Morning journal and courier., 1883-09-22
"Prepare to meet thy God. T

stated places There is also one inscription painted upon the main cathedral rock, which I fancied to be out of place. It is this:
 'Prepare to meet thy God"
 No doubt this legend was put here by some conscientious zealot, but I submit if it is not 8 work of supererogation. know that for my part was overwhelmed with feeling of awe as contemplated the solemn grandeur of these masterpieces from natures matchless chisel and when caught sight of the coarse lettering daubed upon the massive walls, it seemed to me like an actual intrusion. The unaided lesson of the locality was most im- pressive.
 There is another danger which is for the most part avoided here and that is the temp tation which comes to the people in such ia vored localities to improve just little upon nature, for the sake of causing even greater wonder. When rock or formation sug gests any different object, then it is too often in order for somebody to promote the resen- blsnce. There is very little that Is artificial hereabouts. When I place my ear against a towering shaft and hear the plashing of water inside, I am reasonably confident that there is no hydrant concealed within for effects sake When 1 wander through Music Hall in the Cave of the Winds and hear sweet melo- dy as the guide sweeps the glittering stalac- tites with steel instrument, am not haunt ed by 8 terrible suspicion that a music box is hidden somewhere
 The Garden of the Gods is strangely iso- lated for place of such renown. There is only one little rural hotel for wayfaring tourists, and two or three humble, one-story homes. It is easy of access from Colorado Springs, which is four miles distant, and separated only by beautiful mesa. Never thsless, some of the rocks are densely peo- pied for, being perforated with large cavi- ties, they form excellent places for the fowls of the air to nest. One boulder in particular was resonant with the exultant chirping ot a thousand birds; while from the summit of the old cathedral itself a Rocky Mountain eagle plumed bis feathers with an exhibition of rare and becoming dignity. There are also quite good many artists and hunters, as well as tourists, who visit the favored spot.
 From O day or two's observation I have come to the conclusion that I would rather gush than be hypercritical, while viewing these wonders of nature. The most ap- proved method, however, and the one which I am sure betoksns tho profoundest appre- citation, is silence. Language is of little avail, but superiority and superciliousness are the worst form of the disease. It is in- teresting, sometimes annoying, to listen to the comments evoked by these mighty walls of rock Yesterday as party of us were viewing magnificent passage in Williams Canon, where some giant perpendicular boul- ders were poised on apparently the frailest of pedestels, and so we were, l am sure, over whelmed with the infinite majesty of the scene, was startled to hear 8 woman break forth rapturously with ''Oh, isn't that comi- cal!'' And yet suppose her capacity for enjoyment was equal to that of any of us. It is we'll that we are thus constituted. If you want to be real learned, with the least possi- ble capital of culture and information it is a simple thing All you have got to do is to account for everything on the ground Of glacial action, or else refer 1t to the Colorado air. These ancient supposititious glaciers have been found handy in many an emer- eency for the purpose of accounting for in- explicable phenomena. The air is also most comforting excuse for an abnormal appetite. There are good many kinds of guides. Some are too voluble, while others are sulky and won't give you time to examine things. Some try to make you believe you have seen every thing when they have skipped the best. Sometimes have been inclined to think that as class they are tyrants to whom you must gracioasly submit in order to see as much as they will condescend to show you. But dis covered one at the cars yesterday who was quite phenomenal in his way. He was oourte- ous intelligent studious and, above all, hon est. Yes, he was actually honest In fact he paralyzed me after he had announced the Oyeter Shell Roof, and we had all enthused over the ''wonderful resemblance" by re- marking: ''Do you really think it is like ? Well, now I am sorry to say have never been able to see much similarity" fell at his feet and worshipped him.
 You know Colorado has just celebrated the completion of her first quarter of a century of history. Of course the celebrated Mir. Tabor was one of the prominent speakers, and candor compels the admission that what ever may be said against MT. Tabor in other ways no man was more entitled to speak on such an occasion. The growth of Leadville and Denver has been almost identical with the measure of Senator Tabor's ability and willingness to do for those towns. But was amazed at the audaci- ,ty which he displayed in that speech, in the way of allyiDg himself with stBlessed be the nane of God" II thank and bless my God, What have done for the church, " ssThe progress of the Masters kingdom in Colorado" etc He even closed with an eloquent outburst in which ne pro. fessed to desire to die, so that ne mlenS leave this world of care and tumuit, ana go to his eternal reward. He expressed the hope that then his period of persecution would be over, that mon would cease to naisconstrue his motives, and that ms mem- orv wonld finally be held in. reverence by an uraprsiudiced posterity Just exactly what Senator Tabor's object was in this sancti- Unonious oration it would be hard to tell. He must certainly know that it is the church peopIe who repudiate him most relentlessly. He could not hope that anyone would give him credit for sincerity when he expressed such ultra-rehgious sentiments | sappose MT Tabor is a rather clever, good-heartea man, and one whose achievements Tn 4 nusli nass way and whose generosity deserve ad, mirstian In some other respects he is doubtless m worthy of endorsement. l met q man from LeadTills the other day who