Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-26

realized its wounds and scars that have
not wished in my heart that might have
seen it while it was building, while 1t was
still unmarried by the years. still unhurt by
the brutality or the neglect of men.
I know that there is a kind OF grace that
time bestows upon old churches. The lovely
windows are often partly so because they are
coated with the CRIME Of centuries. The soft
and delicate lines OF many pillar and many
an arch are often enough the work Of erosion
and decay. There are certainly elements Of quiet
loneliness which slow destruction creates. And
it Is likewise true that many an ancient church
has a peculiar atmosphere difficult to describe,
a character OF sanctity resulting doubtless from
the fact that 1t has been for generations
house of prayer, something not architectural at
all but rather pSychological-if we may speak
OF the psychology OF building; one feels this
subtly, and 1t cannot be analysed.
But the original beauty of fine church IS
the loneliness really intended by its builders.
The central tower at Canterbury must have
been a glorious creation when first 1t rose, so
clean and confident. so proud against the sky.
It is glorious still, but it seems just trihe
apologize. Yes yes it seems to say. but
you should have come here 400 years ago."
And in this instance of the Angel tower only
time has been at work. At Exeter 1t Is a dlf-
ferent story There man has deliberately
wrought the irreparable damage that still cries
protest: the broken, battered, hideously mis-
treated west front. Think what it must have
been as the carvers left it that day long ago
when they said 1t is done!"
Once when I was a boy heard a mighty
sermon centered about the idea that while
Christ labored and taught in Jerusalem there
were probably many men in the city who
simply did not trouble to see or hear Him. men
without curiosity enough to cross the street to
see for themselves the Central Character OF
the greatest. the most pitiful drama the world
has ever known. They had heard that He was
oitv fhev
were following Him about, but they were not
interested
I suppose there are men today who would not
step to the window to see President or King,
a gifted painter a great poet pass in the
street below But I wonder what manner of
men they can be. Surely normal curiosity
is an essential quality in the healthy mind.
4 REMEMBER phrase used by Kennedy Moor
! head one evening just before he sailed for
France in the staggering Spring of 1917. This
war; he said, sis the greatest thing that has
happened in hundred years. I'd be ashamed
not to see it." He saw more than a year OF
1t; he persisted in it as it closed. But he was
wholly right in his attitude toward it. It de-
served to be seen. No man worthy Of the title
could ignore 1t.
And I have a similar feeling about these
great new cathedrals that are slowly growing.
slowly being grown on their several hills
Liverpool, New York and Washington. How
can we fail to notice them? For centuries
after we have gone they are to stand against
the SUM- Men who will follow us in the high
ways of the world will see them, will think Of
them as monuments of our time, symbols Of
our lives our aspirations, our ideals. These
later men will behold them as completed struc-
lures. They cannot share with us the oppor-
tunity to see them being built. That Is our
own particular privilege.
In Liverpool met an old sailor at the foot
Of st. James Mount on which the majestic
church is being raised. II come here often"
he said ''just to look at it. You know it does
change from one day to another" never met