CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12408, 22 October 1903, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN SYNOD.

REVISION OF THE PRAYER BOOK.

[BY telegraph.—press association.]

Chrisichurch, Wednesday. The Diocesan Synod passed a motion, "That the Standing Committee should bo requested to inquire into the mode of letting seats iift churches where pew rents obtain and report, to the next session of the Synod." Bishop Julius said he hoped to see the time when pew rents would be abolished, and other members spoke strongly against the seat-renting system. It was decided to recommend the General Synod to support to the utmost of its power, the proposed congress of the Anglican Communion in London ia 1908.

[BI telegraph.—own CORRESPONDENT.] j CHKI3TOHTIROH, Wednesday. The question of the revision of the Prayer Book was brought up in the Synod by the Rev. F. H. Purchas; who moved, (1) ".That some discretionary power should be given to the clergy in the matter of using special prayers, and in the selection of the Psalms, and lessons'/and also that there might well be some revision of portions of the Prayer Book not affecting doctrine;" (2) "That the Synod hopes that the representatives of the diocese will impport a motion in the General Sy:aod for a reform in this direction." He said that some of the words in the present Prayer Book were not understood by the people, so that some relief would have to come before long. Several of the set 'lessons which the clergy were bound! to read could well be replaced by others. The sense of the Synod was against the motion. Mr. G. Harris said that at the last General Synod the danger of tinkering with the rubric was pointed out, and the feeling of the Synod was that any alteration should come first from the Church at Home. Several motions with reference to a revision of the Prayer Book were proposed in the last General Synod, but were lost. Archdeacon Harper explained that the reason why such motions had been rejected was because it was considered that such action would under the present fundamental provisions of the constitution lie ultra vires. Accordingly, he had given notice to move at the next General Synod for leave to introduce a Bill to amend the constitution in such a manner as to provide for the necessary autonomy of the Church of the Province of New Zealand. Until that Bill was passed no proposal for the revision of the Prayer Book could bf» dealt with, by the New Zealand Church. Mr. H. W. Bishop said the matter was of such enormous importance to the Church, that it had no right to be forced upon the Synod at a late stage in its session when many members were absent. Mr. H. D. Andrews said that ho could not support the motion before the General Synod. He considered that ample power was given already for the selection of special lessons and Psalms. Canon / Pascoe hoped that dr. Purchas would withdraw the motion, and this was done.