THE HOLY SEPULCHRE.
"The sepulchre is in the rotunda of the church, which has been reconstructed several times, and has changed a good deal in shape since the original building was erected. The sepulchre is a small building, twenty-six feet by eighteen, entirely of marble, and with holes in the roof, to allow the escape of the smoke from the lamps which burn here continually. We first entered what is called the Angel's Chamber. It has in the centre a stone set in marble, and the priests in charge of the place say it is the stone that was rolled from the mouth of the sepulchre by the angel. It is probable that the stone has been changed many times since the crucifixion. The Armenians claim that they have the real stone in their monastery on Mount Zion, and the Latin monks accuse them of having stolen it.
"The sepulchre is entered from the Angel's Chapel. It is about seven feet square, and has the sepulchral couch at one side covered with a marble slab. The space is so small that we could not all go inside at once, and the rule is that not more than three or four shall be admitted together. The inside of the room is divided among four religious bodies—the Copts, Greeks, Armenians, and Latins. The Copts have four lamps burning there, and the other three sects have each thirteen. They take turns in the performance of religious services in the altar, and when they are thus engaged the Moslem guard stands near to see that there is no interference.
"We found it was not easy to believe that the sepulchre was hewn in the solid rock, as the monks declare it to have been. Every foot of space is so completely covered with marble that no part of the original rock is visible. The marble was placed here hundreds of years ago, when the traditions were more authentic than at present, and perhaps it is not worth while to dispute them.
"From the Holy Sepulchre we went to many places of interest to all students of Christianity; they were so numerous that it was impossible to remember all of them, and we went about so rapidly that we did not even have time to make a complete list. We therefore refer to our guide-book, and will try to give their names, but without pretending to follow the order in which we saw them.
"It seemed very odd to us that so many places mentioned in Scripture should all be found under the roof of a single church. But, whatever may be our opinions concerning their authenticity, they were all very interesting, and we shall long retain the memory of what we saw and heard while within the walls of this famous building. We thought we were there not more than half an hour, but found we had passed over two hours in the visit: you can see how much we were absorbed in the subject when the time flew away so fast.
"Here are the places and objects that were pointed out:
"The Chapel of the Apparition, where Christ appeared to his mother after the resurrection.
"The Column of the Scourging.
"The Latin Sacristy, containing the sword, spurs, and cross of Godfrey de Bouillon.
"Fragment of a Column, said to occupy the centre of the world.
"The Prison of Christ, where he was kept while his cross was being made ready for the crucifixion.
"Chapel of St. Longinus, the soldier who pierced the side of Christ after his death.
"Chapel of the Parting of the Raiment.
"Column of the Derision, where Christ stood when he was crowned with thorns.
"Chapel of St. Helena, containing the seat where the Empress Helena sat while the cross was being sought for. Near it is the Chapel of the Finding of the Cross, and the spot is indicated where the cross was discovered. The Chapel of St. Helena is reached by descending twenty-nine steps from the floor of the church, and the Chapel of the Cross is a cavern in the rock, thirteen steps farther down.