The Hawaiian gazette., 1870-04-20
A Monnmen1 OF Ancienf Moab.

The Children Of the Desert" as the descend
ants of Ishmael are called appear TO be veritable
children in their love Of destruotiyeness for the
sheer love of destroying. Layard found them 50
at Ninevah, and thought himself very fortunate
in getting his treasures safe away. MAcgregor
had pot-shots taken at him as be padded on the
Sea of GaIlilee ; and now we hear that a most
precious monument of antiquity has been broken
to pieces on the site Of the ancient Dibon almost
st the moment when its character and Importance
to the elucdation Of Biblical history were recog-
nized. A fabatieal Semitic Jealousy Of the spirit
Of progress and inquiry, which is identified in the
Oriental mind with that of profanity and ire
hgion, seems to be connected with this destruc-
tive propensity Late last year. il came to the
knowledge of Captain Warren, Of the Jerusalem
Exploration party, that very ancient stone.
about three feet six inches in height. aud one
foot nine inches wide, covered with writing ex-
isted at place on the east side Of the Dead
Sea- But no sooner was il known to the Arabs
that the Franks took an interest in this relic
than they broke il up and carried the fragments
away to hide in their grsnaries. Happily for the
interests Of learning, the pieces have been rscOy-
cred, and learned men are spelling out the iDscriP
tions. At present, they are at work separately
on broken lines, but soon we may expect to have
a continuous translation Of the whole text. As
far as the labors Of Mr.. Deutsch upon portion
Of the inscription enable US to judge, we are
likely TO learn from this stone some interesting
particulars respecting the history Of the Moab
itish children Of Lot. ZoaF. in Moab, was the
cradle Of the race. 1t was from one Of the No
abitish sanctuaries that Moses was permitted 70
view the Land Of Promise. One King Of Moab,
Balak, was the Intriguing enemy another, Egion,
the proud oppressoE Of the chosen people and
it was from Moab that Ruth came one Of the
most attractive characters in Old Testament his
tory. The stone lately discovered appears 10
record the achievements Of king Of Moab
named Mesha- Now, the Old Testament men-
tions three Meshas, and one Of them as being
king of Moab in the days Of Ahab and bis sons
Abaziah and Jehorsm, kings Of Israel. This
king is the hero Of most tragieal history. Fan
cying that the time had come, after the death Of
Ahab. for throwing Of the relation Of vassaIags
TO his neighbors, Mesha withheld the tribute be
had been accustomed to pay After time, an
expedition was led by the King Of IsfaeI and his
allies against Moab; and Mesha, after great
slaughter Of his soldiers, was reduced TO extrsm-
iiy. BE was driven to bis Iast stronghold, WHARF,
for while, he defended himself With the energy
Of despair, at one time attempting With 100 men
to cut his way through the beIsagusring host.
We are told that when beaten back, be ascended
the wall Of his city, and there, In sight Of the
allied armies Of Israel, Judah, and Edom, be o.
fered up his eldest son. the bsir 70 bis kingdom,
"a sacrifes 10 the national deity Ghsmosh, the
hre-god, Millions " Chsmos, the obscene dresd
Of Moab's soma Il would, indeed, BE- sirikipg
discovery Il the Meshs who rscounts bis deeds
on this stone were identified with the hero Of the
Jewish chronicle. and IL is not unlikely that be
will be 90. Mr.. Deutsch tells rs that the names
Of Israel, the rival power aud Chsmosh, the rs
tional god Of Moab. occur repeatedly in the
inscription. We trust that the interest unques-
tionaby attaching 70 this lsst acquisition Of tbs
learned research Of our days win strengthen The
confidence Of the patrons Of the Palestine Ex-
pIoration Fund. and be the occasion Of liberal
contributors 10 lurthsrance Of iis important OBJ
jects -Londoa Nssss