Evening star., 1932-03-20


~ first Easter and the circumstances
which surrounded the stupendous
event which then took place Pill
grims from the whole world have journeyed to
the scene of these happenings, some to view the
actual site, the Mecca of Christianity; others
to investigate the lore and tradition in which
the Holy Land is stepped.
Foremost among this latter class of pilgrims
are those archeologists and learned men who
have concentrated their efforts on unearthing
the hidden secrets which will provide for
modern generations some idea of the ancient
civilizations which preceded the age of Christ
and throw new light on the days of the
prophets and apostles alike. This fascinating
work has been carried on at various times for
centuries but it is only in comparatively
recent years that really important discoveries
have been made
On this subject few talk with
greater authority than DR.. E. w. Masterman,
who has spent 20 years of his life in the Holy
Land and has witnessed at first hand some OF
the amazing discoveries made by the spade OF
the excavator. In his Office at the huge London
Hospital which ministers to the sick and the
diseased of the East End districts of the great
metropolis he told me the story of some of
these amazing finds which have led in certain
cases to the confirmation of statements in the
Old and New Testaments, and in others to the
rational explanation of hitherto ncompre-
hensible phenomena mentioned in biblical
tradition.
uCvER since the Crusades,' DR.. Masterman
Z said, "the civilized world has sought to
solve the mysteries which surround Palestine,
a country whose history is the history of the
Christian religion whose name of the Holy
Land lends it a mythical glamour which attracts
to its shores men of all nations and all creeds.
Archeologists have made Palestine the object
-&alr, noVlfNa afndc ND nd
results of some of the more important excava-
tory works that have been carried out there
throw new light on problems that have puzzled
Christianity for thousands OF years
"The work of archeologists in Palestine" he
continued "is not carried on with the idea
of completely solving one or two biblical
illusions, or confirming or disproving facts, but
with the broader aim of enabling people OF
today to form an idea of the kind OF civilization
which existed in the time Of the great Israel
itish monarchies and the later Roman and
Hebrew dynasties to try to ascertain the kind
of cities houses and the modes and manner, OF
everyday life of the people of the time of Christ
and of preceding ages.
Incidentally there arises the matter of solv-
ing or at least seeking reasonable solution Of
those typographical and geographical problems
which have perplexed students Of the Bible
for centuries. Many of these remain obscure
even today despite the great work done by
archeologists of the different nations Here
may mention that attracted to this great work
here have been representatives of all nations,
both Jew and GENTLE Catholic and Protestant,
and even those protesting no religion but re-
garding the matter from a purely historic or
scientific standpoint.
1.-The United States has contributed as much
an any country, and indeed more than most,
to our present knowledge of the history OF the
land where Christianity was born, knowledge
carefully and painstakingly garnered by scores
of expeditions In the case of all modern
expeditions full notes and plains have been
made and these are continually being supple
mented and increased by detailed contemporary
observations.
For example, today Harvard University the
Palestine Exploration Fund, the Hebrew Uni
yersity in Jerusalem and the British School
of Archaeology in Jerusalem are allied in
excavating the remains of the once famous and
important city of Samaria. The chief credit
for the organization of the expedition lies with
Prof. Lake of Harvard.
MANY important finds have resulted Twenty
years ago important excavations were carried
out there by Prof. ReiSner, but recent dis
coveries have carried the work forward great
deal This city dates back to the Israelite
period and the excavators have unearthed
sufficient evidence to prove the magnifcence
and splendor of this mighty city Of bygone