Goldsboro semi-weekly argus., 1909-08-04

De seen ana rarely any spot OF lant
\ that is cultivated. There are signs
however, that many years ago thes'
| hillsides were in cultivation, there be
| ing traces of terraces on the noun
tain slopes.
We finally reach the site of ancien
Jericho, on which stands some poorl!
built mud-houses and a few hotels
which are patronized by tourists
Some German archaeologists are now
engaged in excavating; they claim tt
have uncovered some of the ancient
city walls. Close by is Elisha's Foun.
tain, and up a rugged mountain is the
wilderness where Christ is supposed
to have been tempted by the Devil. WE
drive over the Plain of Jericho, a bar
rem country which has all the appear
ance of once having been very fertile
land and known as the land flowing
with milk and honey" and soon are
on the edge of the Dead Sea. You
see no signs of life except a few vend,
ers of souvenirs inhabiting hut. The
waters are bitter and salty, contain
ing a large amount of chloride of
magnesium; in solution one-fourth is
said to be solid matter, and no living
animal is ever found in this sea.
Abount two miles further up we
strike the ford of the river Jordan.
Many events, according to Bible his
tory, have taken place here. The Is
raefites are supposed to have crossed
dry shod, so also the prophets Elijah
tism of Christ by John the Baptist
took. place. Here also Simon the
Leper is supposed to have been cured
This place is daily visited by pilgrims
of various nationalities. For a novel
ty our party took a canoe ride a short
distance up stream. The current here
is very swift and the water quite
muddy with red clay. Across the Jor-
dan are the Mountains of Moab. These
appear considerably higher
than those of Judea, and it was from
the former Moses was permitted to
see Palestine, whose soil he was not
permitted to tread.
After nights stay in the Tavern of
Jericho we fastened back to Jerusa-
lem. On our way we visited what was
pointed out to us as the house of Mar
tina and Mary, also the tomb of Laza-
rus and the Church of the Lords
Prayer at Mount Olivet. This derives
it's name because the lords Prayer is
engraved in marble tablets in all
known languages.
We also visit the Garden of Geth-
semane, a beautifully kept garden, in
size about one acre, surrounded by a
stone wall. In this garden Christ
walked the night before the crucifix-
ion. On the outside of the wall I saw
quite a lot of beggars, sitting against
the wall with palms outstretched for
aims. Their appearance was abhor-
rent. AS l approached them / saw
some were almost blind, others with
out fingers, still other without ears,
ed from laying some small coins in
their hands by some of my compan-
ions who called me back peremptori-
ly, saying "They are lepers." | did
not realize until then that these un-
fortunate people were suffering from
Our next trip was to Bethlehem,
only some sixteen miles east of the
city over very good road. We Wis
tied the place of Christ's nativity,
large basilica is built over the place
and to reach it you descend a stair
way. 1t is claimed that the place is
authentic. Bethlehem is quite
thriving village; it is celebrated for
the manufacture of many articles,
souvenirs of Olive wood, many artistic
trinkets. The Bethlehem women are
noted for their beauty, reputation
justly earned. Bethlehem, as we'll as
it's neighboring country, is associated
with many historic events. Just be-
low the village is the valley where
the romance of Ruth took place. Here
is where David was born, as we'll as
Joab and others of his generals. On
the opposite side Of the road is point
ed out the birthplace of King Saul.
The nlausoleum or tomb of Rachel
stands against the road about halfway
from Jerusalem. Near this place
many battles were fought between the
Israelites and the Philistines,
We have but one day left to visit
some of the charitable institutions
outside the city. Fortunately / met a
man at our hotel (who hailed from my
native town in Germany, in fact, was
born in my parental honey whose fa-
ther / knew well. He had charge of a
large hospital and volunteered to be
our guide. We found quite number
of institutions splendidly conducted; !;
we visited several technical schools,
some art schools, training schools,
hospitals, and old peoples homes. All
of them are supported by donations
sent here from all parts of the world
and all are deserving institutions. II
is a pity that more Of the inhabitants
of the walled city could not be placed
in such institutions-what a lot OF
suffering could be obviated!
understand there are several large
Jewish agricultural colonies started