Daily Republican., 1882-12-07
RATIFIED IN THE PATAPSCO.
Nine CNlOred Persons Immersed
On Sunday AI Ferry Bar.

Nine C0AOFe0 PorBOuB Immersed
ON Sunday aG Ferry Bar.
Nine. .colored persons were baptised in
the waters of the Patapsco river,on Sun.
day morning. Three of the candidates
we're men, FIVE women, and the other a
little girl about five years old. The
ceremony was performed at Ferry Bar,
Spring Garden. Two rooms at Harri-
sons Hotel were placed at their dispo-
sal free of charge,
Services took pa q on. the broad open
porch in the rear Of tie hotel aud over
looking the water. At II o'clock about
200 people were there, stamping their
feet on the flooring, blowing on their
hands, rubbing their noses and Saying,
"Whew! hut it's Cold!" Some OF the
white people retreated hurriedly from
the porch and remained in the house,
where there was a roaring fire.
Shortly after eleven o'clock the Rev,
James Jackson, of Shiloh Baptist Mis-
SION, arrayed in long black robe un'
der a thick overCoat, and wearing high
rubber boots, stepped upon the porch,
and was followed by DBaCons Joseph
Harris and Leonard Dudley. Thocan-
didates came forward and took seats in
IA row in front of the preacher. The
men had on their usual clothing, over
which were black gowps, with paper
collars. Tied about their heads were
white handkerchiets. The women
wore their customary clothing, with
heavy Cloaks and handkerChiets. The
little girl mad on q white gown.
The Rev. Mr.. jackson, is au old time
preacher, full of zeal and tervor, strong
in his faith and III his lungs. His voice
rose and fell in laundering yet musical
cadences, and with wonderful effect
iveness, causing his hearers to shout
aloud, clap their hnnds and nod thai ir
heads in hearty appreciation. Once
when some hearers smiled at a pecu'
li.rity of speech ne said word of dig
nified admonitiOn, and they became
promptly solemn.
The religious services ended with the
hymn, "We are going to the water, we
are going to the water, we are going TO
the water to be baptiZ9d." The cen
eregation and spectators went to the
waters edge. The pastor and Deacon
Dudley, the latter of whom did not have
on rubber boots, waded out in icy water
up to their waists. The preacher
boots were not { f much use, as the wa
ter soon filled them. Facing the people
on shore he started the hymn, "Get on
board, children" and called to the can
didates to come forward. Two women
entered, shaking convulsiVely. Taking
one by the hands and around the shouI-
ders the preacher repeated the baptls
nal form ul and immersed her, Dea
con Dudley stood by and wiped hel
eyes with a handkerchief as sooD As she
reappeared and then led her shorewaro
but she broke loose from him anC
jumped up and down in the water
shouting ''Glory, glory, glory" =,
When she reached the shore stat
wart member of the congregation
sprang forward and lifted her In hi
arms and carried her to the hotel. They
all acted In the same manner; contlnu'
| ing the shouting even after being placed
in a room at the hotel. One unfortunate
sister got q mouthful of the salt watel
and it made her sick. The elderly
women of the congregation stood OF
shore with wraps to throw around the
candidates as they came out. Oit
Uncle Henry Simms, whose kindly
face and dignifed courteous bearlnL
are 30 well-known to subscribers OF tn
Mercantile Library, was reverentiS
spectator OF the ceremony. Uncl'
Henry belongs to the Primitive BaP
lists, but is not a member OF Shllol
congregation.