_Mr. M._ No; for he had already been circumcised, when he was eight days
old. "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the
child, they called his name Jesus." Then the next verse speaks of a
subsequent act: "When the days of her purification were accomplished
they brought him to Jerusalem." Mary could not have come to Jerusalem on
the eighth day; but, on the second occasion, she was present; for Simeon
addressed her. So that we have the example of the infant Saviour, in
bringing our infants into the temple; and, if we are scrupulous as to
following the Saviour in ordinances, we may as well begin by following
him into the temple, with our infants.
_Mother._ It is beautiful to think of Jesus, even in his infancy, as an
example, and that he was forerunner to the infants of his people, while
yet in his mother's arms.
Chapter Fifth.
SCENES OF BAPTISM--HENRY KELLY.--THE YOUNG PARENTS AND THEIR BABE.--THE
LOST MARINER'S FAMILY.--THE FEEBLE-MINDED YOUTH.--THE REASONABLENESS,
POWER, AND BEAUTY, OF CHILDREN'S BAPTISMS.--HUSBANDS SHOULD COME WITH
THEIR WIVES AND CHILDREN.--MOSES IN THE INN.
Since, Lord, to thee
A narrow way and little gate
Is all the passage; on my infancy
Thou didst lay hold, and antedate
My faith in me.
GEORGE HERBERT.
The parent pair their secret homage pay,
And proffer up to Heaven the warm request,
That He, who stills the raven's clamorous nest,
And decks the lily fair in flowery pride,
Would, in the way his wisdom sees the best,
For them and for their little ones provide,
But chiefly in their hearts, with grace divine, preside.
BURNS.
In all men sinful is it to be slow
To hope: in parents, sinful above all.
WORDSWORTH.
In a few Sabbaths from this time we had a most interesting scene at our
church.
Little Henry Ferguson Kelly was brought, and offered up in baptism by
his mother. We all felt deep respect for her as a woman of decided
character, and a devoted Christian. We saw that she wept much during the
service. The father was not there. She held the little boy upright on
her arm, and he turned his face over her shoulder, looking all about the
church, above and below. He then undertook to apply his little palm to
his mother's cheek, with several decided strokes, to rouse her usual
attention, which he seemed to miss. She took his hand in hers, and held
it, and he then rested his cheek, and his chin, alternately, upon her
shoulder.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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