The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-27

not ceased. for moment to be venerated
holy place by the followers of some
great religious prophet Around the walls
RACED and rebuilt from time TO time, the
great religions of the world have surged and
struggled for possession OF the area; these
walls have been drenched with blood. and
the manned bodies of defender and ag-
gressor have strewn the area. Even the
Saracenic mosque now standing has changed
masters repeatedly. being taken by the CRU
saders under Godfrey. Of BouiIion. in the
year 1899. Then the cross took the place OF
the crescent. until the expulsion OF the
Christians by Saladin, when once more the
Moslem symbol was planted.
OCCUPIED BY MOSLEMS
Now the Mohammedans hold the area and
worship within the mosque built by the
great Omar. or at the prayer places here
and there within the sacred Enclosure. IL
was not until recent years that Jew OF
Christian was permitted 10 enter this in
closure, except on peril OF death. jealous
were its Moslem keepers lest the sacred
space be profaned by those who. from their
standpoint, are unbelievers. Strenuous ef-
forts were made for many years TO obtain
photographs drawings of the interior OF
the mosque. Only by strategy and bribery.
and even then at great risk, could any per-
son other than Mohammedan enter.
1t is this sacred Enclosure, with its grand
mosque and other interesting structures.
that is being reproduced at ST. Louis Dur
ing the exposition the temple area will be
given over to the Mohammedans, the gen
eral visitor, of course, being admitted. Here
the followers Of Mohammed from Jerusalem
will carry on their forms Of worship. Among
the wonderful things 10 be shown in this
transplanted temple area are the tomb OF
David. the great king Of Judea. and the
throne Of King Solomon, his son and the
builder of the temple.
The mosque is octagonal in form. each
side measuring sixty-seven feet. Various
colored marbles form the lower portion OF
the wall, arranged in intricate and beautiful
patterns. Fifty-six pointed windows OF
magnificent stained glass pierce the upper
portion. The great dome is covered with
lead. surmounted by a tall gilt crescent.
Underneath the dome is remarkable lime
stone rock of irregular shape, which Is be-
Ieved to be the natural surface of the rock
of Mount AIoriah, upon which the immense
platform supporting the mosque and the
temple area is built. An iron railing sur
rounds this sacred stone TO protect Il from
the touch of pilgrims. At one corner OF the
rock is an excavated chamber which. ac-
cording 20 Mchammedan tradition. was sue
oessively the praying place of Abraham,
David Solomon and Jesus.
In the New Jerusalem at St Louis the
Golden Gate viii be restored. This IA
nous gateway. the exact location OF which
has been lost for ages. was used in Solo
mons time and for centuries thereafter as
an entrance TO the temple area from out
side the city. The Golden Gate viii form
the mid-northern entrance 10 Jerusalem
ST. Stephens gate Is at the northwest
corner Of the wall. II was near this en-
trance 10 the Holy city where the stoning
of Stephen took place The gate leads into
the Via Dolorosa. mentioned before. IL
leads also 10 the inner gate OF 81. stephen.
through which at the exposition. the vis-
itor VIII pass into a han ia which do
rama of the Mount or olives will show
memorable scenes in the life OF Christ. the
Garden OF Gethsemane and other localities
of sacred interest being shown.
STREETS REPRODUCED. -
In the several acres OF land lying be-
tween the Church OF the Holy Scpulchre
and the temple area there Is rapidly build
ing a great array Of smaller houses exact
coaies OF the buildings that occupy the cor