Sunday Column.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 July 1913, Page 4

Sunday Column.

♦ - MODERN JERUSALEM. I A MEMORIA LAND A SCANDAL. (By Marshall P. Tailing.) Jerusalem, like Mecca is a sacred city. Like Mecca it is visited l>y thousands of pilgrims who journey from tho ends of the earth seeking dolivcrance from sin and development in the religion they hold dear. Join alem, however, is unique anions; sacred cities rn its history and tlie claims made for Him whoso life constitutes its central interest. But Jerusalem is as dear to the Hebrew as the Christian, and almost as dear to the Mohammedan as Mecca, ior tho Arabs, like the Hebrews, claim descent from Abraham "tho father of tho faithful." i Tho Holy City. I How does Jerusalom appear to the pilgrim of abroad P Jerusalem today, as it was in its summit of giory under Solomon, remains an arresting and memorable spectacle. One : s niu and cleanliness that caaraennisc. it ; ; . Iha L. -l. • .» .r.i. itll ,I<; j i..1 i ..It". .'II/:.. wthese great straciures are new, whilo suuwised tlio appearance of newtho cleanness is duo to the fact that there is no smoke to tarnisu. eve a the oldest of buildings. Once wo enter tho city, eyes and nose suffer revulsion which no effort ia made to remove. But at a distance Jerusalem is a glory. To got another view of tho city wo will go into Its heart and visit the Churcli of the Holy Sepulchro. Here by Mahommjedan permission the Christians have a place to worship, which is the shrine for the Greek, Roman, Armenian, Coptic, and Syrian worship. Tho Sopnlchre itself is free to all denominations, while around it are spaces or "churches" for the exclusive use of •each denomination. Over the stono sepulchre itself is built a structure likoa miniature church, and entrance to it ie through a little low arch, big enough to admit oine person at a time—stooping. Four or five can stand inside at once and see, touch and kiss tho well-worn marble slabs which covor tho tomb. Unholy Sights. Tho whole of this church of churches is adorned with iamps and candles and crucifixes. Ae we enter in the first object of veneration we come te is a largo stone raised a few inches from tho floor. "This is ! the place where the body of our Lord was prepared for burial," and an wo regard it pilgrims press past us, and bowing low, touch it with their heads and repeatedly kiss the marble. On our left is a circular iron railing, and we are told that "this ehrin* is the spot where Mary the mother of Jesus watched Uie crucifixion of her Son." The Syrian Church permits us to see "tho tombs of Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimatliea." Tn tho Creek Church wo are shown a pillar about three feet high with a circle around it, and are informed that "this is tho centre of the earth," and that "beneath it is buriod the skull of Adam." In tho Roman Catholic Church wo are given a short stick and permitted to put it through a hole in the wall and told that it touches "the pillar of flagellation" to which our Lord was tied when scourged." Tho Scandal of It Christianity claims to bo the supremo and only true religion, and is nobly attempting to discipe all nations. Upon the Hebrews, Christianity had had somo influence but so so little that once is led to ask why? There may be many answers; lnit no one 1 think can visit Jerusalem or the Church of the Holy Sepulchre without discovering, at least, one reason. When one considers tho message and missidn of Christianity, Jerusalem, and more especially its Christian centre Li pathetically disappointing. One feels no "disillusionment" hi visiting Bethlehem, The Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, Nazareth, or the lovely Sea of Galileo, but somo proceedings at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre cause revulsion—yes, and shanio. 1 know tho "apologies" presented that these aro tho dovotions of ignorant pilgrims, but how can it be regarded by thoughtful intelligence? How does it appear to tho Hebrew and tho Mohammedan? They es- | ! j j j .

chow images; here images ara bloat ■ and sold, or rather presented, in exohange tor offerings to be carried aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal234.s6 1234 1231 to distant homes with" other relics. Tho Mahommedan world is one; the Christian is rent by faction* whose quarrels must be quelled "bv the force of Moslem arms. Surely it is no wonder that Mohammedans looking at Christianity «s they study it here at his birthplace and centre should feel their superiority! One is led to wonder if Jerusalem wi'l not need to be destroyed again before Christianity can win for Christ the Mohammedan and tho Hebrew world.