Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1911-11-17

Religion has blighted Jerusalem.
The Apostle Paul could repeat here
his famous words: 81 perceive that in
all things you are too religious" One
looks in vain for the smokestacks OF
modern industry, and for great
warehouses, or temples of business.
He sees scores of expensive modern
buildings, but all in the name of Sec
tartan religion.
Old Jerusalem, as viewed from the
hills; presented n outstanding build
ing, the Temple of the Jews. Today
the approaching traveller Is confused
by the multitude of the spires and tow
ers and noble edifices. Missions of
all kinds, and hospices and converts
and monasteries and asylsng abound.
Practically all of these are supported
from abroad. Concerning the Jewish
organizations and Jewish problems
here shall write in another article.
Christian churches: The Greek, the
Armenian, the Roman Catholic, the
Syriac, the Coptic, and the Protestant.
There are literally hundreds Of relig-
ious Institutions in Jerusalem. One
sect alone spends 100000 francs
every year for the upkeep of its mon
asteries and other Institutions.
The Rivalry for Sacred Sites.
Every holy sight imaginable has
been possessed-and many beyond the
imagination of a mere student of the
Bible. Some have even been manu-
featured, so keen is the rivalry of the
old churches to possess the holy places
that attract the pilgrims. The situa-
ton has come to such a pass that Wis
itors are scarcely shown the real antiq-
uttes of Jerusalem, SO popular with
the professional guides are the legend
airy ones. There is now afoot a plan
for an American institution of popu-
lar Biblical archaeology, supported and
controlled in the United States, which
will provide visitors from the west
with the information they really de-
sire.
The overlap Of superstition and com
mercialism and professional ecclesias.
teal rivalry which one finds in Jeru.
salem is quite as bad as may be seer
at Benares. 1t has become necessary
to station Turkish guards In the
Church of the Holy Sepulchre and in
the Church of the Nativity at Bethle'
churches from coming to blows. The
incongruity of Moslems with guns
standing guard In the birthplace OF
the Prince of Peace strikes an Amer.
! lean visitor with greater force than
any sanctity the spot may possess.
The vast pilgrimages from Europe
and Asiatic Russia are very profitable;
and as they promote national prestige
they are encouraged by the various
governments which have a stake in the
future Of Turkey. Russia maintains a
huge system of buildings, including g
large hospice for visitors. There are
also Austrian, German, French and Ital
ian hospices.
Many of these pilgrims are ignorant
\ peasants, who see nothing discordant
in the hanging Of paper flowers ant
II gilded glass balls amid the carvings
\ and ornamentation of the Holy Sepul
chre. The simplicity, dignity, wor
shipfulness and real beauty of The
i Mosque of Omar, which is in the
i keeping of the Moslems, present
! striking contrast to the famous Chris
tian shrines.
A Nazareth Carpenters Views.
The changes that are bound to trans
4 form Jerusalem and Palestine are al
ready to be seen at work. In the ba
Ears of an older day are exhibited for
g eign styles of dress, and goods o
Y American and European manufacture
S The stream of tourists from the ives
t has effected changes in fashions. TIL,
t economic conditions of the land have
r altered gravely.
d The world currents of today ar,
pouring the warm stream of transform
e ing life against the ancient east. Al
e that centuries have failed to do il
9 Palestine, the present decade SEEM
$ destined to accomplish. Periodically
/ the Holy Land has furnished the awak
!, ening motive that has made western
e civilization; but the land itself has re
9 manned largely untouched. Now Pal
estine's turn seems to have come.
Copyright, 1911, by Joseph B. Bowles.)