The broad ax., 1901-10-05
A Region Rspls,o
Whk Sacred
Associations

the river e sluggish snd tnrbid, but
e soon purified and becomes q tor
rent rushing between small Islands
and rocks thlokly set with oleanders-
About two miles below Lake Meron
Is Jacobs Bridge, where Jacob on his
return IRON MesopotamIa is said 70
hsys crossed. Il vas built after the
crusades.
About thirteen miles below this
bridge, the stream enters Lake IL
eerias. or Gennesaret. more familiarity
known a.
The Sea OF Galnse.
About this tiny inland sea which Is
only about seventeen miles long and
from six to nine miles wide. and en-
vironed By the retiring bills. the most
sacred scenes Of history were enacted.
From the treeless shores, bare rocks
and meadowless inclines now rise. Its
natural beauty is in no way remark
able, but the associations surrounding
Il lend a fascinating charm. It's east
ern side Is now infested by Bedouins
whose homes are among the ruins OF
BoEiah and who are as remorseless IN
vaders as any who lived in the time
Of Gideon. The western coast Is now
comparative waste, with but q few
hamlets, In place OF the once densely
populated region. Here lived that
hardy race Of mountaineers, an ener-
getie. remarkable people, favored By
Jesus, and industrious, skiilful and
valorous. At any time they were ready
to muster 100000 men to defend Cali
lees against the Romans. On the shores
Of this sea Andrew and Peter dwelt,
mended their net and landed their
fish. There four OF the disciples were
summoned 70 become ''ishers Of men
In the surface Of the sea Is mirrored
the mountain from which Jesus spoke
to the multitude On this sea Heated
the boat from the deck Of which the
Great Teacher spoke TO the multitudes
on the shore and around II rise the
same mountains which echoed His
voice. The waters are the same as
those upon which He walked In the
fourth watch Of the night" and winds,
similar to those He babe BE still"
are casting waves upon the shores.
Most Of the cities IN which he per-
formed His mighty works are in ruins
and the multitudes and the jealous
Herod and his hosts are gone. but His
word still remains.
Issuing from the southern extremity
OF the lake, the Jordan enters a broad
valley, which Is designated in the
Bible as the plain. Its width varies
from i've to ten miles. From Galilee to
the Dead sea no bridge spans the
stream. Its course is through a deep
ehasm or assure in the earth's crust
As It Eaters the Dead Sea.
1t is very shallow. its depth not ex-
eeeding three or four feet This body
OF water, which marks the southern
boundary Of the valley. is one Of the
wonders Of the world. Il lies between
the mountains Of Moab on the east
and those Of Hebron on the west. The
locality Is that Of the ancient vale OF
Siddim, which Lot selected when part
ing from Abraham The sea Is sup
pocc4 " AaNo SCcA A0lAACA " 81
earthquake. accompanied by volcanic
action. The valley appears to have
sunk TO a great depth and the waters
Of the Jordan flowing in produced the
sea which was made intensely salt by
the saline strata exposed 70 their ae-
don In this great catastrophe the
cities Of Sodom and Gomorrah were de-
stroyed and It is supposed to have
taken place about 1900 years before
the mission Of Christ.
In this mysterious body Of water Is
lost the river which drains the valley
Of the Jordan. the land which viii for
ever live in story because II was the
scene Of the labors Of Him who prom
ised eternal life.