CHAPELS AND MEMORIALS

The coincidence of the need of a new chapel and a desire to construct a fitting war memorial makes a combination of aims appear the happiest release from a difficult situation. The addition of any sort of bell-tower or purely memorial structure to the already polymorphic architecture of the Yard would merely increase the existing aesthetic confusion, a circumstance which would detract appreciably from the dignity of its purpose. A larger and more beautiful chapel would both serve the end of a memorial and avoid the stigma of utilitarianism.

There is only one possible question which may be raised against this proposed union of ideals. A chapel or a church is primarily a structure consecrated to religion, which is permanent and universal in character, and which must regard even the finest elements of war as at best necessary evils. Even though a war memorial would commemorate the highest qualities of devotion and self-sacrifice, these would be inseparable from a conception of patriotism which is purely national. The ideals of religion must be kept above and beyond all considerations of race and country. There is in this combination of aims almost an element of incongruity.

The need of a new chapel has been definitely established. It is also both fitting and desirable that the bravery and the high idealism of those who gave their lives to the service of the country be not unhonored. But in a doubtful joining of the two purposes, there is a danger that though the first may be achieved, the clear individuality of the second may become unhappily clouded.