Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-22
Churches In Jerusalem.

A notable structure in Jerusalem is the
Church of the Holy Sepulcre, the most cos
mopitan church in the world. This re-
markable building covers a curious aggre
gate of traditionary and legendary sacred
SITES including several connected with jew
ish histocy. But ii is the Christian assocla-
tions which are most worthy of our attention,
as will soon appear. Its real history begins
with Helena, the mother Of Constantine the
Great, because it was her zeal which led to
the supposed identification Of the place
where Christ was crucified and buried. Over
the spot thus identified a splendid church
was built and dedicated in A. D.S335. Its
subsequent fortunes correspond very much
with those of the city; but it was specially
attractive as a resort of pilgrims, who, for
fifteen centuries, with little intermission,
have continued TO visit it. The DAYS of its
chief splendor were those of the Crusaders.
two of whose kings, Godfrey and Baldwin,
were buried there, and their tonbs remain
to this day. The original Church of Con-
stantine and Helena was destroyed by the
Pcrsians, restored by the Christians, de-
stroyed again by the Khalif Hakem, rebuilt
again by the Christians, enlarged and beau
tilted by the Crusaders. This last was
nearly consumed by fire, in 1908. but was
at once restored on the old model, and has
since then undergone extensive alteration
and repair. Ii is about three hundred feet
in length, but Of very unequal width, and
internally it shows very different levels.
Thus the Chapel of the Finding of the Cross
is fifty feet lower than the So called Rock of
| Calvary. The way TO it is through narrow
streets, but there is an open court in front
| of II. where the dealers in rnsaries. trinkets
and all sorts of mementoes, carry on their
trade A Turkish official at the doors in
dicate Turkish supremacy, but a small fee
secures admission. The interior is divided
| into many compartments, some of which
contain what is to be venerated or are them
selves accounted holy. A marble slab in
the vestibule is pointed out as that on which
the body of our Saviour was laid Passing
this, which the pilgrims eagerly kiss, we
come under the chief dome TO fine rotunda,
in the centre of which stands a miniature
church, containing what is said TO be the
very sepulchre of Christ. Round about are
several chapes belonging TO various sects.
An arch 10 the east forms the entrance TO
the Greek Church, the interior of which Is
profusely adorned. Here they show the
spot from which the earth was taken out
of which Adam was made. The Chapel of
Calvary, where the crucifiXion is said to
have taken place, is 2S5 feet from the sep
ulchre. The sepulchre itself is "a quad
rangular vault, about six feet feet by seven,
with dome roof supported on short marble
pillars. The sepulchral couch occupies the
whole of the right side as we enter, 1t is
raised nearly three feet above the floor and
is covered with a slab of white marble
cracked through the centre, and much worn
al the edge by the lips of numerous pilgrims. \"
| This slab serves as an altar, is much decor
ated and has over it forty-two lamps of gold
and silver. OF the multitudes who visit this
spot, the majority may be presumed TO be-
| lieve in its authenticity, doubt being con-
| fined to the critical and inquisitive. The
same observation applies to the other men,
| bers of this wonderful group of candidates
| Ior our faith and veneration, for they show
here not only the sites of the crucifixion and
the resurrection and other already mention
ed, but the tombs of Adam and MelchIZedek,
of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus,
the places where Christ was scouraged and
crowned with thorns, where He appeared
to Mary Magdalene and His mother, the
centre of the globe and others too numerous
| to mention. A minute description of all
that invites respect under the roof OF this
one edifce would fill volume and bare
catalogue would be tedious and useless.