Year: 1867

The Rev. D. A. Randall, author of
Goods Handwriting in Egypt, Sinai and
the Holy Land" thus describes his visit
to the Holy Sepulchre


| stood in the rotunda of the great
church at Jerusalem that covers the place
ior. Though the sepulchre was original
ly grotto cut in rock in the hillside,
after the fashion Of the Jewish tombs, the
visitor is surprised to find it now not on
ly detached from the hillside, and above
the ground, but elevated step or two
above the level of the floor In grading
level space for the floor of the church,
the hillside has been cut away, leaving
the sepulchre like a small room or closet
above ground. Now the rock hewn tomb
stands in the centre Of the great rotundo,
aud directly under the eye of the great
dome. Besides, it is now entirely en-
closed in anornamental structure of beau
tiful marble, surmounted by small dome
in the shape of a crown. This house of
the sepulchre is profusely ornamented,
the whole exterior being nearly covered
with pictures, cruci6xes and images, and
hung around with gold and silver lamps.


passed through low, narrow, door,
or opening in the wall, only large enough
to admit one person at time, into a small
chamber, ten or twelve feet square. This
was the outer room, or vestibule of the
tomb, called 1.-The Chapel of the Angel"
from the supposition that here the angel
sat after he had rolled away the stone
At the western side Of the room was
still lower and narrower door, the open
ing to the real tomb. Like Peter of old,
| first stopped down and looked in, then,
bending nearl y to the ground, and crowd
ing through the narrow opening, l was
in "The Holy Sepulchre


tits a small room, six feet one way,
seven the other, aud has dome roof sup
ported by marble pillars. Though this
vault is said to be hewn in the rock, not
a vestige Of the native rock is seen. Tho
floors, walls aud ceilings are all lined with
white polished marble.


Forty two lamps of gold and silver are
suspended in this little grotto, and kept
ntiuually burning. filing the place with
flood of mellow light, while much of
the time the sweet fragrance of smoking
incense fills the air. But what were
ali these things to me? would much
preferred to have seen the Saviors tomb
in the unadorned simplicity of the morn
ing of tho resurrection. The derout wor-
shipper could well dispense with golden
shrines and breezes of incense. To him
the floating zephyrs of heaven would bring
music richer than the organs notes, and
the native palm trees shade be more well
come than yondcr lofty dome. But I
have come, not to criticise, but to wor-
ship, why, should let these trappings of
art disturb me? Where was the place
they laid him


A little couch or elevation of stone,
about two feet high, runs along the right
side of the tomb as you enter. This is
now covered by plain marble slab. AS
this was intended in the construction of
the tomb for the reception of the dead,
on this the body of the entombed Savior
was deposited


What pen can describe the deep emo
tions that trembled in the heart and suf-
fused the eye, as | gazed upon this spot?
Falling upon my knees and leaning my
head upon the slab, poured out my soul
in greatful alteration to God. had pro-
missed my people l would pray for them
when bowed by the tomb in the garden
Amid tho subliwe grandeur of that holy
mountain top. had redeemed the pledge,
and now that | had reached this hallow.
ed spot, would still remember my VOW.


A throng of pilgrims were coming aud
going, crowding the little sanctuary, aud
jostling against me, but l needed them
not. How much of the past, of the future
were crowded iuto the reflections of that
short season of communion with the Sa-
vior OF men, as | bowed upon his tomb |!
| saw his mangled, bleeding form taken
from the cross on yonder hillside, and
borne by his afflicted disciples to this low
receptacle of the watchful and wearied
sentinels as they pace to and fro. What
a weary and sorrowful sabbath was that
to the heart broken aud diseon solate dis
ciples How their fears had been arous-
ed, and their hopes blighted | saw the
weeping Marys watching with anxious
hearts tho approaching dawn that they
might come and embalm the body of their
beloved Lord.


But while night lay upon Olivet aud
Ge'hesmans, aud sleep had hushed to ST.
lence the tumultuous city, this dark sep
ulchrs OF the dead was the last great bat
tle-feld of the Son of God. Here he Crap
pied with death, the last great enemy Of
man, ia his own dominions. At last the
stern conflict was over-the victory was
won-death-was vanquished, and the prey
rescued from hs grasp. The victorious
couqueror came laundering a. the door
Of the tomb Au angel from the courts