CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19311, 24 October 1924, Page 5

CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN. PROCEEDINGS OF SYNOD. Tho first session of tho twentieth Synod of tho Diocese of Dunedin was continued in St Paul’s Schoolroom yesterday. Bishop Richards occupied tho chair. A hearty welcome was extended to tho Rev R. D. Redgrave, of Wellington, who holds the position of secretary to the Board of Missions. CHILDREN’S REST HOME. The motion by tho Rev. S. J. Cooper to the effect that the Synod instruct, the Standing Committee to add the children’s rest home to tho schedule of diocosan institutions was further discussed in committee. After considerable debate the motion was withdrawn, and the question was referred to tiie Standing Committee. PENSIONS BOARD. Tho Rev, Canon Small moved —“That Synod take into consideration the report of the Pensions Board.” Hie report stated that the surplus of income for the year ended June 30, 1924, was £1054 14s, which, being added to the capital account, brought that fund up to £11,429 10s 6d. The following subscribers withdrew their money on leaving the diocese: —Tho Revs. R, G. Coats, R. do Lambert, and O. J. Bush-King.' In accordance with statute XII, clause 19, a grant of £SO was made to tho Cemetery Board towards repairs to tlte sexton’s house. Tho Rev. W. Uphill and the Rev. J. Perkins had loft the diocese, but under clause 10 had elected to leave their interest in tho fund. It would bo noted that the pensions payable at present were £BB a year, and that tho interest from investments was £652 15s 4d. The income of tho pension augmentation fund, including tho balance on June 30, 1923 (£99 4s 4d), was £252 19s sd, and the capital was increased by tho transfer of the balance to £402 0s 2d. The board having been requested by the New Zealand Board of Missions to draw the Synod’s attention to (he advisability o( synods making provision in the Pension Fund Acts to admit of any of their clergy being members continuing their subscriptions on equitable conditions after entering foreign mission work, the board referred the matter to tho Bynod accordingly, 'i ho board had received intimation from the secretary of the pension fund of the Associated Diooesea of Auckland, Waiapu, and Melanesia that provision had been made for the admission as subscribers to that fond of clergy engaged in any of the diocese* within the ecclesiastical province of New Zealand. Tho Ven. Archdeacon Fitchett had been requested to introduce a bill into Synod to provide the augmentation fund by means of assessments instead of by the Christmas Day offertory as at present. The discussion was taken in committee. It was decided that clause 3, referring to the advisability of provision being made for clergy continuing their subscriptions on equitable conditions after entering foreign mission work, was referred to the Diocesan Board of Missions, which will refer its finding to the Standing Committee. RE-DRAFTING A STATUTE. The Yen. Archdeacon Fitchett moved — “ That a commission bo appointed to consider all legislation that has led up to and resulted in tho form in which the provisions of the Clergy Widows and Orphans Statute are presented, and to prepare a redraft of the statute which shall preserve the provisions of the statute but shall present them in clearer and more concise language. The commission shall consist of the Von, Archdeacon Curzon-Siggers, Mr Chancellor Finch, Mr B. Price, and (do mover, and shall report to the Pensions Board within six months.” On the motion of tho Rev. H. Parata the following amendment was made by way of addition: —“(b) to prepare such alterations to statute No. 2, clause 4 (election of committee), as shall avoid as far as possible repeated ballots and delay.” Tho name of the Rev. W. Hamblett was added to the committee, and the motion, as amended, was adopted. TRUSTS AND SALES OF LAND. The Sessional Committee on Trusts and Bales of Land reported that it had considered an application by the Cathedral Chapter in reference to tho sale of certain land at the back of tho schoolroom site, but, in the absence of information as to what the proceeds were to be applied to, bad reserved its decision. The committee had considered the various applications, and rcommended that tho Diocesan Trust Board be authorised as follows: —(1) That the sum of £B7 16s 3d, proceeds of the sale of tho church site on Shiel Hill, be paid over to trustees of the congregation of St. Michael’s, Anderson’s Bay, to be applied to the cost of the new church building; (2) to sail such portions of allotments 9, 10, 11, 22, 23, 24, township of Linden, as shall be required by the City Corporation for street-widening purposes, and to pay over the proceeds to the trustees of St. John’s, Rostyn, Vicarage Building Fund; (5) upon request of the vestry of St. John’s, Roslyn, to pay over to the trustees of the Roslyn Vicarage Building Fund tho sum standing to the credit, of the St. Albans Trust; (4) upon the request, of the vestry of St. John’s, Roslyn, to raise on behalf of, and to pay to the trustees of, the St. John’s Vicarage Building Fund a sum sufficient, with the Vicarage Building Fund, to pay for tho building of a new vicarage; (5) to sell tho church and church site at Waipori to the City Corporation, and upon the request of the vestry of Holy Trinity Church, 1-awrence. to apply tho proceeds in and towards the building of a new church at Lawrence; (6) that the Synod approves of the proposal to Sell portion of the vicarage site at Gladstone, and to apply the proceeds to the building of a vicarage on tho remainder of the site, and commends the Gladstone vestry for applying when permission was unnecessary. Tho adoption of the recommendations was moved by the Vcn. Archdeacon Fitchett, and the proposals wore agreed to after little discussion. Archdeacon Fitchett moved that the Trust Board be authorised to sell portions of St. Paul’s Chapter endowment and the proceeds applied to the building of a new residence for the verger. The motion was carried. Archdeacon Fitchett also moved that the Trust Board be authorised to sell two allotments at Riverton, the proceeds to be devoted to an endowment for St. Mary’s Church, Riverton. He mentioned that an application had been made for permission to sell certain other lands at Riverton, but no action could be taken until further information was available.—The motion was carried. SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

The Rev. J. H. Rogers moved—“ That Synod asks the clergy of the diocese to adopt tho syllabus set forth by the Diocesan Sunday School Association, as has been already urged by tho bishop.” The association has arranged a permanent syllabus, providing for a six years’ course which should enable all scholars passing through its schools to obtain a good knowledge of the Catechism, the Book of Common Prayer, the life or our Lord, and the early history of the Church, together with many parts of the Old Testament, used as illustrations to the Catechism. This syllabus has been submitted to the chairman of tho Christchurch Association, who considers that it might form a basis for a provincial scheme which would secure continuity of teaching, even though scholars move from place to place. This result will be secured in this diocese if all clergy accede to tho bishop’s wish and adopt it. Tho motion was agreed to. STANDING COMMITTEE AND DIOCESAN TRUST BOARD.

Tbe Synod went into committee to consider the reporta of the Standing Committee and the Diocesan Trust Hoard. Both reports were adopted. MISSIONARY COMMITTEE.

The report of the Diocesan Missionary Committee was as follows:—The amount contributed during the year ended March 31 last was £1192 5s 9d, which was £7G 17a less than during the previous year. Of this amount £1421 8s 3d was received by your committee’s treasurer, and £7O 17s fid was acknowledged by the general secretary as having been sent direct. It is desirable that in future all mission rnoneyis be handed to pari oh treasurers and forwarded through your committee’s treasurer. The above-mentioned shortage is accounted for by the fact that few Lenten offerings were received last year, whereas the previous year included two Lenten periods. The board’s assessment for last year was £IB3O. Of this the diocese raised only £llOs 14s lid, being a shortage of £724 5s id. In addition, £386 10s 10d was given for non-co-ordiimted missions. Eight parishes reached or exceeded their quota, but speaking generally the country parishes failed lamentably, and some gave next to nothing. This year, owing to the Melanesian Mission requiring £BOOO as against £6OOO last year, this diocese is assessed at £2055. It can be raised, but only by determined effort on the part of nil. During the year the Rev. C. H. B'tatham found it necessary to resign his office of honorary treasurer, and Mr J. T. Dawson was appointed in his stead. Your committee desires to recognise the valuable services rendered by Ms fitatbaia dur«

Ing many years. As thfs report is being made up, your committee learns that Mr Dawson expects to ioave the city in November for Cromwell, so that another appointment will be necessary. The North China Mission (S.P.G.) has now been co-ordin-ated, so that in future contributions for that mission will form part of our contributions to the board’s budget. The Jerusalem and the East Mission has been coordinated as from April 1, 1925. During the latter part of last year the organising secretary (Rev. "SV. J. Durrad, M-A.) spent two mouths visiting parishes In the city and in the archdeaconries of Dunedin, Central Otago, and Invercargill. It is hoped that he will bo able to visit North Otago nud perhaps some Dunedin suburban parishes early next year. The general secretary (Rev. F. It. Redgrave, M.A.) has agreed to send to the clergy throughout the diocese for their information the S.P.G. Quarterly Notes and the C.M.S. Bulletin for Clergy. He will himself be present at Synod, and will welcome the opportunity of coming in personal touch with members of Synod. Your committee recommend to the clergy and laity of the diocese subscription to one or more missionary magazines. It is probable that a missionary court, to he run in conjunction with other foreign mission organisations in this city, will be held at the New" Zealand and South Seas Exhibition next year. Negotiations are now in progress. It is hoped that Good Friday offertories will be devoted as usual to the Jerusalem and the East Mission.

In presenting the report, the Rev. W. A. Hamblett said tho work was progressing, as. would bo snown by some figures which ha would quote. In 1912 the sum of £357 was raised for missions. In the next four years the average was £446, and in the period from ISI7 till 1920 it was £640. In the 1321-24 period the amount raised was £1326. There was encouragement in that, although money was not equal to what it was 12 years ago. He thought the present, position was largely due to the bold policy adopted by the Board of Missions. Last year tho whole church raised £20,000 for missions, which was a much larger sum than had over been given before. Notwithstanding the encouragement in regard to the future, however, it was only fair and necessary to say that they still fell far short of what was asked from this diocese. If he was not mistaken almost every other diocese showed an increase in the aim int raised. If Iffa memory served him right two of them gave almost £SOOO each. If (he people in this diocese were going to uo anything like their duty this year they must raise £2055. Up to the they had not boon asked for more than £IB3O but the increase was necessary on behalf of the Melanesian Mission, which was a very difficult mission to work. lhat mission received its income mainly teom England, Australia, and Now Zealand. England gave the largest amount as a rule. He thought that New Zealand came a good second. The mission was some thousands in arrears, and tho board had accepted an additional liability of £2OOO. The sum of £3055 which they were asked to raise was in addition to the sum of £4OO which came in for other objects, so that the board was really asked to find £2500. During the last few years ho, as secretary of the Diocesan Missionary Committee, had sent out lists showing what it was hoped each parish would raise towards the amount required by tho board. In some instances the amount required, and more, had been rained. He did not think, however, that more (nan two parishes had actually raised their quota, although they had raised more than they had been asked for. He knew it was a difficult matter to raise money. Tho whole church was being asked to take a far wider view than ever before. Ihey were being brought into touch with the whole worm in a "way that past generations never realised. Their opportunities had increased, and a call was made to them to use those opportunities. The doors, which at one time were closed, were now open, and the church was asked to enter, but she could not enter unless those at home supported those who went out. The report showed that the country parishes as a whole bad failed lamentably. He would move ri/at tho Synod heartily endorse the appeal for £2055 for mission work. Mr Feat hers lone, who seconded the motion, said ho did not think they took a sufficiently wide view of these matters. He agreed with everything Mr Hamblett had said. They must all do their duty and go forward to help.,

The .Rev. Mr Redgrave, general secretary of the Missions Board, was invited to address the Synod. Mr Redgrave said ho thanked them for the opportunity of meeting members of (ho Synod and ascertaining how boat they could servo the missionary cause. • Two years ago, when he took over the work, ho found a good deal cf criticism on the score of expense. 'lhe expenses were high at first, but they had come down very considerably indeed. In dealing wfth an income of £20,000, the board kept its expenses dowrv to leas than 9 per cent. That reduction had beep brougnt about partly by the employment of only one secretary, as compared with three at the outset, but that was only possible by doing Voss deputation work. He hoped that in each of tile larger centres some of the clergy would be able to undertake deputation work in the back districts. r l he, board tried in every way to cut down expenses. The board had been criticised on the ground that it favoured one school of thought. Personally, he had never been a party man, and the board had always tried to be absolutely fair to all parties, its only aim being to foster missionary work. The board was trying to circulate B.P.G. literature. Although the board had been in existence for five years there was a good deal of ignorance regarding its work. The board covered the whole church province of New Zealand, acting in a missionary capacity. It had been called into existence by the General Synod, and consequently it was the duty of every loyal church man to -support it in its work. The board had done a good deal to bring home to the people the fact that the command tp go into all the world was just as binding as any other command, and it was gradually getting them to recognise that this was an essential part of Church work. It was just as essential as social work or the education of the young. Five years ago, before the board came into existence, the income of the Melanesian Mission was £4535, and all the expenses had to be met by the mission itsel This year the Board of Missions had promised £BOOO for the Melanesian Mission, and the raising of that would not cost the mission n penny, so that it would receive this year more than double what it received before the board came into existence. They were doing considerably bettor than thfey had done in the past, but they must not lose sight of the fact that other denominations were doing perhaps bettor than they were. Their total collections last year amounted to £20,000, which was rather more than the Presbyterian Church’s total, but the population behind the Church of the province of New Zealand was about double that allied to the Presbyterian Church. On the other hand, the Methodists were giving about twice as much as the Church of England, so the latter was not doing particularly well The Irish Church, although its population was somewhat, less than that of the Anglican Church in New Zealand, had given more than £70,000 per annum to missions, so they had a good way to go yet before they caught up to the Irish Church. Ho had been told that the Dunedin diocese had been over-assessed, and ho believed that that was so. The figures, ho believed, were brought out by the General Synod seme 20 years ago, but since than the population had altered considerably, and he believed that two dioceses in particular —Dunedin and Nelson—were considerably over-assessed in comparison with tho other dioceses. Still, he believed it was possible for Dunedin to raise tho amount required. They must have some businesslike method whereby tho money would come in light through the financial year. There were different methods of finance which he would like to suggest. There, was a took entitled “Efficient Church Finance," which was a very striking volume, and •which ho would like them to read. A system recommended was that known as the duplex envelope systom. Tho idea under that systom was to have two envelopes—one for home needs and one for foreign needs. That scheme worked very well if they got really efficient, treasurer, and if it was given a fair trial ho thought It would meet with success. There were other good methods. He was very strongly in favour of boxes. During the last year the Beard of Missions had raised nearly £3OOO trirough missionary boxes. Papanui supported a worker in the mission field at. a salary of £l3O per annum, tbs whole of which amount was raised by such boxes. Some parishes adopted a system whereby contributions of Id or 3d per week were given. In tho Merival 0 parish the scheme was to get people to give 3d per week, and £2OO or £3OO per annum was raised in that way. The Hawera parish now supported a missionary in Melanesia, and the necessary money was raised by contributions of 3d per week. Tho groat thing was to have some regular system for getting the money in. There was a Churchmen’s Missionary League in connection with. the Board of Missions, the object being to bring under one heading all tho existing missionary organisations. There were some 40 branches of that league in existence, the idea being to get each communicant to do something in connection with missionary work. The great thing tho board was up against was ignoronco

regarding its work. If tho Church people could only be encouraged to read about the work they would be willing to contribute. One of the rules of tho League was that each member should contribute regularly. The rules were simple, and ho tolt that every parish could have a branch. With regard to organisation, there was a body known as tho King’s Crusaders. A very excellent woman —Miss Walker—was honorary secretary to the movement. There were about; bO branches of tho King’s Crusaders, and tho movement, was growing. He believed that a number of parishes in this diocese would undertake tho work amongst tho children. Very few parishes aimed at supporting a scholar in the mission field. His experience was that it was very helpful to have the children interested in a scholar. He was certain that, it paid the Church to do missionary work. Wherever he found a really live parish it was a missionary parish. It they induced the people to give to missions they taught them the joy and privilege of giving, ami their finance would not suffer in any way Dv giving to such a cause. The Rev. Mr Lusk asked if Mr Redgrave could say how they could got the ‘‘touch’’ they needed in connection with missionary work. Mr Redgrave said that quite a number of Presbyterian churches supported a missionary, who was regarded as one of their own staff,. and several of the Anglican churches adopted the same plan. For many year? St Matthew’s Church had -been responsible for the payment of a white member of the staff of tho Melanesian mission. Ha would suggest that some worker should be attached to a parish, and then they would get ihe personal “touch.” . Bishop Richards said that personally lie felt extremely gratified to Mr Redgrave for visiting them. They were interested in tho suggestions made bv Mr Redgrave, who had thrown out in tho gentlest way very practical ideas regarding methods of increasing the interest in the work of the diocese. He thanked Mr Redgrave for the practical wav in which he had put the suhiect before them. The motion was carried. Mr Ham Weft referred to the fact that they were goin rr to lose their treasurer, and he wished to take the opportunity of thanking Mr Dawson for his services. If anv people hail missionory money to forward lie (Mr Hamblett) would take care of it until .mother treasurer was appointed. On the motion of the Rev. Mr Hamblett. it was decided that all offertories on Good Fridnv be- devoted to (he Jerusalem, and the. East Mission.

CO-ORDINATION OF DIOCESAN INSTITUTIONS.

The Rev. D. L. Freer moved the second' reading of a bill to co-ordinate diocesan institutions.

The principal clanseae of the bill were; There shall be a Social Service Board to be called “The Anglican Social Service Board,” which, together with the Bishop, shall consist of the chairman for the time being and ■ — members of committee for the time being of each institution under the Diocesan Institutions Statute, 1918, such members of committee to be chosen annually by the committee of their respective institutions. The board shall appoint a priest in holy orders to be the director of social service in the _ diocese, among whose duties shall be the makingtof suggestions to the board for co-ordinating the social work being carried on and ttie extension thereof. There shall be established a central office in Dunedin, in which shall he concentrated the carrying on of the business of nil the social works in the diocese. The functions and powers of the committee of the said institutions shall nor be curtailed in any way by this statute. The functions of the board shall be;—-(a) To adviso on all matters referred to it; (b) to assist in the raising of funds for the said institutions; (c) to take steps to bring before the diocese the work and needs of social work generally; (d) generally, to promote and develop social work in the diocese. A stall in the Cathedral shall be> established for a representative of social work in the diocese; such representative to bo a priest in holy orders, styled a prebendary and appointed by the Bishop. Mr Freer said the bill was brought forward in order that the social work of the diocese would be, perhaps, bettor understood by the various parishes by the people generally. The social work was not merely incidental to the work of the Church, but it was a vital part of the Church’s life, and should express the vigour of the Church generally. The Rev. Mr Cooper said he was in hearty sympathy with the bill in so far that an attempt was being made to link up and co-ordinate the social work of the diocese. According to the bill, however, the proposed board would be nothing more nor less than an advisory board. In 1922 the Synod decided that an advisory board than an advisory board. In 1922 the Synod decided that an advisory board should be appointed. He would like to know what difference there was between Mils bill and the clauses adopted in 1922. If there was no difference it seemed to bo a waste of time to go on wilh the bill. Mr Freer: It rather extends that committee. The personnel of the hoard would for the most part be members of the various committees.

The second reading was agreed to, and (he Synod went into committee on the bill. At 10 p.m. progress was reported, and the committee was granted leave to sit again. TO-DAY’S SITTING.

It was decided to meet at 2.30 to-day, Instead of 3.30.