Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-10-31

| HidKe US acquainted with another species
OF signs, which may be termed symbolic
al actions, still more striking and impress
slve than the former. The destruction OF
the potter's vessel by Jeremiah, the bind
ing of Agabus, and the whitening of the
tig tree by Christ, are specimens of this
kind, intended to teach certain important
facts or truths. So Baptism is symbol
lcal action of the most perfect character,
the teaching of which, both to the eye,
the ear, and the heart, is as precise and
definite as can be we'll conceived. From
its simplicity and adaptation. it is admira-
| bly, fitted to excite at once the magma
ton and the feelings, with reference to
the great and all absorbing interests of
Christianity.
But it is not only a symbol, but a SOL
emn act of Religious worship, which
from its very nature, and the purpose
which it is intended to serve is necessari-
ly invested with an awful and thrilling in
terest soul and body are publicly de-
voted to God, in the name of the Father,
of the Son, and Of the Holy Ghost, while
all Heaven, Earth, and He'll, are called
to witness the solemn deed These,
and other circumstances under which 1t
is observed, give it powerful moral in
fiuence over the conscience and the heart.
1t is the first public act of a newborn
souls 1t marks his transition from sin
to holiness, from death to life. 1t associ-
ates itself with the freshness of his first
love, while it refers to the glorious con-
summation of his future destiny. 1t
takes place not only in the presence OF
God and angels, but of the Church and
the World, while it is accompanied by a
formula of dedication, the most sublime
and affecting - Baptizing them in the
name of the Father, of the Son, and Of
the Holy Ghost
Who that has stood by the side of some
quiet and lovel y stream, accompanied per
haps by hundreds of spectators, gazing
with intense interest upon the minister OF
God as he descends into the water, con
Quoting some recently converted sinner
perhaps a youthful form, upon whose
brow reposes the serenity of a newly
awakened bliss, and who is thus willing
to follow the footsteps of the fock'-whc
that has witnessed such a scene has not
felt that baptism is a holy thing 2'-It is
the day of rest,-the morning of the Sab
bath. All around is hushed A breath
less attention pervades that vast assem-.
blage. The temple in which they wor
ship is that of Nature, the canopy o
which is formed by the blue sky reposine
far above their heads. The echoes o
their hymn of praise hath died among
the hills, the presence of God has beer
invoked, and it is felt to be there, above
them. around them, and within them
The minister and candidate have gained
the middle ofthe stream, and after pause
the solemn words of inspiration are pro
nounced-"I baptize thee in The name o
the Father, of the Son, and of the HOLY
Ghost" the wa.ersare parted by the body
ofthe candidate, which sinks into the liquic
grave, is lost for a moment to the sight
and then again emerges into theFlight 0
day. A crowd of thoughts and feelings
long buried in the soul, rushes upon the
minds of the spectators, and the tears glis
ten in many eyes. The baptized is fllec
with a holy JOY, and he perhaps joins il
the song of thanksgiving which nov
!. breaks upon the solemn stiffness of tn,
e scene. individuals have been found VIII,
: have attempted to throw ridicule upon ;
+ scene like this, and have spoken of it as
+ thing revolving and indecorous, especial,
e on the part of females, thus to follow
n Christ In his ordinances. But how dill
$ ferently must such persons feel from on
g of our most gifted poets, who in describ
q ing baptismal scene, has given us tn
V following chaste and beautiful descriI
+ ton -
II "Then with firm, unshrinking step,
n The watery path she trod,
! And gave with woman's deathless trust
u Her being to her God;
l. And when all dropping from the food
= She rose like lily's stem,
Nethought that spotless brow mi ght wear
At An angels diadem 2"
II Is not such rite as this fitted to awaL
en- all holy feelings, all pure desires;
10 subdue the soul, and fill it with sacred d.
, light! And will not every baptized b
=; lever adopt the practical conclusion of th
= gifted poet to whom we have referee
h who-tells US in her own expressive an
10 touching manner
h "But lingering on those shores l staid,
Till every sound was hushed
For hallowed musings DER my soul
De Like spring swollen rivers rushed.
Il. "'Tis better" said the voice within,
,lti ITO bear a Christians cross,
= Than sell this feeting life for gold,
- Which death shall prove but dross;
p Far better when yon shrivelled skies
ne Are like a banner furled,
r To share in Christs reprOach, than gain
Va The triumph of the world -
= Who then can look back upon his ba
- tism and not feel that it was one of Il
~ ~ most sacred, delightful acts of his life 2
~ and will not every fresh remembrance