To the Editor of the '"Nonmu-Ciina Dany News"
Sin—Although I om not a regular church-goer 1 cannot help feeling that the proposed sale is against the spirit of the intention of those who orisginally purchased the site and dedicated for the purpose of building a Cathe. dral. Surely it would be in the in-forests of the subscribers and of the community in general If the trustees obtained temporary financial assistance to enable them to adopt one of the following alternative Sale of the Honan Road frontage; Sale of the Kiukiang Road frontage.
As regards the frst alternative, tt is rumoured that there 1s a lease on the Honan Road site which has nine years to run and which might make the sale of the same dimeult, but this would not preclude obtaining a loan on this Property.
As rewards the second alternative, has been claimed that the Cathedral School is handicapped by being ailuated right down town. The school provides educational facilities mainly for children resident In the Western district, and it has been eonteaded that the school would probably be self-supporting if located in the Western district, It is rumoured that the sale of the lawn in front of the Cathedral will be toa bank. Tt would take the latter nearly two years to erect a suitable bank building, and as Kiukiang Road is the Lombard Sirect or Wall Street of Shanghai would It not be possible to sell the Cathedral School site to the banke in question with a right of continued occupation for 1% years by the School to enable the latter to erect a new building the Western district? The. school building could in all probability be converted into bank offices at no very great expense, Has any attempt been made to negotiate on these lines with the bank In question?
Tt has been slated that there is a suitable site for a new Cathedral in the nelgitourhood of Tifeng and, which site belongs to the S.M.C. Have any steps been taken to ascertain whether the Council would be willing to sell this site, and if so would it not be equally stiltable for the Boys School?
An Oto Restoenr, Shanyhal, Fob, 25, Financial "Bogey""
To the Editor of the "'Norriscuina Dany News"
Sin—Agnin the question of selling (he Cathedral lawn bos arisen and Alsgusted Britishers are asking them= Selves if this is the only way ringing to the public notice that the Church" fs in need of funds. "This Voyey hus been resurrected. before and quietly laid to rest after the desired end has been attained.
Ts not this a cheap way of going on? it funds are required why can of they be obtained as at Home by Personal appeals; and by' the organization of bazaars, sales of work tind, If needs be, foleness? (Although the latter are objectionable to most: churchyoers, they appeal to many). If the Cathedral Trustees had no land sell they would have to obtain funds by means similar to those employed by other forelyn churches In Shanghai, By comparison with their methods, the proposal to sell the Cathedral Lawn appears, to say the Toast, lazy.
Tf another church ts wanted in the Western District, let those who want it subscribe. If there are insuMetent subscribers, the church is not neces sary. To sell the Cathedral lawn'<an hardly be called honest, 'The site of the Cathedrat and the ullding were bought by those pioneers of Shanghai—ot whom we fare justly proud—who were few in number and apt to be regarded adventurers and traders without. Souls, But in spite of this, such was their' sentiment. saar all the material of which qhe church was built was brought sam Home in sailing ships. Surely such sentiment deserves respect-which T am sure It receives Tom' the average Britisher in this city. We didn't buy the lawn, therefore, as Christians, why profit by selling it? This "little breath of fresh alr in the heart of Shanghai is a tribute to our generosity and appredated by all nationalities, "As regards the "sentiment" you mention, "Sir, in to-day's leaderette, surely you Will agree that it needs 8 little encouragement in a city like this where money predominates. We fare British and fave a soul somewhere which It is not dis honourable to bare occasionally. To those of our countrymen with whom I have discussed this question the issue appears to be one of honour. Is the lawn really ours to sell?
We can obtain thie money for a new church in the Western District if the right people are approached in the Fight way, The parsons should come down to the small man: not begging spirit but a friendly one. The Dean and his assistants are personal friends of mine and I have a great respect for them as men; but fam of the opinion they are working in the wrong direction. They are monopolized by a certain clique who are probably of great assistance to them and the church. Thats ell to the good as far as it goes, but other people would also like to help. What about the small man who would like the Cathedral Is his snd the parsons are his friends? It
regular churchgoers at Home, there tonalling Bow many' Briers fare who are not sure where: the Cathedral Is or who the parsons are. As at Home, so here, a parson who tackles his Job inthe right way can get the congregation and the money. Let them visit the small man and take an interest in him and he will reciprocate by taking an interest in the church, Shanghai, Feb. 25.
A "Drastic" Scheme To the Editor of the "Nonru-Cutta Dany News"
'Sm=I have read with great inter- hood, est your article on "Proposed Sale of Lawn of Cathedral" but fail to find any' reason which would justify the drastic step contemplated by the Trustees. Two main points seem to be brought forward (1) the building of a Church in the Western area.
the present financial situation.
With regard to (1) while a Church in the West would certainly be desirable, Is the matter of such Urgency as to Justify the sale of the lawn (or part of 10?
With regard to (2) a very strong case. must be made out If a great umber of people are to be convinced that the only remedy is the drastic tone proposed. In this connection the Freewill Offering Scheme, which has just been started, promises to add greatly to the Cathedral income.
One further point, If It Is necessary to sell part of the compound, is not the obvious piece for sale the part along Kiukiang Road Lo. the ground on which at present there is the School and Church House. I do not know whether this Is feasible or not, Dut if it is practicable it would seem that the Cathedral nances could then be put on a satisfactory basis and at the same time the School moved to a more suitable situation. OK. Quicx. Shanghai, February 25.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.