Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-05-24
THE HOLY LAND

Saviour, made, it is said, at the time OF
his ascension, is enclosed within neat
chapel, erected around it for the express
purpose of preserving if from injury.
Many of the pious members of the
Church brought wax tapers with them,
which they gave TO the priest officiating
at this ceremony, who kept large num-
Der of them constantly lighted and
placed within few inches of the holy
footprint. in order to enable all present
to see and examine the same with the
care and attention it merits.
The hilly region, which extends from
Jerusalem east to the Jordan, distance
of TWENTY-FIVE miles, and which is as
sumed to have been the wilderness
wherein John the Baptist began his
ministry, and where Christ himself. after
his Baptism, retired for forty DAYS and
nights in fasting and praynig, consists
of ranges of mountains following each
other like the waves of a troubled ocean.
and descending rapidly at least 5000
feet, until they reach the Dead Sea.
where they form an irregular breastwork
of upward of one thousand feet in height,
along its shores, of perpendicular cliffs
and ragged points; in places receding
from the water, and then again jutting
out into the sea.
The view of this great expanse of
water, the lofty mountains piled on each
other in every position, presenting ev-
erywhere yellow rocks and gray sand,
without a single tree, and scarcely a
shrub to be seen, with the Jordan and
the plains of Jericho in the distance
combine to render the scene one of vast
and absorbing interest.
There are many other objects which
lie in full view of. and at no great dis
5ance from, the Mount of Olives deserv-
ing Of consideration-among which is
the Plain of Rephadim commencing
south of the valley of Hinnon, and ex-
tending in a southwesterly direction
some five or six miles from Jerusalem.
1t was on this plain that the army of
the PhiliStines, after having advanced
to the very gates of the city, were thrice
signally defeated, and finally totally
overthrown by David.
Mizpeh, the celebrated gathering place
of the Jews, lies in full view toward the
northwest of, and within four miles of
the city, The ancient site of this town
is an eminence of five hundred feet
above the adjoining plain, and from
whence there is a commanding prospect
extending from sea to sea.
1t was there that Samuel was crowned
judge and seer of Israel, and there he
offered up sacrifices and Judged the peo-
pie. There Saul was chosen King by
lot; and there, at this day, stands mon
ument, claimed by some to have been
erected to the memory of the great Judge
and which is distinctly seen from
the principal approaches to Jerusalem.
Other persons, however, maintain that
his remains were entombed in another
place.
The sites of the ancient cities of Beirat
and Gideon, and the celebrated valley
of Ajalon, which separated them, lie
within view of the mount, and distant
about five miles from Jerusalem.
Gideon was at an early day one of the
royal cities. The stratagem of the Glib
eonites practiced on Joshua, his defence
Of them &fterward against the five con-
federateS kings of the south, and the
great valley of Ajalon, when the sun
stood still on Gideon, are events which
will ever render this land memorable.
have visited the site of the ancient
town of Main, situated on the western
1ecliFity of little Hermon. This spot
is the scene of that touching incident,
The raising of the widows son, described
in the seventh chapter of st. Luke.
[ continued my journey toward the
northeast, and soon descended into the
great plain, where 1 obtained my first
view of Mount Tabor, which rises out of
he plain, and, apparently, penetrates
he clouds. The scene, as 1 approached
he mount from the west, was grand and
IMPOSING; nor could l withdraw nv at |
ention from it until l arrived at the
)ase of the mountain.
L assembled to the summit on horse |
)ack, by an exceedingly difficult and
dangerous winding bridle-path. The
distance by this way is at least three
niles, which it took me an hour to ae-
,omplish.
I supposed, from what 1 had previ-
'uSly learned respecting it, that would |
ind it desolate spot; but, to my sur
rise, found upward of fifty laborers
rom Nazareth, engaged in erecting, by
rider of the Turkish Government, a |
arge and splendid mosque for Mussul-
nan pilgrims.
| regard this as the most sacred and |
locality within the bounda-
les Of Galilee; for it was here, as it is
written, that the disciples of Jesus
Peter, James, and John-SaW the Saviour
n his TRANSPORTATION.
The whole Of Gables, which is STYLED
he "Cradle of Christianity" is spread
ike a map on every side of Mount Ia
'or. Nazareth, where Jesus passed his
outhful days, lies in delightful valley
r basin to the west; and a short dis
ance from it, on a mountain ridge,
tands Cana, where He performed His
rst miracle. To the east flows the Jor
an, on the banks of which He began
lis ministry, ana called together His
isciples.
There, too, lies the sea of Galilee, en-
osOmed in the mountains which slope
own to its waters, and where are still
} be seen the sites of CaDernaum, Beth
aida, and Tiberius scenes of thou
and hallowed associations. There, also,
ses the hill on which Jesus delivered
is first precepts, called the Mount of
and near to it is the great
attlefield where Saladin fought with
nd overcame the Crusaders, and took
'om them the True Cross.
o GAIN HEALTH AND WEALTH.
Don't worry.
"Seek peace and pursue it."
Be cheerful. "a light heart lives long"
"Work like a man, but don't be work