[Bertha and Her Baptism by Nehemiah Adams]@TWC D-Link book
Bertha and Her Baptism

CHAPTER Eighth
11/11

I told them that my wife and I would certainly be sponsors for little Philip, in the best sense; we would make a record of its history, thus far, among our family memorials; tell our children about him, and charge them in after life to inquire for him, and lose no opportunity of doing him good.

Though, as to that, I could not help saying, no one knows in this world who will be benefactor or beneficiary.
"Our children will always be interested in each other," said his wife, "for their parents' sake." "Can we not sing a hymn ?" said the husband.
We found that our voices made a quartet.

Susan was ready with her beautiful contralto, Mrs.Blair sung the soprano, Mr.Blair the tenor, and I the base.
THE BAPTISMAL HYMN.
"Lord, what our ears have heard, Our eyes delighted trace-- Thy love, in long succession shown, To Zion's chosen race.
"Our children thou dost claim, And mark them out for thine; Ten thousand blessings to thy name For goodness so divine.
"Thee, let the fathers own, And thee, the sons adore, Joined to the Lord in solemn vows, To be forgot no more.
"Thy covenant may they keep, And bless the happy bands Which closer still engage their hearts, To honor thy commands.
"How great thy mercies, Lord! How plenteous is thy grace! Which, in the promise of thy love, Includes our rising race.
"Our offspring, still thy care, Shall own their fathers' God; To latest times thy blessings share, And sound thy praise abroad." We saw them and their baggage on board the wagon that was to take them over to the river; we waved our farewell, and sent our kisses; and, just as they were turning a corner which hid them from our view, the father stood up in the wagon, and held little Philip as high as he could (the mother, of course, reaching up her arms to hold them both fast), as though to catch the last benediction.

The long, flowing white dress of the child gave the picture a waving, vanishing effect, reminding us of our first sight of the cascade, which, with the whole transaction to which it gave occasion, has taken a permanent place in our sleeping and waking dreams..


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