The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-01-25

of that far-off land. AS we stood there
a burst of sunshine threw over the
building the halo and witchery of its
golden beams, deepening the shadows,
the outlines coming out in sharp re-
lief, flooding in glorious light bull
ding, towerand spire, and we thought,
as we gazed upon this scene of daz-
zling TRANSPORTATION, If the earthly
courts of the Lord are so beautiful
and sublime in their grandeur, what
must that eternal Temple be? The
entrance of the church is approached
by q massive flight of pyramidical
steps, and as one crosses the threshold
he finds himself in a lofty vestibule
which seems to prepare or familiarize
the beholder with the rare scene that
bursts upon his bewildered vision as
he passes through the door into the
auditorium. No pen can convey an
idea of the vastness of the interior. Its
magnifcence and immensity battle de-
scription. Away in the dim distance
the eye at last makes out the outlines.
Looking upward the eye fails to grasp
the beauteous sight, its brilliant col
oring, its ease and exquisite frescoing.
The pendant posts, springing from
corbels and reaching away in groined
arches of fret-work intertwined with
/" gems of art" till they meet in the
center overhead, its massiveness over
awes one, or leaves him in half
dream of delight; and, as one begins
to get accustomed to the surroundings.
you become aware of the Wondrous
play of light and shadows. The room
seems filled with a mellow fadient
light. The sun-rays, as they stream
through the gorgeously colored win
dows, produce enchanted delusions,
for they seem to fall upon the floor in
" feathery gushes of feeciness,o or in
soft wells of glossiness." In the eve
ming when the church is lit up with its
myriad of resplendantj jet flames, trans
forming the building into a fairy-like
palace, and the beholder glancing up
ward into the deep shadows of its
spangled loftiness, seems TO see in de-
lightful reality, the ETHEREAL vault of
heaven with its galaxy of radiant star
diadems. Away in the distance at
the western extremity of the building,
in the rear of the altar, setting altar
and desk out in clear relief, is the
choir and organ loft, whose peculiar
construction sends the majestic rolling
tones of the organ vibrating and ech-
ding down the chancel, along the
aisles and naves in wild bursts of
symphony, and anon dying away liz
soft cadences like the breaking of gen.
tie waves on celestial shores. Then,
the voices of the singers, adding har-
mony to the sweet, delicious notes of
melody, float out upon the airin brill
liant strains, and the nearer, seated
among the soft, luxuriant cushions,
leaning back in oriental luxury, list
enfng to the grand tones of the organ
as they resound along the deep recess.
es of the vast building, has only to
shut his eyes and he will seem to ''sail
upon purple seas towards the islands
of the Blessed" But time will not
admit of a description of all the para
phranalia that assists to make up this
wonderful view, and we leave this
gorgeous spectacle behind, and yet
not behind, for, in the storehouse of
memory we shall always retain this
kaleidoscope of beauty while memory
lasts, and shall always thank God for
the sight of these domes, towers, bull
ding and spires, monuments of grand
eur such as only His mind can inspire,
perpetual reminder to us of His infn-
ituGe and the eternity of his bound
less love. GA"
AURORA, Jan'y II.