Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-26
( A PASTORS PEGASUS
That Flew With the Wind at the
Rate of Ii Miles an Hour.
THE GAIT OF A PREACHER ABROAD.
Some Interesting Relics Brought Home
for His Congregation.
WARM WELCOME FOR THREE TOURISTS

After more than three months pilgrimage
D., pastor of the Butler Street M. e.
Church; Rev. T. J. Leak, d. D., of the
North Avenue NJ. E. Church, Allegheny,
and Rev. j. A. Ballantyne, of the Halle
wood NJ. E. Church, arrived home Saterday.
They were members of large party of min
listers from all over the United States who
left New York in February last.
All three of the Pittsburg tourists look
suuburned and healthy. They travelled
over IA 900 miles, riding considerable OF the
distance in the remoter lands on camels,
donkeys and horseback. Although they
lived good many weeks in tents. and were
frequently soaked through and through in
Syrian storms, none of the gentlemen took
even a serious cold.
RELICS FROM SACRED PLACES.
Rev. DR.. Pearce brought home 65 canes
from all the sacred places, reaching from
Jaffa all through the Holy Land. He either
cut or had them cut from trees around cele-
brated spots on the Mount of Olives, the
range of Calvary, in Italy and at various
points in Egypt. Each member OF the Off
cial Board of the Butler Street Church and
each male teacher of the Sunday school will
receive one Of these canes as a gift. Mr..
Pearce also brought about 30 paper knives
and napkin rings made Of the tame olives
about Jerusalem for the lady teachers OF his
Sabbath school. Even the pupils of the
school were remembered by the Doctor. He
had made for them, BY hand, 800 flower
cards in the converts around Jerusalem.
The nuns made them from flowers, some of
which came from the Garden Of Geth-
semena.
Beside all these things, Rev. Mr.. Pearce
brought relics Of all sorts for many of his
friends; choice collection of alabaster and
other curious stones; and probably 200 or
300 very fine, large Photographic views.
SELECTING THE HORSES.
DR.. Pearce says the most difficult part OF
the whole tour, trying alike on health and
patience, was the Syrian trip. "Yet, with
all its hardships," he adds, "I would not
have missed it. 1t was most enjoyable. the
life quite adventuresome. From those
mountains you get some OF the grandest
views imaginable" The doctor continued:
At Jaffa, on the Mediterranean, where we
commenced our Palestine tour, we selected the
horses that were to bear us from place to place.
We were confronted by LOO horses, from which
to select So We could select them ourselves,
or have our guide, or dragomAn, select them for
us. Most Of the party had the dragoman to
mako the selections but some of us who
thought we knew something about horses
made the choice ourselves, and in every case
we were well suited. The animal took proved
to be very feet and trustworthy. These Ara
bian horses are all trained for the work, and
while wild and speedy are generally safe.
LEARNING TO RIDE.
The bit used upon these horses is entirely diff.
ferent from that used in this country and 1t took
us some time to learn how to control the brutes
with the reins. After that we got accustomed
to riding the horses easy enough, all except Dr.
Leak, and he says his horse was not good fit
for him. The last day out. having finished the
Palestine tour, we camped within 30 miles Of
BeyrOut. on the old Roman road. Not having |
heard from home for 30 days, and knowing that |
letters awaited me at Beyrout. determined to
get there ahead of the balance of the party. / |
knew my horses speed well by this time so at |
o'clock the next morning started. The road |
crossed the ante-Lebanon mountain range, and |
from the point at which we started there is |
gradual ascent until you attain the height of |
about 900 feet. Up there gathered snow in |
my hands.
This Roman road is q magnificent highway.
It is wide and as smooth as marble pavement. |
In the dangerous places it is fenced with stone. |
You may go to the edge and look over the |
precIpice, but there is risk, So well protected
Is It. This is a macadamlzed road, and being |
so many centuries old, has been worked over |
and over again until it is as absolutely perfect |
was travelled by the Roman conQuerors
HIS HORSE FAIRLY FLEW.
Well, that morning my horse seemed to
fairly fly over that road. Turkish troops are |
stationed at various points, and 1 know they |
must have wondered what was the matter be-
cause 1 dashed past them so fast 1 never
urged my steed. He was SO feet, the morning
was SO fresh, and the road was so solid,
that he sped along with the wind
of his own accord. reached Beyrout in two
hours and three-quarters, covering about 30
miles in that time, without leaving a wet hair
on my horse. Our conductor had told us that |
1t would take the party five and three-Quarter
hours to make the 80 miles, Only few got
there as soon as did, and most of the party
did not arrive until from 2:30 to in the after
noon. Mine was said to be the fastest ride ever
made across the ante-Lebanon.
In honor of Rev. DR.. Pearce's return, the
Butler Street Church yesterday was beauti-
fully decorated with flowers and dollhouse
plants. Above the pulpit was an immense
floral design, on which were worked letters
reading "Welcome Home" The pastor
an able sermon in the morning,
and at night there was q special service Of