Westward Ho! For the Dedication

          C.K. INGLER
              Where to begin, is the question in trying to describe what I have seen in the past few days since leaving New Jersey.
              First, it was hard to believe that I had arrived in Colorado by train so soon. In about thirty-six hours, or a day and a half after I left Zarephath, I was in Denver, a distance of about 2,000 miles. The Pennsylvania [Railroad] gets one there, specially when one makes close connections in Chicago with the Burlington “Zephyr.” And then the latter was unavoidably delayed for over an hour somewhere in Nebraska. We might say of this now famous streamliner that it is all that it claims for itself—“fast, smooth, clean, convenient”—and the employees courteous and accommodating.
              Rain and snow were encountered toward the end of the journey, and upon arriving in Denver we found a young winter on hand. King Sol [the Sun] soon bereft the lowlands of their white covering, but the mountain peaks still glisten in the glorious sunlight.
              It was good to step once more into Memorial Hall on Champa Street, the old landmark, and battleground of the Pillar of Fire for over thirty years. [Note: the Pillar of Fire landmark at 1845 Champa Street was lost to governmental condemnation in urban renewal some years ago.] Here were met several brothers and sisters, Christian warriors of former days; some who had just arrived from California and other fields, and others who for years have been holding the fortresses in this Rocky Mountain metropolis. There was ample evidence here that things were being put in readiness for guests who were to attend the dedication soon to take place.
              Of course, the next and perhaps the greatest point of interest was Alma Temple, located about one-half block south of the State Capitol and about fifteen minutes’ walk from Memorial Hall [at 1845 Champa.] Our readers have seen a picture of the front of this edifice in recent editions of this paper, so we will step at once inside where we found a veritable beehive of activity. The brethren were busily engaged in putting on the finishing touches,—in the gallery, about the platform, and smoothing up the floor of the auditorium preparatory to putting in the seats. In the basement a few of the sisters were preparing a tasty luncheon, for if people do not eat, they cannot work to good advantage.
              One of those who have been toiling so faithfully at their appointed task said he enjoyed watching the expression on
          the faces of Pillar of Fire folks and hearing what they had to say as they viewed the interior of the Temple for the first time. One person who arrived from Zarephath this week remarked quite decidedly that the gallery was the most impressive part of the auditorium.
              Only those who have worked on this structure from day to day can appreciate what it has cost in painstaking, self-denying effort to make the Temple possible. But we must not exclude from this number our founder, Bishop Alma White, who has borne the heaviest burden of all; and Dr. Arthur K. White, who has given the construction work his constant attention.
              The interior is beautifully finished, acousti-celotex having been installed, that radio broadcasting may have the best possible results. And the fact that this work was undertaken and completed by our own brethren, expert artisans being employed only now and then, makes the achievement all the more interesting and marvelous.
              Then there is the four-manual Robert Horton pipe organ at the rear of the platform, an account of the purchase and reconstruction of which our readers will remember reading
          in past issues of this paper. With its 1300 pipes, the instrument has infinite variety and tremendous power; really a combination of church organ, orchestral organ, and brass band. Pressures and voicing have been modified to suit perfectly the requirements of the large auditorium. [This
          organ was later replaced by a large Allen electronic organ.]
              For broadcasting, a fine new control instrument has
          been installed, the work of one of our operators of KPOF, Paul Schissler. While missionaries work, broadcasting, school work at Belleview College, and other activities have been carried out, efforts have been centered on the Temple that it might be completed by the date announced for the dedication. This has required labor, the past few weeks in particular, by all who could be spared, not only during the day, but night hours as well. Time forbids mention of many other features of the construction work. God’s blessing has been upon this great undertaking, and much priceless and eternal value has been added to the spiritual structure of all who have been privileged to be thus engaged.
              In the morning service in Alma Temple, October 24 [1937], Dr. Arthur K. White stated that it was a celebration of the departure from the lower auditorium, where services have been held for the past seven years. “The Way Home” was the subject of his sermon. The way to heaven is not a four-lane highway; it is the plain, narrow, safe way; the way of light, truth, and blessing. Speaking of the true church, the speaker said that many of the once orthodox churches are not now living up to their names. King Saul made a good start but he backslid in heart. Goliath is well represented by medievalism, intellectualism of the modern church. David, who represents a new religious movement, saved the day for Israel.
              The Rev. Ray B. White and wife arrived at the Temple as the service was closing and were given a cordial welcome. Bro. Ray spoke briefly and sang by request “Poor Lil’ Brack Sheep.” [Cross and Crown Hymnal, #553]
              Bishop Alma White spoke in the evening from Acts 1:8-11 on “The Second Coming of Christ,” which is, she said, next to the subject of salvation, the most important theme in the Scriptures. The return of Jesus is near at hand and we must be ready, yet continue in our Christian work as if this event were a thousand years distant. The Lord’s coming will not find the multitudes ready because their minds are not set on things above. The Pillar of Fire is here today because of not putting off until tomorrow what ought to be done now, said the Bishop, in emphasizing the importance of not putting off the day of salvation.
              More workers and friends are arriving almost daily from
          the East and the West, and interest in increasing greatly as
          the day for the dedication—Sunday, October 31— approaches. We hope in the next issue to give our readers
          some idea of this outstanding event in our history.
                                         —Pillar of Fire, November 17, 1937
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