The Christian in Palestine (Volume 1); Or, Scenes of Sacred History, Historical and Descriptive (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847. Excerpt: ... FROM NAZARETH TO TIBERIAS. The journey from Nazareth to Tabaria, the ancient Tiberias, occupies about eight hours. Nothing of interest attracts the notice of the traveller on the wild, solitary road which leads from Nazareth to Cana. After leaving the latter place, several spots to which tradition has given a species of importance, reawaken the imagination, and the far from unprofitable train of thoughts so readily called up at the mention of the Saviour's name. The traveller who carefully investigates the evidence upon which a particular site may found its claim to reverence, will often deserve our gratitude, because he may succeed in really giving us something better than mere traditional proof, that we are meditating on the scenes consecrated by an especial Dlessing. But when the traveller is too nice and too frequent in his questionings, he is something like the critic who will not allow us to enjoy a fine passage in a poet, without disturbing our pleasure by suggesting, that scarcely a word can be depended upon as that of the author. Popular feeling points out a mountain of an oblong shape, with two jutting peaks, about an hour's distance from Nain, as that on which our Lord miraculously fed the five thousand. It is commonly called Mons Beatitudinis, by the Latin Christians of the neighbourhood; but by the natives, Keroun Hotteln, or the Horns of Hottein. Whatever the uncertainty attending the more ancient celebrity of this immediate district, no such doubt interferes with its historical interest, as the scene of the battle which destroyed the foundations of the Christian empire in Palestine. Saladin, whose generous and noble character has cast the glare of romance over his vices as a conqueror, was approaching the zenith of his fame, when the Christi..