The New York herald., 1879-03-10
ICY BAPTISM.

NEW JERSEY vILLAGE-sEvEN CONVERTS IN
MERsED IN RUNNING STREAM.
religious revival of uncommon interest has been
IN progress since early in December last In the pretty
little village called Deckertown. in the township of
Vantage. Sussex county. Nj. Meetings have beep
hold. mainly by the members Of the First Baptist
Church. and are the outgrowth of meetings pre-
viously held In the village schoolhouse and in
Ponds schoolhouse mile or more away. Some
ninety or one hundred conversions have been the
result and most Of the converts have either Joined
or intend to join the Baptist Church. though the
churches of other denominations have been quick
ened in spirit by the unwonted religious excite
ment. Seven Of the converts yesterday bap-
tized in the waters of the Papakatng Creek about
mile from the village. by the Rev. John G.. Dyer
pastor of the Baptist Church.
The spot selected for the ceremony was compar-
atively deep place in the creek commonly used by
Sexton Halsey Perry. who lives by. as water
ing place for his CATTLE short road leads from his
house through his barnyard to the spot The stream
itself is pretty little one in the summer when it
goes brawling rocky bed. fretting its high
banks from its in the mountains to the Wall
kill River. which it joins Goshen. BY its banks,
loft growing to protect thom from the encroachment
of the stream in times of freshet many beautiful
trees-white oak. maple. willow and ash-which in
well cultivated fields lines of shade the
avenues in well kept parks But in winter these
stripped of foliage the cultivated fields covered
with and the creek is cebound. All is cheer
less and desoate.
CUTTING ICE.
Late on Saturday Sexton Perry cut away the ice,
which some four inches thick, from space per-
haps fifteen feet square. which to serve as the
baptisnal font. To this place, after the usual Sun
day morning service in the little church which for
half q century has stood on hill half mile away,
came nearly five hundred persons. Among them were
the converts and the pastor and other officers
of the church. Nearly all came in buggies. "carry
alls'' or farmers wagons which driven up be-
side Mr. Perrys house and left standing while the
inmates alighted. Joining those who came foot
they made their way through Mr.. Perry's barnyard
gate. down the little stretch of road referred TO,
to the selected spot. The Rev. Mr.. Dyer
dressed in rubber suit. such is used
by most Baptist clergymen. Over this he wore
black robe of priestly fashion. His head
he barred Of course. when he came to the water. No
other clergym was present. excepting the Rev.
Mr.. King, the Methodist pastor of Deckertown. who
was formerly Baptist. but who took part in the
services yesterday. Mr.. Dyer. by tho way. was
merly Methodist.
By THE WATER SIDE.
The seven converts ranged themselves along the
banks of the stream. which very muddy. the
half melted snow and the rain having reduced the
roadway to treacherous and slippery slough. They
Mrs. Chadwick, Miss Maggy Giveans and Messrs.
Humphrey Martin. Edward Conklin, Frederick Els
ton, William j. Lewis and Morris Fennery all adults
Most OF the gentlemen and the two ladies black
robes. and the younger lady wore white collar and
white cuffs. Her robe fitted her neatly, and as her
wavy hair dressed in o most becoming fashion
she looked remarkably well.
Mr.. Dyer began the services with o very brief
prayer, and, stepping slowly and carefully into the
water. to distance of perhaps ton feet from the
Deacon Jacob Little in the meantime had carefully
fished out from the water number of floating fraa
nents OF ice. using long hay rake for the purpose
and the opened space left almost entirely free
from debris. Az the minister descended into the
water the congregation. led by Mrs. Dyer, sang "All
tnuation OF the services they also sang Nearer, my
God. to Thee" and "Jesus keep near the cross
Where the clergyman stood the water about four
feet deep. and just beyond him was strong current
plainly visible. 1t evident that effort was
necessary to enable him to stand motionless. The
seven converts who stood side by side the shore
then led into the water one at time by Brother
Jesse Little and received by Mr. Dyer
A sINPLK CEREMONY.
The irst ono to enter was placed by tho clergyman
with his back up stream, and stood motonless with
his hands casped above his waist Mr.. Dyer thon
placed his own left hand the converts two
hands, and his right hand on the others buck just
below the neck. Standing moment in this attitude,
he said. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ p
II do" responded the convert Then baptize you
In the name OF the Father. Son and Holy Ghost,
he pressed the young backward into the water
until he WAS entirely immersed. Then he instantly
raised him. saying. Amen," and led him toward the
bank. where Brother Little received him. and threw
huge cloak around him. after which he started u
brisk for tho scxtons house about five hundred
feet away.
This was repeated in exactly the same form with
each Of the seven. while the congregation remained
attitude OF perfectly respectful IL not devout
attention. Some few persons seemed amused by the
rather than edited. but nearly all faces
expressions OF intense interest. No interruption
nf lfahp sha
and at the close Of the services Mr.. Dyer thanked
the congregation for its decorous and considerats
behavior and pronounced the bcnediction
GOODNESS CONVERTS.
As the converts walked slowly into the icy water
1t was noticed that each face was rgdly set as If to
suppress amy evidence OF the inevitable physical
shock. but every one walked steadily. betraying no
sign OF agitation. and the ceremony passed
one young man. when he was plunged
backward beneath the surface of the water. lost his
footing and it only by the minister's quickness
and strength that ali awkward scene was avoided.
And when Mrs. Chadwick was lifted up from her i'm
mersion she was 80 Hurried by the shock that she
started 10 rush out with some hat ndocorous haste.
Mr.. Dyer. however, fearing that she might slip and
iall stepped quickly after her and guided her steps
to the shore A. each one came out of the water no
or she was wrapped up quickly and taken to Mr..
Porry's house. where in warm room change
made to dry clothing. No one seemed the worse for
the shock anticipated the slightest trouble in con-
Mr. prKR's pELiErs
After Mr.. Dyer had donned his usual garments the
writer asked him II he practised outdoor immersion
ON principle whether he believed that immersion
In baptstry was equally ,ficaciousY
II u Baptist" he replied. '.and believe as Dap
lists do that immersion In the only true form of bap
tis. but look upon baptism In font In the church
just tho same as baptism in the creek. We have no
baptistry In our church. however. and tho
creek mercy for convenience.
did you ever know of any bad results to health
following immersion in ice water in the open g'
asked the reporter.
"No. never, said Mr.. Dyer.
"what never 2? asked the writer.
Never. hrmy responded Mr.. Dyer.