The sun., 1889-04-29
BAPTIZING IN EAST RIVER.
AFRICAN METHODIST CONVERTS FOL.
Low THE BAPTIST RITE.
Twenty-three Women and Five Men LED
Out Irto the Cold water-A Spectacle
that Drew sig htseerp by Land and River

y.
There has been big revival in the Zion
African Methodist Episcopal Church at Blceck.
or and West Tenth streets for ten weeks past,
and the brethren and sisters SO deepened and
enriched their spiritual experience that many
OF them went beyond the usual formula OF
baptism In the NJ. T.. Church and determined
to be baptized by immersion, after the fas shon
OF their brethren and sisters In the Baptist
Church Indeed some OF the old members o.
the church determined 10 be baptized in Scrip
tural fashion.
The pastor OF the church. the Rev. A. Wal
ters, recently assigned to the church By the
Conference. and already popular among the
colored population. believes that all converts
who desire TO be immersed should have the
privilege. Accordingly. such converts and
church members as desired to he immersed
we're sssemb bled yesterday in fuckers bathing
pavilion at the foot OF East 1l6th street for the
ceremony.
The ceremony was considerahly delayed be-
cause the separate bathing rooms for women
we're not ready and twenty three women were
compelled 10 prepare themselves in NJ. Tues
er's Office. In the mean time Mr.. Tucker and
two policemen had q tough time in trying 10
restrain the surrounding population from
breaking down his high wooden fences IN their
wL tesre to sss the mmersions iis. " When hen the
closure c. re- a 1 dozen men and ,hobbedehoy hoys
dropped over the fence inside on the o cher side
outside had 60: inside: Then there was more
who had rowed into ths, slip where the ceTe,
mony was TO be performed. over $40 persons
white and e9lored were in 1a the GlSsgrs
re ebrea bre:hten ana s led the Rev Mr Waters ami
two from the bathing house and formed in
long line In front o. the building. A cold wind
sisters seemed not 10 ;hlnk OF the cold water.
Some stood as f. in silent meditation while
others continually locked toward heaven and
IN &hte hiea stanns to, he Rev Mr. Phillips read the
hrshrsn ar and ,s mach the S
the water. The tide had ebbed and left short
strip Of wet h;ss and ~ ses M l
sisters wore white gowns, made loose and fow-
ing. while. the brethren were, clad in black
To reach the spot whore the water was deep
enough tor the purgSG,se 1t was ne, ,neeesssa,yto to
Thiiip Williams. a staixart brother over SIX
feet tall took Brother Samuel Thomas Tripp
and Reked kd slowly out to the Rev Sr Waters a.
who stood waiting for them. The nov!t!ates
we're turned 10 face the shore and the thr9ns
right hand on the slack Of Brother Trpls
waterproof over his stomach. the mir ister
placed MS lett land On the OtOluer S0Ouldtrs,
and, prqnopncing the formula; pushed Brother
merged, and then quickly raised him to his
feet. with his features somewhat distorted
from having taken some salt wafer into his
mouth. Brothers Tripp and Sp9ford started
for shore. and the witnesses waiting for them
Come into d. water an be baptized.
As tho song rose and fell on the air the en-
thusiasm OF the brothers and sisters was
aroused. Sister Joserhine Wilson and Sister
Lizzie, Harlan entered the water next. and
after they had got their breath they jumped mp
and down. waved their arms wild iy toward the
sky cried Glory be to God and clapped their
hands in ecstasy while they were led TO shore.
The singers on shore sang:
Eaueujah, It's done:
believe in the Son.
lam saved by the blood
OF the cCucitet one.
Some OF the sisters were young girls. and
there was one aunty with gray hair. The sis
tiers seemed to be most affected by the rite.
Naarly all went in sobery and sole nlniE and