The Converted Jew, or, An Account of the Conversion to Christianity of Mr. Lapidoth and Family, and of the Baptism of Himself, His Wife and Thirteen Children, Who Were Publicly Baptized, According to the Rites of the Dutch Church, at Vianen, in Holland, March 18, 1805. Hartford: Printed by Lincoln & Gleason, 1807.
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THE CONVERTED JEW, OR, AN ACCOUNT OF THE CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY, OF Mr. Lapidoth and Family, AND OF THE BAPTISM OF HIMSELF, HIS WIFE AND THIRTEEN CHILDREN, Who were publicly baptized, according to the rites of the Dutch Church, at Vianen, in Holland, March 18, 1805.
HARTFORD: Printed by Lincoln & Gleason. 1807.
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THE CONVERSION OF MR. LAPIDOTH AND FAMILY.
THE conversion to Christianity of so large a family of the Jewish persuasion as that of Mr. Lapidoth, his wife, and thirteen children, has been deemed an occurrence, both in its nature and circumstances, sufficiently important to merit the following narrative, in order to satisfy the laudable curiosity of those who feel interested in the everlasting happiness of their fellow-creatures. This account is the summary of what several ministers, who from the beginning were interested in this affair, have observed; and some things have been judged necessary to add thereto.
It was, in the first place, of importance to them to learn from Mr. Lapidoth, that the germ of conviction began even in his early youth to develope itself. He remembers very distinctly that, about his tenth year, his conversation with Christian children occasioned some reflections on the difference between the Jews and the Christians. Meditations upon the Messiah of the Jews, and that Jesus whom he heard of in his conversation with children educated in the Christian Religion, brought him so far, that he proposed several childish questions,
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which were the result thereof, to his Jewish master. The latter observing these doubts in his scholar, strove to prevent their increase, by informing him that he must not ask any questions about such things. “Whom am I then to ask? You are, at all events, my instructor,” was the answer of the unsatisfied scholar. Upon this, the master first expressed his dissatisfaction; but observing that stronger means must be used, he put into his hands that infamous libel, called, *The History of Jesus, in the Hebrew language, published with the intent of strengthening, through gross calumny, the prejudices of the Jews against our Saviour. This conduct of the master, and palpable malice of the said libel, increased suspicion, and excited curiosity more strongly to read the accounts of that Jesus in the books held sacred by the Christians. _____________________________________
* This blasphemous book is generally read by the Jews on Christmas Eve; when they are not allowed to read any of their own religious books, but employ themselves in amusements. _____________________________________
Some time after that he succeeded, with much trouble, in providing himself, secretly, with a New Testament, through the medium of a worthy Christian woman who worked at his aunt's as a sempstress. He perused it with the greatest eagerness, he soon found the amazing difference between its contents and those of the before-mentioned work, which caused him to peruse and re-peruse it with much pleasure, as frequently as it was possible for him to do it secretly. The more he read it, the more were his ideas of the religion of his fathers increased and strengthened. With redoubled devotion, and a new sort of curiosity, he began to search for further light, by reading the writings of the Prophets; with the intention of thereby bringing the expectations of his nation respecting the Messiah to the touchstone.
Having, by stealth, continued these researches in the more advanced period of his youth, he became more and more involved in a serious perplexity what to believe; which was increased by reason of his not daring to open his heart to others; and from those to whom he did discover himself, by hints, he received no proper instruction. His heart under all this was heavily depressed, as, by his
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increase in years, he began to feel the importance of the affair; so that, by the uneasiness of his mind, he was often compelled to pray fervently to God, who knew his heart; and that it was oppressed to know the truth, in order to enlighten him and relieve him out of this insupportable state of uncertainty, that he might arrive at that sound knowledge to which he might cleave as the truth.
With the increase of this seriousness, new objections and difficulties arose in his mind; he resolved, therefore, to begin, anew from the commencement of his researches. With this, and the reading every thing out of the systems of the Jews, and their sacred writings, which throw any light upon it, a considerable portion of his leisure hours passed away. His reverence for the New Testament in the mean time greatly increased; and the lifeless devotion which he observed among his own people, struck him more and more; their ceremonies gradually lost their value in his esteem, and became contemptible to him. The great day of atonement, particularly, was an evident contradiction to the prevailing ideas of his mind and the serious sensations of his heart; for, through the little light he had already acquired of the truth of the Christian Religion, there remained nothing with which he could satisfy himself. After this, entering into a laborious and busy way of life, and obliged to take long journies into other countries, the opportunity and inclination to continue his researches were subject to accidental hindrances. He experienced the great injury which the calling of a merchant occasioned to the important duties of devotion; and he had often, in moments of serious meditation, to reproach himself with slowness or culpable indifference.
Afterwards, having enjoyed greater opportunities of conversing with Christians, and now and then attending their places of worship, he discovered a greater inclination towards Christianity; more especially when the bustle of business and the overpowering effects of prosperity exerted less influence in prejudicing the thoughts of his heart, which continually arose with fresh power. This inclination was at length so strong, that he firmly resolved not to marry any person, but one whose ideas on this
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subject accorded with his own. Several proposals of marriage being made to him by his friends, as is the custom among the Jews, he rejected them; and at length fixed his affections on his present wife, Sarah de Jonge, in whose heart, at that time, the like doubts began to arise. He considered, therefore, that he should have some one to whom he could confide these most important secrets of his heart, and who could share them with him. With thanksgiving he revered herein the direction of the Divine Providence; and the important discourses they had with each other convinced him more and more, that the same ideas and wishes filled her mind also. The spirit of enquiry was hereby sensibly encouraged, but continually met with impediments, in reflections on the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, on what Christians believe of the Trinity, and the complete purity and infallibility of the New Testament. His heart was thereby much tormented; and he would have reckoned himself happy, if he could have believed that which as yet it seemed impossible for him to believe. Nevertheless he, as well as his wife, lost all inclination to the Jewish doctrine; and their ceremonies and form of worship even excited disgust; their manner of living also, now began to differ much from that of the Jews.
Beside, in consequence of the prosperous course of his affairs, and the cares of a family, which were rapidly increasing, that sincere earnestness and entire resignation of heart which, amidst so many doubts, were in his situation necessary to arrive at the full light of truth and peace of mind, again became weak and faint. The liveliness of his disposition, how advantageous soever it might be in the serious moments of his life, threw many stumbling blocks in his way, and occasioned no small injury; it caused him often to do injury to himself. Hence, he often contradicted the convictions of his heart, and was brought into that whirlpool, which can be conceived of only by those who know by painful experience, the surprizing counteraction of our corrupt nature to that which is good.
The succeeding adversities of his life brought him, under the direction of the Divine Providence, into a school
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of experience better fitted for his improvement. In consequence of extensive commercial connexions with France, after experiencing many other misfortunes, he became the sacrifice of the covetousness and tyranny with which the famed reign of terror (by means of the guillotine) appropriated to itself the property of the best commercial houses in the country; and his till then, prosperous, circumstances received such unexpected and fatal shocks as occasioned his complete ruin. His repeated efforts to recover himself, by undertaking other affairs, altogether miscarried, notwithstanding the best prospects, owing to the unfavourable circumstances of the times and the war: and every thing conspired together to give a turn decisively unfavourable to his worldly affairs.
However distracting these circumstances frequently were, they were notwithstanding, proper in themselves, and appear to have been made use of by a higher hand, continually to enliven his devout affections, and to give him, in seeking peace of mind in religion, strength according to his day. Not only did the parents feel this necessity for themselves, but the sensation of it had much influence also in the education of their children. Instructed both by prosperity and adversity, and more and more strengthened in an earnest solicitude to discover the true way to solid happiness, they endeavoured to impress similar ideas and sentiments on the minds of their children from their very infancy. They meant to let their understandings take their free course; but held it, at the same time, their parental duty, in proportion to their years and capacity, not to conceal from them their own real sentiments, and with all their power to impress on them the same love of truth, and esteem for virtue and goodness, on which they themselves set the greatest value.
Their manner of life, which began more and more to differ from that of the Jews, and the particular way of bringing up their children, became from time to time the more obvious, and led them to a more familiar conversation with Christians, by which they obtained a more distant knowledge respecting the difficulties which they found in some principal points; they also became acquainted with some good and useful books adapted to
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their circumstances; and thus they were further strengthened in their conviction of the excellence of Christianity.
We scarcely need observe, that in proportion as these their views, and the manner of life resulting from them, became publicly known, it could not but occasion an unfavourable impression on the minds of their own nation and relations. However, as long as their conviction and sentiments had not arrived at such a maturity as that a final transition to Christianity was with much probability to be feared, this unfavourable impression was not so prejudicial with their rich relations, on whose sect, and their support, they, in their adversity, were intirely dependent; but, on the contrary, they were, by a well-regulated and liberal supply of their nearest relations, and by various promises, threats, and connexions of importance, together with their large family, deterred from taking that decisive step which the Jewish nation, as is well known, is accustomed to consider as the greatest scandal and infamy.
Notwithstanding this, their convictions increased, and became more firm. The nothingness of all sublunary things, of which their former life, in prosperity and adversity, had afforded such striking instances, sunk deeper and deeper into their hearts; their present situation gave now more opportunity and fitness of heart to feel the want of true peace of mind, and to seek it in better things; no wonder then, that by the further clearing up of objections, the desire of their hearts towards Christianity became more and more imperious.
After so much experience, and continual vicissitudes of external affairs and internal movements of the mind, but likewise with the heart ameliorated by all this, and a fixed resolution to go over to the Christian Church, Mr. Lapidoth, with his family, came, in the autumn of 1801, to Vianen to reside; and here his inclination towards Christianity soon became very apparent, in his indifference towards the public ceremonies of the Jews, in his domestic management, and in his repeated attendance at the place of worship of the reformed Christians, all which greatly excited the hatred of the Jews, and must, in the
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sequel, have proved unfavourable to his outward concerns.
After living for some months, in a retired manner, at Vianen, Mrs. Lapidoth was delivered, in March 1802, of her twelfth child; by which not only the burden of a family, before very large, was increased, but the minds of the parents were also deeply affected by the necessity of permitting this child, contrary to the conviction of their own minds, to be circumcised. This grief continuing to afflict them in a most painful manner, they communicated the same (being asked the reason of their visible sadness) to a pious lady who lodged in the same house, and to whom they from time to time confided, in some measure, their religious sentiments. She encouraged them to speak privately with the ministers of that place, and to disclose to them sincerely and truly the state of their minds. This happened in August 1804, and Mr. Lapidoth was received by them with kindness, but at the same time with the necessary caution; and it was now conceived that the occurrence, together with the sentiments disclosed by these people, were of sufficient importance to occasion suitable enquiries to be made respecting their persons, circumstances, and behaviour.
The result proving in all respects agreeable to their own statement, the ministers judged the affair to be of such a nature, that they were not at liberty to withhold themselves from furthering the happiness of these people; but that it would be Christian charity, independent of the situation they held, which made it their bounden duty to assist them as much as possible in attaining, according to their desire, the true knowledge and real profession of Christianity. It was evident that their outward affairs were such as not to afford any encouragement thereto: this, however, did not hinder Mr. Wintgens, according to the friendly arrangement of the two ministers, and upon the request of these people, to undertake, in dependence on the Divine Providence, giving them such instructions as were suited to strengthen them in the knowledge they had already acquired, and to make them more fully accquainted with the true spirit of the gospel.
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This instruction was now continued weekly, with much pleasure and encouragement on the part of the minister, whose heart, through the aptness, as well as the sentiments of the learners, became more attached to them; and who, in the mean time, took all possible pains to find out something or other for the maintenance of this numerous family, which, on their eventually professing Christianity, and being then probably deserted by their relations, might preserve them from poverty, and afford them the means of an honest livelihood.
In the mean time, two whole years had passed away, without any favourable prospect appearing; the endeavours of Mr. Wintgens, and the exertions of others had miscarried; and several plans were suggested for the attainment of the same, or preparatively to relieve the family.
The eldest daughter and son had more than once offered immediately to recite before the elders of the church their confession of faith, and to be baptized, if only some way of maintenance could be procured for them, or if they could be employed in any business; hoping thereby not only to relieve their parents, but likewise to hasten their conversion. But all these attempts proved abortive. On the other hand, their necessities, by their sentimens becoming more and more known, and their relations growing more suspicious, became the more pressing. Frequently they were put to great straits, from which alone the ready help of the friends of humanity could relieve them; and, upon the whole, they suffered very great want, which was not known till afterwards; in which they found themselves strengthened by their hope in Him for whose sake they endured this affliction.
The perplexity in which every thing was now involved, naturally gave occasion to consult with several neighbouring professors and ministers; and, in order to judge the better of the affair, Mr. Lapidoth was sent to them. It was found, under such circumstances, very difficult to give good advice, and it was judged that the important difficulties which existed were not to be diminished by a hasty opinion; it appeared particularly necessary to convince him, that if he would, in spite of all the difficulties
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attached to his situation, go over to the real profession of Christianity, the mere conviction of the truth was not sufficient; but on the contrary, that a hearty confidence in the love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, would alone be sufficient to afford any real advantage to his soul, and strengthen him, if it should come to that, to bear with resignation and fortitude all humiliation, sacrifices, and wants.
He seemed to feel the importance of this in the liveliest manner, and frequently made such declarations as would at once have been deemed satisfactory, and have obliged any teacher of the gospel to judge the immediate confession of faith in Jesus Christ as necessary: and, with respect to the parents and elder children, fully to accept of the same. At the same time, it was easily conceived that as nine young children, of whom the eldest was an unfortunate object, received their necessary subsistence from the relations, though with a more sparing hand than before, it would, in entirely depriving them thereof, and obliging them, in professing Christianity, to enter on a state of complete poverty, and bring upon the parents a burden, which could not easily be removed.
In this perplexing state of uncertainty, Mrs. Lapidoth was, in the month of December 1804, delivered of her thirteenth child, which, to the great grief of the parents, being a son, increased the sorrows of their hearts, and obliged them to come to an immediate decision, whether they would, by circumcising the new born infant, act contrary to their convitions; or, by neglecting the circumcision, take that important step on which depended, on the one hand, the peace of their minds; and which on the other hand, might occasion the immediate and complete distress of their already necessitous family; the latter was the more confirmed by a formal question put to them by their relations, the purport of which was to satisfy them respecting the circumcision of the child.
Several ministers and professors were again applied to on this perplexing occasion, of whom some were reluctant to give any positive advice; but others who, on account of their years, experience, and situation in the church, were particularly looked up to, conceived unanimously,
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that, as servants of Jesus Christ, they were obliged to answer, “If you suffer your child to be circumcised Christ is become of no avail to you;” and assured them further, in the name of Christ that the Lord would not suffer them, for their profession of the Christian faith, to be deprived of that which was necessary to the support of their existence.
Mr. Lapidoth declared his lively joy at this advice, which agreed so well with the desire of his heart, and with the wish of his wife and eldest children; and declared that, with an eye to that Lord in whom he placed the happiness of his soul, he would quietly expect what his sovereign will had appointed for him.
Having returned to his family, the account of this occurrence occasioned universal joy; and it was unanimously resolved, with good courage, and under the expectation of God's blessing, to go over to Christianity.
In consequence of this, Mr. Lapidoth wrote, in the most moderate terms, to his Amsterdam relations, that, respecting the circumcision of their child, they had their difficulties; and that their ideas and sentiments were of such a nature, as to induce them to cause the child to undergo a sacred ceremony of another kind. On this, further and more explicit information being required, not only the parents but likewise the three eldest children sent letters, in which, in the most respectful but open manner, they explained their intentions of being baptized, and, by confession of the faith, to go over to the reformed Christian church; declaring farther, that each of them, on the most mature consideration, had resolved to take this step, on which, they thought, their peace of mind depended, and at the same time heartily praying that this their intention might make the least alteration in the dear bonds of consanguinity, as they, on their side, always hoped to shew, that however they might consider the affair, the Christian religion taught them always to perform, with the greatest faithfulness, their duty as children; and they prayed further to the Lord, that he would make them as happy as their children and children's children then felt themselves.
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Every thing was now arranged, with courage and gladness, to hasten their going over to Christianity, and the attainment of that object which they had so long desired in vain. The affair now became quite public, and excited a very general interest, and induced many hearts to provide for this family, now quite forsaken. The necessary instruction being finished, the two parents and the three eldest children were examined by Mr. Wintgens on March 25, 1805, in the presence of two members of the Consistory; and they gave such a satisfactory account of the grounds of their conviction, and of their knowledge of the Christian faith that, without difficulty, they were admitted to a public confession of the Christian belief, which they made on Sunday, March 28, 1805, in the midst of the congregation, in the Church of Vianen, and thereupon, together with the ten younger children, were, by baptism, solemnly incorporated into the Church of the Lord.
The Consistory of the Netherland reformed congregation at Vianen, have not only, according to the rites of the Church given their assent thereto, but have likewise not hesitated, in this extraordinary case, to give the following certificate, to serve the converts in case of need:
“We the ministers, elders, and deacons forming the Consistory of the Netherland reformed congregation at Vianen, have no difficulty, on the request of Mr. C. N. Lapidoth, to declare the following on his behalf, as well as of those belonging to him.
“Since the autumn of 1801, when he and his family came to live here, we have known this family, of Jewish origin, as decent people, of a very orderly and irreprehensible conduct, and particularly in their numerous children, we have observed the visible good effects of an intelligent domestic education. Their refraining from many Jewish customs, and the attendance of the father and the eldest son on the public worship of the Christians, excited, gradually, suspicion of their inclination to Christianity, and attracted our attention the more to their persons and behaviour.
“What they revealed to the ministers of their thoughts on religion, was obliged to be kept secret for a considerable
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time, by reason of their pecuniary and family concerns, till that they, a few weeks since, applied to us with the request of being admitted to the confession of the Christian faith. We acquiesced therein, and after having, in presence of some of us, been examined respecting the articles of the Christian faith, and having given very satisfactory answers, they have, on March 28, 1805, made a public confession of faith, and received baptism.
“What is known to us of their character, their course of life, and their present circumstances, gives us all reason to consider the step they have taken as the consequence of an honest conviction and hearty participation, and thus affords us occasion to rejoice at their conversion to the kingdom of our Lord, whilst we recommend them, and all who may read this, to the mercy of our Lord.
“By reason of the extraordinary case of these people, we have not refused to give them, beside the customary certificate of being members of the church, this extraordinary certificate also, to send when and where may be necessary.
Done in Vianen the 29th April, 1805, (signed) G CREMER, Scribe.
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A particular Account of the Baptism of Mr. Lapidoth, the converted Jew, and his numerous Family, according to the Rites of the Dutch Church.
It being publicly known that Mr. Lapidoth and his family had embraced the Christian religion, and were all to be baptized on Sunday, March 28, 1805, a great number of persons, not only of Vianen but of the surrounding villages, attended to witness this solemn ceremony; upon which occasion the Rev. E. P. A. Wintgens addressed them in the following manner.
“You are gathered together in this place in great numbers; and undoubtedly that which you will now see and hear merits your attendance, but it requires also a silent respect, and that you should feel yourselves interested
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therein. If you deem the honour of your heavenly Father and his glorified Son of importance,—if you often utter from your heart that wish, which we have just been singing, namely, the increase of God's kingdom, you will certainly feel yourselves interested whenever children are by baptism incorporated in the church, or adult persons, through their confession of faith, unite themselves to the congregation of the Lord; and whenever the power of the gospel is manifest in the conversion of sinners, you will not then be indifferent as to the means employed, for spreading the gospel among heathen nations, but you will hear every account of their success with thanksgiving to God.
“And should you not be sensibly affected at this time, when a numerous family from among that people who once crucified the Messiah, now comes forward openly for the honour of the crucified Nazirite, will now openly attach itself to the service of God's glorified Son, and will openly unite itself with us, in order to adore that Lord who alone can save?
“Yes Christians! if we set any honour upon that name which we bear, if we be accustomed to participate in the dearest interest of our fellow-creatures, then this hour must be an hour of joy to us; then shall we conceive with thankfulness the high value of our so long enjoyed, but alas! so little improved advantages; and thus will this solemn work produce a blessed effect on our own minds. With this desire let us pray the Lord to give us grace, and let us pay him the adoration of our hearts.”—Upon this a devout prayer was offered up, to obtain a blessing upon this solemn occasion; after which the minister said,
“Let us sing part of the song of Zecharias, verse I.
“We have now brought to your recollection, by the words of Zecharias, the promises which God, by his holy prophets, had made from the beginning of the world; promises respecting the great salvation, which was to be accomplished by a glorious person, in whom all the generations of the earth should be blessed. We placed ourselves in the situation of that pious priest, who, with some other sincere Israelites, being instructed respecting the
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approaching appearance of the promised and eagerly expected King of Salvation, did then rejoice, praising God for the day of salvation which dawned on their people.
“But was this joy general when Jesus of Nazareth, as the Messiah, publicly appeared? Did they see in him the fulfiller of the divine promise, the bringer of salvation to the world? Did they accept of him as their King, appointed of God? Alas! the contrary is well known to you, my dear hearers,—and how little the conduct of the Jews, upon the whole, answered the end of his coming and their own true interest,—how much they differed in their minds concerning him, is shewn by the Evangelist St. John in those words, to which I shall on this occasion draw your attention; they are to be found in St. John, 1st Chapter, verse 10-13. “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to those that believe on his name. Which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”—On these words the minister made an appropriate discourse, in which, in a concise manner, he explained the text, and spoke briefly of the excellencies of Jesus Christ, and of the everlasting happiness of those who believe in him. This exhortation being finished and a hymn sung, namely, the 12 articles of the Creed in verse, the minister addressed Mr. Lapidoth and his family in the following manner:
“Dear friends, you, who together with us, are creatures of one and the same God: descendants of that people who, in times of old, were favoured by God with his peculiar revelations and privileges, from among whom the Saviour of the world came forth, who by rejecting him made themselves miserable, but yet are not cast off by God. With pleasure we saw, for some time past, that you frequented our devotions in this house of prayer, and united in the adoration which we pay to Jesus the crucified.
“With longing desire we looked forward to that period, when we should hear you openly declare that Jesus
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of Nazareth is the Messiah and Son of God, and that you should be solemnly taken into our congregation. Are you now ready to fulfill this our desire?—declare, then, openly what you believe; make your conviction manifest, and bind yourselves to fulfill all those duties which this conviction lays upon you. Do this in the presence of God with an upright heart, of your own free will, and with thankfulness for the great mercy which he has shewn you.
“And, in order that it may appear that you do not intend merely to profess the Christian religion, in which you have been privately instructed by us, but that you intend, by the grace of God, to regulate your lives accordingly, I request you, before God and this congregation, to answer the following questions sincerely:—
“1st, Do you believe in the only true God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Creator of Heaven and earth, and all that therein is?
“2dly, Do you believe that you were conceived and born in sin?—and have you a hearty sorrow on this account?
“3dly, Do you believe that Jesus of Nazareth, whom your forefathers put to death on the cross, is truly the Messiah and Redeemer, promised and expected of old, in whom the predictions of the prophets have been fulfilled? that he is the true and eternal God, who has taken upon him human nature from the flesh and blood of the Virgin Mary, and that he is given to us by God for a Saviour?
“4th, Do you agree to all the Articles of the Christian faith, as they are taught in the Christian church from the word of God?—and are you resolved to persist stedfastly in this doctrine till the end of your lives?—and will you, in consequence thereof, shun all errors and heresies that deviate from this doctrine?
“5th, Do you resolve, from your hearts, to lead a Christian life,—to shun the world and its evil desires, as it becomes the members of Christ and his church to do?—and will you submit yourselves to all Christian admonitions?”
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Each of these questions was answered, with an audible voice, in the affirmative,
“May the merciful and great God take pleasue in these your declarations and promises!—and may he of his infinite mercy, give you grace to persevere in your resolutions, through Jesus Christ! Amen.
“As you have now, my worthy friends, acknowledged Jesus before men, you will not refuse to follow that command, which, before his departure from the earth, he left to the promulgators of his doctrine:—He commanded them to baptize with water all Jews and Heathens who would acknowledge him as the Son of God, and who would join themselves to his followers,”—Upon this the form of Baptism for adults was read to them; and the minister continued thus:
“Seeing, my friends, that you likewise desire to be baptized with the holy baptism, in order that it may be to you a seal of admission into God's church, and having now publicly made your confession of faith, we cannot refuse the water, and that you should not be baptized. Receive, therefore, in that water which shall be poured upon your heads, the pledge of God's forgiving and cleansing mercy, through the blood of Jesus Christ and his Holy Spirit.”—The minister, having descended from the pulpit, baptized the five converts, and returning again to it, he further addressed himself to the baptized thus:
“In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, and in the name of all who worship him in all places, I, as a minister of his gospel, admit you into the holy universal Christian church. We all, who are gathered here together, acknowledge you from henceforward, to be members of Jesus's body, and to be our beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord. We offer you our hearts, full of sincere inclination towards you; and invite you to unite constantly with us in communion at the table of the Lord. We rejoice with you in the great privilege which you have this day obtained; and wish you all grace and happiness from him with whom you will henceforward stand in the closest relation.
“He who was once in the world, but whom the world did not know,—he, who eighteen centuries since, came
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to his people, your forefathers, according to the flesh, but whom they rejected,—he is the promised Messiah, whom you have, years since, learnt to know, and now openly acknowledge as the Son of God, by whom the world was made, him you have accepted as your Almighty Saviour:—to him you have, in baptism, solemnly dedicated yourselves; and he, in this baptism, has given you the assurance that he will make you his dear children and inheritors of salvation.
“Your descent from Abraham has no longer been deemed sufficient by you. The imaginary claim of recovering privileges long since forfeited, you have changed for hope in Christ? you have overcome your national aversion to a crucified Messiah; you have forsaken father, mother, and relations for that Jesus who is more to you than all these; you have sacrificed to the peace of your mind, interest and the friendship of man. This the grace of our Lord has enabled you to do.
“You have only to thank his divine direction and his Holy Spirit for it. On all occasions, praise his care for you, and his having brought you in the right way; but honour him likewise in future by an unlimited confidence in his grace and omnipotence. You will find in his mercy a recompence for all losses and trials. Remain faithful to him, he will not forsake you: he who has all power in Heaven and on earth, who gave his life up for you, will cause every thing to go well with you. Put, with confidence, your earthly concerns in the hands of him who has been so careful for your eternal welfare. Expect joyfully every good from that God who, by baptism, has taken you into union with himself: he will provide for you as for his dear children, and will sanctify you through communion with him!
“Strive then to be his dutiful children, as those who are born of God; seriously considering how much renovation after God's image,—how much cleansing from offences,—how much forgiveness of sins,—how much power for performing duties, you will still find needful! Let Jesus Christ be always dear and precious to you; for through him only you can be what, according to your confession and promises, you ought to be. Unite more
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and more with the conviction of his divine mission, and the awfulness of his doctrine, the consciousness of his being indispensably necessary to you. Stregthen your confidence in his mediation and promises, your relation to him, and your zeal for his service, by a repeated participation in the sacrament instituted in remembrance of his death. Let faith in him cleanse your hearts, and continually unite you more closely with him. View this as the principal thing in Christianity, and as the only mean to derive from Jesus advantage for your peace of mind, sanctification, and hope.
“Have you, together with Jewish unbelief, forsworn your vain confidence in external things, and false ideas of morality and virtue? Have you, in baptism, declared that you would cast off all those sins that till now have rendered you unclean?—then begin from henceforward, being now converted to the Christian faith, to lead a holy life. Let all your words and deeds bear witness of a Christian disposition, and reverence for God and Jesus. Put to shame, by your Christian behaviour, the unchristian conduct with which, alas, so many professors shamefully treat their Lord! Do not copy their example. Content not yourselves with being better than them, nor palliate your faults by their defection; but always take the perfect Saviour as your model: and take all possible pains to display his image among your fellow-Christians!
“Convince us by this, more and more, that Jesus and his salvation are truly of importance to you: that you have not foolishly, for some particular notions, made so great a sacrifice; but that the gospel was with you a business of the heart,—your most pressing necessity and dearest treasure! Refute thereby the evil reports of your relations after the flesh; convince them, by a conduct not to be censured, that the gospel of Jesus does truly amend and make happy; and do not discontinue to pray with true Christian love for their conversion, that hereafter they may with you and us adore Jesus the crucified!
“My dear fellow Christians, receive these converts from Judaism into your Christian community with hearts inclined towards them: receive them from the hand of your Lord, as a welcome addition to that body of which you
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are members. Let your eyes be from henceforward fixed on them with particular attention, yet observe them with indulgent love, and without suspicion. Do not require of them more than you require of yourselves. Should you perceive any thing wrong in their moral conduct, consider that the faith of Jesus Christ, which they have now professed, is the mean appointed gradually to improve them; and assist them, with brotherly kindness, to proceed in the important, but never-finished work of becoming holy.
“Endeavour yourselves to be examples, exciting them thereto, and take heed that they do not, by their conduct, put you to shame. Learn from them, to sacrifice every thing for Jesus and his gospel, when needful, and to find in him your chief good. Pray much for the prosperity of them all, and be zealous with the co-operation of our Lord, to make up to them the sacrifices they have made. Let us now pray with and for them, and with love towards them, recommend them to the grace of God.”—Prayer for that purpose was offered; and the minister then said,
“Let us sing from the Lord's prayer, the 10th verse.”—After this verse was sung, the ten younger children were brought to the font, and now the minister addressed the parents thus:
“Dear Brother and Sister in the Lord, if you desire that these your young children should, by baptism, be received into the church of Jesus Christ, we cannot refuse it. They are now children of true believers, and, by your incorporation into Christianity, are already hallowed to the Lord. And though it is true that young children do not understand the meaning of baptism, yet we must not, on that account, exclude them from it.
“Dearly beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, you revere baptism as an ordinance of God, to seal his promises to us and to our seed: answer me then, sincerely, the following questions:
“1st, Though our children are born in sin, and are therefore subject to all misery and condemnation, yet do you not believe that they are sanctified in Christ, and therefore ought to be baptized as members of his church?
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“2dly, Do you promise to instruct, or cause to be instructed, these children, according as they shall come to proper understanding (of whom you are father, mother, and likewise witnesses*) in the doctrine which is contained in the Old and New Testament, and in the Articles of the Christian faith, taught in the Christian church here as the true and perfect doctrine of salvation? _____________________________________
* The already baptized elder sisters and brother stood as witnesses, or Godfather or Godmothers. _____________________________________
“What is your answer and your promise?”—To each of these questions the parents and witnesses answered with a loud voice, `Yes, we will.'
“God give you his grace to fulfil this your promise! May he accept these children at your hands, be always with them, and make them partake of that happiness which, by baptism, shall be promised them on the part of God. And you, dear children, so far as you have acquired some knowledge of God your Creator, and of Jesus the great benefactor of mankind, see, in your baptism, that God and Jesus love you, and that you must, in return, love and obey them. From henceforth he instructed gladly; often reflect upon your baptism, and depend upon it, that in the service of God you may expect every blessing from his hands.”
Hereupon the ten children were baptized by the minister's colleague, the Rev. G. Cremer; after which followed, from the Form of Baptism for Little Children, the Evening Hymn; thanksgiving was then sung, and the benediction concluded the solemn service. ________________________________
A letter from Capt. BENJAMIN WICKES, dated London, April 2, 1806, to his friends, at Philadelphia.
I WROTE you a few days after my arrival at this place, and gave you I think some general account of what had happened to me since I saw you: but as I do not remember particulars, perhaps I may in this repeat some things I have already mentioned. We are going from London to Calcutta; two missionaries with their wives are going with us from the Baptist society, and
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a young woman espoused to a missionary already in Bengal from the London society, and there to be married. On the 12th of last month, the Baptist missionaries were ordained at Oxford, and set apart for the mission at Bengal. I went to Oxford on this occasion, and was witness of a very solemn scene, and was treated with all that tenderness, that would have been due to an eminently good and useful man. Alas! for us, how easy is it for man to be mistaken! These people went so far in a full meeting of their missionary society to vote me their thanks for the part I had acted in favor of their mission, and requested that I would sit for their limner in London to take my likeness, to be deposited among the most noted of those that have been, are now, and may hereafter be, engaged in this work. This has been done, and whatever may be the consequence, I take it as I think it is meant, an expression of gratitude to a stranger who has given some proofs of favouring their cause. On my return to London I found that the Lord had blessed the ministry of the Jew minister, and given him several seals to his ministry from among his brethren. One evening last week, I went with one of the missionaries that is going with me, with two or three others, to drink tea with the Jew minister. While we were at tea there came in two Jews that were awakened under the sermon which you heard me speak of hearing him preach last fall, which was the first fruits of his labours. Those took tea with us, and after tea was over, there came in three other Jews, the fruits of his ministry. When they had sat down I counted our number, and found there were an equal number of both Jews and Gentiles, six of each; on which I observed, there was a remarkable instance before our eyes, of the partition wall, between the Jews and Gentiles, being broken down, and proposed, that we should join together in prayer and praise, which was readily agreed to, although the Jews had not heretofore seen such a thing, and perhaps such a thing had not taken place since the times of the apostles, if then. I lead in the exercise, the missionary followed, and the Jew minister concluded. When the exercise was over, the Jews took us by our hands with
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such expressions of love and brotherly affection as was truly gratifying.
The evening before last, I went to take tea with the missionaries at their lodgings, where I found a large company of Christian people of different denominations assembled, Mr. Fuller, Sutcliff, and several other ministers, were among them, also the Jew minister, and several of his Jew converts, the way being opened last week as mentioned above, for their mixing with the Gentiles. Here we held a very solemn exercise in prayer and praise. I was again appointed to lead, a missionary of the London society followed, the Jew minister succeeded, and Fuller and Sutcliff concluded. When the exercise was over, the Jews were again taken by the hand, by both ministers and people, and received in the bonds of brotherly love, as alive from the dead. Yesterday morning I had on board the ship to breakfast, the missionaries and their wives, several ministers of different denominations, and others to the number of about thirty. I would fain have had the Jews among them, but they could not come. Here we had an exercise of prayer and praise, until near twelve o'clock, committing the missionaries, the ship, and the crew, to the care of the blessed God, and praying for the spread of the gospel among the heathen. In the evening there was a meeting held at one of the Baptist meeting houses, for the purpose of dismissing the missionaries from their country and kindred, to go among the heathen in Bengal. This was a crowded and solemn assembly. After two ministers had prayed, Mr. Fuller gave a word of exhortation and advice to the missionaries that was truly affecting and impressive. Now what shall we say to these things? Cannot we conclude that God is really with us, and take the comfort of it?
BENJAMIN WICKES, Sen.
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