The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-08-31
MANY BAPTISED.
Result OF Religious Meeting In the
t'osored Baptist Church.

For a long time religious exercises have
been held niyhiIy in the Baptist church at
! tins place. and. as result. about thlrty-hre
cuiurpd persons were baptSed In the pool nj
! the Fair Gr.'und Spring last "Wednesday al
trrnoun hS The R-.. Mcintosh.
\ great muitilu1e had assembled TO witness
! the per ioi n.anre-aInong the spectators De-
! ing quite Il hummer OF While people. The
! low situation of tie pool, and the hiSh sur
ruunding> OH which the people stood gave
| the crowd u good View.
! The candidates for baptism marched from
the church. Two and Two, in reg lar prnres-
| sion which WAS led 10y the preacher. Halt
| ing at the pool and near the dressing looms
which were at the pool the preacher madeeN-
cuSe Tor the absence OF Il brother who was tu
make an address on the subject of baptism,
ana because OF his absence lie would only
say II few words himself. He said that bap.
lsm was i'm important act In The iulhllnent
OF the requirements from the Christian; that
while Christians everywhere regarded bap.
tiSIn as of vital Importance, yet CHRISTIANS
every where differed widely IN opinion as To
the proper method OF conforming To the re-
Quiremeni. Some thought pouring the water
the proper thing; Others believed in sprlnk-
ling, hut he ieit sure that there could be no
mistake about immersion being right IN
proof That immersion was right he quoted
some GIeek words anc then proceeded to
translate them. AS we don't know any
Greek words, the reader Will excuse this re-
porter when the preacher goes into that Ian
SuaSc.
AT the conclusion Of his remarks good
brother who stood by made II ierrent prayer.
and those around answered every sentence
with ejacu la ions OF some sort: - rs, LORD
tell IL - that's SO, brother; glory To Cod;
amen.
Th.. preacher was In white gown. reach-
Ing to his ankles. AT the right moment he
presented first one foot and then the other TO
Il loyal brother who stood near by when he
proceeded 10 pull off his shoes. He didn't
loose the string of the preachers shoes very
we'll and came near overtnrning him III pull.
i'm MI lndtclOQS
Singing was now commenced by IL number
of excellent singers, and The worshl p OF song
was kept up with fervor until the close OF
the exercises, stopping only long enough for
the preacher u pronounce u bless ing on each
candidate that was presented icr baptism.
The preacher was in readiness now and
stepped down into the pool. Maria Watt
was the first candidate for baptism. She got
through all right and about thirty-five other
women and men went down INTO the liquid
grave" and as they came out the preacher
Brought his hand down over the face of each
AS they came up the steps blanket WAS
thrown over their wet figures, and If curious
spectators were expecting any scenes they
were disappointed, Ms the supply OF blankets
each and all. The whole was done decently
aud in order. and while more cultured and
more wealthy people might have administer
ed the sacrament In more formal and more
elegant manner, yet it is not 10 be forgotten
that our savior came to seek and to save the
humble anu the lowly. and IT may be true,
for all that we know, that the heart service OF
these people, in their simple faith, is just as
acceptable In the eyes OF the Lord as are the
devolons of those who are more preteutious
and less Jealous in their faith, and less emo
tional IN their service.
While religion should be based upon an In
telligent onvlction of right and wrong, and
while religion should be formulated upon cor
rect principles. yet II Is necessary for the sim
ner TO give his heart unto the Lord. The cul.
tivation OF the head is needful: and polished
manners and fine dress are desirable, but the
devotion OF the heart Is necessary. The
PsalmiSt said that "knowledge Is pleasant
unto thy soul" He also said: forget not my
law but ret thine heart keep my command
ments: write them upon the table OF thine
heart" Culture, refinement. ostentatlonS
show Is good before men, but heart service IS
acceptable 10 the Lord.