The San Francisco call., 1896-05-05
DR.. Voorsanger Lectures on
the Evolution of
Peoples.
ELOQUENT TRIBUTE TO VETS. $
Metropolitan Temple Crowded at q
Benefit for the Exempt Fire
Company.

A very large crowd filled the main floor
and galleries of Metropolitan Temple last
evening to hear Rev. DR.. Jacob Voor-
sanger's lecture for the benefit of the
Exempt Fire Company.
President Bohen introduced the lecturer
with few concise remarks as to his kind
ness in volunteering his services for the
evening, stating that the proceeds of the
lecture would be devoted toward keeping
the last resting place of the old firemen in
Laurel Hill Cemetery in proper condition.
Ladies' and gentlemen" began DR..
Voorsanger, but prolonged cheering and
hand -clapping forced him to pause for a
short space. sin my address this evening
intended to appear in one of the fire.
mems buff coats. but the boys advised me
against it. saying that I was too young. l
suppose they thought that only those who
have had actual service in running with
the machine are entitled to that honor.
"Some time ago they made me an asso-
ciate member, but they would not let me
pay my dues; so I choose to do it in this
mariner.
Perhaps many of the old pioneers are
here tonight, and can remember many Of
the incidents of the days of '49. AS my
nations in some degree, their knowledg ge
of the changes that have taken place since
the days OF the pioneers will help them
better TO understand the changes that may
take place in two or three thousand years
We are going to show you something novel
to-night-something perhaps, that you
have never seen before"
DR.. Voorsanger then drew a vivid word
picture of the time when Egypt, Rome
and Assyria were in the height of their
splendor. He compared the degree of per-
lection they had attained in civilization
with the past and present, spoke of the
great deeds done in this period and men
toned many OF the notable men concerned
in them.
Now" he said, "you may sail up the
Nile and see the sphinx. the pyramids and
other relics OF ancient civilization, but
they give only a aeeting thought of the
proud armies that marched up and down
the land; of the kings and queens ruling
in all the splendor that inevita bly, accom-
pani5s unlimited power, and of the great
things done and the great thoughts ut
tered.
"Ah, my friends, should this not con-
vince US at least that there is possibility
of all the great nations of the world to-day
falling into the same sad state? 1t will
not be denied by any man that only those
civilizations deserve to be perpetuated
grand and noble deeds done for the ad-
vancement and happiness OF mankind"
Here DR.. Voorsanger said that he would
take the audience through these ancient
nations of Palestine and Egypt by means
of stereopticon views. Upon the canvas
were projected scenes from the two lands,
embracing reproductions from nature, pic
t1res OF ancient ruins, plans OF the great
temple in Jerusalem, scenes along the
banks OF the Euphrates, the Tigris, the
Nile and the Jordan; street scenes in
Damascus and Jerusalem, pictures of an
cient statuary, and photographs of such
characters as the patriarcns and Rameses
the Great.
The lecturer gave detailed description
and short history of each of the views as
they were presented.
One view cast upon the canvas repre-
sented modern cemetery. Coming, as it
did, Immediately after an ancient view,
the audience suddenly quieted and there
was an expectant hush.
"My friends said DR.. Voorsanger slowly
and impressively, II am glad that you
recognize this scene as not being in Pales-
tine. 1t is point on the Point Lobos road,
and those monuments mark the spot
where lived men who spent many years of
their life in faithful service in the Fire
Department of this City"
At the close a vote of thanks was ten
dered the reverend gentleman for his gen.
erosity in behalf OF the old veterans.