Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-05-31
Present Condition Of Jerusalcm.


A PRIVATE letter from an American in
Jerusalem, under date of March ~, gives
this accotnt of the present condition of
the Holy City:
Jerusalem, once ''the Joy of the world"
has fallen low; 1t is Jerusalem, but not
''the city Of the great King" 1t is apoor
place, with narrow, crooked lanes or
streets, badly paved, damp and filthy.
The people are poor, and there is no trade
or commerce, as it is in the midst of a
barren land, and remote from the line of
the worlds business. How the people
live is mystery. The city is walled en-
tirely around, and, as the walls ere in
good condition, from It's external appear
ance from all points one would expect q
rich and beautiful town within. Beggars
in rags meet one on all sides, clamorihg
for "'barksheesh," and lepers sit by the
wayside exhibiting picture only to be
seen to be realized.
Frequently, during my sojourn here of
seven weeks, have assembled the Mount
of Olives, and, sitting under an olive tree,
contemplated the great events of the past
history of Jerusalem; and endeavOred to
realize that when the Saviour was upon
earth, and when He also walked the
same roads that now walk, and
gazed upon the same natural
scenes; and as look down upon the city
| think of the words of Christ, while also
looking from the same mount; "Not one
stone shall remain upon anothet;' and
how true! Nothing now remains of that
Jerusalem but the site, now the modern
Jerusalem. Often have | entered the
Church of the Holy Sepulcher, on Cal
vary, and there silently unused. The pain
full minuteness of detail in which holy
places are marked out and shown as iden-
tical, detraCts greatly from ones enjoy
ment / believe the church, or buildings
on Calvary, occupy the very rock, but |
do not believe in the identity of spots
to fraction. While standingby the rock
which is marked as the very place where
stood the cross, believe one Is within a
few feet OF the place, which is quite suffi-
cient. And as to the Sepulcher in small
marble building in the center of u rotun-
da, above the floor, do not believe in it,
and yet am of faith that it is over the
tomb hewn in the rock. The tomb now
shown Is plain marble sarcophagus,
much like a bath-tub and this does not
appear like tomb hewn in the rock.
There is nothing to be seen of the rock
of Calvary, being all covered with build
ings and marble floors, except that por-
tion where the cross was elevated (Which
is some fifteen feet higher than the tomb6
and this only seen through a small open
ing; and also the rent, caused, as said, by
the earthquake at the crucifxion. Pill
grims are now gathering here for Easter
Russians, Persians, Armenians, Greeks,
etc., etc, and they presented a unique
picture in their curious costumes. They
daily enter the church of the Holy Sc
pulchre, and kiss every old stone from the
entrance throughout, firm in their belief
of every place identified. 1t Is an inter
esting scene long to be remembered.
have been around the city without the
walls many tines as also upon them, and
either has its interest, Three times have
been within the Mosque Of Omar, on
Mount Moriah, the site of SolomOn's
Temple. The mosque. heinS the second
holy place OF Mahometism, is much out
of repair and greatly neglected, as also
the surrounding grounds-an interesting
comment upon the religion of that people
as to sacred places. The vaults or exten-
sive arches under the platform on the
south side are exceedingly interesting,
| and supposed to be of the time of Solo
mon.
l have twice explored the extensive
! uuarries under jerusalem, which beal
| marks of quarrying as distinct as though
of yesterday They extend probably tC
the temple, and no doubt were used fol
the great temple of 1000 B. G. They
are difficult of exploring, as one has il
many places to crawl on hands and feet
| have been to Jericho, and bathed il
the Jordan, as well as the Dead Sea, IL
which | was borne up like cork. HaVu
visited Bethany, Bethlehem, and Hebron
L H.. IL s,.,1
of Sloan, etc., etc, and in fact ever.
place of interest hereabouts.
The weather is beautiful in Palestine
flowers are In bloom, and all nature is il
most gorgeous array, where there is a.
opportunity of being so. Under tn
Turkish Government everythi lg is left t
decay, and nothing is repaired or re
newed, consequently mas neglected ar
pearance.