THE CATHEDRAL.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20383, 2 November 1931, Page 13

THE CATHEDRAL.

* CELEBRATION OF JUBILEE. EARLY DIFFICULTIES. A VISION REALISED. The significance ol : the Christchureh Cathedral to Canterbury as a standing witness to the foresight and idealism of the early pioneers was brought homo to tho many people who attended tho three special services yesterday celebrating the jubileo of the dedication and consecration of the cathedral. Tho 11 o'clock service was a particularly notable one for the reason that it was attended by many representatives of tho pioneers and builders of tho Cathedral, those who were present at the dedication service in 1881, eight of the members of tho choir which took part in tho first service, and a number of old boys of the Cathedral Grammar School.

The original choir members present wero Messrs F. Hobbs, S. Bell, Woodward, H. Macintosh, F. Lake, C. Styche, C. Hockloy, and S. Smith. At 8 a.m. Holy Communion was celebrated by Bishop West-Watson, and at 11 a.m. there was a procession of choir and clergy round tho building, followed by Choral Eucharist, celebrated by tlio Archbishop of New Zealand. Bishop West-Watson was the preacher. Tho organ voluntary was "Adagio Iteligioso" from Mendelssohn's "Hymn of Praise," the introit was by Wabnisloy, the service Schubert in G, and the sequence, between the Epistle and the Gospel, "How Lovely Aro Thy Dwellings Fair" (liralnns). Tho Te Deum Laudamus was sung, all lacing the altar.

In the afternoon there was a special service for the children ol' Sunday Schools and primary schools, Archbishop Julius preaching. In tho evening iho organ voluntary was "Allegretto," from Mendelssohn's "Hymn of Praise," the sequence "Song ot Freedom" (Stanford), the service, Harwood in A flat, and tho anthem, "Praise Thou the Lord 1 ' (Mendelssohn). Archbishop Averill was tho preacher. Tho recessional voluntary was "Maestoso Con Moto and Allegro" from mo "Hymn of Praise" (Mendelssohn). AH the offerings throughout tho festival arc to bo given to the rolief work ot St. Martin's House of Help. Original Plans. The original plan of tho Canterbury Association was to establish a . Cathedral and a College in the centre of the City. Tho actual building of tho Cathedral was talked of in 1856 as a possibility of tho near future. A commission was appointed in 1859 and tho foundation stone was laid on December 16th, 18G4. The cost of tho wholo building had been greatly underestimated at £21,000, but working on this estimate and having about £18,500 in hand or in promises, tho commissioners folt justified in proceeding. In 186G, however, they were compelled to suspend operations and for tho next eight years the foundations remained as they were. In 1373 tenders were accepted for the erection of the first portion and in 1574 a service was held within the walls of the building, when tho western door was opened. Then tho work went on rapidly and All Saints' Day, November Ist, 1881, was fixed for tho consecration of tho nave.

The transept and chancel wero completed in 1904 and tho total cost of the Cathedral had been £04,752, apart from the amount voluntarily given for the furnishings of the building of tho western and northern porches and the reconstruction of the spire. A Dream Como True. "If tho practical people had had their way this fine _ building would never have been built. Indeed, the site might have been occupied by a block of commercial buildings or even an amusement house. Instead, we have a poem in stone that is an inspiration to all who come into the City," said Bishop West-Watson, preaching at tho thanksgiving service at 11 a.m.

After tracing the history of the Cathedral, his Lordship stated that the building was regarded in tho early days as tho foundation of the ecclesiastical development of the diocese. It was stated to be the great piece of poetry of the pilgrims' schemes. One of tho visions of the pioneers was a great Cathedral, rising above the buildings of a big city. With that vision steadily before them they met hard times and heavy toil and could not have much leisure for dreams, but their greatest dream came true. When tho foundations were laid the Church of England people were dared to leave tho building incomplete. Even then it must have_ appeared to be an extravagant and impractical dream. Idealists were often hard put to it to explain their assurance and the practi-cally-minded people nearly won the day, for grass began to grow round the foundations. Some thought a set or public offices should take the place of a Cathedral and the site was nearly sold. Those who pressed for the sale could not be blamed because in their minds the dream would never come trueThey lacked foresight, however. Poem in Stone. There was a band of people who did not despair and their efforts resulted in what was, to-day, a poem in stone, embodying romance and the memories of the pioneers. It was good to meditate on sucli things from time to time. They inspired the people to reach for tho highest. The Cathedral was a standing witness to the Glory of God and its majestic proportions were in keeping with tho nobility and dignity of its purpose. In a mechanical age, such as the present, people were apt to look too oten on the purely practical side of life. It was good to remember always that God was watching their strivings, their contendings, and comings and goings. Words might seem insincere or unworthy when speaking of the dignity and sanctity of tho building and all it stcod for. It was forever a testimony to the vision of its founders, and all who looked at it and studied its fine architecture could feel proud of the work of their forefathers and join in th« beautiful prayer deposited in the foundation stone

The water colours mid etchings of Ohristehurch Cathedral 011 exhibition at Mossi-p H. Fisher and Sons' gallery, High street, should be of special interest at thp present time, when the Jubilee of tlio Dedication is being celebrated. A.mongst the exhibits is an etching in colour by Jas. Fitzgerald, which gives an impressive view of the interior, looking towards the choir Etchings in colour are comparatively rare, owing to the difficulty of printing, which requires great care and a high degree of skill 011 the part of the artist: numerous trial proofs are destroyed before the desired result is obtained, hence editions are usually very limited. Of this particular plate, only ten impressions are being issued.