Bexley
Our missionary, Rev. John Day, in referring to the
baptismal season enjoyed at his station, and which was noticed in
our last this writes:
On Sunday morning, 26th June, I preached. Brother Davis
and Cheeseman were both present. I first discanted briefly on
positive institutions, and God’s abhorrence of disobedience to
them, putting baptism among them. Invited attention to Scripture
passages referring to baptism, and made all sustain immersion the
mode, and believers the only subjects. Sung to the waterside, the
hymn, “Oh! tell me no more of this world’s vain store,” &c. At a
bend in the way I looked back on a dense crowd, 60 or 70 yards
long, just then ushering in from another way, multitudes of poor
natives looking on with solemn awe. In the presence of that large
concourse I baptized ten professing Christians, four men and six
women, two of whom were native women, who read the Bible.
Everything went off with such solemnity, that a deep impression in
favor of baptism ran through the congregation.
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Baptismal Scene at Bexley
Brother Cheeseman, who was present at the time, referred
to by Elder Day, thus described the scene:
At 10 o’clock, A. M., brother Day delivered a short lecture
on Christian baptism, dwelling principally upon the mode, subjects
and design of the ordinance, and briefly urged the necessity of
strictly observing all the commands of God and the dangers
connected with an alteration of any such commands, and as a proof
produced the circumstances of those who presumed, under the
Mosaic economy, to violate the commands or injunctions of God.
The lecture being ended, the whole audience, with a number of
others, who were not at the chapel, repaired to the banks of the
beautiful St. Johns, which, on this occasion, appeared more placid
than ever. The candidates being arranged on the banks of the river,
the attention of the audience was called to the scene of Jordan,
when Christ, the Lord of glory, stood there, demanding baptism of
John. Singing and prayer by brother Cheeseman; after which
brethren Day and Davis descended the banks and entered the river.
