The record-union., 1896-08-09

week / discovered a community which
takes no interest in politics. q people
who are Indifferent to both Mckinley
and Bryan, who know nothing of either
the single gold standard or silver at
10 to l, and who feel no concern for
tie troubles Of General Spreckels In
San Francisco, now that the Republi-
can hostiles have set up an opposition
County Committee and declared open
war. To those whose tastes or talents
Go not lead them to agoniZe over the
late of their country whenever an cleo
tlon Is coming on, and who do not de-
YOUR campaign editorials with appe-
lite, 1t might seem a blessed change
Z" get for a while among folks who are
oblivious to affairs Of State. And so
1t is, in way. But people who are
lot in earnest about politics are pretty
sure to be infiamed over something
else.
/ fed from the streets ard hotel
oihces and the houses of the metropolis
TO escape from Mckinley and protec-
ton, Bryan and free coinage, Spreckels
and Spear, Buckley and the Jun,a, ex-
pecting to find peace for some days in
the shade and quiet of the Cazadero
redwoods, but there was no peace for
such as I there, since I landed right
III the middle Of a camp meeting
Ihere is no grove in all the redwoods
mere noble, majestic, imposing. than
that in which the Bohemian Club used
to hold its summer jinks, and nc pref
tier, gayer resort than Cazadero, with
Its rustic hotel and cottages, and
swimming, dancing, tennis, croquet,
and bevies of light hearted, innocent,
pleasure-loving girls. But now the
BLESSING of the Lord, as the Lcrd and
mis- blessing are understood by the spir-
1tual descendants of the Cromwellian
turitans, has descended upon the
whole region. The property, as rich in
natural beauty as any spot in Califor-
liza, has come into the possession Of
two extremely devout brethren, and
only nature is permitted to smile with
IN the borders of their lovely kingdom
These brethren, valuable as instances
OF theological atavism in the last lus-
trum of the nineteenth century, are
deadly foes to all fun. One of them
George 5. Montgomery, was IN his time
a violent worldling who, with a bot
ties help, was wont to rouse the echoes
OF Cazadero with his happy yells.
Some years ago he carried himself and
jag on board a steamer bound for
Japan. A storm arose, Montgomery
got very sick, and his nerves being in
bad condition, he decided that the AL
mighty had raised the tempest for his
personal benefit He repented himself
OF his sins and, as there were mission
aries on board, they directed his foot
Stems iOT
path after his seasickness had passed
away and the sea had, after doing its
saving work, grown calm again.
brother Montgomery returned to
America a changed man, taking no
Joy in drink, cards, Sabbath breaking.
profane swearing or the other sins of
the flesh that had been his solace He
married Miss Carrie Judd of the Sal
walton Army, and though he had been
rlch before, the Lord further sharpened
his money-making wits and st.n more
wonderfully prospered him. All these
biographical particulars derived from
Mrs. Montgomery, who delivered them
from the platform at the camp meet
ms, the husband in front seat lis
tening meekIy, as he does every day,
to the story Of his wicked past and
rlcus present He Is a tall, cadaverous
Scotchman who in becoming million
ARE and godly has fulfilled the destiny
written in his keen and unhealthy
face.
The other brother is A. W. bennett,
who has restaurants in every import
ant city Of the country, and has accu-
nulated a large fortune The walls
of these restaurants are adorned with
Scripture texts, two prayer meetings
are held daily, attendance by the wait
ers, cooks and diswashers being OBJ
ligatory. The places are closed on
Sunday, both because to open them
would be a sin and for the reason that
they are situated in business districts
which are deserted by their inhabitants
On the Sabbath day. Messrs Mont
somery and bennett have counte-
nances of the hatchet order and are
renowned for their sharpness in busi-
ness, but they have great religious
sincerity, too, and give literally to the
cause. To participate in exciting
prayer meetings is their one dissipa-
fion.
All over the old Bohemian camping
ground. which Brother Montgomery,
who was member of the club in his
graceless days, says has been rescued
from the devil. tents were scattered
for the shelter Of the brethren and Sis
ters and their young. The speaking
was from platform in the center of a
ring of magnificent redwoods, where the
Sire with his monster fiagon tried afore-
time to be as funny as he could. It
was strange to hear the religious
speakers there. The sublimity of the
environment seemed to make not the
slightest impression on their souls
Their speech, their manner, We're the
same as when they are exhorting the
sinners of the San Francisco slums or
exulting with drum and tambourine in
the Market-street barracks. Their
sense of the nearness of their Lord was
astonishing and shocking, too. to minds
rot of their own kind. Had the Creator
been just above them, seated on the
lowest limb of one Of the stately red
woods. they could not have been upon.
more friendly and familiar terms with
him Were Mrs Montgomery to turn
PAINTER and feel at liberty, like the old
masters, to depict the Most High. He
would present himself to her inward
vision clothed in Salvation Army uni
from She is a remarkable little
woman, well worth hearing, for she is
typical of the enthusiasts among whom
she Is leader and a benefactor, and
with whom she passes her whole life.
Her wealth is valued only because it
gives her full license to work for the
Lord. All the other pleasures it