…
at six days he was baptised in the bath, totally immersed by one of seven
Independent Dissenting Brethren. At eight days his foreskin was snipped off, as
the Bible ordained.
He didn’t miss it, didn’t complain. A look
of surprise accompanied the immersion, a frown followed the circumcision.
The seven Dissenters present at the baptism
were Mr Halliday, Mr House, Mr Fowler, Mr Gardiner, Mrs Rokeby, Mrs Lichfield,
and one only recently admitted to the inner fellowship circle, Mr Fox. They
made a crowd in the modest bathroom of the old house …
Mr
Halliday prayed. The first song was:
‘When
I survey the wondrous cross
On
which the prince of glory died,
My
richest gain I count but loss
And
pour contempt on all my pride.’
Mr
House spoke, then the little baptism ended with,
‘Love divine all loves
excelling.’
sung, as before, without
accompaniment. The visitors left a smell of discreet perfume, together with a
faint aroma of expensive woollen winter suits. The Lord prospered the
Dissenting Brethren. As they left, Aunt Ursula observed that a little of some
people goes a long way.
Who was in your faith community at your
baptism? Members of your family? Members of a church? Other Christians? Pray
for your faith community: the one present at your baptism, and the one in which
you participate now.
Reading from David Ireland Bloodfather
(Ringwood, Vic: Penguin, 1987), 3-4.
Gentle reminder: Lent does not include Sundays. The next reading will be on Monday.
Gentle reminder: Lent does not include Sundays. The next reading will be on Monday.
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