The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-04-18
Sun on
Easter Day on
Mt. Rubidoux

California has the most unique re-
ligious event in the world. the annual
Easter pilgrimage up Mount Rubi-
doux, Riverside.
Pilgrims and pilgrimages have been
many from the time of Chaucer down,
and year after year the great pilgrim
centers have steadily drawn the
massed crowds. The Office of pilgrims
may be found in the old service books.
There was an appropriate costume,
the cookie hat and staff of an invaria-
BILE shape, and the scrip hung about
the neck. The sign of the Canterbury
pilgrimage was bell; the pilgrim to
the Holy land wore cross formed of
strips of colored cloth, and one who
returned from long pilgrimage might
be as thickly decorated as modern
soldier, with palms and medals and
clasps.
But these pilgrimages were made
by people of one, creed; the Rubidoux
Easter service knows no limitations;
it is for people of all creeds, and it
is for people of no creed 1t is uni
versal.
At first thought, it seems un-Amer'
lean. 1t is difficult to realize that the
modern world of motors and airplanes,
speed mad, will pause for simple, I'M
affected worship with nothing of the
spectacular to attract, and ascend Il
mountain top at daybreak for simple
devotion. But. that people are de-
vout, that they long for simplicity in
devotion. is proved by the fact that
last year, at conservative estimate,
$500 people assembled the mountain.
The Road to Rubidoux.
Rubidoux is finely situated for such
an event. One wonders if Jacob Riis,
when, with handful of people, he in
augurated this service, saw the vast
possibilities of its future. The noun
tain rises abruptly from the level
plain, and is just outside of River
side. A splendid road, marvel of
engineering, leads to the summit, the
ascent and descent being over adjoin-
ing shoulders of the mountain for
greater safety. The grade is easy, the
curves smooth. Near the top, on a
mesa. is a parkway, where machines
are left at one side, to be cared for
until they are required for the descent.
It is wonderful sight to see that
long unbroken chain of automobiles
ascending and descending. and the
vast throng of people massing on the
mountain top. Meanwhile, over the
rugged mountain side, along the trails,
threading hidden paths, clambering
everywhere and walking along the
smooth roadside, thrOng the people
on foot.
In Long Procession.
Long before daybreak. while 1t is
yet dark, and Rubidoux is only deep
er shadow on the horizon, one hears
the hurrying footsteps on the street
and, later. the sound of wheels, then
you become one with the long process
sion. Above you the lights climb,
twinkling again, and one looks down,
as each curve is rounded. on an in
terminable climbing row of lights be-
low winding about the rugged bulk,
until, at length, the mountain seems
sentient, not rock and stone. but
thrilling with life. Except for the
soft grinding of the wheels, 1t is ST.
lent, for footballs make no sound. Ex-
cept for the radiance of the moon, or
the momentary flare of headlight. it
is all soft darkness. The light begins
to simmer into gray translucence'
and colors show here and there,
floating veil. sweater, and. as we
pass. brilliant masses of wild flowers
show clear yellow. blue or PINK