Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-29
BISHOP REVIEWS
CATHEDRAL WORK
Head of Diocese Goes Over
Progress on Anniversary
of His Elevation.

Rapid progress on Washington Cathe-
dral was reported last night by the Right
Rev. James E. Freeman, Bishop OF
Washington, who this morning will
celebrate the sixth anniversary Of his
conservation as bishop by returning to
preach at Epiphany Church, from which
he was raised to bishop.
Bishop Freeman gave a detailed
statement outlining the progress on the
cathedral and the conditions OF the
Diocese of Washington, which. with its
more than $4,000 communicates, he said
ranked among hte great dioceses OF the
country.
Bishop Freeman was conSecrated In
Epiphany Church, Of which he was
then rector. on Michaelmas. 1928,
known as THE Feast of Saint Michael
and All Angels" and returns to his
old pulpit each anniversary.
Reviewing the conditions In the
diocese and progress on the cathedral
in a statement. Bishop Freeman said:
Bishops Statement.
eff there is a more united body OF
clergy and lay people in any diocese
than here in Washington. I do not
know where to find it. The clergy ana
lavnlen honored me by electlng me 10
this high office when I had been resi-
dent here but two and quarter
wears. It was an expression OF conn.
dence that I deeply prize. Throughout
this brief period of six years l can say
without qualification that have had
the loyal and devoted support OF every
rector and layman throughout the
diocese.
"Marked progress has characterized
the parishes in the District of Columbia
and in the four counties OF Southern
MARYLAND that comprise the diocese.
Large building operations have gone
forward. but beyond all physlcal oe,
yelopment there has been a fine ana
steady spiritual growth. There is not
a narish without a rector at the pres
emit time. Quite apart from the nne
LOYALTY of the clergy, we have a oooy OF
Law men and women who are tne pllUe
of the church. Small geograpnicai!y
as this Diocese of washington Is, IL
has more than $4,000 communlcants'
ranking it among the great oloceses u
the country. .. G. A,han
the buildings themselves tell the STORY.
We are nearer to realizing the cream
If Bishop Satterlee, the founder OF tne
Cathedral, than ever before. Inc great
choir is structurally finished, the ex-
tensive crypts and crypt chapeiS, COW
er;no the entire area of the Catheorai.
are nearing completion; the College OF
Preachers Building, representing IN
cost and endowment approximately
81 500 900, will be ready for It's large
service in mid-November, ana 81. Al,
bans School for Boys has new ana o
splendid building, costing $l3o.Vuo,
which has been used for the flrst time
this last week: the beautiful Bishops
Garden which attracts monthly thou
sands of lovers of Gods out-of-doors,
has been carried to completion. Fur-
thermore, plans are now under way 10
huild the north and south transepts,
together with the completion OF the
massive crossing of the Cathedral, all
of which it Is hoped may be completed
nv 1892 and be used for inspiring ma
tional religious services in connecion
with the 20Oth anniversary OF the birth
of George Washington.
Thousands of Small Gifts.
"This great undertaking has gone
forward through the generous interest
of literally thousands of people over
the country. and while we have had
notably large gifts from individuals, the
thousands of small gifts that have
poured in indicate the widespread IN
terest in what this great building may
symbolic of the spiritual ideals OF the
Nation. These offerings have repre-
sented q cross section Of the Christian
life of our people, expressed In the
terms of many church amliations ana
religious bodies. The fact that more
than 100000 people annually visit the
three crypt chapels-and this figure
does not include the other buildings
is an indication of the appeal which
they make to the finer sentiment OF
our people.
"The task which lies before us Is OBJ
yiously q. very weighty one. I am en-
co,Iraged and stimulated by the splen-
did leadership that has been given to
the Cathedral enterprise by such men
as Gen. Pershing, the Hon. Andrew W.
Mellon, former Senator George Whar-
ton Pepper, and the National Commit
tee, comprising more than 200 outstand-
ing men and women, representing as
they do the social, economic and re-
ligious interests Of the country at large
I have always felt strongly that In all
our work on Mount st. Alban we are
acting as trustees for the Nation as q
whole. While the Cathedral is geo.
graphically related to Washington, II
would signally fail of its purpose If II
lacked that breadth and comprehensive.
ness of vision that would make it ir
reality a house of prayer for all people.
at face the future, with its heavy re.
sponsibilities, with increasing courage
and hope. With Thomas Carlyle hole
that a new splendor of God must come
out of the heart Of this industrial age,
"a splendor of God making evident tx
| this and succeeding generations that W.
were not unmindful Of those great spir.
itual ideals which constitute our Sc
curity and permanence."
Youth and Old Age Welded.