Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-28
NOTED SPOT.
Ruins of the Synagogue at Capernaum
Where Christ Taught and Wrought
Miracles

Miracles.
From Neto York Sun Letter.
HAIFA, Jan. 20.-Perhaps the most in
teresting spot In the world to those deeply
under the influence of that charm which
association lends to places hallowed by
the ministrations of the Founder of
Christianity is To be found in a desert
rock-strewn promontory on the northwest
shore of the Lake OF liberia; for among
these piles Of hewn blocks of black basalt
still remain the ruins OF a great synagogue,
within whose walls, the foundations
OF which may still be distinctly
traced. were collected the multitudes
who flocked to hear the teach
ing Of Christ. While modern tourists
resort in crowds to Jerusalem to visit the
mythical sites which are supposed, upon
the vague basis Of ecclesiastical tradition.
to be identified with episodes in the life OF
the great Teacher, scarcely one ever finds
his way 10 this remote locality lying just
out of the beaten track along which Cook
leads his herds of sightseers; and vet it is
probable that the greater part OF that
period in the life Of Christ, the record OF
which is contained in the four Gospels.
WAS spent at CapeTnaum, which the
most careful Investigation, by the
highest authorities in such matters, has
identified with these ruins If Tell Hum.
amid which ] was Just now standing
Here il was that Christ cured Peters
mOther-in-law, restored the paralytic
called Matthew, cured the centurion g
servant. raised Jairus' daughter from the
dead, and obtained the tribute of none,
from the mouth Of fish. IL was here
that He spoke the parallels Of the sower,
10. "a hn "a In no AafI Ia
merchant seeking goodly pearls, and the
net cast into the sea. Sir Charles Wilson.
whose researches on this spot led him 10
identity il as being the site OF the
city OF Capernaum, believes this syna-
gOgue was, without doubt. the one built
By the Roman centurion (Luke viii. 81
and, therefore, one of the most sacred
spots on earth.'n II was IN this building.
u that be the case, that the well-known
discourse contained In the sixth chapter
Of John was delivered; and IL was not
without strange feeling. SAYS the same
explorer. THAT on turning over a large
block we found the pot Of mama engraved
on its face. aud remembered the words
Il am That bread Of life. Your fathers
did cut mama in the Wilderness and are
dead"
This very synagogue was probably the
sceue Of the healing OF the demouiac and
OF tho delivery Of many Of those divine
lectures on faith, humility, br0therly love
and f0rmalty ia worship, as we read AZ
the end Of one Of them: "rhese things
said He IN the synagogue as He taught IN
Capernaum." Perhaps IL was in the little
creek whore a boat was now riding n'
anchor only a few feet from the shore that
Christ taught the people from the
boat so "a TO avoid the crush Of
the multitude II was doubtless in
one of these iulets that James, toe son
OF Icbedee, and John, his brother, were
meuding their nets, when. being called.
they lcft their ship and followed Him,
and 10 WIS on this coast that Andrew and
Peter were casting their nets when they
were summoned to become fishers NJ men
10 has u higher claim % be called the
birthplace OF the religion which has since
rCvulutiOniXod the world than any other
spot upon 90; and 10 IS matter Of some
surprise 10 me that neither the Greek nor
the Roman Catholic churches. In theft
zeal 90 discover holy places, which may
serve as levers for political intrigue, have
SET thought Of occupying this one. which
would seem the boliest ~ all. Perhaps il
would lead TO n comparison between ihcit
practice and the teaching Of which IL was
the scene. which might give rise 10 some
iaconscuient reflections.
Apart from their associations. the ruins
themselves arc rot particularly striking.
They cover an area of about hail n mile In
length hv n quarter IN breadth. and con.
slst chiefly ~ the block blocks az basaltic
stone which formed the walls ~ the
houeca.\ TOE iraccsAof the hynngonuo
II....I...lll LrInain HI4HnInutlF Tor tht