The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-05-22

IN the holy eepulcher and other sacred
places, and again assuming control found a
new, better and more liberal Judea upon
the remnant OF the old, and what moro
striking evidence Of the progressive en-
lightment OF the age and the kindly
brotherhood OF man than that the great
Christian powers should bring this restor-
alton about. In this connection IL may
be remarked that many believe there is a
great European-Asiatic power that Is al
ways scheming for religious and political
advantage that is slowly and secretly lay
ing its wires TO secure the holy land for
itself ut some opportune time of European
complication. They believe IL is the crafty
calculating government OF Russia which is
quietly but effectively enabling the Greek
church 10 get possession OF the most i'm
portant OF what are known as the sacred
places OF the holy land.
The Russian power and the Russian
church always work hand and hand, and
OF late they have become especially az
gressiYe and persistent in their dealings
with other denominations located in Pales-
tine. The Turkish government has given
the Christians nearly all of these holy sites
for monastries, converts and churches,
and most OF them we're formerly controlled
by the Latin church. but gradually the
Greeks are getting possession under one
pretext or the other backed by the great
diplomatic power OF Russia. while France
that formerly protected the Latins, seems
TO have completely abandoned them since
the fall oil Napoleon III. At sew
eral places IL is charged that the Greeks
have recently driven the Latins out by
force, and, as tho sultan cares nothing
about either. he generally yields TO the
pressure the Russian diplomates bring to
bear upon him and does not interfere TO
prevent IT,
Father Alphonse OF the Mt. Tabor Fran
ciscan monastery described 20 me tho
brutal manner in which his brother
monks had lately been driven out OF their
possessions at Cana, and said that he
would infinitely prefer to continue under
Mohammedan rule than 10 have 20 endure
that of the fanatical Greek, should
they get control of the country.
One OF our consular representatives
to Syria, a protestant and gentleman OF
information and intelligence, gave me tho
same assurance, ana declared the Mos
lens 10 be much the more tolerant of the
two. As for the. poor Jews, a great por-
ton of those now in Palestine have al
ready had a sample of Greek church toll.
erance, having been cruelty expelled from
Russia on account OF their religion, Be-
sides, the Jews have always seemed TO
prefer a residence in Mohammedan coun-
tries and under Mohammedan rulers, as
they are found in great numbers in the
Turkish and Moslem possessions. The
Hebrews OF Jerusalem, in many respects,
resemble their Mussulman brethren,
and are not the bright active,
industrious business men of that race that
we are accustomed 10 see, but on the con-
trary seem 10 lead a lazy, do-nothing life,
content 10 eat the bread ofidleness so long
as their wealthy and charitable brethren
of Europe are willing to supply ii. They
are dividedin two classes-the ''Sephar-
DIM" Spanish Jews expelled from Spain
under Ferdinand and Isabella, who are
distinguished by long curl worn on each
side OF the face In front of the ear, and the
"Ashkenazim," who are later arrivals and
of the poorer ana more ignorant classes,
such as are found in certain portions of
Russia, Poland, Bohemia, etc, being a
type almost unknown in America. The
devotion of the chosen people" to
their holy city is of the most touching
character, and l have never beheld more
affecting sight than that witnessed on Fri
day afternoons in Jerusalem at what is
known as the 'Jews' Wailing Place" at
the remains of a portion of the original
is now occupied bv the MOSQUE of Omar.
This is the most sacred spot in all the
world TO the Jews for here was inclosed
their ''holy OF holes, and these immense
blocks of stone were actually part of the
walls OF SolOmon's renowned temple.
Every Friday at $ o'clock the Jewish peo-
pie gather in great numbers at this point,
and, placing their bibles and psalters in
the crevices OF the ancient wall, they
mournfully rock their bodies TO and fro
while they weep and moan over the
lost glories Of Israel. Some venerable rabbi
or patriarch reads aloud in n sad, grief
stricken chant, while the others respond
in chorus. A well-known authority trans
lates part of a simple litany frequently
used, as follows:
Because Of the palace which
is deserted"
People-"We sit alone and weep"
Because of the temple which
is destroyed; because Of the walls which
are broken down; because Of our great
ness which is departed"
People-"We sit alone and weep"
Reader-"0h, we beseech Thee have
mercy on Zion"
People-"And gather together the chill
dren OF Jerusalem
Reader-"Let Zion find again her
kings"
People-"Comfort those who mourn
over Jerusalem"
Many besides engage in silent prayer,
while they again and again in anguish
press their lips TO the sacred stones, worn
smooth by the kisses of generations, or
turn their eyes imploringly toward
heaven, while the tears course down
their sorrowing faces This curious cere-
mony continues for some two hours, after
which all 60 direct to the synagogue and
the period of Sabbath worship begins 1t
is never TO be forgotten scene that has
been enacted here every Friday for hun
dreds of years, and even in his day St.
Jerome speaks of the Jews as paying the
Roman soldiers for permission 10 90 and
lament over their desolate temple and
city. And the poor Hebrew OF to-day is
not yet entirely free from petty persecu-
ton and annoyance in Jerusalem, and
while OF recent years even dogs OF Chris
tians" are allowed TO enter the mosque of
Omar, the despised Jew is not per-
mitted to set his foot across its
threshold, although it stands upon the
hottest OF consecrated ground to him.
While l was interestedly standing watch
ing the ceremonies at the "wailing place"
an Arab girl passed and made some insult
ing remarks as TO the Jewish infdels."