DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11789#0089
THE ARTOSS
79
In an apartment abundantly, I will not say taste-
fully ornamented, we were shown a kind of grotto,
or cave, that is said to occupy the site of the manger
and stable. Here a great number of lamps are
kept constantly burning. It may perhaps have
been owing to my Protestant prejudices, that to me
the whole scene appeared to be anything but in
harmony with what should be the spirit of the
place. In the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, I
experienced the same impressions in a still greater
degree. The elaborate decorations, and the ignorant
and formal superstition of those entrusted with the
care of these hallowed spots, seemed to me to pre-
sent a most unhappy and painful contrast to the
character and spirit of Him whom they were de-
signed to honor. Nevertheless, we ought, perhaps,
to rejoice at every sincere effort to confer honor
upon what is truly worthy, however much we may
regret that such efforts have not received a more
enlightened direction.
Descending the hill of Bethlehem, we passed
the well mentioned in the 23d chapter of 2d
Samuel; and after a ride of two or three miles
we came to the Artoss, the seat of a missionary
settlement, under the care of John Meshullam,
a converted Jew. He had established himself
79
In an apartment abundantly, I will not say taste-
fully ornamented, we were shown a kind of grotto,
or cave, that is said to occupy the site of the manger
and stable. Here a great number of lamps are
kept constantly burning. It may perhaps have
been owing to my Protestant prejudices, that to me
the whole scene appeared to be anything but in
harmony with what should be the spirit of the
place. In the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, I
experienced the same impressions in a still greater
degree. The elaborate decorations, and the ignorant
and formal superstition of those entrusted with the
care of these hallowed spots, seemed to me to pre-
sent a most unhappy and painful contrast to the
character and spirit of Him whom they were de-
signed to honor. Nevertheless, we ought, perhaps,
to rejoice at every sincere effort to confer honor
upon what is truly worthy, however much we may
regret that such efforts have not received a more
enlightened direction.
Descending the hill of Bethlehem, we passed
the well mentioned in the 23d chapter of 2d
Samuel; and after a ride of two or three miles
we came to the Artoss, the seat of a missionary
settlement, under the care of John Meshullam,
a converted Jew. He had established himself