Identifier: landbookorbibli02thom (find matches)
Title: The land and the Book; or, Biblical illustrations drawn from the manners and customs, the scenes and scenery of the Holy Land
Year: 1874 (1870s)
Authors: Thomson, William McClure, 1806-1894
Subjects: Bible Bible
Publisher: New York, Harper
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto

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ast-ward and southward, over the regions through which wehave wandered for the last few days, is most peculiar andimpressive. It is the Creators own conception realized ofdesolation absolute—hills behind hills, sinking far down tothe Dead Sea, with Edom and Moab beyond. As the risingsun revealed them, I have been watching their worn andhaggard features with a strange sort of fascination, for Idoubt not it was into this wilderness that Jesus was ledafter his baptism in the Jordan. What particular part of itI care not to know. Enough for me that on these dolefulhills the great temptation was borne by the suffering Son ofGod for forty days and forty nights—that here the Princeof Darkness was baffled at every point, and his accurseddominion overthrown and forever. Our position on this mount is indeed delightful, andwhichever way one turns he sees objects of the highest andmost sacred interest. From a dozen points I have been gaz-ing down into the Holy City, and my utmost anticipations
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I HOLY CITY—FIRST IMPRESSIONS. 467 arc more than realized. Jerusalem, as I sec it this morn-ing, is all 1 could desire, and, if a nearer acquaintance is go-ing to disappoint and disgust, let me not enter, but departfrom this Mount of Ascension carrying away the pictureidready imprinted on my heart. Such a result is not inevitable, though this your first isby far the best view you will ever have. Your introduc-tion to the Holy City differs widely from mine. Weariedwith a long ride from Jaffa, I approached from the westwhen the shadows of evening were falling heavily over theblank walls and unpicturesque ramparts of Zion. I couldsee nothing of the city, and entered the gate dissatisfied andsadly disappointed. Subsequently, while residing here, thisfirst impression wore off, and was succeeded by feelings ofdeep reverence and earnest affection. Be not discouraged,therefore, if you return from the first walk about Zion hun-gry, weary, half roasted, and with a sensation of disgust tug-gin

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