IN THE HOLY LAND.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 20 June 1918, Page 3

IN THE HOLY LAND.

THE following extracts taken from letter written by Sig.-Sergt. A. G. Hooper, Ist Imperial Camel Brigade, dated Jerusalem, March 22nd, 1918 : —

You notice the heading, but at present I am not able to give you any definite opinion of the place, but we were allowed to have a look round Bethlehem for a few hours. I should very much have liked to go round on my own, without the crowd of soldiers knocking round, nevertheless it was very interesting, even with j this disadvantage. I managed to get a pass through the old church, and saw the spot where our Lord Jesus Christ was born and the manger, besides witnessing a church service which was held at the time I was there, in fact, I believe from what I could gather, that it is held every day. I cannot tell you what a feeling I had while standing and watohing all the members coming in, with about thirty of j our soldiers standing round, and though they weren't accustomed to have such an audience they took absolutely no notice of the intrusion, but went through their ordinary oourse qf communion as though it \yere qu.ite, the usual thing; tq h,ave $n audience of khaki-clad Europeans amongst them. I am positively sure that not one of you have ever heard such music and singing as I am pleased to say I heard that day. The organ they have is above everything j I have ever Been o.r heard. You can imagine hovy a tnan wquld feel aj^er way we g-o tq church. % may rn.en.tiqn. in comparing- tt\e styles that our beliefs and earnestness are only a farce compared with theirs. Just imagine for yourselves—supposing a crowd of Chinese soldiers were to come into our midst while we were holding service, don't you think all hands ■would either lose all interest in the service, close it, or do something quite different to, usu_al ? I don't think w,e s.hqu.ld feel a,t all hqnoured by the intrusiqn, while -these people ji^st carried on perfectly a,s though we were not there?, Even ye_t you may not understand me—but from my experience with these people, we are looked upon as foreigners, welcome Perhaps, for they had evidently little time for the Turkish soldiers who were in full possession here.

April 2nd.—Have just returned from the stunt, dirty, and a little tired, but otherwise O.K. We had aoiiio' stiff fighting and a good' m.any casualties. Tl^e lSf.2. Mounted Rifles were with us. }. am at present at Jericho, an,i there is not much to see. here. T-.'i • all Jericho is in ruins. The ne^v. 4^ is not a had place, but the i I'violfc i its ire very funny iqoKing. I sliajl be bqsy. i\oy? : fqr awhile, but will try aqd th,i^ star-ted a\\'ay ? a.s time and chance are '^r\Qef tain-