VOL XVIII.
GRANTS PASS. JOSEPHINE COUNTY, OREGON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER n, 1902.
No. 3
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IfHRISTMAS
MODERN
By Evtvnfeliiie Ben-Oliel
CopinoM, not, by Ewnotlin Ben-OIW Tr?
BOUT nineteen hundred a ad
two years ago, in the rei.-n
of C'R'Kur Augustus, tin lit
tle town of llctblehei.i. ii
miles soutli of J ru. ulc:n.
was crowded with visitors ut about
thU time of the year, all coming to he
taxed In their uutive country. In a
cave, below the principal inn or
khan of the town, where the oxen
were usually kept, a gentle Jewish
ninld bent lovingly over, her Babe. A
light from heaven Illumined the rude
niangcr where He peacefully lay and
sued a brilliant radiance over the scene.
Several lxmdred yeara later th
pious Empress Helena of Itouic visited
I'alcstlne and discovered this grotto In
Bethlehem, which bad served ai a
bumble shelter for the Christ Child.
She was convinced that this whs the
very place which bad been hallowed '
by the nativity, and thereupon wished
to mark the spot for nil time. She bud
a inagnltlcent church built over the
Bite, so that Christians from generation
to generation might worship there.
The remains of that beautiful building
are still to be seen In the city of Beth
lehem. It la a atrauge fact that, though
Bethlehem was pre-eminently a city
belonging to the Jews In the days of '
David and of Hutli, not one Jew Is to
be round among Its Inhabitants today,
and the dwellers can In no way claim
to lie descended from that race, thougt,
some travelers think they see a resell!
blunce In their appearance to the Jew
Ish type. The town which saw . thu
birth of Christ Is Inhabited ulmnst en
tlrely by ChristUins. They are a thrifty
and Industrious cople and soiicrioi
lu every way to the other village dwell
era round about Jerusalem.
Bethlehem Is one of the oldest towns
In 1'nlestlne. It has existed as a town
for over four thousand years. The
houses are built of white limestone
and have flat roofs, 011 which the peo
ple spend their summer evenings en
jojiiig the cool air from the moun
tains. The streets are narrow und Ir
regular, and might better be called
lanes, for there Is but one real strn-t
til Bethlehem. This leads from the
country road Into the town nod teruii
sates In the large open square In front
ef the Church of the Nativity.
On Christmas eve this square is
tiled with people dressed In their gay
est attire and adorned with nil rht
finery In the way of necklaces, brace
lets and coins they possess. Christian
A MODES MADOXNA 15 SETHLIUEH.
from every part of the country
gather here ou this night latins,
Greeks, Armenians and Copts.
The enormous collection of joiued
buildings widen the pilgrims are fac
ing and which stands on the edge of
the cliff extending along the ridge of
the bill from east to west constats of
the Church of the Nativity, surrounded
by three convents, the Latin. tbeUree't
and the Armenian.
The Cbureh of the Nativity is the
oldest In C iristid.in. It belongs to
these three sects, earb of which baa a
- separate chapel within for Its own
aerrlcea. The laige basilica, which M
IN
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BETHLEHEM
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the only remains of the church built
hy St. Helena, Is owned by them till
lu common. It has a long double linn -uf
Coilmhlau pillars, similar to those
which are found in the Mosque of
Omar 0:1 the site of the ancient temple
In Jerusalem. The faded mosaic ou the
wall and the rough celling of beams
from the cedars of Lebanon are the.
' only treasures remaining in this edltiee.1
which was once blazing with gold and
sliver. This ancient building adjoins!
the one in.w In use and is only divided
from it by u suiull door. j
Here nre the usual ultara and Images'
which arc found In the Latin church
ull over the orient, and lg the Greek!
portion are the curious pictures which
the (.1 reeks revere lu the place of
linn?c;. A spiral staircase of fourteen
steps leads from this church down to I
the holy crypt, a grotto twenty feet un-'
tier the great choir.
This holy crypt forms the chapel of:
the manger and Is a subterranean
vault excavated out of the limestone
rock of which the hill of Bethlehem
Is composed. On Its walla ure old
ailkeu tapestries. Many of the silver
lamps hanging here were donations
from kings, and are always kept ullglit.
This is the supposed site of the birth
of our Lord. There is a bright star on
tho marble floor, commcmoratius tho
nppeaninco of the "slur In the east,"
with this signiacant Inscription encir
cling it:
I 1IIC DE VIROINE MARIA JKSl.'S I
' CHR18TU8 NATUB EST. j
Above the altar twelve lamps are
banging, to reprej-ent the twelve aius
tlea. Three steps more lead down to
another chapel over the alleged stall In
which, according to Latin tradition,
the woodeu manger was discovered.
On Christiints eve the pilgrims crowd
around the church awaiting tho hour
of opening lu order to get good scuta
to witness the giund ceremony. Kvery
man, woman and child who can pos
sibly come la present. The nave being
devoid of any seats, tLe cople sit or
kmvl ou the marble Hour, making n
curious mass of red fezes and white
veils. In silent prayer they uwult the
hour of the service. Meanwhile the
strains of the Te Ileum softly rise from
tho great organ.
Presently a procession of bisliops and
archbishops, attired In their aiost gor
geous mbis, enters the church chant
ing. They are followed by priests und
monks and small Imys dressed lu sear
let, wlwi constitute the choir. Tbt
handsomest church decorations are
kert for this yearly service.
The deep, well trained volet of the
choir Join In singing beautiful anthems,
after which there Is a great deal of
chanting without uioeb variation. Sev
eral tlmea during the service the bish
ops, one after another, absent them
selves to rcapiear In different attire,
each of the ruU-s being. If possible,
more gorgeous than the last.
At midnight there Is a sudden lull
In the music snd bells in the distance
ring the midnight chime. Then, as by
magic, a curtain Is drawn aside and
over the chancel gates a cradle Bp
pears to the wondering gaxe of the
worshler and within the cradle an
Image of the babe. The Gloria lu Ex
celsia Is sung and the bells continue to
peul merrily, snnonnclng to sll Beth
lehem that It Is Cbrlstmss day. The
"bambino" or Image of the bube la
now lifted before th eyes of the wor
shtNTs. who prostrate themselves on
the ground In sd-lloo. The proces
sion of blshii, prlesU Slid uiouLs and
the pilgrims eVscevids toward the grot
to of the manger chanting snd waving
liK-ense all around It. The chapel
being so small only the ofOHatlns
prlesta descend Into the grotto arid the
pilgrims gather about the narrow arch
way a ad steps dear-ending Into th
manger. They now, with much pomp,
amid the chanting of the prlesta and
the waving of the Incense, lay the lit
tle waxen Image In the cbsprl of the
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FIELDS OF THE SHEPHERDS, BETHLEHEM. f ' ' . I. t"t';"' - " ' PILGRIMS ENTERING BETHLEHEM ON CHRISTMAS DAY.
1 11 1 1 - '
manger, where " If remains during
Christmas week for dovout worshipers
to visit. Such la tho ceremony held
by the Latins on Chrlstmrs eve.
Tho Greek church in Palestine cele
brates the festival of the initivily 0110
.
'
week later than the Latin ctnrcb. For
weeks before Christmas the Greeks
fast In ordi-r to better prr-are their
hearts for the true worship of the
Saviour oo the day of His nativity.
Tlrfj akss celebrate Christmas within
the Church of fiie Nativity "in feethh
hem, and, Kid to say, because of the
frequent quarrels between the different
Beets which meet within this Church
at a time of general rejoicing, Turkish
soldiers, with drawn swords, are on
MANGER, CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY, BETHLEHEM.
s J fill ' ft v i , ' .
itj Kite :y;;yfr;-tt
fcm firUn il i - - j-.,- . - , I-, - --
T-'rH I for. v V;v it; V! 'ri'?"'--'li.
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CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY. BETHLEHEM.
guard throughout the bu tiding, for
these various Christians who worship
In the same church at times foigct
that He whom they all odors came to
bring "peace oo aaxUi and good wCl
toward men."
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THE GIRL
1 THE WINDOW
By Lulie Wells Smith
TUB train this Christmas eve
slowed up enough to take
a single passenger aboard
and to allow a girl seated
at 0110 of the car windows
t better view of the snow covered
landscape and the little patchwork of
Bounce about the station. Thou It lum
bered oft again. The new passenger
took a scat beside the girl at the win
dow because It was the only vacant
0110. She continued to gnio at the
white llelds for a time.
"Merry Christmas! What a mock
ery!" she thought bitterly. Then she
tole a glaiieo at her new companion.
Ilia face was hidden by the newspaper
be was holding close to bis eyes In a
vain struggle to read by the fast fad
ing light. When he threw It down In
disgust, she leuued forward and asked
timidly:
"Mny I look at It a moment T I want
to see If thero la any later news about
the 1'iH'limik bank robbery."
Ha handed her the paper and watch
ed her curiously aa oho bent over It
and with eagerness road tho first page.
"Mid you Unci nut whnt you wanted
to know?" ho BRked when she banded
tho paper back to him.
"No, for thero la no trace of the
thloves or tho money yet!" she an
' iwered, with great deal of feeling.
"Did you bavo any money In the
bank?" be asked after a pause.
"Kvery cent Unit I own In the world!"
she nnswered, lifting her handkerchief
to her eyes and bursting Into tears.
"I am aorry." Tho man spoko with
an embarrassment that seemed out of
harmony with his rough features. She
wImc1 her eyes and with a llttlo at
tempt at bravery said:
"(Hi, I know 1 ought not to dothls-aud
of course yuu do not understand. When
tho doctors ordered papa out here, he
put ttf.OOO In that bunk, and after-he
died It was all I hail. Now It Is gone,
and I, oh, I urn so helpless! And here
It Is Christinas time." She wept afresh,
n nil the mini moved uneasily In bis
scut, lifted bis paper ami turned the
leaves nervously.
In a few minutes she dried her eyes
and leaned wearily against the buck
of her seat Kliu had not slept for two
nights, and sisni her eyes cused mi-cuiiM-liiiisly,
and she sank heavily
against the straight, uncomfortable
side of the cur. With a sudden lurch
of the train she swayed to the right,
then buck again, and Dually fell In a
little unconscious heap upon the strong
shoulder of her companion. He looked
helplessly, hesitatingly, st her a mo
ment, tin inletly moving In his seat,
slipped off bis coat, made It Into s
heap and left It beneath her head. The
light from above faintly outlined her
delicately shaped fare against the
black coat, her small white hand was
thrown In childlike trustfulness above
the glistening masses of golden hair.
Handing quickly over the sleeping
girl he fumbled a few seconds with
the coat under her bead, then drew
bsck and pulling his hut over his eyes
peered from under the wide brim Into
tho darkness outside. Kcverul shrill
whistles came from under the car
window, a lantern (lushed up and
there was a muttered oath. As the
car moved off be run wildly down the
aisle.
Tho noise of the engine Increased
and the girl ns'uwl her eyes. Hhe
looked up Into tho face of the mull
standing over her snd sturtcd. Could
be bo thu same? Was she dreaming?
Hurely her scut mate did not wear a
mustache, yet these seemed to be the
same piercing black eyes, the same
brood shoulders.
She stared stupidly snd thodght the
mustache must be a vagary. Then bur
eyes fell on the coat under her bead
nd she faltered:
"Thank you so much for putting It
there. I hope yon haveu't come to
your station "
Tho man Mnlltd knowingly, "Yes,
miss, he has psssed his stsjlon, but
for some reason be left his coat be-
AT
CopyrtoM, IMt, av LuUt WO SaiM
hind. Ton see, miss. It's very funny.' .
I happen to be the detective in this
Fochunk bank case I reckon yon have
heard about It and have, been on
the track of the leader of 'that gang
since daybreak this morning. Some
how I thought he boarded tbia train,
and when I got on at G I looked all
through for him, but being In com
pany with a lady I didn't alxe him up
till It waa too late, I waa Just com
ing In from the other car when I saw
him dash down the aisle and ninko a .'
Jump while the enr was moving, and of
course by tho time I got to the door
tho carjind gained too much Speed for
me to Jmnppfter him, so I reckon he
has given us the slip for good."
- The girl sat staring np In the face of
' her new companion without opening
her tips. At lust she burst Into a hys
terical fit of langhlng. Suddenly
checking herself she lifted the coat and
uttered loud exclamation aa a little
package droppod out of the folds.
Slipping off the cover she picked up a
. toll of bills, and pinned carefully to
one of them waa a scrap of paper upon
which some words had been hurriedly
written with a lead pencil:
Picas accept aa a Christmas present
my share In the Poehunk bank raid, ,
which I think will about cover your loss.
I used to rnd Sunday school books eno,
and la them I remember th tbUt waa
always brought to bay by a soft, sent!
Illlle woman. That Is my case. Thank
you for making m do th.nrst decent
thing of my life. JACK D.
The detective gave a long druwu out
whistle when be read the note.
"lie la a bad fellow, but bo might lie '
worse!" he commented with a crest-
fallen sort of smile. "Don't you feel a
little proud of the way you handled .
the most notorious outlaw In the
etuter
But tho girl did not trust herself to
answer. She bad tamed her face to ;
the window and In the little prayer of
thanksgiving ahe sent out across tbe
wldo, wild darkness for her recovered
fortune there was a plea for the man
who bad given It back to her.
SANTA CLAUS UP TO DATE.
Bine first aood Ranta riaus set out ,
To rusks his wintry rounu, ,
Though sought by muny a merry rout, i
His home has ne'er been found. .
E:irh yenr he brings, with coureers fleet,
Ills rholcrat aids anil Cu. 1
Then hurrh on nor stuvs to meet
Our thankful (Iris anil 'oym.
Tlet-ause ut this, slsck. i .us.
I
Borne sisrt a foolish clmse
And try the Icy drlfis to pass '
To tlmnk him to his face.
lisasT r H i m
IV OlVa A BKABTT X.AUOK.
But ere th frosen fields ar eroesed.
Where winter bllssarda blow.
Each llttl child who starU la lost
And burled In th anow.
And every year some slrls and boys
Hull keep themselves awik
Te thank him (or his pretty toys
A terrlWe mlataket
for lying wnketul In th cold
Juet keep I he saint away.
And tho who do It, I am told.
May oaleh pneu-mon-l-.
Bat now this foollshneaa mnat end)
Tea need not tempt your tat,
yor fvilleet thanks you now can sod
Hy method up to dale.
T thank htm for hi ChrUtmaa sheaf
Juat (iv a hearty laugh.
And Santa Claus at one will hear
Sty wireless tlgrth.
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