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249
THE SLEEPING BAPTIZED.
[_]
Among a number of little children brought to the altar for baptism, I saw one infant had dropped asleep in its mother's arms during the introductory prayer, and which did not awake when sprinkled, but was carried away sleeping.
Babe with the sleeping eye and brow serene,
Borne to the altar for the holy rite,
What knowest thou of all this solemn scene?
And where has thy young spirit winged its flight?
Borne to the altar for the holy rite,
What knowest thou of all this solemn scene?
And where has thy young spirit winged its flight?
Has it not sought the Being whence it came,
In vision seen, amid his shining host,
While thus, on earth, baptized into his name
Triune, of “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost”?
In vision seen, amid his shining host,
While thus, on earth, baptized into his name
Triune, of “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost”?
There, with thine angel to behold his face,
Dost thou not find him ratify and seal
Our consecration in this sacred place,
Whilst these cold drops thy forehead may not feel?
Dost thou not find him ratify and seal
Our consecration in this sacred place,
Whilst these cold drops thy forehead may not feel?
Does not the dear Redeemer now enroll
Thy name within his Book of Life, and write
Thy final portion,—as a ransomed soul,—
Eternal glory in the world of light?
Thy name within his Book of Life, and write
Thy final portion,—as a ransomed soul,—
Eternal glory in the world of light?
What heavenly calm pervades thy tender breast
And lovely features,—cherub-like that seem!
Nor sob nor fluttering pulse betrays unrest,
From pain, late sorrow, or affrighting dream.
And lovely features,—cherub-like that seem!
Nor sob nor fluttering pulse betrays unrest,
From pain, late sorrow, or affrighting dream.
250
So, once, all-peaceful, clothed in infant charms,
Thy Saviour slept, the babe of Bethlehem:
And Jesus, teaching, folded in his arms
Such little ones as thou, and blessèd them.
Thy Saviour slept, the babe of Bethlehem:
And Jesus, teaching, folded in his arms
Such little ones as thou, and blessèd them.
To him in thy pure bud of being given,
In faith and hope, with sacrament and prayer,
Live, and walk through this world, a child of Heaven,
By grace and beauty leading many there!
In faith and hope, with sacrament and prayer,
Live, and walk through this world, a child of Heaven,
By grace and beauty leading many there!
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