Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-01-01
The Cities OF the Giants.

Mucn 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 eXpend 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-
naming; of others, a broken column, a
fallen arch, or such account as 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 perfect-their 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 well paved streets, save now and
then a wandering band of Arabs, who
occasionally journey over this desolated
province.
In the olden days, among the people of
Canaan, flew strange rumors of a race
that dwelt in country lying east of Pal
estine and south of Damascus, called
Bashan-a people so wonderful for their
height, so powerful in their strength, that
the mighty Jewish legions were but as
grasshoppers" in comparison.
A 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 luxu-
RANT garden-plain in which these cities
laY-that a wild enthusiasm sprang up
among the people, and a desire, passion
ate and strong, filed their hearts to de-
scend upon this mysterious province, and
capture its cities, and giants too. So
war arose, and the years that followed
were filled with hard-fought battles, long
sieges, 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, acknowledged the power
of the "Giant Warrior" His verdant
plains, and his substantial cities, and his
forest-hills again tempt the Jews.
This time, in the array and strength of
determined conquerors, they descend
upon the land of Bashan, led by Moses
one of the grandest warriors that ever
trod on earth,n A battle is fought, and
Og, the mighty, is fallen, and his army
8 routed,
The conquerors send home among theil
spoils the iron bedstead of the Gian
King" the length thereof nine cubiti
(feeD, and four cubits the breadth of it,
and a glorious account of their vic
tories. "Sixty great cities, fenced witt
high walls, gates and bars, besides un
walled cities a great many" had they
taken.
Within province thirtyl miles Ions
and not over twenty miles wide thest
sixty great cities" lie. 1t is the land o.
Bashan-a rolling, luxuriant plain, whose
loamy soil gives growth to rank grassel
and rich crops, and whose borders arr
skirted by hills and mountains, owe
whose distance the clear atmosphere
throws magic humiliation.
The frosted peak of Hermon glisten
among these mountains; and northwarC
from it runs the snow-capped ridge o
Lebanon; while, toward the rising sun
lies the land of Palestine.
| The hills are terraced, and there still
grow In profusion and wildnees the WIG
whose fruit once filed 10 overlooking tn
wine-presses of this land Now tn,
grapes hang in their purple richness, anC
there is no hand to pluck them. and th'