Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1870-11-10
Lecture on Palestine,

Rev. J. NJ. Hutchinson delivered
second lecture OH Palestine" in Tow
Hall, on Monday evening last. The at
tendance was good, the lecture quite in
teresting. Beginning at Jerusalem
where he left us at the close of his form
er lecture, he proceeded to the Jordan
The country between Jerusalem and tn
Jordan is wild and rugged, infested Will
thieves and robbers as in thedays of ou
Saviour. In travelling through tha
country, it is necessary to have a guard
not so much for protection from thes,
highwaymen, as to secure protection o
the government from all loss. By hav.
ing a guard, if any loss is experienced
the government becomes responsible fol
that loss. In going from Jerusalem tc
the Jordan or the Dead Sea, the slope:
toward the Jordan are great deal
longer than those toward Jerusalem
The surface of the river lies about 5000
feet below Jerusalem. The party, con-
sisting of thirteen besides the guides
and guards, came first to the Dead Sea,
This Sea lies very low, much lower than
the bodies of water lying at some dis
tance from it, thus proving that it has
not, and can not have, an outlet. The
Sea is forty-two miles in length, and
nine in width. The water is of a dark
green color, clear, salt, and very bitter.
1t is so buoyant that a man can float
without any eXertion whatever. By
wading in up to the armpits a person
would pop up like cork. Very little
vegetation is seen in its vicinity. Shoals
of small, dead fishes were seen on the
shores, having been carried in from the
fresh water streams that flow into it, and
having died from the effects of the salt
water. Strange that after the fresh wa
ter of the Jordan and other streams hav-
ing run into this Sea so long, that
its waters have never been freshened!
Passing then toward the Jordan, our
travellers soon came in sight of that
most noted river. One would suppose
from what we have read and heard of it,
that it is river of respectable size. We
are surprised then when we are told that
its average width is only seventy-five
feet. At the ford it is more shallow and
about one hundred and twenty feet in
width. The water as general thing, is
very deep, and about the color of our
creek after heavy rain. 1t might well
be styled the "Yello,o Jordan" This
ford here mentioned is supposed to have
been the place where the children of
Israel crossed the river near Jerico.
This town is now only miserable vii
lage. Here our friends took dinner after
'he French style, having no less than
six courses. The road from Jerico to
Bethel is very rugged and stony, yet it |
hounds in beautiful wild flowers.
Bethel is where Abraham first pitched |
lis tent. Here also is where Jacob spent
hat memorable night. To-day it is but
small village. Figs are scarce at pres
mt in that region. Farming is the chief
business of the people in this part of
Palestine. Large quantities of wheat
re raised. The plow used there is of
primitive origin. One or two straight
ticks fastened together with an iron
'oint attached forms this necessary
rticle. 1t makes furrow little larger
han the tooth of harrow makes. Four
lours travel brings us to Shiloh. The
.lory of Shiloh is departed. Not a
ingle inhabitant now remains. Hebron
yalley looks like vast wheat field.
lie next describes Jacobs Well at Ger
zin. No water in the well at present.
'y measurement they found the depth
8 feet, its. diameter 9 feet. Its surface
J smooth and regular. Must have taken
n enormous amount Of work and eX-
ense in building. Near this is the
omb of Joseph. Near this the blessings
nd curses were pronounced. Some
Triters say that this must have been one
f the grandest sights ever witnessed.
We have not time to follow him to the
ga of Galilee, the city of Nazareth, Ca
and other places of interest.
he lecture was highly appreciated and
7e hope that in the future, We may be
llowed to listen to him again.