Mechanics', operatives', and laborers' advocate., 1836-11-28

proof remains for every unprejudiced mind te realize its identity. The place of the cucifix. ion, and the triumph of the God made man, ove, the king of terrors is indicated by marble slab ofvariegated colors which no one is permitted to tread upon on any occasion whatever. An alter is now raised on the spot where the Re. deemer suffered, and on each side of it hole IS discovered in the rocks, said to have baen oc. cupled by the crosses of the two thieves who were crucifisd with him. About IA feet dis. tance to the lcftof the alter, is seen the rent or cleft l'i the rock, said to have been occasioned by the earthquake, at the time of the crlcifx. lon; the rent is about span wide at it's upper part, and two deep, after which it closes but it opens agan below as is seen in another chapel contiguous to the side of Calvery, and descends to an unknown depth. in the earth. ,, That this rent was made by the earthquake that happened at the Lords pass.n, there is only tradition to prove. But that 1t is a natural and genuine oreach' the sense and reason of any one that sees 1t, will convince him,-for the sides of if flt like two tales to each other, and vet it rms Tn such intricate windings, as could not be counterfclted by art, nor arrived at by any means winch the genius of man could invent. On leaving this spot, we descended by the same fight of steps; the rock on which it is said that Christ was crowned, was next shown to us.- It IS built over with marble enclosure, in the front ot whlc! is an iron grating, through which visitors have to look, in order to get view of It. Over the stone is large painting of the circumstance. Proceeding from this place a short distance, we arrived by flight of IA steps, at the Holy Well, or Vault the situation of which IS designated by marble slab, that is not permitted to be removed. This is said to be the spot where, after clearing away the ancient ruins, the Empress Helena found the real cross on which the Messiah suffered. After leaving the well and descending the same flight of steps, we were shown chamber or grotto, where. (accordlng to the account of the Friars) Christ was confined while the crown of thorns WAS preparing. No circumstance of the kind. how. ever, IS recorded in the Scripture, and conse. quently the only authority we have of its truth. IS that given by the Friars attendant on the spot These comprise all of note within the walls of the church of the Holy sepulchre.
 Weproceeded on until we came to an arcb on the further side of which stands the famous Saracenic Mosque, built by the Caliph Omar, and which covers part of the site of Solomon's Temple. After being detained considerable time at the door, by the enquiries of the sacris- tan' as to who we were, and the object of our vlslt (tor but few. christians have ever entered thls Mosque,) we at length gained admittance, and we entered with gentle and noiseless step, although there was no person near, who could have been alarmed by the loudest sound of our bare feet upon the marble floor. We were here shown the elegant marble walls, the beautiful ceiling, and the well where the true worshippers drink and wash. Our attendant next unlocked the door of the iron railing, which separates the outer from the inner part of the Mosque, and by an elevation of three steps, led us into the sacred recess. Here he pointed out the patches of Mosaic in the floor, and the round flat stone which the Prophet carried on his arm Tn battle he then directed us to put our hand through the hole in the wooden box, to feel the print of the Prophets foot, and through the posts Of the wooden rail to feel as well as to see the mark of the angel Gabriel's fingers, on the sa- cred stone, which occupies the centre of the Mosque, and from which it derives the name of Sakhard, Cor lock up, and over which is sus- pended fine cloth ofgreen and red satin.
 The interior fully corresponds with the mag nifcence and beauty of the outside, and it is by far the most splendid edifce in Jerusalem. It., numerous arcsdes, splendid dome, noble area, ond high state of preservation render it, espe- cially when the pilgrims arc passing to and fro Tn their imposing costumes, a most magnificent display of Moslcn superstition.