OLD SHRINES REVISITED.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5356, 26 November 1928, Page 1

OLD SHRINES REVISITED.

VISIT TO THE HOLY LAND. INTERESTING IMPRESSIONS Most interesting impressions of the Holy Land were given St. Andrew’s congregation on Sunday by Rev. D. Calder (Dominion secretary to the British and Foreign Bible Society) who represented New Zealand at the recent Missionary Council at Jerusalem. Mr. Calder said that he had lopg hoped that to see' the Holy Land might be his lot, and. sej the news that he was to have the privilege of visiting shrines which he had seen often in imagination brought great joy. Viewing the church built on the spot where Joseph and Mary a r e supposed to have dwelt in Egypt, the tree under, which they are supposed to have sheltered, and the well 'from which it has been said that Joseph drew water for the Holy Child the tourists felt that indeed they were on Holy ground. The" speaker emphasised the improvements in transport facilities —motors brought travellers into Jerusalem and journeys once possible Only by tedious camel rides were done in first-class trains. For anyone travelling to England the inclusion of a tour of the Holy Land would be comparatively simple, and well worth while. The Bible Society’s n®w building in Jerusalem, contributed to largely by New Zealanders, was a fine structure and the sky-scraper of the city, said Mr. Calder, Frqm the elevator shaft a wonderful view was obtained, and the speaker realised how true it was that Jerusalem “is a city compactly built together.” for there was not space even for a backyapsd. Truly, the Bible had been written by men intimately acquainted with the Holy Land. Many sacred sites had been built over by churches. This fact, and also the prevalence of dirt and dust somewhat spoiled! -matters. Almost every law of hygjene was broken, and but for the sunshine the people would be 'in a sorry plight. Churches often contained the litter of ages—not done in foolishness, but by those who wished to pay tribute and show reverence. The spots where the thieves Were crucified and the havoc wrought by the great earthquake wore pointed out. Sometimes a cynical smile was apt to arise when one wondered as to the accuracy ■Ojf such statements, but at one such moment came two women pilgrims, from an- 1 other country who kissed the stone supposed to be part of Christ’s grave. The cynical smile received a rude shock, as it was remembered that some such spot, ajiyway, must have held for a little while the body of Christ. The alternative site o Calvary, whicji was the place believed by General Gordon to be a more likely spot than that inside the city, was said to be not a great hill, but a place much like a skull with two great gaping eyes, Und just to the left is the garden—the only one of the gj'eat sacred spots in charge of an English committee — composed of lovely rock gardens and paths. The tomb was observed l to have two compartments, and a tiny window at the back made it possible for the light not to be cut off by the disciples’ entry. On the morning of the resurrection a great service was held at this wonderful spot. The pathway to the cross had a noticeboard erected pointing, out the place where Christ sank under his cross. Again was it realised that to remember what actually hppened was better than argument, While in Egypt so much had been dene in the way of irrigation; it was evident, said the speaker, that in Palestine-the people must wait for God’s showers. Inside four, walls was the Garden of Gethsemane, where rows of violets bloomed. An impressive service attended by about 300 was held at the spot, the Bishop of Jerusalem taking part, as well as South Japanese, Chinese, Indian, German, and Armenian speak-, ers, each using their native languages. Very beautuiful were the red anem-, ones, whiejh grew in copfusiop. These or the white lilies of Galilee were the “lilies of the field.” A modern shrine of great interest was the soldiers’ cemetery. Familiar names were noticed, and the ground here, too, was felt to be holy. In Galilee was Jacob’s Well, with its sparkling wafer I —water which was indeed living, for the well was in c,communication with an underground stream. Thus again was the accuracy and beauty of Biblical language demonstrated. Great praise was given to the work of the hospital superintended by Dr. Bathgate, formerly of. New Zealand. The place where Christ spoke from the boat on the Galilean lake was found tqi possess great acoustic properties, And the shore would have been an ideal amphitheatre of great accommodation. Concluding, Mr Calder, spoke of th© impressions of the gatherings at which representatives of so many ■nations had been present tq consider the furtherance of God’s Kingdom in all pa,r.ts of the world.—Waikato Times.