The Star. MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1894.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4855, 22 January 1894, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1894.

The Harper Memorial. There is a generally expressed opinion that the memory of the late Bißhop Harper Bhould he perpetuated by a fitting memorial, and the outcome of such expression was the appointment of a strong committee at a meeting convened by his Worship the Mayor a fortnight since. That Committee has met, bat the result of its meeting caa hardly be regarded as entirely satisfactory, the decision arrived at designating the completion of the cathedral, at a cost of some .£20,000, as the form the memorial should take. That such a resolution should have been carried after so great a difference of opinion amongst the members present, is matter for surprise, and the Committee would have acted a wiser part had it adopted the suggestion thrown out for an adjournment and the procuring of farther information as to the views of those outside the Church who were probable contributors. The discussion gave evidence of general proposals rather than carefallythought oat schemes, there being nearly a dozen different forms which the memorial might take mentioned, but the details of none of these were before the meeting. The desirability of deciding upon something which "all Borts and conditions of men" can assist in carrying to a successful issue ought to weigh with the promoters of the movement; and desirable as the completion of the Cathedral may be from an Anglican point of view, it must not be forgotten (as pointed out by some of the gentlemen present at the meeting) that, putting on one side the vital question of cost, Nonconformists may, and probably will in many instances, decline to contribute for such nn object. Theoretically it Bhould make no difference to those desiring to do honour to the memory of a good man what form the memorial takes, but the faot cannot be ignored that catholicity has not yet broken down the barriers of sectarianism, and there are Nonconformists who could not conscientiously contribute towards a cathedral-completion fund. The same remarks apply to some of the other proposals made— such as scholarships for holy orders, deaconesses' institution, synod-

>u3e,- &e. Why should not the memorial ■ i of a public character, and one brought ! ider the notice daily of present and ! Lture residents of the city and visitors, ! iuß, to quote Archdeacon Harper, " ever icalling to Christchnrch people the , irsonality of the man who had been so •> inch to the church in it3 fiist days?" ( ;ut because the late Bißhop wbb so much ; • > the province as a whole, in addition to j ■ hat he was specially to Chrißtchurch and ' be Anglican communion, the evidence of ; espect for his memory should have a rider character and significance even than ' his. The resolution of the committee will '• ie submitted ' to a public meeting toaorrow evening, and we hope then to see ucb. a conclusion arrived at as will enlist ha sympathies and secure the donations of ill sections, whether connected with any ' )ranch -of the various churches or nob. • Che late Bishop was a -man of sterling j fforth as well as a faithful churchman ; ', ind to-morrow'a meeting will decide j whether his memory ia to be perpetuated ' 9y the people aB a whole or only by thos,e who run upon the same lines of religious thought. For the credit of the province ' we trust that the wider range will be taken.