SYNODIOAL DEBATES.

Colonist, Volume XVII, Issue 1899, 10 April 1875, Page 3

SYNODIOAL DEBATES.

To the Editor of the Colonist.

Sm, —Passing by the open door of the Masonic Hall the other night, I was struck with the spectacle of a large green baize curtain in fronb of which stood a red canopy, and occupying a seat under the canopy a gentleman in a black robe —-the sight was Btartling and imposing. "What entertainment is going on now ?" said I to the few idlers gazing in. ". Oh, awful slow thing— a Synod," and I began to move on, but just then I caught the words of an invisible speaker, thus : " I have no hesitation in saying that this is the most momentous question which has ever been brought before us." I stopped—l rather like " momentous questions." I don't care for milk and water debates, but " momentous questions " are not of every day occurrence. I sidled up into a gallery to listen. The room had two long tables, one on either side, one for the clergy and the other for the laity. I asked a good many questions afterwards about tbat laity lot; as how some of them can afford to waste their time. How they can consent to play second fiddle to the other order, as by stting and voting apart, and received only for answer this: "That an English education teaches deference and submission to the weaker sex," but failed to see the application although the answer was considered good, and I joined in the laugh myself. While I was overlooking the room the speaker was still at work at his " momentous question," but I could make neither head nor tail of it. He seemed to me to have got hopelessly perplexed about the meaning of the word " and," and so I began to think for myself what should be the " meet momentous question" for sach a body to discuss, Waß it a plan to get rid of the social evil ? "Was it a method to get rid of drunkenness by putting tartar emetic iv beer so as to cause the drunkard to throw up both beer and habit ? "Was it a Jennerian discovery tbat vaccination with a decoction of prayer book the arteries and veins of the next genera ion might be so impregnated with germs of orthodoxy as to be able to resist the plague and smalUpox of unbelief ? Was it a way ] of undermining immorality, and the artificial and unchristian constitution of " society " by obliging sucking parsons to marr/ young, and practically demonstrate the feasibility of bringing up an enormous crop of young Christians on nothing per annum ? Or was it a discussion on " Blessed are the poor," especially the very poor? What was it? A. light gradually dawned upon me! Ha! ha! the old game! ies the "most momentous question " after all turned out to be pounds, shillings, and pence !! Silly me, had I studied human nature all these years as to have doubted it for an instant! The argument discovered itself to be whether or no certain agreements should be broken and the trust money retained. JMo account taken of the intention of the framera and donors } but whether another and not, the obvious meaning could not be wriggled out of" it. Let us persuade ourselves that, "and" means "or," and we may sever our connection with the church of England " and "Ireland, and float independently on the sea of superstition, and stick to the owners money chest! The "most momentous question" is a question that may touch the pocket! Good-bye " Kabbi Kabbi." I will leave you to enjoy the "chief aeat" at your entertainment in peace, but before leaving I shake the accumulated dust of your gallery stabs from my feet, and thank the Allwise that I at least am honest and . '~--.• . ■■• ■ ■ :■ ■■"'■- ■■ A HulThes.