A CHURCH OF PEACE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10211, 22 February 1919, Page 9

A CHURCH OF PEACE

WELLINGTON ANGLICAN CATHEDEAL. In the beginning of the political, commercial, and social life of New Zealand, there was no central city in which were stored the country's records, and where the legislators and business men foregathered periodically. It was a scattered community in those days. The capital was Auckland, the chief business centre Duncdin, whilo Canterbury and Nelson and Hawko's Bay were powerful provinces which desired recognition as such. But, one by one, the secular interests of the country—private and public;—transferred their headquarters to Wellington, the geographically central port. And as tho secular affairs now have thoir direction in the main from Wellington, so the headquarters of the Church of England will almost certainly be transferred to Wellington. With this idea before them Anglican Church peoplo and well-wishers are expected to respond nobly to the appeal now being made for funds to erect a beautiful cathedral as a memorial to tho men who died, for freedom: and, also, as a thankofloring for peace. After tho splendid responses ■ which . have been mndo to worthy causes during the war period, such an expectation may be regarded «s an accomplished fuct. Tho war has taught many lessons, am' one of these is that tho etrenKth of ri nation does not lie in its mnterial wealth, its army or its navy—but in the spiritual richness of its people—tho eternal principles of truth, justice, and equity.. A fine cathedral is more than a mass of innsonrv or a triumph of the architect's nn'd builder's _ arts. It is a aign and symbol of n faith which liftf. men's thoughts to the highest planes—a. faith In God, which when matched viith the enemy's gross materialism, vanquished materialism. This opne.nl for peoplo to send their free offerlnuf to build a cathedral in Wellington, if a call to all churohmen ond well-wishe™ to immortalise this triumph, with Hr attendant losses and glories, in the capital citv of New Zealand. Full parHeulnrs of the project are ohtainnblr from the hon. organising secretary, Rev. C, F. Askew. St. Mark's Vicarage, Wellington, to Whom all contribution? should bo made. fPublished bv Arrangement.]