all with God,
In trial's painful hour,
Bow all resigned beneath his rod,
And bless his sparing power;
A joy springs up amid distress,
A fountain in the wilderness."

That was her profession of religion, and her signal to the pastor to
proceed. The father took the little boy in his arms, held him over the
bed, before his wife; the pastor reached from the other side, and
baptized Walter, in the name of the covenant-keeping God. The father
held the child for the mother's kiss, and then took him away, fearing a
repetition of the previous scene. But the wife drew her husband back to
her, and left a kiss on his own cheek, amidst his tears.

"And now," said the pastor, after prayer, "God has been in this place,
and has himself applied to you and your children the seal of his
everlasting covenant. Do not make your faith in it to depend on the
degree of equanimity or vividness in your feelings; but remember what
Elizabeth said to Mary: 'And blessed is she that believeth, for there
shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the
Lord.'"

"O," said Mrs. P., "is it possible that I live to see this day? I almost
forget my sickness, my separation from my husband and children, in the
thought that God is my covenant God, and the God of my children. My
baptism is to me a visible writing and seal from God; and my children's
baptism is the same. I always used to think of baptism merely as a
profession on our part. O, how much more there is in it, besides that!
It is God's covenant and testimony toward me. Blessed names!" said she,
soliloquizing,--"Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! sweet society of the
Godhead! They come together; they are like the three that came to
Abraham's tent. Each has his precious gift and influence for my soul.
Why was I allowed to see this day, and enjoy this?"

The pastor said, "This is just one of those things which make us say,
'His goodness is unsearchable.' There seems to be no way of accounting
for this rich, free, sovereign love."

"Can I fear," said she, "to leave my children in such hands? No. God of
Abraham! 'thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations.'
Faithful God! 'a God to thee and thy seed after thee;' what power the
seal of the covenant has to make you believe it; yes, and seemingly to
hear it read to you. Do speak to all our dear mothers, and tell them in
health to make far more, than many do, of baptism for their children."

"And have you