The Mosque of Omar, Jerusalem

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This beautiful mosque has a meaning within and above its beauty that no other edifice can claim. It is the shelter or inclosure of the great altar of the world. It has a post of sublime interest, and one always asks oneself, “What will be the next great event in its history?” Away back in the childhood of the world Abraham climbed these heights, yet untouched by man, and laid his son, Isaac, there for an offering to the Lord, who had claimed it. After the trial was over it became the “Mount of the Lord,” and the Messiah was then promised. Later the great plague that fell upon Israel was stayed at this spot—“the threshing-floor of Oman, or Araunah”—and here David saw the great angel stand between the heaven and the earth, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. And another altar was built by David, upon which the Lord sent holy fire. A few years later Solomon laid the foundation of the Lord’s house around the rock altar, and the great altar of the temple was built above the sacred spot. After the glory of the temple had passed a church was built by the Crusaders here, and then Caliph Ab El Melek (twelve hundred years ago) built a mosque upon the spot and left the naked top of the holy mountain bare, as devout Mussulmen believe that Mohammed ascended to heaven from it. This rock, fifty-six feet long by forty-two feet wide, is surrounded by a richly wrought railing and is directly under a noble dome. The gorgeous surroundings of tiles wrought marble, mosaics, and jewels like glass, is only the setting of that wonderful stone, the hoary brow of Mount Moriah, where it breaks through the tesselated pavement. Here Jesus and Mary stood on that first paschal visit of the lad who was to be the Lamb of God, the Savior of man.