New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-26
A BIBLICAL MUSEUM.
THE COLLECTION STARTED BY THE REV
DIR. JOHN p. PETERS AND
THOMAS A. FULTON

one composed Of objects relating to biblical MS
tory. Yet 1t is subject which would not only
appeal to many thousands Of persons on account
OF its nature and associations. but would be
capable Of being made intensely interesting to
the general public owing to the material which
could be drawn upon for its Development Inc
nearest approach to any collection OF the kind
Is to be found In small room in the neat par
ish house of ST. Michaers Protestant Episcopal
Church. at Ninety -ninth-st. and Amsterdam
ave. The objects here might be termed kind
Of nucleus for a museum of Biblical history. DR..
John p Peters. rector of the church. and
Thomas A. Fulton are deeply interested in the
matter and place great value upon the models
and maps which in the possession Of the
church Mr. Fulton uses them constantly to
illustrate his lesson TO classes in Sunday-schooL
ard they are studied with great interest by
teachers in the school 1t was chiefly through
the efforts of Mr.. Fulton that the collection was
started. and it is his desire that there shall one
day be an adequate and creditable museum Of
this kind in the city. He says the subject is one
which is Of more interest to most people than
many of the other collections OF Antiquities
which are here and that the city is far 900 large
and important to be lacking in this branch Of
archaeology.
one Of the finest things in the st. Mchaels
which hangs upon the wall This map is one Of
only three COPIES in the United States, and has
been pronounced by experts to be one Of the
most skilful pieces Of relief mapmaking in the
world. 1t measures 5 by ( feet. and gives a
vivid idea Of the formation Of the country from
a point south Of the deep basin Of the Dead
Sea. northward beyond the Sea Of Galilee to the
mountains Of Lebanon and the Damascus re-
gion The map made from surveys by engi-
necrs in the employ If the Palestine Exploration
Fund and then hand colored by them. 1t sells
in London for 80
In some respects the large model Of the city
/ of Jerusalem in the collection surpasses the map
in interest. 1t is circular in shape showing not
only the city. but the outlying country for some
distance. In diameter the circle measures about
eight feet. and is built on the scale Of one hum
bred feet to an inch. 1t is mounted on low.
fiat base raised n couple OF feet from the floor.
/ intended 10 represent the relative height Of the
city above the Mediterranean Sea The model Is
4 necessarily Of modern Jerusalem. but the lOca-
| tons of many Of the ancient historical spots are
indicated. some II them being known to be cor
rect through discoveries which have been made
and others being supported by weiSht OF ira
diton and reasonable inference. The fortied
/ inclosur, in the eastern part Of the city, con-
c.deJ 70 H.. the ste of Solon.ons Temple is well
shown. In its centre j. the famous Mosque OF
Omar or Dora, Of the Rock. surrounding the
rock upon which tradition says that Abraham
MAS about To sacrifice Isaac. This is also
sacred spot to the Turks who hold that Ma
! homet assembled into paradise from there Ihs
| platform inclosure which surrounded the rem
/ pie is about thirty four acres in extent Among
! other interesting places shown on the model IL
/ IN. Golden Gate # IN" city Of the East. facing
/ the Mount IF Olives. 1t IS an old Mahometah
tradition that II the Christians ever got posses
sion # Jerusalem they Will enter 1T the Golden
/ Gate. hence this means # approach 10 the city
is always kept closed and guarded. The brook
/ N,dron. with it's deep valley. bordering the city
| IN the east the village of Sloan the Garden
oc G,thscmanc The Mount Of offence. where
Solomon is said 20 have worshpped idols; the
! Iin Of EVA Counsel tn Vale of Il.nnom anI
rany other historical spots are shown in theii
proper locations with respect to the city Itself
ON the western side Of Jerusalem. wlere the
! Ground is hieh are the modern settlements. The
/ group of Russian buildings and the English ano
American cemeteries are on this side Of the
| city.
| The collection also contains four small models
Of Jerusalem. showing it first AT the time Of
! M.lchizcdck. when the town was small. and
! later. as it Developed. in the time OF solomon.
Of Christ and at me present day. There is a
clever model II a Jewish tomb showing the
manner of its construction and the rolling
| stone" which WAS used in closing the entrance
A miniature Eastern house is displayed. with
the plan Of the different apartments. and an
| Eastern city gate To illustrate the manner Of
! carving on the occupations Of the time there
are miniatures OF a shecpfOld. plough and
cn,d shnyiug he Dlnughman at work. ana a