Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1891-01-01
FLORENCE MISSION.
IMPRESSIVE UNWILLING OF FLORENCE
CRITTENT0N's PORTRAIT.
An Original Poem by Sacramento
Miss-Large Attendance and Relig-
ious Enthusiasm.


on Third street was crowded last night,
would not express it. 1t was packed with
people, and hundreds could not get in.
The crowd remained deeply interested till
after the midnight hour. Few such relig-
1ous meetings were ever held in this city.
Shortly before o'clock Mr.. Crittenton,
the founder of the Mission, entered, while
the people Gang, "All Hail the Power of
Jesus Name" After singing and prayer.
MIR. Crittenton, in a very tender address,
presented TO the Mission large crayon
pro trait of his little daughter, Florence,
who died at years of age. He told how
her death led him TO forsake sin and be-
come Christian. There were many tears
shed in the room as he told of her death.
The portrait was yelled from the au.
dience, bat at signal from Mr. Crittenton,
the cord was pulled by Miss Annie
Roller OF this city, who was the first con-
vert IN the Mission, presenting to the view
OF the audience the portrait of a sweet
looking little child, with hair flowing over
her shoulders.
Mr.. Marshal, the Superintendent of the
Mission, responded accepting the picture
and thanking the giver, also assuring him
that the prayer of the people would follow
him that be might gather many souls, that
would shine as stars in his crown.
Miss Verna Woods, Of this city, then
read an original poem, very appropriate 10
10 the season, as follows:
Out of the shadows of sleep, fashioned OF phan.
toms OF thought,
Once in the stiffness of night, a wonderful Wis
IL was the twilight on earth, and as the day
waned fast
Over the hills and the plains ceaseless the
One by one, Till they came weary, and spent,
and sore,
Where all the winding paths converged at an
open door,
Open the coor, and yet naught beyond it was
seen
Only gloom as of night fell an impalpable
screen.
10! a pilgrim who Jared, laden with silver and
gold,
Came and paused at the door; paused for
voice cried, Hold
Slowly Shape came forth dark and misty and
dim
Laid its hand on his head, and stopped and
whispered to him:
what hast thou done all day What hast thou
here for me?"
And the naughty pilgrim replied, "open the
burdens and see.''
And 10 the silver and gold ard the costly raj
ment he wore
All of the treasures he had-were laid aside at
the door;
Clad in robe of rags, and with empty hands
Into the gloom beyond, weary sore and spent.
Swiftly another passed, stately and grand and
mighty, scroll in his hand and laurel upon
his hair.
He shuddered not at the Shape, but answered
bold and strong:
II have left TO The world my thoughts; have led
the feet of the throng,
Behold the garment of fame. how it covers
from head to feet:
Behold the scroll and the CROWN have made
my life complete"
But the Shane made answer: NAY, it was
praise of men you sought,
But the honors of the world in the eyes of
Death are naught."
And he stripped him of his robe, ard the laurel,
and the scroll,
And forth be went in the night helpless and
beggar soul.
And over his somber robe sparkled a veil of
sheen.
Proudly he spoke and said; II have measured
know the river of life and the ocean whereto
1t runs;
know, the thoughts of men and the motives
that rule the throng;
l know the dreams they have dreamed, their
music and sculpture and song
/ have found all things of the world, l have
found them and made my own;
have seen and felt and heard; have known
all things that are known,
And among the races of men is the tale of my
lite renowned.
And my wisdom is my robe, and the crown
wherewith am crowned
But sadly the Shape replied, These things are
the things of earth;
And beyond thy soul must fare alone in its
naked worth
And the wise man bowed his head and cast his
The dim and terrible Shape that guarded the
open door.
Another, with laughter and song, running with
Carelessly stlewed the way with blossoms and
perfumes sweet.
But he stopped and shuddered with fear when
he saw the dim shape stand
Within the open door, and the wine.cup fell
from his hand.
Useless the pleasures of life when the threshold
And the soul without staff or light where
the path is lost.
The last was feeble and old, his raiment scanty
Empty his hands, but he spoke to the Shape in
a voice serene:
''Riches had, but l gave unto the poor of the
Lord;
Wisdom sought, and found wisdom was only
word
Fame I renounced for deeds nearest the hand
to do;
Love I slew when l found in its mantle sin
woven through.
Thus come to thy door, empty-handed; the
whole
Merit of life urge, gave to the Lord soul,
One of the outcas's of earth-one that had
stumbled and lay
Under the feet of the throng, wounded and
sick on the way,
He caught at my outstretched hand, and stood
on his feet aSain,
Striving to walk once more, and to be man
Loathsome 10 sight and to touch, full of sorrow
and sin;
But the Savior knocked at his heart, and sa
Let me enter in.
He followed the voice that called, and the
Saviors staff and rod
Comforted till he lay safe in the bosom of God.
Thus come to thy door, empty handed. the
whole
Merit Of life I urge, gave to the Lord soul"
Thou art not for me, and the Shape stepped
And 10! Hood Of light, and within, lumin-
And over the screen of night the glory of
morning broke,
And out OF It's shining mists the voice of the
Master spoke:
"Thou hast done it to one of these, the least of
And count thee worthy to be one of my heirs
and sons
And he placed robe of white over his raiment
rent,
And crown upon his head; in burst OF light
they went,
With the sound of cymbal and harp, and the
songs of Serdphirn:
And the splendor faded away, and the world
was old and dim.
at is only dream" you say; yes, but mean
ing lies
Hidden away for ears that hear, and for seeing
eyes
What are the gifts we bring-whst the fruitage
of years
When the days of our life are lost in the cycles
of larger spheres?
What shall we have for Him, the Man of Sor-
rows, who stands
With the thorns upon His brow, lif ing his
pierced hands,
Shall we offer Him riches and fame. wisdom
and love, and sin?
Or an altar of the heart and the fame that
burns within?
What shall we have for Him, the infinite Soul
of things?
The little wisdom OF man, the gold and purple
of kings?
Nay, when the earth swims back out of the fad
ing eyes
All but the thought of God are weights on the
wings that rise.
Richer the spirit that goes with the gift of sin
gle soul,
Though the world, the sun and the stars were
his and he gave the whole.
All about US are they-the poor and sinful and
weak
And the Savior that died for them bids US e
forth and seek
Lo through His servant who came. He ha
opened TO us the way,
And bids Us go forth for Him, and work Will,