Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1904-09-15
MEXICO
and tIowerIne shrubs and trees Of eyery


and towering shrubs and trees of every
description. The air is laden with
a sweet and delightful fragrance,
nature is superly enriched by art, and
the attractive scenery develops Into
grandeur as the train enters the fam
Gus city Of Syria. Amid the dense din
of the orient, we fad our carriages
and are soon comfortably located In
the various hotels.
Damascus is in the shape OF spoon.
1t was a city when Abraham entered.
Canaan. In speaking to Jehova,
Abraham said: "And the steward Of
Imy house is this EIiezer Of Damascus.
The probable date OF this utterance is
B. @. 1000 1t isa dirty, unkept an
cient city. Its population is one hum
dred and sixty Thousand; one hundred
and twenty thousand Mohammedans,
and forty thousand Christians. Every
street In the city is as crooked as
dogs hind leg except the street called
Straight and it is as straight as an
arrow There are no windows in the
side Of the houses toward the streets,
but many OF the homes have large,
lovely court in the rear Damascus is
said to be The Oldest city ia the world.
1t was walled city; large portions
OF the wall are still standing. The
wall was pierced by seven gates The
most important of which was Bagday
gate. 1t is we'll preserved There is
an ancient inscription over it which
no one is able To reveal to the word.
The Bagday gate shows exceedingly
ancient architecture
The Mohammedan cemetery Is In
the southern portion Of the city. II
is a large area of ground, and number
less graves cover 1t. The tombs in
clude the rich as well as the poor; the
honored as we'll as the dishonored.
They contain the dust OF Mohammed's
wife and daughter, Fatina Their
graves are In the center Of the ceme-
terry and under a beautiful two story
octagon shaped structure. The build
Ing and graves are well taken care OF
by the Mohammedans.
Near the Great Mosque, In the
center Of the city is the tomb Of
Saladln. 1t is idolized and many Of
the natives worship It. Every pre-
caution is taken to preserve the place,
and great efforts are made to bestow
worldwide fame upon 1t. He was the
greatest leader Of the Mohammedans.
The most important street In Dam
ascus is the street called Straight. 1t
runs almost due east and west. Near
the west end and on the south side OF
the street is an old building which is
pointed out as the house OF Judas. In
this house, Paul remained three days
in prayer and without food, had his
great vision from God Of Ananias, and
miracuously received his sight. Ii
stands amid old rusty walls, dingy and
nnsightly shops, and presents an un-
popular appearance.
Near the east end and one block
north Of the street is a house, which
the guides point out as the home Of
Ananias. He was the man who re-
ceiyed the vision from the Lord, went
to the house of Judas, explained tht
Lords will to Paul, and baptized the
A postle. The entrance to the house
is made through a court, one smal
room and down a flight Of stairs. II
is owned by the Greek Catholics. They
have converted the room into a chapel
Candles were burning before tht
Altar. The Greeks were bowling be
fore the shrine, and endeavoring Il
honor God with their service. Tht
old house Of Ananias points people t.
a holier life.
After Paul was baptized by Ananial
he Immediately proclaimed, in th,
Synagogues, Jesus the Son Of God. HI
confounded the Jews with his logic
land proved conclusively TO them thai
Jesus was the Christ. Being defeated
they took counsel to kill the Apostle
and watched the gates Of the city botl
day and night The Christians learn
ed of the plot and lowered Paul in !
basket, one night from a window II
the watch tower, near the southeas
lgate of the city, and he returned d
Jerusalem. This portion Of the olt
wall is still standing, and the guide
point out the window with much salts
faction as they relate the incident.
am sure Of the event but not Of th'
place.
The house of Noaman, the CAPITA II
of the host Of the King Of Syria, ant
the leper whom the prophet Elish'
healed, stands outside Of the old cit.
wall, and In the southern portion o
the city. 1t is an old building in ruins
At the present time 1t is used TO
lepers and called Leper's Hospital. Ii
IL were confined fifty-fve lepers. The.
have access to an open court In thI
rear of the old building. It is a sad
sickening and heartrending place
| May these outcast, diseased, and for
lorned people receive the God of Elishi
into their lives. The people are sur
that the Leper's Hospital stands OF
the site of Noaman's Palace, bu
admit that the old building may hav,
been constructed since. 1t has passet
from revelry to service.
Damascus is the largest city Ii
lSyria; made famous by floral gardens
historic interest, tomb of Solodin
houses OF Judas and Ananias, Pau
preaching and miraculous escape
Damascus is today far from the grea
truth which Paul preached In th'
city. May the people repent, come Il
Gross, and be saved while opportunit,
is given them. Damascus is heather
city of sin.
| Little Child Dead.
William, the 5-months-old son o
Mr. and Mrs. William Holbrook, o