New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-08-10

and from the convent there erected, saw the green
vale where Ruth CLEANED in the field of Boaz. 1
have seen the pools Of Gihon, of Bethsada, and
SLOAN, the wells Of En.Rogel, the Virgin Marys,
and st. Philips, where the Eunuch was baptsed of
Him, and all the places thus pointed out by tradition
The Mount Of Calvary is now covered by an immense
church. for what considered the sacred portions,
of which the Greek, Armenian and Latin sects have
had and still have, disgraceful struggles for posses
sion, bringing rdicue and contempt upon the Chris
tan name among these heathens. These paces,l
feel can give no idea of; spots, that might be
sacred by their associations, profaned by gaudy
trappings mummeries, and scandalous impositons.
I could not visit them without seeing crowds OF
cut-throat looking vagabonds, calling themselves
pilgrims, pattering ayes, crossing themselves, knee
ing and kissing the places, often with laugh and
Joke, and horrid levity. turned away sckened and
Disguised feeling the sanctty even of the associa-
tons buried beneath this dreadful mass of deception
Getbsemane alone has still degree of secusion and
the gnared and knotted trunks of the ancient olives,
doubtless sprung rom those under which Christ and
His disciples often sat- had the thoughts and feelings
more to the remembrance and consideration OF His
hov and simple life and the inestimable value OF His
teachings Gethsemane shall always remember with
Measure and perch ance when far removed from the
present denominations, may be able to recur, with
different thoughts and feelings to the places conse-
Grated by the suferngs and death Of the Redeemer
at least hope so.
Immediately upon arriving here only the rest OF
the Sabbath intervening, found large party made
up and ready to start for the Jordan, Dead Sea, and
Convent of Mar-Saba, an excursion of three days.
As it is not very safe for small parties this year, we
Joined them, and going the first day to Mar-saba,
passed the night there.
| tits most wild and desolate looking place; the
Convent is built on both sides Of ravne running
down to the gorge of the torrent Kedron or Cedron
the rocky bed of which is two three hundred feet
below; the preciptous rocks on each side are
pierced with hundreds of cells formerly the abodes of
Asetics. 1t is still resorted to by the Russians, and
has been much enriched by Russian munitcence.
more drear Wild desolate place. could scarce be found
in the world.
The next day brought us to the Dead Sea and Jor-
dan, lin both of which bathed) and to our camps
on the ruins of Jericho. In the early morning OF the
next day, taking my Bible, I assembled hill over
looking the rich plain with the barren hills OF Moab
in the and there read the account of the
conquest of the city Of Joshua. 1t was impressive
and solemn, as / looked upon the place where the
Almighty had thus exhibited his power. Such places
enjoy far MORE and feel deeply than tradition
yer, and tinse and desecrated by the mummeries of
| false religion. Would not you?
But this letter is already far too long, and though
have many things yet to say, must reserve them to
another time. Sincerely yours, W*******.