The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1864-11-19
The Great HYorInOn Temple.

The work commenced many years ago.
but was arrested in the year 1857, at the time
when the Mormons exhibited spirit of in
suhordination towards the officers of the
General Government, aud General Johnston
was sent with sufficient military force to
compel due respect to the authorities of the
United States. All work was then suspend
ed on the temple, and preparations were
made by the mormons to burn their town
and migrate to some yet more remote place
of settlement.
These troubles, however, were pacilicated
and matters resumed their wontcd aspect
Bat the architect of the temple. for some
reason, was dissatisfied with the work done.
and the entire massive foundations were ia
ken up and the stones rclaid. am not SUI.
hcienty familiar with the technics of archi-
lecture to describe in professional terms the
work done. But that which strikes every
observer is the very remarkable soldity Of
the Stonework. 1t appears TO be laid there
TO remain thousand years, furnishing an
unyieldng support to the immense building
that is to rest upon it. The foundation is
deep. the stones large. wcll-sclcctcd, with
mnumcrahle arches upright and reversed.
Il trust no architect will criliciSc that eX-
preston. What mean by it is, that the
arches, of immense strength, are both right
side up and bottom side up. Isn't that
PLAN , The stones comprising this founda-
ton are large, square blocks Of granite. that
were brought fifteen miles, and it is of SINH
lar stone that the entire structure is to be
built 1t covers IA large space, say 300 by
100 feet. | saw an outside view of the up
per portion. The style of architecture is
novel. The front view shows three towers.
the center more elevated than those at the
M M tS e II
towers, also, the side walls being strength
cncd with powerful abutmcnts covered with
pinnaclcS. he walls are lofty, and the en-
tire AR OF the building. as represented in the
view saw, is imposing. There is no excess
of ornament. All is substantial, dignilied
and impressive. This building is not for the
use of the congregations Of the people, but
for the prieStly ordinances of the Church,
HE people Ill their asscmblagcs will meet in
another building in the rear, Of which shall
speak.
The work ON the temple building appears
to he suspended now. | saw no workmcn.
and was Informed that no definite period
could be assigned for its completion I'M
medatcly in the rear of it is the beginning
of the tabernacle, a building intended for
the gathering of the people. 1t is projected
on II arge scale, and on u very peculiar de-
sign, III marked contrast with the temple de-
sign. 1t is to be an oval huildng-cgg-
shaped. was told that the interior would
correspond to the shape of an egg. At
present tilty-two massive abutmcntS Of solid
masonry, ten feet by four show the exterior
line of the structure. From the top of these
nbutmcnts the oval roof will spring. The
!loor will be oval downwardS. seated with
rising seats, as an ampithcatre There will
be no close built side walls. As the build
ing IS intended for the vast congregations.
ventilation and light are looked to and the
building will he nearly all windows and
doors 1t covers u space of two hundred
and twenty-five feet deep by one hundred
and sc,vrnty-ive feet wide, and is calculated
to hold ten thousand people. Here the
teachers and elders will enlighten the people
and their united songs will go up. The cost
OF these buildings must be immense. But
all is contributed by tbs members Of the
Mormon church in labor and money. Their
system of fittings is adequate to the work.
" hen asked, ''What is the estimated cost
of the temple and tabcrnacc?'i | was in
formed with smile, ''Wc do not calculate
things in that way. When it is decided to
do anything among us. it is done with a cal
culation to cost. each doing his part
am informed that President Young HIM
self is the superintendent and actual archi-
tect of the buildings Every stone in them
he has inspected and measured with tape
line, and assigned to its place. | am also
informed that it is the purpose of the Pregi-
dent, with a view to facilitate the purposes
of the enterprise and to tighten the heavy
labor, to undertake the gigantic and costly
business Of turning neighboring river from
its course. and carrying its waters over to
the mountain quarry whence the gigantic
blocks are obtained, and thus supplying
large canal he intends constructing for the
purpose of floating the heavy stones up to
the very door Of the temple. The work al
ready done here, under his direction, shows
that he is capable of doing this. lie has
energy of conception and strength of pur-
pose sufficient for all such daring works.