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(Jerusalem)
Over a mostly level plain, with a very rare sprinkling of stunted vegetation,
we were about an hour and a half in reaching the traditional place of
the baptism of Jesus. On our right, we could trace the winding course
of the river, from the strip of verdure, and small trees among which it
flows, though we could not see the river itself.
On our left, the plain was broad, terminating in the abrupt, light-gray
hills of Judea, overlooking the site of ancient Jericho. It was not till
we came almost to the brink of the Jordan, that we got a glimpse of its
swiftly flowing ad slightly turbid waters. O favored eyes! O hallowed
moment! Can the emotions awakened by such a sight be described? And this
is the Jordan— the sacred river, flowing as of old— in whose
streams and on whose banks such scenes of wonderful interest have transpired!
And here it rolls still, graceful in its seep, musical in its flow, and
every murmer of its waters seems to repeat and confirm the events of Bible
history. O sweet and quiet spot for sacred meditation! Here let me sit
down by this tree on this bank, and watch the rushing stream, and recall
the past!
After reading passages of scripture relating to the place, I wandered
up and down the bank, gathering a few moments to take home. Just above
there was a bend in the river to the right and a considerable growth of
trees and shrubbery on the banks not far below, as well as above, presented
a view of the river to any great extent. The width of the Jordan here
I judged to be twenty yards or more, and its depth was probably ten feet.
This is the traditional place of our Saviour’s baptism, the passage
of the Israelites and the further miraculous divining of the river by
Elijah and Elisha. -------------------------------------------------
How sacred, how solemn is such a place! How thrilling, how divine its
associations! Jesus was here— here he was baptized— here the
heavens opened at the scene. Here was heard the approving voice of the
Father, and her the Spirit Dove came down upon the Lamb of God. The devout
tourist would scarcely leave such a spot before bathing in the hallowed
river. Si I felt as thrice I bowed my head in the Jordan and heard the
murmer of its waters above me.
Had my visit to the Jordan been a few weeks later, at the Greek Easter,
I might have witnessed that singular and exciting
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