ANGLICAN GENERAL SYNOD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4662, 26 January 1877, Page 2

ANGLICAN GENERAL SYNOD.

[By Telegraph.] Nelson, January 25th, The Anglican General Synod opened at 11 to-day with service, at the Cathedral. Five Bishops, one Dean, three Archdeacons, and nine other clergymen took part. The service was choral; the Bishops and clergymen walked in procession through the street in full robes. At [four o'clock they assembled in the Provincial Hall, when The Primate delivered an address ol considarable length. He first referred to the loss sustained by ihe Church in the resignation of the Bishop of Waiapu, who had been identified in the work of the Church for more than 50 years —first as missionary, then as chief pastor of the Diocese. Bishop Williams was the first Bishop consecrated in the Church of Australia. His consecration signalised the first meeting of the General Synod, and at each meeting he had taken his place as one of the most trusted and valued counsellors. No steps as yet had taken to fill up the vacancy.- It is not an easy matter, as it requires especially a Bishop well acSuainted with the language and customs of tke Tatiye people, numbering 17,000, who have provided such a small endowment as exists. The plan proposed ior raising; by benefactions, in land or money, funds for the necessary Church purposes, especially the General Bishopric endowments as recommended by last Synod, was submitted by circular to the several dioceses, but met with no success. This is attributed not to any unwillingness to assist in any such object, but to a preference for assisting other objects of local interest rather than of more general character.

Resolutions on the Formularies Alteration Bill. have been forwarded by the dioceses of Well'ngton, Nelson, Christchurch, and Waiapu. All agree in assuming' thSChurch of New Zealand has power to make alterations not affecting doctrine, which, from altered circumstances, may be necessary ; also, in the necessity for some restraint on the Exercise of Power Bill, which prescribes that every alteration of formulas must be proposed at one General Synod, accepted by a majority of the Diocesan. Synods, and fully agreed to at the next General Synod. This involved a delay of nearly six years, and appears unduly to limit the power of the New Zeaiand Church as given by the Constitution. He (the Primate) claimed for the Church of New Zealand full independence in all matters which concern her work and mission, even to the extent of altering all tha present, service and revising the present version;. of the Bible ; but it was expedient that the exercise of independence be duly regulated, and a too hasty adoption of any alteration prevented. , Still they must be careful not to tie their hands to a "probable hindrance of workin these islands, lie thought that reference to Diocesan Synods, except for information oran expression or means, might be dispensed with, and that the General Synod, as representing the whole Church of the Ecclesiastical Province, should take upon itself the whole responsibility, rejecting or accepting any alteration in service or formulary. The Board of Theological Studies had held two examinations. since the last Synod met, which;had given" a stimulus to the study of theology; and helped to raise an intellectual standard of clerical attain-' ments. It had been proposed to maka a public.. presentation of a certificate of proficiency to those candidates who had passed so creditably. Those admitted to the ministry should be qualified by learning as well as godliness to exercise their office duly. Too much attention could.: not be given to intellectual culture in all branches of knowledge, secular arid sacred, provided the former did not draw the mind away from the latter; but a s'ipply of sufficientpersons for the ministry was even of. greater import nice, and-it was possible that without : large theological knowledge and general culture men would be found by no means unfit for the work of evangelists and pastors. The want of men to meet present; exigencies was felt and acknowledged on all sides, and the question was one of vital favour of allowing deacons to engage in secular callings. The endowment of the Church being inadequate to maintain a sufficient number of clergy, the Church Would be a-.. gainer by admitting to the diaconate laymen of known piety to exerciße the functions without remuneration as assistants of parish priests in special directions, Reference was made to the--necessity of Diocesan Courts and Court of Appeal; also, to the proposed Lambeth Conference and thft Melaaesian Mission, the consecration of a Bishop to the See of Melanesia Would be among the duties of the present session, and the llev. J. R. Selwyn had beea nominated by the members of the mission. -,• A vote of thanks to the Primate for his address was passed, and it was ordered to be- ■ printed. , The Rev. Mr Ronaldson was appointed Clerical Secretary, and A, Ollivier Lay Secretary ; J. W. Barnicoat, Chairman of Committees; R. B. Lusk, Treasurer. ;-■ It was resolved that the Synod meet daily(excepting Saturday) from 4 till 6 p.m., and. again at 7.30. .. ' ■ Several notices of motion were given, and the-; Synod adjourned at 6 till 4 to-morrow.