The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1890-12-10
WHERE CHRIST LIVED.
MODERN ASPECT OF MANY PLACES
IN BIBLE HISTORY.

The First Christian Church-The Mount
of observation-disclosures Scenes.
The best view of the Seaof Galileeis
from Safed, town several thousand
feet above the sea level. About this lit
tie inland sea, that is only II miles long
and between 6 and 0 miles wide, were
enacted some of the most sacred scenes
in the worlds history. There is now but
little life along the shores, for wars,
pestilence and other causes have tended
to bring what was once o rich garden
spot to ruin, 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 the Fields, scattered hocks,
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,
| let's
At the period of its 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 Tiberias, and the lavish expen-
| diture of money and labor made the
| place palatial. In addition to this the
extensive hot springs near drew many
rich and influential who were in poor
health, all combining to make Tiberias
the center of Roman civilization. The
Sea of Galilee was affected by all this.
Vessels of all kinds were numerous
quays dotted the shores and activity was
| great.
At this time Tiberias is visited by pill
| grims who come from all directions to
end their days in the holy city and to
battle in 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 south, 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 standstill by the Dead Sea-
Mounds of the rubbish are at tho 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 a distance by the tall
minare5 of the mosque.
The first Christian church there Is said
to have been built in the Fourth century
by Constantine. 1t stood on the site of
the mosque and was called St. Peters
At one time Tiberias had thirteen syna-
gogues. Tho 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 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
| nifcence 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 Herod's commands.
Tho ,,onY .act fcty,, f, 4l,o .,o,lI. 10 Mo-
dala. 1t must have been important in
its best days. 1t is even now q hating
| place on the caravan road from Jerusa-
lem to Damascus, Bagdad and Nineveh.
Khan Minyeh, believed by some to have
been the site Of ancient Capernaum, is
the next point north. Tell Hum is an
hours journey from Khan Minyeh, and
has ruins thought TO be of the syna-
gogue built by a Roman mentioned in
Luke vii, 8. They claim that it was
there Christ spoke on the BREAD of
Life Many think this point was where
Capernaum stood, and is where zebedee.
James, John, Andrew and Peter lived,
and where four disciples were called to
be "ishers of men,"
Continuing the journey spot is
reached that is accepted as the 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 Safed to the Sea of
Galilee. Below them is wide plateau
where the assembled multitude could
have been seated while listening to the
Sermon on the Mount when the sweet
ness of the Beatitudes was revealed to
them.
The two ''horns" of Hattin seem to
have been protected by massive struct-
ures. The approach to the higher one is
easy from one side, while to the north
east there is sheer ascent OF over 700
feet. The white limestone hills, the
basaltic cliffs, the modern village of
Hattin in the plain below, tho 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 scholars
believe to be the place alluded to by
Jesus when he said, "a city that is set
on hill cannot be hid"
In July, 1887 the plain,pf Hattin was
the gathering place of the Crusaders
the spot where they were hemmed 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.
Palestine Letter.