Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-18
DAY IN BETHLEHEM.
PLACE OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS
As IT'S TODAY.
HEARTS TURNED TO IT
The Holy City OF David-ExceIIent
Description of the Surrounding
Over the Spot of Nativity.
by Rev. Or. Y. #. Sweeney.

BY Rev. DIR. Y. r. Sweeney.
On Christmas-Day the heart OF all
| Christendom turns to Bethlehem, the city
OF David and the birthplace of our Sa-
viour. What II was at that time must be
| left 10 sanctified Imagination. What 1t is
to-day may prove interesting in aiding
such an imagination. The writer presents
in this article the story Of a ride from
jerusalem to Bethlehem and around its
| environs.
The morning was an ideal one. The
rain was over. the sun shone bright, the
dust was laid, and all our party in ex-
cellent spirits. We descended 10 the VAL
| ley of Hinnom, then ascended the hill to
J the Plain of Rephaim, passing on our
! left the Hill of Evil Counsel and the
site of the country house of Caiaphas.
! We also had pointed out to us the tree
| upon which Judas hung himself. As far
| as I can judge by appearance, it must
have been at least twenty and not over
| thirty years old.
THE VALLEY OF REPHAIM
In the Valley of Rephaim David de-
feated the Philistines. coming upon them
when the sound of the wind in the tops
| of the municipalities destroyed the sound
OF his approach through the forest. Just
before reaching the summit of a rise
In the plain, We were shown this well Of
the Magi. where the star reappeared to
the wise men after departing from Jeru-
salem on their way to Bethlehem. In
the absence of any place having a better
claim, we accepted this as the spot. Soon
81 Ill
monastery, called Mar-Elyas. 1t is a
strong building, surrounded by heavy
stone walls, and evidently built with an
intent to protect the inmates from Be
douin attacks. Just opposite this was a
large rock, in which there was quite a
depression, which the monks say was
made by the body of Elijah. who slept
upon it one night i'm his flight from Queen
Jezebel. If this be true. the rock was then
much softer than now, or Elijah was a
much harder man than l supposed him to
be. Shortly after leaving the convent we
came upon sight that thrilled our souls
to the utmost. Before us, in full light
Of the morning sun. lay the beautiful city
of Bethlehem, with its white LINES one
houses and walls cleaning like a city of
marble Truly may It be called The
CITY Of David" This was the home OF
David. 1t was near here he gained his
first victory over the hon and bear IL
was here the prophet, Samuel. anolnted
him. 1t was from here that he went 10
King Saul. bearing with tender care the
harp that i'm future days should charm
away the spirit OF discord from that
wicked King. 1t was here that Dawd's
Lord became Davids son, and dwelt upon
earth among men!
Looking backward, we saw TO the west
the bald head of Nevy Samwyl. the an
cient NIzpeh. rising alOft, and upon the
right Mount Morlah. the hill OF sacrifice
up which Abraham toiled with his son
Isaac 10 offer him TO the Lord-the top
of the rock now domed with the beautiful
Mosque of omar. glittering like a silver
crown in the morning sunlight II must
be near this very spot that Abraham
caught his first view of the mountain.
when he said 10 the young men: abide
ye here with the ass. and i and the lad
will go yonder and worship, and come
again to you
Far away 10 the southwest, more than
a days journey distant, but still in plain
view, lay the Dead Sea. :leeping within
it's mountain-locked walls like an infant
in it's mothers arms. Why the Monks
OF Mar-Elyas. who could feed upon such
blessed Bible memories, should try to sat
isfy their hunger with the "east-wind"
of silly legends about Elijah, is, to me,
a most wonderful mystery.
BETHLEHEM OF TO-DAY.
Bethlehem is a town Of about 500 houses,
and claims 5000 inhabitants. The inhabi-
tants are mostly Christian, and conse-
quently clean and industrious. 1 do not
remember being asked for "Backsheesh"
while there. They are very thrifty and
Bethlehem is increasing i'm population and
wealth, like some western towns. l did
not see any real estate sign I'm the city,
but | should not be surprised If there
were considerable speculation in that line.
Just before reaching Bethlehem we came
10 Racheps Tomb. 1t is a small. modern
building, resembling r small mosque; but
l certainly believe it 10 mark the spot
where Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob.
died giving birth to Benjamin. They had
come down from Bethel And there was
but a little way to come to Ephrate."
Here. after the birth of Benjamin, ut
came 70 pass, as her soul was departing,
she called his name Benoni (son Of my
SORROW, but his father called him Benja-
min (the son of my right hanO." The
story Of Jacob and Rachel is indeed a
touching love-story. lie became SER
want seven long, weary years for her. and
so much did love tighten labor that it
seemed to Jacob but a few days, for the
y
when an aged patriarch. weary with LIES
burden, he tells in tender tones the touch
ing story OF his loss: And as for me,
when l came to Padan, Rachel died by
me in the land of Canaan. in the way.
when yet there was but a little way TO
come unto Ephrath: the same is Bethe-
hem" Every month ii is the custom OF
the Jews 10 go to the tomb and wall her
loss As we passed the tomb a number
were so engaged. 1t was a boisterous,
wild cutlery, but seemed quite mechanical.
But if we consider the length of time
she has been dead, and how soon we cease
to wall over our beloved ones, we may
not criticse them if they do not throw
as much spirit into the performance as
we think proper. Around this tomb the |
ground is covered with stones about as
thick as they can be strewn TO have any |
ground left. This is accounted for by a /
legend which says that on one occasion |
when Christ was passing along he OBJ |
served peasant sewing peas. On being |
asked by the Saviour what he was sowing |
the churl replied. stones" For this |
reply said Christ, "stOnes you Shall |