Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-03-22
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that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
There also is Jacobs well where
Christ met the woman of Samaria who
was from the little village &C. Sychar.
which is still pointed out. Joseph's
tomb is also close ut hand
Those who are privileged To be the
guests of the little Samaritan com
munity on the memorable occasion
of their Passover. make their way
from the little town of Nablous in the
late afternoon up the fruit slopes of
Gerizim Passing above its well-wa-
tered base. from which gush forth
scores or springs. one Is forcibly re-
minded that this was the mount OF
blessing on that memorable occasion
in the history of the children of Israel
lust alluded to. while If the eye is
cast across the valley on Ebal, the
mount of cursing. no springs or fruit
| fulness are seen. but only barrenness
and rocky desolation.
Reaching the top. we find the tents
already pitched. Round this camp has
already gathered a considerable com
pany of Moslems from Nablous who
have. like ourselves. come to witness
| the ceremony. They form curious
and not very respectful assembly. We
also detect a little group of Ameri-
cans. both ladies and gentlemen, a
titled Englishman and his wife. three
other English tourists including the
writer. and few from France and
Germany. As II by instinct, the
Europeans gradually form themselves
into little company apart from the
other spectators We are quickly OBJ
served. however. and two of the Sauna
ritan officials make their way to us
They invite us into the tent OF the
hig6 priest to see the Samaritan treas
ures an invitation that is eagerly &C
cepted.
Chief among these, of course. Is th'
famous Scroll referred to. The higl
priest informs us that IT is locked NJ
I'm his cupboard pointing to some
what plain receptacle over which TIVE
men stand guard II appears he Il
apprehensive of its being stolen b.
his cousin This young man has serv
ed term of Imprisonment for stea
! ing ancient manuscripts and woul
! not hesitate to steal the preciou
, scroll if he had chance The ten
' doors are carefully closed and mad
= fast. The high priest then unlock
{ the cupboard and produces the sacre
2 manuscript II is very old and wrir
killed. and tattered. The parchment
Y brown and brittle. The lines are 4
f regular and the ink has faded so nea
@ " as to be illegible. though In place
;, Il has been re-inked by newer parcl
o ment. The whole is hacked with ot'
4 or parchment and enclosed in silvt
t case. on which are engraved picture
v of the ark of the Covenant. the golde
Il candlestick. The altar of sacrifice. Il
r knife for killing the sacrifice, and &c
4 tain other engravings and emblemat
designs. The whole is covered with
Is green silk cloth and yelled from orc
s. nary sight. or course no one mu
$ touch IT, II is not quite orthodox tn
e any one else should see II save on CO
n tain great festivals. but this is one
h the occasions when It may be SEE
s. though guardedly.
h In the little interval that remain
re before the service began the hi
Of priests son showed us over the mou
ir tain top. pointing out the famous rui
W there. Half an hour before the s.
I'd goa down the service begins. Ne
m by the rocks where the Samarita
I'd say that Abraham offered Isaac {