An Episcopalian's Only Experience With Immersion

1895

An Episcopalian clergyman, now dead, used to relate an experience he once had, which convulsed his congregation with laughter and nearly broke up his services for the day. He was the rector of a church in Connecticut.

One clay as the time for the annual visitation of the bishop was approaching, and he was preparing a class for confirmation, he was sent for to visit a woman who desired to talk with him on the subject of baptism.

The woman, who was very stout, weighing somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 pounds, informed him that she had long been attracted toward the Episcopal church, but had refrained from uniting with it because she had strong convictions in regard to baptism and felt that she ought to be immersed.

The minister told her that, although the church believed pouring or sprinkling to be valid baptism, it did not prohibit immersion, though, as it was a somewhat inconvenient method, it was not often used.

He pointed out the difficulties in the way, saying that he had no fount in the church large enough for such a purpose, and that there was no river or beach in the vicinity. In reply she suggested that he obtain permission to use the Baptist church, which had a large baptistry under the pulpit platform. This he consented to do, though with much misgiving. The consent of the Baptist brethren was readily obtained.

The next Sunday Episcopal services were held in the Baptist church. At the proper time in the service the candidate for baptism went forward, and, with the minister, went down into the baptistry. All went well until it came time for the immersion. Then the minister for the first time realized his inexperience in administering that form of baptism. When he attempted to immerse the woman, his foot slipped, and they both went under the water together.

He hastily scrambled to his feet, but, to his consternation and horror, found, when he attempted to raise the woman, that she could not be moved. There she lay like so many pounds of lead floundering in the water and screaming for dear life. In vain he tugged and pulled. She could not be even started.

Finally several men in the congregation went to the assistance of the minister, and by their united efforts succeeded in bringing the frightened women to her feet. The men were wet to the skin, having been obliged to go into the baptistry. The congregation struggled with its pent-up laughter, but finally it burst forth in a roar which could not be suppressed. The services were continued with great difficulty, and the minister drew a long breath of relief when they were ended.