The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-08-21

have been regarded as very old in the
time OF the Savior. Hebron Is accepted
as the second oldest city in the world
standing next 10 Damascus in that regard,
and some authorities place its foundation
at even an earlier period than Damascus.
Josephus speaks OF il rs being $500 years
old in his time and in Genesis we are shown
that il was an active. busy city before
Abraham came here to reside at Mamre
1000 years ago, and bought the Field Of
Ephron which was in Machpelah" and the
"caye which was therein" for a family
mAusoleum ain the presence of the child
rem OF Heth before all that went in at the
gate OF the city" (Gen. xiii, 17-ls.)
Hebron was closely connected with all
that was most intimately associated with
early Jewish history, from the days OF
Abraham down 10 the time when David
removed his capital 10 Jerusalem. IL was
almost completely destroyed by that fierce
warrior Joshua who took il and smote il
with the edge of the sword, and later on
gave il 20 Caleb "for an inheritance
(Joshua X, IA IL was Davids first seat
OF government; here his beloved but un-
grateful Absolom was born, and here his
general Joab took Abner aside in the gate
to speak with him" and treacherously
'smote him there under the fifth
rib that he died." (II Sam, iii, 27.) He
bron is still called al Khalil' or "The
Friend" by the Arabs, that being the
name by which Abraham, in his day, was
known. IL contains between ten and
fifteen thousand inhabitants, made up OF
the most bigoted and fanatical Mohamme-
dams TO be found in the whole Of Syria.
There are no Christians resident in the
city and only a few Jews. and it behooves
the Christian visitor 10 be most guarded
in all that he says and does if he has any
regard for his personal safety.
The great point of interest 10 all tour
lists here is naturally the ''cave of Mach
pelah, " but owing TO the extreme fanati-
cism of the inhabitants christian dogs"
are not permitted to enter the mosque
that covers it, and can only view il
from the outside, or by placing
their hands through crack in
the wall touch part OF the rock OF the
original cavern. Beyond this they are not
allowed TO go, and l am informed that the
only Christians who have ever been per-
mitted TO enter these sacred precincts,
alike dear 10 Christian, Jew and Moham-
medan, are the late Emperor Frederick Of
Germany, the prince of Wales and sons.
the marquis of Butte, and Gen. Lew Wal
lace Of Indiana, ex minister to Turkey,
These were granted special permits by the
sultan for themselves and suites, and but
for the presence of the authorities and the
troops il is not unlikely that their entrance
would have been prevented by the bigoted
populace. A peculiar custom here is the
placing OF written appeals and prayers in
the crevices of the wall by worshiping
Hebrews who desire TO invoke the kindly
aid of Father Abraham. A recognized au-
thority quotes the following as a verbatim
copy OF one found there by visitor.
"The place is Calshe. The widow Passy
Gittal, the daughter of Keziah Sarah,
prays for health, good living and prosper
ity. and that the fabric OF Tabathin
that she makes shall be so prosperous as
TO enable her to pay her husbands debts.
Her daughter, the betrothed Deborah
Nachma-O that she be good compan-
ionl Her daughter, the virgin Tobiah
Rebekah, TO educate her TO every good
action, and her deaf son, Moses Jacob,
that he shall be healed through the mercy
OF the Lord"
Good, homely, honest, motherly prayer,
and one, let us hope, that was heard and
answered through the mediation of the
good old Father OF Israel who lies buried
in the "cave of Machpelah," along with
his beloved wife Sarah, his son Isaac, and
Rebecca, and his grandson Jacob, and
Leah. WILL +. ENGLISH.