A PERILOUS BAPTISM.

Evening Post, Volume XVII, Issue XVII, 24 May 1879, Page 2

A PERILOUS BAPTISM.

A distressing affair took place at Palmyra, Pennsylvania, recently. An aged invalid lady, Mrs. Martin Bowman, having expressed a do«iro to be baptizod according to the rites of the German Baptist Church, of which she was a member, and being unable to walk, was carried to the river bank in a rocking-chair, accompanied by her husband, children, and a number of friends. Sj determined was she to be immersed at any cost that on being informed the wnter was frozen ehe insisted on the ice being broken by hatchets. This was accordiugly done, and Mrs. Bowman was carried into the stream on her chair by tho Rev. Mr. Hertzle and an attendant, and dipped three times in the water. At'tor the third plunge, to the horror of all present, she presented the appearance of a corpse. Sho was carried to the shore amid loud fomentations; and everybody thought she was dead. A frightful scene followed. Her husband, who himself is in weak health, and has been advised by the doctors to take every precaution against cold, , " rolled iv tho snow in his bitter anguish," and rant the air with his cries. Her children also wept bitterly, nnd rafused all consolatiou proflored by tlie assembled spectators, who were themsolvos, without oxcoptiou, moved •to tears. In the meantime the supposed corpse vfy» hurriedly conveyed to a neighnoriug house, where brandy aud other stimulants were administered, and hot bricks and irons applied to the 8oK)9 of the feet. These remedies at last took effect, and to the surprise and delight of all present the old Jady first uttered an exclamation, and then gave vent to her feelings in rather strong language. It was some time before tbe ice iaher hair wes <( thawed out," and although by latest accounts the is progressing towards recovery, she complains of rheumatic pains, especially in the head. Several other persons who were waiting to be baptised, wisely " concluded" to wait for warmer weather.