The morning call., 1892-12-29
PLEASED DIVINES.
Episcopal Clergy on the
Great Cathedral.
Rev. X. c. Foute Thinks That II VIII
Draw Religious Bodies Closer
Together.

The EDiscopalian clergymen of this city
seemed TO be in more than jubilant mood
yesterday over the tidings brought by the
wires that the cornerstone OF the great
Episcopal cathedral OF St. John the Divine
had been laid in New York and that a start
had been at last taken in the construction
of what will eventually be the greatest
structure for purely religious purposes that
has beer erected in any country since the
Reformation. 1t is to cost more than S10-
600, 600, and will take half generation TO
complete. The cathedral is 10 be $40 feet
in length and to be surmounted by a splre
400 feet high. 1t is TO be immense in all its
proportions, and will hold $1,000 worship
ers. The interior is TO be adorned with
precious stones and marbles aud to equal
any OF the most famed cathedrals of Euro
pean cities in beauty. The new cathedral
will surpass all rivals in the western
hemisphere. There are only two that ap-
proach it in size, that of the famed cathe-
dIal OF Mexico, which is massive aad mag
nihcent If not architecturaiiy beautiful. II
is 450 feet long, and cost uncOunted millions
and the labor CT 200 years to build. Then
there is ST. Patrick's. New York, $50 feet in
length, built OF white marble and costing
s., 600 000 at present the most beautiful and
churchiy structure in the New World.
The undertaking" said Rev. X. c. FOute
of Grace Church, Though great and invOy-
ing probable expenditure of SIS .OC0
before 1t shall be completed. is not beyond
the ability Of the Episcopal church in New
York City to construct There are several
active laymen Of the church who could de-
fray the whole expenditure and hardly feel
il. The VandeTbilts, who are cOnSpicuOusly
generous in their donations TO the church's
work, the AstOrs, also active churchmen,
PieTrepOnt Morgan, the banker. and many
others who have already subscribed most
literally, can be depended upon not TO see
the enterprise languish. Then there are
thousands Of other pious and active persons
who will give largely as the building pro-
crosses.
81 rejoice" continued MIR. Foute, "tnat
the church that / am a clergyman of is not
only willing but able TO undertake such q
work for the glory of God. IL will be an
oDject-lessOn Of extreme value to all Prot
estant bodies. / sincerely hope that its
mission may indirectly unite all Christian
bodies more closely than ever before, by
reminding them that the principles of the
great Protestant Reformation still iouris b
as an active element of religious life and
that The day when the whole church will
consist OF one fold and one Shepherd may
be hassned. Such an edifce will be in
some sense national one. and Serve as a
reminder to foreign potentates that the
determination 10 resist encroachm6nts upon
the cherished aspirations of the American
people Is as powerful as any that may be
brought against it,"
Dr. Spalding of st. Johns. John Gray o I
the Advent and Hobart Chetwood of Trim
ity all Endorsed the sentiments of Mr.. Foute,
adding the hope that the diocese of Cali
fornla would at some future time attempt
an undertaking of like character itself,