Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-12-14

~ IN has given the famous Mount
of the Holy Cross its name,
several Colorado churchmen partici-
pated in unique and impressive COM
memorative service short time ago.
Bishop BENJAMIN Brewster, Arch
deacon Dennis, Rev. j. w. Hard OF
Glenwood Springs, and Rev. f. ..
i, Smith of Grand Junction, Colo, brayed
, the hardships of one of the toughest,
steepest trails in the Rocky mountains
In order to make ong-contemplated
pilgrimage to the Mount of the Holy
Cross. The staff and scrip of these
modern pilgrims was represented py
blanket rolls, knapsacks, grub ana
religious vestments. Supplies were
packed on burros as far as those faith
full and sure-footed animals could be
taken. Then the pilgrims struggled
the rest of the way on foot, crawling
over huge boulders and risking life
and limb until at last they had reach
ed a place on Notch mountain, far
above timber line, from which glori-
GUS view of the Mount of the Holy
Cross rewarded their efforts.
After selecting large rock as the
altar, the churchmen donned their re-
ligious vestments, and the commem-
orative service was held, after which
the altar was marked with cross OF
loose stones.
Inspiration for Artists.
Bishop Brewster's missionary dis
trict In western Colorado includes the
Mount of the holy Cross. which has
Inspired poets and painters for gen.
erations. A trip to the mountain has
been long in contemplation and a
short time ago the start was made
from Red Cliff. The difficulties of
the journey were well understood by
the churchmen, who have all lived
| In the Rocky mountain country many
years. There are only two available
routes from Red Cliff, one being 18
| miles long, with mountain climb at
the end, and the other up the can
| yon, route some six or eight miles
| In actual length, but taxing the
strength of the best mountain climber
all the way. The latter route was
chosen, with miner of the neighbor-
hood as a guide.
The dignified churchnhen scrambled
up the creek bed, alternately pushing
and pulling the burros on which had
been packed their camp equipage.
Camp was made at night, well up the
divide, and the next morning the bur-
ros were left behind, while the Pill
grims started on the rough and peril
| GUS part of the ascent After climb
Ing the divide, the clergymen found
Notch mountain looming In the fore
ground. Notch mountain faces the
Mount of the Holy Cross From its
top one can look across great rock
strewn BASIN above timberline. and
can get the full majesty of the giant
cross of snow which gives the larger
mountain its namas Notch mountain,
above timberline, is simply q great
pile Of boulders, thrown together as
II from the wheelbarrow of some
giant workman. Scrambling over these
boulders proved hard and dangerous
work. and with torn clothes and
bleeding hands the clergyfnen finally
stood on the summit, and commanded
a superb view OF the object of their
trip. gae lrf ar
A storm was threatening, but as
the religious service on the mountain
| progressed, the clouds lifted and the
cross of snow lopmed,wh in the
sunshine. The .,clergymen unite In
declaring that it was the most impress
sive hour of their lives. Snow fields
were ON every hand and the pine-clad
Rockies stretched OUT below In the
Immediate Vicinity, however there
was no verdure Save the Alpine fiow-
ers and grasses thatT,flourish above
| tfmberline. even, In, the rockiest local
/ tiles Longs Peak and other .promi-
nent ntafioantains could be seen in the
distance, and to the north the,- I'M
| pressive, Gorge, range, was outlined
against the sky
".Tfere should be some means of-let-
ting the public glimpse thisz impress
sive spectacle said Rev F. C, Smith.
who took part I'm the Huly Cross serv-
fee. This View is one Of the greatest
| In the world. beyond all doubt. A trail
| co,fld be made from Red Gin. which
would enable tourists to make the
round trip IN day. with an early
start Hvsn with the trail Ia, Its prvs-