Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11
PRAYERS ON HOLY GROUND
Bryan and Wsidsnuall wsrShip on Top Of
Mount Of Olives
sPOT WHENCE CHRIST AscENOED TO GOO
,Americans Meet IN Palestine, stand
I'm Footprints Of savior and
Read the story OF HIS
Ascension.

Omaha Young Mems Christian association
and senior secretary Of the International
committee OF the North American Young
Mems Christian association, spoke at the
Sunday morning service In 81 Marks bu-
theran church. II was his first address
in Omaha since his return from his tour
around the world,
I'VE need not be ashamed to be Luther
! ans" said Mr.. Weidensall. Il have trav-
eled through nearly all the countries in
the world and the Lutherans are every
where. In some OF the greatest nations
Jsutheranism Is the state religion. This is
true, OF course IN Germany, where EN-
peror william and all the members OF the
royal family are Luthsrsns and where most
of the people belong 10 the same church.
IL is also true in the Scandinavian coun-
tries"
Mr.. weidensall told of meeting W. ].
Bryan in Palestine. The old proverb Of
fellow countrymen in a strange land was
exemplihed and Mr.. Bryan ana his wife
and children with Mr.. weidensall made
kcongenlaI company in seeing the interesting
6historic and ecclesiastical monuments OF
kthe holy city.
They assembled the Mount OF olives and
There stood upon the very spot whence,
the scriptures relate, Christ assembled into
heaven before the astonished eyes of His
disciples Mr.. Bryan was deeply moved
by the sacred associations of the place.
For a time the little party Of Americana
Aztood In awed silence and then Mr.. Bryan
suggested to Mr. Weidensall It would be
hitting to have prayer service on this
spot most sacred in all the world to Chris
tians. Mr.. Weidensan agreed. They sat
down while Mr.. Bryan read from the frst
Of oAo he m the
sion of Christ When he had concluded
Mr.. weidensall offered a prayer.
Mr. WeidensaIl told of some of the great
men OF the earth whom he had met and
by whom he had been entertained. Among
these was the son OF the king of Sweden,
who gave up his claim TO the throne in
order that he might become a minister and
smarry the girl of his choice, who was not
q member of royalty. He found him a
pleasant man and an ardent Young Men s
Christian association worker.
81 feel more convinced. II possible. than
ever before that the greatest thing is to
be a Christian" said Mr.. Weidensall. "A
broad view of the world over the last
1000 years shows 1t is the men of God
who have left their impress. Go through
the great art galleries of Europe. It is
pictures OF Christ, Of His apostles, of His
pictures are preserved by the great paint
ers and scuiptors."
Address 20 Y. M. G. A.
Mr. Weidensall addressed an overflow
meeting at the Young Mems Christian as
ISOLATION in the gymnasium Sunday after
noon, giving an interesting exposition of
abe work done by the association as OBJ
served by him in his recent trip of eight
Ann n1outha around the world,
Mr.. Weidensall was one of the original
Founders Of the association In Omaha In
1857 and spoke of the qualification felt by
him at the growth of the small organiza-
ton started in a small building on the pres
ent site of the Willard hotel, which was
then bought for $500 and had been used
ae a saloon.
In prefacing his talk on his recent triT
TO foreign lands, Mr.. Weidensall read por-
lions of letters of Introduction and greet.
ing taken by him and also from 100 letters
of Godspeed and greeting received from
nifty foreign men Of prominence in as many
tongues.
II want to say that the Young Men,
Christian association is entrenohed," saiC
he. There is no power Of government tina
will ever drive 1t away. No government
wants It 20 be driven sway. as the asso
citation is loved by all. The Young Mem
Christian association is cooperating with
all it's Intensity to help missionary work
but denominations are not distinguishabl'
"A the foreign work.
1.-THE greatest open door 20 the churcl
of Jesus Christ is among the boys AMI
young men OF this and other lands.
I'm closing will say have been in THU
work for thirty-nine years and 1t is my
greatest wish that l could remain thirty
nine years more"
An Informal reception was held by Mr.
weidensall at the conclusion of his ad
dress and the services. Rev. L. Groh, d. ID.
a collegemate Of Mr.. Weidensall, pro
nounced the benediction.