Richland beacon., 1877-03-31
PALESTINE.

Bathing ia the R;rrr Jordan and the Dcrd
Seo-Hor tie Russian Pilgrims
Take Their Additions.
In every fresh grove we entered, sin.
gle file, we hoped to come suddenly upon
the banks of the Jordan. We listened
for the ripple of the waters and heard
nothing but the hollow echo of the thick
falling hoofs as they struck tie clay
crust of the plains. At last our kawas
and sheik gave us little thrill of emo
tion by crying out that we were nearing
the river. wondered what it was like,
its breadth, its color. 1t seemed to me
then that had never read anywhere a
passage descriptive of the stream. Of
course had, and had forgotten it as one
forgets ninety-nine hundredths of ones
general reading. The trees grew large
and stood apart, stretching out wide
branches that were full of glittering gold
as We rode under them, for the sun was
rising over
THE MOUNTAINS OF MOAB.
1t was like bit of park land, trimmed
and swept clean; spot to camp in and
luxuriate in, and to love nature in with
a hard and loyal love. A hedge of will
lows bordered the grove at the farther
side. Through it We caught a glimpse
of rushing and sparkling waters; we
heard the joyous waves as they danced
onward to the sea under the fringe Of
green, and the sound can only be COM
pared to the sparkle of the ripping wa
ters. You can actually hear the waters
sparkle, if may say so. The glee, the
freshness, the freedom and the life of that
trembling torrent have never seen
elsewhere. This is the swift Jordan
rushing down to smother itself to death
in the gummy waters of the deep Dead
sea! We were upon the sloping shore at
the most famous ford of the river. 1t
was about thirty yards to the opposite
bank. Willows grow close to the waters
edge and shut out the view of the very
first turn in the river, few yards below
the ford. Some orthe pendant bows trail
in the water, and are caught again and
again by the tossing waves and dragged
along in the impetuous current; but
they spring back a moment later and
dash thelwater from their leaves as they
once more begin conqueting with the tide.
THE JORDAN
is about the color of new slate--a slate
with the greenish-gray cloud still cover
ing its surface. Its waters are Obaque,
thickened with clay, but delicious in
temperature and very refreshing to pill
grim's palate. Is it a wonoer that the
riverfrushes like mill-race? From it,
source to its mouth, one hundred and
thirty-six miles in bee line, it descends
5000 feet. Its very name, "Yarden, -
in Hebrew signifies descent. 1t twists
and turns until ii has trebled the natrl.
raj course from fountain to sea. 1t rises
in its might and covers the plains, and
drives back to focks and herds that feed
along the banks. You cannot bridge it
often you cannot ford it. Thrice was il
miraculously parted in the old miracu
lous days that the prophets might pass
over it dry shod. Not far from here St
Christopher stemmed the tide with the
Chrlst-child in his arms, and at this very
spot the Savior of men was baptized by
st. John the Baptist after that fast o.
forty days up in the wilderness yonder
Out of cloud came
THE MYSTICAL WHITE DOVE
and lowered above these shores. If tn,
waters of the Jordan were magical they
could hardly exercise a more poten
spell. Somehow We got out of ou
. clothes, and with the fresh air of til,
morning blowing upon US we passed
| into the cleansing food. There was lif
in every drop OF thew life, new