The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-01

meeting at DR.. stones palatial ehurch'
brought together small audience, pre-
sided over by one solitary minister In
the dimly lighted vestry, with the
whole church-front shrouded in dark
ness, making US wish these people could
see how differently they do things In
Portland.
Rev. Otis Gibson was evidently
obeying the orders of coterie of minis
ters who took care to remain away.
He protested that God was doing all the
work, through the women of the country,
but took care not TO give either God or
the women \ ghost of q chance to do
anything except at his dictation. The
resolution passed at the previous meet
ing to pray for the conversion of minis
ters, had rendered this extraordinary |
precaution necessary. He told the peo-
pie every time who must pray and what
they must pray for, never alluding to the
prayers for the preachers onces. One
gentleman remembered the promise
given at the previous meeting and DISC
beyed orders, but he was the only one.
Obeying the solicitation of our inspi-
ration and the request of lady friends,
we ventured upon a few remarks, which
we quote, together with the report in
the Morning Call: 'Tn coming to the
house of prayer this evening, found
myself quite uncertain as to its locality,
owing to the fiickering gaslight. Leav-
| ing Kearny, turned into another street,
and, desiring to inquire for the church,
I was surprised to find that almost every
house of business was q well-Iighted
saloon. The exceptions were little shops
kept by vigilant Israelites, of whom l
hardly thought it worth while to ask
information as to the locality of Chris
tain church. When l reached the
church found it shrOuded in darkness,
and supposed must be mistaken in my
selection. Stepping into drug store 1
said, timidly, Can you tell me where to
find DR.. stones church - Il believe
that is it,, was the curt reply of a clerk,
pointing across the way as he spoke.
'But there are no lights answered,
wondering much at the darkness. A
lady then informed me that the meeting
was in the vestry, and directed me
around the great, costly pile of bricks
and mortar to 4 back entrance, in which
n single jet of gas was feebly struggling
with the gloomy magnificence of the
grand sepulchral edifice. Now, every
saloon saw had blazing front lights,
and every room is open every night to
the public. I thought, as I noted the
vast array OF saloons, that the influences
of evil are greatly in the majority. Mr..
Gibson tells US that God is always a
majority. Tonight tried to get COM
pany for the prayer meeting from the
hotel, but was answered that whisky
was in the majority, and am compelled
to acknowledge that my observation
has verified the fact. Another thought:
If the ladies' who are visiting the saloons
soliciting pledges, would suggest to the
proprietors the opening up, in their
stead, some sort of rational, healthy,
intelligent amusement and recreation,
patrouizing such places themselves by
way OF encouragement, many men who
, now keep liquor saloons might be in
ducel to convert them into other forms
Of business. But, say what you will
) this work must come, at last, through
legisation.'
Ear away, among the businesses of tn
Oregon mountains, there is a spot wher'
! a strong man with a spade could turn
by few hours labor, the whole cours
> of the Sacramento river. Bat, after th'
o river has rushed on and on, receiving
5 the waters of thousand affluents, fe'
e alike by the melting SHOWS of the boil
+ SieTras and the contents of disgorginl
u storm-clouds, and finds the sea, at last i
: has become a mighty torrent that ma
tion could not turn. So, away back Il
/ our National Congress sits body G
a men in whose hands lies the power t
q prevent the importation and manufae
L ture of intoxicating beverages. Ou
n work of wrestling upon the confines
the Pacific ocean with this vast, aceu
: mulated torrent of intemperance is a
n futile as would be our efforts to turn th'
J. course of the Sacramento at its mouth
) But one thing we can do. We car
4 awaken a public sentiment by prayer
oi if we will, that will compel our law
IS makers to go to work, away back in TIN
J. fastnesses of American Government, T.
o strike death blow at the very root
this monster evil" We were just goln
: to add, ''this must be accomplished b.
y the spade of justice, which is the bdtto
in the hands of man and lOoBaGR," bu
: Brother Gibson looked so frightened
= and fastened his eyes upon US so anS
y iously, that we sat down, leaving th
le point unclinched, though we could tel
l. that it had pierced the mental cuticle {
l. every attentive listener.
\ very meager report in the call, got
u ten up by a shallow-pated little fiedg
'e ling who struggles feebly with wea
D. moustache, contained the following ver
sion of the above:
Mrs. Duniway related her experience in fn'
c. ing where Or. stones church was. She cam
o. along Kearny street unattended, and thel
were so many whisky saloons on that sire
ie that she did not know where TO inquire. tt
IN other establishments were presided over, 81
he said, by persons OF certain natisnal deseen
I,o who would neither know nor care where u
church was. Having arrived in front OF u
10 church She found the windows dark and Il
n doors closed, and she thought she had made
n mistake. As last resort she entered the dru
-tor,. ,,uoeffa ap.I asked no nqrfumai nj