Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1890-10-31
On Jordans Stormy Banks.
FOR THE GRAPHIC.

FOl LIE
Yesterday we left Jerusalem
and came down to Jerico and to-
day we arrived on the banks of
the Jordan, and we find it's
banks really stormy, SO
much SO as its waters can make
them. Let those of our readers
who live on the banks Of some full
flowing stream think of it when it
is rushing, roaring, and bounding
on, after a heavy rain, time when
all the water gaps are open aud
the drift wood and fence rails
rushing down carry aAay the
tiood-gates, and the rapid rise
makes all the crossings past ford
ing. Recalling such a scene, they
will haye fine representation of
the river Jordan before their
minds, without coming here to see
it. The one who wrote "On Jor-
dams Stormy Banks" must have
seen these sacred banks and from
them received the inspiration to
write. The turbid waters rush
along forming whirlpools and ed
dies that would be very dangerous
for the best swimmers. The banks
are thick set with tall grass, wild
cane, droopin2 willows, making a
scene altogether wild, lnxuriant
and lovely.
The traditional place where the
Savior was baptized, is visited by
pilgrims from all parts of the
world. 1t is a very impressive
scene when we look upon wea1-j
pilgrims who have come down
from Jerusalem on foot, dista zee
of about thirty miles, across the
wilderness of Judea and the p lains
of Jerico. They carry pills rims
staff and bread and water for the
journey. Feeble old men and wo.
men, young girls and hell Jess in
fants make up the II amerous
throngs. Covered with dust and
pe1spiration of the jour ney, they
all kneel, sing and pray on these
sacred banks, where the sound of
rushing waters mingled with that
OF song and prayer max es devo-
tlonal scene that Jords..a's banks
alone can present. Yet even more
impressive is it when a party of
English and Americans join and
sing of Jordan under the Shade of
the tall cedars that grow on its
banks. Besides all feel it is the
right thing tosread the biblical ac-
count of the Savior's baptism
while here; also the passage of the
children of Israel over Jordan. ia
all of which the place adds a ten
fold interest to the passages. The
wide spread OF the gospel is seen
here when the Christian, TURK, |
Greek, Russian, Arab of the desert,
Jew, Chinese and Egyp- |
tian add their worship in SO many |
different tongues to the languages
Of continental Europe, and that of
our own dear land; the travellers
from which have come farther to
see these waters than all the rest of
the world. On these occasions
there Is unity, for all are chris
tians. The turbaned Turk, hood
ed Arab, American and African
may be seen saiuting each other
after the peculiar manner OF their
respective bands. The Arab
strikes his breast as a salutation.
which seems to say, here is nv
heart. The Turk points to the
ky and calls down direct bless
ng, while the Asyrians Otter. ex-
,hange the holy kiss among men.
But the European and Ame rican
meet and With hearty hands hake
'eceive and return their salut ,tion
t may be all atfectionate God
bless you," or plain and sn nple
hello. Here it is, where G. 1ris-
lanity commands our highes re-
'pect, and its mighty power for
,ood is seen; for before eonyeu sion
hat Turk thought the touch of
hrlstian contaminating, and the
dohanmeden-Arab felt in his
leart he was doing sacred du ty
4 numbering him when he coul d.
'ut now what change. Yet it is
My the old story repeated of Sail
+ , Ta1sus and st. Paul the Apos-
'e. RAMBLER.
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