o find the body, together with the fact that they had
witnessed the parting of the waters when the two men went over and the
same when Elisha came back alone, was sufficient evidence to them that
the young prophet had told the truth.

Evidently this event created a great impression all over the country and
young men came to the school for the prophets which was located near,
that the buildings had to be enlarged. Every student borrowed an ax and
went to work felling trees along the river bank. In one case the ax flew
off the handle and went into the water. The young man was greatly
troubled about this for it was a borrowed one. Word reached the prophet
Elisha and he came out and caused the ax to come to the surface.

But perhaps the greatest of all events that occurred at this place was
the baptism of Christ. John the Baptist must have been the Billy Sunday
of his day for the crowds that came to hear him were immense. One day
among others who came was a fine looking young man who asked for
baptism. But the preacher knew him and refused, saying that he was
unworthy to do this, but the young man, who was no other than the Master
himself, explained the situation and the preacher hesitated no longer.

In connection with the River Jordan and the bodies of water at each end,
it is interesting to note that the first man to take the level and give
to the world the remarkable facts about the physical characteristics of
this wonderful and world-famous river, was an American. His name was
Lynch and he was a lieutenant in the American Navy. At the close of the
Mexican War, our Government permitted Lieutenant Lynch to take ten
seamen and two small boats and make this exploration. The boats were
taken overland to the Sea of Galilee and launched and this man and his
helpers went down the river to the Dead Sea in them, and thus gave to
the world the remarkable facts about this wonderful country.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE PLAYGROUND OF MOSES--EGYPT

Next to Palestine, Egypt is perhaps the most interesting country on the
globe to visit. For great antiquity and splendor no land surpasses this
cradle of civilization. The science, art and architecture of the
Egyptians is the marvel of leading men even to this day. The schools of
Egypt produced the greatest characters of all ages before the coming of
Christ. The wisdom of this ancient race as well as some of the
engineering feats command the respect of these modern days.

Take a map