The Washington times., 1903-12-20

% through time and ocean sepa.
ration America must depend on
Il reproductions to represent the
progress. institutions. arts. Gus
toms, in short, the life history Of the
Old World So when it becomes pos
sessed Of a bona foe relic of the old civ
ilization, Of the races that held the reins
Of the world. it accrues an additional
value from the very fact OF its search
ty. America has many tangible relics
of the past peculiar to her own history
but unfortunately the early races that
inhabited this continent had small part
in the great history Of mankind They
were an isolated people, having no share
in the world eternal events occurring
on the other side of the great waters. =
So in the gradually growing ensemble
of religious relics carefully treasured
within the close of the National Cathe-
dral Of IS. Peter and Paul Washington
laity, as well as churehmen, assume
much pride.
Fragments OF 2evered Past.
The wisdom of the projectors Of the
cathedral, and particularly the Bishop
Of Washington. can be clearly seen
when it is understood that they prefer
these invaluable fragments of = mighty
past" rather than a show Of riches and
the involving Of vast sums Of money in
its erection. For there IS a point where
the cathedral ideal goes beyond to os-
tentation and Righteousness. Happily
the washington cathedral builders have
avoided this.
AT this Christmastide. when the
thoughts of men are softened as they
turn from the consideration of material
things to the sublime story which has
been the wheel on which the fortunes OF
the whole world have turned, the simple
story Of the Divine Babe Of Bethlehem.
the Glastonbury Thorn. far famed in
story and song. must have first place
in this story.
For as the sweet-vOiced Tennyson says,
Glastonbury where the winter thorn
blossoms at Christmas mindful of our
lord" and a conspicuous object in the
Cathedral Close are several slips of the
real Glastonbury Thorn which were sent
TO Bishop SatterIee by Mr.. Stanley Aus
tin in 1900 and have carefully been
tended until they are now strong. hardy
( plants.
Features of the Glastonbury Thorn.
The distinctive feature of the Thorn
is that il blossoms at Christmas time,
putting forth new bloom, at the same
time laden with the ripened fruit OF the
late summer poisoning In olden times
this was accepted as miracle.
Religious Relics.
The legends that relate to the Thorn
are exceedingly interesting and worthy
of recital. One. family outlined in the
! long ago. claims the seed Of the Thorn
TO have come from the tree that fur
rished the Crown OF Mockery for the
Head of the Man OF Sorrows. This
legend. however. is not well sustained.
History of the Bishops Chair
The history of the glastonbury Ca
tbedra" or bishops chair. which has
been temporarily placed in The Little
Sanctuary is an easy transition from
that of the Glastonbury thorn. The ca
thedra, too, deals with glastonbury.
/ the cradle of ancient British Chris
tianity." now a market town of Eng
LAND. Glastonbury has seen the growth
of the mission church built with wat
ties from the marsh" by Joseph to the
beautiful Abbey of SIS. Peter and Paul,
a veritable religious stronghold. This.
too. has passed. and ruin and desola-
I ton are conquerors. for the abbey is in
parts and ruins. over which Chamber the
mantling ivy. a picturesque sight, but
an UNNECESSARILY sad one.
AT the closing service of the great
Lambeth Conference of 1897. held in the
ruins OF Glastonbury Abbey. Bishop Sat
terlee met Mr.. Austin. the owner of
the abbey for the arst time. Mr.. Aus
tin showed a deep int crest in the Amer
lean National Cathedral. named for the
Glastonbury one and sent a gift in 1900
of twenty carved stones from the ruins
of the English abbey as a gift from the
churchmen Of Glastonbury TO the
churchmen of America" The stones
have been shaped into a bishops chair.
named by the Lord Bishop of Bristol,
the Rt. Rev. DIR. G. F. Browne. 1.-THE
Glastonbury Cathedral" Carved on the
back and arms of the chair are the
names of the twenty-one bishops. who
are historical landmarks. beginning with