A Baptism in "the Brook Cherith"
By W. C. Ising
It was "by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan," that Elijah found refuge, the Lord sending him food by the ravens. Still the waters of Cherith flow on to the Jordan. Two believers in Jerusalem were awaiting opportunity to follow their Lord in baptism. We could find no place about Jerusalem where there was sufficient water, and so our party went by donkeys down through the rocky roadways to the fountain of the brook Cherith, about two and a half hours' journey. Here, among scenes made famous by the sacred story, these believers in Christ Jesus were "buried with Him by baptism," and rose again to "walk in newness of life." This search for a place of baptism illustrates the text, "And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there." John 3:23. Our numbers are few, and the conditions difficult; but in nearly every place occupied by our workers in the Syrian-Egyptian mission during last year, some Gospel fruit has appeared; namely, in Beirut, Jerusalem, Joppa, Luxor (ancient Thebes), and Alexandria. Work in the Levant touches a great mixture of peoples. We have a representative in ancient Damascus. Here is a word from Brother Gabestian, sent from Bagdad, on the Tigris: "Present my best salaams to all the brethren in Christ." Colporter Zachary bears testimony: "I am a native of Ispahan, Persia. The blessed truth caught me two years ago in Cairo." And this word comes from our Brother Hasso: "I am of Mosul (Nineveh). The truth of the third angel's message (of Revelation 14) has found me while studying pharmacy in Beirut." So from lands of the earliest history, souls are gathering to the cry of the last Gospel message.