The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1903-04-29

LETTER x.
BAY oFAcRE,
5. S. KAIsERiN MARIA THEREsIA, :
Monday, p. NJ, March o, 1903
BAY oFAcRE.

MONDAY, p. ~, Marcn ., ISOo }
DEAR JUICE :--We have just re
turned to the ship from our tour
through Galilee. Early Thursday
morning 1 landed at Haifa beauti-
fully situated at tho southern end
If the bay against the foot of Mt.
Carmel In a few minutes DR..
Buckner and l entered a carriage
and began the ascent of the noun
tain so famous and sacred in Bible
history. 1t rises green and sym
metrical $50 feet above the water at
Haifa and before reaching its east
ern terminus it reaches a height of
nearly 1900 feet. This was fav-
orite resort of Elijah and Elisha.
No far from its summit on high
plateau, supplied with abundant
water, is the scene OF a great crisis
in the religious history of Israel.
The influence of Jezebei had COM
passed the death of every Israelito,
priest, prophet or layman, known
to be believer in Jehovah, upon
whom she could lay her hand. She
kept 400 preachers of the obscene
goddess and consort of Baal at her
table. There were $50 of Baal's
preachers also present on this
mount to participate in this memo :
rial debate-850 preachers on one
side and the stern and lone Elijah
on the other. Read the thrilling
history. AT the foot of the noun
tain still rises a rounded green
knoll, called "the mound of the
preachers" where, 1t is supposed,
the ashes of the $50 preachers who
lost in the debate, now sleep.
From this mountain to the village
of Shunem, sixteen miles away
across the plain, Elisha went with
the bereaved mother to restore to
her from the grasp of death, her
only child. The Bible student
who stands on this green and fra
grant mountain is transported by
the scenes of innumerable historic
deeds that have affected the for
tunes of the human race. There
is no good reason for attempting in
a brief letter a task that would
cover scores of pages.
In the afternoon l drove in the
surf and sand around the crescent
bay ten miles to old Acre, around
which stand ancient walls and for
tresses. Thousands of Knights
and crusaders fought and fell be-
hind these ramparts; and there
still grin in the great walls, balls
from the cannon of the great Ma
poleon and from the British feet.
The venerable Turkish governor
received us with cordiality and
courtly dignity. Our youngest
host was only AZ hours old, his
beautiful mother officiating at the
door with all womanly grace. !
advised them to shade the pretty,
black eyes Of the babe from the
glaring light, but doubtless the
doting mothers vanity will cost
the eyesight of her sweet, young
child.
Groves of date palms, oranges,
almonds and other fruits flourish
around this bay. The massive walls
&c &c :. Gro enclose 90 acres anu popu.
lation of 10000. 1t is beautifully
situated at the junction Of the
famous old Belus river with the
bay. Thousands of solemn old
camels laden with the products of
the East, enter Acre every day.
There Paul ended his sea voyage
on his last journey to Jerusalem,
saluted the brethren and conlinu-
ed with them one day. l returned
to Haifa along the road which,
perhaps, Paul travelled afoot.
Haifa is the ancient Achshaph
whose king and army We're part of
the countless host with Jabin when
Joshua smote them at lake Merom
Achshaph means "facination" and
it must have been true to it's name