The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1901-05-29

was once l55 feet high, hut the base is
now covered to quite distance with de-
bris. 4 part OF the original wall is said /.
to be vi, ible. Large stones 20 feet long, |
four wide, fitted so closely that a enile !
blade cannot be insel ted are now in the
wall, and difference between these stones
and this work and what lies about is
marked.
The usual places of interest were visit
ed. The church of the Holy Sepulcher
was ful Of pilgrims from all lands and
the holy relies and places were, to our
eyes, idolatrously leverenced. Tho stone
where the body was embalmed was place
" here the devotion was parti ularly no.
ticed. Kneeing before the slab, which
rested on step about foot high, they
would tow, laying their faces upon it,
kissing it most ardently and laying coins,
handkerchiefs aud even rags aud paper
upon it and then turned away while their
lips moved in earnest prayer. This was
true of many other things in the temple,
the tomb itself, the cover, the cradle, &c.
We followed the Via Dolorosa from Pi-
late's Judgment Hall till it seemed lost
in the scramble to locate the real place of
the crucitiNion. New Calvary, as il is
called because only recently accepted as
the real Calvary by many, is jnst outside
the city wall east Of the Damascus gate
aud seems to fulfil the scriptural ac-
count.
On the sight of the temple now stands
Mohamedan mosque built over the
threshing floor David brought from Aru-
nah, and said to be the costlest
mosque in the world. 1t is octagonal in
form and constructed OF beautiful marble
all finished and carved with wonderful
skill. Everywhere costly lamps are
hanging, some of them richly adorned
With crystal glass pendants. ! do not
think it is intended as place OF worship
as we understand that term, but rather a
place of relic veneration. l saw pilgrims
reach their hands through the grating
that surrounded the rock and rub their
faces, often kissing the hand that touched
/ the stone. Two o. the Prophets hairs
are there in a case. These | did not see.
Just south of this in the same area is the
mosque Of FL Aksu where they show the
prints OF the Savior's feet in rock. One
turns away fro II all these things with
very min.l led feelings. The Greeks, Lat
/ ins and Mohamedans have located every
important place and have built church
over it.
When speaking of tine sea of Galilee
one day a member of the party asked in
a semi-serious manner il a church had
been built over that yet. l shall only
mention one other place visited here aud
that is the Upper Room underneath
which David's tomb is said 10 he.
Only three OF us made this trip as it
was done very early on tie morning we
lett Jerusalem and was not without some
unusual proceeding. Our dragomen and
guides had told us that it could not be
seen on account Of very fanatic Mohame-
dams, who dwe't in that part of tue city
ohu Nhb Noith nv PCi ulAt hil bht ~ ~
there. Ofcourse this only increased our
desire to go while a, the same time we
did not feel like taking too great risks.
One of our number saw DIR. Merrill, our
Consul, and secured his kawass or spec.
ial representative, and also sollier, The
former leading the way and the latter
bringing up the rear. The trip was made
without incident, however, but how
much we owe to these men OF freedom
from molestation we do not know. The
place was an old house recently repaired
just outside Zion's gate aud looked to be
suited TO the purpose, and with the ada.
cent room sufficiently large to shelter the
one hundred and twenty who remained
here waiting for the descent of the Holy
Spirit.
Although Jerusalem is situated in the
midst of rocky, barren hills for the most
part, and in country badly watered one
can see how the Jewish heart could cling
to it and in his exile say, GLOW can
we sing the songs of Zion in a strange
land" 'If forget thee, o Jerusalem,
let my right hand forget her cunning"
In my next letter shall tell you of our
camping trip which l.had neither time
nor disposition TO write.
Very sincerely.
l. V MrANtNru