The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-05-28

! various otHer damages ana disasters. II
1903 it was almost entirely burned down
the dome fell in, the chapel of the Sc
pulcher was crushed and nothing was
saved except the east part Of the build
ing. where traces Of the original walls
may stll be distinguished.
The Greeks eontrived to secure for
| themselves the larger part OF the church
when il was rebuilt In 1910 by contribut-
| ing most Of the funds to pay the ex-
Penses. For long time the dome threat
| ened to fall. but in 1865. after long nego-
tiations. an understanding was reached
between Louis Napoleon OF France, rep
resenting the Roman Catholics; Alexan-
der II OF Russia, and the liberal Sultan
Abdul Azziz Of Turkey. under which it
was repaired by a French architect at
the expense of the sovereigns named.
The original dome was secured by iron
| braces and false dome was built above
to protect 1t. The inner side OF the low
er dome was lined with lead. the exterior
CT the upper domewas covered with
boards, then with felt and lastly with
lead.
These braces were intended TO be only
temporary. 1t was expected that after
further negotiations between the repre-
sentatives Of the Greek and Latin
churches under the patronage Of Louis
Napoleon that an agreement would be
reached under which the entire church
could be restored. but the Franco Prus-
sian war. occurring a few years later,
terminated the reign of Louis Napoleon.
and since that time nothing has been
done
The dome IS said to be wreck The
plaster frequently falls from the walls,
and competent architects who have made
examinations have declared that the
chapel Of the sepulcher is again in con-
tinual danger Of being crushed by its
feeble and crumbling canopy Of iron,
stone and lead.
1t was expected that the visit OF Kaiser
William to the Holy Land IN 1888 would
be followed by important concessions TO
Protestants in Jerusalem. but nothing
has happened yet. Among other things
II was understood that a representative
Of the sultan would present the emperor
with solemn ceremony the Caenaculun.
the building IN which the Last Supper is
said TO have taken place. This building
has been In the possession OF the Turks
for a thousand years. ever since the cru
saeers. and Christian pilgrims are not
permitted to enter it, walls Some years
ago a cardinal archbishop Of the Roman
Catholic church was actually refused the
privilege Of erecting an altar and cele-
brating mass there on certain Good
Friday Tourists can get in by the lib
eral use Of baksheesh. We went with a
dragoman from the hotel and were adj
r2itted, but It costs much money, and the
children Of the custodian called Us vile
names while we were there.
The appearance Of the room does not
Justify confidence in the story. II Is =
heavily arched and vaulted chamber.
such as you End IN the cypts Of ancient
'astles and cathedrals. and adjoins what
s said to be the Tomb OF David. 1t seems
almost certain that If the Last Supper
lad occurred in such close proximity to
he grave of the great king Of Israel.
hat fact would have been mentioned in
he story as told by the disciples.
Christians are not permitted TO see the I
tomb which is also controlled by the !
Moslems, but in an adjoining room as (
shown model upon the payment Of three /
olasters. The original has occasionally |
been seen by foreigners Of influence /
through the favor Of the governor, and /
NE who saw 1t recently tells me that the
model is very much like the original. ex-
ept that ii is not so richly embelished
The tomb is an immense sarcophagus Of
ough stone covered with pail of green
attn tapestry embroidered with inscrip-
ions from the Koran in gold. Above it is
canopy OF brilliant colors, also en-
roidered. and two candles and a little
amp stand near by. and are always kept
turning. The wall and the ceiling Of the
com are vencered with tiles.
1T is possible that this is the genuine
onb of David. for his sepulcher appears
o have been known al the time of Christ
IN the day Of Pentecost Peter spoke of it,
aging. His sepulcher is with Us unto this
ay.' The present tomb has been venerat-
d continuously since the time of the en-
ress Helenaf and has not been lost sight
t since. Josephus tells that Hyracanus,
he high priest. robbed it of 1900 talents.
With which to bribe AntiocUs TO abandon
he siege of Jerusalem. and that Herod,
he Great attempted to find an immense
tore Of gold in the sarcophagus. but was
riven out OF the tomb by miraculous
ames Of fire.
Before Emperor William went 10 Jeru-
alem it was published that the sultan
ad decided TO present the Caenaculum
> him. but the story appears 10 have
cen untrue. The chief object Of the kais-
r. visit was 20 participate in the dedica-
on of new German Lutheran church.
Y far the handsomest pfece CT modern
rchitecture in Palestine. which occupies
he site OF the ancient temple Of the or
ct of Hospitalers and Knights Of ST.
ohm, presented 10 the late Emperor
frederick by the Sultan Abdul Azziz. The
tx embraced nearly n block Of ground.
hich Is stu covered with the ruins OF
he hospice Of st. John. and IS one Of the
est locations IN the city, being not more
ian a hundred yards from the Church
+ the Holy Scpulcher.
Jerusalem suffered thorough cleansing
sfore the war lord OF Germany came.
nd as have already told you. new roads
ere constructed % various points Of in
rest for his benefit Il was discovered
re afterward that he had invited rep
sentatlvcs Of the several evangelical
in the United States. but
,ly The Lutherars were represented.
WILLIAM E. CURTIS
ELL OUT OF BED AND DROWNED
leer Death Of Coiored Porter in . ,
West Side Saloon. r
Chicago. Nay e7.-Frederlck Waite.