districts as shall seem to be required. 14. This central fund shall not include the Maori clergy nor interfere with special collections, etc., for the Maori and Melanesian missions or other almsgiving specially required for any other purpose inside or outside the diocese." Mr. Luke to move : " That a committee be appointed to consider that section of the President's address that relates to the constitution of a Chapter for this diocese, and to report as soon as convenient, the committee to consist of Archdeacons Dudley, Willis, Revs. Mc Murray, J. Bates, Messrs. Upton, Rice, and the mover." Mr. H. Crispe to move: " That the thanks of this Synod be given to the Rev. W. Roper for the work he has been doing in the districts of Mauku and Waiuku free of charge for nearly two years." Mr. A. Brown to move : " That for the greater encouragement of the masses to attend Divine worship in our churches it is very important that all the seats in them should be absolutely free." Mr. W. H. Churtoh to move : " That the accounts laid on the table be referred to a select committee for examination and report committee to consist of Rev. L. H. Outram, Messrs. H. VV. Bishop, Gilbert King, R. Walker, and the mover." Mr. Mason to move: " That the request of the Whangarei Vestry to the Diocesan Board, dated November, 1891, re rent of the mission land, be granted." The Rev. Frank Gould to move: "1. That it is highly desirable that some definite action be taken in the matter of religious education in Board Schools. 2. That a committee be appointed to consider the advisability of recommending the system of religious instruction adopted in the Board Schools of England. Such committee to bring up its report during the present session." The Rev. W. Beatty to move, "That the thanks of the Synod be given to the Rev. F. Gould for his sermon preached at the opening service." Mr. Thos. Wells to move, " That the Synod take into, consideration the proposal to allow women as well as men to vote at parish meetings, as referred to in the Bishop's address, page 2, and as more fully set forth in the Bill of the Bishop of Waiapu, and printed in the last General Synod report, page 148." Mr. W. H. Churton to move: " That the report of the manager of the Church Gazette be now taken into consideration." ORDERS FOR TUESDAY. At four o'clock Standing Committee's report and accounts to be be considered; also, accounts and reports of the General Trust Board, the Diocesan Pension Board, St. John's College Trust, General Church Trust, and Melanesian Trust. FOR WEDNESDAY. At seven o'clock — Election of Standing Committee also of Auditors, Sunday School Board, Committee under Regulation No. 112.