The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-04-17
FROM JERUSALEM TO sAMARIA.
BY REV. J. Il. BRYsoN.
The Tombs near Jerusalem.

toico1ibS VI ooo uauy GOmuo "hioo VIZ ~
Gated all around tn, city. About half mile
north of the Damascus gate is located the
"Tombs of the Kings" or, more likely, the
family tomb of Helena. In a level place, an
excavation is made about twenty feet deep
and hundred feet quare. On the western
side of this open court, there is cut in the
rock vestibule seventeen feet deep and forty
feet wide, and on The front of it are traces
of elaborate ornamentation, with the rem
nants oftwo Corint1isn coMmns. -
The entrance to the tombs is on the south
ern side Of the vestibule, and is one of the
most ingenious pieces of mechanism which
has come down to US from antiquity. The
door is less than yard square, and to the
left of the door, along the floor, is groove
cut like an inclined plane, so that the large
circular stone which fits in it will roll down
and close the entrance. l saw then the large
circular stone, which one of our party thought
was grind.stone, rolled back from the door,
and fastened in the groove. This will ex,
plain the rolling away the stone from the
door of the sepulchre where Jesus was buried.
The stone, being large, would be difficult to
roll back on this inclined plane
On entering these tombs, a number OF
large rooms are seen, with vaults cut in the
sides, in which the bodies were laid. In one
or two of these, in the farrhermost room,
saw a few pieces of bones. The rock in
which all these tombs about Jerusalem are
cut, is quite soft, and is easily cut with q
knife, but when exposed to the air becomes
quite hard.
About mile north of this place are the
"Tombs of the Judges" The rocky ridges
on both sides of the road are filled with
tombs. The entrance to the Tombs of the
Judges is beautifully ornamented, and it is
rather surprising to find such delicate work
in such fine state of preservation. The
dust of departed worth may be sleeping in
these ancient tombS, but the eye cannot dis
Germ it. By the bright twilight, we retraced
our steps to the city, hearing at frequent in
tervals the sharp bark Of the jackals which
live in these tombs.
Wide Landscape.
Everything being ready, in company with
\ H. ~ AZ
toward Gallee, early one afternoon, passing
out the Damascus gate. Crossing the upper
part of the Kidron valley, We took the road
directly over Mount Scopus, where Titus had
his headquarters when his armies were be.
sieging the city; here We stopped and took
last look at Jerusalem and the surrounding
mountains. 1 fingered long after my com.
panions were gone, gazing upon the Holy
City, the centre of 80 much of Gods revela.
tions to our race Here Jesus lived, taught,
died, rose again, assembled to heaven, and,
according to the prophets words, his feet
shall again stand upon the Mount of Olives.
could scarcely tear myself away from the
grand panorama, for most of central and
southern Palestine could be seen at one sweep
of the eye. With an earnest prayer to God
for the speedy ful6lment of all the precious
promises concerning her future restoration
and glory, turned my face from Jerusalem,
perhaps forever, riding slowly on my way,
enjoying my own reflections.
Northward from Jerusalem.
Many points of interest now began to de-
mand attention. On our left, in full view,
was the hill of Mizpah, where Samuel judged
Israel for many years. Here he put up the
stone which had inscribed on it the precious
word: "Ebeneser," the speaking monument
of Gods help in q time of need, when the
people trusted in Him. Just on the right
we rode along by the foot of the rugged hill
of Gibeah, on the top of which Saul estab-
lished the capital of his kingdom. Just be
yond, on the east side lay the narrow valley
where David and Jonathan had their touch
ing interview; and short distance to the
north is Mob, where David obtained from
Ahimelech the sword of Goliah. This Glib
cab, of Saul, is the scene of number of in
cidents of Old Testament history. A short
ride brought US near to Rsmah of Benjamin,
village situated on the south side of rocky
ridge, which is probably the birthplace OF
| Samuel.
We spent the night at modern village
called Ramalla, and found very good quar-
ters in Latin convent. Starting early next
morning, We soon came to Bethel, situated on
the top of rather broad ridge. Here We
took our Bibles, and read the account of ia
cob's dream, when he spent the night here
long ago, and saw in vision dream bright
hopes of the future. On the east side was
deep ravine running down toward the Jordan,
and in this Joshua's soldiers were concealed
from the city of All, which was located on
the opposite ridge. Up this same ravine,
most likely, Elisha was coming when the
children of the city met him, hooking or
tsunting him, telling him to "go up," as
Elijah had done, and for their shocking pro-
family the most summary judgment over
took them. The road here turns to the
northwest, and for an hour we passed
through the largest fig orchard l saw in Pal,
estine; and then we passed down into deep
gorge or valley, with very high cliffs on