Image Description from historic lecture booklet: "Approaching Baalbek from Damascus or the south, one comes first to the quarries of Baalbek. The colossal block is 71 feet long, 14 feet high, 13 feet wide, contains about 13,500 cubic feet, and would probably weigh, 1,500 tons. Men on top of it look like little dolls, while the people and camels below seem as mere toys. The block rests on a narrow ridge of rock running down the center, each side underneath being cut away preparatory to moving. All around in this immense quarry are such sights as you may see beyond this block-stone partially prepared for removal. The temple built of the stones of this quarry stands in ruins in the distance. The six columns of the great temple rise prominently and on this side of them, 20 feet from the ground, are three large stones in the wall similar to the one here in the quarry, each 63 feet long, 13 feet wide, 13 feet high, weighing probably 1,000 tons each. One of the unexplained wonders connected with the famous ruins of Ballbek is how the gigantic stones were transported and placed in position on the wall so high above the ground."
Image Description from historic lecture booklet: "The Lebanon Mountains, 15 to 20 miles away, reach an altitude of 10,000 feel, and late in the summer, snow may be seen in several places. Around the walls on all sides are sparkling waters, flower gardens, and the rustling leaves of many graceful trees. Baalbek is the Heliopolis of Greek and Roman authors, but we possess no written record regarding the city earlier than the third or fourth century of our era. It was formerly on of the most famous and important cities of Syria, and contained many palaces and monument. In 636 A.D. Baalbek fell into the hands of the Mohammedans, and in 748 A.D. was sacked by the Kalif of Damascus. The site is now occupied by a modern village and ruins of the ancient temple. The main attractions of Baalbek are these wonderful ruins, which surpass even those of Greece and Rome in the vastness of its temples. If one may judge from the crumbling ruins, no other structure so exquisitely beautiful ever enchan
Image Description from historic lecture booklet: "Damascus lies on the western margin of the great Syrian desert in a plain of luxuriant verdure, surrounded on three sides by mountains thirty miles in extent. the district is regarded by the Arabs as an earthly reflection of Paradise--an orchard traversed by streams of flowing water. Damascus is supposed to be the oldest city in the world-- certainly the longest for continued existence. It was first mentioned in the Bible in Abraham's time (Gen. 14:15) It is altogether likely that Abraham stopped here on his way from UR of the Chaldees. It has successfully passed under the dominion of the Assyrian, Babylonians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Saracens, and finally was captured by the Turks in 1516. And today it is still the capital of nearly all Syria, and is the most populous and flourishing city of the East."
Image Description from historic lecture booklet: "This is pointed out as the window on the wall from which Paul was left down in a basket, when he escaped while the governor under Aretas, the king, was guarding the city to capture him, It is absolutely certain that this is not that window; for this house is built on the modern Turkish wall. The picture is introduced here because it doubtless gives a good impression of the manner of the apostles escape from ancient Damascus."
Image Description from historic lecture booklet: "Straight street corresponds to Main street in the smaller American cities and to High street in British cities. The street runs due east and west almost the whole length of the city. Its eastern end s the east gate of Damascus. The gate is of Roman origin; it was originally a large triple gateway 38 feet high. The minaret above the gate is too dilapidated to be ascended."
Image Description from historic lecture booklet: "The city of Beyrout was formerly called Berytus. It was named after Julia Augusta Felix Berytus, the daughter Emperor Augustus. It has about 120,000 inhabitants 38 Christian churches. The Christian element is growing stronger every year. Being the most important city on the Syrian coast of the Mediterranean, it is quite natural that it should become the center of missionary work."
