PILGRIMS AT THE JORDAN.
By Christian Herald
EVERY year a strange sight is witnessed on the banks of the River Jordan. It is the gathering of pilgrims from all parts of Christendom, who, going to the Holy Land, are attracted by the river made memorable by so many revered associations. The Jews reverence it because of the eventful time when their ancestors crossed it dry-shod, under Joshua, as he led them to the promised land. There, too, Elijah and Elisha worked their miracles. Christians also have their pretexts for reverencing it, for in it Christ was baptized. So many people came to see the river and bathe in it, that the Knights of St. John built a monastery at the supposed site of Bethabara, to accommodate members of their order whose duty it was to conduct pilgrims to the bathing place. The Turkish governor of Jerusalem annually recognizes the custom by sending, on the Monday following Palm Sunday, a guard to escort the pilgrims and superintend the bathing. The most picturesque company, however, are the Russian peasants, who time their journey so as to reach the Jordan in the first week of the year. Their quaint attire, their heavy garments, and their uncut beards attract general notice. They are conducted by one or more of their priests, and are very devotional. They spend a day or two in holding services, sleeping at night in tents or on the bare ground. On Epiphany day, the traditional anniversary of the visit of the wise men to the divine Babe, which is celebrated on January 6 (or January 18, new style), they gather for service on the river bank. When the priest concludes the ritual, the water is specially “sanctified,” and then the whole crowd descends into it. Having dipped themselves, they climb out and resume their journey. Last year the caravan numbered more than a thousand. The weather was cold and wet, and the pilgrims suffered severely. A large number of women collapsed by the way, and lay half dead by the roadside. The Russian consul at Jerusalem, hearing of their plight, sent fifteen carriages to bring them in. The worst sufferers were sent to the hospital, but four of them died and seven had a severe illness. It is a pity that, in spite of Christ’s direct teaching, such pilgrimages should survive.—Christian Herald.