It must be borne in mind that the powers of the General Synod are limited; its jurisdiction and authority are a delegated jurisdiction and authority; the sources of which are primarily in the Churches, then with the Classes. The General Synod has no power to declare tenets of doctrine, nor to establish new tests of Church membership; nor to effect any change in the Government or polity of the Church, save through the action of the constituency, in the manner prescribed in the Constitution.
Minutes of General Synod, 1881, p 733
