dans keep it very carefully. They have a mosque, or place of worship, over it; and there are curtains of green or scarlet silk, embroidered with gold, over each separate recess where bodies have been placed. This spot, therefore, has been reverenced by three very different races of people : by the Jews, because they call Abraham their father; by Mohammedans, who respect the patriarch as their ancestor, because he received angels here; and by Christians, because it is considered that the Lord Jesus Christ there first appeared in a human form to the father of faithful believers. The whole history of this visit, Gen. xviii., should be read with attention; and it is interesting to observe that the Arabs, who are descended from Abraham by his son Ishmael, still preserve the same customs, in countries not far distant, of living in tents, surrounded by flocks and herds, and showing ready hospitality to strangers. Abraham had, however, an enlightened and a pure and simple faith, which they have not.

There is a very ancient tree now standing in the neighbourhood of Hebron, or Mamre, which is said to be that where the angels visited Abraham. It is called a turpentine tree, and is somewhat like an oak.. Its branches spread over eighty-one feet, and all round measures more than two hun

dred and fifty feet, so there is abundant room for a tent under its shade. Its trunk, in the narrowest part, is twenty-two feet thick. But it is not likely this single tree should have attained so great an age, though the general face of the country remains the same. Hebron stands on an eminence, surrounded by hills and valleys, the hill country of Judea, about sixteen miles from Jerusalem; and in the intermediate space was the valley of Eshcol, from which the spies, or searchers of the land, sent by Moses, brought a beautiful cluster of grapes, Num. xiii., which two of them carried carefully between them on a staff. Fruit is a constant article of food with the natives of warm countries; and, in hilly regions, vines and other trees are more plentiful than corn or pasture lands: and though the vine is now scarce in Palestine, as drinking the juice of the grape is contrary to the Mohammedan law, which the Turks, who oppress the country, observe; perhaps, ere long, that land will again be fruitful under the Divine blessing, its inhabitants sitting under their own fig-trees and vines, with none to make them afraid.

Although Joshua had expelled the Canaanites, they had regained possession of Hebron when Caleb promised his daughter as a reward to whoever should again vanquish them. Her father gave her the

upper springs and the nether springs; perhaps some field where a mountain streamlet descended to the lower ground, such as may often be seen in some parts of England, especially in Devonshire.

Those who have lived in more level spots, can scarcely understand the appearance of mountainous scenery, or the manner in which it would be used for resisting enemies. Cities, "fenced up to heaven,' were doubtless so called from the high ground on which they stood. Other interesting passages might be mentioned, particularly Psalms lxv. and civ. David spent much time in the various parts of the tribe of Judah, and he was not negligent in observing its chief features. The true believer will delight to derive instruction from all the varied works of his heavenly Father.

At Hebron, David received the visit of the men of Judah, and afterwards the whole of Israel, to make him king. A spring of water may still be seen, which appears to be the pool where he caused the murderers of Ishbosheth to be hanged. In Hebron, his undutiful son Absalom set up the standard of rebellion. All this shows it must have been a considerable place. Most likely it was the residence of Zacharias and Elizabeth, mentioned in Luke i., as it is distinctly stated to have been occupied by

the Levites and priests, and was moreover one of the cities of refuge, Josh. xx. 7, where the unintentional manslayer found a secure retreat; and it must, also, have been the scene of many other interesting events. FULLER observes, that all the cities of refuge on this side Jordan, see Josh. xx. 7, were on very high foundations. "Whether because those towns were to typify Christ himself, who, like the brazen serpent, was to be lifted up; or to comfort the flying and fainting offender, whose eyes were at his journey's end long before his feet. Say not, that it damped his spirits when his tired legs, after a long and tedious journey, must at last climb up a steep mountain. For if he got but within the verge of the suburbs, on either side, he was secure."

There is good reason to believe Hebron was the spot where the youthful Mary visited her aged relative, Luke i. 39; and her visit has been minutely recorded. Let others seek to resemble her in pondering in their hearts the great truths of salvation through Jesus Christ, and making them the subjects of profitable intercourse in the private circle of their own families and friends.

The present name of Hebron, is El-Khulil, or "the friend," a name given by Mohammedans to Abraham. The modern town is described as situated on the sloping sides of a valley; the houses of stone, with

22 PLACES MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE.

windows and flat roofs, and on these roofs small domes, sometimes two or three to each house. The path to it from the desert is steep and rocky. The neighbourhood is still rich and fruitful; not only pomegranates and figs, but apricots, quinces, and the like, are found in abundance, and the finest vineyards in the country.

The road from Hebron to Jerusalem is a direct and ancient one, but not suited for wheel carriages, on account of the frequent and sudden falls and rises. There is a ruin about a mile from hence, which the Jews call the House of Abraham. The walls are low, massive, and apparently ancient; they may have belonged to some church or fortress of very early date.

The town itself consists of three parts. The main quarter is round the great mosque, on the eastern hill; here are the bazars (markets) and places of business. Behind are several olive orchards; and few objects can be more pleasant than these when in full leaf; see Psa. lii. 8. Two smaller suburbs, or clusters of houses, extend to the north and west respectively, separated by a few open fields. The reservoirs of water, or pools of Hebron, lie on the south; with a flight of stone steps leading to each.

The most remarkable building is the Mohammedan mosque, which covers the cave pointed out as the burying-place of the pa