BAPTISMAL SCENE AT THE NEW ENGLAND CAMP-MEETING by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 6, 1877

BAPTISMAL SCENE AT THE NEW ENGLAND CAMP-MEETING.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

Language would fail to give a correct description of the baptism on Monday P. M., Aug. 27. Imagine yourself on the western bank of the broad Merrimac river, while the tide is receding. On your left, a short distance up the river, is seen the city of Haverhill, with its towering spires, while upon the right lies the quiet village of Groveland. Before you is a boat landing, some ten rods from the shore, to which it is connected by a narrow walk. A steamer lies at this landing, upon which are hundreds of passengers, waiting to witness the baptism. A few rods farther to the right a vessel has anchored for the same purpose. There are also three fishermen’s boats filled with interested spectators.

The beach, about fifty feet wide, is thronged with people of both sexes, kept back by the efficient police. Back of this beach rises a bank sixty feet high. The side is covered with people both sitting and standing, who keep their places with some difficulty on the steep, grassy bank. The summit is crowned by a solid line of spectators.

All is quiet; no sound of human voice is heard, save that of the administrator of the rite, and the song of praise that bursts out occasionally from hearts softened by this impressive scene. The administrator solemnly leads one after another into the still, smooth water, where they are buried in the liquid grave. There goes the man whose head has blossomed for the grave, whose years have reached three score and ten. And there goes the rosy child of scarcely ten summers, while the choir sing, “Let youth in its freshness and bloom come.” Young ladies and gentlemen, and those of middle life,—persons of all ages and conditions of life, to the number of 39 persons,—follow the example of their divine Lord, and are buried in baptism.

The scene was more affecting from the fact that one year ago that same week, in the same place, the same administrator had baptized 3 persons; and many of those who were now baptized were members of the same families. This evinces how great is the influence of a true Christian life over the household.

The water was remarkably clear and still, and among all the number immersed, there was no symptom of strangling, or other unpleasant demonstrations. All passed off peacefully, and solemnly. Not a sneer or jest was seen or heard in all that vast assembly upon the land and water. God was there; and the spirit of the Judgment seemed to rest upon the people. At the close of the service, when the benediction had been pronounced, they quietly dispersed, with as much solemnity and decorum as if they had been attending a funeral.

S. N. HASKELL.