Bristol News

LOCAL.
ORIENTAL EXPLORATION
Lecture by Rev. Dr. Howard Crosby.

The Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church was well filled last night by the members and friends of the congregation to witness an exhibition of Selous's paintings of ancient and modern Jerusalem. The entertainment was in aid of the funds for the Palestine exploration, which is soon to start from Beirut for Jerusalem.

The paintings of Jerusalem in her grandeur and Jerusalem in her decay were fully described by Mr. Stevens, who was followed by the Rev. Howard Crosby, D. D., in a description at a greater length, and pointing out the points of interest. He said it was nearly thirty-five years ago when a new phase of biblical research was introduced to this part of the world by Dr. Edward Robinson of this city, and from his writings it appears, for a better study of the Scriptures, a careful search should be made in Jerusalem.

After this an expedition was founded in 1852 in England, which has since been the means of laying before the people a correct guide of Palestine, and especially since this attention of the world has been attracted to the result of the explorations. No man more than Dr. Robinson has received distinction for his researches. Of late years the English have been actively moving in the matter, and they have subscriptions amounting to very large sums of money from wealthy persons. This has been brought about by Captain Warren, who went out in 1860 for the purpose of procuring a supply of water for the city. This was accomplished by restoring an aqueduct of Solomon's time, and while doing so he made some valuable discoveries. These discoveries caused an exploration party to be set permanently on foot, which went to Jerusalem in 1867. And the discoveries since made really excited the attention of the whole Christian world. Owing to this the American Exploration Society was established, and the explorers are now in the field, and it remains with the people of America to say whether they will go ahead by giving means to support it.

No greater work in exploring could be set about than that of Jerusalem, which, as a city, stood more sieges and had more blood spilt in its defence than any other in the world. No doubt the explorers would add a great deal to the history given in the Bible. Not alone would the bodies of the kings be found probably, but those of David and Solomon, and it would not at all astonish him to hear of the very ark of God being found and the two tables of stone with the commandments written thereon by the hand of God, for they disappeared very suddenly before the taking of the city by Nebuchadnezzar. (Applause.)

Professor R. D. Hitchcock President of the American Palestine Exploration Society, said that the work of the exploring party would be directed to the east side of the Jordan while the English society were engaged on the west side. Already some valuable discoveries had been made by Dr. Robinson which have never been recorded. The Turkish Government was favorable, and offered the protection of 500 troops stationed on the east of the Jordan. Colonel Steever says as soon as the weather proves favorable the party will set out from Beirut.—N. Y. World.