It occupies the site of the ancient Mamre. It holds,
in all fidelity- the sepulcher of Machpelah, where the
ashes of Abraham and Sarah repose. It formed one
of the cities of refuge. David here set up the stand-
ard of revolt, and found, in the tough, turbulent, and
brave people who flocked to his banner, and in the
strength of his position, a defense against Saul.
Amid its fortresses Absalom, for a time, defied the
armies of his sovereign and father. In later times, it
was one of the sacred cities, and the residence of the
priests when their services were not demanded at
the temple.
Long the oracle had been dumb. God had ceased
to commune with men. No outward symbol indi-
cated the Divine presence.' Earnestly men prayed
and waited for the coming of Elijah, whose advent
should precede the expected Messiah. God put honor



294 MOUNT CALVARY.
