Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-07-21
BILL NYE IN BOSTON.
The Old South Meeting House
Brings Up Few Reflections.


The Old South Meeting House in Bos-
ton is the most remarkable structure in
many respects to be found in that remark
able city. Always eager, wherever go,
to search out at once the gospel privi-
leges, it is not to be wondered at that |
should have gone to the Old South the
first day after landed in Boston
1t is hardly necessary to go over the
history of the Old South, except perhaps
to refresh the memory of those who live
outside of Boston. The Old South So
ciety was organized in 1869, and the
ground on which the old meeting house
now stands was given by Mrs. Norton,
the widow of Rev. John Norton, since
deceased. The first structure was OF
wood, and in 1929 the first brick structure
succeeded it. Kings Handbook of Bos-
ton" says: at is one of the few historic
buildings that have been allowed to re-
main in this iconoclastic age"
So it seems that they are troubled with
iconoclasts in Boston, too. l thought L
saw one hanging around the Old South
on the day was there, and had good
notion to point him out to the authorities,
but thought it was none of my business.
went into the building and registered
and then, from force of habit or absent
mindedness, handed my umbrella over
the counter and asked how soon supper
would be ready. Everybody registers,
but very few, am told, ask how soon
supper will be ready. The Old South is
now run on the European plan, how
ever.
The old Westinghouse is chiefly re-
markable for the associations that cluster
around it. Two centuries hover about
the ancient Weather-vane, and look down
upon the visitor when the weather is
favorable.
Benjamin Franklin was baptized and
attended worship here, prior to his Won
derful invention of lightning. Here on
each succeeding Sabbath sat the man
who afterward shared the forked lightning
with string and put it in Jug for future
generations. Here Whitefeld preached,
and the rebels discussed the tyranny of
the British king. Warren delivered his
famous speech here upon the anniversary
OF the Boston massacre and the "tea
party organized in this same building.
Two hundred years ago, exactly, the |
British used the Old South as military
riding-school, although majority of the |
people OF Boston were not in favor of it. |
1t would be we'll to pause here and con-
slider the trying situation in which our |
ancestors were placed at that time. Com |
ing to Massachusetts, as they did, at |
time when the country was new and prices |
extremely high, they had hoped to escape |
from oppression and establish themselves |
SO far away from the tyrant that he could |
not come over here and disturb them
without suffering from the extreme nau-
sea incident to long sea voyage Alas
however, when they landed at Plymouth |
Rock there was not decent hotel in the
place. The same stern and rock-bound
coast which may be discovered along the
Atlantic seaboard to-day was there, and a
cruel, relentless sky frowned upon their
endeavors.
Where prosperous cities now flaunt to
the sky their proud domes and floating
debts, the rank jimson weed nodded in
the wind, and the pumpkin pie of to-day
still slumbered in the bosom of the futuue
What glorious facts have, under the be-
nign influence of fostering centuries. been
born of apparent impossibility What
giant certainties have grown through
Ihese years from the seeds of doubt, and
Encouragement, and uncertainty! big
and applause.
AT that time our ancestors had but tim
dly embarked in the forefather business
They did not know that future genera
ions, in four-button cutaways, would rise
up and call them blessed and pass reso-
utions of respect on their untimely death.
If they stayed at home the King taxed
hem all out of shape, and if they went
put of Boston few rods to get enough
for breakfast they would
come heme so full of Indian
arrows that they could not get through
common door without great pain.
Such was the early history of the coun-
5ry where now cultivation, and education,
and refinement run rampant, and people
sit up all night to print newspapers SO
hat we can have them in the morning.
The land on which the Old South
stands is very valuable for business pur-
poses, and four hundred thousand dollars
will have to be raised in order to preserve
5he old landmark to future generations.
earnestly hope that it will be secured,
and that the old Westinghouse, dear not
alone to the people of Boston, but to the
millions of Americans scattered from sea
% sea, who can not forget where first
freedom plumed its wings, will
no nracarvad ROefO1l (Iobp