The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-11-20

wide and Is feet high, and it is filled
from end to end with rough beds of pine
boards. Upon the boards is straw mat
ting, and space six feet square forms
the bed and home of each woman. AT
the back of this she piles up her bread.
tea and other belongings, which she has
brought with her from Russia. She
sleeps stretched out on the boards on
the front in the clothing she wears in the
daytime.
The quarters devoted to the men are OF
similar nature and those to the families
differ only In that the space for each
holding is larger.
bring Broad From Russia
These pilgrims bring their bread and
tea with them from Russia. In addition
to this they have a few vegetables
which they buy of the natives. They
coos with oil stoves. When on the
march each carries some bread along
with her and pan out of which she
drinks and in which she makes tea.
In some parts of the Enclosure we
can see families at their meals. The
men, women and children sit on the
Ground around a pot of soup. Each
has his own piece of bread and a spoon
ici, re Us, to dip IN the soup and
carry it to his mouth They wash their
own clothes. using dishpans as tubs.
The tubs are as big IS bicycle wheel
and four inches deep. The washing is
done with cold water which is free
in the hospice, but which outside would
cost cents a gallon.
g'iOus People
These Russian pilgrims are very re-
ligious. They are mostly poor and many
have been saving a lifetime in order
that they might make this tour to the
Holy Land. They undergo all sorts
of hardships and spend their time in
fasting and prayer. They have a
church inside the hospice and services
are held there twice q day. have at
tended the church services several
times 1t is always full of people
standing or kneeling. They cross them
selves again and again as the service
goes on, and now and then get down
and bow their heads to the floor. There
are similar services lin the other Greek
churches. / attended one on the Mount
of olives where the reading of the
Scriptures and the singing were done
by Russian nuns dressed In black with
stovepipe hats without brims crown
ing their heads. The hats end in cape
or veil which falls down the back. The
faces Of the nuns were bare and spir-
itual looking. Their singing was ex-
ceedingly sweet and the service impress
sfye The pilgrims who listened now
and then knelt down and kissed the
bare floor.
The American Colony
There have been several American COL
onies in the Holy Land, but the only one
that has made any impression or lasted
for any length of time is that known as
the Spaffordite. This was founded about
30 years ago by DR.. and Mrs. Spafford,
who belonged 10 Presbyterian church
IN Chicago. They left the church and
came to Jerusalem, saying they intend
ed to devote their wealth and their lives
;n working for Christ in the Holy Land.
They persuaded IA adults and children
-. With them. and together found
ed a colony which has lasted until now.
That was in 1881. Today the colony has
800 members, brought here from all parts
of the union. There are number from
New England. some from the south, sew
eral from Kansas and Nebraska. and
eiiite a delegation from Philadelphia and
Chicago / have talked with them about
their beliefs They say they are Chris
tians and that they believe In the Bible
ac II is written. They take the golden
rule as their motto and try to live up
II II. They have no hobbies and their
Christianity is a practical working one.
asked as to the charge that they do
not believe in the marriage tie, ana was
told that this is not so. They do believe
in marriages when both husband and
wife are believers. find the community
is made UP OF families and am told its
social morality is high. The society has
had numerous deaths since its organlza-
ton but it has been increased from time
to time by people who have come here to
study the Bible and to lead holy lives
emong the holy places
An American Store
This colony lives together IS COM