CONSECRATION OF THE CATHEDRAL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2366, 2 November 1881, Page 3

CONSECRATION OF THE CATHEDRAL.

“All things come round to them that will but wait.” Some such sentiment as that expressed in the lines quoted above, fall as they are of encouragement and hope beyond the present, must have been felt by many of those who took part in the ceremony of yesterday with regard to the consecration of the Cathedral. Of these, perhaps those most keenly participating in the universal joy oh such an occasion must have been the venerable and respected Primate and the Dean. It is true, that witn them have labored faithfully, arduously and zealously a devoted band of Churchmen, who having set before them the high mission of erecting a worthy temple to the Great Creator, and once set their hand to the plough, pressed steadly onward. But with both the Primate and the Dean it has been a sacred duty never lost sight of, though pursued through difficulties and obstacles sufficient to have daunted less earnest, less enthusiastic workers than they. Now verily they have their reward, and with the aged Simeon of old, coaid joyfully and thankfully sing “Nunc Dimittis.” Few are there who have watched the growth of tho building opened yesterday who could have hoped during their lifetime to see it even partially completed. The finishing of the Cathedral for years past has been the synonym for something away in the dim misty future, which the present generation could not be expected to see realised. Yet it has been, and whether one he Episcopalian, or belong to any of tho other various sects of religion, it must be a source of great gratification that at last, in some degree at least, the ideal of the founders of this settlement has been carried out. In these days of prosperity, and comparatively speaking higher civilization, we are apt somewhat to forget the high and almost holy—call it romantic if you will—object of the founders of the Canterbury settlement. Their intent resembled, after a modern fashion, that exodus of the Pilgrim Fathers by the Mayflower to the new world, which has become historical. And prominent in the scheme of colonising this distant portion of the British dominions, stood the erection of an edifice to the honor ot the Great Architect of tho universe, where daily worship might be offered and thanksgivings rendered for having cast our lot in so goodly a land. The number of the original settlers is daily decreasing. Yesterday one missed numbers of faces to whom the event would have brought joy, who in thfir day and generation labored faithfully to brin-- about that result which we have been permitted to see brought to frnition. Yet though they have not for some inscrutable reason been permitted to take part in tho completion of the work, their z?al and energy has borne good fruit in those who came after them, and the result is that we have before ns a lasting monument of the pious intents of those who stood by the cradle of what is now one of the most prosperous and thtiving parts ot Her Majesty’s broad dominions. No wonder, then, that yesterday the hearts of those who had carried on the work, who had toiled and hoped on, animated by the sentiments expressed in the quotation above, grew glad within them, and made it a day to be marked with a white stone in our history. The very contrast ot the circumstances under which the two events, the laying of the foundation and the celebration of the completion of the building took place, was most marked. The first, on the 16th December, 1661, was celebrated under the most depressing circumstances amidst a perfect deluge of rain, and in the presence of —compared to the gathering of yesterday—a mere handful of people. 'I he completion was heralded in by sunshine, with familiar melody of bells, bringing hack memories of happy childhood’s hours in the dear old land, and amid the joyous congratulations of a happy, contented and prosperous people It could but suggest thoughts of gratitude to Providence —a gratitude fittingly finding expression in the dedication and consecration of a temple in onr midst as a symbol to our children and their descendants of the spirit which animated those who projected the settlement of Canterbury—a spirit which we who have coma after have, however imperfectly, endeavored to give form and shape to. In this record of yesterday’s it may not be uninteresting to quote from the journals of tte day the account of the laying ot the foundation stone of tho Cathedral on December 16th, 1861. It is'as follows : The fourteenth anniversary of Canterbury was on Friday, December 16th, ushered in with clonds and rain, dispiriting to the nnmerons holiday makers, who had looked forward with pleasure to a day which was to be enhanced in interest by the laying of the foundation stone of the Cathedral, and attractions of various kinds. No sooner did the procession commence forming outside St. Michael’s Church, than the rain commenced, and continued with a few short intervals throughout the whole of the day. At 9.3 1 a.m. prayers were offered np at St. Michael’s Church—the prayers being read by tho Archdeacon—after'’which tho procession formed outside the church in the following order: — The Volunteer Eifle Corps Musical Society and Choirs Choristers in surplices School Children

Churchwardens, Vestries and School Committees Ministers of Vaiions Denominations Dioce-an Secretary and Treasurer The Synod Boys of College, Old Boys and Fellows Subscribers to the Cathedral The Cathedral Architect The Cathedral Commission The Architect’s Clerk and Contractors The Clergy in surplices The Venerable the Archdeacou of Christchurch The Eight Eev. the Lord Bishop of Christchurch His Honor the Judge Members of Learned Profession General Government Officers Hia Honor the Superintendent The Executive Council The Provincial Council Provincial Government Officers Eesident Magistrate of Christchurch Christchurch City Council Eesident Magistrate of Lyttelton Lyttelton Municipal Council Eesident Magistrate of Eaiapoi Kaiapoi Municipal Council Foresters Oddfellows Fire Brigade Police.

The procession, after leaving’ St. Michael's, passed along Oxford terrace, down Cashel street, into Colombo street, till its arrival at the Cathedral site. Most of the streets were decorated with flags and banners, hut the ceaseless rain caused them to appear as a mockery rather than an emblem of joy. On arriving at Cathedral square the procession took up their appointed positions on the ground, the volunteers keeping the platform and space clear near the spot where the ceremonial was taking place. The special service was then commenced with the 132nd and the lv2nd Psalms, which was followed by an address from the Eight Eev. the Lord Bishop of the diocese. The Lord's Prayer was then read, and amidst the Hallelujahs of those around, tho chief corner stone of our Cathedral was lowered to its position. Under the stone was placed a bottle containing parchment rolls emblazoned with inscriptions. Tho Bishop then brought the proceedings to a close by the Benediction, and the numerous assembly dispersed from the enclosure. We now come to the farther history of the building, connecting the event chronicled above with that which took place yesterday: The work of putting in the foundations was continued till 18GS, when they were completed, and nothing more was done till August, 1873, when the work of erecting the building was commenced, and it has gone on until the present time. There are three entrances, viz., on tho south, west, and north portions of the building. The chief entrance is in the west, and over the door is a very handsome jhece of carving, presented by the Cathedral Guild, a body established to collect subscriptions in aid of the work of building the edifice. Tho same body provided the very handsome rose window which appears above the entrance. The north porch, which is the gift of Archdeacon Wilson, will be the entrance most used, as the west door will only be used for festivals. Passing in by the west door we come into the nave, which is 110 ft long, the nave and aisles being CBft wide inside. Down the nave are the columns carrying the clerestory, which are alternately octagonal and round. At the east end are two larger piers. There are to ho four x>iers at tho great crossing, of which two have been completed. It may bo here mentioned that the aisles themselves* are 17ft wide.*The height to the beams of the roof is 4Gft, and to the ridge 25ft additional. The whole interior is lined with wrought ashlar, with the exception of the wall panels all round below the windows, which are reserved for mosaic decorations. The part yet to be built to carry out Sir Gilbert Scott’s plan in its entirety, consists of two transepts, the choir, and choir aisles. At present a temporary wooden sanctuary has been erected between the two eastern piers, and a temporary choir arranged in the easternmost hay of the nave. The easternmost hays of the aisle are to be applied one for an organ chamber and the other fora vestry, Tho foundation stone of the tower was laid at the same time as that of the other of the building, and tho colonists owe it to the munificent liberality of Mr E. H. Ehodes and the family of the late Mr G. Ehodes, that this beautiful piece of work has been erected. The former gentleman presented the tower, and the latter the spire. The tower, from base to top of the cross, is 230 ft |lugh, and is 27ft square at the base, exclusive of buttresses, which are about 4ft Gin more on each side. The tower walls to the base of the spire lare 4ft thick. The finial stone measures sft 3iu high when finished, and w r as cut from a single block measuring sft Sin long, and 2ft Gin square, or close upon 34 cubic feet. It is of the hard fine-grained limestone found at Castle Hill, on the property of Mr J. D. Enys, and was selected, quarried and brought to Christchurch for this special purpose. The finial is carved with a doable tier of leaves on four of the eight sides, and finished at the top with n swelling bud terminal upon which is fixed the cross. In order to diminish as much as possible the clfect of the wind upon a surface so large as the cross resting on so small a base, the work of tho cross has been designed of open work. The peal of ten bells, also the munificent gift of the same donor as the tower, have been hung, and the following is a description of them : —The total weight of the ten bells is 137 cwt Oqr 241 b, tW> weight of each one being as follows :—Treble, F sharp, Gcwt Oqr Gib ; second, E. Gowt 2qr 21b ; 3rd,|D, 7cwt Iqr 141 b ; 4th, C sharp. 7ewt 3qr 71b ; sth, B. 9cwt 2qr 141 b ; Gth, A. 11cwt 3qr 211 b ; 7th. G, 15cwt; Bth, F sharp, 17cwt 1 qr 91b ; 9th, E. 23cwt 2qr; tenor, D, 33cwt Oqr 71b. On each bell the name of the founders (Messrs Taylor and Co.) is cast. The bells are sent out with massive oak framework, and all the fittings complete, including Ellacombe s chiming apparatus. The day selected for tne final ceremony in connection with the building, so far as at present constructed,was All Saint’s Day, and every preparation was made to render it a solemn and impressive one. Some time before tho hour fixed for the commencement of the service a very “ large crowd assembled in front of tho west door,

and at half-past ten the greater part of the chaira were occupied. A number of gentlemen acted as ushers, and under their supervisor! every one of the large assemblage was seated without difficulty or confusion. On each side of the church a temporary platform over the choir stalls had been erected, on which were accommodated the members of the choirs assisting the Cathedral choir and the orchestra. In the centre of the nave the teats on both sides facing the passage were reserved for the clergy, the members of Synod, the City Council being accommodated on each side behind them. The members of the Chapter were placed above the choir stalls within the temporary apse. Punctually to the hour named a procession was formed of the Dean and Chapter, the Chancellor of the Diocese, Hon. H. B. Gresson; the Precentor, Bev. W. H. Elton; the Cathedral choir master, Mr Wells ; and the choir, together with the orche;tra. 'lhe procession proceeded, to the west door and then faced inwards. At the door the Bishop, attended by his chaplains, and accompanied by the Bishops of Dunedin, Waiapn, Nelson, and Wellington was mot by the Dean and Chancellor, who presented the petition f r consecration which was lead by the Registrar of the diocese, the Key. F. Knowles. 'I he bishop having signified his consent to the petition, the proces-ion was reformed, the Primate, precede! by his crosier hear.r, heading it, followed by the four snffragan bishops, the Dean and Chapter, and clergy. In this order the procession advanced up the nave, the bishops and clergy alternately repeating the verses of Psalm sxiv. At this time the interior of the Cathedral presented a very pretty and interesting sight, tin each side of the central passage of the nave was the crowd of spectatore, the summer toilets of the ladies making the mass look like a parterre of flowers, whilst the glints of sunlight falling through the windows on the various colored hoods worn by the clergy made up a most charming picture. The Bishops having reached the chancel steps, the clergy and chapter proceeded slowly to their places, the choir singing hymn 239 as a processional, Mr Neville Barnett, F.C 0., organist of St. Luke’s, presiding at the organ, the tones of which blended very harmoniously with that of the brass instruments of the orchestra. The hymn ended, and all being in their respective places, the Dean presented the deed of dedication. The Primate then read several special prayers suitable to the occasion. The Hon. H. B. Gres non, chancellor of the diocese, then came forward and read the sentence of consecration as follows In the name ot God. Amen.

Whereas it has been represented to ns, Henry John Chitty, Bishop of Christchurch, and Primate ot the Church of the Province of New Zealand, commonly called the Church of England, by a petition under the hands of the Very Eev. Henry Jacobs, Doctor of Divinity, Dean of the Cathedral Church of Christchurch, ot the Venerable Archdeacons Henry William Harper, Benjamin Wortley Dudley and William Wellington Willock and the Eev. George Cotterill, Canons of the said Cathedral Church, of Henry Barnes Gresson, Chancellor ot the Diocese of Christchurch, and of Henry John Tancred, Eichard James Straohan Harman, Charles Eobert Blakistou and Frederick do Carteret Malet, lay members of the Chapter of the said Cathedral Church, and also of the Eev. George James Cholmondeley, and of George Hart, Henry William Packer, William Henry Hargreaves and Edward i John Tite Ford, being With ourselves and the aforesaid Henry Jacobs, Charles Eobert Blakiston and Frederick de Carteret Malet, the present members ’of the Diocesan Board of Trustees appointed by the Synod of the Diocese of Christchurch, that a parcel ot land containing by admeasurement one acre two roods thirty one perches, more or less, being part of the reserve numbered 1 in red on the map of the Chief Surveyor of the Provincial District of Canterbury, setting out and describing the town of Christchurch, which reserve was originallyset apart and declared by the Canterbury' Association as a site for a Cathedral Church and the buildings appertaining thereto, has been conveyed to ourselves by the Superintendent of the late Province of Canterbury, and by ns vested in the Diocesan Board of Trustees aforesaid for the same purpose, and that a portion of a Cathedral Church, consisting of a nave, with northern and southern porches, a temporary apse or chancel, a tower and spire, has now been built thereupon, and is fitted and prepared for Divine worship; and whereas the said petitioners have besought ns to consecrate the said Church, setting it apart from all profane and common nses, and to dedicate it as the Cathedral Church of onr diocese, under the name of Christ’s Church, to the service of Almighty God, and for the celebration of the reading and preaching of His word, and the administration of His holy sacraments and other rites and ceremonies of His Church, especially of such as pertain to onr episcopal office, according to the use of the Church of the Province of New Zealand, commonly called the Church of England. Now therefore, we, Henry John Chitty, Bishop of Christchurch, do, by virtue of onr authority ordinary and episcopal, and so far as in ns lies, and by law we can or may, separate and consecrate the said church, under the name and for the purposes afore recited, and do hereby openly and publicly pronounce and declare that the same ought so to remain separated and consecrated accordingly. Given under onr hand this first day of November, in the year of onr Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one, and in the twenty-sixth year of our consecration.

(Signed) _ H. J. C. Christchurch. The Primate said—l declare the sentence o£ consecration duly completed, and direct that it be preserved amongst the muniments ot the diocese.

The hymn " Who are these like stars appear inf?” was then very nicely sung by the choir. At the ccnclusion of the hjmn a fully choral morning service was proceeded with, the Eev. W. H. Elton, the Cathedral precentor, intoning the prayers. The precea and responses were by Ta'lis, and the Venite by Eimbault. The Psalms selected were Ixxxiv., by Felton; czxi., by Crotch; cxxii., by Wesley. These were all excellently rendered, although hero and there a difficulty occurred owing to the choir being divided and so far apart. The first lesson was read by Archdeacon Harper, from I. Kings, viii., 22-62, and the second lesson by the Very Eev. the Dean from Hebrews x.. 19-26. The Te Dcum was by Stainer in E flat, and the benedictions by ths same.

The Primate then read special prayers, and the anthem, “ I have surely built Thee an House,” by Boyce, the words taken from 1. Kings, viii., 13, was sung. The solos were very nicely sung by Messrs A. Merton, Hobbs, Fnnston, and Macintosh. Mr Barnett in this also played with great skill and tiste. The Communion Service was nest proceeded with, being by Stainer in E flat. The Epistle was read by the Bishon of Nelson, and the Gospel by the Primate. The latter preached the sermon, taking for his text the second verse of Psalms Ixxxiv. After briefly adverting to the uses of a Cathedral Church and the mention made in various portions of Scripture to the duty of gathering the faithful together, the Primate proceeded to refer to the special event of the day. He pointed out that the Cathedral differed from the ordinary churches of the diocese in so far that it was the offering of the whole diocese to the service of God. There were many who had taken an active part in the work who had departed from their midst, and it was only right that their memory should be honored. There were also others who had in their several vocations labored faithfully for the good of the whole Church, and of these the names of Bishops Selwyn, Williams, and Patterson, should never be forgotten by them. The Cathedral Church represented the aggregate congregations of the diocese, and they had in that building endeavored, however imperfectly, to erect a temple worthy in some way of God. In so doing, and by cheerfully giving, they would be sure of a return, not in the perishable things of this life, but in those which were far higher, far richer, and enduring. They would receive an increase of brotherly love and spiritual communion one with the other, and would be sustained in the trials and difficulties of tkeir worldly career, being preserved more from the temptations which beset all. In doing what they had done they had carried out the intention of those who had founded the settlement in providing in their midst for daily worship and praise to Him who had so bountifully blessed them with prosperity. At the conclusion of the sermon the offertory was made, the sentences being nicely sung by the choir. The communion was then celebrated, hymn 313 being sung during the service. Hymn 324 and the “ Nnnc Dimittis ” having been sung, the benediction was pronounced, and the ceremony ended. At evensong full choral service was performed. The mnsic selected was Hymn 274, Ps. xlviii (by Tucker), cxlv. (by Pye), and cl. (by Tnrton). The first lesson was from Wisdom 5 to v. 17, and the second Eev. 19, to v. 17. The Magnificat and Nuno Dimittis were by Stainer, in E flat; and the anthem (Spohr’s) “ How lovely.” The Bishop of Nelson preached, the subject being “ The interest of the whole Church in the welfare and progress of every part.” After the sermon a Te Deum (by Sullivan) was sung. The recessional hymn was No. 396. The following is the order of services arranged during the next few Cays : Wednesday, November 2nd—9 a.m., matins ; 12.30 p.m., litany: 7.30 p.m , evensong; sermon by the Bishop of Wellington, “ The Cathedral as a centre of religious life and influence in the diocese.” Thursday, November 3rd—7.30 a.m., Holy Communion ; 9 a.m., matins; 7.30 p.m, evensong; sermon by the Bishop of Dunedin, “ The office of the Cathedral as exhibiting the highest attainable type of divine service.” Friday, November 4th —9 am. matins ; 12.30 p.m.. litany ; 7.30 p.m., evensong: sermon by the Bishop of Waiapn, ‘‘The office of the Cathedral in promoting the work of homo and foreign missions. Saturday, November sth, 9 a.m., matins; 11 a.m , service, for suburban and country Sunday schools ; address. 7.30 p.m , evensong. Sunday, November 6th, 8 a.m.. Holy Communion ; II a m.. matins and Holy Communion; sermon by the Primate, “ The Church’s continual witness against the idolatries of the world” ; 3.30 p.m. children’s service, for town and suburban schools ; address by the Bishop of Nelson; 7 pm., evensong; sermon by the Bishop of Wellington, “ The Church’s continual witness to the sacrifice of the death of Christ.” Monday, November 7th, 9 a.m., matins ; 7.30, evensong ; sermon, “ The use of the Cathedral for the offering up of the daily sacrifice of prayer and praise.” Tuesday, November;Bth—7.3o a.m., Holy Communion;

9 a m., matins ; 7.30 p.m., evensong ; aermon, “ The nao of the Cathedral for offering np without ceasing the memorial of tha death oS Christ.”