The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1872-06-25
JerusaIem-Present Condition of the
City.

III JeruSdlSIu, unuer udUe OF NafCn III,
gives this account of the present con-
dition of the Holy City:
Jerusalem, once "the Joy of the
whole world" has fallen low; it is
Jerusalem, but not "the City of the
Great King" 1t is a poor place, with
narrow crooked lanes or streets, badly
paved damp and filthy. The people
are poor, and there is no trade or com
merce, as it is in the midst Of a barren
land, and remote from the line of the
worlds business. How the people
live here is mystery. The city is
walled entirely around, and as the
walls are in good condition, from its
external appearance from all points,
one would expect rich and beautiful
town within. Beggars in rags meet
one on all sides, clamoring for "buck-
sheesh," and lepers sit by the wayside
exhibiting picture only to be real
lied.
Frequently, during my soiourn here
of seven weeks, have | ascended the
Mount Of Olives, and, sitting under an
olive tree, contemplated the great
event in the past history of Jerusalem,
and endeavoring to realize that when
the Saviour was upon earth, and when
he also walked the same roads that l
now walk, and gazed upon the same
natural scenes, and as / look down up.
on the city, l think of the words OF
Christ while also looking from the
same mount, "Not one stone shall re-
main upon another" and how true
now nothing remains of that Jerusa-
lem but the site, now the modern Jeru-
salem. Often have l entered the
Church of the Holy Sepulcher, on Cal
vary, and there silently mused. The
painful minuteness of detail in which
holy places are marked out and shown
as identical, detracts greatly from
ones enjoyment. l believe the church,
or buildings on Calvary, occupy the
very rock, but l do not believe in the
identity Of spot to the fraction. While
standing by the rock which is marked
as the very place where stood the cross,
| believe one is within few feet Of
the place, which is quite sufficient
And as to the Sepulcher. in a small
building in the center of rotunda,
above the floor, l do not believe in it,
and yet am of faith it is over the tomb
hewn in the rock. The tomb now
shown is plain marble sarcophagus,
much like a bath-tub.
There is nothing to be seen of the
rock of Calvary, being all covered
with buildings and marble floors, ex.
cept that portion where the cross was
elevated (Which is some fifteen feet
higher than the tomb), and this is on.
ly seen through small opening, and
also the rent, caused, as said, by the
earthquake at the crucifxion. Pill.
grims are now gathering here for Eas,
ter-Russians, Persians, Armenians
Greeks, etc, etc.-and they present q
unique picture in their curious cos.
tunes. They daily enter the Church
of the Holy Sepucher and kiss every
old stone from the entrance through.
out, firm in their belief of every place
identified. 1t is an interesting scene
long to be remembered.
l have been around the city with
out the walls many times, as also upon
them, and either has its interest. Three
times have been within the Mosque
of Omar, on Mount Moriah, the site
of Soloman's Temple. The mosque
being the second holy place of Mo,
hammedanism, is much out of repair
and greatly neglected, as also the sur.
rounding grounds, an interesting com
ment upon the religion of that people
as to sacred places. The vaults or ex
tensive arches under the platform Oh
the south side are exceedingly interest
ing, and supposed to be of the time Of
Solomon.
have twice explored the extensive
quarries under Jerusalem, which bear
marks of quarrying as distinct as
though of yesterday. They extend
probably to the temple, and no doubt
were used for the great temple, of l..
600 years B. G. They are difficult OF
exploring, as one has in many places
to crawl on hands and feet. l have
been to Jericho, and bathed in the
Jordan, as well as the Dead Sea, in
which | was borne up like cork.
Have visited Bethany, Bethlehem, and
Hebron, where Abraham was buried
also the pools of Solomon, etc., etc.,
and in fact every place of interest
hereabouts, and next week start over
land for the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth,
etc ETC., to Beyrut, and again to Dam,
ascus, where l am in hopes of joining
party for Palmyra, and on my re-
turn will go to Smyrna, Constanstino-
pie, ETC., etc, and thence to Greece,
Albania, Montenegro, etc, etc.
The weather is beautiful in Palestine;
flowers are in bloom, and all nature is
in its most gorgeous array, where there
is an opportunity of being so. Under
Turkish Government everything is left
to decay, and nothing is repaired or
renewed, consequently has a neglected
appearance.