The great pyramid passages and chambers

PLATE XCIII. observed the dreadful rites of the worship of Moloch, causing their children to pass through the fire, and drowning the screams of the little ones with cymbal and chant. To the right we saw the deep Valley of Jehoshaphat extending along the east side of the city, and becoming gradually shallower as it proceeds northward. Quite near us, on the eastern side of this valley, we observed the quaint little village of Siloam, built on the steep side of the hill and looking almost as if about to fall into the valley below—Plate XCIII. This hill is known as the Mount of Offence, because it is the traditional site of the palaces built by Solomon for his many idolatrous wives.

399 After a short rest we rode up along the bottom of the Valley of Jehoshaphat, passing the Virgin's fountain on the way. When we came to that part which lies between the Temple Area on the west and the Mount of Olives on the east, we found the valley covered with gravestones, belonging to both Jews and Mohammedans. Both these people have a superstition that the resurrection and judgment will take place in this valley, and that if they are not buried here, their bodies will require to travel to it underground. Of these tombs there are three which, from their great size and from the fact that they are hewn out of the natural rock (with The village of Siloam. the exception of the top of the one to the north), are specially prominent. These are the tombs of Absalom, the Apostle James, and Zechariah—Plate LXXXV. The first-named lies to the north of the others, and is supposed to have been made by Absalom to commemorate his name. [If so, his object has been attained, though not after the manner which he intended, because to this day the Jewish children cast stones at it to show their indignation at his unfilial conduct. Next in order is St. James’ Tomb, an extensive two-chambered cave, with a large open window divided by two vertical columns, looking direct across the valley toward the Temple Area.

400 But the tomb which is of particular interest to us, is that of Zechariah, the capstone of which is a complete pyramid!—Plate KCV. When we remember that this prophet uttered the words, “ He shall bring forth the headstone thereof, with shoutings, Grace, grace unto it!"’ it is significant that the monument which has been erected to his memory should have a pyramid as its head-stone. Such a tomb-stone is surely unique !

401 When we think of it, how appropriate it is that here, in the midst of so many evidences of death, we should find a pyramid, the symbol of him who is the resurrection and the life! How like, too, this is to that other, but greater witness to the resurrection power of our Lord, the Great Pyramid in Egypt, also standing in the midst of the death which is so evident on every side of it except to the north!—Plate II.

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