New-York tribune., 1885-03-29
rup uFvOPJdL CATHEDRAL.

Tho oneninp of the Memorial Cathedral on
uomnstead Plain has been formally announced
for Thursday in Easter week. The building has
been virtually completed for nearly eighteen
months, and the delay in consecrating IL has
been caused by business negotiations between
Bishop Littlejohn of the Episcopal Diocese OF
Long Island and Judge Hilton as Mrs.
Stewards representative. IL there have been
any questions at issue respecting the endow-
ment fund, a wise discretion has been exercised
on both sides, for both the Diocesan authorlues
and the manager of the Estate have kept their
own counsel and not admitted the pubic 10
their confidence. Although the papers have
been signed and the arrangements for transfer
ring the Cathedral to the Diocese have been
practically completed, reticence Is still main
tanned. The amount of the endowment has not
been author;tatively stated although it is gen.
erally understood to be large enough to yield an
income of S1S, 900 annually. While this is not
30 large an endowment as has been anticipated
in some quarters, it is princcly benefaction,
taken In connection with the Cathedral itself,
the Episcopal residence and st. Pauls School
for BOYS. While the structure will be opened
for the first time for religious services on April
Q, the conservation of the Cathedral will be de-
ferred until the diocesan Convention has snnc-
toned the transfer of this magnificent property.
The opening sci Ivices of this unique building
are to be simple and quiet; and it is probable
that the work conducted on the Cathedral
foundation will be practical and unpretentious.
Bishop Littlejohn has the reputation OF being
one of the best business men in the House OF
Bishops of pre-eminently practical religious
communion. 1t is reasonable to conclude not
only that he will make the income 90 as far as
possible, but that he will also aim TO convert the
Cathedral and the schools into practical agencies
of Diocesan work. Unless the endowment
fund is much larger than is generally supposed,
IL will be impracticabc TO maintain services on
the same scale as in the English cathedrals.
Probably no attempt will be made for the
present to conduct services in an expensive way
for the benefit of the small congregation that
may gather in the spacious nave. While IA sur
plced choir will be organized I'm the Cathedral
School and recruited from Brooklyn, the music
will not be allowed to make great inroad upon
the income available for general purposes. The
more practical course will be to render the
Cathedral centre for Diocesan and mission
work and to employ the income largely in pro-
noting the efficiency of the schools.
st. Paul's School is not endowed, and is ex-
pected to become self-sustaining in the course
Of time, the deficiency in current expenses
being temporarily met by the Stewart estate.
1t is not probable that this arrangement will be
permanent; and the Diocesan authorities will
have the double duty of maintaining both the
school and the Cathedral upon their own re-
sponsibility. Bishop Littlejohn's reputation is
guarantee that there will be prudent and busi-
ness-like management. II the services do not
fit the Cathedral and prove at once worthy of
this splendid memorial to the great merchant,
whose fame, enterprise and success are among
the most honorable traditions of the metropolis,
beginning In practical Diocesan and educa-
tional work will be made.