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scene, the bathing of
the pilgrims, which is an annual occurrence. From all the East, and from
most of the countries of Europe, pilgrims gather at Jerusalem, and to the
number of several thousands go down to Jericho and encamp, and early the
next morning repair to the Jordan, to bathe in the sacred river where our
Lord was baptized. It is a motley crowd, under the escort of a Turkish guard.
They plunge into the stream, most of them in white dresses prepared for
the occasion, and then kept the shrouds in which they care to be buried.
The pilgrimage, often long and painful, they deem highly meritorious; but
it is not necessary to repeat it, and children are frequently brought to
receive the one emersion or bath, which will save them the expense and peril
of a pilgrimage in after life.
Reluctantly we left the Jordan, and not till we had sung the “Shining
Shore,” and “On Jordan’s rugged banks I stand,”
thinking of dear ones who had passed over into the heavenly Canaan, beyond
the river, since we left home, and that blessed hope and faith that look
for a Divine hand to divide the stream, or give support in its swellings,
when our feet come to touch its waters.
Jericho to Jerusalem
The sun was nearing the high hill of Judea, when we made our way westward
from the Jordan in the track of the Israelites, under Joshua, to their
encampment at Gilgal. ---------
Many wonderful scenes had transpired at Jericho. Distinguished prophets
and mighty princes had been there, but at length, in the person of our
blessed Lord it had a visitor greater than them all, and some of his gracious
words and astonishing works are forever associated with the place. After
his baptism, he was led up of the spirit into the wilderness. Then followed
the long fasting and temptation. It was doubtless to the wilderness of
Jordan, back of Jericho, up to which the Saviour was led passing near
or through the city.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We journey on, and I think of that last journey of Jesus ever this same
path, going up from the house of Zaccheus, his new friend in Jericho,
to the house of Lazarus, his older friend in
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