A SLIGHT MISTAKE.

Kumara Times, Issue 418, 28 January 1878, Page 4

A SLIGHT MISTAKE.

The London Figaro is indebted to the Newtonards Chronicle for an account of what that Hibernian print not inappropriately calls " an amusing baptismal incident." A few Sundays ago, it seems, it fell to the lot of a distinguished Presbyterian professor to preaeh in a church said to be not a hundred miles from Randelston—whereever that may be. After the sermon a child was to be baptised, and the eloquent divine, cognisant of this fact, dilated en the benefits of baptism, and, haviag exhausted the general aspects of the rite, proceeded to make particular reference to the impending infant. Warming with his subject, the good man went on substantially to this •effect: —•■"There is no saying, my Christian brethren, to what position the little ©ne • now before us may rise. Takes in hand by some family of 'eminence and high social condition, it may, in due season, and when properly educated, become an officer in one of her Majesty's regiments. It may attain to the honorable condition of a member of Parliament; it may even wina seat in the : House of Lords; or, better than either, in my opinion, it may have to preach the Gospel from the very pulpit which I now so unworthily occnpy." Then, stooping •down to the baby's father, the perspiring presbyter said, " Name this child," -and as the paternal response, "Eliza Jane," distinctly permeated the building, the reverend gentleman grew apopleotically rubicund of visage, and a mental vow Dever again to prophecy unless he knew. As for the ill-natured congregation, they tittered. •