The Canvass for the Proposed Religious Building.

Members of the religious societies in the University are now being canvassed for subscriptions to the proposed religious building. The subscription blanks read that the money subscribed is to be paid at certain dates to trustees, and finally "to be given to the Corporation of Harvard University whenever the sum subscribed shall equal or exceed $100,000, for the purpose of erecting and furnishing a building within the grounds of the University, to be used for the religious interests of the University, and for any other purpose which may not interfere with these interests."

Such a building is undoubtedly one of the greatest of the material needs of the University at present. The athletic interest is centured in four excellent buildings, and some of the social clubs have club houses; but the religious interest, which probably appeals more or less to at least 1500 of our 2000 students in Cambridge, is left, except for the services in Appleton Chapel, to be fostered in comparatively obscure rooms or in recitation halls. The great service of the religious building would be that, while affording accommodations for many purely social, literary or academic interests, it would yet stand primarily for the most serious life of the University, and set that forth in its true light.

If, however, Harvard is to have this building, the students must first show their own desire for it by liberal subscriptions and hard work in its behalf. Though the whole University would profit by the building, the present members of the religious societies are first appealed to as those most deeply interested. The suggested plans for the subscriptions are of such a character that every one can give something. Even a large gift, in the form of four yearly payments, is within the ability of most men. Much self-sacrifice has been shown on the part of those who have already subscribed. From the few men already approached there have been a number of $100 subscriptions. This implies a great deal of denial and foresight for some men; but it would be hard to find an object more worthy of a student's self-sacrificing gift. In this case it is also true that those who subscribe immediately, subscribe doubly.

In case this canvass proves that the students feel the need of a building in which their religious interests shall be centred, and that they are willing to work for it, there can be little doubt that it will soon be provided through the Alumni and friends of the University.