Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-07-02
SCENES IN JERICHO.
Writer Tells of Wonders IN the Hsly
Land.

We had come down from Jerusalem
the previous morning with a cor
respondent. a carriage ride Of four
hours, and had stopped for luncheon
at Jericho, or. more correctly speak
ing, at Rilia a little to the east OF
the site of the ancient city. What
memories of brilliant events In
Biblical history cling about this spot
Jericho. the city of palm trees. The
scene of Joshua's victories: the place
where the last days of Elijah were
spent and whence he went forth
with Elisha to cross the waters or
the Jordan. TO be taken up to heaven
in a chariot of fire: the spot where
the two blind men were healed: the
place whore our Lord paid a visit To
the house of Yachens. Here, too.
were the long celebrated and beauti-
full groves and gardens given to
Cleopatra by Mark Antony. Jericho
now consists of large Russian
church. a house for Russian pilgrims.
two hotels and the mud hnts OF
Bedeuin Arabs.
As we descended the 700 feet below
Jerusalem the heat increased until
we arrived in the tropical plain Of
we visited the pool of Elisha. the wa
ters of which he had healed: then
tramped through the ruins OF the
Jericho of the Israelites, where we
saw part of the city walls around
which Joshua and his army marched
seven times. After it's capitulation
Joshua pronounced a curse on the
city. which was fulfilled. Very re-
here by the Germans and the Aug
trians.
The only sound we heard as we
rolled along the sandy soil past cIus-
tiers of thorn bushes was the tinkfe
OF the sleighbells around the horses
neeks. Straight ahead, at Intervals,
we could discern dark moving mass
on the road, and as we approached
a party of Arabs would step aside.
all wrapped closely in their eloaks,
with staffs in their hands. All an
other time the dark moving mass
would prove TO be a caravan OF
cameis moving noiselessy along with
their heavy burdens. Daylight came
slowly. for the morning was misty.
The outlines of the hills were slowly
being defined by the rising sun wifH
la deep purple over their western
slopes. Then did realize why art
lists so often paint them shrauded In
that ceier. and why the Psainisf
would utter the hope and the longing
of nations, Il will lift up mine eyes
to the everlasting hills whence nv
hope eometh"
Arabs. riding on their cameIs along
the mountain roads in the all pervad
Ii'g quiet of the dawn. with the eor-
geous purple bills and the deep blue
sky for a background, passed Tx.
phantoms like dream pictures ane
used To imagine when stories wara
told in childhood.
Since that day the whole Scrlpture
narrative mas been wonderfully vivf-
ned; the abiding peace and beauty or
the nils nave sense of shaifering
presence over man and beast.
About half way back to Jerusalem
Ne stopped III rest tire Horses III q
KHAN where once stood the inn az
Good Samaritan fame. Nearer -
Jerusalem we aiighted at Rethanv
and went down into the grave ~
Lazarus. carrying lighted eandl,.
The ruins Of the house of Simon ,t,s
iFper' are near by; as is part of
wan OF the house of Martha ana
MARY Passing strange it seems mar
Mohamamedans should have the ctts-
tody of these places, as well as of =
Few in Jerusalem itself.
yes go 10 Jericho" but he e,,,s
70 come back Portsmouth
chronicle.