The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-10-06
THE HOLY LAND as 1T NOV rs.
Catholic Review.

| Now that England has become the protector
of Asia Minor, including the Holy Land
renewed interest attaches to everything relat
ing to Palestine, it's present condition and the
prospects for the future. Seven years ago q
thorough survey of Western Palestine was
commenced by an Edglish society, under the
name of the Palestine exploration Fand;" and
this work has now been completed. Its history
| is related in book just Published in London
entitled "Tent Work in PALESTINE" by c. E.
Conder, of the Royal Engineers, who was in
command Of the survey expedition. Import
ant excavation had previously been made in
Jeros alem, under the direction of Captain
Warren, who threw much light upon the topo.
graphy of the ancient city, and tended often
| ties pointed out by Catholic tradition, but
called in question by superficial Protest ant
tourists
The survey which is now completed, en-.
braced the Holy Land from Dan to Beershebs,
and from the Jordan to the Mediterranean, and
covered an area of six taoussnd mare miles,
The survey was made with great minuteness,
aud, We believe, with a sincere desire to get ct
the truth without regard to the prejudioes of
scots. 1t began in Samaria, and the camp was
first pitched near Shechem, which has often
been supposed to be the Sychar mentioned in
the New Testament Bat Lieutenant Conder
decides that these were two distinct places,
and that Sychsr was Ischar near Shechem
The survey was extended throughout the
whole OF Samaria, which once contained the
proud city of that name, now represented by o
little village called Sebustiech and Shiloh,
which was The abode of the tabernacle and the
ark for three hundred and sixty years.
The scenery of Samaria is often beautiful;
the valley of Shechem," says Lieut.. Conder,
"is the most luxnriant in Palestine; long rivu-
let's, fed by no less than eighty springs, run
down the hillslopes, and murmur in the deep
ravlne; gardens surround the city walls I; figs,
muloerrles, olives, pomesRranates, and every
species of vegetable grow in abundance, and
the green foliage and sparkling streams refresh
the eyes" The Sam sritsns claim for themselves
an Israelitsh origin, and Leu1. Conder is of
the opinion that the claim is correct. He thinks
they are Of the same stock with the Jews, and
OF supposed identity in doctrine with the
Sadd0cees.
From these points the survey proceeded to
the plain OF Esdrselon, and the site of Jezrael,
where King saul met his tragic fate; Stunsm,
with traditions of the holy prophet Eliseus, and
across The hills to Nazareth and Cana-two
places i'm mortal for ever in the history of Chris
tsnity. Then on to Bethlehem, which is dss
crlbed IS 80 thriving little town of solidly-
bnilt houses browning the summit of two
knolls, connected by lower saddle on white
chalk ridge with steep declivities to the north
and south. Here tae survey determined the |
of the Grotto of the Nativity be- |
meath the Church of the Bssilica, a building |
erected over the birth place of our Lord in the
fourth century. Reaching at last Jerusalem |
itself. the survey first devoted it's attention to |
The work of determining with accuracy the
site of Calvary, and of the Blessed Sepulchre
and here sgain Catholic tradition is com plete.
y verified by scientific examination. Lieut..
jondeTs observations upon the present popu-
alton of Palestine are extremely interesting,
1ut We have not time to comment upon them.
de concludes his book with the remark shat
Palestine most needs "a strong and benevolent
will now receive that blessing from the hands
# the descendants Of the Crusaders.