Antiquities of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, March 1, 1860. My friend, Dr Schutz, of this city, called my attention yesterday to an excavation recently made on the site for the new Russian Consulate, the position of which those of your readers who remember the topography of modern Jerusalem will readily call to mind. It is just off the long street which runs nearly straight from the Damascus Gate to the Great Bazaar, or Sook el Altāreen, and is crossed at right angles by the Via Dolorosa. At this point there is a covered way going south, at the end of which stand two tall ancient columns, amongst heaps of rubbish, &c., supposed to have belonged to the Porta Judicii, (see "Holy City," page 287, by Rev. G. Williams, 1845.) At this point of the street, a break in the line of shops gives admittance to an alley leading to the Coptic Convent and the back premises of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; instead of following this, you mount, going southward, over piles of filth, till you come to a large piece of ground made by the accumulated rubbish,―gatherings of centuries,-higher than the tops of the houses in the street below. It is important to bear in mind that this plot of ground is some distance north-east of the "solid and compact mass of masonry" described in "The Holy City" (supra, page 286.) Not far from the edge, both of the piece of ground and the roofs of the shops in the streets, going to the west, at a depth of between twenty and thirty feet from the surface, the workmen employed in removing the rubbish came upon a mass of masonry. Clearing away, as yet, on either side, has revealed several rows of large stones, in situ, of the same workmanship and genre as the lower rows of the west wall of the Haram-known as the Jews' wailing-place-both faces having the bevelled or rabbeted edges; they are about eight feet in length and six feet square; some are in excellent preservation, others have the horizontal grooves, caused by portions of the stone decaying out, and rugose appearance, for which the very large stones at the south-east angle of the city walls are remarkable. About twenty feet to the west, the masonry bends at right angles to the south. I may add, that all the stones are exceedingly well finished, and that most of them are of a far superior kind than that used now, being of the variegated red limestone, commonly known as "Jerusalem marble." One of the stones has, on its inner face, a large figure, boldly carved; it appeared to us to be something like a dragon, but we could not get sufficiently near to decide. Now, of what is this the remains? After examining very carefully, we could come to no other conclusion than that this is the remains of a WALL; and also, that if it were continued in the same direction, as there is every indication that it was, it would go towards the Tower of David, or Hippicus, in one direction, and Antonio in the other, shutting out the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. If we be right in our supposition that it is a wall, it can be no other than a part of the Second Wall, when its position, its evident antiquity, and excellence of the workmanship, are taken into account. So here is a clean, unpicked bone, for contention amongst the rival topographers. It certainly appears to us to tell much in favour of those who argue in favour of the genuineness of the Holy Sepulchre.* At the commencement of this paper, I mentioned the two tall columns and the Porta Judicii. I do not think that it has been noticed before, that, in addition to the many large and small fragments of similar columns which are to be found some distance down towards the Damascus Gate, that the modern wall which forms the enclosure at the eastern end of the Sepulchre Churchyard, is constructed partly of such columns, broken into portions, many of which have one side circular. As I believe this to be the first account of this important discovery to reach England, it may merit a place in the columns of the Athenæum. It is much to be regretted that the Council of the Jerusalem Literary Society, though anxious to take up and continue such inquiries, has not the funds to do so. This last discovery has not, as yet, been brought before the Society; and when it is, I am sure that, owing to the before-named cause, the Society will not be able to do anything; while I think it of the utmost importance that further excavations should be systematically made, not only on the spot described, but also on the land which is just outside the Jaffa Gate, where, a short time back, traces of an ancient wall were met with just below the surface soil; indeed, if anything is to be done, it must be done quickly, for both will soon be covered by buildings, and thus the opportunity pass away, if not for ever-for ages. While on the subject of the Literary Society, allow me to state, that the valuable library of books-of 1500 volumes-and the museum and antiquities will in two or three months have to be stowed away in boxes in some underground cellar, as the gentleman who has given premises gratuitously for the last year is leaving the country; and the President, J. Finn, Esq., H.B.M. Consul, has no room in his house, or else he would give part of it up to the Society, I am sure, as he has been in the habit of doing in years past. A sum of £20 per annum would suffice to find it a home. I shall be happy to answer any questions on the subject. -Athenæum. P. A'JACOBSON, * M. A'Jacobson, in this statement as to the Holy Sepulchre, assumes that the present "Castle" is the ancient "Hippicus." Hardly any topographical point admits of stronger demonstration than that the Castle cannot be "Hippicus," and that Dr Robinson's topography on this point is wrong, but must lie considerably further north; so that M. A'J.'s discovery is a new proof that the present Holy Sepulchre is an imposture.Ed. of Q. J. of P. Correspondence. “ ὃν ὁ Κύριος ἀναλώσει τῷ πνεύματι τοῦ στόματος αὑτοῦ.”—2 THESS. ii. 8. Isa. xi. 4.—“ y ♫VAI V’NEW DIDE " SCRIPTURE TESTIMONY CONCERNING THE ANTICHRIST. To the Editor of the Quarterly Journal of Prophecy. SIR,-At a period like the present, when so much attention is laudably directed to those prophecies so clearly predicting the appearance of an individual, personal Antichrist, it is natural that Bible students should be anxious to ascertain the signs of his coming and development; and the more especially so, since Scripture declares that he will rise to the possession of supreme worldly power only a short time previous to the glorious advent of the Lord Jesus Christ, an event which forms the blessed hope of all who love Him in sincerity. Still, in regarding any astonishing individual to ascertain whether he be the Antichrist, it becomes most important that the examination be made in accordance with Scripture rules; and, when the comparison serves to exhibit the perfect agreement existing between the living character and the inspired description, then, and not before, it may be concluded that the search is successful. Doubtless many remarkable characters, bearing Antichristian features, have risen into importance and passed hence; but a strict attention to Scripture would have shewn the fallacy, during their worldly career, of fixing on any one of them, instead of having to wait for their decease; certainly an im. portant advantage. Alexander of Macedon resembled the Antichrist in the brilliancy of his character and the rapidity of his successes; Antiochus Epiphanes, in his cruel persecution of the Jewish people, who are yet to be trodden down as the mire of the streets; and any system that obscures the truth, and propagates error, (persecuting, even unto death, those who refuse a blind submission to its dogmas,) foreshadows the Anticbrist in his manner of enforcing submission to his will, with both Jew and Gentile, during the period he is permitted to exercise absolute power. Such systems have existed, and do exist, and, no doubt, are fast preparing the nations for infidelity; still no one of them is the Antichrist. Now let us examine what the Bible teaches on the subject. First, what is to be the condition, at his elevation, of that portion of the globe over which he is to hold sway. The second chapter of the prophet Daniel teacheth us, in the vision of the image, that the empire thereby represented, having descended to the Romans, is at last divided into ten parts, and so continues till the God of heaven sets up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed. In the seventh chapter of the same prophet we find a little horn, or power, explained to be a king, arising after the tenfold division of the empire; who continues his blasphemous rule until he is destroyed by God, and the kingdom is given to Jesus, the Son of man. In the eighth chapter we find the same little horn coming forth from one of the divisions of Alexander's broken empire; probably from Greece, as he waxes great towards the other three. We are taught in the ninth chapter, that the prince who shall come, whose people, the Romans, have already destroyed the city and the sanctuary, as predicted, will make a covenant with many for one seven, and that in the midst of the seven, he will cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease; in fact, that the Jews are existing as a nation while the Antichrist exercises dominion. That he makes a covenant with them for three years and a half, and then breaks with them, sets up the abomination that maketh desolate-his own image-(Rev. xiii. 13, 14)—in the temple, and oppresses the Jews for the remaining half of the seven; the twelve hundred and sixty days, or forty-two months, all signifying the same period. After this his dominion is suddenly brought to a close by the Lord appearing for his destruction. (Dan. xii. 7; Rev. xi. 2, 3, xix. 19-21.) The next point to be considered is the religious state of that part of the globe under the dominion of Antichrist; and Scripture is very clear on this point. Our blessed Lord himself says, "When the Son of man cometh shall he find faith upon the earth?" He also compares the state of the world at that period to its condition in the time of Noah. The apostles often allude to a great falling from the truth in the last days. In the Revelation we read that all the nations forming part of the Beast's empire agree to worship him and his image, and decree that any individuals who refuse shall be put to death. It is also to be noticed, that in the Apocalypse God is denied as the Creator; in fact, that the last impious Gentile monarch is the only God acknowledged; the nations not being satisfied with rejecting the Messiah, the only name whereby men can be saved. This is the mark given by John"He is Antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son," (1 John ii. 22.) Paul, in writing to the Thessalonian Church, speaks of a falling away first, and then of the Man of Sin being revealed, "the son of perdition, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy with the brightness of his coming." This falling away should be rendered, the apostasy, (ý ảñoσraσía.) Diodati's Italian version has l'apostasía, while the French gives la révolte, and the German der abfall; all with the definite article. In conclusion I will only enumerate the principal facts to be ascertained, before we can reasonably conclude any individual to be the Antichrist against whom the Lord's people are so earnestly warned in the Word of Truth. Is the old Roman empire divided into ten separate, distinct kingdoms, neither more nor less-five being in the eastern, and five in the western branch of the empire? Are the Jews established as an independent nation in their own land? Does the individual supposed to be the Antichrist arise out of one division of Alexander's broken empire? Is the seat of his government Babylon, on the Euphrates, in the land of the Chaldees? Has he subjected three of the ten kingdoms, and do the others submit to his sway, and act according to his dictates? I will add two more points which, by the blessing of the Holy Spirit, may convince many, that all previous researches have been in the wrong direction. When the Antichrist once appears, his power never wanes till he and his host are destroyed by the Lord in the valley of Jehoshaphat. Whoever receives his mark is lost, (Rev. xiv. 9-11;) while all who do not are saved, (Rev. xiii. 8.) Earnestly wishing that many of the Lord's people may be lead prayerfully to consider the subject, using-as aids in the study of Scripture, the writings of B. W. Newton, Andrew Bonar, and Dr Tregelles, to whose labours all prophetical students are so much indebted—— I am, Sir, yours truly, 15 HUGH STREET, PIMLICO, S.W., 17th April 1860. ARTHUR HALL. To the Editor of the Quarterly Journal of Prophecy. DEAR SIR,-I feel grateful for the admission of my last respects in January Number, though you dropped the P.S., which in some cases contains the letter's best point. However, the honoured and beloved friend and minister whom I endeavoured to defend has since passed to the far higher tribunal than that of human judgment;-therefore, Mr Editor, "whatever our hand findeth to do, let us do it with our might." Having for many years been occasional contributor of "Reviews" in a quarterly theological journal, (which cannot be "named in Gath,”) I can sym pathise with the non-sinecurist who manages that department with you; and whilst his and your "smallest donations are thankfully received," I ask permission to point out, as gently as possible, two recent "sins of omission." (1.) Published August 1857. 8vo, pp. 478. Edinburgh: James Hogg. “Christianity and our Era: a Book for the Times." By Rev. George Gilfillan of Dundee,” “which (by the Author's introduction) is to prove the desirableness, the necessity, the scripturalness, the importance, and the glory of the Second Advent, as one main object. He has, however, sought several other aims. He has bent his whole strength on an earnest, although necessarily rapid exposure of some of the antichristian or semichristian systems of the day;" and when I state, Sir, that the champion's well and full bent strength has shaken the temple pillars of our Philistines-the neologies, mysticisms, positivisms, pantheisms, spiritualisms, and rationalisms, now coming in like a flood"—you will not wonder at the very convenient and almost universal silence of the more profane or merely literary oracles of our very enlightened "era." Why the Theological Journals in general, and the Premillenarian Reviews in particular, could for upwards of two years withhold their hearty God-speed, and their common courtesy, from this last and best effort of the eloquent and celebrated author of "Bards of the Bible," "History of the Covenanters," "Galleries of Literary Characters,” &c. &c., I would rather decline guessing. It seems hard as well as strange, that extraordinary labours like those of the author referred to, should be passed by as of none effect, whilst three or four far inferior and less congenial publications should be announced, if not reviewed, in every succeeding number of journals professing agreement with the views and hopes of said author, who, moreover, has a well-earned and well-known repute. A few periodicals of Scotland have applauded the work, (and I hope to obtain authority to arrange therefrom an advertisement for your most suitable Journal, this or next number,) but in England I have only met with a very eulogistic review in Bell's Weekly Messenger, 7th August 1858; though the author informs me he has received encouragement from such able and discriminating writers as Thomas Aird, John Cairns, Henry Rogers, George Croly, &c. (The latter, in a recent letter, "recommends me to facilitate any work of the sincere and eloquent George Gilfillan.") I have no pecuniary interest to serve; and personally have remonstrated with the author on his very serious misstatement (p. 335) respecting the more celebrated and successful precedent teachings of Edward Irving; and with grateful appreciation of Mr G.'s love of truth and justice, I received this prompt and full retractation,—“I regret the expression, and withdraw it as too strong." This alone would authorise my troubling you, Mr Editor, on the present occasion, and I hope you will think so. (2.) "Re-published Preliminary Discourse to Ben Ezra, On the Second Coming of Christ;' with an Ordination Sermon, and Introductory Essay to Bishop Horne's Commentary." By Rev. Edward Irving. 8vo, pp. 260. 1859. Edinburgh: T. C. Jack. London: Bosworth & Co. What says the Journal of Prophecy to the re-visit of this Angel? To this most eloquent and elaborate, powerful and triumphant vindication of the great hope of the Church? I dare not trust myself with expressions of my love and admiration of this preliminary discourse and its antecedents, and concomitants—“these are,” to borrow Edward Irving's words in his Farewell of St John's Church, Glasgow, 'the private treasures of the soul, over which she should doat alone in secret, lest they become the sport and spoil of others"—and therefore I compress in a few words the more valuable testimony of others :-S. T. Coleridge, probably the profoundest thinker of our age, (and who might have been a distinguished theologian, if he had eschewed German optimism and Indian |