Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1896-06-01
ARK OF THE COVENANT.
PRICELEss HIDDES TRE isUREs
an KING mENELIK's REALM.
Ark, Table. orstone, seven -Brancbed
CnrdIestick- ueneIik son Of Sol
ONION snd thc Queen of sheba.
King Menelik of Abyssinia has

restored within his domiuions, he
will permit commission of
European scientists to- make an
exhaustive examination of the
vaults Of the cathedral church of
Axum, where the monarchs of
Ethiopia have been crowned from
time immemorial. A widespread
tradition of the Mosiem world as
serts that il is within the ancient
vault of this structure that the
Ark of the Covenant is preserved,
along with the tables of stone con-
tanning the Ten Commandments,
and which Moses brought down
from Mount Sinai.
The seven-branched CANDLE
stick of gold, which figured in the
Holy of Holes of the Temple of
Solomon, at Jerusalem, is said to
be preserved in these vaults,
which are also known to contain
mass of ancient papyri and
other manuscripts that are in an
excellent state of preservation,
but have never been translated or
annotated.
1t Is no mere vague tradition
handed down from father to son
which has transmitted to genera
tions of Abyssinians the story of
how these priceless treasures came
to repose in the Cathedral of
Axum. The story of their pro-
curement by the rulers of the
country and of their being de-
posted within these sacred vaults
Is specific, particular, and de-
tailed.
1t is told how they were brought
from Jerusalem to Abyssinia by
the founder of the present reign
ing dynasty, the first of the En-
perors, Menelik, who was the son
of King Solomon of Israel and of
that Biblical Queen of Sheba, who
is on record as having carried on
very pronounced Irritation with
the ruler of the Jews. This orig
inal Menelik is frequently re-
ferred to in the Song of Solomon,
to be found in the Protestant
Bible.
Although, as authentic history
teaches, born after the return Of
his mother to her own dominion,
he was brought up at the court of
his father at Jerusalem. He re-
manned there until the first des-
truction and sacking of Jerusalem
and the pillage of the Temple of
Solomon by Shishak, King of
Egypt.
Immediately before the des-
truction of the Temple Menelik
fed back to Abyssinia. He carried
with him for safekeeping the trea-
sures OF that structure, which were
threatened with seizure and defle-
ment.
1t is positively asserted by
Abyssinian tradition that he car
ried back with him the tables of
stone, the ark of the covenant,
and the seven branched candle
stick. These he deposited in the
interior of that huge granite pile
while constitutes the pedestal of
the ancient Abyssinian temple of
Axum, long ante-dating the Chris
tian era, and where the rulers of
ETHIOPIA have been crowned from
the earliest times, .|.
The present Cathedral of Axum
is alleged by pious tradition of
the people to have been designed
by no less a parsonage than Saint
Joseph, the husband Of the Virgin
Mary. 1t is quadrilateral build
ing of considerable height and
grandeur.
It is built on the summit of
species of granite pyramid, the
remnant of heathen temple that
formerly occupied this site. 1t is
within the interior of this pyra.
mid that the vaults are situated
which King Menelik. has now
promised to throw open to the in
spection of the European archeol-
ogists, and where Biblical treas
ures of untold value are almost
certain to be found.
According to the dusky mon
arch's own account the vaults of
the monastery, which is of enor-
nous size and built upon rock,
are filled with papyri and parch-
nents and books of every descrip-
ion. The books fare believed to
nave been sent thither at the time
,f tha Mnhammednn inunSinn nfI l.