THE MAORI MISSION.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume V, Issue 6, 1 December 1914, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE MAORI MISSION.

I have not been long enough as head of the Diocese to lay before you any policy m regard tothe Maori Mission. I have visited a large number of the Settlements, and have seen enough to be deeply interested m this part of my work, enough too to see that the Maori Priesthood must be of the very, best, the best that the race can offer — only thus can the Church advance. There is one thing I am sure we want as a Diocese to realise more and more — -that we are one Church — English and Maori— one by the blood of Jesus Christ; and anything that will tend to draw us closer together m the holy bond of fellowship and loving sympathy, m Christ Jesus — that I will Further with God's help. RE-UNION. All who' love our Lord Jesus Christ m sincerity and truth must long for unity— not uninformity, but unity through diversity. Our Lord made it quite clear that the unity he prayed for was a visible unity — the unity of a living organism, the Body. "I labour for peace, but when I speak thereof they make them ready for battle." How true isthis of the Kingdoms of the world, of peace conferences which have ended m war. So alas, m theKingdom of Christ. We viewed with satisfactionthe great Missionary Congress m Edinburgh where Missionaries of all denominations gathered m conclave, and also what followed: the establishment of the World Conference of Faith and Order. We awake from our dream of the peace of Christendom to find dissension m our own ranks. Is there to be no peace?" Yes, to that we are moving on. But not by compromise, not by letting go our hold, upon the great fundamental truths of our faith, but by holding on to the faith however assailed, by strong convictions, by letting go nothing that involves principle, by a larger charity with those whodiffer, even though we cannot yield one jot of thefaith; by coming into closer fellowship with each other m Christ, through pardoned sin; thus we move on to the fulfilment of the Prayer of the Great: High Priest "that all may be one." President's Address.— On the motion of Archdeacon Williams it was resolved, "That the thanksof the Synod be given to the President for his Address, and that he be respectfully requested toallow the same to be published with the proceedings, of Synod." Officers of Synod.— The Rev. J. W. Robinson was appointed Clerical Secretary, vice Rev. N. Robert--shawe, resigned. Hours of Business. — It was resolved that the hours of business be from 4 to 5.50 p.m., with an. adjournment to 8 p.m. Sessional Committee on Returns and Accounts. — The President nominated the following as a Sessional Committee on Returns and Accounts: — Rev. Canon Tuke, Rev. T. Fisher, Rev. F. W. Chatterton,, Messrs.. J. H. Sheath and J. A. McLean. The Synod concurred.

Apologies for Absenoe.-— Apologies were made for several of the Clergy and Laity who were absent. Papers laid upon the Table.— Accounts of the Diocesan Treasurer, Waiapu Board of Diocesan Trustees, Waiapu Maori Mission, Te Aute Trust Board, Buller Trust, Bishopric Endowment Fund, East Coast Native Pastorate, Waerenga-a-hika Native School Trust, Waiapu Church Gazette,, Statistical Returns and Accounts from Parishes and Districts, Reports of the Standing Committee, Diocesan Trusts Board, Bishopric Endowment Trustees, Clerical Pension Board and Accounts, Recess Committee re payment of Stipends through Diocesan Office, and Acts of the Bishop. Standing Committee. — On the motion of Mr. J. B. j Fielder it was resolved that the Standing Committee consist of 5 Clerical and 6 Lay members. The President stated that nominations must be m writing on forms prepared for that purpose and must be received by him not later than the adjournment on Friday evening. < Notice of motion having been given the Synod ; adjourned until Friday at 4 p.m.