Paul in Damascus

"And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth."-Acts, ix: 10-11. The street called Straight is still the leading street in Damascus. It runs from east to west almost through the whole city. The leading carpet and silk shops are to be found on this avenue. We have here a picture of modern Damascus and the street called Straight. It is narrow, and really it is a crooked street, although called Straight. Changes have taken place within a few years, and now one may ride through the most of the street in a modern carriage—a feat which could not have been performed a decade ago. (Source: Earthly Footsteps of the Man of Galilee, p. 276.)

If the pilgrim enter the city of Damascus at its eastern gate and follow the street that is called Straight to the first lane at his right, he will soon reach what the tradition calls the house of Ananias. It has been converted into a small church with a crypt and belongs to the Latins. The neighborhood is that of the Christian quarter, and has none of the signs of Oriental luxury. These are found in the Moslem and Jewish quarters. The Lord said to Ananias concerning Saul: "He hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem."-- Acts, ix: 12-13. Of course, it would be interesting to know the precise place in which Ananias lived, and yet the knowledge of a specific locality can not add to the importance and impressiveness of an event itself. . . . We have here a picture of the modern house, secured by our artist early in the morning of May 14, 1894. (Source: Earthly Footsteps of the Man of Galilee, p. 277.)

The window in the wall is also pointed out through which Paul was let down in a basket .  . . . Considering the many changes which Damascus has undergone, it is, of course, impossible to rely on these traditions; but there can be no doubt about the general locality. There are several examples in Damascus of houses, built on the city wall, from the projecting windows of which it would be very easy to descend. (Source: Picturesque Palestine, vol. 2, p. 179.)