Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-07-22
The Baptism of Henry Clay.

A notice was very generally circulated through
the public papers of the country, some two or
three years ago, TO the effect that Mr.. Clay had
become member OF the Protestant Episcopal
Church. The wish was, doubtless, father TO The
thought, as Mr. Clay had not at that time taken
any such step. He has always been known to
have the highest respect for the institutions of
Christianity, and to have been decided believer
in the divine authenticity of the Christian relig-
ion-hs amlable and deeply afflicted wife, hav-
ing for many years been an humble follower of
its Blessed Author When the weather permit
ted it, living as he does mile and half from
church, Mr. Clay has always been regular at
tendant on It's services; and for two or three
years past, having had more leisure from pnbllc
duty, his attention had evidently been turned to
the high considerations connected with things
spiritual and eternal-his life having been devo-
ted 50 intensely to the good of others, scarce
y, until this period Of retirement, to leave him
an opportunity to think Of himself. But he has
at length consecrated his great powers to God.
He was baptized in the little parlor at Ashland,
on Tuesday afternoon, the 22d inst, together
with one of his aughters-in-law (the other being
already member of the church) and her four
children by the Rev. Edward f. Berkeley, Rec
tor o. Christ Church, Lexington The baptism
was administered privately, for the reason, that
the congregation of Christ Church are replacing
their old church with new edfce, now in rapid
progress of erection and are not suitably situa
ted for the most solemn and decent admnistra-
ton of this rite in public.
When the minister entered the room, on this
deeply solemn and interesting occasion, the small
family connexions and the clergyman's wife rose
up In the middle of the room stood large
centre table, on which was placed, filled with
water the magnificent cut glass vase, presented
to Mr. Z. by some gentlemen OF Pitsburg. On
eli of tho btIn tha Ia MIC Of
the family Of Washington, himself an Eplsco-
palan by birth, by education, and devout com
muncant of the Church; and Immediately oppo-
site, on side-table, stood the bust of the anen-
ted Harrison, with chaplet of withered flowers
hung upon his head, who was to have been con-
firmed IN the Church the Sabbath after he died.
fit witnesses of such scene. Around the room
were suspended number of family pictures and
among them, the portrait OF beloved daughter,
who died some years ago, in the trlumphs OF that
faith which her noble father was now about to
embrace; and the picture of the late lost sou,
who fell at the battle of Buena Vista. Could
these silent lockers on at the scene about trans
plrlng, have spoken from the marble and the can
vass, they would heartily have approved the act,
which dedicated the great man to God. There
was deep emotion pervadlng that small assem-
| bly,, at the recital under such circumstances, of
the sublime ordinal of the Church, and every
heart thrilled with solemn JOY, when the mercitul
and glorious covenant was sealed, ain the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost"
This act will be publicly ratified at the vista
ton of the Bishop on the third Sunday in July,
in the Apostolic rite of confirmation.
One of The prominent sins of the present day
is, that the great men of the country, as body,
although it may be, for the most part speculative
believers IN Christianity, are, neVeltheiess, not
regardiul of religion, and of God Let them re-
view their ground-let them look at the tremen-
dous influence they WELD in behalf of irreliglon
and of evil and consider the mighty power they
might exert for religion and for good. Let them
fix their eyes upon the practical testimony to the
truth and value of Christianity, given by that 81.
ant in intellect, whose name stands at the head
of this paper, and go and do likewise.
Lexington, KY, June 25, lsl7