The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-03-15
--------------------------
Baptksm In the Harlem River.

Baptism In the Harlem River.
PROGRBss OF aEyIvALIsM IN HARLEM-sEvEN FER
SONS BAPTIsED IN THE HARLBa RIvER--LARaE
CONooUasE OF PEOPLE TO WITNESS THB PROCEED
INGs, ETC.
IN the rapid progress OF revvalism throughout the
country Harlem has been overlooked and for
time protraced meetings have been held, and many
made to the Of Christ Nor have the Baptist
churches been idle for the work OF grace has been pro-
essns wen with them with the Others and 'sss
than converts received into the Harlem Fifth
Baptist church yesterday, being baptLsed by i'm
merson in the Harlem river OF late years has become
the custom, more especially among tho city Bsp list
churches Of the fashionable order to have basma pools
built in the churches under the pulpit, where
bers could be immersed in tepd water in full view OF
the comfortably seated congregation. good old fash
oned baptism in the river, in the depth Of winter,
s not often seem and consequently large crowd OF
the citizens OF Harlem, mainly OF the churchgoing popu
son cohec'ed yesterday 70 Witness the deeply interest
ing cerenenes, rendered OF additional interest by tho
coIdness OF the weather, and the sincerity Of purpose
which mast DC necessary TO carry the converts through
trying ordeal on their reception into the church The
spot selected for the ceremonies the south bank
Of the Harlem river, Just east Of the bridge At poiot
where the shore slopes gently with sandy bottom.
early ~ half past nine O'clock the shore lined with
spectators a every available point OF sight aud mmed
ately around the scene Of bsp the crowd Dense
The converts were brought 70 the spot in omnibus,
dressed in the robes which used for occasions,
Rev Mr. Wilks, Of Staten Island preacher Of
edged qualifications, calcuiated 10 have re-
csivsd an invitation to Jake the pastoral charge OF this
Prayer being offered up appropr~s, ths occasion.
time saying he would reserve theu until the uornine
service IN .he church. The Following hymn was then
In oil my Lords appointed ways
Ny journey I'll pursue;
Hinder me not, ye much loved san,s,
For must go With you.
"S1y,n Ays the world, "and t4s.c awhile
Ny every pie asant swect"
"bnder me not, my soul replies.
because the way % great"
"Say,n Satan, my old master, es.es,
cor force shall thee detain."
"Hiader me not will he gone,
My God hath broke IN, enan.n
through food and flames, II Jesus lead,
I'll follow where he goes--
"Hinaer me not" shall be my cry,
Though earth and he'll oppose
Through duty, and through trials ,sJ,
III 70 at his command;
Hinder no. Tor am bound
To my Euanuel's Land.
And when my saviour calls me home,
stu th1 my cry shall oe;
"Hindcr me not, come welcome death,
Ill gladly 70 with thee.n
TIE process Of baptism then commenced, the pastor
Of grourd the bottom. the audience, tho
taken into tho water and brought out, sang
when can read my title clear
To mansions In the skies,
bid faro~ell to every fear
And wipe my wee ling eyes.
Az TIE pastor arrived At the proper spot, in company
With the converts, they turned and laced the shore and
the pastor said "fn with divine command
and upon profession Of faith, baptze thee, brother Cor
ster) IN the Of The fainer and Of the Son, and OF
the Holy Ghost"
Then completely mmersne the body of tho convert
he from the water, tho pastor uttered "Amen,'
while the two walked towards the shore tho audience
sang of the hymn, the and tbs pastor
often joining With thom in the song Of praise. The fol.
loving tho names OF those baptized, lng them
being or eighty years of are (Cart Cook), and
boy OF sixteen John Ovorhiser stephen Peterson, Capt
Cook Mr. wsel, Mrs Virginia Peterson, Mrs Ellison, Mrs
Lucy Fsrr-msking seven In all
The exercises deeply affecting, and many OF the
audience observed " be in tears Al the coucuson
Of the the entered tho omnibus
and the audience separated, the morning beng
appropriate 10 the occasion.
The Fifth avenue Baptist church formerly presided
over 10y Rev. Mr. Palmer. but IN consequence Ct his
resgnaton hes been for time without pasor The
revival which commenced q few week since has been
kept up by congregation, with the addition of some
ordinary AID and about twenty Of the converts are pre-
pairing for examination before covenant meeting or hs
days The church tas been for long struggling 70
attain position Of influence and do good 10 the com.
muniy n which Il planted, and these are OF the
fret fruits Of ~ labors.
There was little the Harlem river yesterday and
the place Of baptism. Fortur iely storm
did not commence until The exercises complose4.