| Show JERU JERUSALEM SALiM AWAKENING A correspondent of the christian world writes as follows to that pa per anything indicative of an awakening awaken kg and a revival of energy in the holy land especially at jerusalem m must prove of special interest to every christian who is watching the signs of the times being now on a visit to the holy city for the seventh time after a considerable interval I 1 find the changes that have recently occurred so marked and suggestive that I 1 am induced to indie indicate ate some of the most prominent for the information of your large circle of readers many lauy of whom I 1 feel sure are deeply interested in the future of this laud land of sacred memories on approaching hing the rity city from the west in former years there were ecart eay any buildings except the russian convent and the monte flore fiore almshouses to intercept the view of the city walls walla now the whole plain is covered with private residences and colonies of jews whilst near to the jaffa gate are large nu numbers in bers of all shops aps ops a already read y ten anted and numerous others in course of construction this extension beyond y 0 nd the walls wal Is has become necessary on accod account tit of the rapid rabid increase of the population I 1 am informed by mr moore british consul here that within the last three or four years about jews have come to jerusalem for permanent resilience residence in and around the city and that or of the entire population of about it is estimated that nearly dearly are jews he also stated that the influx of jews into other parts of palestine during recent years has been entirely without precedent the principal streets which but a few since were almost impassable in rainy weather have been paved with stone antone a new wide street has been opened up through a densely populated quarter and five hotels are now open for the reception ot of the annually increasing number of vi visitors igors and traders from all lands public works of importance have been erected and others are in u progress rog the road from fro 11 jaffa affa to jerusalem at one time all but impassable has been reconstructed ted by an eminent engineer over it our own and other carriage services are in full operation a good abood road has been formed from jerusalem to bethlehem and another from jerusalem to hebron several others are rapidly approaching completion from jaffa to nailous shechem 40 miles jerusalem to jericho 20 miles caiphas to nazareth 20 miles and nazareth Ra nazareth zareth to Tib biberias erias 18 miles mile jerusalem baa hitherto been almost wholly dependent for its water supply upon its large underground cisterns for the reception of rain water which after a summers drought drough often toften proves insufficient in quantity anel and almost unfit for use ahe government is now about to introduce an unfailing supply from a spring of pure water beyond solomons pools about nine miles distant A large flour mill established by the bergheim Berg beim belm having proved both a great benefit and a financial success others with large steam power are in progress of erection soap factories have commenced operations operation said and at jaffa steam sawmills saw mills have been established colonies of jews following agricultural pursuits stated to be successful are located one about live five miles from jaffa and a larger one at Li limann merin near caesarea Cee Cw sarea originated and assisted by the rothschild family the be forenamed fore named road to jericho is being constructed by the government who have taken up all the land available in the best parts of th ohp valley for the development of an extensive scheme of agricultural operations which with such a temperature so fertile a soil and well watered by the copious stream from eliphas Elis has hals fountain should furnish abundant and remunerative crops grapes bananas augir cane cotton and various fruits and vegetables ave for some time past been cultivated here with much success the increased amount of rain min which has fa len thelast few years in palestine has nad bad a most marked effect in larger and more abundant harvests than hitherto known the most important rt suite however of all may be anticipated from the railway about to be constructed bet between weeti jaffa and jerusalem As rumors in former years have prevailed which have never been realized I 1 called upun upon mr fruite ger gel the tanker to whom the concession has been granted by the turkish government and was assured by him that the necessary capital had been subscribed and that the works would commence immediately upon the close of the rainy season in early spring and pushed on urgently to completion the influence such a line of communication muni cation between jerusalem and the coast may be expected to exert is incalculable for as a natural sequence the harbor which Js is now inaccessible to mediterranean term nean steamers must be deepened and enlarged and the rocky barrier which prevents ingress removed it is contemplated to au subsequently bee extend this line via gaza and el arish over the short desert to port said and ismalia on the maritime canal thus connecting with the railway system of lower egypt for cairo alexandria and suez and ana to the bayoum and upper egypt such important action achon for the improvement of the holy city and the development nt of the resources of palestine and opening up of the country to commerce are an without precedent in modern times viewed in connection with the numerous and active efforts being made by various religious agencies throughout the country for the evangelization of the people and the conversion of the jews these facts must encourage every lover of gods ancient people to hope that his set time to favor zion is fast approaching |
