Mexico weekly ledger., 1904-12-15

4 the mountains crest. 1t was here :
hat the great test was made between !.
,od and Baal; that Elijah offered his !
high lpriestly prayer; that tire .
anne from Heaven and consumed the .
sacrifice; that the prophet sent his ser !
vant seven times to look a syn. and
hat God triumphed over Baal In the ,
hearts Of the people Of Israel. May !.
Carmel long remain Ia tell the story OF
the downfall Of idolatry. |,
All day we have been riding from
north to south across the rich and
fertile Plain Of Esdraelon. 1t has
great productive power. On the
right and on the left side OF the path
the barley and the rye in the numer-
Gus fields waived as the water OF q
great sea. 1t is the most renowned
battle field in the history OF the world.
Near Megiddo, the greatest OF Egypt
ian Monarchs, Thotmes Ill defeated
the enormous allied forces OF syria,
and received congratulations from the
mighty powers OF the east. From
rat,Jr the forces of Borak swept down
upon the tremendous army Of Sisera,
aided by a terrific rain and hail storm,
routed and put to flight the enemy,
and the torrents OF water as they rushed
madly down the Kishon carried horses,
chariots and warriors into the great
sea. And near Taanach good King
Josiah of Judah was slain by the
archers. under Pharaoh Necoh OF
Egypt. This historic battlefied-the
Plain OF Esdraelon-furnishes numer-
Gus important events for both secular
and sacred history
We camped for the night on the
southern border Of the plain-just
outside of the city Of Engannim. This
village was given to Issachor in the
allotment Of Palestine among the
twelve tribes OF Israel. 1t was trans
ferred in later years to the Levites;
has continued a prosperous city
Throughout the centuries, and marks
the southern boundary OF the delight
full country Of Galilee. Engannim Is
noted for its lovely mountain sprins,
many charming gardens and fascinat'
ing palm trees.
On the following day the sun ross
I In matches splendor; shone forth II
5 radiant brilllancy; and warmed up thu
I earth as we rode across the hill coun
G try Of Ephrian. On the northern
9 slope OF the hills, We crossed the larges
Is and most o~xtoBsiVe olive orchard IL
q Palestine; travelled a narrow vale,
between the rugged hills; and 500
= came to the small and fertile plain Q
q Dothan.
d Near the center of the plain is Cd
IS lonely hill Of Dothan. A village OF th
same name once crowned its summit
IS but time has left no trace to 1t. !
q this valley Jacobs sons were herdin
their fathers fiocks, when they spie
J. the dreamer; cast him into the pi
i. sold him to the Ishmaelites; and mad
lg him a slave in Egypt. 1t was bel
that the prophet Elisha was su
a. rounded by the enormous hosts
u Syria; prayed for the Lord TO open Il
eyes OF his servant; smote the stupeI
We dous and powerful army with bin
m ness; and conducted them TO the eli
be of Samcria- Jacobs sons and Elisl
w have erected monuments Of unmea
an ureable fame to the bill, the villae
Mt and the plain of Dothan.
IT. From Dothan, we followed the pa
southwark to the summit OF the hill
en- had a magnificent view OF suow-capp
Iul Hermon-the prince Of mountains
IL and of the blue water Of the Medits
rs ranean, the great sea; meandered do'
we a steep and rocky gorge; and, In t
l~course OF time, came TO the fruit
1ss plain Of Samaria. 1t is a wide, gret
Is fertile basin; and shut in on TIL
= sides by picturesque hills Of higf
ar elevation.
ric On the eastern border OF the vail
a large hill extends out into the pla
OF This is the hill of Samaria. 1t '
bhe purchased by King Omri, the fail
nd of Ahab, from Shemer for two tale
red of silver. On its summit, King Or
aot built the royal city Samaria; and M;
- it the capital OF the northern XII
dom.
This city was beautifully locat
strongly fortified, but lacked rig
eousness and divine favor.
Jehovah had chosen Mount Zion as
dwelling place. Ahab and Jeze
! made II a great center for idolatr
u worship. The prophet Isaiah foret
its destruction, and compared IL
fading flower. Nearly q hund
marble columns of the enormous col
made are Sill standing among
ruins. East Of the eolonnade are
ruins of an old crusaders church;
traditional tomb Of John the Bapt
Hand the ancient pool OF Samari
Just outside Of this city sat the I
lepruus men who said: why sit
here until we die 1t was here
the seventy sons OF Ahab were put
Fss the sword; their heads put Ia hask
e. and sent to Jehu at Jezerel. To
I'd. cIty, Phillip came and preached
red glorious gospel Of Jesus Christ;
hess great numbers believed or the L
py The royal city was destroyed by
IA Assyrians; the inhabitants car
lore into Babylonish captivity; and The
re- populated with foreign people. =.
81. prophet Micah gave . graphic pict
bIe Of the ruined city when he said:
did. will make Samaria as a heap of
me. field, and as pfseesfss planting Y
~, gs- yards; and | will pour down the ST
/ II thereof into the valley and / will
and cover the foundations thereof"
About seven miles southeast Of
soE. maria, across corrugated bills, d
5000 long. broad valleys.over small, croO
wadies, and in the vale Of Shechen
|, re- the interesting city Of Nablus
=. vale Is long, but narrow, and lies
txeen Mount Ebal and Mount 6
nd aim. The city is ancient Shechem
m. has 8 population Of twenty-five th
and, principally Mohammedans,