A SEA BAPTISM

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10319, 31 January 1927, Page 2

A SEA BAPTISM

CEREMONY AT RANGITOTO. BAB Y GIELS~CHRISTENED. The baptism of two baby girls formed an unusual and impressive finale to the Rev Jasper C'alder’s weekly open-air service on Rangitoto Island recently, states the Auckland Star. The infants were carried in the arms of their godparents. Sheltered by sunshades, they slept peacefully through the service, and when the proceedings concluded the parents approached Mr Calder and asked him whether he could christen the babies for them. The City Missjoner had net expected anything of the kind, and he was in same doubt at first as to whether it would be advisable to adopt so unusual a course, but the obvious earnestness of tlieparents convinced him, rad'the .sacrament of baptism was celebrated there and then.

The babies were carried to the water’s edge, and with the eternal cc-ean as font and the blue vai It of the sky as roof, the words of the service were read. Mr Calder stood in the tide, and received each child in turn, stooping down and crossing the baby foreheads with the water. The first infant was named Dawn Noreen Knock, and Jibe second Lois Mary Rout. Before' dismissing the gathering the missioncr reminded his hearers that baptism in the sea had haem performed during the - early ages of faith, several instances being recorded in Holy Writ.