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134 Mission Mo ographs.ceeding farther we cross the valley of Rephaim vent depradations either by man or beast. Morewherethe PhiUstines came and spread themselves over I saw snow faU in Jerusalem about the 26th-when they had heard that David was anointed of March, and rains are frequent even so late inking over Israel. It is a broad level expanse be- the season. The interior of the church wastween two ridges of low hills and one can easUy adorned wsth numerous Bible or historic scenespicture David and his men under cover of these finely wrought in Mosaics, but tune has playedhills fetching a compass behind them the second havoc with them and destroyed their beauty.time they advanced upon Jerusalem where he Near the church is a cave named " The Grottostruck them in the rear and chased them like wUd of Nursing " where Mary is said to have takenroe from Geba to Gazer.refuge with the child Jesus for a brief season toNear Bethlehem is the tomb of Rachel which escape the jealous wrath of Herod, and where sheis now in the form of a shrine and is patronized nursed the child previous to starting upon theirby the people of the community as a holy place, long journey into Egypt. Mothers resort hereA short distance from the town is the hillside from time to time to replenish their failing breasts.where the shepherds were tending their flocks by This Grotto is presided over by a peasant woman,night when the angel appeared to announce the who probably derives enough revenue from it tobirth of Christ, and with him a heaven'y host sustain herself and family. The walls are compospraisingGod and saying, " Glory to God in the ed ofa soft chalky rock of which she makes smaUHighest, and on earth peace, good will toward cakes and disposes oi them to tourists and pilmeu."grims, who pay a trifle for them as souvenirs or be-Bethlehem is a neat town, orientally speaking, cause of the blessing that is in them. She statedof about 3,000 inhabitants and contains " The that the pilgrims said that when these cakes wereChurch of the Nativity '' said to be built on the dissolved in water that it turns to mdk. I saidspot where Christ was born and the m.anger is to her, " Do you really think that it does ?'still preserved in the crypt of the church. The "The pUgrims say so,'' she answered. "But dosurroundings are embellished with lamps, curtains you believe it," I asked. " I suppose it is true,'and ornaments of various kinds. It is probable she said. " Then why don't you go into thethat the ehurch is near the place where the man- milk business," I enquired. " You could undergerwas because their have been few changes in seU aU competitors and rise to affluence." "Don'tBethlehem since the beginning of the Christian be an infidel," she repUed, becoming somewhatera Amid all the commotions that occurred rufHed. A bystander then told her that, I was aand the ruin that was wrought in Palestine dur- Christian minister, and when I purchased some ofing the past centuries Bethlehem has remained her wares as a memento, she kissed my hand insubstantially tbe same, and the church was token of reconciliation and respect.built while tradition was fresh and tolerably ac- Many articles ef piety and ornament are macuratein the minds of the people.nufactured in Bethlehem, such as crosses, rosaries,A grand celebration is observed here every brooches, necklaces, napkin-rings, drinking-cups,Christmas, when each sect vies with the other in etc., made of mother of peari, amber, olive wood,the elegance of its display. But it is highly asphaltum from the Dead Sea, gold, silver, etc.,probable that Christ was not born at that seasou and are sold to pi'grims and tourists for religionsof the year at all as the weather is too inclement purposes or -as curiosities A very profitableat Christmas tide to watch flocks in the fields by trade is driven at certain seasons of the year andnight, and they are consequently housed to pre- exorbitant prices are demanded of Europeans