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Show 64 TALES OF THE COLORADO PIONEERS. forces of civilization, to wit: schools, churches and newspapers. The pioneers liberally encouraged religion, morality and education. With Whittier they believed: " The riches of our commonwealth Are free, strong minds and hearts of health; And more to her than gold or grain, The cunning hand and cultured brain. Nor heeds the sceptic's puny hands, While near the school the church-spire stands, Nor fears the blinding bigot's rule, While near the church-spire stands the school." The first voice of one preaching in the wilderness was that of George Washington Fisher, a Methodist minister, who was kindly tendered a saloon to hold divine service in. The house was filled with the old and young, the giddy and sedate, the pious The good man took his stand in front AN ODD PLACE OP WORSHIP. and the dissolute of the bar, and preached from the text, " Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price." Behind him were bottles and glasses in glittering array, and placards adorned the walls, reading, "no trust," "pay as you go," "25 cts. a drink." |
