The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1874-12-31
The Cities of the Giants.

Much Of the toll of mankind leaves
naught behind as record of its accom-
plishments The sweat of the brow. the
force of muscle, and the ingenuity of the
brain all combine to rXpend themselves
on work that vanishes before men realize
that lives were wrought into IT,
And thus, of some of the most glorious
labors of the past, there is nothing re
manning; of others, a broken column, II
fallen arch, or such account rs can be
gathered from records traced in strange
and mysterious characters to which we
have no keynote.
Not SO of the giant cities of Bashan
To past age and a lost people they be-
long; yet their streets and houses still
stand pcrfcct-thCir doors and window
shutters still hang on their hinges -
| though for centuries they have been de-
serted no human being dwelling beneath
! their roofs; no people passing through
their wcll-pavcd streets, save now and
then "A wandering band of Arabs, who
occasionally journey over this desolated
province.
In the oldcn days among the people of
Canaan, flew strange rumOrS of "a race
that dwelt i'll Il country lying east of Pal
esline and south of Damascus, called
Bashan-a people so wonderful for their
height, so powerful in their strength, that
the mighty Jewish lcgions were but as
grasshoppers" in comparison.
n few adventurous spirits had sur
veyed the borders, and, returning,
brought back such marvellous stories of
fortified cities, whose solid stone walls
and houses could defy all the powers of
warfare and assailing fOes-of the iuXu-
.rlu in, Wilt cit
lay-rhut wild enthusiasm sprang up
among the people, and a desire, passion
ate and strong, filled their hearts to de-
sccnd upon this mysterious province, and
capture its cities, and giants too. SO
war arose, and the years that followed
were filled with hardfought battles, long
sleges, bloodshed and death.
And the numbers of the Giant people
grew less-the race finally becoming lost
in = few representatives, who were the
terror of the Jews.
Finally only Og, the King of Bashan,
remained to represent the Raphaim;
and the whole people, from the Jordan
to the desert, acknow lodged the power
of the Giant Warrior His vcrdant
plains, and his substantial cities, and his
forest-hills again tempt the Jews.
This time, in the array and strength of
determined conqucrorS, they descend
upon the land of BaShan, led by Moses,
" one of the grandest warriors that ever
trod on earth" \ battle is fought, and
Og, the mighty, is fallen, and his army
5 routed.
The conquerors send home among their
spoils the iron bedstead of the Giant
King" the length thereof nine cubits
(feet), and four cubts the breadth of it"
4 Il
tories. Sixty great cities. fenced with
high walls, gates and bars. besides un-
walled cities a great many had they
taken.
Within province thirtyi miles long
and not over twenty miles wide these
" sixty great cities" lie. 1t is the land of
Bashan--a rolling luNuriant plain, whose
lOamy soil gives growth to rank grasses
and rich crops, and whose borders are
sAirted by hills and mountains, over
whose distance the clear atmosphere
throws magic humiliation.
The frosted peak of Hermon glistens
among these mountains; and northwaId
from it runs the snow-capped ridge of
Lebanon; while, toward the rising sun,
lies the land of Palestine.
The hills are tcrraced. and there still
grow in prpfuSiOn and wildnesS the vines
whose fruit once filled to overfowing the
wine-preSses of this land Now tie
grapes hang in their purple richness, and
there is no hand TO pluck them, and the
wine-presses are empty and unused
Here, in this fair garden, are the mighty
cities fl for habitation and the use OF
men, yet given over to silence and desc
lation
Here are the towns. with their massive
walls for protection: their well-paved
streets with not stone displaced; their
long ranges of lofty-arched cisterns,
magnificent temples, beautiful theaters
and numberless houses os stone, whose
walls and ceilings, perfect and uninjured