Burke's weekly for boys and girls. (Macon, Ga.) 1867-1870, January 29, 1870, Image 1

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Entered according to Act of Congress, in J une, 1869. by J. W. Bukkk & Cos., in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the So. District of Georgia. Vol. III—No. 31. JERUSALEM. JERUSALEM is the principal city °f the Promised'' Land, ■r- A iff? which was also called “The Land of Canaan,” “Palestine,” “The Holy Land,” and “The Land of Jor dan.” The city is in Judea, the south ern part of the land, and is situated about forty miles east of Joppa, the sea port in the Mediterranean sea at which travelers usually land when visiting the Holy Land by ship. Jerusalem is celebrated as the city in which the temple of God, (known as Solomon’s temple,) was built, and where the kings of Judah dwelt, and is the city outside of which the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. It is almost the oldest city in the world, Hebron and Damas cus being the only two that are older. Its importance may be dated from the time ot its capture from the Jebusites by King David. This was, from a vei-y early date in the world's history, pointed out as a place of sacrifice. Abraham offered up his son Isaac on Mount Moriah ; David built an altar there, and subsequently King Solomon built his magnificent temple there, on the same spot, and adorned it in the most costly manner. All the tribes of Israel were command ed to go up to Jerusalem three times a year, viz: at the Feast of Tabernacles, at the Feast of Pentecost, and at the Feast of the Passover, to worship God in His holy temple. The city and temple were in great splendor in the days of King Herod, there being not less than four hundred and eighty synagogues and places of worship there at that time. The attend ance at the Passover filled Jerusalem, and sometimes 250,000 victims were re quired for sacrifice. But Jerusalem is now in an almost desolate state, many parts being in heaps, having but few in habitants in comparison with the multi tudes it formerly contained. If is in habited by Mahomedans, Jews and Christians, most of whom are in a de graded and superstitious condition. MACON, GEORGIA, JANUARY 29, 1870. Written for Burke’s Weekly. LILLIAN LISLE; Or, Life at the Old Farm House 1 BY MilS. S. E. PECK. This simple story of Domestic Life 1 dedicate to those little girls, who, reared in afflu ence, are rune compelled, to assist tlieir mothers in household work . CHAPTER XXXII. THE CHRISTMAS TREE —LILI.IAN’s DREAM. JERUSALEM. EItRY Christmas, Uncle Rus sell Merry Christmas, Uncle Russel!” shouted the merry childish voices assembled in the parlor at Mr. Graham’s Christmas morning. According to the annual custom, all the children of the neighborhood had spent Christmas eve night at his house. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin, and all the children, with Mrs. Hunter—Mrs. Irwin’s mother —had been staying with Mr. Graham the past week. The children had had an unusually merry time the night before. Old Mrs. Hunter had taught them several new and interesting games. Contrary to Lillian’s expectation, she was present, her guardian, Mr. Western, having fail ed to come after her at the appointed time. A hurried note, written to Mr. Graham, had explained his reason. His wife and children had gone on a visit to his mother, who resided in Mobile. While there his wife had been taken dangerously sick, and he had receivsd a telegram informing him of the fact. His hurried note had been written on the eve of his departure. In the meantime, Mr. Graham advised the children to await the termination of Mrs. Western’s illness before leaving for school, as he j greatly preferred their boarding in his family. “A happy Christmas to you all!” laughed Mr. Graham, as the children surrounded him. “ But come,” he con tinued, “ Mrs. Hunter sent me in here to usher you all into the sitting-room, where you will find a Christmas Tree awaiting you.” A glad shout burst forth as the child ren prepared to follow him. As they entered the room, Lillian paused in thought. The room was so elegantly furnished, and was in such strong con trast to her aunt’s humble parlor. She noticed the glowing fire, made of coal, which burned in the grate ; the richly carved mantle, adorned with beautiful vases, filled with rare r - exotics from the Whole No. 135. hot-house. In beautiful contrast to these were the sprays of mistle-toe, with their clusters of pearl-like seeds, sur rounding the little French clock. But what attracted her attention most were the portraits of Bianca and Leila Gra ham, which hung near the mantle. She stood spell-bound before them. Their strange sad history had made a deep impression upon her mind. While the countenance of Bianca exhibited cold ness and hauteur, there was a dazzling, bewildering beauty about it; while in Leila there was more softness and deli cacy, at the same time more sprightli ness and vivacity. Their being placed there showed that the bitterness of the past was forgotten. Lillian scarcely noticed the refresh ments, consisting of fruits from the hot house, cakes and nuts, placed in silver baskets and waiters upon a side table beneath the window. In the mean time, the Christmas Tree had attracted the attention of the rest of the children. Most of them had received their pres ents, and were now in the hall romping with Mr. Graham. As Lillian turned from the contem plation of the portraits, and walked to wards the Christmas Tree, she inter changed a few pleasant words with Mrs. Hunter, who sat in a large arm-chair with Mrs. Irwin’s baby on her knee. It’s sweet, innocent prattle was occa sionally hushed, while its grandma al most smothered it -with kisses. All the children, on receiving their presents from the Tree, had flocked around the old lady’s chair, and had shown them to her, and had asked her, time and again, if she didn’t think their presents were the most beautiful. She had giv en her answers so adroitly that ever one had turned away more pleased than ever with their gifts. Even the baby held aloft his little red rattle for grandma to look at. Toys lay scattered here and there upon the floor around her chair. One little boy was drawing his eannon, which was mounted on wheels, over the carpet, while the baby’s little brother, Willie, was offering his book to grand ma for her to show the pictures to the baby. Minnie, who for once had been