"A TOUR IN PALESTINE?"

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9160, 15 September 1888, Page 5

"A TOUR IN PALESTINE?"

A PKSCRIPTIVE lecture, entitled " A Tour in Palestine," was given last evening in the lecture hall of the Y.M.C. Association, by Mr. W. C. McDowell, B.A. There was a crowded attendance. Mr. F. Battley, vicepresident, presided. The proceedings commenced by the Rev. Mr. Taylor offering up prayer, after which the chairman introduced the lecturer in a few appropriate remarks, in which he referred to Mr. McDowell having been one of the steadiest labourers in the work of the institution. That circumstance alone would ever secure for him a cordial reception at their hands, apart from the interest attached to the subject he would deal with, the lecture being specially interesting as the result of personal observation. The lecturer on coming forward was received with applause. He asked his audience to accompany him in imagination to the Holy Land, while he described to them the scenes and places he had visited, many of them alike memorable in sacred and in secular history. The land of Palestine had been called the fifth gospel, and illustrated the other four gospels. Feeling that his words would but faintly describe the scenes visited, he had called to his aid the lamp and services of the Rev. J. S. Hill, and the limelight views would bring the matter more vividly home to their memories and imaginations. Starting from the port of Alexandria in an Egyptian steamer, the lecturer went on his way to Jaffa, where he landed, after running the gauntlet of the Turkish officials. A capital description was given of the town, the habits and customs of the natives, the narrow streets, and the quaint houses ; also of the German colony, which has so largely improved the productive powers of the suburbs. Among other places visited was the house of Simon the Tanner, and the place where Peter saw the vision which revealed to him the fact that salvation was for the whole world, and not for the Jews only. Having seen the " lions" of Jaffa a start was made for Jerusalem. On the way, outside the orange groves bordering Jaffa, was the fountain, hard b}' which tradition placed the residence of Dorcas, whom Peter restored to life. Passing through the plain of Sharon, ablaze with bloom, the route to Jerusalem was described, the rural life of the people being in many respects much as it was in the days of the Apostles. Jerusalem, with its many glorious and sacred associations, was described—its temples, pools, and mounts and valleys—illustrating afresh the accuracy of Scripture, and bringing anew to memory some of the mightiest events in the world's history. Many of the places around the sacred city were also depicted, interesting as illustrating the life of the Incarnate. The audience were then taken to Hebron, to the Dead Sea, and to the -Jordan, and the sacred reminiscences surrounding them alluded to in simple but appropriate language. The lecturer for nearly an hour and a-half kept the undivided attention of his audience, while he showed them Palestine from a sacred and secular, and ancient and modern point of view, the facts of sacred and historical lore being given in a graphic and entertaining manner. The lecturer, speaking of tiie future of Palestine, said the land would soon acquire its old fertility were the people once free from the blighting rule of the Turk, who seemed to have no capacity for government beyond imposing taxation. Recent events showed that the Great Powers were casting covetous glances upon it, Russia was looking to more than the Holy Places, and England, by seizing upon Cyprus, intended to watch the Syrian coast. In the struggle which might possibly come about, it was to be hoped that the Holy land, in which they had so deep an interest, would ultimately come under the beneficent sway ot Great Britain.

The limelight views, which illustrated the lecture, were given very effectively, and added greatly to the interest of the lecture.

On the motion of Mr. DOOQLAS, seconded by Mr. Buddle, a hearty vote of thanks by acclamation was accorded to the lecturer, as also to the Rev. J. S. Hill, who gave his services in the manipulation of the umelight. The lecture, which was throughout both interesting and instructive,-would well bear repetition on a future occasion, and especially to the elder classt? of our Sundayschools, as giving them an insight into Eastern life and customs, and popularising sacred history. The Chairman closed the proceedings with the Benediction.