earthly ambition were extinguished in the bosoms of the Apostles; and they were prepared to expect that purer fire, which was ere long to burst forth. upon the Day of Pentecost. Here, their Head was taken from them; and two of the ministering spirits of his train, becoming visible to their eyes, interrupted their mute astonishment, and dismissed them to their proper stations*. Returning from this place to Jerusalem, the Disciples would announce to Mary the Mother of Jesus and his Brethren, and all the Disciples-" Though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more! It is to the promise of His Spirit that we must now look: that Spirit will be given not many days hence, and will abide with us for ever!"

In these reflections, and on this sequestered spot, I feel a more pure delight, than I could possibly attain in the tumultuous throng of worshippers, who crowd the Church of the Sepulchre. Here, silence, and retirement, and the dreary grandeur of the mountains before me, and the mild glory of the heavens above, all conspire to soften and elevate the affections. When I remember, in future days, my visit to this unadorned solitude, I would endeavour to associate with it the spirit of those words— If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those thing's which are above, where Christ sitteth at the righthand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who

* Mount Olivet is a term which applies to an extensive region of eminences all round, and not to any one point only; on the same principle as that noticed under the head of Nazareth. (See p. 167.) The specified distance, therefore-a Sabbath-day's journey-is applicable to many spots of this place.

appear with

is our life, shall

also appear

him in glory.

(Col. iii. 1-4.) Here, therefore,

memory shall exhibit to my mind the Scene of the Ascension!

BETHANY.

After a short half-hour's ride from the summit of the Mount of Olives, we arrived at the little village which bears the name Bethany, now a miserable cluster of mud-hovels. We were, first, shewn the Grave of Lazarus. We had to descend many steps to see it, as it is now considerably beneath the ground: it does not correspond with the idea formed in the mind from reading John xi. 38. On going round the village, one ruined house was pointed out, as the site of the house of Mary and Martha.

We thought to take our repast here; but as the wind was blowing keenly and threatened rain, we went into the adjacent field, and spread our carpet under one of the most beautiful and luxuriant olivetrees that I ever beheld. The field was full of such trees. I had never, from what I have seen of innumerable olive-groves in various countries, conceived it possible for this tree to attain such richness and beauty. The soil all round must be peculiarly

* The remarks of Bishop Hall, in his Contemplations on the Resurrection, may very properly be introduced in this place. "There may be a kind of carnality in spiritual actions. If, O Saviour, we have heretofore known thee after the flesh, henceforth know we thee so no more. That thou livedst here, in this shape, that colour, this stature, that habit, I should be glad to know nothing that concerns thee can be unuseful. Could I say, ' Here thou satest; here thou layest; here, and thus, thou wert crucified; here, buried; here, settest thy last foot;' I should, with much contentment, see and recount these memorials of thy presence: but, if I shall so fasten my thoughts upon these, as not to look higher to the spiritual part of thine atchievements, to the power and issue of thy Resurrection, I am never the better." (Bishop Hall's Works, Vol. II. p. 511.)

adapted to their growth; and their flourishing aspect bespeaks also the hand of careful culture. We were surrounded, during our repast, by the Sheik, and other men with the children of the village, who kept a respectful silence while we ate, and afterward thankfully received what we spared for them. Our party was now suddenly broken up by a heavy fall of rain.

We set off to return to Jerusalem, by the nearest path; that, probably, described by St. Luke in the Gospel, chapter xix. verses 28-44. The scene seems, in fact, to verify itself: as you wind round the side of the Mountain, and come almost suddenly in view of the City, it needs no guide to say, "This must have been the spot, where, as our Saviour came near to Jerusalem, he beheld the City, and wept over it!".

We were soon thoroughly wetted by the rain; but, as it began afterward to intermit a little, we were induced to pursue our original intention of going completely through the valley surrounding the City.

VINEYARDS AND FLOCKS NEAR JERUSALEM.

I only further noticed of the view eastward, that, though the rocky country toward the Dead Sea, both northward and southward of the Valley of Jehoshaphat, must evidently have been at all times very unproductive of corn, yet it possesses the two qualities essential to the accomplishment of Jacob's benediction to Judah. I was led to this remark by passing through some well-cultivated vineyards, the produce of which furnishes Jerusalem with excellent wines. Along the sides of these hills, also, we con

tinually see flocks and herds: the sheep and goats in the immediate vicinity of the City have a very picturesque appearance, as they are slowly driven into Jerusalem just before sun-set, after which the gates are shut; and from their milk a great part of the support of the inhabitants is derived. Thus, when this seemingly unpromising soil was cultivated in perfection, it would answer exactly to the promise given to the tribe of Judah-Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: his eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk*. Gen. xlix. 11, 12.

Descending into the Vale of Cedron, and crossing the Brook, at this time dry, we made our course again westward, that we might pass by the east and south side of the City, and enter at the Western.or Jaffa Gate, from which we had originally set out. We passed by the Jewish Burying-ground, southeast of the City.

POOL OF SILOAM.

A little further we came to the Pool of Siloam, whose waters go softly: they have a current; but it is almost imperceptible. I I alighted to descend

* Jebus, afterward called Jerusalem, properly belonged to the Tribe of Benjamin; and the lot of Judah began on the south side of the Valley of Hinnom. (Joshua xv. 8. & xviii. 16, 28.) But as this character of the soil applies equally to the country south of Jerusalem, and consequently illustrates exactly the blessing pronounced on Judah, the Author does not withhold it, although it was originally suggested by scenery strictly belonging to the Tribe of Benjamin.

After the taking of the strong-hold of Zion by David, who was of the Tribe of Judah, and the removal of the Ark to Jerusalem, this City seems to have become, in some sense, the property of that Tribe; although the right of Benjamin seems never to have been wholly lost sight of. (See 1 Chron. ix. 3. Nehem, xi. 1-4.)

more than twenty steps, and taste the waters of this fountain, at which, in ancient times, the Jews were wont to celebrate a festival, singing the Twelfth Chapter of Isaiah. May they, once again, sing aloud in this spot-O Lord, though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of Salvation*.

On the other side of the projecting hill, after passing under ground two or three hundred feet or thereabouts, (for I do not pretend to speak with exactness,) these waters re-appear: and here they are drawn off to irrigate a lovely spot, consisting of gardens and small fields, reaching from this point of the acclivity down to the dell beneath; where the Brook Cedron, from the north, and the Valley of Hinnom, from the south, unite in one; forming from thence the Valley of Jehoshaphat. These gardens are, in summer, often frequented by the Turks, whom cool streams and the sight of verdure invite hither to repose themselves; not without the soothing fumes of the pipe. The situation of this spot appears to be that alluded to in Nehemiah iii. 15. and in 2 Kings xxv. 4, 5.

Just over against the Pool of Siloam, near the bottom of the valley, and on the slope of a lofty mountain on the opposite side, is a village which they call Siloa: it has a miserable aspect; many

Bishop Lowth (Notes on Isaiah, chap. xii.) relates this custom. "On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the Jews fetched water, in a golden pitcher, from the Fountain of Siloah, springing at the foot of Mount Sion, without the city: they brought it through the Water-Gate into the Temple; and poured it, mixed with wine, on the sacrifice as it lay on the Altar, with great rejoicing......Our Saviour applied the ceremony, and the intention of it, to Himself; and to the effusion of the Holy Spirit, promised, and to be given, by Him."