CATHEDRALS AND CITIES

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1927, 16 January 1919, Page 3

CATHEDRALS AND CITIES

THE DISTINCTION CONFERRED. It is a fact appreciated by all travellers that a cathedral confers a distinction upon the town or city which possesses it. Many towns, otherwise quite unimportant, are honoured and famous because of their cathedrals. The distinction referred to is not enjoyed by the city of Wellington, but it is hoped that in a few years’ time it will be. The steps in that direction which are being taken by prominent churchmen have as their goal the erection of a cathedral which many larger cities would be proud to possess. Now that hostilities have ceased and the prospect of an early peace being realised is good, it is believed that the campaign for raising funds for a cathedral in Welling! on will prosper. This belief is based partly on the fact that up to the time when the campaign was suspended owing to other patriotic appeals, a sum of over £30,000 had been promised; and chiefly because the whole building is to.ho a freewill offering from Anglicans and .sympathisers. Gifts to the cathedral fund will he considered as memorials and thank offerings. In (his way each individual giver will he able to dedicate his or her gift from the personal point of view. But in a broader sense the cathedral will he a memorial to all the soldiers who died, and a thank-offering fi'ora the people of New Zealand for (lie return of the survivors of our gallant army, and for the coming of peace. Embodying, as it will, these expressions of holy gratitude, we hope, the proposed cathedral will he a place whither many will daily go to seek brief respite from the press of material tilings. Il will he a place of calm repose, rich with memories and treasures of thoughts, where the weary may lake fresh heart. It is by this sense of holy quiet and eternal sledfastness that the cathedrals of the world make the cities wherein they -land different from other cities giving them dignity and distinction. Those wishing to help in (he building of the proposed new Anglican Cathedral should communicate with Iho turn, organising secretary, Rev. C. F. Askew, St. Mark’s Vicarage, Wellington.