New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-11
HARLAN NOT TO RETIRE.
The Project for a Presbyterian
"CathedraI in WASHINGTON

Washington, May 10-Justice Harlan, of the
Supreme Court of the United States, was asked
to-day regarding the report that he would retire
from the bench and devote the remainder of his
life to the raising of funds for the erection of
Presbyterian cathedral in Washington, the
movement for which was started by him, in case
the Presbyterian General Assembly takes favor
able action on the project He replied:
In the circular letter which I sent ont in
February did say that if the general plan sug-
gested by me approved by the Church at
large and my services were needed | would take
pride in devoting a large part of the time re-
naming to me in cooperating with others in
the interest Of what, for want of better word
might be called the Cathedral Church of our de-
nomination at the national capital But I did
not say 1 would retire from the bench merely to
aid in that project. That would be unnecessary
nave formed no purpose TO retire at any par
ticular time. My work is most agreeable to me-.
and, as I now think. viii keep at it steadily
until l must stop until my friends tell me
that 1t is my duty to stop.
The justice asked whether his proposed
cathedral if erected would be Of the Catholic
or Episcopal kind. He said:
care nothing for mere words The word
Cathedral does not disturb ma. Epscopalian5
and Catholics have no exclusive right to catha-
dral structures There are Presbyterian cathe-
drals in Scotland, the home of Presbyterianism
In my circular letter to Presbyterian ministers
and laymen 1 distinctly stated that the historical
cathedral had no place in q non-prelatical sys-
tom like ours, and that the word cathedral was
used for the want of better word. and TO in
dictate a structure of such dimensions impress
siveness dignity and equipment as would fairly
represent al the national capital n denomination
which had much to do with establishing our
nation on its present foundations of liberty and
safety Presbyterian minister. If you please
q building that would have of the
features of what is known as the institutional
church-not one for mere show and pretentious
ornament. The whole matter depends upon the
assembly. IT that body is content with the
present situation. 50 far as Presbyterianisn at
the national capital is concerned. and wishes
no change Of the kind suggested. that will be the
end of the matter, Tor no such movement as the
present succeed unless the Church at
large, represented by the assembly is be-
hind it with all its heart.
The money to build such a structure will
come principally from Presbyterians If the
Church at large sympathiZes with the move
mcnt l do not doubt that all the money needed
can be procured, and that the new church build
ing will be ready 70 be occupied about the time
when all the Presbyterians Of our country viii
stand together IN one denomination. That time
] hope and believe, is not far off tt will be n
first meeting in the new Presbyterian minister
shall be that Of a general assembly REPRESENTING,
all the PresbyterianS Of our country. who for
getting past differences have agreed to Coon
crate in respect Of matters that are vital and
essential in religious belief Still mOre-and this
is consideration of vaIue-the audience room,
OF the minister can be utilized as a rlaca for
the meetings Of the General Assembly from wear
to year, and, to repeat the words Of a great
Presbyterian thinker within Its walls and under
men of the Church could from time to time give
expression to their mature thinking on the grear
themes Of Christianity.
The General Assembly IS to meet at Winona
Lake. Ind, and the cathedral question will he
taken up