New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-23
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
THE NETWORK CATHEDRAL.
QUESTIONS SUGGESTED By THE PROJECT FOR
PUSHING THE WORK.

GU EsTlONS SUGGESTED By THE PROJECT FOR
PUSHING THE WORK.
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Referring your editorial of the Eth inst. en-
oouraging the project for the erection OF Episcopal
Cathedral will you perm., me question or two! l
trust 10 your hospitality TO all honest opinion.
F!rst-Were the author Of Christianity TO visit New
YORK to-day and find the sum at his disposal which
this cathedral will would He 1t for tina, pur
pose or for building decent and habitabv houses for
the poor and which would rebound mos, the
glory of God" the promotion OF true Christianity
and the uplifting Of men, which the Church processes
are It's great purposes?
Second-Could not in reality all the work you speak
Of for he moral betterment OF New-York" be Just as
efficiently conducted-ray, more so-from a simple
and commodious headquarters nearer the centre OF
the field CO effort: Will the cathedral such. really
advance Il any. and not those who think tina, Il;
wil perhaps unconsciously. influenced by de-
size 10 goriy ana perpetuate ecceslascism. lay the
cornerstone for great hierarchca establishment
out OF harmony with institutions. and build up
and intrench denomlna tional superiority? The Eng
iish periodicals nave long been discussing how their
cohedrals can he made Of any real 20 the people
This Is not the Of cathedral building. and ought
Ncw-York ca thedral can be raised would 1t not be
better applied in the solution OF problems Of want
inspiring these great structures it will hardy
be claimed that the average religious advancement
Italy, where the people almost live in cathedras.
than here. ~ they really are an Influence for moral
and religious Improvement. IL ought 10 have been
shown In those countries.
.Third-You say. as an inducement to all denomlna-
TORS to contribute. that 1t is TO be "the religious
home Of all who profess and call themselves Chris
Hans" prefac.ng this. however. with the quafca-
viii permit what does that IN mean? All Of those, those
outside thus called on 10 contribute ought 10 be tod
plainly.
Does 4 not mean simply that they will have the
privilege OF attending worship after the Episcopal
ordained. that Is to say not ordained at all accord
Ing 20 the canons of the Episcopal Church. ever
take part IN any service there eXce;, as layman?
II IL meant that honce.orth tn. Episcopal Church
Inc imitation Romanism that has long put II in n
false position and carried so many converts TO Rome
II IL meant that its own orders having been decided
invalid 0y what the world az large recognizes "a
greatest scholars having declared Apostolic succes-
Son historic myth. II would realize the infinite lit
tleness and unimporancc ~ the question. and. admit
ing other clergymon as equa.s. Join with the other
work and activity. It's leadership would nc recog-
nize1 and the cathedral built with enthusiasm strong
are the objections TO II.
Does the exalted pie;y and nf the
Episcopal church. It's disregard Of wealth. fashion
and woriliness. and its exceptionally conspicuous
success above all churches indicate a. ough, to ne
tho Il that it, mnlsiraiions alone are
valid" and accepted Of God?
VIII It's present attitude OF alo0fness. refusing
recognition 10 other clergy and organizing Always
special ins,rumenaies for iis own activities. tend
20 give II the leadership In Professionalism 1t claims
which II might with a wise and s,aesmanlike policy
attain? think not. Rome has declared the Prot
esiant Episcopal Church ou,cast Why will the
Church not put herself she may al the head OF the
PROTESTANT.
WASHINGTON D. c. Dec Is 1896