ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 70, 23 March 1920, Page 7

ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL

PROPOSED MILITARY CHAPEL

GIFTS OF ANCIENT STONE.

• (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON, 28th January

The Rev. C. F. Askew (Vicar of St. Mark's, Wellington) was preaching at Leicester recently, when he unfolded the Cathedral scheme, hoping that the Military .Chapel will "be the gift of the Church at Home to the Ohurch out there, in solemn commemoration of the glorious part played by the gallant New Zealanders for the common cause—that is surely a, thing to quioken the sympathies of all who hear of it."

Writing- of New Zealand's sacrifice in the war, the Rev. Canon W. T. Elliott l^'icar 'of St. Peter's, Leicester) menlions that Mr. Askew, who lias only been a short time in this country, had visited many of the oid Cathedrals in the land, and has received from them the gifts of portions of stone from their ancient fabrics, which will be incorporated in the new building. • "This is an idea which strikes the imagination at once. In the generations to come the New Zeaknders of the.-'future, going into their Wellington Cathedral and entering the Military Chapel, will be able to identify this piece of stone as coming from the far-off Cathedral of Ripon, another from Peterborough, another from Rochester or Bristol, and another from a Cathedral which dates back long centuries, the great Cathedral of ■Durham." Mr. Elliott .refers to the impression made upon New Zealand soldiers by their visits to such cathedrals as York, Salisbury, or Durham; .their sense of wonder at the grandeur and beauty of their proportions, and still more at the thought of the- countless feet that have trodden their pavements, the .innumerable worshippers who down the ages have taken part in. their worship; and says :—"These impressions have made many of them long for such buildings and sudi associations in their native land. It is surely fitting that when a scheme is acunlly "on foot for the building of such a structure, there should be some special place in it which commemorates at the same time the sacrifice of New Zealanders and the gratitude of the Mother Country from which they sprang, and with whose own sons they fought, side by side, through five long years. "There is good reason for hoping that the Prince of Wales will lay the foundation stone of this Military Chapel. It would, indeed, be a happy thing if, on the occasion of this stone-laying, the/ amount required jor the completion of the gift from the Mother Country coulU be laid upon the stone. TRIBUTE FROM THE MOTHERLAND. " What a splendid opportunity the j scheme provides for all, rich and poor alike, to do something to mark their sense of . the oneness of the nations of. the Empire, their admiration for the marvellous record of New Zealand in We war, and the spiritual bonds which must always unite those who are not only of kindred blood, but have together given of their best in a common cause, lived together, suffered together, died together.

I " Mother with unbowed head, Hear Thou across the sea, The farewell of the dead, The dead who died for thee! Greet them again with tender words and 'brave, In saving thee, themselves they could not save." RELICS OLD AND NEW. Mr. Askew is regarding these gift pieces of Cathedral.stone as links between the Old World and the New, and he is making a most interesting collection. For instance, the section which he has received from Ripon Cathedral once formed part of a 16th century screen. From Worcester he has a enrved head. , The piece from Hereford was a portion of a pinnacle, while Norwich's memento comes from the old Norman chapel. Prom the magnificent ruins of Glastonbury Abbey he has a stone rose, and from Furness Abbey there is a very choice specimen. Dublin Cathedral is sending Mr. Askew a gift! in stone. St. David's (as repre- I senting Wales) will do likewise, and when there is a relic from Scot-land the entire British Isles will be represented in the Military Chapel. Mr. Askew is next visiting and speaking at Wells. lit each case the Dean accompanies the gift with a letter, so that there is a- complete record of date, history, and origin. The trustees of S\ Cross, Winchester —that wonderful old building with a. wonderfully interesting 'history—have presented Mr. Askew with, a brass lectern set w^th stones. It was in use at St Cross itself until replaced by a still older lecteni. For the decoration of the Military Chapel, too, there should be a fine collection of flags and banners which have been associated with the war. Marshal Foch has written this week promising one as his gift in memory of the New Zealanders who fell in. France, and others- will be added from other sources. Lieut.-General Sir A. J, Godley is interesting himself keenly in this phase of the Military Chapel scheme, and gradually Mr. Askew is making a collection of gifts tha,t will be of interest on account of their association in some way with New Zealanders who took part in the war. Often times he comes across English people quite unexpectedly, who seek him out because their sons or brothers fought the New Zealand men, and they are anxious to recognise in some way their gratitude for numerous little kindly acts. Mi H.,-E. Garrison, who is well-known as a lecturer, has undertaken to deliver a series of lectures in various parts of the country, to interest people in the Military Chapel proposals. His first will be given at the Church House.

On 27th April there is to be a big concert at the Albert* Hall still with the same- purpose in view, and this, too, is to take place on the initiative of Mr. Askew, and for it arrangements are well in hand. The date was selected to be as near as possible to Anzae Day. A specially designed programme is in contemplation, so.that it will be a souvenir for all time, 'and the Military Chapel wilt be its principal motif. An active helper in the organisation of this concert will be the Rev. G. Freeman, Rector of Croseombe, Wells.