THECHRISTENING

thechristening

(1829)

array'd—ahalf-angelicsight—

investsofpurebaptismalwhite,

themothertothefontdothbring

thelittlehelplessnamelessthing,

withhushessoftandmildcaressing,

atoncetoget—anameandblessing.

closebythebabethepriestdothstand,

thecleansingwaterathishand,

whichmustassoilthesoulwithin

fromeverystainofadam'ssin.

theinfanteyesthemysticscenes,

norknowswhatallthiswondermeans;

andnowhesmiles,asiftosay

"iamachristianmadethisday;"

nowfrightedclingstonurse'shold,

shrinkingfromthewatercold,

whosevirtues,rightlyunderstood,

are,asbethesda'swaters,good.

strangewords—theworld,theflesh,thedevil—

poorbabe,whatcanitknowofevil?

butwemustsilentlyadore

mysterioustruths,andnotexplore.

enoughforhim,inafter-times,

whenheshallreadtheseartlessrhymes,

if,lookingbackuponthisday,

withquietconscience,hecansay

"ihaveinpartredeem'dthepledge

ofmybaptismalprivilege;

andmoreandmorewillstrivetoflee

allwhichmysponsorskinddidthenrenounceforme."