The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-07-24
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The Baptism or Henry Clay.

81 .s 4 y Z.
The following communication recently
appeared in the Episcopal Recorder: n
"a notice was very generally circulated
through the public papers Of the country
some two or three years ego, to- the effect,
that Mr.. Clay had become member Of the
Protestant Episcopal Church. Tie wish
was, doubtless, father TO the though, 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 a decided be-
lieyer in the divine authenticity Of the
Christian religion; his aIniable and now
deeply afflicted wife, having for many years
been an humble follower Of it's blessed au-
thor. When the weather permitted it, liv-
ing, as he does, a mile and half from the
church, Mr., G. has always been regular
attendant on its services, and, for two or
three years past, having had more leisure
from public duty, his attention had evident
.Iy been turned to the high; considerations
connected with things spiritual and eternal,
his life having been devoted SO intensely
10 The good Of others, as scarcely, until .his
period of retirement, TO leave him an oppor-
tunity 10 think of himself But he has at
length consecraled his great powers TO God
He was baptised in the little parlor Of Ash
land, on Tuesday afternoon, the 22d instant
together with one Of his daughters-in-law
(the other being already .amembcr Of the
church, and her four children, by the Rev
Edward , T., Berkeley, Rector Of Christ
Church, Lexington. The baptism was ad-
ministered privately, for the reason, that Tic
congregation Of Christ Church are repla-
cling their old church with a new edifice
now in rapid progress of erection, and arc
not, suitably situated Tor the most solemn
and decent administration Of this rite ii pub
lic. -
When,the minister entered the room Or
This deeply solemn and interesting occasion
the small assembly consisting Of the imme-
date family, d few family connexions, and
the clergyman IS wife rose, up. In the mid
die of the room stood "a large centre liable
Eon which was placed, filed with water, the
magnificent cut glassvase, presented 10 Mr.
G. by some gentlemen Of Pittsburgh. Or
one side Of Groom hung tile large picture
Of the family Of Washington, himself an
Episcopalian by birth, by education, and q
devout COMMUNICATE of the Church !; and
immediately opposite, on side-table, stood
the bust of the lamenied Harrison, with a
chaplet Of withered flowers hung upon his
head, who was to have been confirmed in the
Church the Sabbath after he died ~ fiji wit.
nesses of such a scene. Around the room
were suspendeda number of family pictures
and among them, the portrait Of a beloved
daughter, who died some years ago, in the
triumphs of that faith which her noble ia
thcr was now about TO embrace; and the
picture of the late lost son, who fell at the
battle Of Buena Vista. X Could these silen
lookers-on at the scene mountaineering
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 lpervading that
small assembly, at the recital under such
Giro urps tances, Of the sublime ordual Of the
Church, and every heart thrilled withasol-
emn Joy, when the merciful and glorious
covenant was sealed Sin the name Of the IA
,her, and Of the Son and of the Holy
Ghost.o ts III ssFfl6 afn0w t.,s
This act will be publickly ratified at the
visitation ofthc Bishop, on the third Sum
day Of July, in the Apostolic riie Of Confr-
nation. h.9~4 sa5 yaa