The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-08-18
In THE HOLY LAND.

AnoSAAO yOuloOll uclUIo dud, says q
Jericho letter to the Albany Journal
Seen from the vessel the town presents
a pretty appearance, built upon bluff
with streets arranged to resemble ter
races. Its harbor has the name of be-
ing one Of the worst in the world. To
enter it is not infrequently attended
with danger. We happen here with
smooth sea, and our steamer with its
load of human freight passes through
the rocky channel without a mishap.
The day is brilliant. The holy land is
about to be invaded. We are on the
way from the Nile to the Jordan. We
are to see the land celebrated in story,
the land which every Sunday school
scholar in America knows of as the
scene of David's exploits and the cap
tive Joseph's dream. Enthusiasm
among the boat passengers is manifest.
All are in haste to set foot on shore.
Landing, we pass through quaint streets
whose arches are so small they seem al
most to bar us out. Much we see is
Of interest, much picturesque. Here
the dusky face of the Arab is not 80
often noticed as in Egypt. A peculiar
ity of the native Israelites is their light
complexion, the faces Of many being
covered with whitish powder, while
upon each side of the forehead one curl
of hair is worn. There is also sma all
English and German colony here.
And now, before exploring the city of
David let us make an excursion to the
Dead Sea and the Jordan. This is done
upon horseback, and will Occupy three
days from and to Jerusalem. Mount
ing outside of Jaffa gate, the walls are
followed for some distance, the Damas-
Gus gate and then that of st. Stephen
being passed. Proceeding into the
valley of Kedron, crossing brook of
that name, Bethany, village of stone
houses is soon reached, while just be-
yond is the Mount of Olives. The
most prominent ruin is pointed out as
the house of Mary and Martha, near
which is the entrance to the tomb of
Lazarus. The way then winds along
through the mountains, and after an
hours ride the fountain of Absalom is
reached. The mountains round are
infested with Bedouin robbers, and
every party is escorted by an armed
guard. After some four hours riding
through the windings of these rocky
defles, refreshing sight was the Dead
Sea cleaning below US in the distance.
Now we pass the mount upon which
our Lord was tempted. Jericho" sit
uated in valley, and consisting of
some half dozen houses, is reached.
Its hotel is far superior to any found at
Jerusalem. From its windows the blue
waters of the Dead Sea are distinctly
visible, though ride of an hour and a
half is necessary to bring one to it's
shores, where all is barren and desolate.
A bath in this historic water is well
worth taking, and very different from
any other l ever enjoyed. The water
is 50 salt that one can not possibly sink,
but may rest upon its surface without
the slightest effort. From here to the
Jordan is another hour in the distance
over an extremely sandy plateau. FL
nally, about noon this, the most famous
river in all the world is reached. Meth
er the Euphrates nor the Tiber, cele-
brated as they are, command to exceed
fractional part of the interest that at
taches in every land to the mention of
the name of Jordan" and as we stand
on the banks of this most sacred of
streams all with one accord gaze in ST.
lence upon the spot where Christ is said
to have been baptized. Upon the op-
posite bank rocks tower up some fifty
feet, while where the party is resting a
few trees afford slight change. The
river has a very swift current, which
hurries it along until lost in the Dead
Sea. Its water, though not clear, is
healthful. While where one of the party
was baptized, the ceremony, by reason
of its surroundings, being peculiarly
touching, and although the day was
pleasant all realized as never before
the feeling of him who wrote the lines:
On Jordan's stormy banks stand
And cast a wistful eye
To Canaan's fair and happy land,
Where my possessions lie.
COURAGE AND COMFORT.