The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-08-23
Sunset in Palestine
BY THOMAS A. T. HANNA.

Most travellers are disappointed in
Palestine. rs dark and dreary hills,
its dry surface. Its tameness in many
places these are not the faults OF that
land as we picture them in the chambers
of imagination. Yet these are the
facts that meet US In reality; and some
hardly look beyond these, and come
away from their tour giving an evil
report OF the land, like the disheart-
ened spies whom Joshua sent. They
see in it no beauty that they should
desire it.
Between our youthful imaginstions
of Immanuel's land and the present
drcar reality, there is painful con
trast sometimes; it is as if child had
been lost from mother, carrying in
his memory an image of that mother as
beautiful and bright; and after many
years should find her again, but with
cred, old and dying.
But, as we all know, there are some
things in Palestine that cannot be
changed. The saying that beauty is
only skin deep, is literally true in re-
gard TO landscapes. Clothe those
gray Judean hills with their ancient
verdure and culture, and there would
be no fair.r scene on earth. But the
mighty sun needs no improvement.
He still comes from his chambers be.
yond the eastern mountains beyond
Jordan, rejoicing as u strong man to
run race. And there was ole delight
ful experience we had in the Holy
Land. aud that was, number of
beautiful sunsets and sunset scenes.
SUNSET AT JERUSALEM.
The vely defects of the land at the
present day, believe are the means OF
providing some lovely effects. For
instance, the clearness Of the air is
greater than in any other part OF the
civilized world But this very clear
ness is due, suppose, in great part, to
the want of moisture In earth and air.
If Canaan was as we'll watered as Mas
sachusetts. it would not be possible to
see things fifty miles away, as if they
were nelghboring hills. So also there
are splendid effects of morning AMI
evening lights, which are due III part
to the dryness of the air.
The roof of the Mediterranean Hotel
in Jerusalem is fiat platform, and a
wonderful watch-tower it makes, from
which to watch the sun, moon and
stars. One afternoon the sky became
so brilliant that we were all called to
the roof to admire. 1t was one of
those skies that have but one color, and
that a fiery red. All the western half
of the heavens seemed to be clothed in
vesture dipped in blood The clouds
were of the kind called 'fieecy clouds,
and every one became more gorgeous
than the fabled fleece of gold. And
then the crimson sky reflected paler
radiance over the near walls of Jeru-
salem, and over the Tower of David and
over the Church of the Sepulchre; and a
little to the east, the light could be
seen on the dome of the so-called
Mosque of Omar'-which stands where
once the Temple stood.
The splendor falls on castle walls,
And. submits old IN story
The golden crescent at the top of the
Mosque Is. of course, flashing point of
light, as II catches some of the flying
rays of the sun. Indeed, that far.
flashing crescent has reused thoughts
in millions OF hearts-thoughts of pride
in some, of bitter humiliation and
fiery wrath In others-ah, we feel our
own checks growing red at this en-
blazoned sky. 10 think that the follow
ers of the false prophet can still exer.
cise insolent dominion In the city
where Jesus died-but we must not let
this sun 20 down on our wrath. Let
our eyes pass beyond that irritating
crescent. aud behind it see the shadow
creeping higher up the side of Olivet
So we can find rest 10 our hearts. Al
this eventide. He left the angry tumult
of Pharisee and Saddutee, TO be alone
with His friends or with His Father.
At this sunset-hour He climbed those
sides OF Olivet.
Every single day is an image of the
whole year. The spIing-time of morn
ing. the summer season of high noon
and the autumnal splendor OF sunset
reminds me of the glory of the October
forests. As used 10 see them on the
hills around Hamilton. As the sun wa:
going down the moon could already ot
seen high up in heaven. So these
clouds that now seemed Cathed III
blood will soon be washed white
again.
Think now. before these crimson
banners of sky. that float above the
city of the great King before they
part with their glory. think how snce
u scencEmay have assisted the prophe',
mind when from Jerusalem liz cried
Who is this that cometh from Edom