Tárogató, 1942-1943 (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1942-09-01 / 3. szám
16 TÁROGATÓ LETTERS FROM THE OLD COUNTRY By R. S. Lambert (This article is published by courtesy of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) A young Canadian sergeant-observer, serving with the R.A.F. in the Middle East Forces, has had a wonderful opportunity to see for himself many of the most sacred places and relics of the Holy Land. On leave with a group of friends, he took a walking tour through Bethlehem and Jerusalem, and here is his account of what they saw in the latter city: “We approached Jerusalem through the famous Jericho gate, used by Lord Allenby. When I say ‘Jerusalem’ j mean the ancient, walled city: here we needed our guide all right, as the streets are sometimes so narrow you can touch both walls at once. The walls round the city are twelve feet thick and some sections are over two thousand years old. I visited the tower of David, the old ruler himself; and presently came to a mission tended by Catholic sisters. Here we were invited in to see a strange sight: inside the mission is preserved a section of the original street where Christ carried the Cross towards Calvary. I stood on the very stones where Christ stood, when Pilate passed sentence on him. The water which supplies this mission comes from a well beside the old Roman road, and has been kept in perfect condition all through the ages. We were given a glass of the water to drink; it was very cold, and 1 must say •timely, for we were parched with the heat. “After bidding the nuns adieu we wandered through the streets to the Wailing Wall. This is the oldest section of the Wall of Jerusalem, and it is here the Jews come to pray. It was strange to watch the Jews kiss the stones of the wall. We visited the Jewish Synagogue, oldest in the world. It is built on the spot where Moses stood to address the Israelites after their long journey. We also saw the four direct male descendants of Moses leading the Jews in their service. After this we went to the outskirts of the town for a look at King Solomon’s mines. These ancient salt mines now have a more practical use—they are used as air-raid shelters! “After a hearty lunch at the Services’ Club, we hired a taxi and started descending the winding, narrow, snake-back road which leads to Jericho. After descending some four thousand fee, we found ourselves in the Valley of the Jordan. We drove right on up to Jericho, and went on to the Allenby Bridge which spans the Jordan River and formes the boundary-line between Palestine and Transjordan. We had our pay-books stamped on this bride as a souvenir of the trip. “From Jericho we continued on to the famous Dead Sea. Here we were two thousand feet below sea-level. Probably the lowest spot on earth. We rented a pair of trunks, and off we went for a dip. And that, Mother, was the weirdest sensation I’ve ever had! I just couldn’t sink! Really, we did feel crazy out there in the water. We had to stand perpendicular or our feet would come bobbing up to the surface. We rolled over on our side in a reclining position with our heads propped on one arm, and looked for all the world as though we were resting on a feather bead! We even tried walking in the water, and found that by moving our legs as though we were cycling, we could actually move through the water. Ah me, what a time we had! We had to be very careful lest we got any water in our eyes, because it is so very salty. It is very viscous, and when it trickled through our fingers and the light shone on it, it reminded me of a heavy acid, such as sulphuric. It was a grand time I spent at Jerusalem, as you can see.” THE CHRISTIAN AND THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC It has been stated, and seems to be reasonable, that if every member of the Christian churches was to deside to refuse to patronize the Liqour Traffic in any way the Traffic would be at once so handicapped that it would be ready to throw up its hands in despair. The Traffic exists today because it is tolerated by the Church. If the Church of Jesus Christ would simply decide to put the Traffic out of existence its survival would cease to be possible. The destiny of this enemy of the race is largely in the hands of the Christian people, and when they say that it must cease business its end will not be far away. No one Christian can settle the matter for all others, but each can settle the matter for himself, and he can settle it so that there will be no doubt as to his stand in the matter. Each Church member must line up either as a friend or as an enemy of the Traffic. The decision is for him alone; no other can make it for him.
