The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-26
The Building of the New Cathedral.

1
The trustees of the Cathedral of st. John
the Divine discussed on Tuesday even
ing the question where the structure
should be erected on the ample grounds
which have been purchased for its oc-
cupation on tho Bloomngdac heights.
| The prcponderance of opinion seems
| to he that the proper site is at the
centre of tho land: but rs Dr. HUNTINGTON
of Grace Church suggested. before that
| question Is decided, 1t ought TO be deter
mined exactly what and how many build
ings IRE requisite. In other words, he
would settle first the practical purposes for
which the cathedral is to lie erected.
This question is also discussed incidental
~ in a paper addressed to the cathedral trus-
tees by the Rev. DR.. DONALD of the Church
OF tho Ascension. treating more directly
and especially the proper methods OF OBJ
tanning and applying the funds necessary
for the institution and its endowment. The
provision of money for the building Of tho
cathedral simply DR.. Donald regards MS n
matter of less Importance than the question
of finding money enough to maintain it when
built. The bare ostinJidental to Keeping the
church open will be large: and in addition
an income OF many thousands OF dollars
will be needed to enable it to carry on the
ministries of worship. teaching. and mis-
sionary enterprise which alone would jus
tify its erection. The raising Of this SUN
by yearly tax on the diocese he holds to
be impossible. because OF tho spirit of
competitive parochin!ism already exist
ing. and which is likely to continue. Each
parish needs for itself all the money for
4,
which it can obtain.
Accordingly. DR.. DONALD contends that
the first necessity of the cathedral is an en-
dowmcnt which will provide this income
without continuous appeal to the gone
rosity OF churchmcn: and then no proceeds
to suggest and PROFOUND 4 plan by which
the endowment may be secured.
A low estimate Of the cost of the cathedral
seems to him to be $1,000. 900, n sum far OK
cecding tho cost of any building hitherto
erected in this country other than those of
tho Government. When the land has been
paid for. and the labor OF construction is
fairly begun, it is estimated by architects
and builders whom he has consulted that
the average expenditure of $500 900 annually
will be adequate to carry on the work TO COM
plction at 4 rate sufficiently rapid to guard
properly every interest involved. If tho
principal OF the contributions received is
expended for this current construction, the
cathedral may be built, u magnificent arch-
tccuural ornament OF tho town may be
reared: but that will be all. Tho money
raised will be invested in land and stones
and mortar. and for the religious and spir-
itual uses OF the institution nothing will
remain. So erected. says DR.. DONALD. the
cathedral would be n perpetual source OF
anxiety to the whole diocese, and not I'M
likely cause OF diocesan turmoil tending
to secularize its spiritual designs
His suggestion. then. is that from first to
last only the income Of the money raised
shall be expended for construction. so that
the principal may remain intact as Il ncccs-
sary endowment when the cathedral is COM
plcted. An annual expenditure of s2Do,ooo
would DO equal to the interest on $1,000. 900.
That is u great sum OF money to raise: but
he holds that IL it cannot be secured rs
fund for such an endowment. much less
can it be obtained for expenditure as
fast rs 1t is received. His theory is
that II. on the threshold OF the under
taking. the trustees bind themselves
and their Successors to receive all gifts and
requests rs additions to Il fund of which
only tho income shall be expended. the
principal being guarded sacredly rs the
guarantee OF tho cathedral's preservation
and tho maintenance OF its religious and
spiritual functions. they will appeal to tho
business judgment OF tho community and
furnish double motive for the large con-
tributions requisite. Every giver would
then feel that his gift was to be Of perlna-
nent valuo to the cause of religion. He
would DO giving not merely for the material
structure. but also for the spiritual cdilice.
Doubt as to the ability OF the diocese to equip
and maintain the cathedral when com
Dletcd induces a hesitation for which there
could be no Justification IL every man had
the assurance for which DR.. DONALD asks.
The explanation of the difficulty OF obtain
ing money for tho erection Of new churches,
us he truly says Is. in part at least. that
thinking men and women have seen the
dissolution Of too many parishes and the
demolition Of too many churches to be-
lcvc that to build always means to
maintain. The generosity and the pious
lberality are not deficient. but they arc re-
strained within the bounds of practical
prudence and saSacity. The cathedral en-
terprise to be successful must appeal to
both the religious sentiment and the bust
ness judgment OF men; and it will not do
so IL the trustees undertake simply to put
up the material shell OF a cathedral system.
DR., DONALD s argument is put very clearly
and forcibly. and We do not doubt that it
will carry conviction to tho minds OF prnc-
teal men generally. 1t Is sound unqucs-
tionably. and in making 1t he has rendered
important service to the cathedral enter
prise. He points out the best way. II not
the only way. OF aronsing the zeal neces-
sary to the successful accomplishment OF
the magnificent undertaking.
The New Process OF Abolishing uni
vcrsal Suffrage.