New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-03
ADDRESS OF DIR. STORRs.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: On the left bank
OF the Rhre on the site Of the ancient Roman camp
afterward an imperial coony-whch is associated his
tory with Tiberius and Germancus, with Agrippipa
mother of Nero and with the early fame OF Trojan-has
been recently completed magnificent work OF gion
and artof which more than centuries witnessed
the progress After delays immensely prorac
such changes in society and government in letters arts
and In prevalent orms of religious faith that the age
which its solemn Foundation has come % seem al
most mythical 10 us-by contributions in which peoples
have vled with princes and IN which separate countries
ard oommunlons have gladly united, the Cathedral OF
Cologne has been carried to Its superb cousummstion.
aud the last nia has upon the spires which
at engCh fulfil the architects design.
Attendant p0mps OF royalty and prclacy natur-
ally assembled on such occasion, bnt they can have
added no real imD'cssveness TO the structure ITSELF
with It's solid strength matching its lofty and lovely
proportions: the vast columns 0f the nave lfung up
their plumelke pillars the majestic choir OF aud
glass; with its soft brilliance AMI exquisite tracery,
beautiful as poets dream the soaring open work OF
the spires absorbing ami moulding hills OF rock their
supreme and ethereal grace II seems innosibe not 70
apply TO 10 the words which Gibbon applied g. Peters:
The most glorious that has applied the
Of religion" IL is impossible not TO rejoice
that the common sentiments of beauty and OF worship
survive the changes OF civilization that distant
turies join hands in the work finished and crowned,
and the completion of this grandes OF cathedras IN
Northern Europe fifty attracts the attention OF Chrisen
DOM
lt is work at first sight insignificant in compari-
with this which have met 10 commemorate this
evening, the translation of the Scriptures the
common English tongue, begun by John Wycfe five
centuries ago. and brought to ompetion
days by the hands OF English and American scholars
1t may that the vision of the majestic cathedral Is
too stately and splendid be IN front OF story
simple, and in parts familiar that which e arc
hprc Ruf h5plx 4 will hat he Uar
which celebrate is the nooler OF the that from
all the costly and sklul labors completed the
banks OF the Rhine arise 10 thiseyen as there
advances TO the altar, supreme in Significance through
the decorated doorways along the nave aud under
the ry ythmc and naughty arches. To u.s. least the
voice OF God becomes articuate through the Book
while the building only shows US the magnihcens
achievement OF human genius, patience and wealth,
bringing 10 Him their surpassed tribute.
IL Is, however, very plain tale which have to tell
and the interest OF lie 10 ts substance not In any
ornament OF language of thought In order 10 tell
hear IL Alright, We have TO recall many things which
lie back OF it, which alone put 1t distinctly before
PREVENTING WIDE DISTRIBUTION or TIE BIBLE
That governing authorities In the Christian world
shou have refused to the revered Scriptures
which the common faith was founded, the widest DIS
trbution In the various languages spoken by the
pies holding that faith, is fact so peculiar that we
easily sscrbc it to crafty ambition or an arrogant
setwil and leave 1t rs thus sufficiently explained We
forget how deeply rooted IL 10 an immense system
OF thou ght government and through what silent
organic processes il TO evolution into and
rule or course. II contradctcd the earlier usage aud
pao Of church The Hebrew and Caaldaic Scriptures
had been written IN the dialects familiar TO the people
among whom and for whom they prepared, before
aud after the Eastern captivity when Greek became
customary speech with those dispersed In distant cties
the Alexaudrian version OF these scriptures maie
and, know, IN the time Of the Master. 1t was
monty read and reverently expouned by the teachers
OF religion. Il afterward long continued IN with
Christian converts. Toe Eyangelists aud Apostles.
after their Lord had left the oarth accounts OF His
bie with arguments Of doctrine preceps promises and
prophetic admoniuons In the language familiar TO them
selves and their disclpesthe vigorous, copous HELEN
istc Greek. wheh the commerce OF tho time wide
expansion while the sepuagnt had given it consecra