Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 December 1881 — Restoring Solomon’s Temple. [ARTICLE]

Restoring Solomon’s Temple.

Domloti Telegraph. lteuf Pasha, the Turkish Governor of Jerusalem, has recently received imperative orders from Ruitan Abdul Hatnid to resume the work of restoration of Solomon’s temple, commenced uuder the reigu of Abdul Aziz, but discontinued some, five years ago. The Pasha lias also been instructed to clear the great square froutiug tlio temple of all the rubbish aud rank vegetation with which it is at present incumbered. In this square stands the famous Mosque-of Omar, which derives a revenue of some £15,000 a year from pilgrim contributions aud other sources. Hithetto tjhe greater portion of this sum found its way annually to Staraboul. The Sultan, however, has decreed that henceforth it shall be applied to defray the expenses of the works above alluded to, the present resumption of . which, as well as their original incention, is due in reality to suggestions made at different times to the Ottoman authorities by members of the Austrian imperial family. The restoration of the temple ruins was begun at the instance of Francis Joseph, during his visit to the Holy Land, shortly after the accession of Abdul Aziz to the throne, aud it was the recent pilgrimage of the Archduke Rudolph to Judea that imparted a fresh impulse to the interrupted enterprise. Not only has the Commander of the Faithful signified it to be his sovereign will that the works should be carried out without further delay, but two officials of the Sublime Porte, Serid and Raif Effendim have already left Jerusalem, with instructions to take measures, on their arrival, for insuring the literal fulfillment of his Majesty’s decree. The gratitude of Christians and Jews alike is due to Abdul Hamid, for lending his high authority to so generous and enlightened an undertaking.