THE first mention of Ephrath, or Bethlehem, which occurs in the Holy Scriptures, is connected with an affecting incident, the death of Jacob's favourite wife Rachel, as he was on his way to present her to his father, after his long banishment from his native land.1 Bethlehem was also the scene of the touching story of Ruth; here too David was born, and, before his elevation to the lofty position in which "his father's children should bow down before him," here he fed his father's sheep.3 On these accounts, Bethlehem was (1) Gen. xxxv. 19. And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. (2) Gen. xlix. 8. Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee. (3) 1 Sam. xvii. 15. But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem. 66 "3 regarded with peculiar interest by the Jews, and, though it was "little among the thousands of Judah," will ever be associated with the most pleasing recollections in the minds of Christians; for here, "good tidings of great joy" were announced to shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night:2 here the Divine Saviour first appeared, veiled in human flesh here the long-promised 'star of Jacob" pointed to Him who claimed the homage of the world: and here the first martyrs for the Lord Jesus Christ shed their innocent blood, and fulfilled the mysterious prediction of the ancient prophet. In the book of Judges, this city is called Bethlehem-Judah, to distinguish it from another of the same name, in Zebulon. It was never a place of much importance; but it is worthy of note, that though described by the prophet Micah as "little among the thousands," it was not "the least ;" for it appears from the book of Ezra, that inconsiderable as was the number of Bethlehemites who returned from the Babylonian captivity, several of the cities sent back a smaller number.9 4 8 Situated in the midst of a pastoral district, and at no period of its history noted either for wealth or military strength, its (1) Micah v. 2. But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel: whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (2) Luke ii. 8-10. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (3) Numb. xxiv. 17. There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel. (4) Matt. ii. 16. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. (5) Jer. xxxi. 15. A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. (6) Judges xvii. 7. And there was a young man out of Beth-lehem-judah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there. (7) Josh. xix. 15. And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Beth-lehem: twelve cities with their villages. (8) Ezra ii. 21. (9) Ezra ii. 18. The children of Beth-lehem, an hundred twenty and three. 1 name is not mixed up with any of the political revolutions of Judea nor, on the other hand, does it appear to have been subjected to any of the terrific reverses which befel so many of the neighbouring places: its noiseless history accords well with the humble occupation of its inhabitants, and the retiring character of the Redeemer. Little mention is made of it in the New Testament; for the Jews were scarcely aware of our Saviour's wonderful birth in this city, and knew him only as "Jesus of Nazareth." It lay on a little eminence in the mountains of Judea, six miles south-east of Jerusalem, in a neighbourhood remarkable for its abundant produce of corn, wine, and oil; hence it derived its name, Bethlehem, the house of bread, Ephratah, the fruitful. It is now a large village, beautifully situated on the brow of a hill, which commands an extensive view of a richly-wooded country, scarcely less fruitful than it was of old. The houses are built for the most part of clay and brick, and are left at present to the undisturbed possession of the Christians. There are about three thousand inhabitants, who devote their time principally to the manufacture of beads, crosses, and other relics, which they sell to the numerous pilgrims and travellers who frequent the place. The Church of the Nativity, said to have been built by the Empress Helena, is still standing, and adjoining it is a Latin Convent. The Church has suffered much from the ravages of time, but still bears manifest evidence of its Grecian origin. It is a spacious and lofty building, supported by Corinthian columns, and roofed with cedar wood, which is still in good preservation. "The Grotto of the Nativity" is under-ground, and is entered by two spiral staircases it is hewn out of the solid rock, which is concealed at the sides by silk curtains, and the floor is inlaid with marble; the roof is of the natural stone. A rich altar is erected over the place where the Saviour was born, and the very spot is marked by a large silver star. The glory, of marble and jasper, around the star, has a Latin inscription: "In this spot Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary." A recess is pointed out to the visitor, as the Sepulchre of the (1) John vii. 41, 42. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was ? Holy Innocents, and another as the grotto in which St. Jerome passed the greater part of his life. That this is the real scene of the Nativity, there can be little doubt; there has never been any dispute about the site of Bethlehem, and subterraneous stables are still common in the East; nor is there any doubt that the learned Jerome here resided for a long time, and composed most of his valuable works; but that the murdered Innocents were buried here is most improbable. Nevertheless, this is undoubtedly one of the most interesting spots in Palestine; though pious travellers regret that it was not left in its original rude simplicity, unadorned by silk and costly marble. Better that it had remained as when the shepherds beheld the Lord,—a memorial of that lowliness of spirit that ever loved the poor and gentle things of this world, rather than the rich and mighty. Early in the morning of Christmas-day, some of the Christians are in the habit of repairing to the fields, where the shepherds watched their flocks, and of indulging in the holy feelings which the place and time are calculated to excite. The spot which tradition has consecrated is a most lovely one: beneath two ancient trees the traveller sit and meditate on the event which has thrown light on his gloomy path; below him flows the stream from which David longed to drink, when hemmed in by the Philistines,' still a fountain of delicious water; and at no great distance stands the tomb of the loved and faithful wife, whom the Patriarch so affectionately remembered, even on his death-bed. "Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath." " may (1) 2 Sam. xxiii. 15. And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Beth-lehem, which is by the gate! (2) Gen. xlviii. 7. CAPERNAUM, a city of Galilee, situated on the north-western side of the Lake of Gennesareth, and on the borders of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, is memorable as having been, more than any other place, the residence of our Blessed Lord after his expulsion from Nazareth. There he taught by example the duty of rendering obedience to the rulers appointed by God, and here he performed many of his (1) Luke iv. 28-31. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way, and came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. (2) Matt. xvii. 24-27. And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute-money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute ? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or |