The mirror., 1923-04-26

DetnleneI1, DlrtnpiaCe or the saviour, IS
a lively little town, whose inhabitants are
mostly occupied in. agriculture, cattle
raising and in the manufacturing and
selling of crucifxes, rosaries, beads, brace
let's cigar holders and numerous other
articles made from oleaster and oleander
wood.
One of the curious spectacles in this
vicinity is the peculiar fashion of its peo-
pie. No, not of the rich or those of the
cities, but the common classes, the vii
layers, the peasants-the proletariat.
1t has been said that manners and Gus
toms vary between the different lands.
However, l say that when one is well
versed in knowing how to rule ones tenn
per, tongue and conduct one finds the un-
deniable truth that conventionalities are
practically the same the world over i. e.,
where civilization exists and this applies
to the proletareans of the Holy Land, with
few exceptions. The popularity comes
from what they wear and from their
mode of living, or rather existing
Bethlehem is the promised Judean Viii
lage whose name rings in the ears of
every Christian, as year by year the
Christmas spirit sweeps over the world
and its tidings gladden. the hearts of
millions. Chiefly for this one would ma
turally want to visit the Church of Ma
tivity and get acquainted with its prem
ises. By going direct to large fortress
looking building, which also comprises
the contiguous converts belonging to the
Greek, Latin and Armenian churches, one
enters the Church of Nativity which is
common property to all people protesting
christianity.
1t is contended to be the oldest monu-
eldest christian house of worship in the
world having been founded by Constan-
tine in $50 A. D. Constantine proclaimed
the first national Sunday law. The grotto
(chapeD of the Nativity is twenty feet
below the floor of the choir, accessible by
two stair cases. The vault is thirtythree
by, eleven feet, made of solid rock, partly
encased by marble and adorned with many
lamps and various other decorations.
In recess on the pavement is silver
star showing the spot where Christ was
born. This silver star bears the inscrip-
ton: "Here was Jesus Christ born of
the Virgin Mary" Over it are fifteen
ornamental lamps always lighted, six are
owned by the Greeks, four by the Latins
and five by the Armenians. A soldier
stands on guard to prevent encroachment.
In other recesses one sees the Altar of the
Magi, the Chapel of St. Joseph, to which
he retired at the moment of nativity, and
in which the angel appeared commanding
flight into Egypt; and the Altar of in
nocents where thousands were cruelty mas
sacred by Herod
About two kilometers distant is the
River Jordan where Jesus was baptised
and several other localities of much inteH
est, as the pilgrims bathing place, where
it is said the Isralites passed. etc.
From here looking up toward the summit
Of high mountain, one sees Greek
chapel enclosed by a high stone wall.
This is known as the Mount of Tempta-
ton, where Christ spent forty days fast
ing
About FIVE miles further on, or ten
miles from Jerusalem, one comes to the
famous Dead Sea, 1920 feet below the
level of the Mediterranean. The River
Jordan flows into this renowned body of
water, and as it has no, outlet, it dis
poses of its waters by evaporation.
Its shores are the lowest places of the
earth's surface not covered with water.
1t has an area Of some 36S square miles
with a maximum depth of 1910 feet.
No vegetable life Of any kind exists on
the shores of the sea, indeed, they are as