ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13424, 26 October 1905, Page 2

ANGLICAN SYNOD.

AFTERNOON- SESSION. Tho Synod of tho dioeeso of Dunedin resumed its sittings at St. Paul's* Schoolroom yesterday afternoon, the Primate pre. siding. • THE SAMUEL MARSDF.X MSJIORIAL. Dr Hofken moved, in accordance with notice of motion—"That this Synod assists in tho measures recently initiated at tho Synod',o£ the diocese ol Auckland with a view to tho erection of a suitable memorial to tho Rev. Sjjjnuel Mnrsden, who first introduced Oliristinnity into New Zealand, ami preached tho' first sermon at Rangilioua, •in tho Bay of Islands, ou tho 25th Ueccmljer, 1814." The mover said lie sincerely hotjetl members of tho Synod would accord their sympathy and assistance in this suggestion for u memorial, which con'cernotl not merely tho Anglican' Church, but nil Christ inn jicoplo in New Zealand. At t.ho beginning of the year Archdeacon Walsh (of Waimato North) nnd himself made a pilgrimage to the historic swot in, the Bay of. Islands wliero tho Ecv. Samuel -Marsdoa preached his first sermon to a group of wandering savages, who understood iiot a word that was being said to them, but to whom the sentences .were translated by a chiof who had spent some months with Mr Marsdcu in Sydney, and had thus acquired somo knowledge "of the English tongue. The archdeacon and lie discussed the proposition to raiso some memorial to him who had been well called the "Apostle of Now Zealand," and it was most fatisfaotory to know that not only did Archdeacon Walsh broach tho matter at the Auckland Synod, recently held, hut that it was most enthusiastically received, lie (Dr Iloeken) now desired to bring the maiter before the Synod at this end nf the colony, and he would bo very thankful for any subscriptions, however small, , that members and their friends in tho dio'ceso could contribute. He bad a letter from Archdeacon Walsh a few days ago in which ho enjoined this duty upon him (tho speaker). The archdeacon en. closed a copy of a very interesting account lie had prepared describing the incident sur. rounding the introduction of Christianity to the. Natives, this account having been published. Already lie had received a promise of £100 and of three £5 notes. "Ho referred to "the, generosity of Mr G. \V. Childs, of Philadelphia, who placed, with the sanction of tho Bishop of San Francisco, a gigantic monument to mark tho spot on which Sir Francis Drake's chaplain held the first Protestant service on the I'aeifio coast of America. Perhaps, said the speaker, this movement might appeal to some similarly-minded and generous per. son. He would content himself by saying, in conclusion, that any contributions would bo gratefully received by himself or by Mr Statham.

Tlr.} Rev. .Mr Wocdthorpe seconded tho motion.

Dean Fitehett said tho Synod was indebted to Ilr Hockcn for directing attention to this movement. 110 would not like to sec tho motion passed without recognition of tho special position occupied by Dr Hccken in regard to such matters ronnected with the early history of the colony. Tho President said this was a matter in which llioy all felt the deepest interest, and if there bad never been a missionary to New Zealand there would certainly never have been a Dmiedin diocese. The. Row Samuel Marsden must certainly bo regarded ns their spiritual ancestor. Tho motion was then put and carried. GENERAL. Tho Rev. A. D. Mitchell asked leave to withdraw tlic motion standing in his name—to wit: "That this Synod strongly recommends ' direct' giving for parochial and diocesan purposes and for missionary work "—stating Hint what.ho had intended to say on the subject would bo better said in connection with a subsequent motion.— Leave was granted and tho motion withdrawn.

Discussion on the bill (introduced by Mr Stathain) to amend the General Church Fund Statute wns resumed in committee, clause 2 of the bill, relating to grants from tho G.U. Fund and providing for tho striking out, of clause 7, subsection (a), being withdrawn and tlie bill being adopted, a new rlatiso as a mended in it being that "tho amounts of all grants shall be absolutely at tho discretion of tho Standing Committee." Tho third reading- of tho bill was mauo an order of,the day for Friday. Mr Statham moved, Dr Iloeken seconded, and it; wae, carricd—" That this Synod authorises the issue, of debentures to tho amount of £2500 to replace those of a like amount maturing Ist'January, 1906; term, fivo ycurs; rafe of interest, S per cent.: said debentures to bo signed on behalf of tho dioraso by those who signed those now ■jurrent." 'BAFFLES AND LOTTERIES.

The Rev. A. D. Mitchell moral—"That this Synod strongly deprecates the practice nf using raffles and lotteries for the purpose of raising' money for any parochial or diocesan purpow whatever." The mover •d this seemed to him a very necessary resolution just now. They found occasionally that when efforts, wore being made to rnifo money they were told that tho Anglicans and members of the Roman Catholio Church belonged to the only churches that availed themselves of the permission of the authorities to have' raffles. This was not a very enviable position certainly; but there it was, and no one could controvert liio fail. Jlo felt that they should do something ill this Synod to show whether they approved or disapproved of this practice. Ho did not want to knoiv the opinion of this person or that, or of this parish or that, on the subject, but (ic wanted tho opinion of the whole Church in the diocese, and he wanted to get at. that because he thought, thoy should consider not- only tho interests of tho members of their own denomination, but the lic.it interests of Christians of the various denominations around thorn, and ho knew that when efforts were being made to raise money for church purposes in the way mentioned he feelings of earnest Christians of other denominations were often hurt. Ho thought that- although they might get their money, it was not desirable to get it in (his way. Further, these methods were very often unsound finance. It was time the. Church in this diocese made a pronouncement upon tho subject, and ho wanted tho Church not only to make a pronouncement, but to stand by tJioso who carried out tho rule he advocated. Too often they made statutes which were wastepaper in many eases. Ik' hoped the Church in this diocese would lead the Anglican Church of New Zealand in, this matter, and show they were against. Unworthy methods of raising money in the service of God. They should mako it clear they could raise money without ■•employing theso methods. He advocated straight-out giving. Tho discussion was interrupted by tho 5.30 adjournment, EVENING SESSION. ELECTION OP StA.VDIXG COMMITTEE. The election/of six representatives of the clergy and seven of the laity to constitute the Standing Committee for the ensuing year was the first business of tho evening. The following nominations were received: Clergy—The Very Rev. the Dean, Von. Archdeacons Robinson and Could, Revs. Canon Mayne, Canon Richards, Canon, Dodd, C. S. Bowden, A. Xeild. and C 4. W. Christian. Laity—Dr Hocken, Dr Marshall, Captain Easther, Messrs C. J. Ronaldson, T. S. Graham, 8. Brent, R, Bentham, \V. G. Lawless, C. 11, Statham, W. Burnett. C. C. drill lam, J. Braitllwaitc, and R. M. Ciiirk. Tho following committee was ultimately elected: —Clergy: Dean Fitchfllt, Arolldeltcon Could. Canon Richards, Canon Mayne, Revs. C. S. Bowden and A. Neild. Laity: Dr Marshall, Messrs S. Brent, C. H. Statham, and W. Burnett. The President intimated thatjas a focond ballot had proved rcsultiess, as far as giving any of the laiiy nominated, a clear majority in each order, tho Standing Committee would consist of the six clerical and four lay members elected on the first ballot, the election of the additional three lay members resting with tho committee. BOABD OF MISSION'S. The second reading of a bill (introduced by Dean Fitchctt) to repeal statute No. 9, entitled "Tho Board of Missions Statute, 1894," \v.v> taken r and tho bill adopted. Tho main clause of the bill was as follows: "The duties assigned by tho said statute to a Diocesan Board of Missions—namely (a) to cooperate with a Provincial Board of Missions; (b), to regulate the mission to tho Maoris in the diocese or any other diocesan mission entrusted to tho board by the Synod; (e) to promote an interest in and prayers for and contributions towards the missions, of' tho Church in Melanesia and elsewhere; (d) to administer the diocesan funds of the mission—shall heroafter Iw discharged by tho Standing Committee." nEPAROCIIIAI.ISATIOK. Consideration of Mr Statham's motion that certain parishes—namely, St. John's (Milton), St. John's (Wailtoiiaiti). St. Mary's jPalmerston), and St. , Peter's (Cavereham)—be doparoehialised, as such parishes wore not complying with the regulations laid .down for the exercise of the rights arid privileges of a parish, was lcsumcd After discussion, motions that St. John's (Milton),'St: John's "(Waikouaiti), and St,

Mary's (Palmerston) l>o tloparochiaiiscd (i.e., declared* to bo parochial districts, and shall cease to be parishes) wcro carried. In regard to St. Peter's (Caversham), jt. was resolved that St. Peter's (Caversham) bo not at present dcparochialiscd, but that tho attention of the authorities of St. Peter's bo drawn to the fact that tho regulations relating to parishes wcro not being complied with. NOTICES OF MOTION*. Canon Richards gave notice of motion as follows:—"That this Synod, while deprecating the evils of intemperance, does not consider that no-liocnso is tlie proper remedy, and thinks that, reform shtmld bo ninde-U) by tho abolition of drinking bars, 12) by the strict enforcement of tho law by magistrates and by tho police, (3) by rigid inquirv into tho character of those who appiv lor licenses, (4) by withholding licenses from houses that are not well conducted." Mr A. M. Harnett gave notice of motion as follows,:—"That it is desirable that- tho forms of gambling licensed by tho btato should Ihj abolished." ■