Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1831-06-13
POETRY.
From the Providence american.
THEIMMERSION.

RI. ceremony of baptism bv immersion, per-
II an the Apostolic mode SO plainly pom
IT,, m the Interview between Philip and
T,nuch. is always impressive aud highly
t"e 5,r when administered in an appropriate
hnPo We witnessed one of these eeremo-
"'os nj long ago, in village situated nfar Salt
- .;,b rs fresheuing breezes aud bright
vi heach. around which was assembled a
s~,I,i,ude of attentive spectators. The csndI-
I",a. we're youthful females, modeslly clad in
49, lain wonen garments adapted 10 tie
VIC and animated with religious
't,.;asp a sef.sacrifcin, devotion that rem
..sod ,hem more attractive than If decorated
r.. accession was one that could no, fail to
;,,nres, The most thoughtless mind. The cienr
s,rane voice OF a youthful Clergyman, rising
.have the dash OF the waves that were forced
-, the shelving beach. with Just enough oil mo-
,ion 10 give spirit 10 The scene the solemn Al
,;tudss OF the listening throng with the reVer-
sntlv ,ncos cred heads Of tue males, from the
boary locks of age to the bright hair oil The
,uipling--and then the swell OF voices in the
hvmn ihsi followed The prayer--lhe exhofta-
liz, of he efacef nl p eacher to those who b I'd
taken upon them holy vnws to prrsevere--and
his invitation 10 the humble penitents 10 Come
harvard in confidence, and BIZ buried with
Christ in baptism. and his warning TO the care
lsss SHINE, in all these, comhI'ed, there was
that Kind OF thrilling interest which warns the
blood aud strs up emotions mat cannot oh'
be saluta,y.eyen If they pass away with inc oe,
casion. aud from which lasting aud eietnal
good would come, If they we're permanent tie
who conli look upon such scene WIN scorh
and leyity. must he wanting ~ lhe source
whence thought and feeling spring III the sou'.
Among the group OF ca"d'n"'es '"f'e was
II. lovely
her comnanions, aud yet strong IN tam, SHE
allowed her pastor lea, lessly In'o the water,
ana after RECEIVING the impressive benedichan,
,L beneath the wave as gently as II I II x up
an a cooch. There was slight gasp Tor breati
az IN. again s'ood upon her lee, anu III IL
brjoh, smile lighted up her features WIN mol,
49,, fdsnte heTore the truth OF which. the bold
as, ,o6del must have shrHnk, had he darea 10
mock the halowtd feeling AS sue came up
on, of the water, The yoothtu' aevotee ufoke
Tor,h in a full rich strain with the following
stanZa:
oh Jesus nv Saviour, TO thee submit
With love aud Thanksgiving, idi' dow" al my
feet,
Thou art my Redeemer, my Lord and my all
The ceremonies were followed by st ,non
N tho village church, from Luke XIV. u
"
aud vet there's room" young lady upon
uhose fine ina einaton the scene had mate
vivid immersion, caught from THIS mo'io
hson, ;nsnir.tior,, whit b WAS uheted almost
;mnromptu. in the following beautifully s'nplt
lines
'T,s done, the sacred rite IS DONE
And they from dea'h 10 lite nave ''se"'
A olo,ious laurel each hath won
From Che triumphant arch of heaven
A crown of faith, an anchoI sure,
A hone tnat shall TO- aye endure
Tia done he fervPnt prayer is sal"
Tint asks bles Ing on his gov
Though age hath siivPred not MS hedu,
q. stsmpt one furIow on his brow
Yet trnth aid light 10 him a'e gwen
ia mimi their ia say on to heaven
II, done the holy psalm Is sung,
And echo soft repeats the strain,
TIN rn,k and hill and vale have TunS
Those h, mus of lof prnise again
And all with one harmonious VOICE,
HF..r,b. air. aud seas, and skies rejoice
,Tis done the tlood tibet vei'd the day
uas va,ish,d with the dying strain
60 shall their tears be wiped away,
Aud yrirfand sin no more ienain
". IL ,vho babe those waters Il W
Gao make their crimson hue as snow.
ir;s done no wave has left the shore,
No murmui breaks heir silent rest.
And .et-ob there is room Tor more
Within the blue waves peaceful breasts-s
Where love mud peace forever bloom,
Oh there is roan--there yetis room