A PEOPLE'S THANKSGIVING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 45, Issue 13751, 1 February 1919, Page 6

A PEOPLE'S THANKSGIVING.

VISTGLICAN CATHEDRAL IN

WELLINGTON

Wry .-non the transports wib be bringing home New Zealand's lighting men from overseas. The wounded and sick will come first. Even now some of them are on the seas. Aud ihei'- coming will mean to thousands of man mid women and. children, su<di joy as can never be equalled iv the. whole wide world. The return of these men will indeed inspire a people's thanksgiving. The personal welfare of the revnrning soldiers will have full attention from a generous people. But the thought of thanksgiving will demand that something more "lasting and splendid shall be done.

In all the great countries of the world the records of the centuries are t" bo found, in majestic, wonderful old. buildings, into whose very stones are '.'oven the stones of the past. Here in New Zealand there is little that has been mode memorable by age. The country is so young, so busy with to-day, yet it is in to-day to-morrow begins. The present becomes the past. That, is the thought behind the movement to build iv Wellington a tine cathedral — a desire to begin now a house of God, which will stand through time as a retard 0 f an historic time in the history of a

grow'ny nation, whose fighters have fought in far lands under the flags that stand cor God and liberty. There, could be no better or grander way to express thanksgiving at the return of a loved soldier from the war than by helpbig to build this cathedral. Every stone of it, every tower and transept and j orch, every window, every pillar and. arch, its chapel and baptistry and organ, w:li be free-will offerings, and memorials from a loyal aud grateful people. The names and the deeds of New Zealand's soldiers ,regardless of creed, will be placed on record ia its west wing, ami the cathedral will embody the highest ideals of a free, God-fearing people. It is a project worthy of the support of all who feel the desire to do something to immortalise the achievements of the soldiers of liberty. All donations and enquiries should be addressed to the hon. organising secretary, Rev. C. F. Askew, St. Mark's Vicarage, Wellington.