The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-03-14
THE PEOPLES FORUM.
The Capture of Jerusalem.

That it has vast significance will not
be doubted by any. 1t is conceded to
be of very great Importance. 1t cannot
be because of its military significance,
that comparatively small city with Its
$4,000, of, for the most part, poverty
stricken people sent such thrill around
the world, but it is because the whole
world regards it as an event of far
more than usual interest morally and
spiritually. 1t has stirred the thoughts
of mankind. 1t is because of what it
stands for, its wonderful history and
sacred associations which center around
it. 1t Is the city of the ancient people
of Jehovah. The Editor of the Jewish
Chronicle says:
''The capture of Jerusalem illumines
with the picturesque the grim battle
fields of the world. By its vivid light
we can see great new hopes arising for
marking, old systems disestablished
and still older politics recalled to power.
In its illumination war worn Europe can
perhaps discern the finger of destiny
reckoning the nations to look for the
hope of a bright future to the ancient
land in which so many of the regener-
alton impulses of the world have been
born. Indeed the surrender of the city
carries message of good cheer for all
mankind, and a heartenlng inspiration
above to the people who fer two thous-
and years have chung with unfailing
love to all that Jerusalem tvpifed for
them" 1t stirs the emotions of the
Jews to their deepest depths.
During all the centuries of their bit
ter wanderings they have always turn
ed their faces in prayer toward Jeru-
salem. To them there is no beauty
like that of Jerusalem. They pre-
ferred it above their chief joy" Some
of the sublimest and most touching la
mentations in the Hebrew language re-
fers to Jerusalem. The daily prayer
of their synagogue has been Sound
the great trumpet for our freedom and
lift up banner to gather our captives;
and gather US together from the four
corners of the earth, and to Jerusalem
Thy city return Thou in mercy and
dwell therein as Thou hast promised.
Rebuild it speedily, in our day as an
everlasting building and set up therein
speedily the throne of David. Blessed
art thou, Lord, who rebuildest Jeru-
salem"
And now the news has gone to them in
all parts of the world that "our mother"
as she is lovingly called, has been rescu-
ed from the dominion OF the Turks, who
has held it for twelve hundred years,
and they hope this is the last of the
Gentle powers to tread it down. They
are full of hope especially as this fol-
lows so closely the declaration of the
English Government to restore Pales-
tine to the Jews. One of their proml-
nent leaders say ut is the greatest po-
litical event in the history of the Jewish
nation since the destruction of the Tenn
pie and the consumation of the ruin of
the Jewish state" To them itmeans the
end, or near end, of the bitterness and
unspeakable desolation summoned up in
that one, to them, fearful word, Exile.
They lost their liberty and their lands
as we'll. They have been swept, "by
the iron broom of fate," from the fields
of their father, as one of their writer's
said, "U Jews alone have known exile
as a nation. with a national conscious
ness, an undying memory, and an eter-
nal passion for redemption and restora-
tion." They look upon it as the draw.
ing near of the long years of exile and
the buffeted, homeless wanderer, as
about to inherit his old home once more.
1t means that they are to take place
in their own land; that they can lift up
their heads with the consciousness of a
people that does not shrink from its
burdens and responsibilities. To Chris
tians the capture of Jerusalem and the
rescue of Palestine from the Turkish
yoke, is full of significance. We read
in it proof of the wonderful oyer-rul-
ing providence of God.
Thinking men wonder of this mighty
war, that is upheaving all the nat
ions, has not, as its chief end, the
fulfllment of the divine plan in
relation to this people, whose restora-
ton and conversion are the precursors
to the visible establishment of His
Kingdom on earth. The war which has
brought greater suffering to the Jews
than to any other nation, began on the
9th of the Jewish month Alb, the sad
dest date in their history, the day on
which the LIST or End temples were de-
stroyed, and which is also the date of
other national calamities. 1t was sur
rendered on the day they began their
Feast of Dedication. Chief Rabbie DR..
Hertz says ''On this very day, 2,O7O
years ago, the Maccabus freed the Holy
City from the heather oppression, and