Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-03-15
SamaritanS-Pentatcuch


and the Samaritan Pen,ateuch:
Nablons is noted for the existence Of
a small remnant Of the ancient Samari'
lans. The stock has gradually dwindled
way ,and amounts to only 40 fami les'
containing little moro than $50 individ'
uals. They live in particular quarter
Of the city, and are easily distinguished
from the other inhabitants in the cast OF
their features. After our guide, native
of Nablons, had pointed out three or four,
had no difficulty in recognizing all tho
others we met. They have long but not
prominent noses, like the Jews; small,
oblong eyes, narrow lips, and fair COM
plexion, most OF them have brown hair.
They appear to be held in Considerable
obloquy by the Moslems. Our attend
ant, who was Of the low class Of Arabs,
took the boys we met very unceremonl'
ously by the head, calling cut: "Hcre
is another Samaritan" He then con-
Quoted US to their synagogue, to see the
celebrated Pentalcuch, which is there
preserved. We were taken to q small
open court, shaded by an apricot tree,
where the priest, an old man in green
robe and white turban, was seated in
meditation. He had long gray beard
and black eyes, that lighted up with
sudden expression Of eager greel whe"
we promised him backshish for sight of
the sacred book. He rose and took us
into a sort Of chapel, followed by mum
Der Of Samaritan boys. Knecling down
at a niche in the wall, he produced from
behind wsolen case piece Of ragged
parchment, written with Hebrew char.
acters. But the guard was familiar with
this deception, and rated him SO sound.
ly that after q little hesitation he laid
the fragment away. and produced large
tin cylinder, covered with II piece OF
green satin embroidered in gold. The
boys stopped down AMI 'everen1Iy kiss
cd the blazoncl cover, before it WAS re.
novel. The cylinder, sliding open by
Two rows Of hinges, oocne,l at the same
time the parchment scroll, which was
rolled at both ends. 1t was indeed a
very ancient manuscript, and in remark
able preservation. The rents have been
carefully repaired, ana the scroll neatly
stitched upon another piece Of parch'
ment covered on the outside with violet
satin. The priest informed me that it was
written by the son Of Aaron, but this
does not coincide with tho fact that the
Samaritan Pentateuch is different from
that ofthe Jews. 1t is, however, no doub,
one Of the oldest parchment records in
the world, and the Samaritans look up,
on it with unbounded faith and rever'
ence. The Psntateuch, according to
their version, contains their only form o.
religion. They reject everything else
which the Old Testament contains. Three
or four days ago was their grand feast Of
sacrifice, when they made burnt offer
ing ola lamb, on the top Of Mount Ger.
ism. Within short time it is said they
have shown some curiosity to become
acquainted with the New Testament, and
the High Priest sent to jerusalem to pro.
cure Arabic copies.
asked one of the wild.eyed boy:
whether he could read the sacred book
"Oh, yss," said the priest" all thes.
boys can read it," and the one address
ed Immediately pulled volume from hi
breast, and commenced reading in flu
ent Hebrew. Itappeared to be a par
of their church service, for both prizes
and boab, or door keeper, kept up run
ing series Of responses, and occasionally
the whole crowd shouted out some deep
mouted word in chorus. The old mar
leaned forward, with an expression a.
fixed and intense as il the text had be-
come incarnatc in him, following will
his lips the sound Of the boys voice. !
was strange picture Of religious en-.
thusiasm, AMI was Of itself sufficient tc
convince me Of the legitimacy Of th'
Samaritan's descent. When | rose L
leave gave him the promised fee, and ,
smaller one to the boy who read the ser
vice. This was signal for genera
attack from the oor.keeper and all th'
boys who were present. They surround
ed me with eyes sparkling with the de-
sire Of gain, kissed the border ofmy jac
ket, stroked my beard coaxingly within
their hands, which, they then kissed, anc
were ready, as it seemed to me, to fall or
my neck in heap, after the old He
brew fashion. The pris sst clamoreus fo
more, followed with glowing face, and
the whole group had riotous and bac