Jerusalem A Place of Woe

Holy City and Its Inhabitants Fallen on Evil Ways.

Miss Helen M. Smith entertained a large company in the ballroom of the Tuileries this morning by an animated description of the far eastern countries, says the Boston Transcript. She presented pictures of places rich in classic and biblical interest - Constantinople, Smyrna (where the tomb of Polycarp is), the ruins of the temple of Diana at Ephesus, Jaffa and Jerusalem were all described in wonderfully entertaining fashion.

There was a narration of the gradual climb of four hours to the latter city which is 3,000 feet above the sea. Great areas of brilliant red flowers, "the lilies of the field," make a striking impression during this journey. "Jerusalem," said Miss Smith, "cannot fail to disappoint - grieve one with ideals. There is so much dirt, depravity and deceit; so many Calvaries, so many graves from which the stone was rolled away! There is only one Gethsemane, but it is a tawdry, artificial place - in no sense the secluded spot where 'the suffering Savior wept alone.' The Mount of Olives probably looks as it did 1,900 years ago. It was, indeed, the only place where I felt reverence for the holy land. From it I could see the River Jordan, the Dead sea, and follow, in fancy, the wandering step of Abraham and feel the influence of the prophets of old.

"Jerusalem to-day is surely in need of an enlightened prophet who will rid the city of its filth, bring healthy conditions to its half-blind children, and a better sense of right to its morally depraved people. Here, where the best examples of Christianity should be shown are seen the worst. Never mind where the actual cross borne along the Via Dolorosa, the cross of ignorance that is crushing the people should he lifted. All ways in Jerusalem today are ways of sorrow."

--Suburbanite Economist, Chicago, May 10, 1907, page 3.