THEY CROSS THE JORDAN.

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And yet his

his wife, even, the terrible sights he had seen. wonder was that he should wonder; for all the teachings of the Guide-book had told him this would be the end of all who neglected its warnings, and followed not in the path which was so plainly pointed out in its pages.

And now he had seen with his own eyes the fulfilment of what he had read from childhood in the Guide-book; and now he knew how little faith he had had in the terrible reality of God's own words.

CHAPTER LXXIV.

OUR PILGRIMS CROSS THE JORDAN.

THE time spent by our pilgrims in sight of the Jordan was all needed for their due preparation for the hour of their departure. They were wont to go down daily to the brink of the river, and bathe their feet in the waters. At first, these seemed deathly cold; but they overcame their terror by repeating this till the shuddering sensation was no more.

It was their constant prayer that they might be called to go over in the daytime, for they feared greatly to go over in the dark. But it rarely happens our wishes are fulfilled.

It was after a beautiful, bright, and happy day, when the sun had sunk with unusual splendor behind mountains of dark clouds, that Mr. Greatheart told them to get ready, for they had been called for.

Divesting themselves of all their clothing, they put on robes of linen, pure and white, which had been provided for them by the Lord of the Way; and, with their staffs only, they took their way down the hill to the river. Mr. Greatheart held his hand out to them over all the rough places, and spoke words of hope and trust till they reached the brink. Here he gave them his blessing, and they addressed themselves to their last journey.

Annie, with her wonted energy, bound her robes around her, and waded into the river; when, with a shiver, she ran back, and stood trembling, with tears in her eyes. Gertrude kissed her, and said, "Let me go first ;" and, with an unfaltering step, she did so. At the instant, the clouds above dispersed, and the bright shining of the day-star from on high traced for them a pathway of light across the flood. Gertrude's figure was lit up with the pure white rays which poured down upon her, and gave her the aspect of an angel. Frank followed his wife, then Oliver, and last, shrinking and pale with terror, followed Annie-the first was now last.

And, as Mr. Greatheart had told them, so it was. The Lord of the Way had laid down for his followers great granite blocks beneath the surface, on which their feet found sure footing. At first they went forward timidly, feeling with their staffs for the next stone before they lifted their foot from the one on which they rested. The stream was swift, and their staffs did them good service in steadying them while they gathered courage and power for the next step. All this while the light poured down its effulgence; and, cheering each other with precious promises out of their Guide-book, they held on their way. And they receded further and further from the shore, the clouds

now, as

THE LAST OF THE PILGRIMS.

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slowly lifted, until a flood of radiance swept over the face of the river; and, with garments white and glistening, they came up out of the water, and, throwing away their staffs, ran up the bank. Here, with one consent, they waved their hands in triumph to Mr. Greatheart, who stood to catch the last look of our pilgrims. It was all too brief; for the clouds, falling, hid them from his sight. And so ends our pilgrimage.

May each and all of our readers find a like abundant entrance into the paradise of God!

NOTE ON FLAGELLATION.

THE following is taken from a work by Madame de la Barca, the lady of the late Spanish minister, who resided in Mexico in 1839 and 1840. It contains a great mass of curious detail relating to the conduct of the Romish priests, the inmates of the nunneries, and the ceremonies of the church in that city. She relates the following case of scourging, which she witnessed, not with the permission of any ecclesiastical dignitary, bút, as she gently intimates, through the power of money, and from curiosity. The scene was one of horror, but it was only characteristic of the way in which Romanism works upon popular superstition and the credulity of an ignorant people. It is worthy of the darkest days of Mohammedanism.

"Arriving at the Church of St. Augustine," she says, "we ascended a long, narrow pair of dark stairs, and found ourselves looking directly down into the body of the edifice. The scene was curious. About one hundred and fifty men were assembled in the body of the church, enveloped in cloaks, with their faces entirely concealed. The church was dimly lighted, except where a monk stood with his gray robes, and cowl thrown back. His discourse was rude, but eloquently descriptive of the torments of hell prepared for impenitent sinners. The effect was solemn. It appeared like the preparation for executing a multitude of condemned sinners. When the discourse was finished, they all united in prayer, beating their breasts and falling upon their faces. The monk then read several passages of Scripture descriptive of the sufferings of Christ. Loud music from the organ succeeded, when suddenly the church was filled with profound darkness, except a sculptured representation of the crucifixion, which seemed suspended in the air illuminated. Gladly would I have left the church, but the darkness prevented. Then a terrible voice in the dark cried,My brother! when Christ was fastened to the pillar, he was scourged.' Instantly the bright figure disappeared - not a ray of light relieved the total darkness. Suddenly the sound of hundreds of scourges upon the bare flesh was heard. The sensations I experienced were horrible. Before ten minutes had passed the sound of splashing became distinct, from the quantity of blood that was flowing. Incredible as it may seem, this awful penance continued, without intermission, for half an

hour!

"The scene was perfectly sickening, and had I not been able to take the

hand of my lady companion, I could have fancied myself transported into a congregation of evil spirits. Now and then the voice of the monk could be heard encouraging them, and a suppressed groan would occasionally find utterance. At the end of the half-hour a little bell was rung, and they were called upon by the monk to desist. But such was the enthusiasm that the horrible lashings continued louder and fiercer than ever. The sound of the scourge is indescribable. In vain the monk entreated them to cease, assuring them that heaven would be satisfied; but renewed energy of the scourge was the only reply heard. At length, perfectly exhausted, the sound grew fainter, and at last ceased, and glad were we to reach the open air. It is said the church floor is frequently covered with blood after these penances. The scourge is frequently made of iron, with sharp points which enter the flesh; and it is reported that a man died, the other day, from his wounds received in the church from the scourge.

"With the consent of the archbishop," this lady says, "I visited the convent of Santa Teresa, with a female friend who has a sister there. There were but three novices and twenty-three nuns present. A young bishop went with us. He was good-looking, tall, and very splendidly

dressed. His robes were of purple satin, covered with fine point lace, with a large cross of diamonds and amethysts. He also wore a cloak of very fine purple cloth, lined with crimson velvet, crimson stockings, and an immense amethyst ring.

"Among other things, they showed us a crown of thorns, which, on certain days, is worn by one of their number by way of penance. It is made of iron, so that the nails, entering inwards, run into the head and make it bleed. While she wears it, a wooden bit is put into her mouth, and she lies prostrate on her face. In this condition her food is given her; she eats as much as she can, which is probably nothing.

"We visited the different cells, and were horror-struck at the self-inflicted tortures. Each bed consists of a wooden plank raised in the middle, and on the days of penance crossed by wooden bars. Round her waist the nun occasionally wears a band with iron points turning inwards. On her breast a cross with nails, having points entering the flesh, is placed, of the truth of which I had melancholy ocular demonstration. Then, after having scourged herself with a whip covered with iron nails, she lies down for a few hours on the wooden bars, and rises at four o'clock. All these instruments of discipline, which each nun keeps beside her bed, look as if their fitting place would be in the dungeons of the Inquisition."

Madame de la Barca is well known, in the circles of the United States, as a lady of the highest talents and respectability. She is now a Romanist, and an undoubted and unimpeachable witness.