Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-21

lonely spot, as well as the most sublime.
I have ever visited. 1t Is owned and &C.
cupied by Greek orthodox monks from
the 1onian Islands, and their existence
there through the centuries has been a
dramatic and heroic struggle for exist
ence. Their nonastic rule is one of the
most rigid in existence and they have
been veritable knights Of the cross. With
in the wall of the monastery is the well
where Moses helped to water Jethro' g
flocks and won the latter's daughter for
his wife. The Chapel of the Burning
Bush, another to Elijah and the stairway
up the Mountain of Notes.-The Mountain
Of the Law-are the pilgrim shrines of
Sinai
1.-THE library of the monastery contains
one of the most interesting collections OF
manuscript books in existence and thou
sand other objects that speak eloquently
Of the passing centuries. But greater
than all the legends and shrines are the
Irdescribable beauties and grandeur of
those granite mountains connected with
the giving of the Ten Commandments
and the Fundamental principles of all the
best moral laws Of the world.
1T is no accident that the Oldest geo.
logical formations of our planet are
linked with the promulgation of the divine
law. There is a magnificent correspond
ence between the granite cliffs of Sinai
and the Interchangeable foundation of NOR
al truth. Later on We laid these over
grandeur along with those of the quieter
beauties of lovely Galilee and came back
to life's duties with a new revelation OF
God for our fellOw-men.
Miles of Desert.
Between Egypt and Sinai the route OF
the children of Israel is easily located, as
also from Sinai to the shore of the Red
sea again, but between Hereroth and the
81
desert where they wandered many years
and there lie the most perplexing prob.
lens of the exodus. We gathered many
facts and brought away a fine series OF
photogra phs that will tell the story better
than words alone can do. Between Sinai
and the Gulf OF Akaba was journey OF
three and one-half days, in which we saw
water only twice and once only at ou1
camping place. Then we had two de-
lightful days along the seashOre, where
we bathed in its clear water and picked
thousands of shells from the millions tina,
lay at our feet.
we'll, little bay and an Egypt an fort
which was occupied by many Egyptian
soldiers until the boundary dispute was
settled three years ago. when Great Brit
ain told Turkey to get back behind the
Akaba line or she would know the reason
why Since then the fort at Nuweiba has
been occupied by a garrison Of three sol
diers who remain to guard the building
hoist the Egyptian flag and look after
the one cannon left in the fort. \ we'll OF
good water is the most important posses
sion of the whole location.
1.-Two days later We came in sight OF
the famous Boundary Pillars, which ex-
tend from this point near Akaba across
the peninsula northwest to the Mediter-
ranean sea at Arish. The pillar nearest
the sea stands rocky emil. ence 1Os
feet above the water and with its finely
built base of masonry is fully thirty fee,
high. Then back some thousand yards or
a high peak is the second pillar. thus Civ.
ing the line or direction of the whole
boundary. 1t was interesting to see these
marks in the wilderness, for they spoke
away.
Present Striking Contrast.
"Akaba, at the head of the gulf of the
same name. is a beautiful spot seen from
a distance-beeause of it's oasis-like clus.
tiers of palm trees and the shimmerine
sea at their base. But the town itself is
wretchedness and filth personhed Rain
seldom falls here and the dirty inhabi-
tants drink from brackish and almost pu.
trid wells. The old castle or caravansary
is half in ruins and the other buildings
are moldering mud heaps. If one heavy
rain ever came these houses would crum-
BILE into ruin IN a few hours.
The people are despicabie, poor IL
ing lived like leeches on the Egyptian
caravans to Mecca. for centuries Nov
that the greater part Of the pilgrim.