CHRISTIANS OF ST JOHN, a sect of Christians very numerous in Balfara and the neighbouring towns: they formerly inhabited along the river Jordan, where St John baptized, and it was from thence they had their name. They hold an anniversary feast of five days; during which they all go to the bishop, who baptizes them with the baptism of St John. Their baptism is also performed in rivers, and that only on Sundays: they have no notion of the third person in the Trinity; nor have they any canonical book, but abundance full of charms, &c. Their bishoprics descend by inheritance, as our estates do, though they have the ceremony of an election.