St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-30
The San Francisco Convention.

The San Francisco Convention.
EDITOR CALEDoNIAN:-Possibly a letter
from former Vermont boy, privileged
to attend the great convention of the
Christian Endeavorers held in San Fran
cisco, may be read with interest by some
who will remember the writer as ID hum
BILE matchmaker in st. Johnsbury, but
exalted by the grace of God to the Chris
tian ministry, and now preaching in the
old city of Cambridge, not far from the
famous college which has furnished the
world with many hundreds of noble men.
But for the great convention:
The journey across the continent was
delightful one, The weather being the
finest, and although the great throng
made it impossible to send us through on
schedule time, yet the delays were made
almost welcome by the songs, little chats,
greetings and exchanges with other
trains stalled like ourselves.
Reaching Salt Lake City, we found
hearty welcome in store for us. The
freedom of the city and much OF the Nor
mon portion of it was given us. The
great tabernacle was decorated with
bunting and great display oil flowers
and the meeting held within it's walls on
the Sabbath, was, to those who were
fortunate enough to get there, an occa-
sion never to be forgotten.
On Monday, the grand organ, second
in size to any in the world, was played
for hours, much to the delight OF the
throng who were constantly going and
coming. This famous organ was built
on the ground OF the temple by the
Mormons themselves. This can be under
stood and the beauty and grandeur OF
the work appreciated when we recall the
fact that the Mormons came from all
parts OF the Eastern World, and among
them are to be found the most skilled
workmen the world can furnish.
The tabernacle seats, believe, abou,
10000 people; more can find plenty o
standing room. The dropping OF pil
was heard from one end to the other it
the hush Of the audience, Nine doors
all opening outward, will empty Thu
great auditorium i'll very few minute,
in case OF fire.
The temple within the same grounds i
a magnificent structure OF granite from
the quarrles owned by the Mormon
church. This building was opened to
few city officials and elders OF the churc
for inspection at its dedication, but ha
; been closed ever since. The curious o
the devout may not enter at any time
1t stands there monument to the great
ness OF the Mormon system, entered onl
! by the ministers" who go there TO PEI
r form rites or to work Tor the dead" a
t we are told by all whom we ask COZ
= corning its use.
On a mountain near Emigrant Creel
where Brigham Young and follower
4 first saw the valley of the Promise
land" is Camp Douglass. Here a reg
ment of United States colored soldiers
> stationed and they were fine lookir
Y set of fellows as saw them passir
/, before the officers on review dav
/. which in this case was the fourth of Tul
is The Beehive (home ofthe great prophe
n but now the property ola private ctze
Is and the Lion house, where the wiz
ri lived, and in which there are at prese
., three of Young's widows and the Nc
mon church officers, were all open to t
Endeavorers. A young girl asked me
a | would like to see the house. After S
VI had piloted me from one room to a
other and up to the roof, learned tn