St. fStcplnnr's gate, on the east, is the one through which
we ])ass on going from tlnj city to the Mount of Olives ; the
place between the east walls, and the l>ottom of the Ividron
YallcA' is coAcred Avith IMohammedan ornves. Passing down
the ]'i)ad across the dry lied of the brook, one sees numerous
lejirous beggars sitting by tlie wayside begging. As they
In.'ar footsteps a[>[iroa(dung, — for many of them are blind, —
th(.'_y set u[i a, most jiitifnl wail of distress. '• Cowaji(\ cowa-
jie, ]>acks]ieesh " was the ci-\' that became familiar to nij' ears,
though it is likely that this is not a correct rendering. They



LEPER a. 323

hold up their handless stumps, or point out their hideous
deformities and appeal in the name of God for "backsheesh,"
that is, a present. And if their importunities appear not to
be heeded, they mingle tears with their wailing cries. The
sight of their A¥retchedness is touching, and though I passed
them many times, I took pains to have something with me
with wdiich to stop their cries.
Such cries often greeted our Saviour's ears, and with what
pitying compassion he imparted the healing gift ! Leprosy
is a striking emblem of sin. They are diseases which no
human power can reach, and both inevitably end in a terrible
death. Jesus Christ to-day is ready to hear the leper's call.
