The Washington times., 1922-07-15
ANCIENT FAITH
STILL FLAMES
|NPALEST|NE

| lNPALESlINE
Religious Principles Are Evident
in Struggles for Political
Freedom.
By REV. GEORGE A. MILLER, I'D.
Pastor OF the Ninth Street Christian
Church.
On a recent journey of over 20, 900
miles. had opportunities to observe
the past and present conditions Of
many countries. Having eighteen
years ago made practically the same
trip, 1t was possible to note some
changes that had taken place during
those years.
The two things Of which / desire,
in very brief way. to speak, are the
ever-present evidence of the religious
nature Of mankind, and the need OF
the world today accepting the true
principles Of the Christianity Of
Christ.
Everywhere the evidence Of ancient
religion was found. This was espe-
cially true in the countries where
the most ancient civilizations were
established. In Egypt, 500 miles up
the Nile at Luxor and Karnack, are
found the ruins OF the greatest tenl-
pies Of the world. Some of these
date back to 1000 or 5000 years be-
fore Christ. This was the Hun
dred Gated Thebes" OF the Greeks
and was very old city when Greco.
was In its infancy. Across the Nile
in the rocks of the cliffs are found
the tombs Of the ancient kings and
queens.
These great tombs. hewn out Of
the solid rock and most elaborately
carved and decorated, were to con-
tain the mummified bodies OF these
royal personages and provide a safe
place for them, so that when the
spirit should return, as II would IN
the last days. the body would be
found there in order that the spirit
might have its home in which to
dwell. II the body should be destroy
ed the spirit would have no home
and must forever wander about in
sorrow and distress. The same prin.
ciple caused the later rulers to build
the great Pyramids OF lower Egypt
There also is the Sphynx, standing
as a mute evidence Of the ancient
worship OF the sun. Thus we see
ancient Egypt, the birthplace OF a
very ancient civilization. was domi.
mated by a great religious principle.
"A -
is a great fundamental principle that
can invite the different nationali-
ties and creeds of that land. That
principle must be for Egypt, as for
all lands of the world, the unselfish
principle OF serving and helping one
another, as IL has been taught by
Christ himself. / am not speaking
of the present day doctrines which
are often taught as representing
Christianity. but the true teaching
OF our Lord. Egypt today is in .
transition and uncertain period OF
her life and history.
The British government, which has
long been the real ruler OF that lend,
has permitted them to have a king OF
their own. But who is he? Why
should he be king? Who selected
him? These are the questions one
hears on every hand when talking
with the natives Of that country.
Comparatively few of them are salts
fled. They feel. whether true or not,
that the king il but a puppet Of the
British government. / noticed the
British troops were still in control
ofdhe> citadel Of Cairo and that is the.
key to the situation. There is a fac!
tional feeling underlying the whole
country that only the spirit Of true
Christianity can mold into a united
government and a happy and pros
porous nation.
We all know the name Palestine
stands for ancient religion. Jerusa-
lem is the holy city OF three great
religious faiths, Jew, Christian, Mo
hammedan. Here now the British
also rule. After many centuries
again this city and country are in
the hands Of a Christian nation and
for this we all Thank God and take
courage" Here religion reached .ts
highest pinnacle in the life, teaching
and sacrifice of our Lord. But here
at present religious faction and strife
are the greatest. We are warned not
to be In Jerusalem at Easter tirne
for there were rumors Of all kinds Of
dangers and troubles. However, we
had faith in the British government
and in this we were not disappointed.
The presence Of the English soldier
seems to stand for peace and quiet.
Here also in this land Of the
prince Of Peace" we found hatred.
contention and strife. There Is much
feeling against the British control.
This we think Is not justified. The
people lay all blame Of post
taxes and high prices on the present
government. Prices are higher in
Egypt, Palestine and Syria than any.
where else we visited. The feeling
against the Jew in Palestine Is IN
tense and the greatest fear seems to
be that the English people will give
this country into his control. How
ever, the British have done great
things in the few years they have
had control Of the land. They haye
made II safe for travel. have i'm.
proved the roads and conditions Of
the country in general. Eighteen
years ago we found Jerusalem the
dirtiest and foulest Of any city we
ever visited, and this time we found
II one Of the cleanest.
In Syria we found the greatest un.
rest and contention against the gov
ernment. There seems to he much
hatred Of the natives toward the
a. n.