TTTT71 T ATTV SITNT ) AT" . IS. Iflflfl.
DAY OF DAYS IN BETHLEHEM
Artist Tittot Writes of His Viilts to tin
Birthplace of Ohriit.
HOW THE CITV APPEARS TODAY
Bxplunntlon of ( tie Presence of Shep
herd * In the KIclcU , the Coming
of the Mnsrl and the Qald-
inK Star.
When I left Paris in October , 1888 , It waste
to go to Palestine , there to com * Into per
sonal contact with those spots sanctified by
ibe presence of th Savior wken lie trod
the worth.
I w nt tn Jerusalem and law that Via
Dolorosa along which He made Hla weary
way toward Calvary. 1 saw Calvary Itself
and all the sacred spots In the neighborhood ,
GotliBetnane and Its garden , Dcthany and
Its tomb. Iut I reserved for Christmas
j , my visit to Bethlehem , that little ipot des-
[ j tlned to Immortality because of the blrtn
h of the Savior within Its confines.
On ths day before Christmas , accom
panied by the French consul , I departed
from Jerusalem toward Bethlehem , resolved
to see tftiat place and Its sanctified grotto on
the anniversary of the very night when
Jesus the Chrl t flrat opened His ey s upon
the world which He had com * to cave. But ,
alas , for the emotions which filled my being
I could not have chosen a more unfortunate
tlmo. As wo were on our way I noticed
great crowds of people of every nation on
the face of the slobs hurrying In the same
direction , anxiously , eagerly , as It tney
feared to miss some part of an exhibition.
Wo arrived In Bethlehem and through the
Influence of the consul were permitted to
pass the night In the very grotto In which
the Christ was born.
Throng lit the Shrine.
To my surprise and horror I found a
ecethlng mass of men and women surging
around the place trying to push each other
aside- and see 'they ' knew not what. I was
infinitely shocked , for It seemed to me that
those thousands locked all reverence for this ,
the holiest place on earth to a believing
Christian. I bad hoped , burying myself in
reflection upon the wondrous Nativity , to
pass the night in prayer and meditation. I
lianlly dared to do more than peep at the
place In which the Virgin had borne the
world's Redeemer but these people , this
mob , appeared to lack all sense and senti
ment ; I wondered how much they under-
etood , how deeply they reverenced the
Saviour. I was glad when the night waa
past ; I would have made my escape at once
bad It been possible to pass through that
curious , pushliiB , 'ling ' crowd. I deter
mined never to ct > . to Bethlehem wh n it
was being so polluted.
The next year (1887) ( ) I again puaed
I' Christmas eve in Palestine , but It waa in
the convent near Jerusalem , and there waa
| i deep sentiment and holy reverence. Never
can I forget the sermon preached In the
the Desert , where St. John dwelt ; on the
eatt Belt-Bahour rlaes from the llttl * hill
whcr * Ruth gleaned the ear * of grain In
the. fields of Boat , while beyond can b
inn the several atony hill * called the
Wilderness. Still further to the east the
rocka of Mount Moab stretch along like a
wall , the baM of which I * bathed by the
water * of the Dead if a. On the south
Mount Herodlon forms a regular cone , on
the summit of which a few ruins indicate
the site of the casU * of Herod. It waa
here that the tetrarch waa interred and
later the Crusaders raised defensive works ;
hence 1U more modern appellation of the
Hill of the Franks.
Place or the NaflvHy.
The grottos of the Natlvrty are a series
of natural caves , extending for a consider
able distance In the mountains , forming
chambers connected with each other. An a
matter of fact shepherds watching their
flocks from the hills avail themselves of
these shelters in cold or bad weather and
It was In them that Mary and Joseph , find
ing no place In toe caravansary , decided to
take refuge.
mals an ox and an asi. However that may
be , Mary found something there to lerve the
purpose of a crib In whlnh to lay her new
born child. This crib , or manger as It !
generally called , la now preserved In the
Church of Santa-Marla-Nagglore at Rome ,
where It la visited and venerated by numer
ous pilgrims.
The place rendered sacred by the birth of
the Savior , naturally , has been a goat of
pilgrimage to many thousands besides my
self. The early Christians flocked to It In
crowds. After the revolt of the Jews under
Uar-Cocbba the Eraporor Hadrian had a
temple to Jupiter erected on the Mount of
Olives , on the very scene of the ascension ;
a temple to Venus on Golgotha , and one to
Adonis above the grottos of Bethlehem.
These three temples remained standing for
180 years , thus providentially attesting the
sites of these venerated sanctuaries until
the time when St. Helena , mother of the
Emperor Constantlns , replaced them with
basilicas In honor of Jesus Christ.
Thfi basilica of Bethlehem Is still standing
and with the exception of the facade , which
THE ADORATIO N OF THE MAGI.
The particular plare | p''l- * > '
as the exact birthplace of the Christ Is sit *
uated in the lox.upu.t > . . . . . . . .
cavea reached by two elopes now converted
into flights of atone ste ; .
THE GHOTTO OF THE NATIVITY AT BETHLEHEM.
1-Orotto of Nativity. 2-Altar of the Ado ration of the Magi. 3 Manger In which
the Infnnt Jesus was born. 4 Staircase lending from the Basilica to the Grotto. 5
Altar marking the spot where Jesus was born. 6 Sprint which gushed out at the
nativity. 7 Entrance to subterranean chambers. ( Shaded portion of the plan repre
sents the Basilica , which has been built above the Grotto. >
ohapol toy a truly devout priest of Him whom
he glorified. What an Inspiration In the
very BOH on which the preacher atood !
What other subject could he choose but that
of the Christ ? How his voice touched every
heart aa with extended finger he said : "A
tone's throw from bore He was burled. A
little further on He was crucified. Through
that olty He walked to His death. Just over
the hills He was taken prisoner after His
agony In the garden , and In that direction
( pointing toward Bethlehem ) He first saw
the light. "
In the Virgin' * Step * .
The holy pleasure of visiting Bethlehem
vndor proper conditions I enjoyed a short
time after my first unpleasant experience. I
followed the path which leads from Nazareth
to that town to which Mary and Joseph had
coruo at that critical time In their career.
It Is a walk of three days from one town
to the other , but It Is worth far more than
the fatigue which must bo endured to feel
that ouo U walking in. the very footsteps
of the Virgin.
Bothleeu , or Bethlehem , is also known by
the Hebrew naiie of Euthrata. Theie
words mcau the "House of Bread" and "tho
land" or "country. " U was Indeed to bo
a "Houce of Bread" In a great and spiritual
sense after the birth of the Savior there.
The Arabs give it another name resembling
the flrat , for they can it Balt-Lahen , or
the "House of Meat. " The town Itself dates
from most remote antiquity. Moaes speaks
of it In the xxxvth chapter of Genesis In
connection with the birth of Benjamin ,
which took place , bo tells us , when bis
parents had but a little way to come
through Ethralh ( which is the same as
Bethlehem ) , Rachel dying immediately
Afterward.
When Palestine was conquered by Joshua ,
Bethlehem , like Jerusalem , was Inhabited
by the idolatrous Canaanltes and In the
division of the conquered districts It fell to
the lot of the tribes of Juda.
The situation of Bethlehem Is Indeed most
beautiful. Built on the crest of the moun
tains of Judca , about two leagues to the
eolith of Jerusalem , Its form It that of a
crescent , one end of which Is marked by
the Wells of David , the other by the Grottos
of the Nativity. Between the two horns of
the crescent stretches a fertile valley , the
Wady-el-Karoubeh. The descent of this
valley Is very steep and resembles a circus
with low parallel walls , which keep the
earth from sliding down , and have the form
of tier on tier of seats. This valley pre-
BCntfj a charming appearance , clothed aa it
Is with an abundant vegetation In which
vines , flg , olive and almond tree * abound ,
The view from the top of the ascent is
bounded on the north by the hill of Mar-
and on the weat by the Mountains of
Between the two sets of steps is a slight
depression which tradition indicates as the
spot to which Mary retired when the divine
child was born. It was only after the birth
that ho carried him a few pacee to a more
commodious place , more sheltered from the
cold , where U was possible to give the cave
something of the semblance of a room.
There , says the legend , were some anl-
> Is hidden by massive buildings , is almost
intact.
i The interior consists of five navM , divided
by rows of columns with Corinthian capitals
which were probably taken from ths ruins
of the Temple of Jerusalem , doubtless the
source of much of the material used in the
basilicas of St. Helena , which were erected
In a very short space of time.
Presence of Shepherd * Explained.
Many have wondered how it was possible
for the shepherds to be watching In tlhe
open air at the time when Christ was born.
The place where the shepherds were when
tha angels appeared to them Is supposed to
have been what is now called Belt-Sahour ,
a word signifying "The House of the Shep
herds. " It Is surprising at first sight that
shepherds should be watching their flocks
In open air at the time of the year set for
the nativity , for the cold must have been
intense. It was , no doubt , to the nd of
December that the account in holy writ
refers , but the pastures were not vast graz
ing grounds where the ah ep were gathered
together in thousands from every direction ,
but mcro local fields where each shepherd
'tended ' his own little group of animals , and
there is nothing In this to surprise any one
familiar with the customs of the east.
After the December rains are over the
grass begins to grow again and the flowers
reappear. The severity of the winter varies
very much and some especially flno days
occur , even In the very 'heart ' of the cold
season , when the shepherds of Bethlehem
would go down Into the plain with their
flocks , as the Arabs do now in good season.
The gospels tell us that when the shep
herds were surprised by the angels they
were "abiding in the fields , keeping watch
over their flocks by night. " The night was
always divided into three eo-called watches.
The shepherds changed guards every three
hours during the short night of the sum
mer and every four hours during the longer
nights of the winter. In the latter case the
first watch ended at 10 end the second at
2 , while the third Tasted till daybreak. The
shepherds on guard gathered round the
campflre while waiting their turn to rest
and It must have been to those thus waitIng -
Ing that the angels appeared. They no doubt
wakened their comrades to tell them the
wonderful nowa and afterwards , all went
together to Bethlehem , where they found
and worshiped the Holy Child.
The other personages mentioned In scrip
ture In connection with the birth of Jesus
are the Magi. Magi or soothsayers are
mentioned in the book of Daniel as being
MEGEATH STATIONERY CO.
Wherever This Paper Goes
personal call , bearing jflL 1T1OSL v/Ol Qlcll JLIlVlLElLlOIl
To visit our store either early in the morning , at noon or in the evening.
APPROPRIATE HOLIDAY PRESENTS
Christmas comes apace don't let it catch you napping.
Duplicate Whist Sets Kalamazoo
method , Paine's meth- _ _
od. 8 to 24 trays . 33 * tO JJ > 7
Archarena and Nine Other Games in
One The newest and most popu
lar parlor outfit ten fas-
einating games on one board . . . .
Combination Carom and Crokinole
Boards two of the nicest of par
lor games two
style * of finish . 93 and $3 50
Poker Sets Neat and new styles
odd Ideas for holding chips
and cards compact and orna-
/ pw * OH
y
mental when not In us * . OOC fO tpl
Game Counters Whist , Bezique
and other games , a nice assortment In
metal , wood , celluloid , bone
novel designs out this year. . . . , _ _ tCl
and leather there are some OC tO IfO
Writing Sets Comprising ink
land , blotter , calendar and- . . _ _ . , , _
pen rack finished In leather. . IJ > 1. OU lO q J
Standard Diaries for 1899 From
the vest pocket size , 25c , to - , _
the large counting size at. . . . IpOiUU
Albums for Kodak Pictures An en
tirety new lot lust received
from the manufacturers
. _
ORC1BO
prices from IO
Games and Blocks As we wish to
close out this department we are giving a
dlecount of 60 to 70 per cent from the regular
prices and are positively losing money on
every sale , but they must go before Christ
mas and we stand the jar.
Cribbage Boards - 15c to $ .400
Checkers . 5c to 35c
Chessmen . 40c to $5.00
Dominoes . 5c to 60c
MEGEATH STATIONERY CO.
1308 FARNAM STREET.
THE ADORATION OP THE SHEPHERDS.
THE MAQI ON THEIR WAV TO BETHLEHEM.
Library Sets
Don't confound these with cheap editions they
are all printed en good paper and have durable
library bindings.
DICKENS , IS v ls $5 00
BULWI2R LYTTON , 13 vol $5 00
WALTER SCOTT , 12 Tola. , illustrated ,
Buokram binding $12 00
MoCAULEY HUtory of Encland , E vola. . . . $1 25
MCCARTHY , History f Our Own Times. . . .
Orewell's Fine Library Bdltlon , 4 vole $5 00
BMBJISON'S BB9AYS , 2 vols. , library sU 50c
OEOROE ELLIOTT , 6 vols $2 40
MOnLEY'B English Men of Letters. 39 vols. .
cold separately , per volume 75c
PLUTARCH'S LIVES , 3 vol $2 00
HUGO , 6 vols. . Crowell's Library Edition. . $5 60
BIBLES
Genuine Bagster , flexible Morocco , concord
ance , maps , illustrations , helps , etc $1 50
In addition to the above we have the largest niort-
ment of bibles In the city ranging In price from 30
cents to seventeen dollars.
PELOUBETS NOTES for 1899 $1 00
SIMON DALE , by the author of the Prisoner < |
of Zends ; $1 10 |
SHREWSBURY , by the author of the Gentleman - |
tloman of France $1 10
Sicnkiewicz's Famous Historical Novels
Flro and Sword , 1 vol 7Be
Tbo Deluge , 2 vol 75C
Fan Michael , 1 vol 75C
Quo Vadls. 1 vol 75c
Or tb filve Tola. , neatly boxed $3 50
REMINGTON'S Frontier Sketches $2 00
MERRILL & BAKER'S Handy Vol. Classics
20 titles , regular price 76c 30c
A SERIES of 3-4 Levant Bindings , 30 titles
regular price , $2.60 $1 00 4 >
DRESDEN CLASSICS , 150 titles , white and
gold binding each vol. , separately boxed ,
per volume SOc
ALL THE POETS , pocket site , bound In
flexible lambskin , per volume 75o
ALL THE POETS , In a new holiday edition > *
of the basket pattern , per volume 78o
k A A. Aviv A.vVyK A. A A > N yv A J/ ? > . , * . . * . /k. > & .AA.AA./\.A..Aj.yvAiBk.A A A.A.AS-
In the service of King Nebuchadnezzar.
They studied astronomy and Interpreted
dreams. Those referred to In the gospels
seem to have been not only wise men , but
kings , or sheiks of Chaldea and its neigh
borhood. They , too. engaged In the study
of the heavenly bodies and perhaps also
worshiped them , a fact which explains the
Immediate attention accorded to a sign ap
pearing In the heavens at the moment of the
birth of the Mcslah. The color of their
undergarments , yellow , Indicated their pro
fession.
The Star of Bethlehem.
What was the star referred to In the
sacred record ? There is absolutely no posi
tive evidence on this point. Some think It
was a comet or some other similar body ;
others are of tbe opinion that It was a
meteor , resembling more or less a shooting
star , which trailed slowly along at a little
distance from the ground , so as actually
to guide the steps of the Magi. Tbo gospel
seemed to sanction the latter Interpretation
when It cays : Tbo star "came and stood
over where the young child was. " A star ,
properly so-called , would not have In
dicated the spot with such precision.
Nevertheless , It Is clear that the significance
of the sign was revealed in some way to th
Mael-
Had tbe travelers exchanged Ideas pre
vious to their arrival ? It Is very probable
that they had. No doubt their caravans ,
though they started from different points ,
met beyond the Jordan on the eldo of tbe
mountains of Maob , whence they entered
the promised land , still preceded by tbe
star.
star.The
The word "house" used by the Evange
lists to indicate the place wbero the Magi
found tbe Messiah seems to point to the
conclusion that during the Journey of their
visitors from the east , Joseph and Mary
had left the cave of tbe nativity for a more
comfortable dwelling.
It Is Impossible to convoy the Idea *
aroused In the breast of tbe devout Chris
tian by the sight of Bethlehem and Its sanc >
tilled spots any better or moro clearly than
In the pictures In which I have tried to
express my interpretation of those stirring
scenes as they must have taken place.
If , by my pictures and books , I have been
able to bring tbe Christ nearer to the minds
I *
FOBS' POEMS $ | 35
OMAU , TUB TENTMAKER. by Nathan
Haskell Dole , our ex-mlnlstor to Persia
and translator of the Rubalyat of Omar
Khayyam $1.85
CYRANO TE BEROERAC. the novel , not
the play 2Sc
WAR OF 1898 , by Richard Harding Davis. . $1 80
I FINE STATIONERY
Wo carry a complete line of Hurd's and Grant's
flno correspondence papers. In our stock you can And
all the latest sizes and tints.
We also hnvo It boxed In neat suitable boxes for
presentation , with from 24 sheets of paper with en
velopes lo match , to four qu Ires.
Seal ? , with engraved Initials , fancy colored sealing
wax , etc. , Iti large vailety.
Ctirefut attention paid to card engraving , her 4dlo
crests , monograme : ) and cypher dies.
FOUNTAIN PENS
We carry a complete line o f Waterman's Famous
Fontnln Pens undoubtedly the best nnd most durable
pen on the market. We can suit nnyctie with a pen
aud will exchange nfti > r Xm as If the pen don't suit the
hand. They range In price from $1.50 to $6.00.
PERIODICALS
A year's subscription to one of the most popular
magazines makes o most acceptable Christmas Gift.
Wo will take your order , giving you a receipt , which
you can put on tbe Xwas tree , and we will do the rflt.
All the late periodicals cun bo found on our colla
tors. The Christmas numbers of the Pictorial Maga
zines are flner this year than ever before , nni all th
supplements are things of beauty.
We have nn endlcBs Hat of articles that are pecu
liarly suitable for gifts that space will not permit us
to tell you about this tlnio , but we cordially InvH * you
to call and see for yourself. i.
Christmas U only nix days off and our stock will be
much broken If you wnlt much longer.
Remember our prices nre as low as any one's , qual
ity of goods considered , and that all our goods are first
class. You will find no sec onda In our stock.
BARGAIN COUNTER
We have this year , the same as In years paat , a
bargain counter upon which we have put all the book *
that have become soiled or shopworn on our shelves.
Only two prices on these tablas 25c and 50o and yejU
will find among them many books that are worth from
fl.pO to $2,00.
and hearts of Christians of all lands , I am
more than repaid for all my labor.
labor.L. .
The writer has had occasion to use Cham
berlain's Cough Remedy In n case of croup
tn bis family within iho last wee * . Mid the
results were such that he c.iti rhcerfUly
testify to Us merits. J. n. Johnson , Husl-
ness Manager of the Council M&gaulr.o ,
Memphis , Teno.
Our Sweeping Victory
At the Tran mls3lnalppl Is causing- our
friends much anxiety they nra lylntj
awake at night wondering how we hap
pened to receive the only
Highest Award on Beer
We will relieve their troubled mlnda. for
tha cauHo of our wonderful SUCCCHH Is no
secret. Our Improved methods In brewlns
our Pure Artesian Well Water nnd tbe use
of only the very flui-st quality of Import
ed hops nre responsible for the exclusive
honorH attained at th exposition.
Aa to the number of Judges delected to
judge thu beara , we arc not certain , but
apparently there were too many to suit
some , not enough to suit others , but Just
onouirn to null us ,
If you wish to nee the Original nnd only
DIPLOMA of HIQIinST AWAHD ON
IlKKll Issued by tlio Trnnsmlsalsslpnl Ex
position , cull at our ofllce. Our GENUINE
QOLD MEDAL Is also ready for Inspection.
Omaha Brewing Association ,
Telephone 1200.
* . KicUik I/U . d Brut.
ENNYROYAL PILLS
Orl(1u > l O.lf Cnvfne.
atif. tiwtji t iUki . L nn > i |
Drufrtu for CAleknt < r BHiluk IHt _
"r J ID Ittil Ml l/.U 01.111.\
J l l wlilillat rUUn Ti"
huHt mnTimilmtirnt jkl Dflf ftl' ' * > * r * li
! ttftnpl for li rtllfUrl , ititinnUU Ml
U. * J ; oOB\ 'um ' < 4i'I I ! Ujr - t/l5 ;
I Hrc Vou Going east ?
I ( yon ar * locking for romfwlaala trl
tnuat nVllgghtful Mfnerjr , In galjig to I * w
dilpula , or avaahore point * , yon cannot do
taka ib.
! LEHIGH VALLEY
e from Buffftio or NU ( B Futll lutwtri.
P Thi rouu U through rotten of.
" , UNRIVALLED SCENERY
f IncluJInr hlilorU rail. ) . , moioUIn btifntl ,
n rlT.n and | lacld lakn. Thla la Uia r J at
1 BLACK DIAMOND EXPRESS
n bfloian Iluffalo and Now Yorl ,
2 kanlatnnt Iriln In lha warM.
AII inrvugh ilaf tral&a carry dining cara amiaf
5 MEALS a la CARTE.
2 For lltu.trat.il dcacrlptlve Imoki on tlla routa. et UfvrBi
n tlon aa toraU.of fa < t > .u * . > prn < 1 > our addrrta , vltft ftmr CM
Z In .Umpa. l < > Cilia. B. Ltc , < " ' faia. Agant , aw York.
Ei III I iimililililil 11 , ' 111:111 : lililililH 1.111:1 : inn iiiiiiini IUiluliNlwililil : : : :
COCOA and )
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[ FOR UTIHO ORINKINa
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dlicuarKrfl , luoatumatloBi.
IrrlUtlun or ulctrttuot
of in it co ui mem brtm.
Pftlnleci. and not
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ol by
r ( nt In pl ln
j ipr n , yrfpiid , (
SI. 10 , or .1 bottlei , a.7 .
t.ircn ut oo
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Or PnrclmNlnit Condi Mfiile at
\ebrn Ua
CORNICE WORK3.
O. P. Kl'ENUTEIl ,
K\ai.K conjricB
Manufacturer of Galvanised Iron Coratoss
Galvanized Iron Skylights. Tin , Iron aol
Slate Rooting. Agent for Klnncars Sttel
Celling. 108.10-12 North Eloventb etrett.
FLOUR MILL8.
S. F. OILMAN.
Flour , Meal , Feed , Dran , 1013-15 17 North
17th street , Omaha , NOD. C. E. Black ,
Manager , Telephone C92.
IRON WORKS.
DAVIS < t CO WO 11,1. , IHON WORKS.
Iron and Ilrn n Pounder * .
Manufacturers and Jobbers .ft Maohlnirr.
General repairing a specialty. 1E01. KM
and 1608 Jackson street , Omaha , Neb.
LINSEED OIL.
WOODMAN M.VXKKD OIL WORK * .
Manufacturers uld process raw Untied
oil , Kettle boiled Unseed oil , old proceil
ground llnsrod cakes , ground and screen * !
tluxseed for drugeUts. OMAHA. NEB.
BREWERIES.
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Carload shipments made in our ovm re
frlgerator cam. Uluo Illbbon , Elite Export ,
Vienna Export nnd Family Export dallv.
ered to all parts of the city.
BOILERS.
OMAHA I1OILUII AVOUKS.
JOHN 1C. r.OWHKY. Prop.
Boilers , Tanks nnd Sheet Iron