The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-02-20
THE MORMON AT SERVICE.
RELIGIOUS EXERCISES AT THE
SALT LAKE CITY TABERNACLE


8 In the west central part of Salt Lake
City stands plain elliptical structure
$50 feet long, l50 wide aud so high. Its
roof is oval form and is a self supporting
arch whose bents rest on forty-four
sandstone pillars, each varying from
fourteen to twenty feet in height. The
building was begun in 1864 and com
pleted three years later. 1t IS the Nor
mon tabernacle. The church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints Of Zion and
vicinity worship here every afternoon.
The interior is no less remarkable than
the people who built it. In the rear on
platform is an organ whose front tow
ers have an altitude Of fifty eight feet.
1t is thirty eight feet by thirty. The
bellows are supplied with ar 10y water
power. This organ has fifty-seven stops
and 264s pipes, ranging in length from
two to thirty-two feet; it is operated by
eight couplers and the same number Of
pedals.
TO the right of the instrument sit the
female members of the choir; to the left,
the male. Between the organ and the
pulpit is a mounted harp. The pulpit
seems as If it were flight of three steps
descending to the ground floor. The
first fight or stand is the seat of the
prophet and president Of the Mormon
church. This Office is vacant at present.
Wilford Woodruff is prophet pro tenn
pore.
The second stand is occupied by the
twelve apostles; and the third or lowest,
by the presidents of the high priests of
seventies. To the south-the Mormons
designate position in their sanctuarles
by the cardinal points of the compass
of these dignitaries sit numerous elders
and seventy high priests to the north,
the bishops and the counselors. This
corps of ecclesiastics is separated from
the audience by ratings, except where
the pulpit makes a descent en- the
ends of the ratings repose two huge
lions. Ten feet above the ratings be-
gins the gallery, which runs around the
building in horseshoe curve, and on
its lower edge are three hundred gas
Jets, studded with porcelain globes.
] he ceiling is concave and hung with
decorations that were placed there thir-
teen years ago in commemortion of a
Sunday-school Jubilee. The auditorium
makes gradual ascent from the pulpit.
1t is two o'clock. A gentleman seats
himself at the organ and plays volun-
tary. We survey the audience. Every
State and Territory is represented. All
nations of Europe have sons and daugh.
tiers present. The Ethiopian with his
smiling countenance add his presence.
A few forlorn Indians sit among the con.
ouorers of their race. Even poor de-
spised John Chinaman is not absent. The
voluntary is finished. One of the twelve
apostles announces a hymn. The con,
gregation, with the choir, rise and sing
While this takes place, nine elders are
seen behind the communion table, busily
breaking bread. TIE congregation i:
seated. Prayer and preaching. A priest
offers a prayer. lie lmplores tie Creator
to bless all assembled, especially tn,
Latter Day Saints. They must keep un
sullied the revelations of the ancien
prophets, as well us those Of the moderr
prophet, Joseph Smith. God has favored
them with the true light, hence the!
must be more vigilant than tn,
Genties. May the oltside worlC
soon discover that salvation is onl.
within the pale of the per
secuted Mormon church. He winds VI
with an emphatic "Amen," which il
heartily responded to by the members
During the invocation the saints ar
slightly bowed in reverence; the Gentle
are in an attitude as if witnessing al
opera. Another hymn is sung; the con
gregation remains seated. An elder a
the communion table asks blessing ol
the bread, which is then distributed il
silver baskets among the faithful. Tn
Mormons commune on every Sabbath
While the bread is being passed, a bisho
resembling ward politician arises ant
states that the lot has fallen upon hir
to address this people. "The most I'm
portant duty of servant of Jehovah
to feed the bread of life to his flock
The prophet, Joseph Smith, commando,
that no one should speak unless tn
spirit of-God was stirring him up. w
---eofne not here to listen TO rhetoricG
phrases, but we are assembled TO hea
those revelations from the other world
with which we are in constan
communication. In oldeu time
the Lord spoke to his peopl
through his prophets. The spirit o
prophecy lay dormant for 1900 years
then an angel appeared to Smith, an
gave him the keys to institute tn
restoration of the ten tribes of Israe
We have gathered together under III
lluL We Nl4OSN lllDti
Abraham settled in a new country; 5
have the Latter Day Saints. I'll
geography of our land corresponds
that of Palestine. This is the kingdol
of God. Christ will reign here persoI
ally among His people. There al
numerous signs that Christ will soc
make His second advent"
Here he read from the Mormon Bib
and a part of St. Matthew xiv,
corroborate his assertion. The on
difference he could see between the tv
prophecies was that Smiths was clear
-~-sssss-8 hrist's.
This ends the first part OF the sermon
The elders have by this time supple
each member with bread. A blessing
pronounced on the water-the Mormon
generally use water instead of win
The water is passed in silver chalise
The bishop resumes, but makes war
another direction. God and Lucil,
could not agree as to the peopling
this earth, and a rebellion was the resul
One-third of the heavenly hosts ioinC
their fortunes with Lucifer, Cod COZ
quered this prince of devils with his co
federacy, aud they were thrust out
heaven. These spirits now permeate Il
earth. They cannot tabernacle in u
flesh, but work mischief where the tr
Gospel is not preached. Whatever cred
e alNtr IN. a.N Ig.t.r = ln..s IL