Page:Domestic Life in Palestine.pdf/293

286 Moslems all agree in associating the name of the Patriarch Jacob with this spot. To Christians it is especially interesting as the scene of Christ's interview with the woman of Samaria, when 'He being wearied with his journey from Judea sat thus by the well at midday while his disciples went up the valley into the city to buy meat.' And we are now sitting under the shadow of Gerizim, of which the woman spoke when she said, "Sir, our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.' And from this well-side Christ's memorable answer was given—God is a spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.'"

The outlines of the surrounding hills were sharply defined against a sky intensely blue; the large village called Tulluzah, supposed to be the ancient and "comely Tirzah," half-way up Mount Ebal, was pointed out to me. Its houses were scarcely distinguishable from the masses of rock and the great stone bowlders on the rugged slopes. Terraced vineyards and fine olive-groves nearly encircle the village and mark its limits.

Flourishing fruit gardens and groves skirt the base of the mountains, and groups of evergreen oaks stand here and there. The plain and the valley were vividly green with wheat and and barley, beans and lentils. Bright wild flowers garnished the low stone walls or landmarks between them. It was the 5th of March, and we could consequently say, "There are yet two months and then cometh the harvest." It must have been earlier in the Spring when Christ beheld this landscape and said to his disciples, "Lift up your eyes and look upon the fields." He spoke figuratively, but these very fields suggested the figure.

Though quite half an hour's walk from the town, this well must have been a favorite place of resort of the children of Israel, from the time when he gave it to them, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle. When the woman of Samaria said to Christ, "Sir, the well