THE ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL
• Sir,—l must thank you for the insertion of my letter on the 'above, subject and your footnote to enuie, the matter of which has doubtless been supplied to you by ono in authority. It i» the kind of 'answerl expected. It.shows just what 1 have heard contended, viz., that no one really knows what Mr. Askew and the , others working with him are about. Ii! lias been, freely 6tated that a special effort must be made at,once, that this is the psychological moment, that if the wave of sentiment once dies down that our opportunity of getting a cathedral will be lost, that it simply means making ji push now, or waiting at least, five-and-twerity years, etc. As (far as. I can learn there are two main feels of arguments being used, each one to be taken up or thrown on one side as required. To the thoughtful churohnian who questions the ability of the diocese to raise tho money without absolutely impoverishing all other,work, it is said "Don't trouble; 'Mr. .Askew is certain that Tiocan obtain tho whole sum .'required in the Old Country, excepting tho few thousand pounds given by rich merchants, farmers, and others." To the other, and probably wider, section, who loathe the idea of begging in the Old Country under any pretest whatever it is said (vide your footnote), "Oh, we'could not dream of injuring' tho distressed in Europe; we only want to allow sympathisers in. tho Motherland the privilege, of adding features to the Military CTi'apel (whatever that may be) of a decorative and historical nature." Would these "decorative and historical features," wjless backed up with substantial cheques, create the ,£150,-. 000 required, for the erection of this cathedral? . Either the, AVellington Diocese will havo to provide this money to the detriment of church, workers elsewhere, or promoters of this - ill-thought-out scheme, by .eloquence divert money in the Old Country that otherwiso would find its way to ttie starving women and children of Belgium. The enthusiasm of those -who have boon carried away by fluent speakers lias caused- thorn . lo overlook the above unarguable facts; but I trust, it is not 100 lute to give some consideration io the higher claim of humanity. 1 would again subscribe myself HUMANITAS, •_Wellingtcm, Judy 21. Sir,—"Hunianilas" asks some questions' legavding the Anglican. Cathedral schemo which I ■ think should be answered in order that mistakes and misunderstandings tiliould as far as possible, and as soon as poslblo, be removed from the public mind. "Humanitas" 'wants to know whether church people as a- body havo over been asked whether a Cathedlal should W built. Jn reply to this question, 1 would remind "Humanitas' that many years ago the Synod decided that a Cathedral was necessary, and with tho money, then collected the Inranaki Street site was purebneed. This year the Synod expressed the most cinphalio opinion that tho time has come for proceeding with the work, and that a really Hno Cathedral should be built aa a thank-offering for God's many blessings to this land, and as n. worthy, memorial to the men who have given their lives for U3 in this great war. The Synod.consists of Bishop, clergy, and laymen. It is the most representative assembly cf the diocese, and is the. only body Liipablo af giving authoritative oxprcssinn to tho general opinion of church people. I ycally cannot understand "Humanitass doubt as to whether a Cathedral should h* built in Wellington at all. If he is an Anglican Churchman he should know that a. Cathedral is an essential part, of A well-organised and properly equipped diocef-e. Auckland, Waiapu, Nelson, and Obristchiirch already- have, their Cathedrals, and ono is-now being built in Duuedin. 3s the dioce3? of Wellington, which is bound lo become the organising centre for the Church of New Zealand, to remain incomplete for ever? The Cathedrals of the other dioceses ha.ve not proved "a great detriment to parochial work." nor "an everlasting drain on the resources of tho dioceso." They could be, and should be, arid probably are. centres of spiritual activity exercising b wholesome influence on tho religious life of every parish. The Cathedral system has been tested by the experience of the church right down the ages, and its 6iiivival is a convincing proof cf its spiritual worth and utility. "Hnmanilas" misunderstands the proposal to give people in the Homeland an opportunity of co-operating with us as regards the construction and adornment of tho military chapel. It is necessary to draw a distinction between the Cathedral, and tho chapel. Tho Cathedra) is. of ixmrso, tho main building. Tho chapel only represents a comparatively small part of the scheme, but ii is of unique interest. It is intended lo' be a. beautiful and symbolic connecting link between New Zealand and Britain, and will speak of tho common sacrifices thoy havo made in tho cause of justice and freedom. Tho co-operation of tho people at Homo is necessary to enable the idea of tho war chapel to be fully realised. Wellington's itliank-offering io not going to be made
flt other people's expense. Tho diocese will built, its own Cathedral, and the enthusiastic, manner in which tho nudortaKtng is being supported is a. t,uro indication that il, win bo crowned with success. Wo want tho holp and sympathy of honest doubters like "HumaiiiU5," and when they gel. a boiler grip of tho sebemo .1 bolieve wo will eventually get their whole-hearted support, 1 am only a, layman, and not oven a member of the Synod; but I. nm intonsely intoreEtcd in. tho Cathedral idea, and i {Cnow- enough, about tho matter to bo in a position to give "Humanilas" the as6Uranco (hat. tho church has not been hastily committed to an ill-thought-out scheme. The idea, is a. great one. II has been well planned, h, is characterised by a splendid audacity which captivates the iraaginatios?; and who will dare fay that any building can bo too beautiful which is to bo erected as a. thank-offering to God and in memory of file New Zealand?]-* who have made. Hie supremo sacrifice in this war. Tho Cathedral's cross-topped spiries leaching up to Heaven will bo a. constant reminder to us and to those who will ecmo nfrc'r us that our fallen heroes are not dead and done with. It will assure us that God is able and willing to complete their shortened lives; that. "Ho will not leave, them in tho dust."—l nm, etc, DAYMAN.
Sir,—May I ask for spaco in your valued columns to attract public attention to the very strange manner in which the Anglican Synod is proceeding in connection with the initial stops towartiß raising funds (o build a most, elahorato cathedral in Wellington? Mr. r. *', ■Waters, in his letter to you to-day, points out. mildly that- tho venerable old structure of St. Paul's is quite sufficient to accommodate all the churchgoers—and I say thai it is more than sufficient—and yet, whilst wo are in the throes of this awful war, the Anglican parsons suddenly wake up to.the fart: that: the Church people of Wellington want, a grand cathedral, and want it at once! Money, we are told, is plentiful, and the Hev. Mr. Askew thinks "now or never." as ho puts it, is the time to got hold of as much, money as possible. Commence building' without any more lo do—a huge edifice to cost, about .fiISO.OOn. Surely that idea of building a thanksgiving church in memory of our dear ones heforo the war is over borders on the ridiculous. TCver.v person and every ounoeof the nation's energy—to the very last breathis at present, required to win the war, and to save from further slaughter our noble son*, and fathers too. and I. say that (o divert any source of supply of money at; this linio is misdirected zeai and shockingly bad form. Let those whom Mr. Askew is persuading to part with huge sums of money reflect, and surely fhoy must agrco that' we can worship our God in dear old St. Paul's for some years to come yet. But tho present is a time when- our immediate sacred duty is lo help practically ihe dear -fellows who are sacrificing their all, and to provide for tho thousands of orphans I hat wjll soon be on our hands, and for tho widows-and mothers of our brave ones.resting in foreign soil, and many in unknown graves or the iio-pilis of the oceaj). Cathedral, forsooth—who wants one just now. Take a vote and see whether money should bo misspent on even a venerable church, when we have not amply provided for the present, and future needs of living and suffering' humanity. The. manner in which this scheme has been worked and sprung on tnj comiciuiiii'.y ib quiro unusual,, and do->s ncc-commend itself even to old members of the Synod. ■ Mr. F. V. Waters, in his lotter, asus why Air. Clere—who for about thirty years has been identified, will) tho Church of England in New Zealand—has been passed uvci, aud was not invited to submit plans, as well as Mr. Peck, an unknown gentleman from Nelson. Let us know who this Heaven-sent architect is— where he came from and" when; what churches, li any, he has ever .teigiisd, wiist '-'xpeiiencc. he has had with °arthquakes, New Zealand stone, timb»r, and laboi.l. 'It is said that Mr. Peck was assistant to some celebrated English architect—well, what of that? I suppose ho was one of many assistants. Tho clergy, are. seldom good business men, and this rushing through at oiie sitting of the Synod of so huge a proposal—and the. accepting straight on of plans—savours of hysteria more than calm aud fair business. I say, a deliberate insult has beeii offered to a gentleman to whom Iho'Diocese of Wellington Is greatly'indebted for a lifetime of vnsoltish work, mostly gratis, and accompanied by donations for country churches, Mr. Clcre is the duly appointed diocesan architect of Wellington, and has held the appointment for many years. All plans have for years had to bo passed and signed T>y him. It will more than surpriso Church folk that Mr. Clero was not at any time consulted it; this matter—all was seemingly settled by Mr Askew and his architect, Mr. Peck—and then, sprung on tho .Synod. AV-hy wore •not others in Iho Dominion called in? Where is Mr. Hurst Seagor, Mr. Cyril Mountford, Mr. .1. Colliiw (the latter •the avchilcel of that beautiful church at Tininrn)? And who, pray, is going lo examine and report on Mr. Peck's plans? 1 know of two Synod men who had fully intended lo raise (heir voices scathingly against the whole cut-and-dried proceeding;, but in tho face olMho fact that His I/ordship Bishop Sprott gave his fullest sanction and support; to the project, (hey considered it useless lo object.
Iri • conclusion, I say again—give your money to the defenders of our homes and iel; l.ho cathedral wn.it. U will bo just as acceptable to God when pence reigns once jnoro upon earth.—l am, etc., X.Y.Z.
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Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3143, 23 July 1917, Page 7
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1,842THE ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3143, 23 July 1917, Page 7
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