Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1870-05-27
From'the Christian Aduocate.
Tho MI unit of olives.
BY REV. sELAH w. BROWN.

Mount Ollyet, deriving its name from the
evergreen tree with which it abounds, is {
ridge on the cast of Jerusalem, running about
nile north and south, the highest poiu
being about two hundred feet above the cit,
and :oIr huldred 'f3et above the bed Of tn
Kedron. From St. Stephens gate dowt
through the deep valley of Johoshaphat, ane
up to the summit, is walk of not over hall
a mile. Three paths lead from the valley al
the mount; the first, passing over the r.rtn;
crn shoulder, is the one tradition says David
went weeping and barefoot after bearing of
the conspiracy Of Absalom. c. Sam XIV
3O) The second parts from the first fifty
yards beyond Gethsemane, and goes directly
up the shortest aud stecpcst way, passing the
traditional spot of Christ's lan.cntion over
Jerusalem. The third path leads to the right
of Gcthscmane and over the southern side of
the mountain. The latter is thought by many
to be the road of Christ's triumphal entry in
to the holy city.
On the top of Olivet is small, filthy Arab
village, surrounding al old Mohammcdan
mosque. In the court of the mosque is an
octagonal chapel, called the "Church of the
Ascension" from the tradition of the monks
that it covers the spot where Jesus last stood
on earth. AS proof of this tradition they
point to an indcnton in the solid rock affirm.
ing il to be the print of the Sayiour's foot
But the Nloslcms claim it as the footprint of
Nlohammcd, and probably one claim is as
good as the other, for Jesus did not ascend
from the top of tho mount, but from a point
down its side, near to Bethany. (Lukc xxiy,
SO; j, 12)
Climbing the mnarct Of the mosque, and
looking out from the muezzin's gallery, we
had one of the most interesting views this
earth affords. TO the north is seen conspic-
uous cminence crowned with a tower; that
is Mezpeh, where Samuel gathered Gods
ancient people for Judgment On the right
of Mezpch is Gideon, where Joshua com
mandcd the sun and moon to stand still
Turning to the cast, wider prospect is un.
folded. just down toward the foot of the
mounO is Bethany, where the meary Redeem.
g.. often found quiet horuc with Mary, Mar,
mountain begins tho "IVildefncss OF judca,a
a bleak, barren, billy region, well chosen by
the devil rs the scene of Christ's temptation.
Beyond the Wildcrncss is seen the plain of
Jericho, and beyond that, twenty miles away,
rolls the Jordan. Tho course Of this river
can be traced, by the dark line of vcrdurc on
its banks, from far up the valley, to where it
pouss it's living waters into the Sea of Death.
Across the Jordan aud the Dead Sea arc the
mountains of NOAH, bounding the horizon
like . dark wall Among those SUBMITS con
the other side of Jordan, over against Jcri
@ "view s eAe lahascapc o'er;" and down in
some of those secluded valleys God buried
that. great leader of Israel i'll his unknown
grave Directly to the South, forming the
pflst southern of the four SUBMITS of Olivct,
is fhe "NIount Of Oifcnsc,' where Solomon
built high places to idols, and burnt incense
Va strange gods and beyond this is the "llll
e&Sklry Of Judca" Still louhing southwark,
siHEYhilcs away, you catch glimpse of the
city where Jesus was born. 10 the acest,
Just before u.s. and separate from us only by
tie narrow valley Of Jchosaphat, lies the Holy
| CitN Down, on the western base of the
mdlnntis the garden where for us Jesus held
the cup of woe 10 his trembling hand, while
lie prayed, "Fathcr, if this cup may not pass
except | drink it, thy will be done" Ownat
mount of vision isOlvct to follower of
Christ r.. The place of the birth and the death
| of the worlds Rcdccmer both in view al
once The sccnc of the temptation on one
hand, and the scene of the bloody sweat on
the other sKle place of lamcntation owe,
the city, and. the place. Of ascension to glory
both in sight Such are tho associations o
this mountain with our Master that it la
been called "rhc Mount Of the Lord Jesus.
Before we left the enchanting place W" sa
down and took a survey Of the Holy City,
This was the best view we could have, for
seemed to lie almost at our feet, and inclined
toward us, so that we could trace tho cntir
circuit of tho city wall, and see almost ever
dwelling, mosque, church, convent, dome
tower, and minaret in the place.
nAs on our olive crowned hill we stand,
When Kcdron Mt our feet it's scanty waters
Distills from stone TO stone with gentle motion,
As through valley sacred TO sweet peace,
How boldly doth il front us how maisstoally!
Like luxurious vineyard tho hill. side
Is hung will, marble fabrics, line DER line,
Terrace DER terrace, nearer still, and nearer
To The blue heavens"
And O how the eight and thirty conturic
of thrilling history that city has had sccmc
to pass before US Within and around thos
walls havo transpired events the greatest tina
have occurred in this world, No spot o
earth hos been so honored OF. God; but, alas
no city has been so sorely visited with diviD
wrath. Many score Of times has Jcrusalsr
been bcscigcd, and more than onco cntrel
/, destroyed The armies Of Assyria, Egyp
Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome hay
kiudled their camp fires around it, aud Mo-
Elehs and Crusadcrs have Warred feroely ft
, Fits possession. Wo thought Of, the acige
famines, distinctions, dispcrsions, and rest
3 rations of three thousands of years w
thought Of tho fearful imprccation Of u