The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-02-12
3 WILL sEABROOK's TRAVELS
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(By W. B. Seabrook.

(By W. B. Seabrook.)
Special to The Herald and News.
Saintes Maries-de-la-Mer, France
How many Americans know what
became Of the Virgin Mary, Mary Sa-
lone, Mary Magdalene, Joseph: haz-
arus, Martha and Mary Of Bethany,
and the other personal friends and
kinfolk Of Jesus, after the cruclflS-
ion? Very few, I am sure, for the
Bible has little on nothing to say on
the subject, and, so far as [ can learn,
the legend has never found place IN
English literature. Yet wonderful
story exists, veritable Odyssey, ia
miliar to the peasants in the south OF
France, cherished and handed down
from generation to generation with a
touching, simple faith; not only have
thev enshrined in their hearts the
memory of Saintes Marie, butt have
preserved here, in a little church up
on the Mediterranean shore, thru:
caskets. which are believed to contain
the bones of these holy women.
Here is the legend (the history, II
YOU prefer) as it was recounted to
me by the Curate Of this church-up-
on-tlle- sands.
The Jewish hierarchy. who had hop
ed by cru-ifying Christ to put an end
to the propagation Of his teachings
which they regarded as revolutionary
and socialistic, becoming alarmed by
the miraculous events which followed
the c1a1cifixion, were driven to des-
peration and decided to mid Je17lsa-
lem. and Palestine by one daring
stroke, of the most fervent disciples
and relatives of the Saviour. A COM
pany was formed, without the know
ledge or connivance Of the Roman
government. a plot was carefully laid,
and. one night, the Mother Of Christ,
the other Marys, Martha, Joseph,
Trophime, Lazarus and number of
their companions. were seized in their
beds, bound, gagged, and hurried
across country to a desolate spot up
on the coast. where the different
bands Of malefactors had arranged a
rendezvous. There they were liberat-
ed from their bonds and forced
aboard a leaking ship, without sails,
rudder or anchor, and abandoned to
the mercy Of the waves. As the water
logged hulk was being pushed from
the shore, the little band Of martyrs,
as we'll as their mrlderous captors,
were startled by the sudden appear
ance of Sarah, devoted mald-ser-
want, whom the kidnappers had not
thought worth the trouble of their at
tentior, but who had followed their
footsteps and now demanded to share
the fate of Mary, her mistress. The
prayer was granted, Sarah was per-
mitted to enter the ship, shared in all
the adventures Of her companions,
and eventually became the patron
saint Of the Bohemians and Gypsles.
In a curious old French canticle.
the scene Of the embarkment is thus
described:
"Entraz Sara. dams la nacelle,
Lazare, Martha ct Maximin, '
Cleon. Trophime, Saturnin.
Les trois Waries ct Marcelle,
Eutrope ct Martial, Sidoine avee
Joseph,
VouS periroz dams cette nef.
Allez sans voile ct sans cordage,
Sans mat, sans ancre, sans tlmon,
Sans ailments, sans avlron,
Alloz faire I'M triste naufrage!
Retirez vous d'ici. laisez nous en- re-
pos,
Allez crever parmi les flots.''
"a friend of the editor makes this
free translation:
Enter Sara, into the little boat,
Lazarus, Martha, and Maximim,
Cleon, Trophime, Saturnin,
The three Marys and Marc7lle,
Eutrope and Martial, Sidonie with
Joseph,
You will perish in this nave of the
church.
Go without sail, without rope;
Without mast, without anchor, with