SACRED GEOGRAPHY. which the twelve tribes of the children of Israel inhabited after their return from Egyptian bondage. COUNTRIES. Galilee, Samaria, Judæa, Principal divisions of Palæstine. PRINCIPAL TOWNS. Capernaum, Bethsaida, Nazareth, Nain, Tiberias, Cæsarea, Philippi, Ptolemais, Cana, &c. Samaria, Cæsarea, Sychar or Sychem, Antipatris. (JERUSALEM, Bethlehem, Gaza, Azotus, Joppa, Lydda, Arimathea, Ramah, Emmaus, Jericho, &c. Peræa, or the country beyond Jordan. Decapolis, Paneas, Bethsaida or Chorazin, COUNTRIES BEYOND THE EUPHRATES. Mesopotamia, Charran. Chaldæa or Babylon. Babylonia, Assyria, Arabia, Nineveh. Saba or Sheb, Madian. And Media, Parthia, Elam or Persia, in which no towns are mentioned. Mountains. Tabor, Gerizim, Sinai, Olives, Sion, Calvary. Rivers. Euphrates, Tigris, Jordan, Kedron. Seas, or Lakes. The Dead sea, the sea of Galilee or of Tiberias or the lake of Gennesareth. Islands. Cyprus, towns Salamis and Paphos; Rhodes, Cos, Patmos, Samos, Chios, Lesbos, town Mitylene. THIS outline is designed only as a guide to the maps which are to accompany this volume; for this purpose it is hoped it will be found useful. The limits to which we are confined, do not allow a description of the countries above mentioned; nor is this by any SACRED GEOGRAPHY. cans of equal importance with a knowledge of the situation of places. The importance however of Palæstine, or Judæa, demands a few observations. This country was the principal scene of the various revelations of God, and of the wonderful work of the redemption of man. It was situated along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean sea; extending about 180 miles north and south between 31 degrees, and 33 degrees and 10 minutes north latitude; and was about 80 miles in breadth. This was a country of mountains and vallies, and of hills and plains. The climate was generally hot, although agreeably moderated by refreshing breezes from the mountains. The soil was fertile, producing plentifully grass for cattle, and herb for the service of man, and wine and oil that maketh glad the heart, and bread that giveth strength. It was a land flowing with milk and honey. The ancient inhabitants were numerous and extremely addicted to idolatry, superstition and gross wickedness, for which they were driven out and destroyed by the Jews, who in their turn became as degenerate and sinful, notwithstanding the miraculous dispensations of God to reclaim and instruct them. In consequence of which they likewise, although the once favoured people of God, were driven from this land of promise, and are at this day dispersed among all the nations of the earth. They however, still look with longing eyes to their native land, and sigh for a return; and we have the assurance of Scripture, that the day is approaching when this wonderful people shall again revisit their ancient inheritance, and shall then worship and serve the God of their fathers. FINIS.. |
