Church at Gilgal
Church at Gilgal In the above view we have a picture of a church built in Jericho by the Greek Christians. There is nothing of special interest on the plains between the Judean Mountains and the River Jordan. Were it not for the historic memories of Abraham, of Joshua and of Jesus, pilgrimages would not be made. The place is about twenty miles from Jerusalem. In reaching it one makes a descent of thirty-eight hundred feet over a rocky road. The historic associations make the region rich in suggestions. One thinks here of Joshua, the Israelites crossing the Jordan, the encampment in Giigal, the keeping of the Passover, the man whom Joshua saw standing over against him with sword drawn in his hand, the conquest of Jericho; and here one recalls Elisha and Elijah. Indeed, one goes back to the days of Abraham and Lot, as he looks out on this now deserted landscape. It is doubtful whether the name Gilgal was applied at first to a city or to an open place for encampment. If one walks ...