TIBERIAS.

disciples after His resurrection.

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In the

Saviour's time, this region was so densely populated, that He made it the chief scene of His labours. The shores were then studded with the crowded villages of Magdala, Pella, Gadara, Scythopolis, and many others. Of all these Tiberias alone remains, and one boat only is now to be found on the Sea of Galilee.

March 9th. We left Tiberias by the road skirting the borders of the sea, and passing the site of Capernaum. While our caravan, at a little distance behind, was toiling through the swampy plains of Genesareth, the muleteers were attacked by Bedouin Arabs, robbed of their money, and compelled to kiss the feet of one of their chiefs, receiving at the same time a most unmerciful flogging with heavy blows from their guns. We were fortunate in having escaped this assault. Our way now led through the country of Zebulon, the beauty and fertility of which was proverbial in the time of Josephus, who in the M 2

reign of Nero was governor of Upper and Lower Galilee. But the long wars between the Jews and Romans, and the ravages of the Crusaders and Mussulmans, have reduced the land to its present state.

March 11th.-Encamped at Lake Merom, having passed through Safet, which contains a large Jewish population, and a college for rabbis. The Jews have long since made this a favourite abode, clinging tenaciously to the tradition that the Messiah is to reign here forty years, before the establishment of His kingdom at Jerusalem. Lake Merom is now but a small sheet of water. It was in this region the last battle of Joshua with the Canaanites was fought. We stopped for the mid-day rest at Jacob's Bridge, which crosses the Jordan, not far from the ancient city of Dan. The river flows rapidly at this point; and the oleander and laurustinus grow in thickets, close to the river's brink. Thus far we had followed the course of the Jordan from the waters of the Dead Sea, and were now tracing it almost

to its source.

RUINED CASTLE.

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Near the spot where we stopped to rest, were the remains of a Crusader's castle, the foundation of which was laid by Baldwin IV., King of Jerusalem, and destroyed by Saladin.

CHAPTER XXVII.

Cæsarea Philippi.-Our Lord's Divinity.-Earthquake.-Harem of a Turkish Pasha.-Damascus.-Demetri's Hotel.-Bazaars.

MARCH 12th.-Encamped at Cæsarea Philippi. Here the association of localities with Our Lord's missionary labours closes. We do not find it recorded that Our Saviour in prosecuting his work on earth travelled farther north. The scenery about Cæsarea Philippi is full of beauty and interest. The citadel, in picturesque ruin, crowns a rocky height, where Herod the tetrarch built his splendid palace. The traveller, while enjoying this lovely expanse of hill and valley, finds himself turning away from the green hills, towers, and cascades, (for the place is literally running with

OUR LORD'S DIVINITY.

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streams,) to the never-wearying incidents that consecrate this part of the Eastern world as holy ground. Before we take leave of Our Lord we recall the great question he made to his disciples here,—a question which has involved so many intricate arguments, caused so many controversies in the Christian world, and divided Christ's Church into so many sects. 'Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?' The disciples answered, Some say that thou art John the Baptist, some some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.' Not satisfied with this reply, He repeats the question, 'But whom say ye that I am?' And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' 'And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou Simon Barjona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.' As much of our absorbing interest in the scenes and sites of the Holy Land derives its value from the fact of the Saviour's divinity, the pilgrim's apprecia

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