Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-04-25


in the Christian days of the city was the
Church of the Publication. The principal
objects shown here are the " Tombs of the
sons of Aaron and tho " Footprints of
Christ" Within the large enclosure, all
of which is most sacred and carefully
guarded by black dervishes, many things
are pointed out, among which may be
seen the Golden Gate through which Christ
passed in His triumphal entry, and the wa
ter from the Pools of Solomon.
For the Christian believer the most in
teresting place in Jerusalem is the Church
of the Holy Sepulchre. This Church, it
is pretended, not only covers the site of
Calvary. and the tombs of Joseph and
Nicodemus, but also the place where the
Savior appeared to Mary His mother after
the resurrection; where Constantine's
mother found the true cross; where the
angel appeared; where the Savior appear
ed to Mary Magdalen; and numerous
other important places.
Some writers deny the correctness Of the
localities, and it is the uncertainty in
which nearly all the sacred places are in
volved that deprives the visit to Jerusalem
of much of its highest enjoyment.
On the Hill of Zion, the room where the
Last Supper was eaten is still shown, and
in II room adjoining it you are permitted
by paying considerable 6achsheesh to look
through grating at what purports to be
a stone sarcophagus containing the re-
mains of David 1t has over it silk cov-
erng Of various colors, and is carefully
guarded by the Turks, who consider David
as well us Christ among their prophets.
Adjoining this hill is the Jewish quarter
where Jews from all parts of the world
are to be seen, and where the filth and
wretchedness are such that one is glad to
hasten away.
Near by, and just under the wall of the
Mo,que of Omar, is the so-caled Wailing
Place of the Jews. Here on every Friday
afternoon their pileous wall may be heard
us they meet to mourn over the loss of the
Temple and the sacred Mt. Moriah upon
which it stood.
One pleasant afternoon l rode out to
Bethlehem, passing on the way the hill of
" Evil Counsel" where the tree still
stands (?) upon which Judas hanged him
self Bethlehem has II lovely situation
near the summit of one of the hills and
looks very picturesque when approached
from Jerusalem. The slopes of the hill
were covered with olive orchards, and in
n grotto near by the place where the angel
appeared to the shepherds was pointed
out. The place Of the Nativity was of
course shown to me, but the rude manger
had been replaced by one of stone, and
gorgeous lamps hung over it that had been
presented by different sovereigns of Eu-
rope, and are kept continually burning
Near this is the silver star and several
crypts and grottoes.
The great excursion from Jerusalem is
that to the Dead Sea and Jordan. One
afternoon, accompanied by the dragoman,
donkey boy and the Sheib sent by our Con-
sui as y protection against the Bedouins l
left Jerusalem equipped for this excursion
which consumes from day and half TO
three days. We passed ont of St. Steph.
ems Gate and across the Valley of Jehosa
phat, and rounding the brow of Mt. Olivel
came in sight of Bethany, Passing this
we descended into ravine, and wounG
our way between the hills where Il few
scattered shepherds were seen tending
their flocks.
After two or three hours all signs O
vegetation ceased, and nothing but the
bare and desoate mountains of gray rocR
met our view In this dGsoate place foul
wild looking Bedouns armed with long
lances, carbines and rcvolvers fell in will
our party. As two of them soon rode OF
before, and the others fell behind us, ou
shcik became somewhat alarmed, and W.
hastened on us rapidly rs we could to
wards Jericho. Darkness too set in
which cnnbed the active brain to imagine
lurking danger in every thicket, and made
the last hour an anxious one; but we cS
capped unharmcd Save mud village O
the Bedouins and few scattered ruin
nothing but one poor inn marked the sit
of ancient Jericho.
At sunrise the next morning we wer,
galloping over the plain to the Dead Sea
Stopping only long enough to battle in it
waters we mounted again, and hal
hours ride brought us to the Jordan. Bath
ing, of course, again in this muddy anC
rapid stream, which, though very deep, i
only from fifty to hundred feet wide, w
were ready to turn our face once more /,
the west
The whole valley of the Dead Sea IN,
Jordan is now waste, with II few stun,e,
shrubs growing in it, and it needs SOM
stretch of the Imagination to conceive o
it us part of that land that should flov
: with milk and honey.
On the afternoon of the same day | re
turned to Jerusalem. and as we passct
through Bethany | stopped to see the tom
: of Lazarus and the house where Marth
= and Mary lived(O
The last morning of my stay in the s;l
| cred city | walked out into the Valley G
t Jehosaphat where beside the ancient tomb
S the Chapel and Fountain of the Virgil
t are to be seen, and little farther on tn
S Pool of Sloan. Passing just beyond it
= entered the Garden of Gethsemane, which
< aside from the eight ancient olive trees,
t simple flower garden with differer
d stations representing Christ's Passion
4 A monk kindly gathered bouquet for mt
n which | shall value as n pleasant mement
t of my visit. Near this spot the Gree
: Christians are inclosing rival garden(
c Such is the picture of Christian harmon
q. that modern Jerusalem everywhere pre-
4 sents. AS n consequence the thought
. and emotions that We anticipate will b