On the Way to Damascus

       During the night the storm ceased and the next morning we rose at five o'clock, and at six o'clock were in the insufficient light feeling for the stirrups of our saddles. We are on the road to Damascus. Before night we will pass the place where Saul was unhorsed at the flash of the supernal light, and will enter that city, the mere name of which is full of suggestiveness, solemnity and historical agitation. We do not want on the journey to be flung to the earth, but oh, for some great spiritual blessing, brighter than any noonday sun, and a new preparation for usefulness!

       At six o'clock this evening we arrive at Damascus. The long horseback ride through Palestine is ended. A carriage met us twenty miles out and brought us to the city. The impressions one receives as he rides along the walled gardens of the place are different from those produced by any other city. Tomorrow we will explore and see for ourselves the place about which we have heard and read so much, the oldest city under the sun.

       Our first night passed in Damascus, we were up early and abroad, and after some days of tarrying here, feel that we have seen Damascus, the "street called Straight," along which good Ananias went to meet Saul, the site of the palace of Naaman, the leper, the river Abana, as the other day we saw Pharpar, and have from the northwest of the city gazed upon this ancient metropolis that has had so much to do with the history of the world. The bazaars of this place could entertain us for weeks and months, but all these styles of articles have become a part of American bric-a-brac, or gone into the furniture and upholstery of the American parlor. Yet the people are as they have always been. No change in their headwear or sashes, or baggy and profuse coverings of their limbs. No one can imagine what Damascus is. Unlike all others in architecture, in merchandise, in general and minute appearance, it is worth while to cross the Atlantic and Europe to see it. Though it has been a place of battle and massacre and of ancient affluence and splendor, as well of present prosperity, to the Christian, its chief attraction arises from the fact that here the scales fell from Paul's eyes, and that chief of apostles here began that mission which will not end until heaven is peopled with ransomed spirits. We took diligence from Damascus to Beyrout, a fourteen hours' journey, rain-washed, crowded and uncomfortable.

Back to Dr. Talmage's Journal
Journal Entries:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. Entry 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37.