Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-02-20
EL,JAH,s ALTAR.
An Interesting Discovery on Mount Car
mol. In Palestine,

Ar Interesting Discovery on Mount Car
mol, in Palestine.
We are approaching hat spot cele-
brated in Bible story where Elijah sac
rificed before the prophets of Baal, and
where tradition has placed the altar
where he called down the divine fire,
and which commands one of the most
extensive and interesting panoramic
views in Palestine, including almost
every point OF note in Galilee. Within
the last year the Carmelites have
erected a church on the lofty bluff
where this event is supposed to have
occurred, and which, rising abruptly
above the plain of Esdraelon to
height of one thousand six hundred
feet. forms the southeast angle of the
mountain, and is a conspicuous object
from far and wide. But a moments
reflection will convince us that tradi-
ton is not correct in assigning this
lofty pinnacle as the scene of the oc-
c%urrence, for we are told that the
prophet 'sa;d to his servant, 90 up
now, look towards the sea. And he
went up and looked, and said there is
nothing. And he said, go again seven
times" Now there would have been
no occasion for Elijah to have given
any such directions to his servant had
the altar been at the place supposed.
for the sea is in full view of it, from
Athlit, to C8sarea; it is evident, there
fore, from the words $50 up,' that
the altar was at a lower ele-
walton. The late Dean Stanley has con-
iectured that the spot might have been
on a plateau a little lower down, where
there is a well on the south slope of the
mountain; but it has seemed to me
more likely that it was in a sort of a
low amphitheater, which, on account
of its greater area, would have been
far better adapted for so great a multi
tude. as that which was assembled to
witness the discontinue of the false
prophets, and which lies to the west a
little below Mahkraka, and completely
concealed from the sea view. There is
Il point within a few minutes of what
would be the center of this plane, from
which the sea is clearly visible. And.
curiously enough, hidden away in the
brushwood, I came here upon a mas
each averaging eighteen inches square,
:tllu tlgIS VI ulllc lIClleS tulck, WDlCn
placed on n another without cement,
make a rude table about twelve feet
long and four feet high.
do not. of course, pretend that this
was the original altar, which it is re-
corded was destroyed at that time, but
/ I'M at a loss to conjecture what IL
pose it could have served; and it's
position was so exactly that which
might have suited the occasion, that
the idea was suggested to me by find
ing it here, that it may be the remains
of some erection put up in Jewish
times to commemorate the event.
There is a path leading from it directly
to the kishon, at the point where the
Tel-elkusis, OF Hill of the Priests,
rises from the margin of the brook,
and which owes its name to the tradi-
ton that it was the scene of the execu-
tiou of the false prophets. This por-
ton of the mountain was evidently the
most populous and most richly cult
waited in former times. as it is to-day
the most beautiful. OlipAant, IN
Murchnlan.