The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1920-02-20
CONDITIONS IN THE
HOLY LAND TODAY
BY DR.. z. T. Cody, Editor Baptist

BY Dr. 2. r. Cody, Editor Baptls1
Courier.
The following interesting pen pic
ture of conditions in Palestine today
is given in recent issue Of the Bap'
tist Courier by DR.. z. 7. Cody, who
has just returned from a trip to Eu'
rope and the Far East:
The members of our party viii
never forget the twelve days we have
spent in the land of our Lord. The
purpose of our visit was missionary
but as any one might know, it has
been impossible to make sight seeing
secondary in the country that gave
US our Bible and our Saviour. We
have seen much Of it, and are now
in Joppa awaiting the ship that will
take US on the first lap Of our long
Journey back home. will not under
take to give any account or descrip-
ton of the places we have visited in
Palestine, but will give this article to
some of the questions that this coun-
try is now facing.
Widespread barrenness is the first
and most oppressive impression that
a traveller receives. Not one tenth OF
the land seems to be cultivated and
not one half of it possible for cultlva-
ton, though this last is denied by
those who ought to know. But what
the eye rests on from Beersheba to
Dan are barren rocky mountains,
which were once covered with soil
and forests, or vineyards, or fruit
trees, and cities, but which are now
treeless and waste. There are thou
sands of such hills or mountains. AT
present they serve no purpose except
to keep the earth together. / was
told that every one Of these noun
tains can be brought back to cultiva-
ton and use; that when they are
terraced enough soil is found to sus-
tain a forest, or produce an orchard
or crop; and that the British govern
ment is at work on q scheme to re-
deem rocky wastes. I asked almost
every one talked to how the country
got into such condition, and in every
instance received the same answer,
the Turk. Thank God, he is gone
never to return with his curse and
blight.
I have been struck with the fer
tiEty of the plains and Of the region
about the Sea of Galilee. TIE plains
of Sharon, Accre and Es3Hce!on are
as rich as the cane lands OF Louis
lana, and the whole region about the
lake of Galilee is unequ&lcd by any
upland section l have ever seen. And
vet these fertile portions O. Palestine
are lying almost useless. Not one
half or one-3hird is being cultivated.
The people have not the animals for
farm use. The Turks took them all
is the explanation everywhere given.
But if the people knew how to use the
animals they have their lot would be
better. saw a good deal of plowine
going on but I did not see single
instance of good work done by ma
tive. They are still using the instru-
ments that were invented before the
days of Abraham; and the shallow
burrows made by these rude plows are
from six inches to a foot apart. Just
so the fresh dirt of the last furrow
reaches to the fresh dirt of the for
mer, they are satisfied. have been
unable to see how it is possible for
even the sparse population that is now
in Palestine to live.
The poverty of the country seems
to be appalling. The farming people
live in villages which are usually a
mere collection Of filthy mud huts and
the provisions for the human beings
III LISSe Slll0SCS 10 NV iAi~SAi oSsSSA
than that for the donkeys and cattle.
The stables in South Carolina are
palaces compared to the very best
abodes in some of these Palestinian
towns. The people in these farm vii
lagos are clothed in rags and are uni
formly filthy. The children excite
ones deepest pity. At one place where
we stopped to eat our midday meal
ten or fifteen of the most wretched
looking little ones / have ever seen
gathered about us and began to beg
for bread. When a piece was given
to one he would snatch it and run of
with it like an animal. They seemed
also accustomed to the treatment OF
animals. There was near US q
wagon Of natives who were also
taking their lunch. One of the
women Of this party would "storm
out" at the children, who each time
would run off, and then when things
,rof c,,iat would coroa craenjro hack