BAPTISM CUSTOMS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 95, 16 January 1926, Page 20

BAPTISM CUSTOMS

COSTLY ELABORATION IN OLDEN TIMES

In olden times preparations for the Christening started practically from the child’s birth with “the gossip hanging faire white lawne out of the window” to show there was a child . requiring baptism. About the same time the father interviewed the curate on the matter of the “chrisome” the white cloth anointed with hallowed ointment that the clergyman placed on the baby’s head. For this he must pay at least four pence, but “above as they can agree according to his station,” whilst if the baby died the cloth was wrapped round him at burial.

When carrying baby to church for the christening, his nurse took a slice of bread and another of cheese and gave these to the first stranger she met, who immediately made the child three gifts wishing him health, wealth, and beauty. The baby was garbed in a' christening shirt trimmed with’ embroidered bands and cuffs “wroughte with silkc and blue threadc,” usually the gift of a godparent. These shirts were nicely graduated to suit the purse and station of the donor; for instance, the variety recommended to “chief persons” was “edged with small lace of black and gold” and cost anywhere round a noble. But the less wealthy could buy christening suits that would pass muster at from two to five shillings.

Being a godparent, writes the “Manchester Guardian," was an expensive business, and the cost increased with the vogue for Apostle spoons.. A rich sponsor was expected to contribute a full set of a dozen spoons; another in “myddlingc circumstances” would send four, whilst a man with more goodwill than wealth would bin' one, choosing as his Apostle the baby's name saint. Nor did present-giving cease with the christening, for once the child was .short-coated the godmother hurried forward with coral and bells blessed by the priest to the undoing of evil spirits and warranted to preserve and fasten the teeth. Another suitable gift was a gilt spoon and porringer or a brave silver tankard, whilst a godfather with pretensions might send a whole bale of rich flowered' silk. Gifts for the mother (referred to as the “lady in the straw because beds were stuffed with this material) consisted of a huge “groaning cake” and bottles of syrup of ginger. The marvel was that any baby survived his christening, for before Ins birth it was customary for the parents to decide on which day he should be baptised, and whether his advent was premature or retarded the date could i

not be altered for fear of ill-luck. Even so late as the middle of last century a clergyman iu the Highlands complained that his parishioners would liring babies to be baptised on the first' or second day after birth, carrying them eight and nine miles to church in the depth of mid-winter. The christening feast was a most elaborate spread. A proud father, in addition to more substantial fare, would provide “a great plenty of biskets, wafers, and carcaways with Gascoign and Rhenish wines,” and everybody drank the baby’s health in hipocras—a medicated spiced wine. The ladies were not only encouraged to eat heartily, but were stimulated to take home anything thev fancied in their pockets, whilst the' unmarried were given the first cuts from the “broaning cake” to place under their pillows and bring dreams of future husbands. All Hu’s was felt to be something of a strain on a voting husband's resources, and ill less exalted stations a collection was taken to defray expenses. What most strikes an . outsider at christenings in peasant Sicilv, .where life still hovers, round 1725, is the glorification of the father and godfather at the babv’s expense. If the mother is tactful she stavs in bed. encouraging the assumption that it is entirely aii affair for her husband’s family to settle.

The father and godfather swear eternal friendship. Indeed, to be “compare” with a man means that von will not onlv help him in trouble, lend him money, and treat his family as your own. but. if necessary, will accept his politics. The "compare” gives the father a silk handkerchief and the mother as expensive a present as he can afford. usually a coral brooch. Then he presents three "ourrls of niaccaroiii. two pounds of biscuits, two • nniids of ground coffee, ng'l three bottles of Marsala to the christening feast. T’crhans the godmother will have given lhe babv a christening can or a tiny silver ring, but more often than not bo oets nothing. The godmother in her Iwst shawl -Hl. (1- U)rtf'sweo.'« (he oroonfl carries the babv, preceded by a bustling small m'rl who hurries in front with a carafe o f water for Hie font nod a cros=-stitched towel on which' the pnest wines Ids hands. The father and “compare” in their best blacks 1 ioin Hiein at tho porch and .candles are <lis<nt m fod. tlm more candles the Bolter thp “fignra.” The priest asks lhe godfather if he knows his Paternoster. and reassured by an encouraging. if inaccurate. “S', si. from . a child,” proceeds with the christening whilst the onlookers fight for candles.'