The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-10-23 00:00:00

THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE.

The Archbishop of Canterbury presided on Mon-
day at the Library of the Lambeth Palace, over a,
numerously-attended meeting of the Committee ap-
pointed to fake into consideration a proposal to erect
a Church H ,use as a suitable Church of England
memorial of the Queen's Jubilee. Among those
present were the Archbishop of York, the Bishop of
London, the Bishop of Bedford, the Bishop of Car-
lisle, Archdeacon Farrar, Mr. J. G. Hubbard, M.P.,
Mr. Beresford-Hope, M.P., Archdeacon Denison,
Canon Gregory, Mr. Cubitt, M.P., and others.
A large number of letters wore read by the hon.
secretary (the Rev. Milburn Blakiston) from members
of the general committee regretting their absence, in-
cluding the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Buccleuch,
the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, the Duke of
Westminster, and Viscount Cranbrook. The Marquis
of Salisbury wrote expressing regret that he was
unable to be present as he was on his way to Bal-
moral, while Mr. Gladstone wrote that he could not
attend the meeting, and stetting "that he does not
wish at the present moment to give his name to any
committee."

The Primate, in opening the proceedings, after re-
marking that the large assembly before him was a
very inspiriting one, said that the general idea of the
form the memorial of the Church of England should
take to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee—namely, a
Church House—was before them, and it was for the
meeting to consider the various resolutions that would
be proposed. Therefore, he considered that he would
best discharge his duty by simply saying that the
unanimous enthusiasm with which the scheme which
had been lately suggested by the Bishop of scheme,
had been received must fill the Church of England
with high hopes and high courage. (Cheers.) They
had been almost surprised at the rapidity with which
the answers poured in from the most honoured names
in England, who were addressed, asking them to be on
the General Committee, which showed that the work
was going to be undertaken with vigour and practical
determination. (Cheers.)
The Bishop of London moved the first resolution:
"That, having regard to the widespread expression of
opinion that the erection of a Church House would be
a suitable Church of England memorial of the Queen's
Jubilee, and seeing that her Majesty has graciously
signified her pleasure that the work should proceed,
this meeting of the General Committee considers that
active steps should be at once taken to give effect to
the proposal, and that an Executive Committee be
now appointed, with full power to secure a suitable
site, to obtain the services of a competent architect, to
make arrangements for the collection of the necessary
funds, and to undertake all such other works as may
be necesfary for the completion of the scheme."
He said that in order to raise the necessary funds for
the memorial they ought to begin at once, and to start
with as complete an organisation as possible. They
must make arrangements for collecting money in every
single parish in England. They ought to appeal to all
classes for aid, and they ought to make the poor feel
that the building to be erected was as Inuch their pro-
perty as of the noblemen and gentlemen who were on
the General Committee. After stating that the choice
of a site was of the greatest importance, his lordship
expressed his gratitude to the Bishop of Carlisle for
what seemed to him an excellent mode of commemo-
rating the jubilee of the Queen's reign. He thought
it would be found hereafter that the Church House
was far more valuable than some of them thought. It
would be a centre where people should go for every
matter concerning the Church, and to which all bodies
connected with the Church would send such informa-
tion as they wished to be at the disposal of the Church
at large. He believed that such an office as that would
be of incalculable value to the country. (Cheers.)
Mr. G. Cubitt, MX., seconded the resolution,
which was carried.

A resolution was also agreed to, on the motion of
the Bishop of Carlisle, appointing the Executive Com-
mittee, and authorising them to select a site in a con-
venient position; to choose an architect of the highest
standing; to arrange that the building shall contain
one large hall capable of holding 3000 persons, and
two smaller halls holding 500 each; to take other
steps for securing suMcient funds to render the build-
ing a historical monument fitting to the occasion and
worthy of the Church; and to provide an endowment
fund for its maintenance.
The meeting then terminated.