ANGLICAN SYNOD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21773, 12 October 1932, Page 11

ANGLICAN SYNOD

SECOND DAY’S PROCEEDINGS The Anglican Synod resumed its session in St. Paul’s Schoolroom, Stuai't street, yesterday afternoon, the president (Bishop Richards) in the chair. RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION. Archdeacon Russell moved that this synod commends the Religious Instruction in Public Schools Enabling Bill to the prayers and support of church people throughout the diocese. He said he hoped that when Sir James Allen brought forward this Bill ju the Legislative Council he would recognise that he had behind him the people of the diocese of which he was a member. He (Archdeacon Russell) had been asked to move this motion at the instance of Mr George Featherstone, a splendid worker for the church, who generally kept behind the scenes. The reason why it was imperative that a motion of this sort should be passed was, first of all, because of the challenge of Lord Bledisloe, the Governor-General, in his address at the youth rally in Wellington. In that address the GovernorGenera]'said that “the spiritual food for which youth was craving was best obtainable from the- Bible—the best of all books. Should the Church remain silent while the Bible was untaught _in many homes, as well as in schools?” Surely they could not have the Governor-General issue that challenge and let the synod pass by in silence on the great question. The Prime Minister, in reply to a deputation, had said that no obstacle would be placed in the way of consideration of the Bill by Parliament No human life could be happy,” added Lord Bledis’oe, "that seeks to banish religion altogether from its environment.” The position to-day in regard to the, moral laxity of young people—the outbreak of lawlessness that was from time to time recorded in the newspapers —was a very serious thing and a menace to the national health and well-being. Such tendencies could be traced to processes which were gradually undermining the character of the nation, and in New Zealand a study of these processes must take into account the lack of systematic religious teaching in the public schools. It was 53 years since the Education Act was passed which cut out Bible-teaching in the schools. Efforts had been made continually to bring the Bible back to the school, but the one great obstacle hitherto had been unhappy divisions in the country. It had been largely the opposition of the Roman Church that had nullified the efforts that had been made. They were thankful, therefore, to know that the opposition of the Roman Church had been withdrawn—that was to say, so far as the two principal leaders, Archbishop Redwood and Archbishop O’Shea, were concerned. He admitted that Bishop Brodie and others had said they did not coincide. Therefore one of the greatest obstacles they had had to compete with had been removed. Another obstacle was from the Orangemen, who throughout New Zealand had taken up a position of hostility to the Bible in Schools League, feeling that it would open the door to the granting of State aid for Roman Catholic schools._Now, the Orangemen had withdrawn their opposition; they had seen that the necessity was great and that their fears had no very strong ground. In fact, all the denominations in New Zealand of any size or importance, with the exception of the Seventh Day Adventists, supported Bible reading. The Wellington Council of Baptists was opposed, but the remainder of the Baptist Church was with them. They had had, too. to contend with the opposition of the Teachers' Institute. On the other hand, Dr Strong, Director of Education, who was a keen advocate of the Bill, giving evidence before the Education Committee of the House of Representatives, said he saw no reason why teachers should not loyally carry out their duties by giving Bible lessons, and that, although some teachers were vigorous opponents, the great body of the teachers was not opposed to the Bill. One of their own synodsmen, Mr de Berry, headmaster of Christchurch East School, was one of the strong stalwarts fighting for the Bill. Archdeacon Russell admitted that what was proposed was not the ideal thing, but it was the only thing possible. If the Church of England, which comprised 46 per cent, of the people, would support the splendid men who were fighting for the Bible-in-schools movement, along with the leaders of other Christian bodies, it would be carried, but it was apparent that differences were allowed to hamper the movement. The Bill provided that every school day should be opened with prayer, hymn, and Bible reading, with instruction by the teacher, to the extent that nothing of a doctrinal character was allowed and no effort was made to proselytise. Not more than two hours a week were to be devoted to religious instruction. Any teacher who did not wish to teach might apply to the chairman of the School Committee for exemption and any parent who ’did not wish his child to have religious instruction might apply to the headmaster for exemption. Every facility was to be given to those who did not agree. Provision was also made that no catechism or formulary was to be used, and that a syllabus or manual should to be drawn up by a committee of accredited representatives of different Christian bodies in the proportion of one representative to every 100,000 adherents. This manual, which would contain selected portions of Scripture, hymns, and prayers, had to meet with the approval of the Minister of Education. Archdeacon Russell added that secondary schools had denominational instruction without sectarian bitterness, and why should anything of the sort be found in the primary schools? He hoped they would do all they could by prayer and effort to bac.c up those who were leading the movement. The Rev. W. A. Hamblett seconded the motion, and expressed himself in agreement with the arguments the archdeacon had used in moving it. He saul that if the teaching of the Word of God was neglected they would have individual, and then national, decadence in the land. The Rev. K. D. Andrews-Baxter said it must be remembered that the Bill did not go far enough, and it was open to question whether they should not tight for something better and not accept such a compromise as the present measure. The Rev. Digby Wilson said it would be better to take half a loaf than no G. Featherstone strongly supported the motion. , The motion was carried. FIRST READING.

On the motion of Archdeacon Fitchett, the Statute 12 (Clause 12) Amendment Bill was read a first time. GENERAL.

The Rev. K. D. Andrews-Baxter moved —“ That synod sets up a committee to go into the question of the great need ox assisting the clergy to arrange for a holiday at least once a year (1) by providing a locum tenens and (2) by providing a holiday house for the clergy at some seaside resort.”—Mr Bloch seconded the 1 motion pro forma. —After a brief discussion a motion, that the synod proceed to the next business, was carried. A motion—" That synod recommends to Standing Committee the appointment of a Sunday school organiser in the diocese —was referred to the Sessional Committee on Sunday Schools. The Rev. K. D. Andrews-Baxter moved, That in view of the difficulty of the church in working fully with the Boy Scout movement, synod should set up a committee to go into the question of organising the Church Lads’ Brigade in the diocese—Canon Button seconded the motion.—As an amendment, it was moved, That synod set up a committee to go into the question of organising the Church Lads’ Brigade in the diocese.—Discussion was interrupted by the adjournment at half-past 5. and the motion will be called on again to-day. THE EVENING SESSION.

• \t the evening session a brief address was given by Mr Withers, representative of the Anglican Maori Mission Party. STANDING COMMITTEE.

The following nominations were received for the Standing Committee:— Clergy (sis required)—Dean Cruicksbank, Archdeacon Fitchett, Archdeacon Russell, Canon Button, Revs. W. A. H. Hamblett, C. E, P. Webb, W. Hardy Johnson, L. D. C. Groves, W. Curzon-Siggers, J. Bush; laitv (seven required)—Messrs P. J. Priest, ‘j. T. Dawson, A. H. Allen, L Deans Ritchie, F. W. Knight, A. T. Newman, W. E. Earnshacv, G. R. Ritchie. ' The election will take place on Wednesday night. CATHEDRAL STATUTE.

Mr A. H. Allen moved the second reading of a bill in which provision was made to reduce the number of canons from six to four. It was further provided that when a clergyman resigned his parish he

should automatically cease to function as a canon. The bill was considered in committee for two hours, and further consideration was postponed. . The synod adjourned until 3 o clock on Wednesday afternoon.