New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-17
TUE EpJSCUP CATHEDRAL.

There will be widespread interest in the an
no,nccment that active steps are ut last to he
taken to raise money for the Episcopal Ca'he-
tra on Mornngside Heights. The Board OF
Trustees have requested Bishop Potter to de-
vote all the time al his disposal between now
and March to the work OF soliciting supscrlp-
tons for the great project. No hitter person
coud be selected for this task. For not only
IS he the ecclesiastical head OF the diocese. ana
the president ex-ofiicio. Of the Board OF Irus-
tees but he is a man who touches the social.
civic and religious life of the city and State at
many points. and his appeal VIII donp'iesS re-
ceiye the favorable attention Of many VINO wouiu
not ordinarily be Interested in the Duiluihs o'
a cathedral. The Bishop has compiled with 'ne
reoucsr OF the trustees. He has written 10 the
clergy of the diocese requesting them 10 prfs'h
the matter to their cOngrega tons. and he Will
probably make a more general appeal TO the
pnbljc asking their cooperation in the building
Of great church for New-York. which. though
under denominational auspices will belong. III
a sense. &c the whole city, just as Old Trinity
does now.
Ii Is an interesting fact that, although IL"
formal appeal has thus far been made Tor the
Cathedral. about S1.50O.OOO has been coh'r'p"'eu
for II. n circumstance that indicates the geherai
interest felt in the project. or TINS sum *ooo
600 has beer paid for the site. ana the rest Is
unavailable for general work on the edihce nav
ing been designated for special objects. Inc
long delay in appealing for further subscriptions
was probably due TO the hard times But WHAT
over the cause. It did not mean any dmnution
of interest on the part Of the Bishop or inc 'rus
tees Indeed. the delay has. in all LIKELIHOOD
been a good thing. since II has gwen the 'r"s-
tees an opportunity 10 mature their ioeaS an"
plans Nor has il essened the interest OF the
public in the project. In Il cathedral SIMPLY rs
a great religious fame there would not, perhaps
be mich vital interest even In the Episcopal
church. But Bishop Potter intends the 'athe-
dral Of ST John the Divine to be something more
than temple in which great religious functions
shall be held 1t Is 10 be the centre Of religious
and phlanthrop!c efforts for the moral DETER
m.nt NJ the city OF New-York. And 80 far as
the canons Of the Episcopal Church VIII permit
il IS to he the rel gous home OF all who profess
and call themselves Christians. From II VIII 20
forth missionary and ethical impulses that Will
reach from Morningslde Heights down TO the
most congested tenement district Of the city
This Is the ideal that Bishop Potter Is striving
TO realize in the Cathedral. Already that IDEAL
is finding a partial fulflmenf In the pro1Ca'h'-
dral in Stanton-st. which Is doing just me SORT
Of work that the Cathedral proper Is to do. Inc
structure that is 10 rise on Mornngside HeightS
will be a glorious temple. with fine preaching
and fine music but 1t will also be an institution
for the uplifting OF humanity. And for that rea-
son we have no doubt that tie Bishops appeal
for funds TO build 1t will meet with generous
response.