| Show JERUSALEM AWAKENING A A CORR correspondent of the london christian world furnishes to that journal the following information concerning the progress now being made by modern jerusalem a subject of deep interest to many of our readers anything indicative of an awakening and a revival of energy in the holy land especially at jerusalem must prove of especial interest to every christian who is watching the signs of the times being now on a visit to the holy clity 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 indicate some of the most prominent for the inform information tion of your large circle of readers many of whom I 1 feel sure are deeply interested in the future of this land of sacred melA memories orles on approaching the cit city y from the west in former years there were scarcely any buildings except the be russian bussian convent and the montefiore almshouses to intercept the view of the he efty city walls now the whole plain is covered with private residences and colonies of jews whilst near to the jaffa gate are large numbers of shops already tenanted ten anted and numer others in course of construction this extension beyond the walls has become necessary on account of the rapid increase or 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 residence in and around the city and that of the entire population of about it is estimated that nearly are jews he also stated that the che influx of jews into other parts of palestine during daring recent years yean has been entirely without precedent the principal streets which but a few years since were almost allgot impassable in rainy miny weather have been paved with stone a new wide street has been opened up through a densely populated quarter and five hotels are now open for the reception of the annually increasing number of visitors and traders from all lands public works of importance have been execute dand others are in progress the road from jaffa to jerusalem at one time all but buc impracticable has been reconstructed ted by an eminent engineer over it our own and other carriage services are in full operation a good d road has been formed from jerusalem fe jerusalem to bethlehem and another from jerusalem to hebron several others are am ra rapidly idly approaching six pro aching completion nom jaffa th do nailous shechem 40 miles jerusalem to jericho 20 miles calpha to nazareth 20 miles and nazareth to Tiber lag 18 miles 11 jerusalem has hitherto been almost wholly dependent for its water supply upon its to large underground cisterns for the reception of rain water which after a summer summers Is drought often prove insufficient in quantity and almost unfit for use the government is now about to introduce an unfailing supply from a spring of pure water beyond solomons solomon pools about nine miles dist distant ailL 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 nave have commenced operations and at jaffa steam sawmills saw mills have been established colonies of jews following agricultural pursuits stated to be successful ful are located one about five miles from jaffa and a larger one at Li merin near caesarea originated and assisted by the rothschild family the before named road to jericho is being constructed uy by the government who have taken up all the land available in the best beat parts of the valley for the development of an extensive scheme of agricultural operations which with such a tem pera ture so fertile a soil and well watered by the copious stream from Ells euphas haIs fountain should promise abundant and remunerative crops grapes bananas sugar cane cotton and various fruits and vegetables have for some time past been cultivated here with much success the increased amount of rain which has fallen the last few years in palestine has had bad a most marked effect in IB larger and more abundant harvests than hitherto known I 1 the most important results however of all maybe may be anticipated the railway about to be constructed lee between tween jaffa and jerusalem As rumors in former years have prevailed val led which have never been realized I 1 called upon mr frutiger the banker to whom the concession has been granted by the turkish government and was assured by him that the tie necessary cessa capital had been subscribed bed anar and that the works would commence immediately upon the close of the rainy season in the early spring and pushed on urgently to completion the influence such a line of communication between jerusalem and the coast may be expected to exert is incalculable for as a natural sequence the harbor which is now inaccessible to mediterranean steamers must be deepened and enlarge dand the rocky barrier which prevents ingress removed it is contemplated to subsequently extend this line via gaza and el EI arish ever 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 to the bayoum and upper egypt such important action for the improvement of the holy city and the development of the resources of palestine Pal estime and opening up the country to commerce are without precedent in modern times timed 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 |
