The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-05-19

ton. We are sure our young people will reaC
it with pleasure and profit
JERUSALEM, PALESTINE
April 18th, 1880.
My Dear Girls,-Since coming to this
Holy City, my thoughts go out towards
you more tenderly and constantly than
ever, and the desire comes over me tc
write you letter from Jerusalem How
delightful always the remembrance o.
our quiet Saturday afternoons together
when we met to study Gods Holy Word
and prepare our Sabbath lesson. To me
it comes so refreshingly here, as the
familiar names and scenes occur; and ]
can almost recall the sentiments of each
Of you in regard to the histories of the
Bible, in recalling this or that King
some event or miracle, when we pursued
for months together the regular Inter
national Series.
You know that we have Just visited
Egypt, that land almost as tenderly con-
nected with sacred history as Palestine
and Syria. For instance, we were shown
the wide-spreading tree near the ruins
Of old Helopolis, under whose shade,
Mary and Joseph sat down when bring
ing the infant Jesus down into Egypt
from the wrath of Herod What hosts
of recollections came of all the circum-
stances and the cruel massacre of the In
nocents round about Jerusalem Joseph
who was sold into this land by his breth-
rem, lived also at Heliopolis, and gave
there home and asylum to his aged
father Jacob In Cairo we were shown
the site of the immense granaries OF
Joseph, during the years of famine; and
on the Isle of Rhoda the spot where the
infant Moses was placed amid the bull
rushes of the Nile. How glorious his
after oareerl how perfect the character
Of Josephl With these two worthless, as
well as many others, the past history
of Egypt was most intimately associated
Our departure from Cairo, going to
Ismaila by rail- then through the Suez
Canal to Port Said, and afterwards our
short sea voyage to Jaffa (the ancient
Joppa) was all pleasant. and we landed
most fortunately on that usually stormy
coast, in quiet'ripphng sea, on the beau
tiful bright Easter morning. The ex-
perience of some friends, who had pre-
coded us was not so satisfactory, and
their lives to them seemed threatened
amid the rocks and breakers. 1t often
happens that passengers cannot land
at all in the small boats, but must
move about in the "ofing," until quite
day, or else go on to Beirut. 1t would
be impossible to describe the varied
emotions that swelled up in our hearts
when first we stepped ashore on that
soil made holy by the suferings and
death of Christ We spent the Sabbath in
Jaffa, and visited the site Of Simon the
Tanners house, where Peter had the won
derful vision, and entertained the en-
bassadors of Cornelius. There we re-
called also the story of Dorcas, and her
loving friends. In the afternoon DIR.
Hoge preached most impressive ser
mon to quite a little company gathered
in the Mission rooms, Cooks large party,
our own, and the residents with the Mis-
sion workers, from text in Rom. xii
5. Afterwards we all partook of the
Communion. 1t was season never to
be forgotten, and was well fitted to pre-
pare our minds and hearts, proftably to
enjoy our future travels. On Monday
morning our novel experience of horse
back travelling, lunching under olive
trees, and sleeping in tents began-and
most thoroughly the jolting prepared us
for the daily repasts and the refreshing
rest of the night. A disaster however
overlook us at Latrnn, our first camp
ing ground, in the valley of Ajalon,
where Joshua commanded the moon to
stay, and DIR. Hoge was robbed Of much
of his earthly possessions particu-
lars you have no doubt read from his let
ters. We travelled onehowever the next
day, and lun6hed at Kirgath-J earim,
where the Ark of God was brought into
the house of Abinadab, until carried by
David to Jerusalem! 1t will interest
you girls to hear, that as we pilgrims
neared the city We sang together,
Jerusalem my happy home, name ever
dear to me, and felt very sad as we
looked upon it now desolate, and in the
hands of a foreign foe. That night we
camped outside Che walls near the Jaffa
gate, on the Crusaders Hill. This re-
minds me to write you of this gate, that
it possesses the scriptural "eye Of the
needle" or smaller gate, through which
loaded camels can but barely enter and
that with great difficulty. 1t is still a
walled city and the various gates we
have all entered, st. Stephens, Jafa,