EVENING SITTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4164, 25 August 1881, Page 4

EVENING SITTING.

The Synod resumed at 7.30 p.m, SEAT BENTS.

The debate on this subject waa resumed by the Rev E. A. Lingard, who opposed the Rev &. A. Mortimer's motion. It was extremely undesirable to interfere with the existing financial arrangements. Ho did not think that the affection of their poorer brethren had been lost by the system of renting seats. He pointed out that a very large portion of the seats in all the city churches were free. At the time when all the seatß in the churcheß of the Diocese were free, he remembered that though the seats were freo, they were appropriated quite as much as ever paid seats were. The rent Bye tern had been introduced by tho people themselves, as they were unable, to find the clergyman's stipend otherwise. He felt sure that if the free system were introduced they would lose the aUegiance of a great many who would not attend unless they could have their own seats. Ho would be glad to join with his vestry, if the people desired it, in making the whole of the sittings in his church free. He did not believe, from his experience, that they would ba ablo to raise sufficient to meet their expenses il the seat rents were abolished ; the offertories would not nearly Buffice. He pointed out that by the arrangement of free seats in most of the churches the poor did have equal rights with the rich in church. He was not inclined to support either the resolution or amendment.

The Rev W. 0. Harris opposed the amendment, on the ground that it was more a matter for the clergyman to deal with among his parishioners than for the Synod to legislate upon. Mr W. J. W. Hamilton agreed with the Rev E. A. Lingard. He remembered that in the early days, when free seats were the general rule, they had been compelled to adopt the seat rent system to support their clergymen. Speaking for the congregation to which he belonged, he could cay that tbe Beatholders were the beßt supporters of the church; those who did not hold seats contributed very little towards it. If tho resolution were carried they would soon be in a difficulty. The Cathedral would soon be opened, and they would then be able to judge how far voluntary contributions were to be depended on. He believed that every parishioner, whether he paid for a sitting or not, was entitled to a seat in his own parish Churoh. He noticed that in all God's works the most exact order was observable, and he did not see how order could bo preserved in Church unless there were appropriated seatB — he did not say rented seats. The resolution provided no substitute for the present system. Ho was not in favour of either resolution or amendment.

Leave was here given to the Rev R. A, Mortimer to withdraw his motion.

Tho Rev H. 0. M. Watson did not agree with the proposal. What was wanted was a better state of feeling among church-goers. There would be ill-bred people in their congregations whether the seats were free or not. He did not think that they should bring in the class of persons which had been referred to, even if they threw open the seats of all the churches of Christchurch. The evil lay deeper. What was alienating the working classes was the dissemination of literature of an infidel typo, and what waß wanted were clergymen who could go among the poople and counteract that influence. (Hear, hear.) The Rev W. A. Pascoe was afraid that in the Colonies they were getting a religion of respectability in the place of the religion of Christ. The worldly conduct of professing Christians was a great stumbling block to the poorer people, who might wish to join the Church. It Beemed to him to be a sign of this decadence that they were compelled to resort to seat rents. His great objection to the system was that it was making merchandise of the House of God.

Mr Hargreaveß did not agree with the amendment. While admitting the desirability of free churches, ho did not see how they were to Bupport their clergy if the seat rents were abolished. He referred to hiß experienco in the early days of the Province in Bupport of his statement. He was glad the original motion had been withdrawn, and hoped the mover of the seoond resolution would also withdraw it. They should be practical, and not ask parochial authorities to carry out impossibilities. Ho thought that it would be weU if a freo mission hall or chapel of ease were established, and the services of a missionary clergyman secured for the purpose of evangelising the masses. (Hear, hear.) He thought that the present agitation only tended, he spoke adviiedly, to produce dissatisfaction. He knew that many among the working classes only required someone to teU them that thoy had a grievance, and they would at once believe they had one, whether the caße were so or not. (Hear, hear.) He thought that theie was not any " stand aßide " spirit in the Church in Canterbury. He believed the beet plan would be to adopt the course he had indicated.

The Roy — Oruden spoke in support of Mr Hargreaves' suggestion. At the same time, he believed most thoroughly in the free system. Thoy should have more faith on the subject. If the churches were shut up, how were they to preach Gospel to tho poor, according to Christ's command? Speaking from over 22 years' experience, he could say that the poor man did not like to go and sit in a certain part of the church, where ho folt he was under what might almost be called a certain kind of disgrace. He would vote for the amendment.

Mr H. R. Webb hoped the amendment would be withdrawn. He agreed with Mr Hargreaves in his remaritß, as to the working classes. The way for the clergy to enlist the sympathies of all classes was to go among the people more, and speak to them about their souls.

The Rev Mr Gossett spoke strongly in Bupport of the proposition. Ho related some incidents in support of his condemnation of rented seats.

The Rev R. A. Mortimer thought that attendance at church must go together with visiting, and there must be a church to which people could be invited. He pointed out tbat thoro was a continual encroachment of the rented seats on the free seats. He reviewed briefly aome of the objections that had beon taken to hia proposal. Tho amendment, which had now bocome the Bubatantive motion, was then put, and declared carried on tho voices.

A division was caUed for, which resulted as foUows:— Ayes — Clergy, 24; Laity, 13. Noos— Clorgy, 5 ; Laity, 16. Tho motion was therefore carried. THB CATHEDBAL COMMIBBIOK.

The Rev G. Cotterill moved for leavo to

bring in a Bill to introduce a statute for tram* ferring tho functions of the Cathedral Commission to Chapter of ttie Cathedral. He explained that hie motion expressed the views of both bodies.

The Rev C. Bowen seconded the motion for granting leave to bring in tlie Bill, which was carried.

The Bill was introduced, read a first timo, and the aeeond reading made an order of the day for Friday next.

BBVIBBD NEW TESTAMENT.

The Rev G. J. Cholmondeley moved— " That this Synod desires to offer ita hearty congratulations to tho Joint Committee of the two Homes of Convocation of Canterbury for the Revision of the Authorised Version of the Holy Scriptures, and to the scholars and divines associated with them, on having completed one portion of the solemn and arduous task entrusted to their caro, and to express its deep appreciation of the long continued and devoted labour which they have beßtowed upon it ; and it earnestly prays that the blessing of the Great Head of the Church may continue to rest upon tho important undertaking in which they are engaged." He paid a high testimony to the importance of the new version, and the learning and devotion of its translators. At the same time he would deprecate any hasty change in tho direction of substituting it for the former version in publio worship. He believed that the great enterprise of the translation would tend to improving the feelings existing towards one another between the various followers of a'common Lord.

The Hon H. B. Greßson seconded the motion.

The Yen Archdeacon Harper thought the resolution a little premature. If such an expression of opinion came from the New Zealund Ohurch at all, it should come from the General Synod. Convocation itßelf bad not committed itself to any decided expression of opinion on the subject, but had contented itßelf with a carefully worded motion expressing somo thanks to the translators, but avoiding any statement on the merits of tho case. The preaent resolution was most important, as it almost implied a recognition expressed in the heartiest terms, of tho new version. Thoy were only a y?ry small portion of tho Church, and so should be very careful as to what they did. Mr J. Grigg thought the motion only implied a graceful act of gratitude. It was merely the expression of the thanks wbich every Christian man should feel towards the translators.

The Rev 0. Bowen was of opinion that, as the General Synod would not meet for three yearß, it was not inappropriate for the Synod to pass the resolution. 'Jhe Very Key tbe Dean said that it was premature for Synod to pass such a resolution. He sympathised with tho spirit of the motion, but thought it was rather hasty. He would move the adjournment of tho Synod, aa he wished to avoid voting against tho motion.

Mr A. Cracroft Wilson suggested that Mr Cholmondeley should withdraw his motion. MrC R. Blakiston seconded ttie motion for adjournment. After some further discussion, tho motion for adjournment waß withdrawn. Mr C. R. Blakiston moved— "That the Synod pass on to the next motion." Somo further disoussion followed, in which the opinion waa expressed tbat if the resolution were passed, it would bo better that it should be done unanimously. The Rev W. A. Pascoo counselled the Roy G. J. Cholmondeley to withdraw his motion. The Rev G. J. Cholmondeley, in deference to the opinions which had been expressed, would withdraw his resolution.

Leave to withdraw the motion was given, and the resolution was withdrawn.

Notices of motion having been given, the Synod adjourned at 10.10 p.m. to 4 p.m. today.