General Synod.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume III, Issue 8, 1 February 1913, Page 117

General Synod.

The General Synod opened its session at Nelson on Thursday, Feb. 16. There was a Celebration of the Holy Communion at 7.36, and the Synod assembled m the Provincial Hall at 3 p:m., when after Prayers and the Roll being called, the Primate delivered his opening, address. This was ordered to be printed, and we shall have opportunity at a future date of referring to the .same. In the evening Divine service was held m the Cathedral, the sermon being preached by the Bishop of Auckland. The service was hearty and congregational, and m spite of the really oppressive heat the Church was crowded. On Thursday afternoon, after the Primate had delivered his address, only formal business was done ; but on Friday the Synod set to work on the business of which notice had been given. Much of the business brought forward is still under consideration, but it will tie of interest to pur readers to know that with

regard to the Marsden Centenary (the following has been agreed upon r — (a) A series of services m Maori and m! English at the Marsden Cross, the site where the first Christian service was held, during the Christinas week of 1914. , (b)' A Church Congress for all New Zealand, to be held m Auckrland m February, 19 15. (c) That a fund of X^OiOOo, as a Memorial Fund, be raised to found and foster religious, education m the Province. that the objects of the Fund should include '. 1. The contribution of ,£SOO a 3 7 ear, if necessary, for . three years for the Bible m State Schools movement. (2.)' For the training and payment of a Guild of Church Teachers of Religion m Schools. (3.) For helping to found Church Secondary Boarding Schools for Maoris or Pakehas. (4.) For such other purposes as the Commission deems to be connected with religious education. The matter was fully debated, and met with the warmest support. With regard to the Church Congress, it was explained that a Guarantee Fund would be necessary, and the members of Synod guaranteed a sum of over £300 towards the'^roqo which is claimed to-be necessary. ■ Canon Garland was invited to address the Synod on the Bible m State Schools League, and received a cordial welcome. The Synod on the following day passed a resolution strongly affirming its adherence to the aims of the League, and commending its work to the hearty support of Church people.. The duty of the furtherance of the work of the Missions of the Church has received due consideration. A Bill has been introduced by the Bishop to establish, a Provincial Board of Missions, and the principle of the Bill has been generally affirmed, but the details of the Bill have still to be considered. The Synod has agreed upon the following exchange or rile of land m which our Diocese is concerned : "That the Waiapu Board of Diocesan Trustees, incorporated, be authorised— "(i.j To exchange part of Section ii, Block 8, Buckley Township, for

part of Section 12 m the same Block; ■; " ;■'■■"■ ■ ■ ■ ~ "•""■"■ "(2.) To sell Sections 31 and 32, Tiniroto Village, m exchange for Section 25 m the saicj Village and the sum of \£io. "(3.) To sell Section 227a of Block 16, Patangata District, at Waipukurau, and the proceeds of such sale to be invested by the said Board, and the income thereof to be for the benefit of the Parish of Waipukurau. "(4.) To sell Sub-division 70 of Section 2, Township of Opotiki, 'the present Vicarage site, and expend the proceeds thereof towards the purchase of another site for the Vicarage. "(5.)". To exchange certain Suburban lands m the District of Tauranga. "(6.) To exchange with Mr. W. T. Williams (a) 25 acres of the College land and (b) 313 acres of the College land for (c) 5 acres' 3 roods and 31 perches, being part of Uotoatara Block and (d) 322 acres 1 rood and 30 perches, being part of Patangata No. 2 Block. "(7.) To sell Lots Nos. 3 and 4, part of Section No. 121 of the Ormondville Special Settlement, on the public map of the Takapau Survey District, with an area of 2 roods 22 perches." Provincial Board of Missions. The Bishop of Waiapu moved the ' second reading of a Bill for constituting a Provincial Board of Mfc: sions. He emphasised the fact that the whole Church is a missionary society. He stated the greater part of the Bill had been taken from the canons existing m the United States of America and 4 Canada. The Synod of each Diocese would be a Diocesan Board of Missions, with the Standing Committee as the Executive. The Diocesan Committee would present a : full report of its work to each session of the Diocesan Synod, also to the Executive of the Provincial Board of Missions. It was proposed m the Bill that the third day of every ordinary meeting of the General Synod should be devoted to the work of Missions ; and m the evening of. that day he sug- : gested a monster missionary meeting might be held. He stated he : would be prepared to accept amend- , ments, or additions, but he would stand to the principle that the 1 whole Church was a missionary ; society.

The Bishpp of Chri^tehurch seconded the motion. The Bill passed the, second reading, when the~ mover expressed his wish not to proceed further this Synod, but to have it passed on to the Diocesan Synods for discussion, , and brought up at the next Genetal Synod, which will be held m Christchurch m May, 1916.