ses Montefiore, a
Jew of London, encamped on Mount Olivet; very kind to us.
11.--Went round the most of the places to be visited near
Jerusalem,--Rephaim, Gihon, Siloa's brook, 'that flowed fast by
the oracle of God;' the Pool of Siloam; the place where Jesus
wept over the city; Bethany,--of all places my favorite; the
tombs of the kings. Such a day we never spent in this world
before. The climate is truly delightful,--hot at mid-day, but
delightful breezes at morn and even. 12.--A business day, getting
information about Jews. In the evening, walked to Aceldama,--a
dreadful spot. Zion is ploughed like a field. I gathered some
barley, and noticed cauliflowers planted in rows. See Micah 3:12.
Jerusalem is indeed heaps. The quantities of rubbish would amaze
you,--in one place higher than the walls. 13.--We went to Hebron,
twenty miles south; Mr. Nicolayson, his son, the Consul and
ladies accompanying us, all on mules and horses, Judah's cities
are all waste. Except Bethlehem, we saw none but ruins till we
reached Hebron. The vines are beautifully cultivated here, and
make it a paradise; The hills all terraced to the top. We spent a
delightful evening and all next day. We met the Jews, and had an
interesting interview with them. We read Genesis 18, and many
other Bible passages, with great joy. Saw the mosque where the
tomb of Abraham and Sarah is. 14.--Returned by Bethlehem to
Jerusalem. Bethlehem is a sweet village, placed on the top of a
rocky hill,--very white and dazzling. You see it on both sides of
the hill. At Rachel's sepulchre you see Jerusalem on one hand and
Bethlehem on the other,--an interesting sight,--six miles apart.
On Sabbath we enjoyed the Lord's Supper in an upper chamber in
Jerusalem. It was a time much to be remembered. Andrew preached
in the evening from John 14:2, 3. 17.--The plague has been
increasing so that we think it better to depart. Last visit to
Gethsemane, and Bethany, and Siloam. Evening.--Took farewell of
all our friends at Jerusalem, with much sorrow you may believe.
Went due north to Ramah, by Gibeon, and slept at Beer, again in
our tent, in Benjamin. 19.--Passed Bethel, where Jacob slept.
Passed through the rich and rocky defile of Ephraim, by Lebonah,
to Sychar. You cannot believe what a delightsome land it is. We
sought anxiously for the well where Jesus sat. Andrew alone fo