The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-10
CALL OF THE CATHOLICS.
CATHEDRAL COMMITTEE's APPEAL
TO THE PEOPLE.

$4,000 in Contributions Needed to
pestore the Burned Edifice-The
work of Rebuilding to Go Ahead
soon as the Committee Gets the
plans and Sufficient Money.
The Cathedral finance committee will
80, at Bishop Beckers residence Sunday
ar+ernoon at 5 o'clock for the purpose of
fprfbering the plans already commenced
- rebuild the Cathedral. 1t is expected
NV mat time that the plans will assume
more definite form.
The committee, composed Of Messrs. p.
r Gleason, John w. Golden and Patrick
brennan. appointed by the finance COM
,,ir.ee to arrange the chapel of st. Vim
cerr de Paul for services until the new
cathedral is ready for occupancy. have
entered upon their work. The present cal
cuiation is to have the chapel crudely
arranged by Sunday and completed by the
Sunday following. A sufficient number of
mon will be put to work to complete the
stems which will lead to the chapel from
Liberty street. and the other arrangement
~ be made is the seating and affairs.
Active steps will be taken at once to
accumulate a fund for restoring the burn
ed edifice. 1t was determined at the meet
ing of the finance committee Tuesday
night that a general statement of the
churchs affairs and an appeal for help,
he at once prepared, and for this purpose
committee was appointed. The state
ment which has been prepared and sign
ed by Bishop Thomas A. Becker, Father
BENJAMIN ]. Kelley, Mr.. James B. Read,
Capt. John F'lannery, Mr.. John Lyons,
Mr. James E. Grady, Mr.. Daniel Hogan,
Capt. Henry Blum, Mr.. william Kehoe,
Mr.. 2. f. Gleason, Mr.. M. A. O'Byrne,
Mr.. Patrick Brennan and Mr.. John w.
Golden, the finance committee, is as fol-
lows:
"An appalling calamity has well nigh
overwhelmed us. The Cathedral of St.
John the Baptist which for a quarter of
century stood as monument to the zeal
and loyalty of our people, and an orna-
ment to our Forest City, has been entirely
destroyed by fire. On Sunday night, Feb.
6, only a short time after the close of di-
vine service, fire broke out, and in an in
credibly short time the building was a to-
tai loss. The hottest and dearest associ-
Few can appreciate the personal and pecu-
liar attachment which Catholics feel for
the house of God.
THE Cathedral must be rebuilt and as
soon as possible. We are unanimous in
orr decision on that point. Our inclina-
TONS, our duty, impel us TO make this de-
claration.
But what condition confronts us? We
have sustained the loss of a church edi-
flee which with its contents represented
an expenditure Of Between $4,000 and
100000. We have now d debt of SIS, 000
Our insurance is only ss0,OOD Deducting
the amount of the debt, we would have
available for our new building only A2.
co., a sum utterly inadequate for the pur-
pose.
The fire is not yet spent, and from all
sides have come to US tender Of buildings
Tor worship and proffers of aid in rebuild
ing our church.
The obstacles to some might seem well
hlSh lnsurmountable, but Ii is Gods work.
ana since He has inspired so many kind
friends who are not of our faith to vol
unteer assistance, we have determined 10
erect another st. John the Baptist as
beautiful as it predecessor.
But TO do this we must make appeal
lot heIp TO our friends and sympathizers
not only in our own city. but throughout
Georgia and outside its borders.
we are anxious to lose no time in in
aug uIating the good work, and we earn
gs'ly ask the aid of all, that we may soon
nave plan wherein to worship God.
Contributions will be received by any
Vi me committee and the names of all
SoHIlDutors with amount subscribed will
oe PuDlicly acknowledged, and a list of
same VIII lind place in the corner stone
VI our new Cathedral" Contributions
VIII also be received by the Morning News
oi M turned over to the committee.
a r.
something like $4,000, in addition to the in
surance of $4,000, 10 restore the church
tnaAing N5o,OCO In order to do the work
LUZ TINS amount, it will be necessary TO
larry over the old debt of $1S.O 900. From
eI.e most conservative estimates the cost
VI we windows statuary, interior furnish
lLsS ana affairs. amounts to $4,000 not in
building. sNSni IA 'ne
Insurance adjusters were in the city dur
Ms Ms we Gay, and held conference with
MI M A. O'Byrne, who is at the head of
nv, rie committee having this matter in hand.
pere VIII be no trouble in getting this
lure settled up in a short time, and
'Heh the committee will know how to cal
yulete. In soliciting the fund If is Thought
l Yep VIII be secured from many other than
ItsioHc sources, in view of the generous
Spin ana Willingness shown in this di-
eouon' The sympathy expressed at the
ete"I loss mas been well nigh universal.
ana mas served as stimulus to thoss who
aa 80 undertaken the restoration of the
blShop Becker has received a copy of
I,ort1I. IONS OF sympathy passed by the
oeSlly OF Christ Church and in which
+ 10y Kind and encouraging things APP
pJared: The resolutions are in keeping
a nm the many other similar expressions.
in NJ ~ winch go to show the estimation
Cathedral
held. The Bishop acknowIedged recei inf
n [ C' resolutions and assured the vestry
ana 0H inlst Church that their sympathy
-U interest was fully appreciated.