The Portland daily press., 1890-12-20
WHERE CHRIST LIVED.
Modern Aspect of Many Places In
Bible History,
Palestine letter.


Bible History.
Palestine letter.
The best view Of the Sea of Galilee is
from Safed, II town several thousand
feet above the sea level About this lit
tie inland sea, that is only II miles long
enacted some Of the most sacred scenes
in the worlds history. There is now but
little life along the shores, for wars,
pestiience and other causes have tended
to bring what was once rich garden
spot to rnin, but there can still be wit
messed the daily occurrences told Of in
Scripture. There are fishermen casting
their nets, sheep following good shep-
herds, lilies in theiields, scattered focks,
and the sea is tossed by sudden storms.
The eastern coast is possessed by Bedou-
ms, and the western side, once thickly
populated by hardy, energetic mount
aineers in favor with Christ, is quite
desolate, with only few scattered ham
lets.
At the period of it's prosperity, when
Christ was living at Nazareth with his
parents, the country was under Roman
government, Herod being the ruler. A
high state of excitement prevailed. The
Roman yoke was heavy upon the Jews
and conflicts were frequent. Herod was
living at Liberals. and The lavish expen-
diture Of money AL labor made the
place palatial In allitioa to this the
extensive hot springs r@lr drew many
rich and Influential who were in poor
health, all c0uln ii:t5 10 make Liberals
the center Of Romaa civilization The
Sea OF G;slilee was affected by all this
Vessels of all kinds were numerous
quays dotted the shores and activity was
great.
At this tin.a IiEcrias is visited by pill
grims who Uoine from all directions to
end their days il the holy city and to
battle i'll the springs South Of these
baths on the western shore there is moth
ing of interest but the departure of the
Jordan from the sea- The river con-
tinues to the solth, running through
| fertile meadows and between the hills
which border it. A ford is there For
merly there was bridge. with long,
extended causeway A great sea wall
kept the turbulent waters under control
Even now the Jordan often plunges and
| swirls as though maddened by the inter
ruption of the lake and drives hastily
onward, only to be intercepted again and
brought to a standstill by the Dead Sea-
Mounds of the rubbish are at the south
ern end of the Sea of Galilee, they being
all there is to show where the Roman
city of Tarichea once stood. Tiberias
can be fixed from distance by the tall
minaret of the mosque.
The first Christian church there is said
to have been built in the Fourth century
by Constantine. 1t stool on the site Of
the mosque and was called st. Peters
At one time Tiberias had thirteen syna-
gogues. The Oldest is yet well preserved,
although 1000 years and over have
passed since it was erected. Its roof is
supported by stone arches and columns.
In the center is q great cagelike inclos-
ure constructed of wood, which is dried
and twisted by centuries Of exposure,
but yet as sound as when hewed from
the log. This is the reading place.
Ascending the steps which lead to the
interior the rabbi opened the scroll and
began to teach the law Beyond this
there is but little to interest The mag
nilcence OF the past has succumbed to
present needs. Millstones are cut from
the syenite columns or temples, porphyry
columns are cut out for public drinking
troughs, and floors for thrashers are
paved with frieze chiseled with Greek
designs by Herods commands
The nearest town to the north is Mag
dala. 1t must have been important in
its best days 1t is even now n hating
| place on the caravan road from Jerusa-
lem to Damascus, Bagdad ana Nineveh.
Khan Minyeh, believed by some TO have
been the site Of ancient Capcrnaum, is
the next point north Tell Hum is an
hours journey from Khan Minyeh, and
has ruins thought TO ba OF the syna-
gogue built by a Roman mentioned in
Luke vii, s. They claim that it was
| there Christ spoke Oh the Bread of
Life. Many think this p3iut was where
Capernaum stood, anl il VII E. zebedee
James, John, Andrew ard Peter lived,
and where four Disciples were called to
be FISHERS of men.
Continuing the journey Il SPOT is
reached that is accepted ~ thr place
where Jesus sat when teaching the
multitudes" who followed him 'Ku-
run Hattin"-the Horns Of Hattin"-
the supposed Mount of the Beatitudes"
are upon the mountain ridge followed
in journeying from Safel to the Sea of
Galilee. Below them is IL wide plateau
where the assembled multitude could
have been seated while listening to the
Sermon Oh the Mount when the sweet
ness Of the Beattudes was revealed to
them
The two horns" of Hattin seem to
have been protected by massive struct-
urea. The approach to the higher one is
easy from one side. while to the north.
east there is n sheer ascent OF over 700
feet. The Whit limestone hills, tho
basaltic cliffs, the modern village of
Hattin in the plain below, the orange
groves and the fruit gardens, the waving
grain, the varied families of flowers and
the group of Druse farmers present pict-
ures at every glance.
from the historical mountain TOP is
seen Sared, the city which some scholar
believe to be the place alluded to by
Jesus when he said, "a city that is set
on hill cannot be hid"
In July, 1857, the plain Of Hattin was
the gathering place of the Crusaders
the spot where they were hemmcd in by
the hosts that Saladin led against them
The mountains of the Hauran on the
east and the Jaulan On the south are
visible. When the air is clear the line
OF the Jordan may be made out creep
ing through the jungle to the Dead Sea.
Exploring for Water.