Ex Cathedra

To the Editor of the CRIMSON:

While the anti-chapel agitation, led by the Harvard CRIMSON, is taking its course, I feel that perhaps a word would not be inappropriate from one of the many who are eager to see some sort of religious curricula as part of the University life available for those who desire it. Before expressing myself on that subject, I would like to stop a moment to point out that as the matter now stands the various issues have become quite confused. The opposition to the new chapel does not include just those who would have no use for a chapel, but also both those who are opposed to the idea of a war memorial and those who wish the memorial to take another form, as well as those who wish to see the building program in the University stopped. Except for saying that memorials expressed in religious forms are and always have been considered among the finest, I do not want to enter into the controversy. I merely wish to express a feeling that exists among many undergraduates and alumni: that there is a need and a desire for more adequate religious teaching and inspiration at Harvard.

The need is for a living religion rather than a neutral one, and it is the opinion of many that the present chapel is expressive of a certain phase of barren and starved religiosity that was so prevalent in New England several, centuries ago but that has long since spent itself and has gone out of existence. I feel that the time has come to replace this cold lifeless illustration of a worn-out conception by a more appropriate, and a more beautiful, representation.

I am convinced that with a more desirable chapel the many men who now scatter in the churches throughout Boston and vicinity because they do not find enough at Appleton would feel drawn to the University chapel. It would lead the way for additions in the religious program. A proper and suitable base would be offered for a genuinely great man to be called to in order to fill the position of Dean of the Chapel or a similar office of religious leadership. Besides there will be appropriate arrangements for smaller services, so there could be evening ones as well as morning, for I understand that in the present plans the cathedral type will be used having a nave for larger services and a Choir for smaller groups to gather in on weekdays.

The present chapel may at present afford sufficient size, but it is neither beautiful nor well-designed for the greatest usefulness, and is entirely unsuited as an expression of the truly warm glowing religion that could exist here, attracting students to it rather than sending them elsewhere. J. DeWolf Perry, Jr. '32.