Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-07-22

AMERICANS IN PALEsTINE.-Two years ago, effort
made in line to ameliorate the condition
of the inhabitants Of Palestine. Seven Americans
with improved ploughs and other tools, and Ameri-
seeds, located upon piece of land seven miles
from Jerusalem, one mile from Bethlehem, and made
preparation for farming after the American system.
Their location i'll the valley of Artos upon
the very site of one of the gardens of Solomon.
Their friends in the city were much opposed to
their going out there to reside, urging them they
determined to try to cultivate the soil, to keep
their residence in the city for fear Of the Arabs
This did suit their plans, and they took up their
residence upon the land and commenced operations,
blowing deep with of our best ploughs, harrow
ing with iron toothed harrow, such never
there before and planting corn, potatoes beans,
peas oats barley, wheat, and all sorts of garden
getables in short, making perfect American farm.
The operations, instead of exciting the jealousy OF
the Arabs, aroused them to state of surprise, and
the news of what Americans at Solomon's garden
were doing, and what wonderful tools they were
using, and how peaccablc and quiet they WERE
saying anything about their religion, flew the
wings of the wind and visitors came to look and
wonder, from far and near. The operations of the
carpenter and blacksmith were not among the least
sources of wonder The rapid manner in which he
heated his iron, and hammered it into just such a
shape as he desired was beyond the comprehension
of the simple minded people.
One day the farm received visit from twenty
five Sheks, who inspected all the tools and the way
they were used and the effect produced, and looked
at the growing crops so much beyond anything
they had ever seen produced before, and turned
their heads together to consult upon the wonders
they had witnessed. The conclusion that these
people must possess superior kind of religion,
that is the standard upon which they base all their
estimates of character. They made applications at
for several of their to apprentices
to learn American farming, and did not even object
that they should be taught the principles Of Ameri
can religion, for surely, said they, it must bea good
religion; as these very good people, and God
blesses their labor beyond any other in all Palestine
1t would have been dangerous now for any one to
modest the American farmers since they had all the
Sheiks and principal men in the country their
side, and anxious for their and influence
The Jews too, began to think it would be better for
them to cultivate such a fruitful soil than to starve
in the city, many of them have DONE and they
began to apply for situations laborers, notwith-
standing the priests always taught them that it
derogatory to the national character of the Hebrews
to till the soil. Though, if they had undertaken it
by the Arabs, who hunt them as they would wild
beasts. But under the protection of the American
farmers, the Arabs will permit them to labor, and it
is now matter of serious discussion among those
who know of the success of this enterprise whether
the most feasible plan for coonizng the Jews in
Palestine is not to make them cultivaors of its rich
soil.
Owing to some difficulty which arose in regard to
the title of this land they had commenced upon in
the valley of Artos the little colony moved last year
to the Plains of Sharon, where they have got per-
manent location, and the number consists now of
ten Americans, male and female and two Germans
Er. Paper.