ARCHIDIACONALCONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10362, 7 September 1922, Page 4

ARCHIDIACONALCONFERENCE.

AT TIMARU

The eighth annual conference of the ’Archdeaconry of Timaru and Westland began on Monday evening, with Evensong in St. Mary’s Church, at 5.15 p.m. After a community tea in the schoolroom, the conference was formally opened by the President (Archdeacon Julius), at 7 p.m. Among, the delegates were: Revs. A. H. Norris, D. Rankin, H, Purchas, S. Hinson, Messrs L. Talbot, T. Hughes, and G. A. M. Macdonald.

A deputation consisting of Revs. T. W. Potts and H. G. Goring attended on behalf of the proposed Council of Christian Congregations and explained the suggested constitution of the Council: “That sub-centres be established ,n different parts of South Canterbury which would meet quarterly and that a general meeting be held in Timaru annually or at any special time as would seem advisable to the Executive Council.

After several questions had been referred to, on the motion of Messrs L. Talbot and'T. Hughes, it was resolved to recommend the proposal to the favourable consideration of each pariah. The following resolutions were carried : “That* this Conference pledges itself to do all in its power by publicity, sale of tickets, and distribution of literature to ensure the success of the first New Zealand Church Congress and suggests that on a given Sunday' the clergy be asked to preach on the subject.” “That this Coference of Clergy and Laity of the Southern Archdeaconry expresses its great appreciation of the very valuable work of the Clergy Pension Board and hopes that as the' income as shown in the last Year Book is £3500, the time has arrived when substantial increases should be made in the amount of pension paid to annuitant clergy and that a proportionate pension r shopld ,be paid to widows.”

The Rev. H. Purchas pointed out the great disadvantages under which many of the clergy have to work — the wide extent of country that each man has to cover, and the difficulty of obtaining assistant curates. One solution of the difficulty might be in a rearrangement of the boundaries of the parishes. BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.

The subject of Bible in Schools was introduced by Archdeacon Julius who said that the present system of holding classes before or after school hours was condemned by all who have tried it, and something better was required for the better training of children in Bible knowledge. The Rev. H. Purchas spoke of the similar system prevailing in Switzerland and of it( great value iu providing a good ground work for Sunday School training. Canon Cocks. Mr T. Hughes, aud the Rev. S. Hinson supported the proposal to introduce a definite' syllabus of Bible reading iu the public schools —guarded by a conscience clause as regards both teacher and pupils.

The following motion was carried: —“That this Conference approve of the agreement reached by the Bishops with the representatives of other denominations with regard to the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer and the use of a Bible text book in the State Schools,”