THE ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9341, 4 February 1892, Page 2

THE ANGLICAN SYNOD.

(Per United Pbess Association.)

Wellington, February 3.

The twelfth session of the General Synod of the Church of the Province of New Zealand was opened in the Education Board's Buildings this afternoon. The Primate (Bishop Hadfield) presided, and the representatives from the, diocese of Dunediu present were:—Bishop Nevill, Revs. Fitchett, Howell, and King, Messrs Ritchie, Allen, Lubecki, and Quick. I

The Primate, in his address, which was of considerable length, referred with regret to the absence of Bishop Suter and Bishop Selwyn, and read a letter from the latter stating that as two distinguished surgeons had distinctly given an opinion that he could never again be fit for the work he had been engaged in, he sorrowfully forwarded his resignation us Bishop of Melanesia. After referring with regret to Bishop Suter's illness, the primate went on to deal with subjects which were engaging the attention of other colonial churches. He then went on to refer to the question of the establishment of a Theological College for the whole province: He said it was obvious that persons competent to teach such subjects as Latin, Greek, and Hebrew could not be provided in separate diocesan colleges, and in his opinion a Theological College for the whole province was urgently needed. Such an institution was almost indispensable to the future prosperity of the church. He then went on to refer to the proposal recently made in Parliament to facilitate divorce. Though they might not be able to arrest the extension, the church might direct her own people in this matter. He had long held that divorce, implying liberty to marry another, was not justifiable. After carefully studying Scripture on the subject, he concluded that the marriage of either party during the lifetime of the other was absolutely forbidden by the Word of God. Touching on education, he said he could not offer any new suggestion in regard to thu State system of primary schools. He could only express his fear that the result of that system would if persevered in prove injurious to the well being of the colony. Moral teaching without any religious foundation would never develop a moral character capable of resistance to the strain which the temptations of modem society offered, especially to the young. In its political aspect the present system of education was indefensible, because it taxed a large portion of the people for that which they regarded as injurious to their children, aud which consequently was repugnant to their convictions. In the present circumstances he could see no other course than to make every possible effort to establsh church schools. The Primate remarked that it was difficult to say

anything definite as'to the present state of religion among the Maori population. In some parts of the colony progress was satisfactory, but in others it was not so. ' The apparently interminable land question -tended to distract the thoughts of the Natives and produce illwill among, them, and moreover to impair: their feeling of loyalty. The canon establishing Native church boards had been found useful in some dioceses, and possibly as they advanced in knowledge these boards might prove highly beneficial. The time would come, probably at no very distant period, when all pecuniary aid from all extraneous sources would cease, and it might then become necessary that the synod should take mto consideration the special needs of the Maori- members of the church. In leaving this subject the Primate expressed regret that more interest was not taken m the religious condition of the original population of these islands. Referring to the Melanesian mission, he said the resignation of Bishop Selwyn had made it necessary to appoint a successor, and the members of the Melanesian Mission had resolved: to delegate the nomination to the Archbishop of Canterbury, together with Bishop Selwyn and. Dr Codrington. He had to inform the synod that the Yen Archdeacon Mules had been nominated tl S?? of Nelson »y the synod of the diocese, and that he (the Primate) had received from a majority of the Standing Committees of the dioceses the confirmation of his nomination. On the motion of Bishop Cowie, seconded by Bishop Nevill, a vote of thanks was passed to the Primate for his address, and he was requested to allow it to be printed in the official report of the proceedings. ( The Rev. M. C. Nelson was elected clerical secretary, Mr James Allen lay secretary, Mr C. V. Powles treasurer, and Colonel Haultain chairman of committees: • ' •': ..^x^^ 011 Har l>er gave notice to move— w ?v! m *he °Pln»°n of this synod it is desirable that the Education Act should be amended so as to contain a provision for grants-in-aid of the maintenance of schools set on foot by any religious denomination, provided that the secular instruction given in such schools shall come up to the required standards and satisfy the Government inspectors ; and, further, that, the Legislature be petitioned to the foregoing effect. ° . °

The Bishop of Waiapu gave notice to move for leave to bring in a bill to amend the canons in such a manner that women as well as men shall be permitted to vote at parish meetings. : Ihe Dean of Waiapu gave notice of motion expressing the deep loss which the diocese of Melanesia and province of New Zealand have sustained through the resignation of Bishop Selwyn. . The synod adjourned at 4.20 p.m.