aroundworldortra00peebiala-1

EITEOPE AND ITS CITIES. 405
upon an imperishable basis. With its everlasting arms of
tenderness, it infolds the world, and pours forth a crystal
flood of love as boundless as inexhaustible.
It is diflfieult to realize that I've been in Bethlehem,
walked in the Garden of Gethsemane, stood upon Mount
Olives, bathed in the Jordan, breathed the air that fanned
the serene face of Jesus when weary from travel under the
burning skies of Palestine, looked thoughtfully upon the
same hills and valleys clothed in Syrian spring-time with
imperial lilies, and had the same images daguerreotyped upon
my brain that impressed the sensitive soul of the " man of
sorrows," — the teacher sent from God.
As the voyage of mortal life must end some time, so must
the record of these travels. If those who have followed me
have been edified, and morally benefited, then am I satisfied.
The " greatest word," said Confucius, " is
' reciprocity.'
"
Writing in haste, we may have committed some minor
errors, or expressed opinions without sufficient research ; but
the endeavor has been to treat the subjects referred to
candidly,
bringing to our aid the most rehable information
and all to impart correct ideas of the millions peopling the
East.
Though each nation has its individuality, and each zone
its peculiar attractions ; though there are choicer antiquities,
and more classical lands ; though there are sunnier skies, and
tropical fruits mellowing in one eternal summer,— still I admire
my native land. And yet standing upon the mount of
vision, illumined by the principles of the Spiritual philosophy,
I know no rich, no poor, no^Asia, no America, no
caste, no country ; but one divine humanity^ resting upon
the beating, loving bosom of God.