The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1896-09-24

III WHICH little cndmDer IN the wall
was built for the Prophet Elisha. The
house is square stone ruin and is used
as guesthouse for pilgrims. The fields
about Shunem are still used for farming,
as in the days when the Shumanite wo-
mans son went out to watch the reap
ers and was sunstruck. Just beyond is
stony, green place, where Naboth's
vineyard once stood. 1t is half-covered
now by a marshy pool where women
near vicinity is hallowed with sacred
associations. There is the fountain where
Gideon's 800 chosen men every one
Tapped water as dog lappeth." Here,
too, is the plain where the Midianites
encamped, and just beyond Is the rolling
country where Gideon followed them,
faint. yet pursuing" Here, too, is Gill
boa, where Saul, hemmed in on all sides
by his enemies, made his last stand.
tain side is where Saul went, as a last
resort, to seek counsel of ''the witch of
Endor."
1t is claimed that no location in Syria
is more absolutely identified than
Jacobs well. Mr.. Terhune says the we'll
has lately been excavated and flight
of several steps, with pillars at each
side, was found leading down to it's
mouth. 1t is probable that our Lord
sat on these very steps when he asked
the Samaritan woman for water Mount
Gerizim is near, and the ruins of the
synagogue are still standing-the ruins
of the synagogue referred to In the pas
sage "Our fathers worshiped in this
mountain" The well is dry most of the
time, which doubtless explains the eag-
erness of the Samaritan woman for the
water which would spring up into ever
lasting life, and whose possessor would
thirst no more.
Our traveller found Jerusalem the mec-
ca Of all sorts of cranks, for when man
tries to ride religious hobby that hob
by is always disposed to turn toward the
Holy City. Enthusiasts rush to Je-
rusalem for evidences of early Chris
tianity. Many who believe in the second
coming of Christ journey hither to await
the event and live in hand to mouth
sort of way in what is known as the box
colony. Another brand of cranks, to
which Chicago has furnished her quota,
has followed a woman who claims to be
their prophecies. They live together
in Jerusalem as free loveing communi-
ty and believe that none of them shall
see death until Christ comes. Although
several of their number have died the
faith of the remainder Is still mistaken.
Mr.. Terhune thinks that night Is the
best time to see Jerusalem. Under flood
of moonlight it seems to take on a
shadow of it's old-time beauty. 1t has
been sacked so many times, burned and
rebuilt that only at night Is it fair to
look upon. The traditional site of the
holy sepulcher is the point of chief in
terest in the city. The church which
marks the spot Is very old and on the
outside Is unsightly. The room contain
ing the sacred tomb is lined with shining
marble. Forty-three colored lights from
gold and silver lamps illumine it. Gus
tom demands that on leaving the room
visitors walk out backward, as the from
the presence of royalty. 1t has beer
proved that this church of the Holy Sc
pulcher does not mark the site Of Cal
vary. Students of archaeology claim
that the hill just north Of Jerusalem wa!
the scene of the crucifixion. This Is ar
untempled hill. In its side is a tomb
said to be the real sepulcher of Christ.
The location Of Gethsemane is also
mooted point. The Latins have incloset
one spot, the Greeks another That O.
the Latins is accepted by most. In thu
center of the garden is a great gnarlet
olive tree, very old and curious. Thu
rest of the garden is commonplace ant
well kept, with regularly laid-out bed
of marigolds, lavender and princes
feather.
On certain fete days Of the Catholi
Church the garden is a rallying poin
[ and kind of sacred picnic is held, wit
music and refreshments. Here as II
SO many places in Syria, our travele
found lepers thrusting forward thei
sore, disfigured faces and begging TO
money.
Bethany presented itself very unlik
the restful, picturesque village one con
, ceives 1t to be. 1t consists of two scor
, flat-roofed mud huts, swarming wit
vermin, ophthalmic natives, and nall
clad children. No one would imagin
it to be the spot to which Christ retire
, for rest and refreshment. This is on
{ of the places sadly disappointing to tn
enthusiast eager to tread literally in tn
, footsteps of the Master. And yet tn
dragoman admitted to Mr.. Terhune tn
, probability that the country villages !
, Palestine are very much the same nov
as they were In Christs day, and tha
! we have no reason to think this tow
was at all different STILL readers of tn
beautiful story Of Mary and Marth
E will never believe that the woman VIII
, was careful and troubled about man
: things" was poor housekeeper. What
: ever other homes in Bethany may hav
been, Martha's was surely in order.
e Referring to the decree issued in Is!