CONTENTS.
The two Boundaries.—The parallel Mountains.—The great Valley.—Inspired Eulogies.—Sterile Soil.—Gibbon’s Comparison.—Natural and miraculous Causes of present Sterility.—Testimonies of pagan Authors on the ancient Productions of Palestine.—Land coveted by the great Nations of Antiquity.—A Land of Ruins.—Present Fertility and Fruits.—Richness of the North.—Volney on the Variety of the Climate of Palestine.—Beauties of Spring in the Promised Land.—Flowers.—Magnificent Scenery.—Standard of Landscape Beauty.—Palestine is a World in Miniature.—Illustrations.—Prophetical Descriptions of the twelve Tribeships.—Wonderful Correspondence.
Location of Jerusalem.—Strong defensive Position of the City.—Surrounding Hills and Valleys.—Its Situation compared to that of Athens and Rome.—True Meaning of the 125th Psalm.—Tower of Psephinus.—The two Valleys.—Height of the adjacent Mountains.—A City without Suburbs.—Modern Wall.—Goliath’s Castle.—Immense Stones of Solomon’s Age.—Ancient Portals.—Beautiful Corner-stone.—Pinnacle of the Temple from which Christ was tempted to throw himself.—Golden Gate.—Tower of Antonia.—Objection to Prophecy answered.—The Bevel the Sign of Jewish Masonry.—Great Cave beneath the City.—Wanderings by Torchlight.—Solomon’s Quarry.—Tyropean Valley.—Five Hills of Jerusalem.—Mount Zion.—Royal Abode.—Herod’s three Towers.—Splendid Church of St. James.—House of Caiaphas.—Scene of the Last Supper and of Pentecost.—Tomb of David.—Royal Plunderers.—Proof of its Antiquity.—Home of the Lepers.—Sad Sight.—Akra.—Bezetha.—Napoleon’s Church.
Mount Moriah.—Site of Solomon’s Temple.—Surrounding Walls.—Great Fosse.—Pasha’s Palace.—Council Chamber of the Jewish Sanhedrim.—Jews’ Place of Wailing.—Their cruel Treatment.—Scene on Friday Afternoon.—Mournful Spectacle.—High-priest.—Prophecy fulfilled.—Solomon’s Bridge.—Its Antiquity.—Temple Area.—Tower of Antonia.—Shrines within the Inclosure.—Imposing View.—Dome of the Chain.—Mosque of Omar.—Its grand Exterior.—Its History.—Its Portals.—Its magnificent Interior.—Sacred Rock within the Mosque.—Traditions.—Scene of the Offering of Isaac and of other Scriptural Events.—Mosque ofEl-Aksa.—Its Interior and History.—Solomon’s subterranean Passageway.—Extraordinary Workmanship.—Mosque of Jesus.—Solomon’s great Vaults.—They reflect his Genius.—Evidence of their Antiquity.—Solomon’s great Lake beneath his Temple.—His Work.—Vicissitudes of Mount Moriah.
Valley of the Dead.—Tombs of the Judges.—Of El-Messahney.—Of the Kings.—Valley of the Kidron.—Pillar of Absalom.—Traditional Tombs.—Jews’ Cemetery.—Funeral Procession.—Mount of Offense.—Virgin’s Fountain.—Gardens of Siloam.—Bridal Party.—Pool of Siloam.—Of En-Rogel.—Vale of Hinnom.—Burning of Children.—Valley of Slaughter.—Potters’ Field.—Solomon’s Coronation.—Pools of Gihon.—Pool of Hezekiah.—Supply of Water.
Laws of the Credibility of Tradition.—Dean Trench on Words.—Scenes of the historical Events of Christianity not well defined.—Palm Sunday in Jerusalem.—Crossing the Mount of Olives.—Journey to Bethany.—Site of the City.—Home of Mary and Martha.—Tomb of Lazarus.—Christ frequented Bethany.—To his Visits is due its Significance.—Touching Legends.—Resurrection of Lazarus.—Scene of Christ’s triumphal March to Jerusalem.—Garden of Gethsemane.—Old Gardener.—Walls and Iron Gate.—Place of Sweet Repose.—Flowers.—Pictures.—Aged Olive-trees.—Overwhelming Emotions.—Ascent of the Mount of Olives.—Three Paths.—David’s Ascent.—Connection of the Mount with the two Dispensations.—Scene of the Ascension.—True Place.—Commanding View from the Summit of Olivet.—Passion Week in Jerusalem.—Footsteps of our Lord.—Good Friday in the Holy City.—Visit to the Garden.—Lord’s Supper.—Sleepless Night.—Calvary.—True Location.—Its Appearance.—Appropriate Place.—Via Dolorosa.—Pilate’s Judgment-hall.—Ecce Homo Arch.—Legendary Stations.—Crucifixion of Christ dramatized by the Latin Monks.—The Procession.—Ascent to Calvary.—Tumult.—Spectators.—Sermons.—The Cross.—Church of the Holy Sepulchre.—Architecture.—Scene in the Court.—The Façade.—Imposing Interior.—Chapel of the Greeks.—Rotunda.—Dome.—Holy Sepulchre.—Magnificent Decorations.—Its Interior.—The Tomb.—Holy Shrines.—Not the Tomb of Christ.—Difficulties of the Question.—Evidence for its Identity.—Objections.—Argument against the Site.
Forty Days and forty Nights in the Holy City.—Inside View of Jerusalem.—Streets.—Buildings.—Commerce.—A Cosmopolitan City.—Government Officials.—Taxation.—Population.—Turks.—Dervishes.—Fast of Ramadan.—Feast of Beiram.—Moslem Sects.—Their Creeds.—Quarter of the Jews.—Their wretched Condition.—Their Nationalities.—Pensioners.—Jewish Passover.—Ceremonies witnessed.—Jewish Sabbath in Jerusalem.—Synagogue.—Education.—Mr. Touro and Sir Moses Montefiore.—Religious and Industrial Institutions.—Christian Sects in the Holy City.—Armenians.—Their Wealth.—Greeks.—Their Influence.—Latins.—Their Edifices.—Monastic Quarrels.—Curious Scene.—Rivalry between France and Russia.—Russian Gold.—Protestant Christianity in Jerusalem.—English Church.—House of Charity.—The two Slave Girls.
Road to Jericho.—Delay.—Caravan.—Robbers.—Ladies.—Scenery.—Waters of Enshemesh.—Wilderness of Judea.—Scene of Christ’s Temptation.—Thieves of Jericho.—Parable of the Good Samaritan.—Brook Cherith.—Wild Region.—Elijah fed by the Ravens.—First View of the Plain of the Jordan.—Evening at Jericho.—Ruins of the ancient City.—Historical Events.—Fountain of Elisha.—’Ain Dûk.—Castle of Doch.—Jericho of the New Testament.—Scene of Herod’s Death.—Town of Riha.—Site of Gilgal.—Great Events.—Sunrise on the Plain of Jericho.—Richness of the Plain.—Quarantania.—Description of Turkish Soldiers.—The Ride.—Banks of the Jordan.—Sources of the Sacred River.—The ten Fountains.—The three Lakes.—Descent and Sinuosities of the River.—Glen through which it flows.—Flowers and Trees on its Banks.—Birds in its Shrubbery and Beasts in its Thickets.—Its Color.—Depth.—Rapidity.—Twenty-seven Rapids.—Falls.—Islands in the River.—Roman Bridges.—Brook Jabbok.—Jacob and the Angel.—War Scenes.—Entrance of the Jordan into the Dead Sea.—Meaning of Jordan.—Pilgrim’s Ford.—Charming Scenery.—Mountains of Moab.—Vision of Balaam.—Vision of Moses.—His Death.—Crossing of the Jordan by the Israelites.—Probable Place.—Overflowing of the River.—Causes.—Translation of Elijah.—Cure of Naaman.—Baptismal Stations of John the Baptist.—Bethabara.—Ænon.—Scene of Christ’s Baptism here.—The Argument for it.—Journey to the Dead Sea.—Robbers.—Features of the Sea.—Delightful Bath.—Dimensions of the Sea.—Its Bed coeval with the Upper and Lower Valleys.—Sea larger than formerly.—No Outlet.—Its Waters evaporate.—Peninsula.—Island.—Surrounding Mountains.—Hot Springs of Callirrhoe.—Sublime Chasm.—Castle of Machaerus.—Wild Glen.—River Arnon.—Scenery.—City of Kerak.—Ruins of Zoar.—Location of Sodom.—Manner of its Destruction.—Mountain of Salt, cause of the saltness of the Sea.—Lot’s Wife.—Ruins of Masada.—Besieged by Flavius Silva.—Tragical Death of 600 Sicarii, their Wives and Children.—Fountain of the Kid.—David and Saul.—Maon.—The Home of Abigail.—Journey to Bethlehem.—Wilderness of Engedi.—A Night with the Monks of Mâr Sâba.—The Monastery.—Bethlehem.—Its Names.—Antiquity.—History.—Convent of the Franciscans.—The Stable of the Nativity.—Present Condition.—Pictures.—The Manger.—Tomb of St. Paula.—Cell of St. Jerome.—Basilica of St. Helena.—Evidence that this is the Birthplace of Christ.—Stable in a House.—Situation of Bethlehem.—Population.—Beautiful Women.—Herodium.—Tomb of Herod the Great.—Cave of Adullam.—Hiding-place of David.—Its Wonders.
En Route for Hebron.—Travelers.—Beautiful Scenery.—Ancient Travelers.—Evening.—Gray’s Elegy.—Search for Lodgings.—Hebron.—Its Name.—Origin.—Home of Abraham.—History.—Location of the City and its Environs.—Pools.—Cave of Machpelah.—The Mosque over it.—Tombs of the Patriarchs and their Wives.—Prince of Wales.—Isaac still Lives.—Identity of the Cave.—Evidence.—United in Death.—Beersheba.—Its ancient Wells.—Events of the Past.—Changeless Customs.—Abraham and the Angels.—Dining with an Arab Sheikh.—Grapes of Eshcol.—Abraham’s Oak.—Ruins.—Pool of Solomon.—His Aqueduct.—Plains of Rephaim.
Land of the Philistines.—Its Limits.—Fell to the Lot of Simeon and Dan.—Origin of the Philistines.—The meaning of the Name.—Their royal Cities.—Their God and Goddess.—Journey thither.—Valley of Roses.—Baptism of the Eunuch.—Home of John the Baptist.—Slaughter of the Jews in the City of Bether.—Site of Bethshemesh.—Home of Samson.—Village of Zorah.—Field where the Angel appeared.—Town of Timnath.—Lair of the Lion.—Home of Delilah.—Oriental Weddings.—Valley of Shochoh.—Scene of the Conflict between David and Goliath.—Correspondence between Scripture and the natural Features of the Place.—The Valley.—The Brook.—The smooth Stones.—The Sling.—The Mountains.—The Champions.—The Victory.—Home of Goliath.—Gath.—David’s feigned Insanity.—Road to Eleutheropolis.—Its Location.—Great Caves.—Site of Lachish.—Its great Battle-field.—Sennacherib and Hezekiah.—Byron’s Hebrew Melody.—Gaza.—Palm-groves.—Direction of the Road.—Site of the City.—Modern City.—Ancient Ruins.—Christian Church.—Home of Giants.—Gates that Samson carried away.—His Prison.—The great Feast.—Samson called.—His Presence alarms the Multitude.—Feats of Strength.—Death Scene.—He is a Failure.—Alexander the Great wounded at Gaza.—A Moslem City.—Ascalon.—Route thither.—Stood near the Sea.—Ruins.—Desolation.—History.—Adorned by Herod.—Captured by the Crusaders.—Road to Ashdod.—Beautiful Gardens.—No Ruins.—Dagon and the Ark.—Road to Joppa.—Villages.—Joppa on the Sea.—Its Antiquity.—Floats of Pine and Cedar.—House of Simon.—Substantial Structure.—Peter’s Vision.—Appearance of the Town.—Gate of the City.—Population.—Jews.—Nubian Magician.—Magnificent Orange-groves.—Ramleh.—Franciscans.—Traditions.—Antiquities.—Tower.—View.—Ludd.—Eneas cured of Palsy.—Church of St. George.—Beautiful Ruin.—Nether Bethhoron.—Wretchedness.—Upper Bethhoron.—Battle-field of Gibeon.—The Battle.—Wonderful Correspondence.—Testimony of the Rocks.—Ajalon.—Sun and Moon stand still.—City of Gibeon.—Modern Town.—Gibeonites.—History.—Death of the Gladiators.—Pool of Gibeon.—Murder of Amasa.—Solomon’s Dream.—“The Look-out.”—Mizpeh.—National Rendezvous.—Ebenezer Stone.—Saul chosen King.—Minaret.—Vast and magnificent Prospect.
Northern Palestine.—Gibeah.—Birthplace of King Saul.—Historical Events.—Thrilling Story of Rizpah watching her Dead Sons.—Identityof the City.—Field of the Arrow.—Parting of David and Jonathan.—Nob.—Massacre of the Priests.—The View.—Birthplace of Jeremiah.—Geba.—Pottage.—Benighted.—Yusef Shang, of Beeroth.—A Night of strange Experience.—Town of Beeroth.—Ancient Bethel.—Its Desolation. Site of the City.—Abraham’s Altar.—Parting of Abraham and Lot.—The Fountain.—Jacob’s Flight and Dream.—Idolatry.—Prophecy fulfilled.—Route to Shiloh.—Romantic Scenery.—Robbers’ Fountain.—Wild Glen.—Robbers.—Their Dance.—Sinjil.—Shiloh.—Remains.—Site discovered in 1838.—Tower.—Damsels of Shiloh carried off.—Death of Eli.—Approach of the Robbers.—An Attack.—Resistance.—Again assailed.—Again resist.—Revolvers drawn.—Escape.—Overtaken.—Third Attack.—Revolvers in demand.—Sixteen against Four.—Serious Moment.—One of the Party whipped.—Narrow Escape.—Lebonah.—Ride to Nablous.—Grand View.—Evening on the Plain of Mukhrah.—Antiquity of Nablous.—History.—Its beautiful Situation.—Population.—Inside View of the Town.—Character of the People.—Christian School.—Origin of the Samaritans.—Remnant of the Nation.—Their Creed.—Their religious Peculiarities.—Their High-priest.—Their sacred Writings.—Vale of Shechem.—Its Length and Beauty.—Cursings and Blessings of the Law.—The Scene.—Great Congregation.—Twin Mountains.—Jacob’s Well.—History.—Sweet Water.—Evidence of its Antiquity.—Jesus at the Well.—Woman of Samaria.—Accuracy of its evangelical History.—Well Sold.—Tomb of Joseph.—Symbol of his Life.—Ascent of Mount Ebal.—Twenty Lepers.—Ascent of Mount Gerizim.—Almond-groves.—Ruins on the Summit.—Holy of Holies of the Samaritans.—Traditions.—Not the Scene of the Offering of Isaac.—Samaritan Passover.—Impressive Moment.—Lambs slain.—The Feast.
A Price for Politeness.—Escort.—Picturesque Scenery.—Samaria.—Its Founder.—Its Vicissitudes.—Residence of Elisha.—Famine.—City beautified by Herod.—Its Location.—Hill of Omri.—Grand Ruins.—Tomb of John the Baptist.—Temple of Augustus.—Prediction fulfilled.—Departure for Cæsarea.—Night on the Plain of Sharon.—The Sick brought out.—Plain of Sharon.—The Lost Lake.—Cæsarea uninhabited.—Dangers.—History.—Imperial City under Herod the Great.—Grand Ruins.—St. Paul a Prisoner.—Death of Herod Agrippa.—Athlit.—Mount Carmel.—Scene of the Sacrifice.—Great Event.—Abode of Elisha.
Plains of Palestine.—No Farm-houses.—Great Plain of Esdraelon.—Its Fertility.—Topography.—River Kishon.—World’s Battle-field.—Waters of Megiddo.—Deborah and her Victory.—Jeneen.—Bethshean.—Encampment.—Modern Sheikhs and ancient Patriarchs.—City of Ruins.—Jabesh Gilead.—Pella.—Gideon’s Fountain.—Mount Gilboa.—Battles.—Jezreel.—Napoleon and the Turks.—Shunem.—Nain.—Endor.—Witch’s Cave.—Saul and Samuel.—Witches.—Mount Tabor.—Its Form.—Woods.—View.—Misnomer.—Transfiguration.—It occurred at Night.—Argument.—Benighted Party.
Jerusalem and Capernaum the great Centres of our Lord’s Ministry.—Christ a limited Traveler.—Judea and Galilee contrasted.—Provinces of Galilee.—The Herods.—Meaning of Galilee.—Sea of Galilee.—Its Characteristics.—Hallowed Associations.—Imperial City of Tiberias.—Founded by Herod Antipas.—His Crimes.—John the Baptist.—It became a Jewish City and the Metropolis of the Race.—Home of eminent Scholars.—Now an Arab Town.—Citizens.—Miraculous Draught of Fishes.—Jesus never visited it.—Warm Baths of Tiberias.—Site of Tarichea.—Naval Engagement.—Bridge of Semakh.—River Jarmuk.—City of Gadara.—Ruins.—Tombs.—Not the Scene of the Destruction of the Swine.—Argument.—Ruins of Gamala.—Near here was the Scene of the Miracle.—Mouth of the Jordan.—Bethsaida Julias.—Feeding of the Five Thousand.—Our Lord Walking on the Sea.—Home of Mary Magdalene.—Rich Plain of Gennesaret.—Parables.—Site of Capernaum.—Fountain of the Fig.—Thrilling History of the City as connected with Christ.—The Woe.—Desolation.—Bethsaida.—Birthplace of Peter, James, and John.—Not Bethsaida Julias.—Influence of natural Scenery upon the Formation of Character.—Chorazin.—Sudden Gale upon the Sea.—Extensive Remains of the City.—Without an Inhabitant.—Upper Jordan.—Waters of Merom.—Tell el-Kâdy.—City of Dan.—Its Fountain.—Cæsarea Philippi.—Town of Hasbeiya.—Fountain.—Highest perennial Source of the Jordan.—Mount Hermon.—Vast and grand Prospect from its lofty Summit.—Scriptural Allusions.—“Valley of the Pigeons.”—Sublime Ravine.—Mount of Beatitudes.—Battle of Hattin.—Defeat of the Crusaders.—Triumph of Saladin.—Route to Nazareth.—Its authentic History is not older than the Christian Era.—Its Valley and Mountains.—Population.—Schools.—Legendary Sites.—Scene of the Annunciation.—House and Shop of Joseph.—Pictures.—Fountain.—Beautiful Girls of Nazareth.—Mount of Precipitation.—True Mount.—View.—Scene of our Lord’s Childhood and Manhood.
Phœnicia.—Its Extent and Fertility.—Origin of the Phœnicians.—Their Commerce.—Their Learning.—Departure from Nazareth.—Cana of Galilee.—First Christian Wedding.—Beautiful Vale of Abilin.—Plain of Accho.—City of ’Akka.—Names.—Metropolis of the Crusaders.—Their Destruction.—Gibbon.—The Moslem Nero.—Napoleon’s Defeat.—Road to Tyre.—Summer Palace.—Excavations.—Wild and dangerous Pass.—Antiquity of Tyre.—Three Tyres.—Stupendous Water-works.—Continental Tyre.—Sins and Judgments.—Glory departed.—How Prophecy was fulfilled.—Insular Tyre.—Tyre of the Crusaders.—Cathedral.—Tomb of Hiram.—Wonderful Temple.—Sarepta.—Zidon.—Gardens.—Ancient Glory.—Wars.—Harbor.—Citadel.—Tombs.—Interesting Discoveries.—Ornaments.
Mountains of Lebanon.—Grand Scenery.—Sublime View.—Mountain Traveling.—Scriptural Allusions.—Cedars of Lebanon.—Their Number, Appearance,and symbolic Character.—Population of the Mountains.—Districts and Peculiarities of the Druzes and Maronites.—New Road.—Crossing the Mountains.—Plain of the Bukâ’a.—Leontes.—A swollen River.—Ancient Cities.—Imposing Cavalcade.—Wives of the Pasha of Damascus.—First View of Damascus.—Splendor and Enjoyments of the Interior of the City.—Great Plain of Damascus.—Abana and Pharpar.—Scene of St. Paul’s Conversion.—City without Ruins.—Antiquity and thrilling History of Damascus.—House of Judas.—Home of Ananias.—“Street called Straight.”—Naaman’s Palace.—Tombs of the Great.—Location of Damascus.—Walls and Gates.—Old Castle.—Great Mosque.—Gardens of Damascus.—Commerce of the City.—Curiosities in the Bazars.—Population.—Christian Citizens.—Origin of the Massacre of 1860.—Its Progress.—Terrible Scenes.—American Vice-Consul.—Ruins.—Sad Results.—Defense of the Christians by Abd-el-Kader.—Visit to the Chieftain of Algiers.—Our Reception.—Testimonials.—His Appearance.—Conclusion.—Political History of Palestine.—Its Condition under the Turks.—It is now in a Transition State.—Possessions of European Nations.—Future of the Holy Land.—Christian Missions.—Decline of Mohammedanism.—Religious Liberty.—Future Glory.