A Sermon on Baptism

Sabbath Day.—I went in search of a Methodist chapel; a young man generously offered to show the way, and I found myself seated in a gallery in a Catholic one. It was late, and the sermon on baptism had commenced. A good exhortation was given to parents to train their children faithfully in the fear of God. The sermon was closed by particular directions how to baptize effectually, should any layman be called, on a special emergency, to perform the rite. We were told emphatically to remark, that in pronouncing the name of the Trinity, if each distinct person in the Godhead were not spoken or named with great slowness and distinctness, the baptism would be good for nothing. This was repeated, that each might be enlightened, and all faithfully enjoined not to forget it. At evening I visited the Protestant Sabbath-school, and listened to a lady explaining the lessons to her pupils, who showed much knowledge of the Scriptures, and appeared to be deeply impressed with their value herself.

Ireland’s Welome to the Stranger is one of the best accounts of Irish social conditions, customs, quirks and habits that you could wish for. The author, Mrs Asenath Nicholson, was an American widow who travelled extensively in Ireland on the eve of the Great Famine and meticulously observed the Irish peasantry at work and play, as well as noting their living conditions and diet. The book is also available from Kindle.