National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-04-26
THE RITE OF BAPTISM.
Immersion in the Potomac of Fifty-Flve
Persons.

Persons.
Yesterday week It was announced from the pu'-
pit Of the Fourth Baptist (colored) church that
those candidates for the rite Of baptism who had
the love CT God at heart, and did not fear wet
ting in his cause would meet on the "river shore"
at the foot Of Fourteenth street and there be bRp
tiled and become sheep Of the flock. The an
nouncement caused the less religious members OF
this denomination to scratch their heads and think
to themselves that there would be chance to
make an Odd penny in this little labor Of love for
the Almighty, and SO soon as the services were
over and the congregation was dismissed, the
question was discussed. 1t was clear fact that
there would be q large number Of witnesses In
attendance, and pies and cakes wOuldnOt be amiss.
So accordingly all preparations were made for
Yesterday morning before day daWned hun
dreds OF persons could be seen vending their way
rise thousands Of people were on the shore, the
LOIg Bridge, and the bluffs in the vicinity, To
that class better known as the don't cares, it re-
minded them Of Q camp meeting or q country race.
Here and there could be seen dotttng the river
beech booths on which were offered lunches for
dreds Of carriages packed. About O'Clock the
words OF the hymn "Jesus lover Of my soul" were
heard, and all became STILL and shortly afterwards
the hills followed by his disciples-thirty- eight
women and seventeen men. On came
THE PROCESSION,
moving with measured tread, the leader being at
tired In q black suit OF clothes, with high boots
reaching up to his thighs, and candidates were
attired in long black gowns with white caps.
When the procession reached the river bank
halt was made, and the candidates ranged them
selves along the shore, still singing, the vast
crowd assembled joining in. This hymn was sang
over and over again while the minister was max
ing arrangements for the ceremony. He going
out into the river about one hundred yards, with
his assistant, and planting stick as the desig-
natOr Of the spot where the dipping was to take
place. after satisfying himself that all was right,
he came back to the river shore, and started the
hymn, lin Glad Salvation's Free, all joining in
the chorus, and after getting them fairly warmed
up he took one Of the females and started for the
place Of dipping.
sistant placed their hands on her shoulder aud
back, and in q moment her head was under the
water. Those oh the shore held their breaths for
q few moments, and the quiet was disturbed by
this baptized woman exclai.ning, "GIory to Godi"
But the words had hardly been uttered before
did a third DIP; and she came up bravely every
time, repeating the shout, "Glory to God"'
THE LAST DIP
being given, she was led to tho shore, when she
joined the others in singing. Other candidates
were taken to the stake in turn, and all went
smoothly until they undertook TO lead an old mnn
10 the dipping point. For the first few feet he
walked very we'll, but as he came into deeper
water he clearly manifested that his washer.
woman had not brought home his winter under
clothing, and when the water struck him above
the belt he lost complete control Of his jaws, and
they were permitted to move in any direction, and
bis singing was quickly brought to q close. The
stake was finally reached and down he went. On
coming up he locked around and cried, '!Hold,
Lord, I'm, but before he had a chance TO finish
his sentence he was put down again and then let
up and led to tie shore, when the religious sung,
Jesus, lover Of my SOUL"
One AFTER the other were led to the step until
the work was done, after which those b3ptIsed
left the scene and wendell their way toward their
homes. In conversation with prominent pastor
Of the Baptist Chur sh, who was a witness to the
ceremony, he expressed himself to the effect that
IL was . very successful baptism. and had not the
weather been so cold there would no doubt have
been many more candidates. He also said he
never before saw so large an attendance OF wit
nesses.