New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-07
TIE NEW ST. LUEE'S HOSPITAL.

The laying OF the cornerstone Of the new
st. Luke's Hospital yesterday, on Cathedral
Heights. an anniversary as well as an epoch
for on the afternoon of'May 6, 1854, thirty
nine years ago the cornerstone of the present
building was laid by the Provisional Bishop
Of the diocese. DR. Wainwright. TO Epsco-
palians the contrast between that event and
the event of yesterday is most suggestive Of
| the growth of their Church in numbers and
influence. At that time it was the weakest Of
all the great denominations. 1t was rent by
! internal disSenSiOns and the diocese Of New
York had not yet emerged from the cloud of
| the unfortunate OnderdOnk scandal, fact
which accentuatcd the popular prejudice and
dislike under which it rested. a few Of its
clergy. like DR.. Muhlenberg, the vcnerated
founder of St. Luke's who threw themselves
into the great movements of the day, were
recognized as men OF influence. But the Church
| as whole was regarded with disiavOr.
| The change in the popular attitude toward
| The Church, and. we may be permitted to say,
| in the Church itself is strikingy indicated in
the ceremonies Of Yesterday. During these
| ihity-nine years the Episcopal Church has
gained position Of power and influence in the
community of which it may well be proud.
II has conquered popular recognition by PROV
lng that il deserves such recognition. Without
perhaps formally abating any OF its ecclesi-
astical professions. it has laid the largest en-
phasis on practical works OF evan2elization and
mercy Of which ST. Lu,c's Hospital is itself
most happy illustration. 81. Lukcs long ago
ceased to be 4 merely UNCONVENTIONAL institu-
ton in the regard OF New Workers, because in
point of fact it has not been UNCONVENTIONAL in
its work. Ii has continued 10 grow in the
confidence and esteem Of the whole city and
there is not q citizen to-day who does not wish
FOR IL career OF even greater usefulness in
the new home that it is soon to have. II the
Episcopal Chuich is no longer looked upon with
suspicion and disfavOr, 1t is not because it has
converted the world to its theory Of apostolic
succession. but because it has shown its ability
TO solve many Of The social and philanthr0pic
problems that now confront society Dr.
Muhlenberg and men like him have done more
to give the Episcopal Church position of
leadership than all its able apologists and con-
troversalists together For theories die in the
evolution of thought; but work done for hui
mainly always remains.
The growth of New-IOlk since the first
cornerstone of the hospital was laid thirty nine
years ago has been marvellous. The town was
then great overgrown village lying chiefly
below rOuItcenth-st. The populace nocked to
Barnums Museum. and the swells'' listened
with delight to Julen's concerts in Castle
Garden. The literary folk read "Putnam's
Magazine" and Paul Creyton. popular writer
of the day. had wide vogue the Dickens
of America Franklin Pierce was President. !
IIoratio Seymour was Governor OF New-iOrk |
and Jacob A. Westcryelt was Mayor OF the |
city. There were few buildings of any archi-
tectural beauty in the city the streets were
wretchedly paved and seldom cleaned. The |
social life of the town was not characterized |
by the spendor and the flavor Of cosmopolitan
ism which now mark it, The best society was
stiff, provincial and self-cOnscious. while pep. |