The San Francisco call., 1906-12-30

G PLENDID in the majesty of bron.a
which from the dawn of histoey has
~ been nodded into the shapes OF mortal
men, preserving for the admiration Of
posterity the features of the great, the figure
of the gentle Padre Junipero Sierra viii soon
stand in Golden Gate Park. Seeking no
ward. hoping for the JOY that cons4s
TO the godly from serving the Master, this
man brought 10 the savages of the Westasp
wildness the revelations of Christianity, and
before this statue, soon TO rise in Golden Gate
Park, thoughtful crowds viii gather to pay
tribute to his memory and, in reflection, 10
profit from the lesson of his life.
That fitting tribute to the memory of thtB
Spanish missionary monk, whose name Is 90
closely interviewer with the early history OF
California, has not before been paid has been
the occasion OF comment; that it is to be paid
now is due TO James d. Phelan, and IN
pliance with his order, the work of the sculptor
and the molder has been completed, so we'll. 1t
Is said that the world of art has been
riched by a masterpiece.
Archbishop Riordan a certain occasion
about year ago expressed his surprise that
there was no monument TO Father Junipcro
Sierra erected in San Francisco, and / then In
formed him that | would be honored by the
privilege of erecting such a monument, said
Mr. Phelan Il told the Archbishop that there
California sculptor who capable OF
honoring the founder of the missions and the
time had come to erect a monument wrought
by the hand of Native Son; and just as St.
Francis had not been honored by having
mission named after him until the missionaries
found a harbor worthy of his name, the
monument to Father Junipero Sierra should
not be erected until native craftsman had
risen 10 the dignity and importance of the
task
Douglas Tilden was the man. I gave him q
commission and he modelled figure which
met the approval not only OF the Archbishop,
but of the critics, and after the fire, there be-
ing no local foundry capable of casting the
1 statue, il was sent to the American Bronze
Company in Chicago, where a successful cast
ing was made, and the monument has now
been shipped.
Tho Archbishop and myself have selected
q site, with the consent of the Park Cornnnis-
sion, in Golden Gate Park, where it will be
erected The statue will be eight feet high,
standing on pedestal of about the same
height Edgar Matthews has designed the
pedestal.
Father Junipero Sierra is the foremost fig
ure in the history of California and it is fitting
that the metropolis OF the State should possess
this work of art. The old Mission Church
after the earthquake and fire, still stands, and
/ believe that for several weeks Father jun
ipero Sierra lived there He considered the
discovery of San Francisco Bay and the
founding of the mission the most important
life work of his devoted followers"
Word comes from the East that the firm
that cast the statue considers its work the best
il has yet accomplished, especially the face.
which in the metal retains the soft lines
wrought with perfection by the sculptor. The
statue represents Father Sierra standing with
one foot and one hand extended, though
preaching the gospel he brought to the then
little known California coast. The right hand
partly supports cross which leans against the
right shoulder of the figure