THE DUNEDIN SYNOD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6068, 26 October 1887, Page 3

THE DUNEDIN SYNOD.

. 4 __ Bishop Neville's Address. [Vex, Press Association.] DUNEDIN, Oct, 25. The Anglican Diocesan Synod was opened this afternoon. His Lordship Bishop Nevill, in his address, dealt with the churchman's duty in regard to politics. Ho said tho proper function of the Synod was to work out and formulate a policy for the assistance of the whole body. While the Church will never dictate to her members, she may surely believe that a large number earnestly desire guidance. If the Church was to enjoy her legitimate influence in the counsels of the nation, she should both know her own mind and present convictions in a form sufficiently concrete to enable others to know it, too. No politicians could afford to ignore the earnest convictions of an influential portion of the community. As to religious education, he did not wish to say much. The profound conviction of the Church was that the present educational system was based upon the fatal mistake that secular education was sufficient to produce all that could be desired in the character and conduct of people, and it became the. duty of the Church to insist that this will not be the effect of such a course. On the subject of giving, he said that baptised and confirmed members must remember that they have been grafted on the holy body on their own account, and that giving towards its maintenance should not bo looked upon like tho complacent offering of a shilling to a beggar. The rest of the address was occupied by a review of diocesan affairs. Notice has been given of a motion, expressing regret at the resignation of the Primate.