Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1912-12-22
MY VISIT TO BETHLEHEM

Next to Jerusalem it is the most sac
red place on earth. Four whole days
had already spent in the Holy City.
My childish reverence fer it has
been usurped by a satisfying know
ledge, ripaning into perfect consum-
nation. was SO happy, yes-su-
prermely. happy that beautiful Spring
morning as I'VE drove from sacred
jerusalem to blessed Bethlehem.
Amongst the very first places Of in
serest was the traditional site where
and dispa.ring Judas 1scariot filled
with remorse and bursting with grief,
committed suicide Matt. 27:3-5.)
Almost every mile of the journey is
now fraught with sacred story. Soon
we came to a we'll and We were told
how the wise men after leaving Herod's
court, were at loss to know which
way, to- take. but iourneyed blindly on.
After a while, being weary and faint,
they stopped at well and looked
therein for water, when 10! they saw
reflected the wonderous star. His
star tina. had guided them from their
own country. :,
They rejoiced 1as it beckoned them
on, on to Bethlehem. Today the
simple native believe when virg
looks into this well, she can behold
the, Star of bethlehem.
On the top Of nearby hill is the
Convent of Elijah, and deep degrees
sion in the rock is where, they say,
EIijanD sat don to rest when he was
flee ng from the old woman, Jezabel.
q Kings 19:1-4) sat down in the
same position, not that any old wo-
man was after me- but to let pho
tcgrarher take picture Of the place
and Of me.
A short distance to our left were
the RUNS Of sthes chape of Habakkuk,
tuilt &to comm emopate legend which
Debates when Daniel had been in the
lions den for six days that the angel
Of the. Lord commanded the Prophet
HahakKuk, who was carrying pottage
to his harvest hands. to take the food
to Daniel, but he refused, whereup~
on, the angel picked him up by the
Aair and carried HIN to Babylon.
Our attention was called to plot
Of ground near by which was covered
with very small stones. Our guide
told us that when Christ passed that
way He saw a man In the field SOW
ing peas or lentals. what sowest
thou?' asked the Master. II am SOW
ing stones" impertinently replied the
smart sewer. "Stones then shalt thou
reap" solomnly said our Lord. The
peasant folk think that this is why
The earth is covered with those pc
culisrly pea-shaped stones.
About twenty minutes drive from
this place brought us to the Tomb OF
Rachel, which is one of the undis-
..uted sites in all Palestine. 1t is
revered by + Jews, Moslens, and
Christians-all except the foolish
modern tourest and souvenier hunter.
They have d.sfigured it by chipping
away PIECES Of marble and cutting
their names all over the walls Of the
interior.
The building is rather spacious
with an unpretentous dome. We stood
with uncovered heads while Brother
Moninger read the tender story OF
Jacobs love for his beautiful ETom-
Used bride for whom he twas willing to
labor seven years and count it joy
(Gen. 29:19-2O) also of the graphic,
yet pathetic story that tells of her
death and burial. and of Jacobs sor-
row. sGen. 48:7)
I We stopped fer while at David's
well. The water in Palestine is bad,
very bad and as rule water that
sagress VITA person intensities
their thirst. This was true with me,
while in that country and when /
came 10 David's we'll l remembered
the Bible account of David's thirst
and prayer. for drink Of water from
tits particular we'll. But when three
young men, r;skei their lives to grant
his request, be conquered his thirst
and refused to drink the waiter.
q sam. 49,. 1870 However. ! IN
dulged to my entire satisfaction, by
drinking two large sups briming
full Of It, hut it did not make me
sick. The approaching view OF Be'h-
iehem is indeed very picturesque ana
keeps the mind busy thinking or
Rachel and, Ruth; OF Joseph and
Jesus,
q The little city, of about eight