THE HOLY LAND

Evening Star, Issue 15478, 28 April 1914, Page 8

THE HOLY LAND

AND FEATURES OF A CONTINEN- , TAL TOUR. LECTURE BY REV. R. S. GRAY. In the course of -a recent sojourn abroad the Rev. R. S. Gray, who is a keen observer, learned a lot concerning Biblical history, which is bound up in the traditions of Palestine and Egypt. The revo gentleman in question is an adept at sneech, and his opinions, as the result of research and experience, are refreshing, impressive, and interesting. When he appeared in the pulpit of Hanover Street Baptist Church last evening, before a large congregation, much was expected of the speaker ■ and it is perhaps only mode rately expressing the verdict to state that the audience at the close were delight ec with the lecture. It was imparted witability, and the grandeur of scenes tha met the eye of the lecturer were often ii striking contrast to the humorous inti dents mentioned. The speaker was as sisted in his description by Mr Simpson who, with the aid of a powerful electrh light lantern, presented about 140 slideof special note. After briefly referring to the trip en route to the Holy Land and Egypt, the lecturer said it was his opinion that Colombo, the port of Ceylon, wabrcoding an indolent race of beggars ant cheats, judging by the manner in which tourists were treated by the dark-skinned race there. Port Said, he thought, throw a rather lurid light on the question of Sabbath observance. The first sight of the Holy Land was at Jaffa, the seaport of Jerusalem—a port famous for its ancient profane and sacred history. An idea of the magnitude of the orangt groves at this place was given by the fact that 12 .millions of oranges were exported annually. He further .touched upon the incongruity of the raiLvay service between Jaffa and Jerusalem, also describing the country through which he passed, much of it f ling made famous by Samson’s exploits against the Philistines. Talking of the Holy City, the speaker gave a vivid description of its massive, grim,,and turreted walls, its ancient history, and many con querors. The principal views shown dealt with the different towering gates, diverting city scenes, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (including the Chapel of the Crucifixion, said to be upon the very site of that terrible tragedy). But this claim, suggested the lecturer, was probably without sufficient reason for the allegation. Views of the site, known as Gordon's, outside the walls, on a skull-shaped hill, seemed to more fully answer with the New Testament description of the sacred spot. The most conspicuous building in the Holy City was the Dome of the Rock, better known as the Mosque of Omar, built on Mount Moriah. The huge structure covered 56 acres of ground. The interior, which the speaker vividly described, was the most beautiful he had seen in any of his travels. There was a great contrast in the spirit of reverent worship at this place compared with the formalities at the Holy Sepulchre. A fascinating resort of His religious Jews was their wailing place, a spot they visited every Friday and prayed for th« restoration of their kingdom. Next was an enjoyable trip to .Jericho, the Dead Sea, and down the Jordan, including G-cthsemane, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, and Bethany, the town of Mary and Martha. The Jews were great believers in the necessity for baptism, and about the time of the speaker’s visit 1,500 Russian pilgrims had immersed themselves in the waters of the Jordan. The Russians were very enthusiastic about baptism, and saved for years to make these baptismal journeys to the Holy Land. The Russian pilgrims were indeed very devout, and the baptismal scenes proved this. “We left the Biblical land with feelings of disappointment,” said the speaker, “ that ignorance and superstition had marred its most sacred progress and beauty, and yet we were intensely gratified that we had made the visit.” A number of fine views of Egypt, Cairn, and the Nile were shown, the lecturer mentioning the of this river to the country, and the excitement, which becomes a national fever, as the river approaches the annual overflow. The Assouan Dam, declared the speaker, “ was the most marvellous engineering feat of the world. Its holding capacity was 234,300,000,000 gallons. When the Nile was low the sluice gates were opened and the crops were.thus irrigated. It has added to the cultivable area of Egypt,” said the rev. gentleman, “no less than 1,600,000 acres, or an increase of 20 per cent. The dam cost between two and a half and three million pounds, and the five years’ profits exceeded the cost of this huge and beneficial undertaking.” The lecturer finally spoke of the Pyramids and other notable works and places. The lecture was a treat to listeners, the Rev. Mr Gray speaking over two hours on his comprehensive subject. Mrs G. Munro and Mr S. J. Gilbert contributed solos, Mrs M’Laren presiding at the organ. The Women’s Missionary Union would substantially benefit by the lecture.