Page:Palestine Exploration Fund - Quarterly Statement for 1894.djvu/25

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my last communication I spoke of "Tabitha's Tomb," at Jaffa, and other rock-cut tombs there, illustrated by drawings, plans, inscriptions, &c. To-day I wish to speak fully of Tabitha's Tomb and St. Peter's Church, at Jaffa.

We read in the Acts of the Apostles ix, 36–43: "At Joppa was a certain disciple named Tabitha. . . .. This woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did. And it came to pass . . .. that she was sick and died. . . .. The disciples, hearing that Peter was at Lydda, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come they brought him into the upper chamber, and all the widows stood by him weeping and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed, and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. And Peter tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner," whose house was situated on the seashore, as it is afterwards stated (chapter x, 6, 32).

Now in this history we have the house of Tabitha situated somewhere in the place which was then called Joppa, and the house of the tanner, where Peter had his abode for many days, situated by the seaside, in the same town.

When Tabitha finally died she was no doubt buried, not in her house, but, as the custom of the time was, outside the town. Thus we have three distinct places which would be kept in memory and venerated by the early Christians. As places where such events took place afterwards became places for worship, and often had churches built over them, we may expect that this was the case in Joppa. As Jaffa is now a small city, until recently confined within a wall, and extensive gardens, with many houses in them, where also people are dwelling, the whole being called Jaffa, so I think it was in ancient times, and this seems to be indicated by the words (chap, ix, 42) "and it was known throughout all Joppa," implying the city and all outside dwellings belonging to or making up altogether the place "Joppa." This state of things must be kept in mind when one speaks of the traditional holy sites, and also, further, that the configuration of the ground is now in some decree changed from what it was in ancient times.

Since Robinson, the Nestor and originator of the opponents of