THE NEW CATHEDRAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13207, 14 February 1905, Page 6

THE NEW CATHEDRAL.

(From Our Own CoRBEsroxDENT.) OHRISTCHDEOH, February 13.. The verdict of the privileged persons who saw the. eplondid; and impressive ceremony at the Roman Catholic Cathedral yesterday is that no suoh gorgeous and glittering pageant has probably over gladdened the eyes of tbo Roman Catholic pcop'.o of this colony eineo tho pioneers of the faith planted its roota in what was then a savago and inhospitablo land. When tho Roman Catholic looks back upon tho history of his Church in- New Zealand and compares its early struggles with yesterday's triumphal and magnificent function, he may bo forgiven for a thrill of prido. Tho transformation is as wonderful to those who are not of his faith as it must' be to himself. The glorious building which was dedicated yesterday in' tho' presence of the prelates of an ancient and historic Church, ' with a thousand-year-old ceremonial, is in . itself a sufficient cause for pride—proper prido in work achievod in a- mighty aiid beautiful edifice of worship, classic in its lonio. and Corinthian architecture, altogether admirable in the purity of its design. When one recalls.the circumstances of the Roman Citholio flock in this diocese, and recollects the. comparatively recent date at which the movement was begun, that completed Cathedral becomes not merely a high temple of worship, but a monument of industry and energy and effort, an object lesson to other faiths of the selfsacrificing, loyalty of the Roman' Oatholio community to their Church. This thought must have filled tho minds of those inquisitive members of Protestant congregations who vrero to be seen in tho.now Cathedral yesterday. The sceno was not one to easily forgot.' Not only was tho rich and picturesque ritual of the Church new "to most of them, and of vast interest considering ite derivation and the long ages through which, fostered by tho traditions of the Church, it has grown to its present form, but the florid beauty of the music and the whole sotting of tlte uniquely engrossing ceremony wore full of the most absorbing attraction. The interior view of the building, with ils towering arches, its stately ascending columns, and its beautiful domes leading tho thoughts (to quote the words of Archbishop Kelly) heavenward and God- \ ward was in itself 'inspiring. While it lost ; nothing in dignity bj the ornataness of its design, it gained in richness and beauty, . and the eye. of the worshipper was entranoed by tho scone boforo him as much ' as his ear by the glorious musio and the ! grand and swelling choruses of the combined choirs hidden in recesses of the . building. Tho whole atmosphere was dovo- ' tional, tlie occasion one whioh the Roman '. Catholics who took part in that service ', must have found full of solemnity and satisfaction, fervid thanksgiving, and jubilation. '. There were several features of this notable . service of dedication which appealed to the ! Protestant mind as a departure from ■ ' anything we aro accustomed to. The , fraternal relations between the priests and ■ tho laity, the gorgeous robes and vestments i ■ of the priest , !, the florid music, the direct . ; nppeal of the preacher for funds, the pecu- ; liar oversight by tho clergy of tho collection . of the offertory, all struck one as strangely i out of accord with Protestant ideas. But . the whole function to those who a short . week ago saw this great building, still in the r hands of the mason and tho woodwright, i and saw it again yesterday .prepared with i Aladdin-like speed, crammed with, wori ehippers, filled with the odour of incense, E and the scene of a picturesque and f medieval-looking ceremony, was ono to » wonder at. Although still unhallowed by i tradition and unsanctified by association, ' although far from tho Old World, with f which such scenes -are associated, the cere- ■ monial seemed in keeping with the sur- > roundings. One imagined one's self trans- ' ported for the hour to another century—a ■ moro venerable elimo. It was as if Roman--1 ism had chosen tho occasion to reassert its antiquity, to proclaim its dignity and ' grandeur, to impress us with its wealth and 5 influence, to illustrate its importance, and I to vindicate its claim to the title of the \ Mother Church. To-day solemn ceremonials conducted with all tho pomp of yesterday again took place, and during all this week ? services vicing with one another in imf' pressiveness and in splendour will bo held t i in the new Cathedral. f (Pbk UmTisn Pnuss Association.) ' r CHRISTOHURCH, February 13. t At the banquet, in connection with the ]! opening of. the new Cathedral, Bishop r Grimes proposed the toast of " Tho Visiting ! Prelates," to whom he expressed his deep 3 senso of gratitude. Archbishop Oarr roI 1 plied, and referred to the hospitality shown r \ the prelates all over tho colony, and to J ! the interest taken in his visit by the Maoris, a who had offered him a chieftainship if ho \ . would live amongst thorn and a- most memo- .; rablo tangi when he died. s There was a very largo congregation in - the evening, when pontifical vospers werei sung by the Bishop of Sale, while Arclie '■ bishop Carr, who laid the foundation stono o and performed the dedication ceremony, ■- preached. He spoke of tho multitude of t sects which had arisen in modern times, 6 all calling themselves tho "Church of ■. Christ." Christ intended the Church established, by Himself to bo one in doctrine, b worship, and government. He contended y that the Roman Church was thn true Church a of Christ by apostolic succession. Bishop i- Grimes bestowed tho papal blessing. Tho d ceremony was.a very imposing one. ,t The visiting prelates at the Catholic festid val, accompanied by a largo number of y visiting priests, to-day visited tho Mount e Magdala Asylum, where they were entero taincd and short congratulatory speeches - concerning tho work of the institution wore d delivered. d I To-night further services were held', and n ' these- will continue throughout tho week, d On Sunday next the Archbishop of Sydney g is to lecture upon tho temperance question, stating the Church's attitude towards it.