CHAPTEE  XV.
TO    C^SAREA-PHILIPPI  AND    ROUND  MOUNT  HERMON.
As  we  broke  camp  in  the  morning,  and  rode  up  the
hill,  which  I  have  supposed  was  the  ancient  AcropoUs,  we
turned  to  take  one  more  look  at  the  Sea  of  Gahlee  l}ing  at
our  feet.  On  the  eastern  side  the  lulls  were  still  partly  in
shadow,  but  the  morning  light  was  creeping  over  them,
bringing  into  view  the  outUne  of  the  sacred  shores.  Almost
every  spot  within  the  sweep  of  the  eye  was  connected  with
the  history  of  our  Lord.  Capernaum  was  his  home  for  the
greater  part  of  the  three  years  of  his  ministry — a  period
more  important  than  the  preceding  thirty  years,  which  he
spent  at  Nazareth  :  for  here  his  life  was  not  one  of  obscu-
rity, but  of  incessant  activity  ;  his  teaching  was  chiefly  on
these  shores  and  waters,  and  now  his  blessed  words  seem
to  float  upward  from  the  lake  below,  while  fi'om  the  Plain
of  Gennesareth  the  aii",  fresh  with  morning  dew,  comes
like  the  breath  of  God.  In  the  presence  of  such  a  scene,  it
is  almost  an  imj^ertinence  to  speak  :  one  is  held  silent  and
motionless.  For  a  few  moments  we  sat  on  our  horses,  not
saying  a  word,  and  then  turned  and  silently  rode  away.
As  we  leave  the  lake  behind,  we  enter  a  rough  hill-
countr}',  which  is  the  character  of  this  portion  of  Galilee.
