Mexico weekly ledger., 1904-12-29
fHE GRBAf SEA AND
TIE HoLF LAND.


IsWrTER NO. 10.
Having camped for the night be-
tween Mount Ebnl and Mount Cert
sim, we rose with the sun and resum-
ed our journey. Mount Ebal-called
the Mount Of CursIng"-is is on the
north side Of the vale OF Shechein.
From It the curses Of Jehovah were
proclaimed 70 the people OF Israel on
the yiolators Of the law, consequently
the name Mount Of Cursing.n Its
summit rises three thousand and
seventy-six feet above the level Of the
yea. Mount Gerizim = called the
''Mouns Of BlessIng''--is on the south
side OF the vale Of Shechem. From
II, the blessings OF Jehovah were pro.
claimed TO the people Of Israel on the
keepers Of the law, consequently the
name Mount 0f Blessing" Its sum-
init rises twenty.eight hundred and
forty eight feet above the level OF the
sea. Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim
are the two most historic mountains
In the hill country OF Ephraim.
About two miles east OF Shechem
the valley broaders and forms the
plain OF Moreh. The plain is care
fully cultivated, and furnishes a
heavy yield. This field Is the parcel
OF ground which Jacob bought from
the children Of Hamor; for 1t was at
the mouth Of the valley. The land Is
consecrated to the memory OF Jacob
by the well which he dug and trans
mitted to his defendants. The ruins
Of an old Crusaders church are scatter.
ed over the little knoll and around
the entrance to the we'll You des-
cend fight Of eight or ten steps
walk TO the center Of large opening
like room, and gaze on the well iden
titled well OF Jacob. Jesus sat by this
we'll, when the Samaritan woman
came for water, and led her into the
glorious services Of God. May this well
long remain as a monument to the
saving power Of Jesus.
Some four furlongs north, across the
mouth OF the vale, and on the lowel
slope of Mount Ebal is the village o.
Sychar. Among the inhabitants liver
the wicked Samaritan woman; whit
had been married to five men and whit
was, at that time, living with mar
in open adultery. Jesus taught he
the way of service, gave her the waite
Of eternal life and received muel
praise from her salvation. Sycho
adds increased interest in winning
souls.
In the middle Of the valley, abou
hallway between the village Of Sycha
and Jacobs well is the lovely tomb o
Joseph. 1t is covered with larg'
dome and has the appearance of al
ancient sepuleher. The children o
Israel brought the bones Of Josepl
"up out OF Egypt and buried then
them here IN the presence OF the pee
pie Of Israel. The Mohammedan
claim that the bones OF Joseph wer
removed from this tomb, and place
in the Cave OF Macpelah with th
patriarchs In Hebron. The tomb o
Joseph is identified by Mohammedans
samarltans. Jews and Christians.
Curving TO the right, the road lead
: ,,round tbe eastern base Of Noun
oriA~igin and y1lrns southwark alon
NsstasEs border Of the fertile plaiI
A-2s the plain, rises many cone
he s4nills, and when the early morn
going casts his pink luster upo
Thasnmits, the landscape fade
mer scene OF matchless splendor.
tolae three miles south, ON the ives
- slope OF a hill, and across the fields I
the left is the ancient tomb OF Eleazol
the son OF Aaron. He was annointe
into the priesthood; bis fathers ASST
tant; the chief OF the Leyites; an
AarOn's successor. IL is old, sacred
and little worn. The sepulcher {
Eleazar marks the resting place {
the righteous dead.
Gradually ascending, athwart PR
cipitous gorges, the road zigzags
high range of hills, and reaches
small and charming plateau on tn
summit. This elevation affords on
of the loyeliest views in the hi
country OF Ephraim. To the eas
rise the hills Of Gilead; TO the mort
peerless snow-coyered Hermon; to th
west the hills OF Emphraing, and /
the south Baal Hazor. From the sun
NIT the road meanders down a deeI
rocky rayine, and enters the lonl
narrow plain OF Lebonah. Near tn
southwestern portion of the plain,
the vineyards along the roadside,
where the BenjaminiteS bid an
caught the girls for wives who cam
out Of Shiloh to dance.
To the southeast about three mile
up long, precipitous gorge, and O
the east side Of the highway, are th
ruins OF ancient Shiloh. These ruin
consist Of Jewish synagogue and
Crusaders church. In all probabilit
the site Of the tabernacle was th
large, level court on the spur Of tn
hill. The ''slow waters OF Shiloh" ar
30 the northeast, up a secluded valley
The hill sides are covered with oil
tomhs cut In the rocks. In some Q
these sepulchres, no doubt, the bodie
OF some of the noble leaders Of Israt
mouldered 10 dust. This was the n
ligious center Of the kingdom and tb
resting place Of the tabernacle for NOR
than three hundred years. IL was her
that Joshua completed by lot the
The Cause of Many