Page 5 Advertisements Column 3

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1055, 20 December 1862, Page 5

QIIRIST CHU RC H CA THEDIi AL. ! CATHEDRAL COMMISSION. The Lord Bishop of Christchurch. i His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson. The Venerable the Archdeacon of Akaroa. The Rev. H. Jacobs. •- The Rev. J. Wilson. A. Barker, Esq. A. Cox, Esq. E. Dobson, Esq. J. E. FitzGerald, Esq. W. J. W. Hamilton, Esq. R. J. S. Harman, Esq. G. Miles, Esq. The Cathedral Commission appointed by the Synod of the Diocese of Christchurch, has decided to make a public appeal for subscriptions towards the buildthe cathedral. The very general and warm approval with which the proposal to begin this great work has been greeted by the public, has convinced the commission that the time has arrived when they may make this , appeal with a certain prospect of success. It is true indeed that this great ; undertaking cannot be carried through by a single but it is hoped that the interest which has been now excited will be not only lively, but lasting and sustained. It is true that it will call for unusual efforts, and sacri- ' fices of no ordinary kind, and those extending over a considerable terra of years; for, though a comparatively short time may suffice for the erection of a portion of the building capable of accommodating a large number of worshippers, several years must necessarily elapse before we can expect to see the complete structure stand before us in all its grandeur and beauty. Still, so great and enobling a work may well be deemed worthy of every sacrifice; and while such .great efforts are being made by us to accomplish vast undertakings for convenience and utility, we shall surely be ashamed to. grudge expense or exertion in the attempt to raise up one worthy Temple in the, midst of us for the worship of our Creator, and as a witness to His Holy Name. The purposes of a Cathedral are manifold. Amongst these are, that it is:—l. A perpetual and conspicuous witness to the presence and majesty of the most Holy Trinity. 2. The church of the diocese, where the Bishop's cathedra or chair is placed, and therefore representing a branch of the great Christian society in its complete organization of bishop, clergy, and people. 3. A central place of worship for the diocese and for strangers, where all the seats are free for ever and where none may feel that they are intruding on parochial rights. As the central church of the diocese, it represents the unity, and as open to all strangers, the universality of the Christian church. 4. A sacred edifice, adapted in size and dignity for the performance of specially Episcopal functions, such as that of ordination, and for the assembling together of large numbers of the people on occasions of more than ordinary solemnity. 5. A sanctuary, where prayer may be daily offered, and the highest office of our religion weekly celebrated, that so the fire of devotion may be rekindled from day to day, the incense of prayer and praise never cease to be offered up in the name and on behalf of the diocese at large, and while the inhabitant of the ! city and its neighbourhood, may reap the fruit of these blessings continually, the sojourner of a day 'or of a week may thankfully embrace the occasional opportunities, which nothing but this constant circle of holy services could with certainty provide. It has been decided, after much consideration, to adhere to the site already set apart in Cathedral square. Complete plans for the whole Cathedral, by Mr. Gilbert Scott, are in the hands of the commission ; and they have determined to adhere rigidly to a design which is worthy of the great name of its author. - It has been decided to commence with building the nave, as being that part of the whole structure which can be the most speedily erected, and will accommodate the largest numbers in proportion to its post. On the most accurate estimate that can be obtained, it has been calculated that the cost of building the whole nave with sittings for one thousand persons, will amount to about twenty thousand pounds. This estimate, whilst not pretending to detailed accuracy, may be relied on as representing the outside sum which will be necessary to complete the nave, with the temporary east front and chancel fittings; the chancel, choir, and transepts, together with the whole of the tower above the basement remaining as an object for future efforts. The funds already in hand do not exceed £1800, being made up principally of the sum of AIOOO, reserved for this purpose out of the grant of ten thousand pounds for church building, voted by the Legislature of the province in the year 1858, and about £700, the amount of subscriptions obtained in England through Mr. FitzGerald. It is confidently anticipated that the public will respond to this appeal with an unwonted liberality. The present is a great Church building age, and Englishmen especially are becoming more and more accustomed, to increase their sacrifices and self-deny-ing exertions to accomplish great works of a sacred character. The people of this province especially, it may be hoped, will regard their Cathedral as an appropriate thank-offering to Almighty God for the great and unexampled measure of prosperity which it has enjoyed from its foundation. Those among us on whom God has bestowed wealth will,- it is hoped, give back to Him, for the sake of erecting a Temple worthy Of His Name, with an open and generous hand, as He has given to them. Already, in more than one case which might be mentioned, large sums have been offered. Let the same liberality be shewn by all in proportion to their means, and thentherewill.be no difficulty in raising even more than the amount required. By spreading the payment of the subscriptions, as it is proposed to do, in the case of those who prefer it over a term of years, many will be enabled to offer sums which they could not otherwise have. Let it be remembered that the cathedral is the work of the whole diocese, and let a great and united effort be made/and we shall accomplish, under the blessing of Almighty God, a work which will impr ess its character on this rising people, and will be the slorv of our metropolis and province, and will be pointed at With just pride by our children s children as a standing memorial of the Christian faith and zeal of the founders of their country. Subscriptions will be received by every member of the commission, and by all the Bankers in the diocese,. '

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