Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-04-17

Palestine as never before this +
many centuries. and all the +
Christian world will celebrate f
with greater fervor and deeper reycr- T
ence now that the hand of the "intdel T
Turk is removed.
1t Is exactly GA years since the I
Turk drove out the Christians and took
possession Of Jerusalem, after 1t had
been taken by Frederick II, March II,
1920 who crowned himself king of the
Latin kingdom, l., imitation of that
earlier king of Jerusalem, Godfrey of
Boulllon u099).
Land of Pilgrimage.
Palestine had been assigned to the
Emperor of the East in 800 a. d., ana
was nominally Christian at that time
when pilgrimage to the Holy Land be-
came almost "A cult and the iiirling of
relics .becuiae regular pursuit IN All
the places identified with the life OF
Jesus.
This was the period that might III
most be termed the ChristianizihH OF
Palestine, for Christianity had deVel-
oped far more vigorously AT Rome ana
In other parts of the Roman empire
than In the Holy Land itself, up to inns
time. Constantine had made 1t the
state religion and Helena had found
the True Cross So that there was II
great stirring of interest throughout
the land. Mnny fine churches were
built. and Justinian. erected the Golden
Gate and part of great church, now
the FL Aksa mosque (521-JGJ).
Christians Prosecuted.
II was in GA that Chosroes II, king
of Persia. made his great lnroad, per
scouting the Christians wherever ne
found them, especially in what is no"
Armenia. and capturing Jerusalem
The Emperor HeracIius managed &c
regain control (629), but he had tt
weld before the might of the Calipi
Omar (G37), who erected many grea
structures, especially the moSqU
called after him, upon the great roci
which had been the site of the tempt
of solomon.
For more than 400 years the Nd
hammedans held sway until as n re
suit of the Crusades Godfrey of Bou
ilon took posSessisn IN 1899. III
Christian powers could not, however
hold possession, for they were Away
fighting among themselves, ana $
Saladin, the mighty leader'Of the Mo:
lens, gained II permanent hold owe
the land of Palestine and JCruSulei
in 1857.
It was during the next century thu
thu Christians under the leadership
Frederick ii gained possession OF ia
estine for the last time, until our o"
day. But tn discussion amonE Il
Christians cf that time It was not al
ficult for tn Turs to regain cont'
in 1874 and retain it ever since, IN on
form or another.
Surrender of Jerusalem.
The surrender Of Jerusalem 10 Il
British forces last December, and u
subsequent conquest of much ot Il
resi- of the land now establishes chr
tan control, at least for the preseI
and the doubt has been raised Whetlt
any Christian power, even German
will dare to suggest that the no
places again be turned over to 4
power Of the Moslem no matter WI
the terms of peace may be.
Precisely what local changes in pr
ileges of worship will come out ct u
change may not be foretold. For
long time Il strange situation mas iji
yailed in Jerusalem. The holy sep
cher. for example with it's relics
Christian treasure, has been USED
Greeks, ArInonians and Western Chr
tiaus in alienation, the control
naming with the Turkish authorit
Naturally many disputes have arts
out Of 50 strange situation.
This Easter Significant
When the city was captured by
British there was great local allXi'
ms to what might result. With Tie
try of General Allenby, with his st
and certain French and Italian Once
these anXietieS were quickly set
rest. The Jewish population Sc
learned that all was to be well W
them and other sects represented
the citizenship of the historic PHI
were equally treasured. sense
peace, liberty and security had It's
mediate effect and influenced /
foundly the preparations Tor the Il
uneyamued Easter as well as Tor
ture worship of every sort IN the II
J bled Holy Land. In Jerusalem
elsewhere began to appear Il CONVICT
that, no matter how long world pc
might be delayed, a new spirit
abroad throughout the earth.
This Easter, then, has special
nifcance, in view of all the centu
of struggle for holding the places I
secrated TO Christianity by the acti
Of its Savior.
lob