The Dead Sea and the Jordan.

Otago Witness, Issue 1917, 17 August 1888, Page 32

The Dead Sea and the Jordan.

This is done upon horseback, and will occupy three days from and to Jerusalem. Mounting outside of Jaffa Gate, the walls are followed for some distance, the Damascus Gate, and then that of St. Stephen being passed. Proceeding into the Valley of Kidron, crossing a brook of that name, Bethany, a village of stone houses, is soon reached, while just beyond is the Mount of Olives. The most prominent ruin is pointed out as the house of Mary and Martha, near which is the entrance to the tomb of Lazarus. The way then winds along through the mountains, and after an hour's ride the fountain of Absalom is reached. The mountains round about are infested with Bedouin robbers, and every party is escorted by an armed guard. After some four hours' riding through the windings of these rocky defiles, a refreshing sight was the Dead Sea, gleaming below us in the distance. Now we pass the mount upon which our Lord was tempted, "Jericho," situated in a valley and consisting of some half a dozen houses, is reached. Its hotel is far superior to any found at Jerusalem. From its windows the blue waters of the Dead Sea are distinctly visible, though a ride of an hour and a-half is necessary to bring one to its shores, where all is barren and desolate. A bath in this historic water is well worth taking, and very different from any other I have ever enjoyed. The water is so salt that one cannot possibly sink, but may rest upon its surface without the blightesL effort. From here to Jordan is another hour in the distance over an extremely sandy plateau. Finally about noon this, the most famous river in all the world, is readied. Neither the Euphrates nor the Tiber, celebrated as they are, command to exceed a fractional part of the interest that attaches in every land to the mention of the

name of '-' Jordan," and- as we stand on-the banks of this most sacred of streams all with one accord gaze in silence upon the spot where Christ is said to have been baptised. Upon the opposite bank rocks tower up some 50ft, while where the party is resting a few trees afford a slight change. The river has a very swift current, which hurries* it along until lost in the Dead Sea. Its water, though not clear, is healthful. While there one of the party was baptised, the ceremony, by reason of its surroundings, being peculiarly touching-, and although, the day was pleasant all realised as never before the feeling of him who wrote the lines :—: — On Jordan's stormy banks I stand And cast a wishful eye To Canaan's fair aud happy land, Where my possessions lie. • — Albany (U.S.) Journal.