DIOCESAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4407, 13 July 1901, Page 3

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The session of tb© Anglican Synod was continued in the Diocesan Library the "motion of Mr G. E. Tolhurst, the question of appointing a bursar who should discharge the office and other work of the various trusts was re. ferred to the Reports Committee. The Rev C. C. Harper moved to the effect that the Standing Committee be elected by ballot. The motion was carried on the voices. It was also resolved, “That the maximum number of the committee shall be seven clergymen and nine laymen.” A new method of recording the votes at divisions was .adopted on the motion of Mr G. Wheeler.

The president, in reply to a question asked for the Rev P. C. W Earee, read the following statement by the Chancellor in regard to the Offertories Act: —“ It appears to me that the expression ‘licensed place of worship’ where used in section 2 of Act No. 12 of the Diocesan Synod has no signification at present in this diocese, inasmuch as you have not yet licensed a place of worship other than a church._ I assume’ that what is contemplated is a place intend* ed for public worship but not yet consecrated. Such buildings exist in the diocese, and are used regularly for public worship, and might, of course, be licensed by you as an ad interim step, if you thought fit, thus giving them some kind of status as being different from merely secular buildings, though not having the sacred character which is. given by consecration.” The Synod adjourned till 4 p.m. on Monday.

■ A conference in connection with the meeting of Synod was held yesterday evening in St. Peter’s Schoolroom, Ghuznee street. About a hundred and fifty persons were present. The first subject considered was that of keeping young men for the Church. The Rev w. C. Waters, who had been announced as the opening speaker, was too unwell to be present. The Rev J. D. Russell therefore introduced the subject. He spoke of the value of the personal influence of clergymen, wjjose residences should, he held, always be open to young fellows. He also dealt with methods of drawing young men and keeping them in touch with them. On e thing whioh he had found most useful was a Sunday afternoon “At Home,” at which informal discussions on subjects of interest wer© held. There was no better way of keeping young men than to give them something t© do, in the choir, the Sunday school, the Bible class or some other branch of Church work. The Rev J. L. Dove laid stress upon th© importance of making young men feel that they were members of the oldest union among men. and by far the most powerful union that the world had ever seen. The period from thirteen years to twenty-five years in men’s Tves was the age of rebellion. They were then conscious of-new powers, which had a tendency to drive them from home and the Church. Clergymen should then treat them with strength and sympathy, and, above all. as men —strong men. There should bo no ccrifusion between small fov.'ts and moral wrongs.,. Tf the officers of the church wished to do anything with young men. they should catch their leaders. Tha Rev A. S. Innes-

Jones recommended the Church Lads Brigade. Mr K. V ilsou said the work under consideration was one which should be taken part in by every man and woman : it was not solely for Bio clergy. If the father stayed in bed on Sunday morning, reading a novel, and wont to the golf course in the afternoon, wars it unnatural that the son should be disinclined to go to Sunday school or Bible class ? Tho Revs A. W. H. Corap. ton and H. B. Cowx and Mr E. Balcombe Brown also spoke. The Bishop of Wellington said the lessons that he learnt at Cambridge were never to be sarcastic with young men, not to see everything, or, rather, not to speak of everything one saw them do, to seize fitting opportunities ©f speaking to them about religion, and, above all, to love them.

Tlie Rev F. Bennett, speaking of mission work among the Maoris, said that much interest was at present being ta. ken by Europeans in the native race. His recent travels in the North and South Islands had shown him that there was a great deal of latent interest among Europeans, which only wanted developing to show itself in some practical form. Referring to the latest census, lie said he was afraid that the increase shown in the return of the Maori population was very largely due to the subenumerators. A largo number of persons who were qualified to judge were satisfied that there had not been a fur ther decrease, but the reported increase was a little bit too much for them to believe. Continuing, Mr Bennett said they' hoped for the time when Maori clergymen would be so educated and trained that they would bo able, to stand shoulder to shoulder with their pakeha brethren. He emphasised the necessity for the bettor education of Maori girls. Mr A. t G Ngata, travelling secretary of tho “ Young Maori 'Party,” explained its objects and work, in an interesting speech. He stated that .since it began operations it had put into the Church as clergy seven men, and it had eight reading for holy orders.