The Pulpit.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 214, 16 October 1875, Page 8

The Pulpit.

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND DIOCESAN SYNOD. Friday, October 8. The Synod assembled at half-past 7 o’clock. The following members of the Synod were present: The President. Clergy : The Clerical Secretary, Revs. B. W. Harvey, A. Knell, J. F. Teakle, J. DleWilliam, A. Towgood, C. A. S. Nicholls, B. K. Taylor, J. A. Newth. Laity : The Lay Secretary, Colonel Gorton, Dlessrs. J. D. Cruickshank, C. P. Powles, J. W. A. Dlarchant, F. Robinson, A. W. F. Halcombe, A. B. Sheath, R. Hunter, and G. Beetham. The President opened the proceedings with prayer. The minutes of the former session being read and confirmed, the Rev. B. W. Harvey read the report of the committee on parochial accounts, showing the total ordinary receipts to be £3711 7s. Id., as against £2396 3s. 2d. for last year, showing an increase of £1315 3s. lid. or an increase of nearly 55 per cent. The total of special receipts was £3075 ss. 10d., as against £1561 95., being an increase of nearly cent, per cent. ; while the total excess of liabilities over assets this year is only £2OB 35., as against six times that amount, or £1249 11s., for last year.

The Clerical Secretary read the interim report of the committee appointed to revise the Acts, resolutions, and standing orders of the Synod. The Rev. F. Fancocrt read the report of the committee appointed to consider the regulations regarding the issue of licenses for the erection of enclosures in burial grounds, and gave notice of motion thereon. The Clerical Secretary moved, and the Rev. B. W. Harvey seconded, that the report of the standing committee upon the balancesheet of the Pension Fund capital account and the balance-sheet of the Endowment Fund be printed in the report. Carried.

Lieutenant-Colonel Gorton, in moving that the offertories received on the last Sunday in each year be devoted towauds raising the Bishop’s stipend up to £BOO, said that he considered it a scandal that the Bishop of the diocese should receive so small a stipend as £SOO a year, especially when his high character and attainments were taken into consideration. When a vacancy should occur in the bishopric at a future time he anticipated that it would be impossible for the Synod to offer a sufficient remuneration to a clergyman of high attainments, who, from the character of the diocese, must necessarily incur considerable travelling expenses, in addition td the need that existed for a Bishop to be placed beyond the reach of pecuniary embarrassment. Rev. B. W. Harvey seconded the motion. The Ven. Archdeacon Stock entirely agreed with the remarks that had fallen from Colonel Gorton, and he thought that the Bishop should not consider it altogether as a personal matter, but as one pertaining to his office as a Bishop. Dlessrs. Quick and Hunter followed in support of the motion. The President felt thankful for the kindly feeling that the Synod had expressed towards himself. He, however, thought that it would have been perhaps better for the matter to have been discussed in committee, and in his absence, as it was just possible that some members of the Synod might have been fettered in the expression of their opinions on account his being present during the discussion. He however thought that if the motion were carried, it would establish a bad precedent, as he considered that the stipend of the Bishop should be assured, as it might happen that the Bishop might feel it to be his duty to carry out some measure in the interest of the Church which might at the same time be exceedingly unpopular, and' in such a case he might be menaced with coercion of a pecuniar}' character. On the whole he would much rather see the motion withdrawn, especially as there were probably some clergymen in the diocese to whom the abstraction of the offertory as proposed might be an inconvenience. The Synod having given Colonel Gorton the option of introducing the motion at another time and in another form, that gentleman withdrew the motion. The Synod then resolved itself into a committee of the whole for the purpose of considering the draft Bill for Lay Representatives. The Synod adjourned until 7.30 p.m, on Dlojiday next. Dlonday, October 11. The Synod assembled at 7.30 this evening. The following members were present : —The President. Clergy: The Clerical Secretary, Revs. B. W. Harvey, A. Knell, J. DleWilliam, T. Fancourt, A. Towgood, C. H. S. Nicholls, and B. K. Taylor. Laity : The Lay Secretary, Colonel Gorton, Dlessrs. W. DI. Bannatyne, H. T. Clark, W. A. Fitzherbert, G. Beetham, E. W. Lowe, C. P. Powles, R. S. Barton, J. W. A. Dlarchant, F. Robinson, A. W. F. Halcombe, G. Hunter, G. Didsbury, and T. Buchanan. The President having opened the proceedings with prayer, the minutes of the previous session were read and confirmed. The interim report of the committee to revise acts and resolutions of the Synod was read. It was then moved by the Rev. B. W. Harvey, and seconded by Mr. W. DI. Bannatyne, that the report of the committee on the accounts from parishes and parochial districts be printed in the report of the Synod. Dir. 11. T. Clarke moved, —1. That there should be one hymnal in use in all the churches in the diocese. 2. That the hymnal published under the authority of the General Synod, and now in use many of our churches, is quite inadequate. 3. That a committee be appointed to meet during the recess to make a selection of hymns from other compilations,

suitable for divine worship, to be submitted for the approval of the Bishop. The committee to consist of the Yen. Archdeacon Stock, Revs. Harvey and Fancourt, Messrs. Bannatyne, Beetham, Pearce, and the mover. The llcv. A. Towgood said that one objection he had to make to many of the hymns contained in the hymnal at present in general use in the diocese was that they were incapable of being set to any known tune, and that they were named hymns of an impossible metre by his parishioners from this circumstance.

The Rev. B. W. Harvey admitted that the hymnal at present in use was not very acceptable to himself. He understood at one time that its use was enjoined by the Synod ; but when he discovered that its use was not so authorised, its defects became still more apparent. He however thought it unadvisable for the Synod to make a new compilation, and said that perhaps “ Hymns Ancient and Dlodern ” would meet with the approval of the Synod. But the plan that most commended itself to his mind was, that each parish should have liberty to choose its own hynmbook, subject to the approval of the Bishop.

Lieut.-Colonel Gorton moved as an amendment that the Synod enjoin the use of “Hymns Ancient and Dlodern.” The President opposed both the motion and the amendment, as lie thought that sufficient notice had not been given for the consideration of the subject. He was not aware that the General Synod had sanctioned the use of the hymnal. With reference to the proposal that it should be optional with the churches throughout the diocese to choose their own hymnals, he would like to know whether this option would be exercised by the clergymen or the parishioners, or both of these combined. While the use of hymnals was not expressly enjoined by the Prayer Book, he thought they were useful as affording a safety-valve, if he might be allowed to use the expression, for the quasi-heretical opinions which he believed lurked in the minds of most persons. He thought it, however, better for the matter to stand over for the consideration of the General Synod. The Yen. Archdeacon Stock opposed the amendment, on the ground that “ Hymns Ancient and Modem ” taught doctrines totally opposed to the teachings of the Prayer Book. He would therefore oppose the amendment most strongly. He believed the hymnal at present in use to be generally acceptable, and he thought that objections were raised against the book not so much on account of the hymns themselves as against the tunes to which they were wedded ; While, on the other hand, “Hymns Ancient and Dlodern” were more popular because they were sung to tunes of an exceptionally excellent character. He was decidedly in favor of the subject being held over for the deliberations of the General Synod. Dir. Quick opposed both the motion and the amendment. As far as he recollected, there never was any unanimity in the Christian Church on the subject of any given hymnal as to whether it was suitable or not for congregational use. Dir. Clark said that the object he had in view in bringing the motion before the Synod was solely to obtain an expression of its opinion on the subject. He agreed -with the venerable Archdeacon that some of the hymns in “Hymns Ancient and Dlodern,” were really objectionable. In accordance with the general opinion of the Synod, he would ask leave to withdraw the motion.

The motion was accordingly withdrawn

The Venerable Archdeacon Stock asked the President whether the Dlaori Church of the diocese has made or is making any provision for the support of its ministers ? The Rev. Dir. McDVilliam said, in reply, that in his distinct there were two Dlaori clergymen at work, and that any surplus that remained of his offertories were applied towards their maintenance. As they were known to possess private means, the contributions towards their support were very scanty. A new church had been erected at Otaki ; and in several other villages new churches were being erected. In the year 1869 the natives in Rangitikei had offered to make over several thousands acres of land, which would have formed a sufficient endowment for carrying on church work in that district. It was afterwards found that the Dlaoris had no legal authority to convey the land as a church endowment. On the motion of the Rev. T. Fancourt, the Synod ordered the report of the committee appointed to consider the regulations regarding the issue of licenses for the erection of enclosures in burial grounds to be printed. The Act for the election of lay representatives was read a third time and passed. The Lay Secretary moved that standing order No. 12 he suspended, in order that the resolutions attached to the reports might bo passed quickly through the Synod. The Synod resolved itself into committee to take into consideration various suggested corrections in these resolutions, and afterwards adjourned until next day at 7.30 p.m. Tuesday, October 12. The Synod assembled at 7.30 p.m. this evening. Present—The President. Clergy : The Clerical Secretary ; Revs. B. W. Harvey, C. H. S. Nicholls, A. Knell, J. A. Newth, W. Ballachcy, J. DleWilliam, A. Towgood, T. Fancourt, B. K, Taylor. Laity : The Lay Secretary ; Dlessrs. E. W. Lowe, J. D. Cruickshank, W. Fitzherbert, C. P. Powles, R. S. Barton, J. W. A. Dlarchant, C. C. Graham, F. Robinson, 11. Hunter, 11. Clarke, W. DI. Bannatyne, and Colonel Gorton. The President having opened the proceedings with prayer, the minutes of the session of the previous day were read and confirmed. The Treasurer submitted to the Synod the balance-sheet of the Wellington Diocesan Fund for the year ending 30th September, 1575, showing the gross receipts to be £1441 14s. 2d., and an expenditure of £631 Gs. 7d., leaving a credit balance of £BIO 7s. 7d. The treasurer gave notice of motion to have the report printed.

Lieutenant-Colonel Gorton moved, and the Rev. B. W. Harvey seconded, —“That a sub-committee of the Synod does sit during the recess, to consider the best means to be adopted for procuring an immeddiate increase to the stipend of the Bishop of the diocese to a sum not less than £BOO per annum, and for establishing a Bishopric Endowment Fund. The sub-com-mittee to have power to add to their number from outside tho Synod, and to report next session. To consist of the Ven. Archdeacon Stock, Rev. B. W. Harvey, Dlessrs. Pearce, Halcombe, Clark, Quick, Pharazyn, Bannatyne, and the mover ; three to form a quorum.” Carried. The Rev. T. Fancourt brought up the recommendations of the committee appointed to consider the regulations regarding the issue of licenses for the erection of enclosures in burialgrounds. After some discussion the recommendations were withdrawn. On the motion of the Ven. Archdeacon Stock, the Synod directed that the Standing Committee have power to apportion the expenses of the Synod among the parishes and parochial districts of the diocese. On the motion of Dir. Quick, it was determined that it be a direction to tho Printing Committee to furnish correct copies of schedules A C D E, as directed by report of 1872.

The Synod confirmed the two following motions, which were introduced by Dir. Powles : —“ That resolution No. 3on electoral districts be expunged, being rendered unnecessary by the passing of an Act to make provision for the election of lay representatives to the General Synod. That a standing order be passed to the effect that no Bill shall be brought into the Synod except by leave or order of the Synod ; but when such leave or order shall have been given, the Bill may be read a first time forthwith on motion without notice.”

In reply to Dir. Didsbury’s question whether any steps had been taken by the Standing Committee in the matter referred to in their report to the Synod last year, namely, the preparation of a scheme for a General Pension Fund for all the dioceses ; and if so, whether he would cause a copy of such proposed scheme to be laid before the Synod ? The Ven. Archdeacon Stock said that nothing had been done in the matter. It had been found impossible hitherto to collect the forms that had been issued to the clergy, as there appeared to be a general reluctance to answer the questions propounded in those forms. He thought, therefore, that there would be great difficulty in instituting a General Pension Fund. The Pension Fund in the diocese of Wellington had at the present time a capital of £I6OO, and it thus compared very favorably with other dioceses in this respect. The Synod then resolved itself into committee, to consider certain proposed alterations in Acts 1, 3, and 4 ; and .adjourned until 7.30 p.m. this day. Wednesday, October 13. The Synod assembled at 7.30 p.m. The President having read prayers, the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. It was moved by the Clerical Secretary, and seconded by the Lay Secretary, that the new clause 8, Act 1, be read a third time.— Carried. On the motion of Dir. C. P. Powles, the Synod ordered the balance-sheet of the Diocesan Fund to be printed. The Rev. B. W. Harvey suggested that the balance-sheet should be divided so as to show separate accounts, with appropriate titles, and the receipts under each head, the expenditure, and the balance in hand or otherwise. After some discussion, the balance-sheet as read was ordered to be printed in the report of the proceedings of the Synod. Dir. C. C. Graham, in moving that the stipends of clergymen where they did not amount to £l5O should be supplemented to that amount out of the Diocesan Fund, said that he did not wish to make any invidious observations, but he would say that such an augmentation was specially needed by the clergy in country districts, where the population is frequently sparse, but where the parishioners often contribute more largely in proportion to their means than do the residents in towns. He considered it scandalous that any minister of the Church should receive so small a stipend as £l5O per annum, an amount which is commonly earned by any skilled artisan.

After several members had spoken in support of the motion,

The President said that he entirely agreed with the opinions expressed, but doubted whether it was competent for the Synod to deal with the Diocesan Fnnd in the manner _ proposed. He thought that if the motion were carried it would have a bad effect, especially in the country districts. For if tho people knew that any deficiency in the clergyman’s stipend would bo made up by the Synod, it would have the effect of relaxing their efforts towards supporting their minister. It must always be remembered in considering these matters that the minister is supported by purely voluntary contributions, and he thought that any scheme which would have the effect of weakening the spirit of self-reliance amongst the parishioners throughout the diocese would greatly hinder the work of the Church. The Church in New Zealand was a voluntary Church, and the situation must be accepted with its advantages and disadvantages. The motion was withdrawn for the present by leave of the Synod. The Rev. T. Fancourt asked leave of the Synod to introduce tho following alteration in Act IV. : —That tho following clause be substituted for clause 18 : “The formation and management of the choir and the selection and practice of Church music shall be subject to tho control of the curate of the parish. In case of any disagreement between the curate and the congregation, an appeal may be made to the Bishop, whose decision shall be final,”

and that standing order 19 be suspended, to enable it to pass through all its stages. A discussion ensued as to whether the leave asked for be granted as prayed. When the Synod however came to divide on the question, it was found that there was no quorum. The Synodadjourneduntil 7.30 p.m. next day. Thursday, October 14. The Synod assembled at 7.30 p.m. The following members were present : The President. Clergy: The Clerical Secretary, Revs. B. W. Harvey, J. McWilliam, B. IC. Taylor. Laity : The Lay Secretary, Messrs. W. M. Bannatyne, E. W. Lowe, J. W. A. Marcliant C. P. Powles, R. Hunter, and Colonel Gorton. The President having read prayers, The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The President read a circular which he had received from the Archbishop of Canterbury, suggesting that special services commemorative of missionary work might be celebrated on St. Andrew’s Day in the various churches throughout the diocese. The President believed that special services would be held on that day in all the churches of the Anglican communion throughout the world. Mr. McWilliam’ s report on the state of the Maori Church was ordered to be printed in the appendix to the report of the Synod. The following motion was proposed by the Clerical Secretary, and carried :—When a report is brought up by a select committee it shall be read and laid upon the table. Notice of motion to be given if the committee wish the report to be printed in the Synod proceedings. If the report contain any resolutions, notice of motion must be given, that they may be discussed in the Synod. Mr. C. P. Powles, in the absence of Mr. C. C. Graham, in introducing the annexed resolution, said that though not entirely agreeing with Mr. Graham’s motion, he thought that some efficient plan should be adopted for canvassing the diocese. He would therefore suggest that the standing orders committee be requested to take the matter in hand during the recess, and report thereon to the next Synod. He then read the motion, which was as follows :—'That it be a further recommendation to the sub-committee appointed to consider the best means of augmenting the Bishopric Fund, that they also consider the best means of organising some systematic means of raising a regular general church fund, more particularly with a view to an increase in the stipends of clergymen in country parishes or parochial districts.

The motion was put to the Synod and lost, when the following amendment, proposed by Colonel Gorton, was adopted,—That it be a recommendation to the Standing Committee to consider the best means for organising a system for increasing the Diocesan Fund, with a view of assisting the outlying districts.

The Rev. B. W. Harvey moved the following resolution:—That standing order No. 19 shall not be suspended on motion with notice, if any one member of the Synod objects. In support of the motion he drew attention to the two forms in which the Synod legislated on the various matters brought under its consideration, namely, by resolutions and by Acts. The first method was used where the subject was of minor importance, while graver matters were disposed of by Acts. An Act is passed through several stages before it is confirmed. He had recently discovered that an Act might be passed as an ordinary resolution, if notice of objection to it by one member had been lodged the evening previous, and asking for the suspension of standing order No. 19. After some discussion, the Synod negatived the motion.

The President having expressed himself satisfied with the way in which the business of the session had been gone through, and commended the increased interest in their work manifested by the members, closed the session with the benediction.