Volume 2

Jesus outside Abila
351
where a broad, stone bridge was built over the stream.
On it, in memory of Elias, was a low pedestal, or column,
surmounted by a cupola resting on eight pillars.
The pedestal supported a pulpit to which the teacher
mounted by steps. Both banks of the narrow stream were
cut in tiers to afford seats for the audience, and both
were now crowded with people. In addressing them Jesus
turned from side to side that all might hear.
Today was a feast in this city commemorative of Elias,
of something that had happened to him here by the
stream. The instruction was followed by a banquet at the
baths and pleasure garden outside the city. The festival
ended with the Sabbath, because on the following day a
fast was kept in remembrance of the murder of
Godolias. 1 The sound of trumpets was still heard during
the day.
On the declivity of the mountain west of the city of
Abila I saw a very beautiful sepulcher in front of which
was a little garden. In the latter were assembled the
women belonging to three families of Abila. They were
celebrating a solemnity in honor of the dead. They sat on
the ground closely veiled, wept, uttered lamentations, and
frequently prostrated with the face to the earth. They
killed several birds of very beautiful plumage, plucked
them, and burned the lovely, shining feathers on the
tomb. The flesh was afterward given to the poor. The
tomb was that of an Egyptian woman from whom the
mourners had descended. Before the departure of the
Children of Israel, there lived in Egypt an illegitimate
relative of the Pharaoh then reigning. She was very
favorably disposed toward Moses, and rendered great services
to the Israelites. She was a prophetess, and she it
was that had discovered Joseph's mumolY to Moses on
the last night of his stay in Egypt. Her naOle was Segola,
and she was the mother of Aaron's wife, from whom,
however, he separated and married Elizabeth, the