The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1871-09-26 00:00:00

,ai anb District Otis.

TILE OIoCESAN SYNOD.

lii. undeniable th d Ll:olden of lay represen-
tatives in the various prishee of 13,oset Las produced
but very languid interest in any ;dace, while in not •
few it has been difficult "to make meeting." us
result we hod appointed either thoso who have
hitherto acted with the clergy, in which ease no new
Interest is secured ; or, in the other pariArs.the persons
elected are any who could be prevailed upon to serve,
end from whose enforced labours little gain Is to he
expected. In but a very modified sense can these
laymen be called "representative," and the coldness
with which the whole scheme hu been taken
Up (or
~left alone) by the great bulk of the
laity Is • discouraging augury for the united
diocesan efforts it was hoped the Synod would ensure.
Probably the Bishop himself conduced much to the
apathy that has prevailed by limiting the duties of the
reprematatives to attending • rori-decanal meeting and
ableting Synods:nen. It was generally felt that the
=wail not worth the candle- that the solomn
by of parochial elution, bad an ..haurdly
grotesque lame, when their duties of the elected began
sad ended in giving a single vote on the choice of
another I But his lordship ties had the wisdom to s, c
the fatility of this arrangement, and • few days since
Issued • letter in which he intimated that finding it
would meet more favour, he wishes the lay represeat-
Mires also to become "member, of the ruri-decenel
meetings." This is • great change from the original
programme, and considerably enlarges the functions at
the lay representatives. But the parochial meetings
oely authorised them to vote for Synodamen • bad it
been kuswn that other powers were to he exerciled, the
deletions might have resulted differently: at any rats.
She lay mprementativee will take part in the run-de/lama
ineetiaga simply as the Biahop'ie nominees, and with*
out the least parochial authority. This is • p.m:dies*
matter, and quite apart from the more serious doctrinal
gaestions the proposition of a Synod has renewed and
intensified in the diocese. However moeh goodwill mud
desire for unity animated the Bishop when he pre-
leeted bhie scheme, the letters we publish to-day make
t abundantly deaf that between the High Church an I
the Evangelical clergy there are differenees as to tie
very foundations of religion which to ignore is
'Able, that ctnnot be removed, and which render
co-operation altogether linpraoticsble. Shoal I the
Bishop, Clergy, and Synodnvls ever pr0c..... I from
deliberation to actioo, we believe it will produe: an
agitation In the diocese the issues of which in them:
days, who. the Liberation Society is ruskiiir greet
efforts, it is difficult to foresee.

RURI•DECANAL MEETINGS AND THE LAY
REPRESENTATIVES OF PARISHES.
The Bishop of the Diocese bra issued the subjoined
circular to the various rural deans :
'• Pelee, sans) ury, Sept. 53, lsn.
"My dear Mr. Rural Dean,—lt appears to me that our pro-
posed synod will be well supplemental, and the (not unreason-
able) wish expressed by many Churchmen for &more attended
representation In great degree met, if the two laymen elected
in CllO4 mesh for the choice of synodenen become themselves
members of the run-siceanal meetings. By this means subjects
to be brought forward at the synod may be extensively discussed
throughout Ute diocese, and the synod itself much helped by
knowing the opinion ~Ith. constituent bodies respecting them.
The central body will have the practical conduct of such a oik
as the law leaves open to the voluntary agency of Churchmen
with the Bishop, and no part of the diocese will be, even in
appearance, excluded from sharing In the consideration a it.
I snail be much obliged to you to make this plan known fit
your detnery, and only regret that the announcement takes
place subsequently to the elections in the parishes. I cannot
but think that jilt had been earlier declared, the one or two
parishes which hate declined to proceed to electiononight have
deeded otherwise, and taken their part in what is lionesti)
Intended as • vigorous and large-hearted area to improvi. the
work or the Church in the dioCCI4 of Salisbury.
" Believe me, me ileu Mr. Rural Dean,
"Your faithful friend and brother
" Ovens SARrII."