Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow: One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsSnow, Eliza R. (Eliza Roxey)
Religion
Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow: One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Snow, Eliza R. (Eliza Roxey)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Snow family; Snow, Lorenzo, 1814-1901
I visited the Cathedral of St. Lorenzo, and beheld the most superb
and richly decorated interior of any building I had ever seen. As we
entered, our attention was immediately attracted by the grand altar.
It was a display of richly cut candlesticks and vases, glittering with
gold and silver gilding. In the former were candles four or five feet
long, and in the latter a most delightful association of flowers. On
each side of this building were six recesses, where were placed small
altars, upon which stood a cross, with an emblem of Jesus, surrounded
with candles and flowers on a small scale. Before them were seats for
the accommodation of the devout. The side wall of each recess had a
painting, representing, in full size, some particular personage in the
act of devotion. These worshipers were portrayed, in some instances,
as holding a levee with "Holy Mary, Mother of God," who was well
surrounded with young warbling angels, which had been assisted in their
descent with _eagle's wings_! Others were represented with volumes
of smoke around them, thickly studded with young cherubs, which were
blowing profusely upon the worshiper, while they were loaded with
garlands to encircle his brow. Two beautifully cut and spiraled pillars
of choice stone, stood at the extent of each recess, supporting an
arched roof, which was also richly painted. Between every two pillars
was placed the statue of one of the ancient Apostles. The design and
execution of these monuments of departed worth elicited our admiration.
The roof of the building was completely covered with paintings,
representing the prominent circumstances recorded in the New Testament.
Each picture was surrounded with massive gilt mouldings. On the dome
over the grand altar was a representation of the day of Pentecost. The
Holy Ghost, in its plenitude of power, was portrayed in the descent of
the dove, while tongues of fire, in glowing colors, rested upon the
disciples.
Two rows of large massive pillars, from one end of the church to the
other, stood erect from floor to roof; each side of which was filled
with seats for the congregation, while the center was left for visitors
and those approaching the altar. Here we sat, and while the unmeaning
sounds of the preacher fell upon our ears, our minds were absorbed in
contemplation of the beauty and richness of art--the power of unity,
and the darkness of human understanding, as the monuments of each were
around, before and above us.
On the first of July, Elders Stenhouse and Toronto left Genoa,
according to my appointment, to visit the Protestant valleys of
Piedmont. On the twenty third of the same month I left Genoa, passing
through the city of Turin, the capital of the Sardinian States, and
arrived at LaTour, in the valley of Luzerne.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account