The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-07-06

papers. coupled with my personal
experience and description of a most
unique Easter service. which may
prove interesting to your readers,
many of whom are my personal
friends
RALPH L. NYE,
1917 " 18th St, Los Angeles,
California
May 1st. 1916
Situated within the limits of the
City Of Riverside. California. rising
1000 it. above the city to an elevation
of l .S37 feet above the sea, Mt. Rubi-
douX, which is almost of solid gran
tie. its summit crowned with huge
boulders, has become known through
out the country for its annual East
er Sunrise Pilgrimage. On the
highest point of the mountain a cross
has been erected TO commemorate the
crosses of the Mission days and Juni-
pero Sierra. founder of the Missions.
| The service is held at the foot of the
cross and as has been said "a more
appropriate setting from the solemn
and impressive observance could not
be found. The towering old pile
which has stood for ages in dignifed
guardianship of the beautiful valley
of the Santa Ana, gave resting place
to the thousands of Worshipers, who
seemed in the first faint rays of the
beautiful sunrise to be themselves
! just a little nearer to the Eternal
| Christ
4. IL,
held on Easter 1909, with an attend
ance of less than 100 people. Each
year the attendance increased and be
tween 1000 and 1900 were at the SER
vice of 1911 and 1912. 1t was con-
sidered a remarkable thing that 20
automobiles were counted going up
the mountain for the service of 1872.
! This year. 1916, more than 10000 pill
grims gathered together to offer rev
erent welcome to the Easter dawn.
| Near 1000 automobiles ascended the
mountain-a vivid contrast to the 10
automobiles of the 1912 service.
It was my privilege to attend the
service this year and the impression
or religious feeling. coupled with the
sunrise on Easter morning, left re-
membrane that will never fade.
Our party left Los Angeles. for the
sixty mile ride. at Loo o'clock Sun
day morning and by the time we were
outside the city we were not alone,
for hundreds of automobiles were
proceeding or following us. The last
half of the moon sent its faint rays
on us as we swiftly glided along over
CALIFORNIA; wonderful roads, with the
sweet perfume of millions of roses
and orange blossoms waiting their
delicious odors through the early
morning air.
After two aud one-half hours
ride We suddenly came in sight of
Nj RubidouX as it shelters Riverside
on the west. and with the Illuminated
cross at the top and the reelection
from the hundreds of automobiles
slowly advancing up 10 the summit,
presented a wonderful appearance. as
if the whole mountain was lighted
with a marvellous system of indirect
lighting or as the bright lights would
for a moment flash out as tho cars
turned around some sharp curve, one
could easily imagine that hugh fire
ilioS were fitting over the mountain
side
Crossing the river and turning
around the base of the mountain the
city came in full view One could
scarcely realize that it was only $50
in the morning. for the whole city
seemed to be astir and everywhere as
far as the eye could see were autOmo-
bies of all descriptions, while crowds
of people were starting for the tramp
up the mountain. We parked our
ear at the bottom, as there was no
room at the top and all in the party
wanted to witness the service
half hours climb along winding trails
and chiseled steps brought us TO the
top and when the stars in the ferma-
ment began to slowly disappear the
moon grow pale. and nearby objects
become more clearly defined in the
gathering dawn, one could see near
10000 pilgrims filling every inch of
space on the summit Clinging to
vantage clefts of rocks and swarm
ing over the slopes on either side,
though the sunrise was still over an
hour off During the hight at twenty
minute intervals chimes, which had
been placed on the mountain, for this
occasion, played the old familiar
hymns which have stood the test of
generations.
AS the first faint hint of the rising
sun showed over the towering noun
tains to the East, a hush fell over the
| crowd and instinctiyely every mai
! removed his hat, as the sweet clear
notes of cornet rang out in the sub
! lime melody of THE Holy City. Pre-
ceeded by brief blast which came as
! fitting salute to the first rays of the
morning THE Holy City rang out
clear and strong. echoing down the
mountain side and reaching far out
over the quiet valley Marcella
| Craft. a Riverside girl, now a noted
Grand Opera singer of both CONT
nents. came from New York to be the
soloist for this service and she direct
ed the great chorus as they sang In
! the Cross of Christ | Glory" A
piano and cornet accompanied the
singers and the old hymn was given
as it has probably been sung but few
times. The thousands in the crowd,
forgetting creed and sect. lifted up
their voices in song as they proclaim
ed the glory of the Cross of Christ
Following the hymn, invocation was
delivered with repeating of THE
| Lords Prayer. Then Miss Craft
sang Mendelsshon's Hear Ye Israel
The beautiful voice of the famous
Prima Donna filled the crowded am
| phitheatre in second and went
echoing down the hillside-a glorious
/ en- Imitation tn tho cou,ing morn and az