DIOCESE OF NELSON.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14515, 19 September 1917, Page 2 (Supplement)

DIOCESE OF NELSON.

MEETING OF 23rd S¥NOD .. "

'(From "Tho Colonist,.'; August - 23rd.) . The' third session' of the.23rd Synod of the Diocese of Nelson commenced -in. the Bishop's Library' yesterday. Punctually at 3 o'clock the Bishop of Nelson (Dr. Sadlier). entered, accom r panied by Bishop' Mules and His Wor-1 ship the Mayor of Nelson (Mr W. W. 1 Snodgrass), and attended by the Chancellor of the Diocese (the Hon. A. T. Maginnity, M.L.C.).and tho Yen. Archdeacon Kempthorno (chaplain). The Deputy-Registrar (Canon Dart) called the roll.

The following clergy were present :— Walter .'.■ William Blenheim; Albert Berryraan, T>tctupiko; John William Bloyce, Diocesan Office; Arthur John Can-. Richmond; George Arthur Crossman, Reefton; John Raynor Dart, Wakefield; Francis John Daynes, Takaka; Richard de Lambert, Westport; Francis James Ferry, Murchison; Nils Arnold Fr'iberg, Picton; Yen. Thomas Samuel Grace, Blenheim; Alexander Henry Heron, Havelock; James Alexander Jermyn, Karamea; Yen. John Pratt Kempthorne, Brightwater; William Stanley Lucas, Nelson; Frederick Quintrell, Seddon; John Achilles Rogers, Nelson; Frank. Sampson, Cheviot; Charles Francis Saunders, Atawhai; Arthur James Stewart Seaton, Kaikonra; Thomas James Smith. Rotherham ; v .-Francis Albert Tooley, Denniston; Very Rev. Geo. Edward Weeks, Nelson- Harold B. Winsbury; White, Blenheim ; ,Geb; • Wickiup, ColHngwood; Wm Wollstein, Spring, ; Creek;' Yen. Geo. William York, Greyirhoiith, : , The former Bishop, Right Rev. Charles Oliver Mules, was also in attendance. ■

The following laity were present, the parish they represent being given in parentheses :—-Messrs W. A. Andrews (Havelock); E. E. Boyes (All Saints'. Nelson); C. W. Brown (Reefton); J. F. Childs (Foxhill); F. C. J. Cockburn ( Reef ton); A. E. Cresswell (All Saints', Nelson); A. R. Davidson (Gollingwood); G; Dodson (Suburban North); H. M. Field (Aiawhai); W. J. Girling (Wairau): T. R. J. Grimmett (Reefton); A. 8.,Ha1l (Waimea West); G. A.' Harkness (Brunnerton); J. R. Harrison ,'Picton); W. Heaps /(Christ Church, Nelson); R. M. Irvine ( Brightwater); Hon. A. T. Maginnity iSeddon); Dr. W.' J. Mackay (Cheviot): Messrs C H. Mackay (Motuek&> ; W. B. North (Mnrchison); H. P. Paaka (Wakapuaka); C. Page (Takaka); R. A. Palmer (Motupiko); F. H. Richmond (Christ Church, Nelson), G. E. C. Saxton (Granity); A. C. Strachan (Ngatimoti); S. H. Strong (All Saints', .Nelson); H. A. Tarrant (Motueka); E. J. Thomas ('Greymouth); W. Thompson (Christ Ohiirch, NelsonV; ; "Vf; Thorn (Richmond); J. J. W; White ; C. H*/ White (Wakefield) ; W. York ,tGreymouth); T. C. C. Scott (Stoke); j^G.A.Ediroiids (Westport).' -'TAfter .prayers, the. National Anthem | was sung, and His Lordship proceeded | with his address.

The president, in his address, stated that probably this would be the last session of the twenty-third Synod, and at the next annual meetings in the parishes and parochial districts representatives would "be elected. There were anomalies, and he suggested the setting up of a select committee to consider these and make recommendations. "Referring to' losses by death; the president mentioned. the names of the late Messrs Conrad Saxton, A. D. Bayfield, J. Langley Adams, ana G. O. Rollinson. The latter fell on a battlefield in France and left by his will a sum of £50 to the Bishop of Nelson to be expended within five years on Sunday school work. Very .appreciative reference was made to the Rev. Canon Taylor for his 'services at the front, his indomitable spirit, and the unique work he is now doing as a chaplain at Trentham Cam pi In reference to the clerical staff, had there been no war there would, have been 40 clergy and 5 students. Instead there were 34'slergy and' 3 students. Three of the clergy had re-! tirea from parochial work, arid of the I remainder 14 were over the maximum -military age. Nine of the clergy were in ithei Frist;ylHvi9ion,athree of vihese-j were with the forces, and three were classed for home service.1 In the Second! Division were 8 clergy. Of these Canon' Taylor was in camp, the Rev. J. F. | Comsey was being invadided from France, one was doing valuable home service for the State, and Canon Dartwas doing the work of the Diocesan Secretary, who had gone to the front. He had nominated" three clergymen as chaplains. * There "was a possibility of the staff being increased by two arrivals from England. There were needed two I vicars for missionary districts and seven curates for under-staffed parishes and districts. With a staff 40 per cent, short of requirements it was difficult to maintain the offices of the church, and but for the -splendid services rendered by the honorary lay readers could not hold out very long. The subjects of "The Clergy and the War" and "Military Camps" were fully dealt with. The Nelson diocese had contributed £633 towards the £10,000 fund for work among our soldiers which Mr W. R. Simpson was organising, and Mr Simpson asked for a.further £200, ne so far having raised £8000. Dnrirg the year £791 had been raised for Home Mission work, and efforts to build up this.fund must noir-fee slacKened The contributions of the diocese to foreign missions had been the largest in its history. Nelson was the home of the Church Missionary Society in New Zealand, and the society would celebrate its silver jubilee in October next. A special paragraph was devoted to. Bishop Mules, who entered upon work in the diocese nearly go" years ago. Other matters dealt with were "The Pension Fund,"> "Diocesan / Rooms" (which needed extension, but must wait till the war was over), "The Cathedral," and concluded-with the following personal reference: —"Very reluctantly I must refer to a personal matter. Since , the day of my consecration as Bishop no thought has entered my mind beyond the advancement of the Kingdom of God in the diocese and in the province. I have laid out plans which will take years to accomplish, but which, if God sees fit, will be accomplished. As I qnter upon my sixth year I nm more assured than ever that God's rich blessing has been upon us. 1 -ant surrounded by a faithful band of clergy ond by a loyal and generous people. But I have been compelled to answer the question: Am I in the place that God requires me? It is only in the riches of His mercy that He requires ■aiiv of us; and if in the extension of His mercy,He requires me sfill in Nelson I pray you to continue with me as fellow-workers with. Him."

The followinsr Synod appointments were, made:—Chairman of committees, Hon. A. T. Maginnity. M.L.0.; deputy-chau-man, Mr C. W. Pitts-Brown; clerical secretary, Rev. Canon Dart; assistant secretary. Bp^. J. A. JevinjTi: lay secretary, Mr J. H. Richmond ; official reporters. Rev. N. Frihero; and Rev. F- A. Toolev.

T!Tp Hon. A. T. Maginnity was nccnvcled leave to move without notico: 'That this Synod of the dioces^ of Kelson desires to express to the Ejejit Honourable the Primn Murkier (Ffon. W. IT1 ' MVissev) th«> Right Hnnonrab'p the Minister of Finance (Sir ,7. U. Ward), and th" ndninistratorp of the Government of this Dominion, its f>vmpathy in their present efforts in carrying on the war, nnd psn^ciallv at the present juncture in their efforts to raise ono-half the war loan of twentyfour millions authorised by an AH passed a few days ago, and now wisJi to express to the Ministers of tTio Ci'own named its .sincere hope that they wili

meet with the loyal and.unanimous support of the" people of this Dominion, and that their efforts will be crowned with success."

, Synod directed that-a copy be for-' ' warded to the Prime Minister. ; In.the evening the usual Synod service was held at tho Cathedral, the preacher being the Rev. O. F. Askew, B.A. . August 24th. The Synod resumed its sittings at 3 p.m. yesterday. The Yen. Archdeacon Grace suggested that besides agreeing with the motion passed the previous day in regard to the war loaii (proposed by the Hon. A. T. Maginnity) the Trust Board! should invest some of 'its funds in that 1 patriotic undertaking. i ; The president explained that at pre- _ sent no funds were in hand; if and when such should appear no doubt'all 1 members w rould eagerly Seize any oppor- [ tunity that may arise of putting into ; practice ths sentiments of the motion.

That more than mere sentiment inspires the Church in the diocese is shown hy the reduction in the clerical staff due to clergymen voluntarily going-on. active service. This matter was fully dealt with in the president's address. As regards the Church as a whole in. New Zealand, that a high ■sense of patriotic duty moves it is apparent from a report made to General Synod last year, and found on page 62 of its proceedings. ~: . The V : m. (Archdeacon Grace moved by '.leave-of. Synod without ; notice : "That.this, Synpd- desires to express to the- Righf Itevr the President its'.' high appreciation of his self-denying action in declining, the invitation of appointment to the Bishopric of Gippsland, and its sincere thanks for the great generosity exercised by him in this connection. The Synod recognises what a serious loss the diocese would have siistained had it been deprived of the direction and general government of its affairs by His Lordship, and expresses the hope that under the merciful guidance of Providence he may be long spared to continue his effective administration of the diocese of Nelson." Speaking in support, Archdeacon Grace stated that,ho felt sure from the first that the Bishop, having already clone so much for the diocese, would not leave his work still so far from completion. No other could have initiated so much so well, and none other could complete it.

lhe Hon. A. T. Magimiity endorsed every sentiment of the previous speaker, and dwelt especially upon the inspiring influence of the 'Bishop in evoking enthusiasm in all Church workers.. <

After being spoken 1 to by the Yen Archdeacon York. Messrs J. W. Girling, A: C. Cotterill, jind H; Paaka, the motion was carried unanimously j the Synod standing. The Bishop, in reply, said he felt deeply the: great ; kindness of those around him. ThM^a« the' third €ime he h^d had to say "No," and iust as on the two previous occasions he had had no reason to regret his decision, so far he felt.it would be in. this. There would be no regrets on his part for this was where God had just now called him to work, and till he was assured that God no longer -wanted him to remain ne wouldL stay. The Dean of Nelson was accorded leave to move a motion of very real condolence with Mr and Mrs P. H. Richmond.

The Yen. Archdeacon Kempthorne moved similarly with iegard to Mr A. C. Strachan and family. In both cases a son had made the supreme sacrifice in the service of King and country. Synod carried both motions, standing. The R«v. N.^Friberg moved: "That this Synod affirms the desirability of establishing in all important centres educational institutions under the control of General Synod;" in doing so he spoke of the value to the Church of Rome of these' schools, and of the enterprise marking the present policy of the Presbyterian Church;' .The Rev. W. AY. Bedwell, in seconding the motion said that where our children received Christian training that weas parents .deemed to be,<»f;an undesirable kiffd,"'the Church/ must be> held partially, responsible. The motion was spoken to by the ReV. A. Crossman, the Rev. J. A. Jermyn, the Rev. F. J. Daynos, and Dr. Mackay.

Mr H. Paaka emphasised the hindrance placed in the path of children trained in our few church orphanages when afterwards they mingled with -those who had had only a non-religiou3 training. Canon Wollstein deprecated educating one side only* of .the chUd. ~Thl e Hon. A. T. Maginnity reviewed the history of education legislation trom 187/, when free compulsory and secular education became the chief features thereof.

The President spoke of the work already being done in the dioceses of Wellington and Christchurch. ~' riie 11 mo.tion was then carried with the following addition, suggested by the President "and that the question be studied by members of the Cathedral Chapter resident in Nelson, or its vicinity, and a report be presented to the next Synod.'?'

| Mr Wilson Heaps moved a motion that the time had now come when the minimum standard of qualification for ordination should be raised to a pass in trrade IV. send ■ that candidates for orders should be encouraged to graduate at some approved university as evidence of the possession of good general knowledke m addition to their special quahfieation. He pointed out that high academic qualifications were needeel for the medical care of the body, uikl wore rigorously insisted upon. No less siiould be demanded-for -the cure or souls.

The \ en. Archdeacon Grace secondpd the motion pro fonna,and pointed out that the aims of the motion were being gradually reached by.the bishops. lnc Rev. J. A. Jermyn pointed out how hardly this motion would press upon men now at the front who upon return may seek ordination. The Dean of Nelson, as a member of the Board of Theological Studies, endorsed, the effort to raise the standard of education or. harmony with a similar movement in other religious • bodies. Hie President drew the attention of i Synod to clause 2 of the report of n ! commission set. up by General -SynoVi L-o deal with the supply and training of candidates for^the ministry. As parents were both willing and able to provmcv the expense of training their sons lor the ministry, it -wars urgently rocommended that in • every diocese a fund should be established, under the control of the Standing. Committee, the assistance of aspirants to the ministry. As for himself, he pointed out that of 14 men ordained by him 11 had had college or -university training. Ihe motion was carried. " . .' August 25th. At the evening session the first business was the election of the Standing Committee- and of the-Foreign Missions Committee. "

The following •were elected Committee: Clergy, Very Rev. the Dean. Yen. Archdeacon Grace, Yen. Archdeacon Kempthorne, Canon Dart, Rev. F.Dayneß: laity, Messrs F. H. Richmond, C. W. Pitts-Brown, S. E. O. Saxton. W. 3". Girling, and Dr. Msckay. Foreign Missions Committee: Clercrv, Very Rev. the Dean, Yen. Ar.chdpp.con Kempthorne, Canon Dart. Rev. A. J. Carr; laity. Messrs 0. W. Pitts-Brown. P. S. Chllds, Wilson Heaps,. Dr. Mackay. mi c< '-r " nsf °Bth. Lhe.Svuq.'l went into committee on the report of the Foreign Missions Com-

The following recommendation *' was made to Synod, and agreed to: That a Maori missioner be appointed to work the Maori Mission in the diocese, and that the following committee be appointed to attend to this recommendafton, and to inquire fully into the work oi the Maori Mission: The Bishop, the \en. Archdeacon Grace, Rev. F. J. Daynes, Mr Huta Paaka, and Mr.J W Girling. ;

August 29th The following further business was transacted at Monday's sitting Qf the Docesan Synod, which concluded the session.

i' In committee on trusts, on parochial returns, the Very Rev. the Dean of Nelson moved:—That in view of the fact that tie 25th anniversary of the Church Missionary Society of New Zealand to be celebrated in "October next, 'the diocese pledges itself to a further consecration of its resources to the kingdom of God.

The motion was seconded by Canon Wollstein, who in doing so said he hoped our diocese would remain in the forefront of missionary enterprise. In an impressive speech he urged the wardens to remember ttat it was the experience of every parish that money given to God's great war against evil in pagan lands does not in the least degree lessen tlie necessity to carry on the war against evil, in the home land. ll© would especially commend this to the notice of the churchwardens of those parishes wr.icli.at present show a balance on the wrong side. Support of "missions will transfer the balance to the right sidec •

The Very -Rev.-, the Dean gave.; a truly instructive resume of recent, work in the Melanesian Mission, which showed that the outlook was most topeful.

The president rejoiced that the closing discussion of the Synod At as one on the work of the kingdom of God par excellence—for such is mission work. A clear indication was given '< of the basis that exists for hope for the future. We are distinctly upon tie upgrade. ...,

It was resolved:—^That this Srnod desires to record its appreciation oi~ the kindness and hospitality accorded to members of Synod during the session by their hosts and hostesses; that this Synod wishes to express grateful ap-' preciation of the splendid services given by Canon Dart acting as dioceson secretary; also that this Synod records witl gratitude it's appreciation of the devoted work of the Sunday school teachers of the diocese.

■ Resolutions of thanks were passed as follows:—To the clerical and lay secretaries of? Synod; to the l£y readers of the diocese for their very, valuable services throughout tte year; to the press for its futfl and "correct reports of the proceedings of Synod- to-the chairman and deputy chairman of committees; to the organists and choirs of the diocese for their \valuable work in connection with the musical portion of the churcr services; and to the president of Synod.

The motion winch was carricß expressing appreciation of the self-denial of the Bishop in declining the. see of Gippsland was moved by the Yen. Archdeacon Kempthorne.