Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-09-25
Sacred Rivers.

Egypt, the land of enigmas-to the
solution of which our modern era is so
zealously devoted-fosters, in the bed
of the gigantic Nile, the source of her
existence and maintenance. This river,
by its fructifying freshets, not only
maintained all those who inhabited
these regions in good condition physi-
cally, but by the regularity of their Oc-
currence excited the Egyptians to be-
come the first astronomers of the world
and the first surveyors of boundaries.
Just as this river flows from hitherto
unknown sources, so the origin of the
Egyptians as a people is enveloped in
darkness. Through the regions of CO.
lossal stone quarries the Nile winds its
way. These quarries, in ancient times,
supplied the needful material for gigan-
tic structures, the grandeur of which,
with regard to time and dimensions,
was awe-inspiring. The river forms
the cataract and rapids of Assuan, and
from thence to the..Delta is the benefac-
tor of the country. With great predi-
lection, the old Egyptians would paint
their Nile. raised to divinity like
Neptune, 1.-THE old man of the sea, y
surrounded by sixteen children, accord
ing to the number of yards his water
will have to rise ere he becomes bene-
factor. The pillows of the Nile rushed
under the boy Moses before the daugh-
ter of Pharaoh raised him up. When
afterwards the young Israeli;e, accom-
plished with Egyptian learning, dwelt
upon the banks of the Nile, his eyes
may have often watched the billows OF
that river which once were his cradle.
Lotos flowers exhale fragrance and
glitter with their rosy calyx whenever
the magic sound of the name of the
river Ganges thrills the ear. Whatever
poesy, glowing fancy and love can in
still into the heart of a poet has been
sung on the banks of the Ganges and o.
the Ganges. Not only ''Lakontala y
and - Urvasi," the charming fairy-tales
of - kalidasas," but also the poems OF
modern lyrics, lead us to the banks OF
the Ganges as the most beautiful spot
on earth. Imagining its waters TO pro-
ceed from the feet of BraE-a, the ancient
inhabitants of India represented their
stream in their numerous works OF
sculpture as holy person; drink OF
the sweet waters of the Ganges would
preserve one from the dreaded metem-
psychosis, and dead body floating in
the pillows of its waters may be a dis
gusting sight to strangers, but its spirit
enjoys immediate affinity with the most
exalted Godhead.
Through Palestine flows the river
Jordan, whosebanks have been so often
reached only after inexpressible pain
and suffering. The aim of the Crusad-
ers, and the thOusandfold repeated
prayer of those who remained at home,
was TO possess flask of water from
the river JOdan. Baptism with such
holy water was considered an in
valuable advantage, but with al
most morose sadness some of the
bold wanderers saw this river streaming
through the lovely lake of Genesareth,
and then ending its course in the Dead
Sea. The latter the Bible calls the
place where st. John baptized Jesus,
and this circumstance gave to the Jor-
dan, the waters of which were per-
mitted to be used in the baptism OF
Christ, bright halo of sacredness.
In the south of Russia rolls the broad
majestic flood of the holy "Mother
Volga" (thus the South Russian calls,
with his well-known predilection for
pet names, his river), the largest stream
in Europe. The Neva, though but
thirty-two miles in length, enjoys q
similar favoritism; but although its
very agreeably tasting waters, filled in