He stands, now, in a special relation to them, and has placed the beautiful seal of Heaven upon his promise to that dear sick mother, 'I will be a God to thee and to thy seed after thee.'" "Is it necessary that the father should be left out ?" said Mr.P., covering his face with his handkerchief.

"They are mine, and God holds me responsible for them.

I am to be left alone with them in the world.
Is there not mercy for me, too?
O, I had such a gleam of hope in the chamber! As I saw the water descending from your hand upon those dear heads, I thought, How much like a divine act such baptism is,--something from God.

I always thought of baptism as a cross, to which I must submit; now I see that it is a token of love, bestowed upon me.

So I thought of those words: 'I am found of them that sought me not.' God seems to have come to me in that baptism.